Chapter 192

Chapter 192

The kiss was ephemeral yet felt endless; Bu JiuZhao couldn't tell.

The young man's lips were neither as cold as his hands nor burning hot, just tenderly warm. So when they parted, that slight warmth vanished swiftly, making Bu JiuZhao instinctively chase after it, unwilling to let go.

Seeing Bu JiuZhao still craving more even after Xie YinXue initiated the kiss, Zheng Shu, feeling as though he had been publicly cuckolded, couldn't help but intervene: "Bu JiuZhao, have some restraint!"

Far from feeling remorseful, Bu JiuZhao, upon hearing Zheng Shu's angry reprimand, decided to push his boundaries even further.

He swiftly grabbed Xie Yin Xue, who tried to pull away, wrapping his arms tightly around the younger man's slender waist from behind. Resting his chin on Xie's bare pale shoulder, Zheng Shu reveled in the joy of watching Zheng Shu's face fluctuate between shades of envy and irritation.

With raised eyebrows and a smug expression, he teased Zheng Shu, "Jealous much?"

Isn't it obvious?

Even if Zheng Shu didn't have feelings for Xie Yin Xue, he's still single after all!

How many singles can stand by unaffected when a couple flaunts their relationship so openly?

For instance, Zhan Meng couldn't hide his envy as another single person, "You two are way over the line! One more kiss and I'll lose my cool."

Even Bian Yu Chen was taken aback for a moment, observing the two with a deep and inscrutable look.

"Exactly!" Zheng Shu, trying to rally support from August, complained, "What's happening to our world, August? Aren't you going to do something about them?"

Regrettably, August seemed lost, "Well... if two people like each other, there's nothing wrong with showing affection. Our city of Naluota is quite liberal after all."

Mu Jin Hai, purely out of curiosity, asked, "Are temple priests allowed to date?"

Typically, aren't holy temple priests supposed to remain chaste and even a touch would leave them blushing, claiming it's the "devil's act"?

Unexpectedly, August replied, "Indeed. I'm married."

Zheng Shu: "What?"

August continued, "And I have two children."

Zheng Shu: "Wait, what?"

Mu Yu Ji laughed heartily, "That's indeed quite open-minded!"

August, observing Zheng Shu's face turning pale, suggested with perceived consideration, "If you really don't want to see them, how about I provide them a private room?"

Zheng Shu: "..."

Seeing Zheng Shu speechless, August took it as a sign of agreement, addressing Xie Yin Xue and Bu Jiu Zhao, "Stay for the night before you leave. If things go well, feel free to stay longer."

Yun Qian remarked, "He's pulling out all the stops to make us stay, isn't he?"

"That won't work. We can't find substitutes for their roles, especially when the key to the temple is with Xie Yin Xue. We can't allow them to get a room." Yi Yao, feeling the situation slipping out of hand, hurriedly advised Bu Jiu Zhao and Xie Yin Xue, "The blessing is done. Let's move. Whatever you two want to do, do it on the road. Don't worry, we'll pretend not to notice."

Bu Jiu Zhao: "..."

While he wasn't the epitome of virtue, he certainly wasn't desperate to this extent. Besides, why would he jest about delaying Xie Yin Xue's progress?

Thus, Bu Jiu Zhao promptly replied, "Priorities first. I know when to be serious."

Xie Yin Xue glanced at the possessive arm wrapped around his waist and responded with a teasing smile, "Do you?"

Releasing his grip, Bu Jiu Zhao adjusted the young man's disheveled priestly robe, affirming, "Absolutely."

Zheng Shu stared at him intensely, warning, "You better be."

Mu Yu Ji began to tease her brother, trying to divert him from his misplaced affections, "They're a natural pair, even their clothes match perfectly. Who are you to object?"

Zheng Shu protested, "I can't accept it!"

However, Bu Jiu Zhao seemed to relish these types of remarks from Zheng Shu.

"Let's get moving," Zhan Meng urged, revealing a treasure map. "According to this, once we receive the temple priest's blessings, we exit the city and head west. After traversing the tropical forest and reaching a small sea area, we'll find the Lost Temple floating above the Dakonas Archipelago."

Everyone agreed, and preparations were made to set out.

At this point, August did not try to detain them any longer. He pinned a star-shaped brooch onto Xie Yin Xue's right shoulder from a golden bowl. Once the golden liquid in the bowl reverted to clear water, he gently sprinkled it upon the adventurers, chanting—

"May the God of Light bless you all and restore undying vitality to these islands."

The group departed from Naluota City amidst August's blessings, and on their way out, they reluctantly accepted various food items offered warmly by the city's residents.

"Wow, they gave you all this food?"

Envious, Enoch eyed the bag of baked buns in Song Qu You's arms, pleading with an adorable yet pitiful expression, "Share some with me? They never treated me kindly, always barring me from the city. I've never tasted these buns."

Bu Jiu Zhao wasn't buying it, scoffing, "Realizing now how disliked you are?"

However, Song Qu You didn't dare offend the guide, especially one as notorious as Enoch. Hearing his plea, he promptly handed over the entire bag.

Zhan Meng inhaled sharply, poking Song Qu You discreetly, "Save some, those are delicious! I wanted some too."

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Song Qu You retorted exasperatedly, "It's just a few buns. As long as we get out alive, we can have them anytime."

Indeed, in the 'Eternal Life Dungeon,' offending Enoch over a bag of buns would be unwise.

"I have some too; that girl gave me a bag." Thirteen approached Zhan Meng, generously offering his own bag of cakes. "You can have mine."

Zhan Meng gave Thirteen a hearty pat on the shoulder, exclaiming, "Good brother! I love you."

Thirteen quickly shook his head, "No thanks. Even if you were wearing a skirt, I still prefer women."

Zhan Meng choked, "...”

It was like bringing up a touchy subject; the cakes he'd just received suddenly lost their appeal.

However, Yino chewed delightfully, mouth filled with the aroma, barely articulate as he waved and mumbled, "Safe travels! Remember to return on time..."

Afterwards, everyone followed the treasure map's markings, heading west of Naoluota City. But after hours of walking, they saw only endless plains. Not a single rainforest in sight; not even tall trees, only shrubs no higher than their shins.

Zhan Meng, in pain from wearing low-heeled shoes, looked pale and asked, "How long have we been walking?"

Yun Qian pondered for a few seconds, "About two hours?"

"Feels like at least three," Song Quyao, shouldering a heavy machine gun, complained of aching legs and back. "When Yiling and I go shopping, we never walk this long. Does anyone have a watch? Check the time."

Shopping had its breaks; they'd occasionally sit for a drink or try on clothes and shoes. Unlike now, where they had to carry on with weight.

"Didn't the gear provided by Lock Changsheng include a watch for anyone?" Zhan Meng clenched his fists, swearing furiously, "When the Immortal Springs Expedition called, they said no luggage. I didn't even dare to wear an extra pair of underwear."

Muk Jin Hai, the only one with a legal firearm, turned sharply, his eyes widening in horror at Zhan Meng's skirt, "So, you're not wearing any?!"

"Of course I am!" Zhan Meng, ready to lift his skirt to prove it, complained, "The uniform set from Meiwa Squad came with one, but it's a lady's thong. It's so uncomfortable."

Yu Lan quickly intervened, "You didn't need to share that detail, nor show us."

Zhan Meng retorted, "You asked! If we meet outside after this mission, pretend you don't know me."

Yi Yao looked puzzled, "If we did meet, I might not recognize you."

After all, the real-life Zhan Meng wouldn't be caught dead in women's clothes.

Amid their debate about underwear, Liu Buhua crouched, taking a scalpel from a medical box. After observing its reflection on the ground, he deduced, "It's been two and a half hours."

Yi Yiling, puzzled, asked, "How do you know?"

Liu Buhua put the scalpel away, calmly explaining, "The sunlight here is clear. When we first arrived in Luota City, it was morning with shadows to the west. Leaving the city, shadows were directly below, indicating noon. In the afternoon, the sun shifts westward, shadows leaning east. Every 30-degree shift represents an hour. Now, it's shifted roughly 75 degrees, so it's been two and a half hours."

Initially, Song Quyue doubted the reliability of the man with pink hair. But upon a closer look, this man was evidently handsome with striking features. Tall and slender, he looked even more refined in his doctor's uniform. His long legs were impressive. Even with pink hair, he looked dashing. She imagined he would look even more striking with black hair. Wide-eyed and full of admiration, she said, "You're amazing, big brother!"

Liu Buhua thoroughly enjoyed being addressed as "big brother". For once, he behaved normally, humbly waving his hand and responding with a smile, "It's just basic knowledge, nothing remarkable."

Bian Yuchen was also not stingy with his compliments. He commented, "True, it's basic knowledge, but nowadays most people rely on technology, always checking their watches or phones. Few remember how to tell time by observing shadows."

"All this is well and good, but now that we know we've walked for two and a half hours, what next? Is this information useful?" Zheng Shu interrupted their mutual admiration, "Should we continue heading west for another two and a half hours?"

Yun Qian looked towards Bu Jiuzhao, "Don't we have an all-purpose driver with us?"

Surely, there was a reason they were assigned a driver.

Considering that they were each experts in their fields and needed to stick to their roles to avoid slowing down the treasure hunt, could it be they hadn't progressed because they weren't using a vehicle driven by the driver?

"That's right! With all their hugging and kissing, I almost forgot he's our driver." Zhan Meng tapped his own head and strode towards Bu Jiuzhao, asking, "Old-timer, where's your vehicle?"

Author's note:

Zheng Shu: The warrior of pure love is furious.

Bu Jiuzhao: So this is what NTR feels like?