FATE: Target of Grand Master

After thanking her again, Ai Lei carried the pot of plum blossoms and walked with Xia Yan on the deserted and pitch-black street.

At this time, only the area around the temple and walls of Uruk was still lit by fire; the rest of the area had fallen into darkness.

Xia Yan's lighting magic finally came in handy again, and the two walked on the dark street by the faint light.

To break the awkward silence, Xia Yan took the initiative to start a conversation.

"Ellie, do you know the symbolism of plum blossoms?"

Ai Lei shook her head. Let alone the symbolism of plum blossoms, Ai Lei had only known the name "plum blossom" for ten minutes.

"Plum blossoms often bloom in winter, symbolizing the tenacity of life and the purity and elegance of spirit, just like you, Ai Lei, who has guarded the underworld for thousands of years without complaint. I feel that it is a perfect match for you."

While gaining knowledge, Ai Lei also received praise from Xia Yan, and couldn't help but smile shyly.

"Xia Yan, if you keep praising me like this, I'm afraid I'll become arrogant."

"It's okay, I'll make up for all the compliments that everyone owes you, Ellie. All you have to do is learn to open your heart and accept five-star reviews."

Xia Yan gave a thumbs-up as he spoke.

At that moment, the young man's words were like a ray of sunshine, shining into Ai Lei's gloomy heart, which had been almost assimilated by the underworld.

So having a friend is such a comforting thing?

"Xia Yan!"

Just as Ai Lei was still basking in the joy of finally having a friend, Musashi appeared out of nowhere, grabbed Xia Yan by the neck, and tackled him to the ground.

Seeing Musashi rubbing his head against his chest like a kitten and smelling the strong odor of alcohol in his nostrils, Xia Yan could tell that Musashi had drunk too much.

"Hey, Musashi, hiccup! Why did you run away?!"

Cú Chulainn Alter also followed, swaying slightly.

"I told you not to run, look what happened, you fell down."

Cú Chulainn lifted Musashi up, only to discover that Musashi was supporting Xia Yan with his legs underneath.

"Hiccup! Isn't this Xia Yan? What a coincidence! Want to join us for a couple of drinks?"

Looking at the two drunkards with glazed eyes and unsteady gait, Xia Yan shook his head repeatedly.

What a joke! If these Servants can drink like this with their physical abilities, they must have drunk barrels of alcohol. I would be dead if I went over there.

"It's alright, we know our limits, we'll just have a couple of drinks."

"Can't!"

Just as Xia Yan was about to be forcibly taken away, Ereshkigal pushed Cú Chulainn into a house by the roadside. Immediately afterwards, a flock of hens ran out from a hole in the house.

Xia Yan and Musashi were both taken aback.

Is this the true value of the A-level strength award? The legendary "Devil Muscle Rin" lives up to his name!

"sorry!"

Realizing she had gone a bit too far, Ereshkigal quickly apologized to Cú Chulainn Alter, whose head was still covered in chicken feathers.

This push also woke Cú Chulainn Alter up, and he immediately began to examine himself.

What a fool I was! Trying to get Xia Yan to drink during the trial. Luckily, it was Ai Lei by Xia Yan's side today. If it had been Morgan, I probably would have already triggered my willpower.

"It's nothing. It was my fault for urging you to drink. This will help you sober up. I'll be going now."

Cú Chulainn made a quick getaway, leaving Xia Yan to deal with the two women alone.

"Xia Yan, I can't walk anymore, can you carry me?"

Musashi, emboldened by alcohol, began to act coquettishly.

Xia Yan sighed helplessly. What kind of day is this? He has to carry two women on his back in one night. Does he think I'm a rickshaw puller? At least other rickshaw pullers pull their rickshaws, not just run around like rickshaws.

Despite inwardly cursing, Xia Yan still bent down and gestured for Musashi to come up.

Musashi jumped contentedly onto Xia Yan's back and exclaimed, "Xia Yan is the best!"

This scene stunned Ai Lei, who was standing to the side, and a hint of envy appeared in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Ellie, you must have seen this. My team isn't usually like this."

Xia Yan had intended to salvage the situation for his Servants, but Musashi unexpectedly spoke up: "Ereshkigal, as your senior, I'll share a secret to getting along with Xia Yan: be more affectionate. Don't let his mature and composed demeanor fool you; Xia Yan is incredibly accommodating to his family, especially the girls. However, there are more applicants than available spots here, so you'll have to fight for it yourself. That's all I can tell you, since I'm also a competitor. Oh dear!"

Musashi shared his "secrets" while giving Ellie a thumbs up, but in the end, Xia Yan flicked him on the forehead.

"Ereshkigal, don't listen to this drunkard's nonsense. However, Musashi is right about one thing: if you need anything, you can come to me. Our relationship is less like Master and Servant and more like brothers and sisters. We're all family, sharing joys and sorrows."

Ai Lei nodded blankly.

"Alright, let's walk a little faster. This guy is a bit heavier than usual after I've been drinking."

Xia Yan forcefully tossed Musashi upwards, then quickened his pace.

"Xia Yan, you're so mean! I'm not heavy at all! You really do forget your old love once you have a new one. Waaah... Ouch!"

Musashi got another flick on the head from Xia Yan.

"If you keep talking nonsense, I'll really leave you on the street."

"don't want!"

Musashi tightened his arms around Xia Yan's neck, almost strangling him to death.

And so, amidst Xia Yan and Musashi's playful bickering, the three returned to the temple once more.

After first escorting the reluctant Musashi back to her room, Xia Yan also very gentlemanly escorted Ai Lei to her room.

After informing Siduri beforehand that Ellie would be staying overnight, everything was arranged perfectly.

"I'm sorry, Ereshkigal. Although I managed to persuade you to come to the surface, there's not much scenery left for us to see today. Starting tomorrow, we'll be preparing for our counterattack, and I doubt we'll have another chance after that."

Ai Lei shook her head and said, "Xia Yan, you don't need to apologize. Actually, I'm very happy today. I not only talked to my friends, but I also got it."

Ai Lei looked down at the plum blossom she was holding in her hands and continued, "I will take good care of it. When it blooms, may I invite you to come and see it?"

"Of course! I'm looking forward to it too."

Xia Yan responded with a smile.

Afterwards, the two said goodnight to each other and went back to their rooms to rest.

The following day, Xia Yan and the other three Masters gathered again before King Gilgamesh to begin a meeting to discuss the counterattack on Uruk.

"Currently, the 'Six Goddess Alliance' has been reduced to the 'Three Goddess Alliance,' but the remaining three are not easy to deal with."

Xia Yan explained the backgrounds of Gorgon, Durga, and Typhon to the newly joined Servants, especially Typhon, who has the function of being an anti-wish machine. They should not only be careful during battles, but also be extremely careful when communicating with each other, lest she seize the opportunity to activate a function equivalent to causality.

Even someone as powerful as Morgan needs to be mindful of this.

"Alright, that concludes the science segment. Next, we'll begin planning our counterattack against the Blood Temple."