Versatile Mage: Get the Desert Emperor clone at the start

Chapter 196 Crane City Corrupted by the Red Demon, Target: Cold Hunter King

After Lan Xi arrived, the members of the National Government officially set off.

The journey was relatively peaceful as we did not encounter any sirens.

After Lan Xi arrived, she and Jiang Shaoxu quickly became friends. Lan Xi had a relatively lively personality, loved to play, and was very curious about things around her that she didn't understand. Jiang Shaoxu was also relatively outgoing, so the two talked a lot and had a great time, laughing and joking around.

After a period of sailing, they finally arrived at Ankai, the sea area of ​​the Sakura Kingdom.

"Let's find a place to rest first. We can't stay here too long. Our departure has already been delayed by a few days. We need to get to Xibo City as soon as possible," Ai Jiangtu said.

Nan Jue also said, "Yes, we still need to go to Saka and defeat their guard team, so we can't waste any time."

However, Qin Xiaonan's purpose in joining the National Government was not for the so-called training mission. After arriving in Nishikuma City, Japan...

Then he took Mu Nujiao to the city for sightseeing.

The twilight in Nishikuma City was imbued with the atmosphere of the Edo period. Qin Xiaonan led Mu Nujiao through Nakamise-dori Street in front of Senso-ji Temple, while the noren curtains of century-old shops on both sides swayed gently in the evening breeze.

"Ding-a-ling—" The crisp sound of wind chimes came from the eaves, intertwining with the melodious tune of the shamisen in the distance.

The air was filled with the aroma of takoyaki, the sweetness of grilled dumplings, and the refreshing scent of incense.

"Try this." Qin Xiaonan stopped in front of a century-old shop with a noren (traditional Japanese curtain) hanging in the shape of a "Haneya" (a type of traditional Japanese curtain).

The elderly master chef, with his white hair, was using bamboo skewers to turn the dumplings on the grill. Their caramel-colored surfaces were coated with fine soybean powder, emitting an enticing aroma.

He took the freshly baked dumpling, carefully blew on it, and then held it to Mu Nujiao's lips: "Be careful, it's hot."

Mu Nujiao lowered her head and took a small bite. The soft and glutinous dumpling melted between her teeth, and the sweet but not greasy bean aroma instantly filled her mouth.

"Not bad." She nodded slightly, a faint smile unconsciously appearing on her lips.

Qin Xiaonan looked at the soybean powder on Mu Nujiao's lips and couldn't help but reach out and gently wipe it away, causing Mu Nujiao's ears to turn slightly red.

As night deepens, the lights along both banks of the Sumida River are lit up one after another.

Ornately decorated houseboats glided slowly across the river, their lanterns hanging from the eaves reflected in the water.

“Let’s go up and take a look.” Qin Xiaonan suddenly grabbed Mu Nujiao’s slender waist, and the two of them leaped into the air, their clothes fluttering as they jumped to the highest rooftop nearby.

From here, you can see the lights of the entire city.

By the time the two finished shopping, it was almost morning.

When Qin Xiaonan and Mu Nujiao returned to the temple where the members of the National Government were temporarily staying, the eastern sky was already turning a pale white.

"Are you tired?" Qin Xiaonan asked softly.

Mu Nujiao shook her head, "Not tired."

A faint smile played on her lips; clearly, the night's outing had put her in a good mood.

However, when they entered the temple courtyard, they witnessed an unexpected scene—

Zhao Manyan bowed deeply to Lan Xi, his face filled with gratitude: "Miss Lan Xi, we are truly grateful to you this time!"

His voice was still a little weak, but his spirits had recovered considerably.

Lan Xi waved her hand, "It was nothing~"

In the original novel, Zhao Manyan was put into a coma by Mo Fan because Mo Fan mistakenly reported his name.

After being rescued by Mo Fan, he unexpectedly obtained Baxia's totem vessel.

Even without Mo Fan's involvement, Zhao Manyan was still the first to be affected, which only shows that he and that wooden fish were indeed destined to meet.

However, Lan Xi just happened to be here this time.

She quickly resolved the trouble, thus saving Zhao Manyan. At this moment, Zhao Manyan was thanking Lan Xi.

Afterwards, the group did not waste too much time there and continued their journey to Crane City, where the capital of Saka Kingdom is located.

Upon arriving here, Qin Xiaonan quickly discovered many unusual things about the place.

He sighed inwardly, "It really is so."

It turns out that many people here had already been corrupted by the Red Demon.

The entire Crane City has gradually become the lair of the Red Demon Yi Qiu, who has been preparing for the descent of the evil god for a long time.

This time, Qin Xiaonan did not bring Mu Nujiao. Instead, she said, "You and the others go to the National Pavilion first. I have some things to take care of."

Mu Nujiao didn't ask any further questions, but simply said, "Okay."

Mu Nujiao is a very perceptive woman. She knows that Qin Xiaonan has important things to do, so she gives him complete trust and space.

Qin Xiaonan's goal this time is Red Devil Yi Qiu, or more accurately, Cold Hunter King.

Memories flashed back several months to when, after he rescued Leng Qing from danger with Lingling, the little girl who always pretended to be strong let down her guard for the first time.

After seeing Qin Xiaonan's yet another totem beast and Lan Xi's "unscientific" strength, Lingling...

She talked a lot with Qin Xiaonan at the time, including with her father.

Under the dim light of the Qingtian Hunter's Lodge, Lingling held the hot cocoa he handed her.

"Thank you, Brother Qin, for saving Sister Leng Qing." Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible. This was the first time Lingling had addressed him like that; before, she had always called him by his name.

This time, Qin Xiaonan saved Leng Qing in time; otherwise, her sister might have lost her life, and she would have lost another loved one.

Qin Xiaonan still remembers the hope that shone in Lingling's eyes when she talked about her father.

Lingling is mature from a young age, but she lost her father at a very young age. Her mature behavior is actually a way of strengthening her inner self. What little girl doesn't want to snuggle in her father's arms and act cute?

Qin Xiaonan knew that Cold Hunter King was dead, and that the culprit was Red Demon Yiqiu.

However, he didn't tell Lingling the truth at the time, but he did promise her that he would help her find her father.

Qin Xiaonan's visit to Hecheng was a good opportunity to investigate and see if she could find the Cold Hunter King's soul fragment.
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On the streets of Hecheng, where the morning mist had not yet dissipated, the members of the National Team watched Qin Xiaonan's figure disappear around the street corner.

“We’ll go challenge them first,” Ai Jiangtu said. “Qin Xiaonan will join us then.”

After passing through several quiet alleyways, a magnificent building that blends modern architecture with traditional garden style comes into view.

In front of the Saka Kingdom Pavilion, several meticulously pruned pine trees rustled in the morning breeze, and the stone lanterns still bore the dew of the night.

"This is the Saka Kingdom Pavilion?" Jiang Shaoxu stood on tiptoe to look closer. "It looks even better than in the photos."

Her words stopped abruptly.

A woman dressed in a dark-colored tomisleeved kimono walked out gracefully.

Her hair was tied up high in a bun adorned with pearl hairpins, and her sleeves were embroidered with dark red spider lily patterns. Most striking were the lacquered wooden clogs on her feet, which made her already tall figure appear even more slender.

The woman bowed slightly, and the section of her snow-white nape exposed by the neckline of her kimono was particularly striking in the morning light.

When she straightened up, everyone could see her face clearly—her slender eyebrows and eyes were sharp, but her lips were adorned with a perfectly timed smile.

Gazing at the moon, a thousand incense smokes.

Her gaze swept across everyone's faces, but finally settled on Mu Nujiao, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

(End of this chapter)