Hello, is this a letter addressed to Demon Fortress?

Lin Gui picked up the letter.

The letter paper was of ordinary quality, but the handwriting on the surface was delicate and neat, revealing a careful and earnest attitude.

only……

He looked at the mailing address written on it and frowned slightly.

"Blackwater City, West Third District, Seventh Household in Bluestone Alley, Copper Mailbox on the Right Side of the Door."

The address was excessively specific, even indicating the mailbox location.

If it were anywhere else, Lin Gui wouldn't be so strange.

The problem is... the destination is Blackwater City.

Apart from the group of bounty hunters who had long since disappeared, there wasn't a single living person.

Below the address, there is a line of smaller print:

"Please do not open this letter, as it contains private information."

"..."

"I'll find out if you open it."

"So please don't do that."

Lin Gui narrowed his eyes.

Discover?

The magical senses penetrated the envelope, but no alarm was detected.

Unconsciously, his fingertips traced the edge of the envelope.

He hadn't initially intended to examine it closely, but the sender's comment...

For a fleeting moment, he actually wanted to open it and take a look.

What kind of "family letter" would require such secret delivery?

Who was it that sent him this letter, which triggered a system task, just as he was about to leave?

However, Eve's gaze fell silently on his hand, with a hint of understanding and a quiet observation.

Lin Gui paused.

Eve's silent gaze stirred his rare professional ethics.

He then coughed lightly and carefully tucked the letter into the inside pocket of his robe.

"Um... I just wanted to confirm that the email format is correct."

Eve smiled without saying a word, a faint smile flashing in her purple eyes.

At that moment, Shia came down the stairs carrying a small wooden box.

With a "thump," it was placed on the counter.

Lin Gui and Eve looked at the same time.

Lin Gui was somewhat surprised:

"Isn't this your...secret stash?"

Shia's lips curled up, a hint of smugness in her smile:

"Now it's your little stash of money too!"

"My man is going on a long trip; I can't go empty-handed, can I?"

As she spoke, she magically pulled a neatly folded piece of paper from her bosom and waved it in front of Lin Gui.

That was the "IOU" that Lin Gui had written to her before.

Shea looked at him, her eyes curving into crescents.

Then, in front of him—

"Sizzle."

"Now, I am your woman, and you are my man, so..."

He gently tore the IOU in half.

"Debt cleared~"

Her voice was light and cheerful as she casually tossed the broken pieces into the wastepaper basket beside her.

"These are for your journey."

She patted the lid of the wooden box.

"If that's not enough..."

She paused, her bloodshot eyes sparkling as she looked at him.

"Remember to come back and get it from me."

Lin Gui stared at her, speechless for a moment.

Lin Gui had already thoroughly witnessed Xia's greedy nature along the way.

She would rummage through corpses in the forest to find gold coins, and search for treasures in sunken ships at the deep sea. Her eyes would always light up as she scavenged every bit of "spoils of war".

Although he is a money-grubber, he is not stingy and never hesitates when it comes to spending money.

Lin Gui did not refuse.

Having empty pockets is indeed quite troublesome.

He took the heavy little wooden box and opened the lid.

Inside, there were all sorts of coins, their chaotic yet warm glow gleaming under the magic lamp.

He reached out and flipped through them very gently.

Finally, from a pile of gold coins of various types, three Star Coins, ten ordinary gold coins, and about ten silver coins were selected.

Then he closed the wooden box and pushed it back to Shia.

That's enough.

"Most of the rest... have some sentimental value. You should keep them."

He was referring to those ancient coins, minted during the Golden Age, salvaged from deep-sea shipwrecks.

The chances of appreciation may be slim, but at least... it's a testament to our journey through the silent sea together.

In Avalon, Shia can use these gold coins to boast to others about her story of crossing the Silent Sea.

Upon hearing Lin Gui's words, Eve's eyes lit up slightly.

She bent down and gently picked up a deep-sea gold coin from the box. The coin had some corrosion on the edges, but the pattern was still faintly discernible.

"Sia," she turned to the elf, her voice gentle, "could I have one? As a... keepsake."

In exchange, she reached into the hem of her inner skirt.

After fiddling around for a moment, he pulled hard with his fingertips.

"Sizzle."

A small piece of dark purple fabric sewn inside the skirt was torn off.

Inside was a pigeon-egg-sized amethyst with a pure and warm color.

Even in dim light, it still exudes a hazy and noble aura.

Its value is obviously considerable.

Eve gently placed it in Shea's hand.

"Here, take this."

Xia's eyes lit up. She took it, played with it for a while, then turned to look at Lin Gui with a hint in her eyes.

Lin Gui: "...???"

Half an hour later.

Lin Gui looked at the things that Xia was holding in her arms with a slight pang of regret.

That wasn't some precious semi-divine artifact, or even a valuable item.

But...

The wood he held so tightly that its surface was smooth and rounded, and the grain was soaked with the warmth of his palm.

Oak staff.

He has been with his old companion ever since he embarked on the path of becoming a monk.

"that……"

Lin Gui touched his nose, trying to negotiate.

"How about... I trade you this?"

With a wave of his hand, the Wind Whisperer's Scepter appeared in his hand.

"That staff has been with me for many years..."

She looked down at the simple, unadorned staff in her arms, then looked up at the semi-divine artifact in Lin Gui's hand.

His blood-red eyes blinked.

She then hugged her staff tightly and shook her head firmly.

"No, let it be the object of my longing after you leave."

"I sleep with it every night."

Left with no other option, Lin Gui had to change his approach:

"Well... when I come back this time, I'll buy you a ring."

As soon as she finished speaking, the warmth on Xia's face vanished instantly, replaced by an almost solemn seriousness.

Without hesitation, she tossed the oak staff she was holding to the Forest Ghost.

"As for the engagement ring, remember to..."

She cleared her throat and solemnly explained:

"You have to keep it from me and secretly slip it into the gift."

"Like roses, or Cecilia flowers..."

"I would pretend I didn't know, and then accept it with an excited and happy expression."

She thought for a moment, then added:

"By the way, I like emerald green rings."

"Remember to buy the matching set, one for you and one for me."

Lin Gui's lips twitched slightly.

"...Alright then."

He took the staff, and the familiar, warm touch came from his palm.

His gaze went over Shia's shoulder and towards the window of the post office.

Morpheus was leading several elite warriors, walking briskly towards them.

His expression was solemn, clearly indicating that he had been waiting for a long time.

"It's time to say goodbye," Lin Gui said softly.

Shia's eyes dimmed, and a hint of loneliness crept into her voice:

"Couldn't you... stay one more night before leaving?"

"Our home...it was so hard to finally settle down."

Lin Gui shook his head.

"The matter concerning Lord Morpheus is extremely urgent."

"And, help him accomplish this..."

He looked at Shia, his tone softening.

"It will also help you live a more stable and longer life in Avalon."

"so……"

He paused for a moment, then took a step forward.

He reached out and gently pulled Xia into his arms.

Her body stiffened slightly at first, then completely relaxed, softly leaning against his chest.

Lin Gui lowered his head and whispered in her ear:

"I'll come back to see you after some time."

"You must stay in Avalon and wait for me, and live happily every day."

After saying that, he loosened his arms, intending to end the brief embrace.

however--

Shea's hands, which were wrapped around his waist, suddenly tightened.

Before Lin Gui could react...

Shea stood on tiptoe and tilted her head back.

Her soft, slightly cool lips gently touched the corner of his mouth.

That brief kiss seemed to ignite something.

She was no longer satisfied with just touching.

Instead, they began to leave fine marks on the side of his neck.

His body pressed tightly against him, and the two fell to the ground together.

Eve, who was standing to the side, was stunned. She looked left and right.

Finally, I walked to the post office window and drew the curtains.

Then she covered her eyes, but couldn't help peeking through her fingers at the slightly erotic scene before her, which made no attempt to hide its presence.