On the Ark.

"Yes," Lin Ye nodded. "Do you have any good ideas?"

Ying Li said, "The higher-ups are firmly opposed, and you are isolated and helpless, but you still have to rescue that woman?"

"That's about right."

Is that woman important to you?

“Of course,” Lin Ye said. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come here.”

Ying Li's expression turned strange: "A woman who is very important to you, you have to take her away, but everyone is against it... Doesn't this plot seem familiar to you?"

"Familiar?" Lin Ye frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and then suddenly realized, "You mean..."

Ying Li sighed, then asked, "You took the Deer-Hair Sword, didn't you?"

Chapters 647 Untitled

Lin Ye understood Ying Li's meaning.

After all, this can be considered quite straightforward.

Since no better method can be found, why not just use brute force to snatch them away? This is practically a foolproof solution, requiring no further consideration, though it does seem a bit reckless. After all, while Laterano isn't as large as Yan Kingdom, it's certainly not a small country. To snatch someone from such a large nation…

It seems like a pipe dream.

However, Lin Ye then recalled that he had "snatched" Ying Li away in the same way a few months ago, and that Ying Li had gotten her inspiration from that incident, so there was nothing more to say. Lin Ye felt that he had "failed to properly educate his sister," which was why this dignified princess of Yan Kingdom had such a terrorist mindset.

What a sin!

Moreover, the current situation is completely different from what it was a few months ago. Although Yan Kingdom is much stronger than Lateran, a few months ago Lin Ye was not dealing with the entire Yan Kingdom, but only with the Second Prince, who didn't have much power and couldn't even be easily mobilized by the Dali Temple. Even so, he still did his best and used a lot of luck to bring Ying Li out.

Back then, he had Messiah, Skadi, and Nian by his side, but now, he only has Nian by his side, and his opponent isn't his somewhat dim-witted second brother. Lin Ye doesn't even know who his opponent is. Moreover, he's here as a representative of Rhodes Island. Rhodes Island and Laterano aren't far apart; if things come to light, they can't really move Rhodes Island to Yan Kingdom.

Moreover, Ying Li is also here. If her identity is exposed, it will be far more troublesome than if Lin Ye's identity is exposed. If he accidentally provokes a war between Yan Kingdom and Lateran, then Lin Ye can truly be considered a sinner for all time.

Therefore, Lin Ye directly rejected Ying Li's suggestion: "Don't think of things so simply. Also, it's not good for a girl like you to be thinking about fighting and killing all the time."

Lin Ye attempted to educate Ying Li.

But all she got in return was Ying Li's mocking laughter.

"As for the Deer-shaped Sword," Lin Ye looked at Ying Li, "how did you know I took it?"

"Did you take it or throw it into the sea?" Ying Li rolled her eyes and said irritably, "Don't treat me like an idiot. Besides, something that's so important, do you think my brother wouldn't go looking for it? He would have already sent people to search the surrounding waters."

"...Did he find your second brother's body?"

Ying Li glanced at Lin Ye: "You really want to know?"

Lin Ye thought for a moment, then shook his head.

No need, no need.

The Deer-Slaying Sword was indeed in his possession, but it was Skadi who took it. Skadi could sense the powerful energy contained within the sword, so naturally she wouldn't leave it behind. However, Lin Ye never told Ying Li about this, nor did he ever take out the Deer-Slaying Sword in front of anyone else.

After all, this is the "family heirloom" of the Yan Kingdom's royal family, and in a sense, it is not much different from the Imperial Seal of the State in the previous life.

Such an important item would be in trouble if others found out it belonged to Lin Ye. However, Lin Ye didn't want to return the sword. After all, the Deer-Lu Sword was merely a decoration in Yan Kingdom; in his hands, it could unleash its true power. Although it might not be as practical as [Maple], [Maple] was, after all, the power of the Messiah, while Lin Ye felt the Deer-Lu Sword should be his own.

So he secretly brought the Deer-Lu Sword back, but little did he know that Ying Li had already seen through him.

Whether Ying Li saw through it or not was irrelevant; Lin Ye was more concerned about the person behind her: "Could it be your brother...?"

"He's the Emperor's elder brother! And also your brother!" Ying Li said through gritted teeth. "You're supposed to have royal blood flowing through your veins, can't you at least show some respect when you speak?"

Lin Ye nodded: "Alright, does your brother know that the Deer-Lu Sword is in my hands?"

"I can guess it. Do you think he's no good?" Ying Li said irritably. "But neither I nor my brother have any clear evidence. You just need to insist that the sword is not in your possession. Don't let anyone trick you into revealing anything, like just now, when you admitted it as soon as I asked you."

Lin Ye said, feigning seriousness, "After all, you're my sister. I wouldn't be wary of my own sister."

Ying Li remained silent for a while before saying, "Don't you think your words are greasy?"

"Uh, yes, is there?" Lin Ye scratched his head awkwardly.

"Yes." Ying Li showed no mercy to Lin Ye. "Back to the Deer-Lu Sword, although my brother has guessed that the sword is still in your hands, he hasn't asked me to ask you to return it, which speaks volumes. He's not really interested in the Deer-Lu Sword, nor does he really believe in the concept of inheritance. In his view, the best option is for the Deer-Lu Sword to be buried at sea. Do you understand what I mean?"

Lin Ye nodded: "Understood, I won't make things too difficult for him."

"That's fine. Although my brother doesn't care, there are still many people who would like to use this to their advantage, so it's impossible not to be wary of them." At this point, Ying Li couldn't help but sigh. "Royal matters are just too difficult. If only we were commoners!"

Lin Ye said dismissively, "If you were really a commoner, you would say how wonderful it would be if you were a princess."

Ying Li frowned slightly, and said with some displeasure, "Do you think I'm the kind of person who covets wealth and power?"

"I didn't say that." Lin Ye shook his head and said casually, "It's just that everyone in this world yearns for a better life than reality. You yearn for ordinary people because you think they live an easier life than you, but many more ordinary people yearn for you for the same reason."

After listening to Lin Ye's words, Ying Li fell into deep thought. Although Lin Ye felt there was nothing to ponder, perhaps the princess's way of thinking was just different from that of ordinary people.

After some more time, the meeting of elders came to an end.

As expected, Elder Kieran handed the signed contract directly to Lin Ye and said to him expressionlessly, "I hope we have a pleasant cooperation."

Lin Ye smiled and accepted the contract: "I'm sure it will be a pleasant experience."

Although he appeared relaxed on the surface, he was actually relieved inside, as he had been genuinely worried that something unexpected might happen.

After finalizing the contract, all he needed to do in Laterano was fulfill his agreement with Kieran and figure out how to take Mostima away.

……

……

Author's BB: I've been absent for a while again. Thinking about it carefully, I've been incredibly idle for the past three months.

I feel like the recent chapters are just filler and have no meaning at all.

I'm setting a small goal: to resume double updates next month, and then finish the series.

Chapter 648 Being Watched

Walking through the deserted corridor, Diana easily spotted Mostima.

The latter was sitting on a dilapidated recliner that had been moved from somewhere, holding an open magazine in one hand and a yogurt bought from the corner store in the other, drinking it with great enjoyment, looking quite relaxed and carefree. When she heard Diana's footsteps, she put down her magazine and greeted Diana.

"You're ten minutes late," Mostima said regretfully, pointing to the yogurt cup at her feet. "I had saved one for you."

Diana said expressionlessly, "I have no interest in your yogurt."

“Really?” Mostima said with a smile. “Then I’ll prepare some wine for you next time? Actually, I’d like to drink too, but unfortunately I’m currently prohibited from drinking.”

Diana gazed at Mostima and then said slowly, "You give me the feeling of being on vacation."

"Is there?"

“Yes, just like your irresponsible little man.” Diana tried to provoke Mostima’s anger with her words.

But she failed.

Mostima seemed to never get angry; in fact, her smile became even brighter.

“So you went to see him again.” Mostima rested her chin on her hand, looking at Diana with interest. “You seem to care about him even more than I do. Should I be jealous right now?”

Diana sneered: "Do you think I'm like you? That I'd be interested in a man like that?"

“Don’t say that. Actually, he’s quite outstanding.” Mostima suddenly sighed. “He just doesn’t know anything.”

"Because you won't tell him anything?"

“Some things can’t be said so plainly,” Mostima said with a smile. “But we’re definitely not talking about the same thing.”

Diana frowned in displeasure, her voice becoming stern: "Mostima, I don't want to beat around the bush with you. What exactly do you want?"

This time, Mostima didn't crack any jokes. Instead, he closed the open magazine and sat up a little straighter.

“I understand everything,” Mostima said. “Everything you’ve done for me.”

Diana said coldly, "I don't remember doing anything for you."

Mostima chuckled and said, "Really? Then how did you manage to get him here for me?"

"I just want to see what kind of man you've taken a fancy to."

“Then why did you relax your surveillance on me?” Mostima said. “I couldn’t find you several times. Are you planning to make me run away on my own?”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” Diana said coldly. “I’m just confident that I can bring you back no matter where you run off to.”

“I see.” Mostima nodded. “If you say so, then so be it.”

Diana gritted her teeth. What she hated most about Mostima was that he saw through everything but pretended to be indifferent.

Seeing Diana on the verge of exploding, Mostima quickly comforted her, "Okay, okay, it's my fault. But you should trust me sometimes, right? I can handle things."

"How do you plan to resolve this?" Diana said impatiently, "With your own life?"

“Don’t worry,” Mostima said with a smile. “I will never give up my life before I’m back by his side.”

……

As Lin Ye strolled through the streets of Laterano with Ying Li, he had a very subtle feeling.

That is, I don't know why I feel so at ease.

He still had a ton of unresolved issues, yet he was leisurely strolling around the streets. It was like some online novel authors who stubbornly refused to advance the main plot, spending their days on pointless, uninformative daily stories.

"What's with that expression?" Ying Li looked at Lin Ye with considerable displeasure. "Does accompanying me shopping make you this uncomfortable?"

"No," Lin Ye said, feigning reluctance. "I'm quite happy."

Ying Li sneered.

What is a man?

It was the kind of creature that was saying "It's so good to have you by my side" last night, but today looked like it was constipated—this felt incredibly real to Ying Li. You see, back in Yan Kingdom, even the Second Prince Ying Jie, whom she disliked intensely, would "act" happy when he was with her, in order to maintain his image as a "good older brother" in the eyes of the people of Da Yan.

But what about Lin Ye?

They didn't even bother acting!

It's too much!

Sensing his sister's displeasure, Lin Ye quickly tried to change the subject: "Speaking of which, where are your bodyguards? Are they the Imperial Guard of Yan Kingdom?"

Even though they're right here, they don't ask themselves what they want, they only ask those rough guys!