[Chapter Thirty-Three] Huang Lihua Arrives in Tamsui

In the departure hall of Ciampino Airport on the outskirts of Rome, the couple Lin Xiaoyang and Minhua were pulling their suitcases, arriving at the boarding gate.

Xiaoyang held Minhua’s hand and said: “We’re about to leave Europe, Minhua. These past two years feel like a dream.”

Minhua replied: “I never expected to meet you by Lake Lucerne and experience such a fantastical journey together with you.”

Xiaoyang said sentimentally: “Indeed! When we first arrived in Paris, I never imagined that I would become entangled in the disputes among the vampire factions. Even more unimaginable was that in my past life, I was David, and I had so many entanglements with the vampire world.”

Minhua said: “All of that is past. From now on, we’ll live a simple life and not concern ourselves with the grievances between so many humans and demons.”

In early summer, along the golden banks of the Tamsui River, tourists moved back and forth like schools of fish swimming upstream. A couple of street portrait artists had set up their portrait stall on the sidewalk, each painting portraits for the visitors.

A medium-built young man, wearing a dark navy robe with a horse emblem, a red flat woolen cap on his head, and round-framed glasses on his face, approached the stall. He looked at the side profile of Huang Minhua, who was painting while chatting with a customer. Minhua turned her head, saw him, sprang up from her seat, and exclaimed: “Grandpa! Is it really you? Grandpa!”

Xiaoyang, standing beside her, heard her call out, lifted his head, and saw that it indeed was Huang Lihua. Yet the surrounding tourists were bewildered by the scene: a young girl in her delicate teens was calling out so affectionately to a youth dressed in an old-fashioned style, calling him “grandpa.”

Huang Lihua raised his right hand, placing a finger on his upper lip to signal Minhua not to cause a commotion, and continued to focus on painting. Xiaoyang pulled over a chair for Huang Lihua to sit and handed him a canned coffee: “Senior, take a seat for a while. Later, Minhua and I will chat with you and walk around nearby.”

“Seeing you two living so leisurely makes me happy,” Huang Lihua said.

“Grandpa, I told Xiaoyang that you would definitely come to Taiwan to visit us. My intuition is always right.”

After Xiaoyang and Minhua finished each customer’s portrait, they immediately put up a “Break” sign. The three chatted at the stall.

“Actually, Princess Maria once entrusted me with a mission. She wanted you two to return to the Heaven Hotel to manage detective work in the dark world.”

The couple, Xiaoyang and Minhua, simultaneously asked curiously: “Detective work in the dark world?”

“You are living people. Using the cover of travel writers, you would secretly investigate whether any residual vampires or human-demons still exist, mingling in human society and continuing to harm humans. If you discover these two types of demons, report them to Father John, and the princess will arrange the appropriate personnel to eliminate them when an opportunity arises.”

Xiaoyang asked in confusion: “Human-demons? Living among humans?”

“Human-demons refer to those whose minds are full of lust for power, willing to do anything to achieve their goals. They control considerable resources and often disguise themselves as religious figures or philanthropists, using power to gain huge benefits and harming those around them without hesitation.”

“I understand. Maria wants me to be her private detective, but wouldn’t Father John be more suitable for such work?”

Huang Lihua explained: “Father John’s identity is sensitive. Moreover, he is already well-known in the dark world, so he is not suitable for executing this kind of mission.”

Xiaoyang said: “Senior, to be honest, I have no grand ambitions or aspirations in life. I just want to live simply with Minhua and have no desire to wade into messy affairs.”

Minhua said firmly: “Grandpa, Xiaoyang and I have no intention of returning to the Heaven Hotel.”

A wry smile flashed across Huang Lihua’s face. He said calmly: “The moment I first saw you two setting up a painting stall in the scenic area, painting portraits for tourists, I already had an idea. The princess’s expectations will surely be disappointed. Honestly, I also do not want you to return to wade through messy affairs. You have your own future and there’s no need to obey Princess Maria to do dangerous work. However, I worry that if I cannot convince you during this trip, the princess might next send Archmage Rufus to find you. Rufus is now the princess’s chief steward, the most powerful person in the Sky Castle.”

Xiaoyang asked nonchalantly: “Even though Archmage Rufus is powerful, could he really kidnap us back to Lake Lucerne in Switzerland?”

“Not exactly kidnapping, but you two have previously drunk the dragon marrow elixir given by the princess, which enabled you to develop martial arts and unlock strong inner potential. You may not realize the potency of this elixir: anyone who drinks it is mentally susceptible to control by Princess Maria through spells, forced to serve her.”

Xiaoyang pressed further: “Forced to serve the princess? Would she really cast spells on Minhua and me?”

Lihua said with concern: “It’s possible. If Rufus finds you and you refuse to go back to Switzerland with him, he may persuade the princess to use a spell to compel you.”

Xiaoyang said unhappily: “After leaving the Nether Valley, I had Father John convey a message to the princess, asking her to be merciful and let Minhua and me live freely in this life.”

Huang Lihua’s eyes brightened upon hearing this: “I believe Father John has conveyed your words to the princess. She is sentimental; hearing your wish, she should not make things difficult for you.”

Xiaoyang asked puzzled: “If the princess could use spells to control us, why didn’t she use them in the Nether Valley to take the Sun Staff from Tanya? Why go to such lengths now to control us with spells, asking us to return to the Heaven Hotel as her private detectives?”

Lihua thought for a moment: “Perhaps the princess’s spell could not penetrate the Nether Valley, or perhaps she had reservations at the time. What exactly is going on, I cannot tell for now.”

Xiaoyang asked again: “Senior, if the princess casts spells to control us and we resist, what would happen?”

Lihua said: “I’ve heard the Dragon Knight say that those who drink the dragon marrow elixir, if they insist on resisting a spell, may suffer the worst consequence: the spell’s power rebounding on them, causing them to lose their mind and go insane.”

Xiaoyang sighed deeply: “If the princess insists on pushing us to the brink… then I would rather go insane than be under her control.”

Lihua comforted him: “I think the princess understands your mind and temper. She would not harm you with a spell. So we need not be overly pessimistic.”

Xiaoyang asked again: “Is there any way to break free from the princess’s spell and avoid her remote control?”

Lihua said: “I can ask the Dragon Knight. He has long followed the princess and may know the solution. Give me some time. When I return to Lake Lucerne, I will enter the Sky Castle and ask the Dragon Knight for the solution.”

Lihua then reminded them: “However, if the princess finds out I couldn’t convince you, she may soon send Archmage Rufus to find you. After I leave, you’d better first find a hidden place to live quietly. During this period, absolutely do not use your superpowers to avoid leaving any trace that Rufus could detect.”

Xiaoyang said confidently: “Although Taiwan is small, finding a secluded place and living self-sufficiently is not difficult.”

Lihua said: “Then let’s do that. Once I leave Taiwan, you two shouldn’t stay here. Find a deep mountain or a remote cape to settle, so Rufus cannot sense your presence.”

Huang Minhua, listening to their conversation, suddenly had an idea: “Why don’t we buy a yacht and hide at sea, docking at different ports for supplies in rotation? That way, it will be difficult for Rufus to detect us.”

Lihua clapped his hands: “That’s an excellent idea. But you’ll need cash now to buy the yacht. I have a deposit in my Swiss bank account, originally reserved for your post-marriage business. Now it can be put to use. When I return to Switzerland, I will transfer it to you, Minhua.”

Minhua’s face lit up with joy. She hugged Lihua and cooed: “Thank you, Grandpa. It’s so good to have you!”

Huang Minhua hooked her left arm with Huang Lihua’s arm, her right arm linked with Xiaoyang’s. The three strolled along the riverside embankment. With the golden riverside, gentle sea breeze, and warm sunlight, they enjoyed a leisurely moment together.