Ark Chess Player

Lin Lu's LSP radar emitted a loud blast, causing him to tremble slightly, this time out of excitement, not fear.

It has to be admitted that the image of the beautiful girl closing her eyes and waiting to be fed is etched into Lin Lu's DNA, and Lin Lu's DNA has been activated! The Tower of Babel has also been activated! What he wants to feed Frostnova is not the candy in his hand, but his deoxyribose.

"Lü, what are you dawdling about?"

Froststar looked at Lin Lu with a hint of reproach, "Even feeding him candy takes so long."

"I was thinking of putting it in my mouth first, and then feeding you mouth-to-mouth... Okay, okay, I'll feed you now, I'll feed you now." Lin Lu felt a little flustered by Shuangxing's glare, so he quickly tore open the candy wrapper and gently put the candy into Shuangxing's mouth without even touching her lips.

"Thank you."

Froststar smiled with joy, as if this were the most delicious candy in the world, and her smile became much sweeter.

Lin Lu stared blankly at Shuangxing's smiling face, momentarily lost in thought, foolishly clutching the other candy.

"This is candy that I made with a good friend, it's handmade. I remember you used to love sweets, so consider it a return gift for getting this candy for me. Try it, you can't get this kind of candy in Lungmen. It's a special candy from Ussau, and I only have three left in my pocket, so every one I eat is one less. Although the taste is a bit strange, life is short, you should always try new things, shouldn't you?"

Froststar smiled and urged Lin Lu to eat the candy. Her tone was unintentionally slightly coquettish. Who could resist that? Being persuaded to buy a product by such a beautiful rabbit girl, even if he was holding a half-step to madness, Lin Lu would be willing to eat it.

Besides, it's candy.

Lin Lu loves sweets, and this hasn't changed in the past or present. Sugar is a wonderful thing; it can relax the mind and make you happy.

When someone is unhappy, eating a piece of candy can make them feel half better.

"I won't stand on ceremony."

Lin Lu tore open the white candy wrapper and put the red candy into his mouth.

Froststar's smile brightened as she gazed at Lin Lu with a beaming smile.

Lin Lu nodded, feeling the sugar coating burst on his tongue. His tired brain was replenished, becoming more active and his thoughts quickened. Then—

"Well!"

Lin Lu shuddered.

Lin Lu's face gradually turned red.

Lin Lu's gaze darted back and forth.

Pain exploded on the tip of his tongue, and Lin Lu's eyes widened in shock from the spiciness.

Lin Lu loves sweets the most, and he is least good at spicy food.

"So spicy!!"

It was incredibly spicy; Lin Lu felt a stinging sensation even when he breathed.

"Ahahahaha!"

Frostnova laughed so hard she almost dropped the candy in her mouth, and tears welled up in her eyes. Perhaps it was the contrast that made her feel so happy to see this confident and reliable man showing his vulnerable side.

"Is it fun?!"

Lin Lu resisted the urge to spit out the candy. He wasn't the type to waste food, especially since... it was Froststar's favorite candy. It was perfectly reasonable for him to finish it; it was a matter of respect for a woman.

"I'm sorry, I just couldn't help... wanting to tease you a little." Froststar unconsciously revealed a cute, girlish expression. She squinted, her clear gray eyes reflecting Lin Lu's expression. She smiled and said, "I've tried this joke on people around me before, and because I've done it so many times, no one has fallen for it anymore. Now I've finally found an opportunity. I won't play pranks on anyone other than you."

Froststar looked at Lin Lu's face, which was flushed red from the spiciness, and her smile gradually became charming and mature, with a mischievous grin.

"Since it's exclusively mine, then there's nothing I can do about it."

Lin Lu said softly that he always felt like he was being flirted with, but he had no proof.

I don't know if this feeling of excitement is because the candy is too spicy, or because of something else.

"Hoo hoo... Do you Ursus people have such unique tastes? Even your candy is mixed with vodka, chili, and a little bit of sugar... So this is what Ursus candy is like. No wonder you said Lungmen doesn't have it."

Lin Lu asked subconsciously, completely unaware that Shuangxing's smile was slowly fading.

“Because I’m cold,” Froststar whispered.

"Really? It feels quite comfortable to hug."

"...You really are the kind of person who keeps things to yourself!"

Frosty Star, unable to hide her shyness, headbutted Lin Lu's chest. Because of her weak strength, it felt more like she was being coquettish.

“You’re the only one in the world who won’t get frostbite from me.” Froststar lay prostrate on Lin Lu, raising her eyes to look at him with curiosity, as if he were some rare creature. “My body temperature is very cold, colder than winter itself, and external heat cannot penetrate it. If anyone else were to come into contact with even the slightest bit of my skin, they would suffer severe frostbite.”

"really?"

"Would I lie to you? What's the point of lying about this?"

Froststar sighed, "If I could, I would also like to become more normal."

"If I'm the only one who can touch you normally... then wouldn't I be your soulmate?"

Lin Lu suddenly realized and asked, "When are we planning to get married? Do you prefer a Yan-style wedding or a Victorian style? To be honest, I don't really understand the wedding customs in Ursus. Do I have to fight your father first and win before I can take you home?"

—On the outskirts of the ruins of Chernobog No. 14, a huge danger emanates from above the head of Patriot, who is searching for his daughter.

Chapter 379 I'm Healed (Fifth Update!)

What are you talking about?!

Froststar's face instantly turned even redder than Lin Lu's. She glanced to the side, unable to meet Lin Lu's gaze.

Lin Lu knew when to stop and didn't delve any deeper into the topic, maintaining a pleasant distance in their conversation.

"Can you drink hot beverages? Coffee, black tea, or something like that?" Lin Lu asked.

"Yeah, I like hot drinks because I can feel the temperature of the beverage as it slides down my esophagus into my stomach. It's my way of feeling warm... Sadly, hot drinks burn my internal organs. I can't even take a hot bath. Taking a cold bath in frigid Ursus feels like having ice shavings rubbed against my body, it's really uncomfortable... Wait a minute, are you imagining what it's like for me to take a bath!"

Lin Lu stared intently at Shuangxing, and with a sudden twitch of his body, he let out a long breath.

"I'm ready."

"No good!"

Although Froststar didn't understand what Lin Lu was implying, she had a bad feeling.

Lin Lu naturally wouldn't explain the joke to her; if she didn't understand... wouldn't that be even better?

"Is this because of Oripathy?" Lin Lu asked.

"When I was eleven years old, I first unleashed my Originium Arts in the mine using Originium within my body as a medium. My Oripathy fusion rate has been soaring ever since, creating this terrifying body of mine."

Frostnova recalled what happened at the time, saying, "Back then, I couldn't control Originium Arts anymore. The Frost Tide spell kept draining the Originium from my body. I lost consciousness, and it was Bodrakas who saved me. He held my cold, numb body tightly. He didn't care at all that his two arms, which had been taken off their armor, were almost completely necrotic from the cold. His voice was trembling, but he didn't let go. He kept comforting me. I remember him telling me not to sleep, because if I fell asleep, I wouldn't wake up."

“I don’t know if it was because his emotions at the time affected me… My body stopped casting Originium Arts, and I survived. From that day on, I considered him my father. He was my family, just like my Yeti brothers and sisters.”

Froststar murmured to herself, unsure why she had confided her secrets to Lin Lu without reservation. Perhaps it was because she had never found someone to confide in. Perhaps some secrets, kept hidden in the heart, would change their meaning.

"once?"

Lin Lu seized on this sensitive word and asked, "Did you two have a fight?"

"...Promise me you'll never tell anyone else, and I'll tell you."

"I promise."

“You agreed so quickly, I can’t feel your sincerity. But never mind, it’s not something particularly worth keeping a secret…” Frostnova took a deep breath, her eyes lowered with some worry, “Bozokasti, he was once a war hero of Ursus, who retired to the city-state in his old age. He dedicated his whole life to Ursus, and even after retirement he remained loyal to his duty.”

"A war hero of Ursus".

Lin Lu listened quietly; he was the best listener in the world. He listened attentively to what the other person had to say, spoke when necessary, and subtly reminded the other person that he remembered everything clearly.

"Although the history of Ursus is missing a chapter due to the change of imperial power, and the honor of the soldiers who fought for Ursus for the past ten years has been erased, their legends will forever be passed down in the streets and alleys."

Froststar felt Lin Lu's gaze, which gave her confidence when she spoke.

"Bozokastie, known as 'The Patriot' by the Infected in the Northwest Icefield. Although he participated in the Reunion Movement's violent power grab in Chernobog, he still loves his homeland Ursus in his heart. He fights to eliminate the oppression of the Infected by ordinary people and to create a society where ordinary people and the Infected are equal. He has always carried out the ideals of the Reunion Movement to the end."

"He is my hero."

Frostnova's eyes shone brightly, and she smiled.

It's like a child telling others how great their father is.

The smile didn't last long. Frostnova lowered her voice: "Unfortunately, the world is always unfair to good people like him. Bodrakasti's wife passed away a long time ago. He had a son, an Ursus scholar who fought for the rights of the Infected, a Wendigo scholar, the only Wendigo scholar in Ursus. Bodrakasti didn't know about his son's situation. He dedicated his life to Ursus, fighting bloody battles until he contracted Oripathy in the last war."

"Um……"

Lin Lu nodded slightly, and through Shuangxing's words, he constructed an image of a soldier in his mind.

Even the greatest heroes grow old in Ursus. Once infected with Oripathy, they are branded with a sordid mark. Their past achievements will not be recognized. No matter how much they have contributed to the country, they will be discriminated against, scorned, and left to die in the mines because of their infected status.

However, just because he's infected, it's unlikely he'd fight Ursus from the perspective of an infected person... right? Given his personality, he'd probably just silently drag his diseased body to some dark corner and die. It's a soldier's pride; Bozocasti couldn't accept Ursus's judgment, being labeled an Oripathy infected and executed.

Lin Lu looked at Shuangxing curiously, waiting for her to say something next.

Frostnova pursed her lips and continued, "Not many people knew that Bodrakasti was ill. His comrades concealed his condition from the authorities and his son. Years later, Bodrakasti received an order from the Ursus Empire to 'maintain order at all costs,' and during the 'Great Rebellion,' he allowed his soldiers to use weapons. When swords are drawn, blood is drawn, and conflict erupted, with people falling one after another in the snow."

"Soon, the order of iron and blood was established. But what Bozokastie didn't know was... during the 'Great Rebellion,' his son was working tirelessly for the rights of the infected."

"later……"

Lin Lu held his breath slightly, vaguely guessing what was about to happen.

"Then, Bozokastie saw his son on the street, his son already cold. His son died in this incident at the hands of his troops, on his orders, and under the ironclad rule of Ursus to maintain order at all costs." Frostnova bit her lip and said coldly, "From then on, a guerrilla force that struck fear into the hearts of the Ursus people who abused the infected was added to the Northwest Tundra."

"Bozokastie wasn't doing this for revenge, but for atonement. He believed he had killed his son with his own hands, and he had to fight for his son's ideals and accomplish what his son hadn't been able to do. I wonder if he thought of his son when he was holding me?"

Froststar chuckled self-deprecatingly.

“He never mentioned any of these things to me. Everything was told to me by his subordinates. He wouldn’t reveal a single word to anyone. Maybe he really does treat me like his daughter, but I wish he would tell me these things. What can’t he tell me? I really don’t want to argue with him. I know I made a mistake, but I am not a substitute.”

"What did he find in me? Family? Redemption? Or just a little psychological comfort? I don't know. All I know is that I don't want to be someone's substitute, I don't want to..."

This extremely faint murmur was as painful as an icicle piercing one's chest, causing Lin Lu to reflexively reach out his hand.

“You are you, Yelena.”

Lin Lu pulled Shuangxing into his arms, holding her petite and helpless body—a body that seemed as if it would break at the slightest touch—without any preconceived notions. He raised his right hand and gently stroked her head, which had never relied on anyone before and had always longed for a reward.

Frostnova, this strong young girl, must have always longed for a hug, right? No one else could touch her, not even Borocasti could give her a real embrace. She could only hug herself tightly, enduring her pain alone in solitude. Beneath her outwardly cold and strong exterior, she was also a girl who craved care, but her identity destined her to be unable to ask anyone for help.

Shedding her identity as the Yeti Princess and removing the mask of the Reunion Warrior, Frostnova reveals a fragile and fleeting nature.

"..."

The two remained silent for a long time, quietly enjoying the moment of tranquility.

Froststar was like a southern girl using a hand warmer for the first time, enjoying Lin Lu's warm embrace.