Nine Star Burden

Chapter 222: Seeing Second Last Again

Leapfrogging, Skill Point +5.

Skill Points: 41

–

The information given in the internal Star Map made Jiang Xiao snap out of his trance and he wondered, Has the woman in the Sky Smasher already died?

Unfortunately, Jiang Xiao was already in the Nebula Stage. If he was still in the Stardust Stage, Gao Junwei’s death would probably also give him Skill Points for “Leapfrogging”.

“What do you mean?” Jiang Xiao asked as he looked at the contemplating Han Jiangxue.

Han Jiangxue pondered for a long while before saying, “If you think Second Last is trustworthy, we’ll go look for her then. We’ll expect the worst and be as prepared as we can.”

Jiang Xiao nodded and hurriedly packed up while saying, “Open the Sky Smasher and throw the corpse in too.”

Han Jiangxue hesitated and said, “We’ll wait for a while.”

Since their lives were concerned, they had to be very careful.

Jiang Xiao had the internal Star Map and hence, he could verify if the woman had died. However, Han Jiangxue did not have an internal Star Map.

Jiang Xiao didn’t say much either. After cleaning themselves up in the cave for a while and destroying the things that should be destroyed, they threw Gao Junwei’s body into the Sky Smasher and walked out of the cave. Han Jiangxue then threw another fireball into the cave.

The two of them trod along the snowfield, finding the feeling to be rather amazing.

Han Jiangxue tightened her grip on his arm too.

Although they had always depended on each other for life and had always been there for each other, they seemed to have become even closer after encountering such an incident.

Jiang Xiao went from being the one getting taken care of by Han Jiangxue to a person whom she could depend on too. Achieving mutual dependence was one of the most valuable things that Jiang Xiao felt he had done.

If he could protect her completely and be her shelter in the future so that she could be away from the disturbances, Jiang Xiao felt that he would have performed his duty well.

It was still the same deserted snow forest and the strong light that was being shone on his face.

Jiang Xiao walked along the trees that he had previously made markings on with his knife and finally found the spot where Second Last was stationed and guarding.

In fact, Jiang Xiao planned to go see her again after the Lunar New Year and so carved on some markings on the tree. He didn’t expect them to come in handy so soon.

This time, Second Last did not go by the book nor tell them to leave because it was a restricted area. When she saw Jiang Xiao’s tattered clothes, she walked out of the forest.

“What happened?” Second Last questioned in a hoarse voice when as she walked out amidst the heavy snow. Her assertive and domineering aura seemed rather unbearable for Jiang Xiao.

“The White Ghouls wouldn’t have caused you to end up in such a terrible state,” Second Last said as she strode out. As her large figure approached, Han Jiangxue grabbed his arm even more tightly.

Han Jiangxue tensed up and dared not show her hostility or animosity. However, she found it hard to stay calm.

The large figure in front of her was like a menacing beast that would devour humans, especially in the dim environment at night where her eyes loomed. She looked absolutely daunting and would give him the chills.

“Are there any people around?” Jiang Xiao asked, knowing how to adjust his mood. Of course, he was also scared at the beginning, but after he and Second Last spent more than a month fighting together in the snowfield, he had already slowly begun to get used to it.

Second Last shook her head.

Jiang Xiao touched Han Jiangxue with his arm.

She opened the Sky Smasher while Jiang Xiao took a deep breath, stretched his arm, and fumbled about in it.

Bang, bang.

With two loud thuds, two corpses appeared in front of Second Last.

Second Last’s expression was rather shocking as he appeared to have known everything. “You got into a conflict with others. Good that you’re alive.”

Second Last’s words were simple. As if such incidents were normal and she had grown accustomed to them. Although the Dimensional Space did not lead to anywhere else, civilization and order there seemed to be very “barren” compared to Earth.

“Uh...” Jiang Xiao scratched his head and said, “We didn’t meet random people who are here to train as well. The two of them were here to kill us.”

“Huh?” There was finally a change in Second Last’s tone, which was rare because she was usually monotonous. Her narrow eyes became a little menacing too as she looked down to stare at the two corpses.

One of the corpses was completely charred beyond recognition while the other was intact.

Jiang Xiao took the opportunity to describe to Second Last everything that happened just now.

Second Last listened to him quietly before saying, “Wu Di. The one beside her is Gao Junwei.”

Slightly stunned, Jiang Xiao asked, “So you know his mother?”

Second Last glanced at Jiang Xiao coldly and said, “I know everyone who is in contact with you.”

With a look of shock, Jiang Xiao teased. “You’re so concerned about me? Just arrest me. We’ll see if you admitted to being a Guardian Of The Night voluntarily.”

Second Last waved her arms impatiently, beckoning Jiang Xiao to shut up.

Standing by the side, Han Jiangxue explained, “She said that she had seen my parents before, but I wasn’t born yet back then.”

Second Last turned to look at Han Jiangxue and said, “She’s from the Victors Legion. Maybe she met your parents at a certain entrance of the Dimensional Space.”

Jiang Xiao was slightly stunned and he thought, Team of Victors? This is a special team that’s composed of special Star Warriors.

Due to the uncertainty in the appearance of different Dimensional Spaces, teams were formed.

A simple example would be a fight in a normal society that involved accidents, fights, and robbery. The police would take care of that. When the building was on fire, firefighters would rush to the front line for disaster relief.

In this world, if the door of a different Dimensional Space was suddenly opened in a certain place, the Victors Legion would rush over and try to take control of the situation by avoiding casualties. They would then destroy the creatures of other dimensions that had come to Earth.

The subsequent guardianship, mining, and development would be performed by a dedicated team.

The Victors Legion was similar to the firefighting team and would be the first team to rescue victims and provide disaster relief.

Triumph was also taken from the meaning of “Success”, and people often hoped that those heroes would return safely every time they traveled.

“How can such a person be part of the Team of Victors?” asked Jiang Xiao, slightly stunned.

“Which team doesn’t have one or two scumbags? We can only say that most people are good,” Second Last answered.

Jiang Xiao remained silent while hesitating.

“This is very interesting. The snowfield doesn’t allow those at the Galaxy Stage. This place is only meant for the ones in the Stardust and Nebula Stages.”

Second Last drew a dagger from her waist and directly used it to open Wu Di’s skull. The snowfield had just reopened after being abused by countless mercenaries. It was the strictest period and no one dared to break the rules. Letting a Galaxy Stage Star Warrior enter would be akin to courting death.

Second Last picked up the Star Bead belonging to Gao Junwei’s mother with her slender and blood-stained fingers. She held it in her hand and tried to feel it for a long while before saying, “The peak of the Galaxy Stage.”

Jiang Xiao blinked and thought, What does Second Last mean?

Second Last looked at Jiang Xiao and said, “Not bad.”

Jiang Xiao was dumbfounded.

She extended her bloodstained fingers and marked them on Jiang Xiao’s face, leaving behind a trace of blood. She said with admiration, “You’re alive.”

No, how do I solve this issue?

Don’t keep showering me with compliments.

I... I’m so happy.

Second Last slowly stood up and said, “You and her, stay here and practice for a few more days before going back to the Lunar New Year. Go.”

Jiang Xiao blinked and looked at the two corpses on the ground.

Second Last said in a hoarse voice, Go, you don’t have to worry about it.”

“Oh, oh, you... won’t you be in danger?” Jiang Xiao asked with slight hesitation.

Second Last smiled slightly with derision that made Jiang Xiao feel much more relieved.

“Let’s go?” Jiang Xiao said as he tugged Han Jiangxue’s arm.

Han Jiangxue pursed her lips and felt a warm and fuzzy feeling in her heart. As if she had found someone to rely on. How long had it been since she felt that way? Han Jiangxue carefully scrutinized Second Last’s face as if she wanted to keep her deeply etched in her mind. Under Jiang Xiao’s urging, she finally nodded and thanked Second Last agitatedly. She then walked back.

“Jiang Xiao,” said a hoarse voice that passed through the snow and filled Jiang Xiao’s ears all of a sudden.

“What’s the matter?” Jiang Xiao asked as he turned around, only to see Second Last tossing two Star Beads at her.

They were the Star Beads belonging to Gao Junwei and his mother.

Second Last said calmly, “Take them. One of the Star Beads is of the peak of the Galaxy Stage. They’re of no use to me.”

Jiang Xiao was speechless.

Aren’t you afraid of being beaten up for saying that!?!

What allowed you to grow up so safely?

Is it your abilities?

Okay.

Maybe it really is.