[Chapter Thirty-One] Lin Xiaoyang’s Interview with Tanya

The royal guard Xiao Bonar brought Lin Xiaoyang and his wife to the tower, where Tanya received Lin Xiaoyang and his wife.

Husserl asked in surprise: “The reincarnated David… how is he a yellow-skinned Eastern person?”

Lin Xiaoyang and his wife walked up to Tanya. Tanya carefully scrutinized Lin Xiaoyang and Huang Minhua.

Lin Xiaoyang cupped his hands and said: “Tanya, I am David, and she is Erin.”

Tanya’s face lit up with a radiant smile: “You are David, and you are Sister Erin.”

At this moment, Huang Minhua also recognized Tanya: “Huang Minhua: You are Tanya!”

Husserl could not recognize the two in front of him; he could not see the original spirits of David and Erin.

Tanya asked: “Was it my cousin Maria who sent you here to find me?”

Lin Xiaoyang said: “Yes.”

Tanya asked in surprise: “David, why didn’t you marry my cousin?”

“Maria is with Rufus.”

“Rufus? How could my cousin be with that scoundrel? What on earth is she thinking?”

A bitter smile flashed across Lin Xiaoyang’s face: “This was Maria’s own decision. What can I say?”

“Don’t you resent Rufus in your heart?”

“Resent Rufus? There is some, indeed. But this is Maria’s own choice.”

Tanya sighed: “Sigh! Cupido really does play careless jokes! Your cousin sent you to me to retrieve that Sun Staff?”

“Yes, the princess entrusted me with this mission.”

Tanya said softly: “David, you, you’re such a fool! In the last life, you served my cousin as a headless ghost; in this life, you’re still her pawn, being ordered around. Is a life lived so blindly worth it?”

Lin Xiaoyang smiled bitterly: “As long as the princess can be happy, I am willing to bless her and Rufus.”

“That Sun Staff… I can let you take it back, but I must give you a conscience’s warning: do not blindly follow my cousin’s orders to unseal the staff. You’ve probably heard this: ‘Absolute power always invites absolute corruption,’ haven’t you?”

Lin Xiaoyang felt shocked. In an instant, he was awakened by Tanya’s warning: “Tanya, you mean…”

“If the staff’s seal is broken, Maria will not only completely dominate the Dark World, she will also control the human world. Such supreme power could very likely bring endless disaster! You must think carefully…”

Tanya’s words caused Lin Xiaoyang’s confidence to begin to waver.

Huang Minhua said: “But, husband, Maria is waiting for us to complete the mission!”

Seeing Xiaoyang’s wavering confidence, Huang Minhua could not help but remind him.

Tanya said astonishingly: “I have safeguarded this staff for over three hundred years. To seal it away, I made a deal with Satan, the condition being that I could never receive your love in my lifetime…”

Lin Xiaoyang’s expression showed deep emotion: “Tanya… why… why did you go to such lengths?”

Lin Xiaoyang gazed at Tanya, shocked, and felt a whirlwind of emotions.

“As long as the staff remains sealed, it is merely an ordinary token. Let it stay in the Nether Valley. In this world, aside from you, David, no one can take it from me. Even if someone were to seize it, without your unsealing, it still has no practical effect. You must fully consider the stakes.”

Lin Xiaoyang pondered for a moment and said: “Tanya, if you can guarantee that the staff will not fall into anyone else’s hands, I am willing to return and try to persuade Maria.”

Tanya’s face broke into a smile: “I promise you, in your lifetime, I will protect this staff with my life!”

Lin Xiaoyang resolutely made his decision and nodded: “Then, it will be as you say!”

Huang Minhua anxiously asked: “Husband, but how do we report back to the princess?”

Lin Xiaoyang placed his hands on Minhua’s shoulders, looking at her earnestly: “Minhua, face reality. In this life, you are Huang Minhua. You don’t need to live for Erin. Neither of us should be pawns in Princess Maria’s hands, manipulated at her whim.”

Tears glistened in Huang Minhua’s eyes: “Husband, why don’t we return to Taiwan?”

Lin Xiaoyang said: “It’s time for us to leave behind places of trouble and strife.”

“Wait here for a moment. I will have my subordinates bring the monster chiefs. They will escort you safely out of the Monster Forest.” Tanya finished, signaling to Xiao Bonar, who stepped forward to receive the order: “Go fetch Amy and Colin. Let them escort the visitors out of the Monster Forest.”

Xiao Bonar cupped his hands: “Yes, Princess.”

He turned and left, mounting his dragon and soaring into the sky.

The two monster leaders, Amy and Colin, accompanied Lin Xiaoyang and his wife to the edge of the Monster Forest, where they met Father John and his group. Everyone stared intently at the two monstrous-looking creatures. Lon and Adorno had doubts but did not dare to ask Xiaoyang directly.

Lin Xiaoyang said: “These two leaders will escort us safely out of the Monster Forest.”

Lon seemed to understand the key point: “So, these monsters and the Great Tiger all obey the master of the Nether Valley.”

Father John, Brother Stron, and Rufus did not see Xiaoyang carrying the staff and felt puzzled.

“Father John, may I speak with you privately?” Xiaoyang pulled Father John aside: “The staff remains in the Nether Valley, under Tanya’s safekeeping. The key points regarding this, I will explain to you secretly on the way back.”

Seeing that Xiaoyang seemed to have a secret, Father John nodded in agreement: “Alright. I will listen to you on the road.”

The two returned to the group. Father John said to everyone: “Friends, the mission is complete. Let’s return.”

Upon Father John’s command, the group formed two columns and began to march.

The mission had failed. Rufus had already suspected: “Even if the three of us had entered the Nether Valley, if Tanya insisted on blocking us, we wouldn’t necessarily have had any chance of victory. If fighting broke out, the losses would be severe. Now, Xiaoyang didn’t bring the staff back, and he’s whispering with Father John at the rear. Surely, Xiaoyang has already been persuaded by Tanya…”

Father John and Lin Xiaoyang walked at the back of the column. Xiaoyang placed a hand on Father John’s wrist and whispered secretly, summarizing the negotiation process with Tanya and the stakes involved. Father John fully understood the critical points and agreed with Xiaoyang’s approach. His main concern, however, remained: “I’m still uneasy about Rufus being near Maria.”

“Father, once we leave Hell Valley, we will part ways. Please convey a message to the princess for me.”

“Speak. I will deliver your words.”

“Please tell the princess: for this lifetime, grant freedom to me and Minhua.”

“Ah! You go, take Minhua with you, and return to Taiwan.” Father John agreed with Xiaoyang’s plan.