Chapter 533
“Why don’t you ladies go back?” Emmanuel said. “I’ll keep going. If I find the
botany, I’ll get the Verdant Bloom for your mother.”
“I won’t drag you down, I swear.” Sarah shook her head. “This is what I want to
- do. If you were to do it for me, then I would have wasted my time for nothing.”
There was no need for her to insist, but Emmanuel thought she had a point.
“Fine. We’ll go together, but you can always quit if you can’t go on anymore.”
“Sure, Emmanuel,” said Sarah.
The trio went ahead, and the grass was slowly turning into thick patches of
green. There were even brambles tripping them up, and the branches and
leaves were as sharp as knives.
All of a sudden, Suri screamed, and Emmanuel looked back. The maid’s arm.
was cut open by a branch and blood was trickling down the wound.
“Are you alright, Suri?” Sarah quickly approached Suri and whipped out a
bandage to cover the wound.
“I don’t think I can go on, Miss Sarah.” Suri gave Sarah an apologetic look.
Emmanuel was here to search for his mentor, while Sarah was here to help
her mother, but Suri had no reason to go on.
“It’s alright. You can go back. I have Emmanuel with me, so I’ll be fine,” said
Sarah.
Suri nodded and turned back, giving up on the trek. Emmanuel walked
toward Sarah and heaved a sigh. “I know you love your mother, but this is a
really bad place to be. You’re kind of a rich lady, so are you sure you want to
keep going?”
“I can take this, Emmanuel.” Sarah smiled, adamant about seeing this
through.
Emmanuel crouched down and noticed that Sarah’s pants were torn. The
sharp brambles and branches had cut her skin as well, but she didn’t even
complain once.
Sarah quickly put on a smile. “Sorry, Emmanuel. It’s not like I wanted to dress
pretty for this. The pants I was using for climbing got torn. You know who did
- it. These are the backup pants, but they aren’t as durable.”
Emmanuel was surprised that she was still smiling, and he sighed. He was a
guy, and even he could imagine the pain Sarah must be enduring, especially
when her legs were all cut up. “You should go back, Sarah. I’ll get the flower
for you. You did well enough.” He still wanted her to back off.
“Fine.” Sarah pouted unhappily, but then she smiled. “Be careful, then. Don’t
get in trouble, and come back if there’s any danger.”
“I know.” Emmanuel didn’t tell her that he had survived worse places.
In the end, Sarah left. Just when Emmanuel was about to shed some gear
and travel light, a scream came from behind. “Sarah!” He quickly ran back
and saw Sarah fall on the ground, the jutting stones and branches cutting
her up.
“Are you alright, Sarah?” He leaped down to her and looked around. She
tripped on a stone and fell.
The pain made Sarah frown, and sweat drenched her head, but she
stubbornly said, “I’m fine, Emmanuel. I–I can…” She tried to stand up, but all
strength was sapped from her left leg, and she fell on Emmanuel.
Chapter 534
“Hey!” Emmanuel quickly held her. I can’t let her fall again.
Sarah accidentally kissed his neck, and she blushed, but Emmanuel didn’t
feel a thing. Concerned, he said, “You sprained your left ankle.” He then
crouched down and pressed on it.
Pained, a moan escaped Sarah’s lips. Any other men would start to feel their
abdomen tighten just hearing that moan, but Emmanuel was unfazed. He
kept on massaging her ankle. “I gave it a bit of massage so it shouldn’t swell
too much, but you have to rest for a bit before you can regain your usual
mobility,” said Emmanuel without even looking up.
Sarah said, “Thanks, Emmanuel. You can leave me here and go back to your
climb. I’ll go back once I can walk.”
Emmanuel frowned, and he stood up. She’s going to walk all the way back?
We spent hours just to get to this point, and that was when we had energy. If
she’s going back alone in this state, it’s going to take a whole day. “I’ll take your
back,” said Emmanuel in the end. It would waste a bit of time, but he couldn’t
just leave his injured sister–in–law behind.
“That won’t do,” said Sarah, refusing to trouble him. “You came all the way
here to find your mentor and save Claudette. You made a promise to solve
that matter in a month. Time is still ticking, and if you waste it on me, you
won’t make it.”
“But…” Emmanuel hesitated. He was in a dilemma.
“No buts. Just go on without me.”
Emmanuel couldn’t just abandon her, not when she was already so
understanding, so he took her on his back.
“W–What are you doing, Emmanuel?” Sarah’s cheeks burned up.
“Sorry,” Emmanuel apologized. He wasn’t trying to be romantic about this, but
he knew Sarah might get that idea. He knew taking her on his back out of
nowhere might be a bit too sudden for her, but he had to do this. “I really
want to find my master, but I need to make sure you’re safe. I’ll take you back
then head into the mountains.” That was the best solution for now. Arguing
any further would be a waste of time.
“I–I see. Thanks, Emmanuel,” said Sarah.
Just when Emmanuel was about to turn back, Sarah pointed at the
mountains, gasping. “Look! There’s smoke there, Emmanuel!”
Emmanuel turned back. Oh, there’s actually smoke. Someone’s starting a
campfire there.
“Look at the trees there, Emmanuel. They don’t seem randomly planted like
the ones around us. Someone probably planted them that way.” Once again,
Sarah was demonstrating her exceptional observation and analytical skills.
She was almost on par with her sister.
Emmanuel nodded. “True. Someone must have set up a home there.”
“We should make our way there. Maybe that’s where the botany is.”
“Sure.” Emmanuel mused for a moment and decided to take a look. The
destination wasn’t too far anyway.
They climbed the mountain, and Sarah’s chest was against Emmanuel’s
back. Even though they were clothed, Emmanuel could feel a pair of warm
sacks resting on his back.
Chapter 535
“Your stamina’s awesome, Emmanuel,” Sarah suddenly muttered into
Emmanuel’s ear, her breath tickling his ear. It made Emmanuel’s ear red.
“It’s alright.” Emmanuel was starting to get a bit awkward. He might be a
gynecologist, but he was still a regular man. He might be a bit immune to the
sight of a woman’s naked body, but he was still weak to their touch. He
couldn’t escape that in this situation, so he had to hold it in.
“Someone’s modest.” Sarah smiled. “Not many men can scale this mountain
alone, let alone carrying a person and two suitcases. Yet you don’t seem out
of breath.”
Emmanuel quickly huffed and puffed. His face was turning redder.
“Oh, are you tired? Why don’t you put me down and get a rest?”
“Sure.” Emmanuel quickly put her down. He wasn’t tired, but he didn’t want to
be in close contact with her anymore. He was sure they were both innocent,
but since Sarah’s pants were torn and he had to hold her thighs while
carrying her on his back, he could feel her skin rubbing smoothly against his
hands. Furthermore, her chest that rested on his back would bounce around,
making him a little aroused.
“Let me wipe your sweat off.” Sarah took out a handkerchief from her
backpack.
Emmanuel was still fidgety, but Sarah smiled. “What’s wrong, Emmanuel?
Can’t let go because I’m your sister–in–law?”
It was surprising that Sarah saw through him so easily, but Sarah didn’t feel
awkward at all. She covered her mouth and giggled. “Mackenzie told me
you’re honest to a fault, and I see that’s true. You don’t have to be this
reserved, though. We can be close even if we’re in–laws. Ignore what the
public might say about it. We both know we’re innocent, and that’s enough,
isn’t it?”
Emmanuel paused for a moment, then he put on a big smile. “You’re right.” He
strove to live a life with a clear conscience. If he could do it when he was with
Claudette, there was no reason he couldn’t do it with Sarah. Is it because I
don’t want Mackenzie to feel sad over a misunderstanding?
“Come here and let me wipe the sweat off you.” Sarah smiled beautifully.
“Thanks, but no thanks,” Emmanuel refused.
Sarah stood up on one leg and wiped his sweat off anyway.
Emmanuel couldn’t say no, so to avoid anything awkward from happening,
he asked the one question that had been lingering in his head for a while.
“Why does your sister seem to be prejudiced against you? What happened in
the past?”
Given his status, he would take Mackenzie’s side, but he knew Sarah was a
kind and gentle soul.
“I’m not very sure about it.” Sarah was still smiling. “Maybe because we’re in
different factions. We don’t have a big grudge, but they only ostracize me
because I chose to be close to Mom. I thought it was really sad that Mom’s
isolated.”
“Is that so?” Emmanuel nodded, but he said nothing. Family affairs were not
the easiest case to handle, and not to mention he was part of that family.
“That’s what I think, but I’m not sure.” Just then, Sarah pointed at something
behind Emmanuel, looking excited. “Hey, look! Someone’s there!”
Driven by excitement, she exerted her seft leg. Pain shot up her body at once
and she fell.
“Careful!” Emmanuel quickly reached out to hold her.
Sarah fell backward, her waist almost bent at an unnatural angle. When
Emmanuel wrapped his arm around her waist, their eyes met, while their
faces were just millimeters away from each other. The air between them felt
so hot, it could burn.
Sarah’s clothes were tattered, to begin with, and now that they were getting
pulled at the seams, her clothes tore open completely.
Chapter 536
A scream pierced through the air. Emmanuel quickly picked Sarah up and
turned around. Even though Sarah had undergarments covering her sensitive
spots, given how unexpected the situation was, it made things awkward for
Emmanuel.
Sarah pulled her clothes closer to herself, her face turning pink. Sheepishly,
she said, “Can you get me a set of clothes from my suitcase so I can change
into them?”
“Sure.” Emmanuel opened up Sarah’s suitcase, and it contained girl’s items,
including clothes and adorable undergarments. “Here.”
“Thanks, Emmanuel.” Sarah took the clothes and said with embarrassment,
“Can you take me somewhere private?” She was a lady, so she needed some
privacy while she changed.
“Sure.” Instead of taking her on his back, Emmanuel picked her up in a
princess carry. Now that her clothes were torn, taking her in his arms would
prevent her chest from touching his back. It would make him feel awkward
otherwise. Emmanuel had no idea why he would feel awkward with Sarah. He
didn’t even feel this way when he was with Claudette.
Sarah was getting redder and redder. Even though she kept telling herself
that she wasn’t having indecent thoughts, this was still her first time in close
“Sarah!” Emmanuel almost jumped. Could there be someone among the
“I’ll get the suitcase. You get changed and we can keep going. I think the
partly because they were related through Mackenzie, and partly because
The guards froze, and then they burst into laughter as if they had just heard
far too many to list, and he deserved his death. If you support his actions,
then you are equally sinful as well!”
The lackeys were in disbelief, like Emmanuel just said something
unbelievable.
Dicky sneered before roaring, “I’ll kill you, you insolent cur!” He lashed his arm
out, forming a claw.
Shocked, Emmanuel retreated, but he was a step too slow. The guy tore
-through his clothes, and pain seared from his chest. Three bloody gashes
had formed on his chest.
“Careful, Emmanuel!” Sarah warned, but it was too late.
“That was great, Mr. Dickies!”
“That maggot’s dead meat!”
Dicky’s lackeys started to butter Dicky up, and Dicky sneered. “You managed
to escape me once, and I commend you for that. If you can tough out three
blows, I’ll
let you in.”
Arrogant. No one has ever boasted about that. Taking me down in three
blows? Preposterous. Even though Emmanuel had retired because of his
injury, this was still the first time someone was so arrogant to him. Still, he
knew this man might be able to defeat him, but he had no choice. He had to
accept Dicky’s challenge as he needed to find his mentor. “Fine. Challenge
accepted.”
Dicky smirked and launched into an offensive. His skills weren’t as varied as
Quinn’s or Felix’s, but he had more than ten times their power and strength.
Just the aftershock of his claw was enough to tear Emmanuel’s flesh open.
Emmanuel gritted his teeth. He couldn’t take the attack as he was, so he
needed to dodge. However, that was just a feint. Dicky was attacking him to
pinpoint how and where Emmanuel would dodge so he could find an
opening. Then, he attacked the third time, which was the real deal.
Chapter 539
Dicky moved his hands quickly in the air, emitting the sounds of something
tearing across the battlefield.
Sarah’s heart was throbbing furiously. Dicky’s attack was terrifying. Just the
sound of it gave her goosebumps, and she felt her skin prickling. If anyone
was caught by that attack, their whole body would be wracked by pain. Look
out, Emmanuel, she prayed in silence.
Emmanuel had just found his bearing, but Dicky was already gone. He quickly
concentrated and tried to find him through echolocation. He’s coming. He
heard the wind rustle on his left. Emmanuel quickly bent backward, and a
claw slammed down on him, tearing his clothes apart.
That was still not the end of it. Emmanuel couldn’t move his legs fast enough.
If he failed to move out of the way, Dicky might crush his legs. need to buy
some time.
Just when he thought he could get away fast enough, Dicky changed the
direction of his and lashed his claw straight at his chest. If the attack were to
connect, he would tear Emmanuel’s guts out.
Shocked, Emmanuel quickly fell down and got away from the attack. His back
hit the floor hard just as he lost his balance.
Dicky’s lackeys sneered. It was obvious that Emmanuel had lost control of the
battle, and Dicky could kill him in the very next moment.
Dicky/wasn’t planning to stop either. He lashed both claws out at Emmanuel’s
-throat.
We’re done for. Sarah knew that Emmanuel couldn’t get away either.
Emmanuel gritted his teeth. The look in his eyes was still sharp, but he had a
grim look on his face.
A moment before the attack could connect, someone from within the walls
shouted, “Stop!”
The interruption came just in time. Emmanuel managed to roll away, barely
dodging the attack. Dicky’s attack slammed into the ground, and he pulled
out a patch of the earth. If that attack had landed on Emmanuel, he would’ve
been killed.
Noticing that Dicky had stopped, Emmanuel was relieved, and he quickly
turned his sights to the wall. Everyone watched as a man with messy stubble
came out, and he clasped his hands together. “They’re here for me. Do
please show them mercy, Mr. Dickies.”
Dicky looked at the man with stubble, then he turned his sights to Emmanuel
as an arrogant smile curled his lips. “You should feel lucky you’re alive,
weakling. Try crossing me again and I’ll kill you,” he said smugly, then he
turned to the man. “Once you’re done talking to him, tell him to see me inside.
I have something I need him to do.”
The man nodded. “Of course, Mr. Dickies.”
Emmanuel had no idea who the man was, but he didn’t seem like an enemy.
If it weren’t for him, Emmanuel might’ve been hit by Dicky’s attacks.
“Are you able to get up?” The man came over and extended a hand.
“Emmanuel!” Sarah limped over, ignoring her wounds. Nervously, she said,
“You’re hurt. I’ll bandage your wounds.”
“It’s alright. This is nothing.” Emmanuel was grateful, but he told Sarah there
was nothing to worry about. Injuries of this level weren’t enough to kill him. It
was just a regular Tuesday for him.
Emmanuel accepted the man’s gesture and got up with his help. “Thank you
for your help, sir. May we know who you are?”
Chapter 540
The man smiled. “You must be Emmanuel.”
“Yes, I am.” Emmanuel was excited. He knows my name. So, does he know the
master as well?
The man continued, “I am Claude Flash. First disciple of Divine Valley’s 34th
generation of students.”
Delighted, Emmanuel shook Claude’s hand. “So, you’re Claude! The master
told me about you. Said you’re a diligent man and told me to learn from you.”
Claude laughed heartily. “And he’s told me about you. Said you’re an
interesting man. Acts like an airhead, but you possess an incredible talent for
medicine and martial arts. Second to none, he said.”
“Oh, he flatters me.” Emmanuel laughed, but he had mixed feelings about
that comment.
Sarah stole a glance at Emmanuel. His master is right on the head.
Emmanuel’s an airhead, but a lot of ladies like men like this.
“So how did you know I would be here?” asked Emmanuel. He wanted to
know.
“The master told me to wait for you here, and he wanted you to have this.”
Claude showed Emmanuel a wooden box. “He says there’s a lot of recipes in
here. There’s something in there that can help with your case. And he also
said there’s a recipe for healing your meridians inside too.”
Emmanuel froze, and Sarah was shocked. His master is incredible. It’s like he
knew what would happen.
“Thank you, Claude.” Emmanuel took the box and opened it up, revealing two
ancient medical books within.
Claude wasn’t going to stay and chat any longer. “Then you should leave
now. The master has something important to handle, so he can’t meet you
right now.”
“What kind of business?” Emmanuel asked.
Claude waved him down. “It’s not the time for you to know just yet. His words,
not mine. You have to heal your meridians first.”
That only piqued Emmanuel’s curiosity more, but since Claude wasn’t
allowed to tell him, he wouldn’t force anything out of Claude.
Claude was going to leave, but then he remembered something and turned
around. “Oh, and Mr. Dickies has something he wants to tell you. I have to
leave now, but if anything happens, tell him you’re with us, and he won’t hurt
you,”
Emmanuel nodded. He had an idea of what Dicky wanted to talk to him
about. Then, he and Sarah went inside the walls and were met with botany.
Sarah noticed Verdant Bloom growing within. With delight in her heart, she
quickly asked for a barter, willing to pay any price. However, she had been
flatly refused.
“We do not trade our items easily. Give up.” The staff member here was about
as welcoming as the guards before.
Emmanuel couldn’t help her. He had to see Dicky and plan his next move.
Guy’s probably one of the people up there. Maybe we can reach an
agreement and make a trade. Chances are slim, but there’s still a chance.
The both of them came to a house. The house was simple and the walls were
made of wood, but it was big. They waited for a whole night, and Emmanuel
would’ve left if it weren’t for Sarah’s quest to get the flower.
Just when they were about to lose their patience, Dicky came in with a
couple of lackeys, biting down on a bizarre cigarette. “You’re in luck, punk.”
Dicky held the cigar between his fingers and pointed at Emmanuel.
Arrogantly, the prick spoke. “I just asked my boss, and they agreed to let you
replace Bugsy. You’re our new guard dog now.”
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