"How did you know?!"
The fact that you mentioned Yunli by name proves you didn't just find out by spying tonight. You must have known for a long time.
Seeing Derick's slightly panicked expression, a triumphant glint flashed in Cipher's eyes. She needed him flustered so she could make her next move.
"Want to know? That depends on your 'performance,'" Cipher said smugly.
She had no intention of keeping Sushang and Huohuo's secret. Cipher, after all, was always on Derry's side.
Derick knew what Cipher meant by 'performance.'
Before he could react, Cipher moved right in front of Derick and gave him a kiss.
"If you won't 'perform' proactively, then I'll just come and take it myself!"
After the kiss, she sat down directly across from Derick, her gaze burning into him. She asked:
"Derry, do you really not have any feelings for me at all? Otherwise, when it comes to time spent together and the experiences we've shared, neither Feixiao nor Yunli can compare to me."
Her gaze was incredibly serious, giving Derick no chance to look away or change the subject.
Regarding the matter with Feixiao and Yunli, Cipher's 'threat' wasn't to force Derick to do what she wanted. That would be completely unrealistic. Her real threat was to prevent Derick from shrinking back or avoiding the issue, to make him show his true feelings.
Yes or no, you have to tell me right now.
With things having reached this point, Derick knew in his heart that he had to give Cipher an answer.
He lowered his head and began to ponder.
Cipher sat opposite him, waiting for Derick's answer.
Derick's mind was racing. He was well aware of Cipher's feelings; he had just been subconsciously avoiding a direct response. But now that Cipher had brought his affairs with Yunli and Feixiao into the open, Derick could no longer evade it.
Yes or no, it had now become a choice.
Faced with this choice, Derick pondered for a moment before giving Cipher his answer.
"I really can't think of a reason to refuse you."
If he had no feelings for Cipher, he wouldn't have felt such anguish when he received the Flame-Reaver's memories and relived killing Cipher thousands of times.
Moreover, ever since he and Cipher had met, he had seen all that she had done for him, and Derick had taken it all to heart.
If he truly wasn't moved by Cipher at all, then his heart would have to be made of ice.
Hearing Derick say this, Cipher broke into a smile, her sharp canine teeth flashing, revealing the expression of a feline who had successfully caught her prey.
She threw her arms out, pounced on Derick, and leaned into his embrace, her hands wrapped tightly around his neck.
Derick felt the softness of Cipher's body. She had a fuller figure, soft to the touch. His palm could sink deep into her thigh, a very comfortable sensation.
It was a completely different feeling from the firm muscles of his teacher, Feixiao.
Feeling the pressure of Derick's hand, Cipher comfortably closed her eyes. She hugged Derick even tighter, finally pushing him down onto the bed.
"Derry, there are still three hours until dawn. Should we..."
The night is long, and things can change. Better to finish the last step now.
Cipher had long been looking forward to this in her heart and didn't care about any kind of ceremony.
She was a cunning thief; formalities were the last thing on her mind. She wanted Derick, wanted to be with him. Nothing else mattered.
Hearing Cipher say this, Derick swallowed nervously.
Today... first it was Polyxia, then Feixiao, and now Cipher.
A man really can't be used like this.
Cipher looked at Derick's expression, first confused, then she understood his situation.
"Hmph, as a thief, what I want, I always get." Cipher naturally wouldn't give up.
Besides, Derry's current lack of stamina was perfect for her, who was inexperienced.
For this first time, Cipher wanted to be the one to take the lead. Normally, Derick definitely wouldn't give her this chance, so his current exhaustion was the perfect opportunity.
It didn't matter if Derick didn't want to move; she could personally help him.
Oh, but not with her hands.
A gentleman uses his words, not his fists. Although she was no gentleman, it wouldn't hurt to imitate one sometimes.
And what was that other saying? Men shouldn't keep cats. The reason for this is that cats really like to bite indiscriminately...
Lying in Derick's arms, Cipher kept poking his chest.
"Next time, you just wait for next time!"
Cipher's expression was full of defiance.
The energies of the Paths of Propagation and Abundance within Derick's body were no joke.
"Alright, alright, I'll admit defeat next time."
Since he'd already had his fill, Derick didn't mind letting Cipher win a verbal victory.
Derick held Cipher tightly.
So soft, and so comfortable.
Cipher also nestled in Derick's arms and sighed with satisfaction.
"There's still an hour until dawn. Let's lie here for another hour," Cipher said to Derick.
"Don't you need more rest?" Derick asked with concern.
"No need, I'm a legendary thie— Gah, don't move." As Cipher spoke, she felt Derick's movement touch her and immediately frowned, patting his shoulder.
"Anyway, we're not far from the starskiff, and I have my thief's methods, so you don't have to worry about me. You, on the other hand, should start thinking about how you're going to explain this to Castorice!" Cipher had many tricks up her sleeve. She wasn't worried about herself; rather, she was concerned for Derick.
Giving up any of them was impossible for Derick.
So, he had no choice but to have them all.
Whether by being shamelessly persistent or by acting cute to curry favor.
After Derick finished thinking, Cipher reached out and pinched his face. "You really are shameless. I don't know what's wrong with me, how did I end up falling for a guy who looks cute on the outside but is actually so possessive!"
After pinching for a while, Cipher said to Derick, "Derry, don't worry. Neither you nor Polyxia will be blamed for anything. Let Castorice direct all her anger and blame at me!"
"I'm not the type to push responsibility onto others."
Derick said immediately upon hearing Cipher.
"It has nothing to do with you. Believe me, now that I'm involved, Castorice will definitely blame it all on me. And I don't care about any of that." Cipher smugly wiggled her small, plump, and rounded feet.
With Castorice's personality, she wouldn't blame him or Polyxia. But things need a scapegoat. And there was really no one more suitable for Castorice to vent her anger on than Cipher.
This wouldn't change based on Derick's will.
And Cipher didn't care about these things either.
She even snuggled closer in Derick's arms.
After snuggling for a while, Cipher thought of something and couldn't help but laugh.
"Cipher, what are you laughing at?" Seeing her smile like that, Derick was a bit confused. "Did you think of something happy?"
"Yeah, I did think of something." Cipher said to Derick, "Tell me, when we get back, how is Hyacine supposed to get along with us?"
"Huh? What does this have to do with Hyacine?" Derick looked surprised by Cipher's words.
Cipher poked Derick's chest.
"Think about it. Everyone who came from Amphoreus. Castorice, Polyxia, and me... three of us have this kind of intimate relationship with you. She's the only one left out. Doesn't that make her seem a bit lonely? From now on, when we go to a hotel, we'll only need one king-sized room and one single room."
Derick gave Cipher a speechless look.
"Your thinking is really out there. I'm sure Hyacine doesn't think the same way you do."
"Oh? Is that so? Are you sure Hyacine wouldn't do that? Besides, are you telling me you're not tempted by her?" Cipher's lips curved into a mischievous smile.
Derick averted his gaze, feeling a little guilty.
To say he had no feelings for Hyacine would be a lie.
Just like with Cipher, there were already feelings between them. And then, having killed Hyacine over twenty thousand times in his memories, such intense recollections would only continue to amplify his emotions.
Cipher patted Derick's chest and shifted into a more comfortable position to hold him.
"Alright, stop thinking, rest."
Having had his thoughts exposed, Derick guiltily wanted Cipher to rest as well.
But just two seconds after closing his eyes, Derick remembered something, opened his eyes, and asked Cipher, "By the way, Cipher, you still haven't told me who told you about me and Feixiao, and Yunli."
"That? I overheard it." Without any hesitation, Cipher told Derick about the time she eavesdropped on Huohuo and Sushang.
"It was actually them!" Derick was a little surprised, and at the same time thought to himself that when he got back, he would have to find a way to get 're-venge' on them.
Why did they have to go and talk about it!
But then, Derick found something else strange.
"Wait, that's not right. Huohuo saw me and Feixiao back at the Shackling Prison, so it's not surprising she knows. But what about Sushang? How did she see what happened between me and Yunli?"
Derick couldn't quite figure it out.
He thought that when he got back, he would have to investigate properly.
"Derry, what do you say? Want my help when we get back?"
Cipher asked Derick teasingly.
"We'll talk about it when we get back."
Derick first wanted to know how Sushang found out about his situation. Besides, the most important thing right now was the inevitable confession to Castorice.
And then there was that cautious little Hyacine. If she fell into Cipher's hands, she'd probably be teased to death.
"Alright, up to you."
Cipher was indifferent about it. When Derry needed help, she would step in.
For now, it was best to rest.
Cipher didn't want to expose herself to the others, so after resting for a while, she left quietly.
After Cipher left, a knock sounded at the door. It was a soldier from the Xianzhou Cloud Knights, coming to inform Derick it was time for breakfast.
Derick quickly got dressed and walked towards the palace's main hall.
Jing Yuan and Yanqing were already there. Yanqing looked full of energy, while Jing Yuan was yawning repeatedly.
"Morning?" Seeing Derick enter, Jing Yuan casually greeted him. But then, he looked at Derick with some confusion.
"Derick, what's with you? Why do you look so tired?"
He wasn't used to waking up early, which explained his expression. But Derick was used to getting up early to exercise, so why did he look even more exhausted than him?
Because I barely slept all night!
Derick thought to himself.
But he didn't say this out loud. Instead, he thought for a moment and said to Jing Yuan, "I drank for the first time last night. I guess I just couldn't handle it. I should probably quit drinking from now on."
I've been wounded by wine and women. From this day forward, I quit drinking!
Jing Yuan, unaware of Derick's situation, saw his state and just teased him, "If you don't drink, you might miss out on a lot of fun in the future."
"It's fine, there are plenty of fun things in the universe. I won't miss out on what comes after drinking."
Hearing Derick say this, Jing Yuan nodded in agreement.
After a while, the others also came for breakfast.
Hearing Derick say that drinking made him so tired, the others accepted his reason, all advising him not to drink in the future. Derick humbly accepted their counsel, saying he would never drink again.
Polyxia glanced at Derick, feeling a little guilty, assuming it was her fault. Feixiao glanced at Polyxia, then at Derick, assuming the two of them were responsible, her expression slightly apologetic.
And Cipher, the final straw that broke the camel's back, ate her breakfast without a care in the world.
Seriously, I lost some blood. I need to replenish it.
While eating breakfast, Derick said to Jing Yuan, "General Jing Yuan, after breakfast, is there anything else?"
"No, General Feixiao and I will handle the rest. You've worked hard this time, Derick. You all can stay here and wait to go back together, or you can leave right after you finish eating." Jing Yuan said, shaking his head.
"That's right. We'll tally up the spoils of war and then report to the Marshal. This battle was exceedingly smooth. The casualties among the Xianzhou soldiers were at an absolute minimum, which saved us a great deal of trouble." Feixiao also nodded beside him. "I suggest you leave directly, Derick. Because I... I'm also planning to head to the Luofu Xianzhou for a vacation."
Jing Yuan looked at Feixiao.
"This brain of mine isn't made for tallying up spoils of war. For things like that, let Jiaoqiu assist you, General Jing Yuan!"
Feixiao said, waving her hand.
Hearing Feixiao say this, Jing Yuan could only sigh helplessly.
In a fight, you could completely trust Feixiao. But only in a fight.
"Derick, what do you say?" Feixiao asked, looking at Derick.
"Since you're leaving, Teacher, I'll naturally go back and rest too."
With Feixiao leaving, Derick had even less reason to stay.
Better to get back early and start thinking about how to confess to Castorice.
After the meal, Derick, Feixiao, and the others boarded a starskiff to return to the Luofu Xianzhou.
Robin also boarded the starskiff with Derick and the others. She planned to return to the Luofu Xianzhou with them, and from there, contact Penacony to arrange her return.
The Charmony Glee was also fast approaching, so it was best for Robin to return early.
The return trip for Derick's group started off smoothly. But halfway through, they ran into an unexpected situation.
It wasn't that their starskiff had an accident, but that the starskiffs carrying the Borisin were intercepted and surrounded by an unknown fleet. Fortunately, the fleet had not opened fire on the starskiffs.
These Borisin were Derick's future capital for saving Amphoreus, so he certainly couldn't abandon them.
Besides, there were also many Xianzhou pilots on the starskiffs.
Such an interception and encirclement was an even greater provocation.
Derick and Feixiao couldn't tolerate it in the slightest.
"Let's go, let's go see who dares to block the starskiffs of our Xianzhou Alliance!"
Feixiao was just fuming that yesterday's battle wasn't satisfying enough. Now that another enemy had appeared, she was naturally eager to go.
The ships surrounding the starskiffs were the armed forces of The Family, led by Sunday.
He had come to rescue his sister.
However, unable to find the Borisin's lair, he could only search the area where his sister had disappeared. After searching for several days, he happened to see the starskiffs carrying the Borisin away.
Upon detecting so many Borisin on board, Sunday immediately surrounded them.
"Family Head, our signal for them to surrender has been sent, but they have clearly refused, and they claim to be starskiffs of the Xianzhou Alliance. They say if we continue to obstruct them, it will be considered an act of war against the Xianzhou Alliance."
Hearing his subordinate's report, Sunday was very puzzled.
The ships before him, whether by model or communication method, were clearly from the Xianzhou Alliance. But why were these starskiffs filled with Borisin?
The animosity between the Xianzhou Alliance and the Borisin was something even Sunday was well aware of. He simply couldn't believe there would be so many Borisin on the starskiffs of the Xianzhou Alliance.
Generally speaking, if the people of the Xianzhou saw so many Borisin, they would have attacked long ago.
Sunday was absolutely unwilling to let them leave like this.
Three million of them. If his sister was still alive, they could be used as bargaining chips.
As long as he hadn't found his sister, Sunday would try every means possible.
"Let's capture them all first. But try not to harm them, and don't damage the starskiffs." After some thought, Sunday commanded the captains of his ships.
As long as no blood is shed, we can still explain things to the Xianzhou Alliance.
Sunday thought to himself.
So he began to direct his ships to stop the Xianzhou Alliance's starskiffs.
And just as Sunday's fleet surrounded the starskiffs transporting the Borisin, another starskiff approached from a distance.
After getting closer, Derick emerged from the starskiff and appeared before Sunday's command ship.
"I am Derick, student of the General of the Yaoqing, and Commander of the Cone-Feather Guard. Who are you? How dare you threaten the Xian—"
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