Chapter Seventy-Two: The Departing Warrior

With a low groan, Ya and Ling opened their eyes simultaneously. Gentle light enveloped their wounds, flesh and blood rapidly regenerating, destroyed veins and bones materializing anew within that radiance. Their brows furrowed slightly, as if enduring some lingering pain.

Within only a few breaths, the glow covering the two women gradually dimmed. All their injuries had been completely healed—not only the wounds on their bodies, but even the lost blood and depleted divine power were restored to their peak. In fact, their aura of divine energy seemed stronger than before, hinting at the verge of breaking through their current limits.

“Elham, did you use a Divine Source Elixir?” Ya and Ling asked together, their brows knitted.

Elham nodded slowly, returning the small vial to his pocket. He frowned and asked, “How did things turn out like this? Where is Adu? Did he abandon you, leaving you to face the enemy alone?”

Ya and Ling’s expressions grew grim. They cast their eyes down at the exposed skin, their rosy lips pale with anger. Without a word, they rose and quickly walked into one of the suite’s rooms. Some time passed before they emerged, now dressed in crimson robes, their hair still damp and carrying a faint fragrance—evidently, they had bathed as well.

Elham, who had remained calmly seated on the sofa, could not help but be distracted; the sight of the two radiant beauties after their bath unsettled even his heart. Arthur, who had stood silently nearby, also let his gaze flicker, a trace of greed flashing in his violet eyes, though he swiftly concealed it.

“Where is Adu?” Elham steadied himself, returning to his earlier question.

“He has answered the call of the gods and returned to their side,” Ya and Ling replied as they took seats beside a long sofa, their voices calm. Then, their brows furrowed as they asked in unison, “Elham, did you not rescue us? If you did, why do you ask after Adu’s whereabouts?”

Elham shook his head, glancing at Arthur. “I thought nothing would happen to you, so I did not intervene.”

Arthur bowed slightly to the two women. “Lady Ya, Lady Ling, it was some of my men who rescued you. I have not yet questioned them about what transpired; you may listen as well, to see if their account matches what you know.”

Ya and Ling’s faces took on an odd expression, their eyes flickering, the beauty of their features stiffening slightly.

Elham merely raised his hand, signaling that Arthur should question the five black spirit warriors who had stood unmoving all this time. During the women’s bath and changing, these five men had remained in place, two with sword wounds to their chests, letting blood flow freely and staining the floor, yet never moving.

These black spirit warriors were robust; despite their blood loss, their wounds had begun to scab, the bleeding slowing considerably.

Arthur finally turned to them, frowning. “What happened? Was there anyone else besides you?”

The five bowed to Arthur, and one of those with a chest wound spoke mournfully, “Honorable Lord Arthur, Howl and the others are dead. They burned their souls and lives, summoned the spirits of their ancestors into their bodies to withstand those terrible foes and cover our escape.”

Arthur’s expression changed sharply; he muttered under his breath, “You address me as Lord Arthur?”

The warrior replied solemnly, “When we arrived, someone was about to harm these ladies. Howl charged at him, but the enemy was too powerful—a Celestial Knight. He easily gravely wounded Howl. To carry out your orders, Howl chose the most sacred and glorious way for our ancestral warriors to defend our honor.”

His lips pressed tightly, the man trembled as he continued, “But the enemy was overwhelming. Howl engaged him, and we escaped with the ladies, but their numbers were too many, and they had imperial military crossbows. The seven brothers who covered our retreat could not withstand them, and so they too summoned ancestral spirits. Thus, only five of us remain.”

The warrior spoke loudly, “Therefore, Lord Arthur, we have fulfilled the promise we made with the souls of our ancestors. The bond of master and servant between us is now ended—we will return home.”

Arthur’s face paled and darkened, his body swaying as if struck by an immense blow.

He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came. The five black spirit warriors merely bowed and strode toward the suite’s secret passage prepared for distinguished guests. Their departure was decisive and swift, without hesitation.

Arthur’s face turned black as he stared at their backs, unable to utter a word.

Ya and Ling’s expressions shifted as well; suddenly, they cried out together, “Brave warriors, please wait!”

The five hesitated briefly, stopped, and turned.

Ya stepped forward, smiling at them. Ling returned to their room, soon reappearing with a ruby the size of a baby’s fist. Elham glanced at the gem, a knowing smile curving his lips.

Ling pressed the ruby into the warrior’s hand, and the two women said together, “Thank you for saving us. For our sake, you lost so many comrades—this is a token of our gratitude. This is a gem blessed by the gods; it will protect you.”

The five black spirit warriors were straightforward and unreserved. The man tucked the ruby into his belt and then drew out an uncut diamond, the size of two or three adult thumbs, offering it to the women. “Thank you for your gift. Our tradition in the Black Spirit Continent is to always reciprocate. This gem is unique to our land; let it be a keepsake for you, ladies!”

Handing the diamond to Ya, the five strode boldly through the secret door and left Emerald Hotel via the hidden passage.

The women’s eyes shimmered, and they sighed softly, “They truly are warriors in every sense.”

Arthur’s expression grew even gloomier. They were true warriors indeed—but now, they had left him.