CHAPTER 84: YOU DRANK IT?!

ORIGINAL Author: Chaos

SPINOFF Author: Vester

Achoo!

Mo Fan suddenly sneezed, drawing the attention of everyone in Zhankong’s cabin. Song Lin, Tang Zhong, and Zhankong sat around him on the worn, comfortable sofa, each deep in thought.

“What’s wrong? Are you cold?” Song Lin asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

“No, it’s fine,” Mo Fan replied, shaking his head. He quickly shifted the conversation, trying to focus on the task at hand. “So, you both were trapped in another dimension?”

Tang Zhong nodded, his expression one of frustration and embarrassment. “Yes, it was a man in a purple robe. I underestimated him because his cultivation wasn’t at the Forbidden Level yet... But he suddenly used a Forbidden Curse Scroll, which caught us off guard.”

“I already told you we were dealing with the Black Vatican,” Mo Fan said, his frustration evident. “How could you underestimate them? If you both hadn’t been trapped, this calamity might have been prevented... No, sorry, it doesn’t matter if you were here or not. Many people would still have died.” His anger simmered, but he knew he was misplacing his blame. He trailed off, biting back more harsh words.

“Mo Fan, it’s fine. You can blame us,” Tang Zhong said, his voice steady. “Even though you’re just a kid, you achieved what many powerful people couldn’t. Not only did you save over half the population of the city, but you also protected the Holy Spring and didn’t let it fall into the hands of the Black Vatican. We, as enforcers, are supposed to protect the people, but I can’t believe that I, the Chairman of the Enforcement Union of China, was so helpless.”

Mo Fan remained silent, absorbing Tang Zhong’s words.

“You have saved so many people amidst the calamity,” Tang Zhong continued. “I have heard everything from everyone in the city. On behalf of the entire Enforcement Union of China, I thank you.” Tang Zhong stood and formally bowed to Mo Fan, who was sitting across from him.

Seeing Tang Zhong’s gesture, Song Lin and Zhankong also bowed to Mo Fan. Their heartfelt gratitude made Mo Fan uncomfortable, his guilt flaring up again.A

“Can... you all stop this, please,” Mo Fan said, averting his eyes.

Tang Zhong, Song Lin, and Zhankong exchanged glances, nodding slightly, misunderstanding his discomfort as anger.

“The Black Vatican is more crafty in their methods and won’t let anyone stop them from doing what they want,” Mo Fan continued, pointing out the challenges ahead. “After noticing you both getting out, I’m pretty sure they’ve evacuated the city.”

The two Forbidden Mages nodded in agreement.

“The city is now free from them, but as you saw earlier, the damage to the city is beyond repair. It will take at least two years to rebuild the entire city, and we can’t keep the people here forever. Moving them is the only option left,” Mo Fan explained.

“Yes, we have actually discussed it with Mu Zhuoyun, the Mayor of Bo City, and the government has given us the okay. We are going to divide them and relocate them to Shanghai and Xi’an,” Song Lin added.

“I actually have a request regarding that matter,” Mo Fan said suddenly.

“What is it?” Tang Zhong asked.

“There is a new city just north of Hangzhou. It doesn’t have a name yet, but it requires people and is giving away houses for people to live in. They are offering two years rent-free if they find a job in the city or open up their business.” Mo Fan placed a flyer on the coffee table.

“What?!” The three were startled and quickly read the flyer. They were quite surprised by the offer.

The flyer showed a large city surrounded by mountains and the sea, captured in a drone photograph. Mo Fan continued, “They are planning to develop another city just beyond the mountains on this flat land. Right now, it’s occupied by monsters, but they have already bought the deed for the land along with all the mountains surrounding their two cities. The headquarters city is ten times larger than the second city they’re planning to make, but I think it will be nice if the people who have already suffered and lost so much can start up their new lives in this place.”

“There’s also a private Magic High School in the city! There are no organizations like the Magic Association yet, but it won’t be long until they decide to open up a branch there,” Mo Fan added, trying to convey his excitement and hope.

Tang Zhong, Song Lin, and Zhankong listened carefully, their skepticism giving way to cautious optimism.

“Okay, we’ll announce it to the citizens. They can make their own choice,” Zhankong said.

“Yeah,” Song Lin agreed, nodding.

Mo Fan heaved a sigh of relief.

“What is your plan?” Zhankong asked, his eyes fixed on Mo Fan with a mix of curiosity and concern.

“My plan remains the same,” Mo Fan replied with a determined look. “I’m leaving for Shanghai tomorrow with my sister. I’m planning on attending the Pearl Magic Institute a year from now.”

“Pearl... huh. I’ll put in a good word for you with Dean Xiao,” Tang Zhong offered, nodding thoughtfully.

Mo Fan acknowledged Tang Zhong’s gesture with a brief smile, but his attention shifted when Zhankong suddenly spoke up. “Also, I’d like to take back the Holy Spring now.”

Mo Fan’s expression tightened, and he averted his eyes, feeling a wave of unease wash over him. He slowly reached into his jacket and pulled out a small, intricately designed bottle that contained the precious Holy Spring. Placing it on the table, he took a deep breath before speaking.

“The thing is,” Mo Fan began, his voice steady but tense, “I drank the Holy Spring in order to protect it from falling into the hands of the Black Vatican.”

Zhankong, who had eagerly picked up the bottle with a look of relief, froze mid-motion. His grip loosened, and the bottle slipped from his hands, landing with a thud.

Thud...

“Y-you DRANK it?!” he stammered, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

Mo Fan shrugged sheepishly. “Yeah, you know, desperate times call for desperate measures...”

Zhankong’s face twisted in a mix of disbelief and exasperation as he picked up the bottle and glanced inside it. “You drank the whole thing?”

“Well, I figured it was better than letting those Black Vatican idiots get it. Plus, I was really thirsty,” Mo Fan said, trying to keep a straight face.

Tang Zhong and Song Lin exchanged glances and decided to shut up since it didn’t really involved them. Many people in the world didn’t know the magnificence of Holy Spring.

Zhankong groaned, running a hand through his hair. “Of all the things...”

“Hey I couldn’t help it okay? I’m still a kid, do you think I would’ve been safe carrying it? All the monsters in the world would’ve attacked me! Even I couldn’t handle that at my current level! Just because glad it didn’t fell into the enemy’s hands.” Mo Fan said as he shrugged it off.

“T-thousand years of Bo City’s legacy was drunk by this kid like some ordinary spring water... Haha... Hahahaha....” Zhankong went mad as he heard Mo Fan’s explanation.

Seeing the strange and soulless Zhankong, Tang Zhong patted his back and said, “W-well it’s true, and what’s done is done, he did everything he could, okay? Let’s not blame anyone...” Mid sentence Tang Zhong realised how bad he was at comforting others.

“Forget about it, I’ll buy you a drink later.” He said to Zhankong while making expressions at Mo Fan to quickly leave.

Mo Fan nodded and left the place without hesitation. He could still hear Zhankong’s twisted laugh echoing through the corridor.