Love, Gun, Cupid

Lin Jiade complained, "It's not like you're the one taking the potion, so of course you can talk about it so casually. Just thinking about swallowing poison when you're facing life and death is terrifying."

"Let me put it another way: it's like bungee jumping. It's scary, but there are safety devices to protect you."

Lin Jiade, you can't be afraid to risk your life for great things, nor can you be reckless for small gains. Think about how painful the potion was the last two times, how painful the severed arm was, and you endured it all. You can endure this one too. If you want to gain greater power, you must pay the price.

Lin Jiade trusted Du Juan, so he reluctantly accepted the recipe. When Jian Lan brought the dinner, she said, "I didn't write down the ingredients in detail, but mercury is not mercury, and arsenic is not arsenic. They both refer to things that have been treated with magic."

Lin Jiade breathed a sigh of relief: "You should have said so earlier. It turns out it had been treated and made safe and harmless."

“You have some misunderstandings about treatment. What I mean is that treatment can give you a deeper understanding of death, but it won’t actually kill you.”

Gladiolus said, "Isn't there a saying here that goes, 'How can you have tiger cubs if you don't mate with a tigress?'"

“You seem to have some strange understanding of proverbs.” Lin Jiade rubbed his head. “I’ve already placed the order… never mind, I won’t change it. I’ve accumulated some points over the past two months, I’ll use those to redeem mercury and arsenic.”

These magically enhanced items must be controlled resources, unavailable elsewhere.

That was settled. After finishing his "dinner," Lin Dalang quickly fled his home and arrived at school at five o'clock in the afternoon.

On the way, he encountered Teacher Yang, who looked preoccupied. Lin Jiade stopped, and Teacher Yang bumped straight into him, exclaimed in surprise, and stepped back, covering her forehead.

When she saw Lin Jiade, her face flushed red, and she quickly ran away from him, her high heels clicking on the ground like a farewell sonata.

"What's wrong?" Lin Jiade asked Jianlan.

"I don't know, I just felt she was very flustered."

When Lin Jiade went to the martial arts classroom, he saw that the door was still locked. He suddenly felt that his teammates were a bit unreliable. This was a serious mission, but everyone was like a lazy worker, not showing up until the deadline.

He had no choice but to rest in the club activity room. It was Friday, and the senior students were either home or out doing tasks, so the club was empty... or so he thought.

Lin Jiade pushed open the door and saw Yuki, Arcturus, and Starfish playing a game online together.

"No, aren't we supposed to be heading to the Mirror Realm tonight for our second expedition? How come you're still in the mood for playing games?" he asked.

“Even if I meditate with deep resentment, I can’t improve my combat power,” Yuki said. “Maintaining a positive mindset is very important when operating outside the Empire’s territory. Otherwise, you’ll drive yourself crazy halfway through the mission.”

Arcturus nodded in agreement: "Yes, yes, the Mirror Realm is nothing but desolation and a bewitching mirror. It's still dark, and all you do is fight and kill, or you're on your way to fight and kill. I had nightmares when I got back."

Starfish tossed a controller over, and Lin Jiade sat down, playing games with the mercenaries while complaining. When Mumian returned, the first thing she saw was the loud and boisterous Lin Jiade.

"You guys go fix the machine and open more crates, I'll deal with this female ghost!"

Lin Jiade and his three teammates were playing an asymmetrical horror survival game, but it was clear that, with the division of labor among the four players, the player playing the ghost was the one with the highest survival requirements.

After the ghost was smashed to pieces by the character controlled by Lin Jiade with an uppercut, they laughed uproariously, and the super sweet soda took their happiness to a new level.

"It seems I don't need to arrange counseling sessions for you."

Upon hearing Mu Mian's voice, everyone dropped their controllers and got up. Mu Mian brushed the matter aside and continued, "Our mission objective has changed."

The mercenaries, who had been so nonchalant just moments before, suddenly changed their demeanor, exuding the aura of a professional team, as if Lin Jiade's perception of the four-man squad bullying random players was merely a figment of his imagination.

"We have confirmed that the five adjacent regions of Region 18 have also sent their respective teams into the Mirror Realm. I don't know what secret it is that makes it worthwhile for other regions to send teams... Except for Region 19, whose sending a team is understandable."

However, this saved us some trouble. We exchanged maps after the captains' meeting, saving time exploring the map. Today's mission is to reach a settlement 17 kilometers north of our teleportation point.

"The Mirror Realm has settlements?" Lin Jiade was taken aback.

"I don't know either, I was just told that. The six squads agreed to meet there, and if it was indeed a settlement, they would negotiate and scout to make it our starting point for the next period of time, and then go and wipe out any other infiltrated stray squads."

"Six teams, a total of thirty people, is that enough?" Lin Jiade asked.

"I don't know. We are not the decision-makers, but merely the executors. Although we have friendly forces cooperating with us, I hope you will stay alert and vigilant at all times."

After Mu Mian left, Lin Jiade lost interest in playing games. He caught up with Mu Mian, who asked, "Is something wrong?"

"Ah, I don't know what to do now, so I'm wondering if you need any help, Senior Kapok."

"No, it's your body that's the problem..."

"I'm a little tired, but I can still manage."

Mu Mian took out her phone and glanced at it, then looked at Lin Jiade. Lin Jiade suddenly shuddered, instinctively turning around, but Mu Mian grabbed him.

“You’re in trouble now, Lin Jiade,” Mu Mian said.

There are a total of 66 chapters owed, of which 17 have been paid, leaving 49 chapters to be paid.

Chapter Forty-Six Li Hua

Lin Jiade only had time to release Jianlan, but unfortunately Jianlan couldn't offer any help. Mumian was short but very strong, and without saying a word, she pulled Lin Jiade into the women's shower room next to the martial arts classroom and locked the door.

Lin Jiade's first reaction was that Mu Mian had ulterior motives towards him, and that "the big one" was coming. Mu Mian turned on the light, and Jasmine and Hehuan stood there. Jasmine was holding a soup pot, and Hehuan made a peace sign and said, "Surprise."

"Ok?"

He Huan lifted the lid of the pot, and Lin Jiade shuddered when he saw the dark liquid. He asked, "What is this?"

"Potion Detection Version 2.0".

"I placed the order this afternoon."

Kapok explained, "In order to support our team and the logistics team that has moved in, the Fuxing City Magic Supplies Management Office has received high-priority supplies."

In fact, just two minutes after you placed your order, the data retrieval showed that you were a frontline member directly involved in the Mirror Realm Expedition, and your order was listed as the highest priority item for the magical supplies logistics in the Fuxing City area.

Many people work in shifts to ensure your order is delivered to your door within just two hours.

“I was the one who delivered the goods,” Hehuan said, as if taking credit. “Because the people in charge of logistics are already working overtime, we students have also joined in. I just happened to receive your order, so I delivered it as quickly as possible.”

I asked around and learned it was a magic potion. After calculating the time, I realized we had enough, so I urged Jasmine to brew it and offered to help her. We put the finished product into a soup pot with a heat-retaining function, and I drove Jasmine over.

"Junior, you're trembling, and your face is so red. Are you too happy to speak? No need for that. Mumian is my good friend, and I still need your help in the mission. There's no need to be so moved."

I am so grateful to you, Senior Sister Hehuan! The young man thought that he would repay this kindness in the future!

Hehuan, unaware of Lin Jiade's thoughts, said enthusiastically, "If you really want to repay the favor, just treat everyone to a cup of milk tea. Ah, a nice new milk tea shop just opened near the school... woof."

Mu Mian delivered a swift chop to He Huan's head, distorting He Huan's voice to almost a dog's bark. She covered her mouth, first glancing at Lin Jiade, then giving Mu Mian a resentful look.

Hehuan occasionally gets carried away and her thoughts wander. If no one stops her, she can talk for half an hour on her own. So, Kapok acts as Hehuan's brakes.

As for why the braking method is a hand chop, it's definitely not because the kapok tree is jealous of the mimosa tree's height.

Lin Jiade didn't notice the small theater over there because Jasmine, expressionless, brought over the finished product and said, "Lin Jiade, it's time to take your medicine."

Looking at the pitch-black color in the bowl, Lin Jiade struggled a bit. He looked pitifully at Jasmine, who also hesitated and looked at Kapok.

Kapok said, “Your mercy will make him weak. You must make him drink the medicine. If he doesn’t drink it, just stand there and watch him until he does.”

Senior Kapok, are you inside too?

The final blow came from Jianlan, who was floating in mid-air. She looked at him with an expectant expression, making it difficult for him to refuse.

Lin Jiade, in a fit of desperation, said, "Fine, I'll drink it!"

He took the pot of soup and drank it all in one gulp, letting out a big burp. He had expected that the moment it entered his mouth, it would make him wish he were dead, but to his surprise, the potion tasted exactly like plain water.

"What?! That's it..."

Before he could finish speaking, he fell into a hallucination. In his dream, he became Li Hua, a well-rounded otaku, a fervent fan of Attack on Titan, a fan of a certain voice actor, a fan of a female streamer in disguise, a 20-year die-hard fan of Jun Maeda, a devoted reader who has followed the series since Dragon Ball Z, a collector of Warcraft 3 Remastered and The Last of Us Part II, and a new bible of Cyberpunk 2077. He eagerly awaited the release of a new game from Studio Ghibli, and even attempted to complete a mod for the Ghost Valley Eight Desolations update this past Friday. Recently, a friend recommended him to start reading "The Abyss of a Boy," "Wolf's Mouth," and "Daughter's Friend," and after getting drunk, he tragically lost 3000 dinars...

These were just trivial matters, mere remnants of entertainment products, but when piled up, sadness flowed like Niagara Falls, causing Lin Jiade's tears to flow like pissing beef balls.

"Waaaaah, I've broken down, I've broken down, let me die, let me die, life is so hopeless."

He burst into tears like a 190-pound bear cub. When people cry, they always want someone to lean on. With tears streaming down his face, he didn't care who was in front of him and opened his arms to hug Jasmine and Albizia together.

"Hey! Wait a minute, wait a minute, junior... don't be so rough!"

Hehuan came over to check on the situation, but before she could even speak, Lin Jiade grabbed her buttocks. After the young man had used a total of three enhancement spells to boost his physical attributes, Hehuan, caught off guard, found it difficult to push him away.

Moreover, under this passionate and savage embrace, she, lacking any fighting spirit, was momentarily stunned, feeling powerless all over, and her movements to push Lin Jiade's shoulder became light and airy.

Jasmine and Kapok reached out and separated the two. Hehuan retreated awkwardly to the wall, clutching her lower abdomen and saying, "...It's a bit scary."

“This is a grief that teeters on the brink of life and death. Considering he has never experienced such pain before, his reaction was predictable. Also, are you alright?” Kapok asked.

"I'm fine. How should I put it? Is this what it feels like to be with a boy? Hard, rough, savage, and hot. When I'm held in his arms, it feels like I'm melting and I can't do anything."

“…No, I think this is your problem,” said Kapok. “Hehuan, he has a girlfriend.”

"Ah, I know, I even helped thread the needle inside... Wait, what did you say!" Hehuan slapped Mumian, "Am I the kind of person who would personally break up my own couple?!"

Lin Jiade's life in his perception lasted only three minutes in the real world before his consciousness returned to reality.

Initially, he looked tired, his aura was dejected, and his eyes were lifeless, like an old man whose life was coming to an end.

However, the vitality emanating from the young beauty in his arms made him realize that he was only nineteen years old, in the most beautiful and free four years of his life before the end of adolescence and before entering society.

Sweeping away all that was old and negative, revealing the passionate and desire-filled essence of youth beneath, Lin Jiade felt that his life was actually so wonderful after experiencing the illusion of Li Hua.

Lin Jiade looked up, and the surrounding scenery began to blur, the colors of the jasmine and mimosa soul flames coming into his eyes.

Chapter Forty-Seven: Soul Flame

Lin Jiade understood very naturally that the soul's radiance was a reflection of a person's experiences. Without thinking, he first looked carefully at Jasmine.

Jasmine's soul flame is shaped like a broken circle with a teardrop at its center, predominantly orange with a touch of paleness around the edges.

"The circle represents isolation, the teardrop represents sadness, and the broken circle represents that she is breaking out of isolation, but has not yet escaped."

Her soul's flame was primarily orange, or more accurately, a mixture of gold and red, diluted with a touch of paleness.

Red is the essence of jasmine, gold is the color left after jasmine's lineage conversion failed, and pale is the residual effect of the experiment that transformed jasmine into a white dragon.

Azalea's voice suddenly rang out, and the next second, she appeared between Jasmine and Kapok, but the two of them were unaware. She stretched out her leg, and her foot, wrapped in white silk, touched Lin Jiade's thigh, gently rubbing it, leaving a soft "rustling" sound.

Even so, the other four people present did not notice.

Lin Jiade looked at Du Juan. Du Juan's soul flame was a rotating structure, divided into four sections with gold-filled borders and four different pink-filled slots.

The shape of Hehuan's soul flame is a violin and bowstring. The violin has a set of incomplete Bagua symbols, and its color is a misty gold.

He looked at the sword orchid again. The sword orchid's soul flame was an open book, with blue and gray pages divided in half, decorated with different symbols, all of which were fragmented.

Lin Jiade couldn't see the soul flame of the Kapok, the damned bodysuit blocking his detection. He wasn't a perfectionist, but he still felt a little uncomfortable at this moment, wanting to take off the Kapok's bodysuit... no, just half of it would be enough, to see its true nature clearly.

Cupid did not provide an interpretation of the shape and color of the soul flames of the Albizia and Gladiolus. Her toes, wrapped in white silk, played on Lin Jiade's thigh, as light and elusive as feathers, leaving behind a tingling and yearning feeling.

He looked up and saw Du Juan grinning mischievously, hooking her fingers around the hem of her skirt. Even though he knew her body was protected by holy light magic, Lin Jiade couldn't help but hold his breath, hoping she would give him some new "rewards".

Those around him turned a blind eye, creating an atmosphere of immorality. Public opinion in the House of Commons was boiling over, vying for control with the House of Lords. He was parched and dizzy; when he was with Miss Dujuan, he always seemed to lose more water than usual.

To distract himself, he looked down at himself and saw that his soul's flame was a hollow clock compass, a hollow structure in the center of a human-made golden compass.

罗盘12时-1时之间是一团迷雾，1时-2时是冰蓝色，2时-3时之间的区域被丘比特的粉色占据，3时-4时属于茉莉的橘色，4时-5时则是剑兰泾渭分明的苍与灰。