Love, Gun, Cupid

"I'll believe you for now, since you're injured."

"Jasmine... I'm sorry. Once I can see Senior Kapok, I will find out the truth about this. I have a feeling that Senior Kapok might be hiding something from me..."

“Stop talking. We haven’t seen each other for days. I don’t want to hear any other people’s names from you,” Jasmine said.

"Ah."

While Lin Jiade was lost in thought, Jasmine slipped into his bed, took off her coat, and her body heat warmed the space between them. Lin Jiade hugged her petite frame, and she hugged him tightly in return.

"I hope I can be discharged from the hospital soon," Jasmine said, grabbing Lin Jiade's hand. "I feel so lonely without you here."

“Me too,” Lin Jiade said. “Right now, I just want to go back to a life with you and everyone else, and spend my peaceful time there.”

In the warmth brought by Jasmine, Lin Jiade quickly fell asleep. Jasmine got up imperceptibly and quietly left.

The Sword of the Common People - Kapok

Just like in the movies, the Empire's Plan C, which was prepared in Fuxing City, was realized shortly after Lin Jiade and Mu Mian worked together to defeat Korobochka, reopening the passage between the Mirror World and the Empire's main body, recovering the wounded, and cleaning up the scene.

Kapok visits West Ham Hospital again. The headmaster personally takes over the case of the bodysuit-clad freak. After treating Kapok's wounds, he says in surprise, "You... the Commoner's Sword has found a swordsman to match it?"

"Yes, I have embarked on this path, in a way that goes against my parents' expectations."

"I can only keep it a secret for you until the end of the year. You know, by then you have to go back to Brilliant City. They'll know as soon as they see you."

"Thank you, I have made up my mind."

Moyes didn't dare to persuade him any further. He sighed, pointed to the next room, and said, "The people you're with live there, but unfortunately, you can't communicate freely. If you want to leave here or have someone visit you, you have to apply... You might be a bit bored lately."

Kapok knew that when it came to matters involving a master of witchcraft, the survivors at the scene would undergo an investigation, taking into account the nature and outcome of the battle, and would likely be sealed away as secret files.

The best outcome for the survivors is to sign a confidentiality agreement, while the worst outcome is to have their memories erased. As for compensation and rewards, they certainly cannot expect the imperial government to provide them directly, after all, this is an incident where civilians almost capsized while adventuring in another world.

Mumian thought for a moment and decided not to call Hehuan over. Hehuan's music career in reality was not going well, and with her family watching over her, it was inconvenient for her to do so. Recently, she planned to record some works in the studio and then upload them online, thus indirectly promoting her career.

Kapok's body is different from ordinary people. Despite the fact that the man in the tight suit injured his right foot in the fight with Robinson and was nailed to the wall by Korobochka for several minutes, Kapok regained his mobility in the afternoon. In another two days, he will recover 60% of his fighting strength, and within a week he will be full of energy... even stronger than before.

In the afternoon, Hehuan still came, looking unhappy. She didn't say anything, just sat there sullenly, washed and peeled the apple she brought, and handed it to Mumian. The moment Mumian reached out to take it, Hehuan pulled her hand back and opened her mouth to bite into the apple.

"I'm sorry, can you forgive me?" Kapok asked.

Hehuan didn't regain her ladylike demeanor until she finished eating the entire apple. She handed a tangerine to Mumian and asked, "What do you mean?"

“There are some issues, but they won’t make things difficult for me.”

"You're so down because of your junior, right?" Hehuan said with a hint of jealousy. "Ah, that pretty woman I saw at his house last time seemed to be cleaning up after him. Judging from how respectful those people were, she seems to have some influence."

“She certainly has some connections; she gave Lin Jiade his celestial weapon,” Mu Mian said.

"Oh, then you need to be nervous." Hehuan looked away somewhat guiltily. "Look, she has a powerful background, is beautiful, and is very good at dealing with people. A woman like that can make men fall head over heels for her with just a flick of her wrist."

"Let me remind you, he has a girlfriend. Although it will be difficult for them to get a marriage certificate in the future, at most they will have the de facto marriage but not the name of husband and wife... Never mind, how have you been lately?" Mu Mian asked.

"Ah, I'm alright. I uploaded a video of myself playing the violin and got a thousand views. I looked at my colleagues, and it seems that on that website, people watch music performance videos not to appreciate the music itself, but to see the gimmick. The more outlandish or bizarre the outfit, the easier it is to get high views."

Hehuan was a little depressed: "I've been practicing the violin for a long time and haven't been practicing my vocals lately, all to show my best performance. Danicul's 'The Lark,' such a difficult piece, and I see no one in the comments section praising me."

This is why Mumian doesn't have a high opinion of Hehuan. Hehuan pursues her musical dreams, but online, people seek accessible spiritual enjoyment. What Hehuan pursues has a certain threshold; even if she were to abandon her violin and sing, people clicking on her videos probably wouldn't care how professional her singing is.

Having just uploaded the video and already suffering a major setback, Hehuan talked on and on with Mumian for a long time, until Mumian fell asleep on the bed. Mumian knew that Hehuan was somewhat deliberately playing the victim; knowing that others were also suffering might help improve one's mood.

Just then, Jasmine passed by, still wearing her school uniform, probably having just finished class and come to visit Lin Jiade. Her expression told Mu Mian that she had something to say to her, so the two found a quiet spot.

Jasmine's anger, which had been extinguished by Lin Jiade, reignited, and she unleashed it all on Kapok. Kapok silently endured it, while feeling envy and jealousy towards Jasmine. Although Jasmine was of a different race, she was free to love whomever she wanted and express those feelings.

“I will end my relationship with Lin Jiade,” Mu Mian promised. “I will go to Brilliant City, while Lin Jiade, filled with hatred for me, will live with you.”

"So you knew him in the past, right?" Jasmine asked.

"Yes, when he was naive and foolish, still harboring grand dreams... it wasn't a pleasant memory. If you're close enough to him and listen to him talk about the past, it's easy to discover that he has a memory he deliberately keeps hidden."

"You hurt him?" Jasmine asked.

“I destroyed him, I turned him into this.”

"?!"

"If he had lived an ordinary life, we would never have crossed paths. Although I don't know who dragged this innocent man into this world, I must take the initiative to show myself and atone for the past."

In the Mirror Realm, I finally took Lin Jiade's hand, and we became one, becoming what we needed each other. My name appeared on Lin Jiade's stomach. "This is why you came to me, wanting to know what I did..."

Kapok removed her disguise spell in front of Jasmine, revealing herself in a tank top and hot pants. Kapok then removed her clothes, her body displayed before Jasmine. Jasmine noticed that Kapok also bore the name Lin Jiade.

Kapok smiled and said, "I think you probably want me to leave his life right now. My close connection with him probably makes you unhappy."

Jasmine didn't feel anything. Her nerves and jealousy had been stirred up twice by the cuckoo and the gladiolus, so she had gotten somewhat used to it. She even had the energy to care about the words on the cotton tree, thinking the handwriting was quite beautiful.

"Kapok... what exactly are you?" Jasmine asked.

“That was the answer I was going to give to Lin Jiade. By the time he was ready, I would be ready too,” Mu Mian replied.

I'm being pressured to go on blind dates again, so I'm adding an extra chapter.

Spending the rest of our lives together – Gladiolus

who am I?

This question had been troubling her consciousness since the moment Gladiolus was born. After nearly a month of trials and tribulations, when the cleanup crew asked her this question through a sealed container at the Orchid Tower Hotel, she replied: "I am Gladiolus, Gladiolus who has signed a contract with Lin Huang, an apprentice-level magic researcher."

The people outside the glass screen looked at each other in disbelief. No one could have imagined that the only one of the three gladiolus who had retained consciousness was the one they least expected to succeed.

When we rewind to October 30th, Lin Jiade went to the Orchid Tower to conduct a judicial transaction. However, due to his subsequent sword duel with a master-level magic researcher and his own selfish motives, he forgot the specific details of his transaction and forgot that Jianlan had also conducted a judicial transaction.

For Imperial officials, the "thing" pieced together from parts of Korobochka's personality and Gladiolus's magical knowledge is a clue, a key, and a tool, but it may not necessarily be treated as a "human" person and respected. Moreover, its activities themselves are an infringement on the Empire's intellectual property rights.

Although Gladiolus and Lin Jiade are of one mind, their judicial deals are conducted separately. When Lin Jiade is forced to take up arms and fight a master-level magic researcher within the rules, the scrutiny of Gladiolus is even more brutal.

"The situation with Korobochka is unknown, while Gladiolus is a clear enemy. They are individuals we acknowledge... whether as allies or enemies, and you are a composite of the two."

Therefore, if you want to continue your current life, you must at least replace one of these two people and serve the Empire as a complete Gladiolus or a complete Korobochka. That's the condition the Empire can offer.

The Empire's representative, the "pay-to-win sow," spoke softly but with an aggressive attitude. Sword Orchid had no other choice. After a few seconds of thought, she asked, "Replacing that Sword Orchid is understandable, but Korobochka should be the Empire's top-tier sorcerer..."

"Do you believe in prophecy or divination?" the pay-to-win sow interrupted.

"I...don't believe it."

Even though magic, witchcraft, and oracles are such idealistic powers, there is still something that researchers, those who understand them, and those who bless them are unwilling to believe: prophecy. This is because fate is an ethereal thing that even celestial observers cannot grasp.

After following Lin Jiade and witnessing Hehuan's clumsy divination skills and Dujuan's complete control over the situation, only to have it all go wrong due to unexpected accidents, Jianlan became even more convinced of the ethereal and unpredictable nature of fate.

“I don’t believe it either,” said the Gold-Packed Pig, “but the Observatory of the Celestial Palace in Brilliant City gave a prophecy that Korobochka would be reforged, and that she would become completely different after being reforged.”

I don't believe it, but I have to take it seriously because Koroboch is somewhere between a tool and a big shot. If he messes this up, my rank dictates that I'll be the first scapegoat.

“If Korobochka has truly betrayed the Empire, then I cannot stand against her,” Jianlan replied.

"Don't worry, she's still a jumbled mess, and those Plan A and Plan B used against Gladiolus can also be used against her. Plan C is a cross-border strike from the Empire disguised as an accidental exercise, and Plan D is your contractor."

Jianlan paused for a moment: "Although I like him very much, he is not strong enough to shoulder such a responsibility."

The pay-to-win pig said, "Really? That's because you haven't known him long enough and don't know him well enough. He's an apprentice-level, but that's a joke when applied to him."

Even if it's just a whim of a celestial observer, an oracle's blessing is still an important piece on the chessboard.

In a sense, he and the Celestial Observer behind him are the culprits who made me work overtime. So, allow me to settle a personal score and get a little revenge. Anyway, with the Celestial Observer around, he can still be effective against Korobochka.”

The pay-to-win female user tapped the screen, and Jianlan saw Lin Jiade sparring with a master-level magic researcher, a sight as breathtaking as watching cavalry charge towards a tank. Then, she saw Lin Jiade and Kapok transform together, becoming each other's reflections, able to manifest themselves amidst the sky full of sword light.

"Look, even something like Kapok is helping him. He himself may not be powerful, but strange and unusual assistance always manages to help him. Good luck. We'll talk about the aftermath when you successfully return from the Mirror Realm," said the Gold-Paying Sow.

Now, not long after Jianlan returned from the Mirror Realm, the only person left to examine her through the glass was the "Krypton Pig." The Krypton Pig looked more haggard than before, because having witnessed Lin Jiade's battle, Jianlan understood how terrible the cleanup had been.

"See, I told you the person you made a contract with could be relied on," the pay-to-win sow yawned. "Congratulations, you've earned the right to live through your own efforts. So, the next question is, Korobochka or Gladiolus, whose identity will you continue to live as?"

Do I have a choice?

"No, you either become the complete Korobochka or the complete Gladiolus. They still have value to the Empire, but their souls harbor rebellion against the Empire. In that case, finding you, who has a connection with them but cannot betray them, is, in my opinion, the safest choice."

"Do I look that much like a good person?" Jianlan asked.

While tapping on her phone to draw cards, the pay-to-win female pig replied, "No, they are selfish and ruthless, while you love others, so you have more weaknesses than them and are easier to control."

“From a purely power standpoint, I would choose Korobochka. Who wouldn’t covet the knowledge of a master sorcerer? But what would the price be?”

"The Celestial Observer can attempt to exert influence over the Empire by using her contractors, and conversely, the Empire can also use her contractors to exert influence over the Celestials themselves."

From a manager's perspective, a celestial observer who is unpredictable, acts arbitrarily, and is keenly interested in imperial affairs is a headache. I must establish a mechanism to observe or influence his activities.

From a woman's perspective, I think no one wants to see their loved one being manipulated at will by another woman.

That's true. Jianlan said solemnly, "If a situation arises where I have to choose between him and the Empire, then I will choose him. He is the element that distinguishes me from Jianlan or Korobochka. As long as he is there, I will never be Jianlan or Korobochka, but rather someone who has inherited part of the legacy."

"Of course, I respect your position. Then, can I take that as your acceptance of my invitation?" the pay-to-win sow replied.

Gladiolus hesitated for a second. She had wondered if she would be replaced by Korobochka's personality when she took over Korobochka's legacy. But the image of Lingard appeared in Gladiolus's mind. Her intimacy and tenderness towards him, her determination to protect him, and her desire to free him from the constraints of the cuckoo quickly transformed into confidence.

"Actually, once you become Korobochka, although you cannot inherit her position, your future is very promising, and there are many tasks that will help you climb the ranks in the empire."

The "pay-to-win" female streamer said, "Although I'm also in a relationship, I can't understand whether love is more important than status, power, or knowledge?"

“Yes, all I want is to spend the rest of my life with the one I love,” Jianlan replied. “Now, I can’t wait to see him again, a new person.”

Cuckoo taking over the nest

The day after Lin Jiade chose to stay in the Mirror Realm, Jasmine woke up to find yet another Lin Jiade. The lingering smirk in "his" eyes made her frown in disgust.

"Why do you want to look like him?" she asked.

“He stays in the Mirror Realm for three to five days, or maybe ten days to half a month. The excuse of following the Baiyun Public Welfare Association’s activities will no longer work, because the association is deployed on campus during this period and no one goes out.”

"so?"

"So I went to ensure his attendance, and incidentally, to satisfy my own curiosity—about Lin Jiade's life as an ordinary person," Du Juan replied.

“I’m afraid that’s your real purpose,” Jasmine muttered. “Don’t go too far. I don’t want Lin Jiade to come back and be blamed for something.”

"With Gladiolus gone, is it your turn to be the mother in this family?"

Jasmine sneered, "This is for Lin Jiade's sake... He should really see what his respected 'Miss Azalea' is like. He suffers outside, while the person who claims to be good to him doesn't care at all."

Du Juan said nonchalantly, "Jian Lan can't leave Lin Jiade anymore, and the worst that can happen to Lin Jiade is that all his teammates die, and he will be devastated. I always have a way to cheer him up and help him get back on his feet."

"So, his troubles and joys were just a game to you?"

"It's a simulation game."

"Dragon language!"