It was already the next day since they had left the God of Music’s dilapidated cabin. Now, in addition to the long box, Ryan carried an even larger one on his back, making him look rather comical.
“Perhaps I should carry the zither strings myself?” I tugged at his sleeve. It just felt inappropriate to have someone else carry my belongings, especially since I was perfectly capable of doing so myself.
While it might seem perfectly normal for a tall boy to carry a box for a small girl in the eyes of others, the truth was, I never truly considered myself a girl.
I could wear dresses and style my hair, but I never truly saw myself as a real girl. Thus, having another boy carry my things always felt uncomfortable.
“If he can’t even carry this much, he’s useless,” Liu Han said, casting a sidelong glance at him. With her extensive worldly experience, she instantly saw through Ryan’s little scheme.
Then, with a flourish, she bent down and slung an arm around my neck. “Little Mengmeng, boys should do these kinds of things. You just need to walk properly, as for bags and such…”
Liu Han’s actions instantly made my face flush crimson. My arms flailed awkwardly as I quickly wanted to refute her words. However, I couldn’t think of how, so I simply nodded, tacitly agreeing.
“Miss Liu Han is right. If I can’t even do something like this, what kind of man would I be?” Ryan patted his chest and declared.
“Alright, then. If it gets heavy, tell me. I can still carry this much.” Seeing that Ryan was also insistent, I stopped refusing, but still cautioned him.
“It’s nothing,” Ryan flashed another smile, radiating warmth and handsomeness.
‘Hmph, that smile again. Is he trying to charm Liu Han? So what if he’s handsome? Honestly, if only…’
‘I imagined myself with a height of over 180cm, golden locks fluttering in the wind, and gazing at the maiden before me with captivating eyes. “Oh, my dear~”‘
‘A wave of smug satisfaction washed over me, but it was instantly followed by a pang of desolation. To feel smug about such a fantasy? Then I looked at my current short, stubby physique…’
****
“Let’s go,” Xilinka, who had been silent until now, spoke, pointing ahead. “It’s getting late, and while we’re not in a hurry, it’s not good to keep them waiting indefinitely.”
‘Were they referring to the exchange? It seemed so. They probably knew we were setting off, and our prolonged absence would undoubtedly cause some trouble.’ Thus, we immediately went to find a ‘car’ suitable for long-distance travel.
Watching Leixar give the driver a few silver coins, I grew curious. “Erm, does the Land of Disorder use currency?”
Leixar nodded. “That’s right,” she said, tossing a silver coin my way.
I caught the silver coin and examined it closely for a long time. On its face was embossed a broken wing with feathers fluttering, appearing quite exquisite. The reverse side featured concentric circles of formation patterns, within which two symbols gleamed beautifully.
“This is called a Broken Wing Coin,” Leixar explained. “I’m not entirely sure of the specific reason for the name.”
I nodded. “Right, so what do these two symbols mean?”
Leixar sighed. “Actually, those two symbols represent the Dragon Domain’s insignia and the Heavenly Capital’s national emblem.”
“Then… why would the insignias of the Dragon Domain and the Heavenly Capital appear on a coin from the Land of Disorder?” I asked.
“Originally, the Land of Disorder was a sealed realm, devoid of divine power, where criminal gods were banished. However, even innocent deities suffered suppression of their powers here.
Six hundred million years ago, it finally gained freedom with the support of the Dragon Domain Emperor and the Heavenly Capital Empress. Consequently, the Land of Disorder came to regard the Dragon Domain and the Heavenly Capital as saviors.
Moreover, when the Heavenly Capital and Dragon Domain were exiled, countless beings from both realms fled to the Land of Disorder. It could be said that the Land of Disorder is now the spiritual successor of the Heavenly Capital and the Dragon Domain,” Leixar explained slowly.
“But, from what you’re saying, you don’t believe the Dragon Domain and Heavenly Capital were guilty, do you?” I asked, looking at Leixar.
“Guilty?” Leixar looked at me with a hint of amusement. “Have you forgotten who founded our Tianqi Academy?”
Then she lowered her head, a shadow of sadness crossing her face. “However, as for what truly happened back then, the Principal…”
‘I seemed to vaguely recall what had happened back then, but no one would likely believe me if I spoke of it. Even I wasn’t entirely certain, so I chose to remain silent.’
“It’s just a pity that the Dragon Emperor fell in battle and the Heavenly Capital Empress went missing. The Land of Disorder currently lacks the power to directly challenge the Divine Realm, otherwise…” She left the rest of the sentence unspoken.
Leixar’s gaze turned cold. Indeed, she did not believe the one-sided story of the Seven Divine Pillars. For in her youth, she had been one of Blood Lotus Tianqi’s students.
When she learned her teacher had been branded a traitor to the gods, she had only one thought: ‘My teacher was innocent!’
“Let’s go, don’t just stand there daydreaming.” Leixar regained her usual expression. She patted my shoulder and strode quickly forward, jolting me from my reverie.
Watching everyone walk away, I shook my head and jogged to catch up.