A few hours before. Hope had just stepped out of Xiaoshop, wearing a haggard expression. She lifted her gaze, sat down, and let out a heavy sigh.
That was more exhausting than I thought. Not only did it drain me physically, but it also drained me mentally. I could barely motivate myself right now. Thinking back, why did Arbane help? Is it because he admired Zixin? What even is there for him to admire? Hope sat down, propping her chin as she fell into deep thought as she sat down.
Memories of Zixin flashed through her mind. From the time she found him lying on the ground, to when she watched him defeat Kraushel. And even when he fought against the Wolf Lord.
Hope's eyes widened at a realization: Maybe he really is that special… No wonder Arbane thought so highly of him.
She slowly stood up, heading out. As she walked, she stepped into the Pleasure District.
Countless colorful buildings stood from left to right, catching the attention of several newcomers, but for Hope, everything felt stale.
The young ladies walking in and out of them wore practiced smiles with little to no interest in anyone except themselves.
She casually walked off, ignoring them after a glance. But a strange and sudden tug pulled her attention.
She didn't resist as she was pulled out. Hope turned around and saw Sophia wearing a purple robe that was tied tightly, revealing her figure.
Hope's mind froze, falling into a daze, her expression filled with confusion. Just as she was about to speak, Sophia covered her mouth, shutting her off, and quickly dragged her to a nearby alley at the entrance to the Trading District.
Hope escaped from Sophia's grasp, her eyes scanning Sophia with a mix of concern and confusion.
Sophia snorted, commenting lightly, "I lost a bet, ok?"
Bet? Don't tell me she's a gambler. Hope commented inwardly, facepalming herself.
"Then why aren't you wearing your mask? Isn't that a risk?" Hope probed, her eyes filled with uncertainty.
Sophia darted her gaze around, avoiding direct eye contact as she spoke, "I thought it'd be… fun. After all, this would probably be my last visit."
Hope sighed, shaking her head, and giving Sophia a thorough look. Her gaze was calm, yet a faint warmth came from it.
However, as though it was an illusion, she spoke, her voice laced with concern as she scolded her, "You have an alternate identity, yet you chose to risk it for this?! There are people out there who would kill just to be able to have a second identity like you, and yet you didn't even use it. Isn't that courting death?"
Sophia's lips parted, but no words came, as her eyes grew dark.
Cold silence descended upon the dim alley. Hope's gaze returned to normal, furrowing her brows, and she kept silent. A cold aura surrounded them and the alley as the silence remained strong for a long while.
However, a soft voice broke through the silence and caught Hope's attention: "I'm… sorry."
Hope's pupils dilated as a realization sank in her mind: Did I just scold her? What am I thinking? Sophia's an independent person, and I'm sure she has caring parents… I care…
Hope raised her hand, gently patting Sophia's shoulders. She looked at her and immediately noticed her red, teary eyes and the stream of tears flowing down her cheeks.
Sophia quickly wiped her tears away and walked with Hope in the bustling Trading District. Countless people walked across the streets. Sounds of bartering and anger spread throughout the street, creating a chaotic atmosphere.
Sophia followed a few steps behind Hope, with her head hung low. Although no one knew her identity as Lady Silk, a few daring Hunters shamelessly stared at her, taking in her beauty.
Although her beauty was great, she never took it to heart, and even when complimented for it, she simply ignored them. The reason she felt low was that Hope had just scolded her, causing a deep memory to surface in her mind.
But it didn't mean that she didn't care about beauty; it was the opposite–she searched for it! A talented tailor like her would, of course, need a great model, worthy of donning all her works.
Throughout all of this, no one gave Hope even as much as a glance. Although she was a beauty, she was unrefined. And due to rumors surrounding her relationship with Vanor, everyone stopped caring about her.
Hope glanced at Sophia, and her hands trembled slightly. She clenched her fist, steering herself, and thought: I feel terrible for blackmailing her, but I can't say that I didn't obtain anything from it. Sigh, maybe it was unnecessary; a much friendlier approach may have been better… I'll apologize later…
As she was reflecting upon things, a question appeared inside her mind, and she quickly asked, "It might sound strange, but what's your relationship to Zixin?"
Sophia lifted her gaze, meeting Hope's gentle gaze. She spoke softly, "I'm his tailor. Don't you already know this?"
Hope nodded, but a strange realization hit her: Isn't Zixin also handsome? Why the need to search for other models when he was so close by?
Hope quickly asked, "Now that I'm thinking about it, why did you go all the way out to search for a model? Wasn't Zixin an option?"
Sophia's expression turned strange, as if asking if Hope was serious. Either way, she answered, "I did try, but he always declined. No matter how much I tried to persuade him, his reply never changed. Just think about it for a second: with his physique, he could fit in both men's and women's clothing. Having both the air of an impeccable fairy and also a wizened scholar."
That's true; Zixin is clearly handsome yet also has the beauty of a peerless gem. What a strange gift of nature. Hope commented inwardly.
Suddenly, Hope fell silent, and her steps came to an abrupt halt. Her face turned a shade of pink, her eyes widening in embarrassment as she thought: Why am I thinking this much about his appearance?!
Noticing Hope's strange behavior, Sophia decided to part ways with her. A few minutes later, Vanor met Hope.
…
Not long after dashing off, Hope stopped, taking several deep breaths and recovering her stamina.
She looked down and tried to recall what she was supposed to do. After a few seconds, she dashed straight towards Fang Hau's Chamber.
Upon entering it, she immediately ran about, searching for the gourd. The moment she entered, Fang Hau glanced at her with a strange look before withdrawing his gaze and closing his eyes.
A few minutes later, Hope returned with a black cat in hand. Upon noticing Hope's strange behavior, he made a guess: The hunt, huh?
He casually waved his hand and spoke, "Go; there's not much time left."
Hope nodded, but then she suddenly recalled what Zixin had told her. She quickly spoke, "Zixin said that the wolf's will had a condition for helping him, and that was to ensure the safety of its comrades, which were two wolves."
She quickly described what the wolves looked like according to the description Zixin had given her. After hearing her, Fang Hau pondered for a moment and replied, "Consider it complete."
Hope smiled and left, but the moment she was transported outside, a strange memory surfaced in her mind:
Several years back, inside the cabin at Mount Lorebale. A young girl with long red hair and glimmering hazel eyes looked up and saw her father. He was a middle-aged man with dark red hair and dim green eyes.
Her father spoke softly, patting Hope's head with a chuckle, "Our family has been tasked to complete Fang Hau's plan. In our pursuit of freedom, our ancestors managed to uncover certain details that may be of great help to your survival when the plan reaches its climax."
Hope nodded, taking down notes in her journal as she continued listening to her father's words.
Her father smiled as he began to explain their discoveries.
…
Hope paused, her eyes dilating in confusion. She shook her head and pondered: Why did my father suddenly come to mind? And why that specific memory? There's nothing wrong with remembering it, but…