Chapter 402: A Risky Invitation

I never thought you’d actually dare to come here…

In the exclusive car, as it passed one high-security Safe Zone checkpoint after another, Yenir silently read the message from Blood Nightingale.

He knew they already knew of his arrival.

He could even picture the mix of mockery and surprise on Blood Nightingale’s face.

“What’s there you’re afraid of? Are you trying to rile Yinglong by getting chummy with me?”

“I’m not too comfortable doing things in front of so many people,”

Quickly replying, Yenir’s eyes flashed as he recalled his initial conversation with Blood Nightingale.

Indeed, once he realized that even members of the Bloodshadow Legion were inexplicably eager to buy out this battalion of soldiers, Yenir understood clearly: if he wanted to rescue these men—to take that little girl back—he was bound to clash with the Bloodshadow people.

So he immediately contacted Blood Nightingale, asking her to help him defuse the situation.

Given Blood Nightingale’s current standing, many senior figures in the Safe Zone would gladly give her face. Who could guarantee that she wouldn’t one day become their principal woman? Even if Yinglong was merely playing with her, they wouldn’t dare offend him.

After all, Yinglong never admitted publicly that he was simply ‘pursuing’ her; there was no real connection between them.

Yinglong’s sheer intimidation was simply too overwhelming for the Bloodshadow ranks…

After Yenir sent his message, Blood Nightingale promptly agreed to help—and he never expected that her method of rescue would be to go straight to Yinglong, claiming she had a friend keen to attend the banquet.

What happened next was straightforward.

For Yinglong, a Third-Stage Peak powerhouse, it might have been just a casual nod, but for his underlings it was a monumental event. After orders were relayed through the ranks, the head of the Blood Helm unit was informed that Yinglong himself had invited Yenir to the banquet.

This news naturally terrified the other party half to death.

“It seems simple, but that damn woman… who knows if she told the whole truth…”

Habitually twirling the ring on his left hand, Yenir turned his gaze to the elegantly dressed guests entering; a peculiar glimmer flashed in his eyes.

Blood Nightingale’s maneuver had indeed extricated him in an instant.

But to say there was no risk would be absurd.

Who could guarantee that Blood Nightingale hadn’t let more slip to Yinglong? With Uncle Liang unable to track her, he had to gamble that she only mentioned coming for a meal and nothing more about him. Otherwise, it would be a death warrant.

That was also why Blood Nightingale was genuinely surprised that he actually dared to agree—and dared to show up.

If Yinglong were to set his hand on him, anyone below Third-Stage Peak would be nothing more than an ant! Even if Fang Hao personally shielded him, it might not be enough!

“Heh, if you’re not afraid to die, then I’m willing,”

“What, you want me to tell Yinglong? Have you sit by my side? Should I slip under the table later for you?”

Accustomed to Yenir’s habit of infuriating people with his words, Blood Nightingale, well-known for her biting tongue, retorted through her message while she laughed and chatted with senior figures in the lavish banquet hall, a glass of red wine in hand.

Unbeknownst to everyone, the stunning and aloof Blood Nightingale was in the midst of a conversation with another man near the entrance.

That little brat sure had guts.

But…

Heh, even if she dared risk everything, that bastard might not even be game!

“That’s pretty awesome… Miss Blood Nightingale, you’re so impressive—so many tricks up your sleeve. How come I never knew before?”

“But aren’t you worried we might both end up smashed together?”

“I reckon there’s a high chance your head would be the first to crack; worst case, I’d only lose my lower half initially.”

Reading Blood Nightingale’s message, Yenir’s face twisted into a weird scowl. That damn woman was truly twisted…

Sliding under tables at a banquet? Who even says that? Who would dare?

Yet deep down, he was somewhat sure that Blood Nightingale hadn’t ‘betrayed’ him.

She wouldn’t be so adept at disguise if she meant to lure him in for a kill, too afraid he might bolt midway.

Still, after glancing over his sword techniques—Fallen Heaven and Dimensional Slash—Yenir exhaled softly, ready to bolt at any moment. If something went awry, Yinglong, despite his status, might not personally strike him. Even if he did, a mere Third-Stage Beginner like Yenir wouldn’t be completely annihilated, right?

Given even the slightest opening, he’d escape without a backward glance! With two—no, three rounds of Dimensional Slash, he could outpace a ghost!

Accustomed to planning ahead and rehearsing every possibility, he had already made several backup plans. This was also why he didn’t have Huang Yuanhao follow him.

…………….

In the bright, resplendent banquet hall, Blood Nightingale, resplendent in a red dress and high heels, moved like a blooming blood-red rose as she effortlessly clinked glasses with numerous top figures from Far Frontier.

As the most unique presence at the banquet, her exquisite look naturally drew the gaze of many Third-Stage individuals.

Especially with rumors that even Yinglong pursued her, everyone felt a burning desire to win her favor.

Not to mention, if one secretly got a taste of her charm, wouldn’t it mean you were even stronger than Yinglong?

For a man, few temptations were as lethal.

Under such a prestigious aura, they all felt awkward when facing Blood Nightingale. Everyone strove to appear as elegant and witty as possible, afraid of losing face with her.

Yet, clutching her wine glass and surrounded by a cluster of attentive Third-Stage figures, the members of the Bloodshadow Legion only managed a perfunctory smile while inwardly seething as they dealt with the situation.

For reasons unknown, she kept glancing towards the entrance, as if waiting for someone.

No one knew that she was nearly driven to rage by Yenir’s message.

If she could, she’d have loved nothing more than to kill that guy—leaving not even a scrap behind!

It wasn’t that she hadn’t considered ‘betraying’ Yenir; rather, after repeatedly weighing her options, she found that no method was appropriate.

If Yenir survived here, her cover would be blown, and she would face an assassination by that Middle-Aged Man. She simply did not believe she could survive under his command, especially since Yenir clearly held a high status within a certain faction—making further assassinations inevitable.

Even if she bowed down to some big shot, they might not protect her. And once her identity was revealed, who would let someone from a Farming Team stick around?

As for approaching Yinglong?

No, that was simply out of the question! Even Yenir probably didn’t know why she was drawn to Yinglong… or rather, why she’d come this far—why she had once left Far Frontier in search of survival…

With a gentle sip, her crimson lips left a faint imprint on the pristine glass.

After quelling the chaotic thoughts in her mind, Blood Nightingale sighed softly. Now, she could only act as the situation dictated.

If a suitable opportunity arose that would have Yenir effectively court death and rile Yinglong, she wouldn’t mind. But to betray him was a cost she couldn’t bear.

Step by step, if that bastard eventually went so far as to court self-destruction, she had already figured out what to do next.

“Plotting against Yinglong? I wonder where this kid gets his nerve…”

Muttering under her breath, she hadn’t even lifted her wine glass when a welcoming announcement suddenly boomed out.

“Canglang Safe Zone has arrived!”

Instantly, Blood Nightingale’s beautiful eyes flashed with a strange glimmer as she turned her head.

Wasn’t that that bastard’s familiar figure?