Chapter 87: Promise
Chapter 87: Promise
Ji Xinghuo looked at Ren Mian, who was standing behind the second-floor railing, and felt puzzled. Why did she want to speak to him in her room instead of in the living room?
Jiang Nan Caiyi was in the kitchen cooking and poked her head out, curious as well.
"Coming!"
Ji Xinghuo quickly climbed the stairs.
Ren Mian and Jiang Nan Caiyi's bedroom was on the second floor. He rarely went upstairs and had never entered their rooms.
Stepping into Ren Mian's bedroom, he noticed the bright lighting and the spacious bed. There was a desk by the window, facing the garden outside. Next to the bedroom was a walk-in closet and a bathroom, and the balcony led to a study filled with bookshelves. The entire room was decorated in a fresh and elegant style, befitting the owner's temperament.
Ji Xinghuo caught a whiff of a faint fragrance, the same as the scent she always wore—a mix of osmanthus and peach blossoms, leaving a lasting impression.
Ren Mian gently closed the door with a soft thud.
Ji Xinghuo's heart skipped a beat, and he stood there, feeling inexplicably nervous.
"Make yourself at home." Ren Mian sat on the small sofa by the wall, giving him a smile that seemed to hold hidden meanings. "What are you thinking about?"
"Absolutely nothing!" Ji Xinghuo denied immediately. "It's just that this is my first time in Sister Ren's room, so I'm a little curious."
"There's nothing here. You're welcome to come in anytime." Ren Mian smiled gently.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony." Ji Xinghuo sat down beside her.
"I'll be leaving tomorrow," Ren Mian said, her smile fading as she turned serious. "This time, I'll be gone for one to two years. With your talent, by the time I return, you'll definitely be an advanced otherworldly being, and there's even a chance you'll become a super otherworldly being. So, there are some issues I want to help you resolve before I leave."
Ji Xinghuo was a little perplexed. Scratching his head, he asked, "What issues do I have?"
He felt that everything was going well for him and that his life was perfect.
"Why don't you want to return to Earth?" Ren Mian's beautiful eyes fixed on Ji Xinghuo as she asked softly.
Ji Xinghuo's expression froze.
He didn't know how to explain that he was a Sword Agent of the Fish Sword in the Sharp Sword Bureau. He didn't need to be on duty; he only needed to focus on his training. He had the best cultivation conditions and received a high salary. It was a sweet deal where they paid him to cultivate.
Others would find it hard to understand why he didn't want to stay in the Sharp Sword Bureau.
Even Zhou Yishang, who had recruited him, probably didn't understand.
So, he guessed that others might find it suspicious that he would give up such a promising future and instead choose to venture into the Star World, going far away from Earth.
Ji Xinghuo felt helpless whenever he thought about it.
In hindsight, his choice had undoubtedly been correct. If he had stayed in the Sharp Sword Bureau, his strength wouldn't have increased so rapidly.
Although it was very safe in the Sharp Sword Bureau, he couldn't obtain spiritual source energy there, and the bureau wouldn't provide him with the most suitable ability.
Most importantly, if he stayed in the Sharp Sword Bureau, he would always be under the watchful eyes of the higher-ups. The coaching team would revolve around him, studying his physical data and arranging cultivation plans. Their intentions were good, but it would also increase the risk of exposing his Myriad Phenomenon Eyes.
However, if he kept a low profile and didn't display his abilities, he wouldn't receive the Sharp Sword Bureau's full support.
In short, it was a complicated situation.
Ji Xinghuo had thought it through at the time.
The solution was to temporarily leave Earth. Once he gained sufficient strength, even if the Sharp Sword Bureau had suspicions, they wouldn't be able to easily control him.
Although the upper echelons of the Sharp Sword Bureau might not do anything to him, it was always wise to be cautious. Even among a group of good people, there might be a few bad apples.
Now, everything was going well, even better than he had planned!
However, it might seem suspicious to others.
Usually, otherworldly beings who were unwilling or afraid to return to Earth were likely hiding in the Star World because they had committed crimes on Earth.
Seeing a hint of doubt on Ren Mian's face, Ji Xinghuo quickly explained, "Sister Ren, please rest assured that I am definitely not a fugitive. I have my reasons for not wanting to return to Earth, but I am not a wanted criminal."
"Can you tell me the reason?" Ren Mian asked again.
"Well..."
Ji Xinghuo hesitated, trying to think of the most reasonable explanation, but Ren Mian suddenly said, "Are you worried about the Sharp Sword Bureau looking for you?"
"Ah?" Ji Xinghuo was stunned, feeling a little dumbfounded. "How did you know?"
"Don't underestimate my abilities." Ren Mian smiled mysteriously. "If you want to leave the Sharp Sword Bureau, I can ask someone to help you with the withdrawal procedures. Although it might offend some people and there are procedural irregularities, as long as you speak up, I'll do my best to help you sort it out."
"So, Sister Ren knows everything," Ji Xinghuo said, realizing the truth and feeling a bit self-deprecating.
"For someone whose background is unclear, how could I easily trust them without doing a thorough background check?" Ren Mian's eyes held a hint of cunning.
Once again, Ji Xinghuo couldn't help but marvel at her vast connections.
The Sharp Sword Bureau was one of the most confidential agencies in the Asia-Pacific Community, yet she had managed to obtain his information.
He paused for a few seconds before asking, "For you to help me withdraw from the Sharp Sword Bureau, wouldn't you have to pay a high price?" In such counter-espionage agencies, there was usually no concept of withdrawal; it was either sacrifice or retirement. When he had signed that contract, he had also taken on significant legal responsibilities and obligations.
"It will indeed require some effort, but I should be able to manage it," Ren Mian nodded slightly.
Ji Xinghuo fell into deep thought.
To be honest, he was quite tempted, but he owed Sister Ren too much—both in terms of favors and money. From her words, he could also tell that this matter wouldn't be easy to handle.
After all, Zhou Yishang was a legendary figure! In Ji Xinghuo's impression, Ren Mian was a mysterious super-rich woman, but only now did he realize that she was far more formidable than a mere rich woman. Not only did she have wealth, but she also seemed to wield power and possess heavenly connections within the Asia-Pacific Community.
"You'll know in the future." A gentle smile played on Ren Mian's face.
"When will that future be?" Ji Xinghuo could barely contain his curiosity. "Can't I know now?"
Seeing Ji Xinghuo's impatient expression, Ren Mian thought for a moment before saying, "If you can advance to become a legendary being within three years, I'll tell you, and I'll also give you a gift that I'm sure you'll like."
"Three years!"
Ji Xinghuo nearly jumped up in surprise.
He was only 23 years old, and he would be just 26 in three years. There had never been a legendary being so young in the history of Earth, and this request was simply outrageous.
"Sister Ren, aren't you overestimating me?"
"Others might not be able to, but you can." Ren Mian winked at him playfully and said, "I have high hopes for you, Xinghuo."
Suddenly, a surge of determination filled Ji Xinghuo, and he declared passionately, "If I really achieve that, forget about the gift. Can I make a request of Sister Ren instead?"
"That's not impossible, depending on what your request is." Ren Mian guessed his thoughts and, far from refusing, her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"I'll tell you when the time comes."
Ji Xinghuo kept his thoughts to himself, but his mind was already racing with a hundred and eighty ideas. "Then it's settled."
"Okay, work hard!"
Suddenly, Ren Mian leaned in and gave Ji Xinghuo a gentle hug.
Ji Xinghuo inhaled the fragrant breeze and felt the soft curves of her body. Suddenly, he understood why so many men in positions of power throughout history had heeded the words of a single woman, and he also understood what was meant by "a beauty that brings ruin to heroes."
Men were, after all, driven by their basal instincts, and they had little resistance against such a breathtakingly beautiful woman.
"Calm down!"
"I think I'm getting a little light-headed."
He took a light breath and calmed his mind.
"My ultimate goal is to reach the pinnacle of life evolution. I must not let a woman influence my will. She's merely a scenery along my path to the peak."
"With no thoughts of women in my heart, my sword shall be divine!"
Ji Xinghuo repeatedly reminded himself.
As Ren Mian released him from the hug, leaving behind a lingering fragrance, a thought popped into his mind: "So sweet..."
(End of Chapter)
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