042 Destruction Is a New Beginning

As soon as those words were spoken, even General Burton, who had steadfastly pretended not to see, hear, or understand the apology incident, could no longer restrain himself. The teacup in his hand trembled violently.

Andy himself seemed unaffected by Huanluo's words. He obediently lowered his gaze, all traces of hot-blooded impulsiveness erased from him, not even a residue remaining. "Only death can atone for my sins," he said.

"If that's how you feel, hurry up and die then. If you're lucky and turn into an undead after death, you can see if your passing, besides adding a bit to your family's funeral expenses and emotional damages, has any real impact," someone, driven mad by the slow progress between Huanluo and Andy, couldn't help but interject.

"Even living so miserably, I am nothing but a cripple," Andy's eyes showed a subtle ripple, quickly suppressed again. "It's impossible for me to return to the battlefield."

"You..." Burton suddenly turned to look at his son, who wore a bleak smile. "You know everything?"

"Yes," Andy did not deny it. "I spend more time awake in insomnia than asleep in dreams."

"If you're determined to die, I won't stop you," Huanluo looked at the dejected Andy, her expression cold. "But before you go, clean up the mess you've made. You can at least admit your mistake and comfort those you’ve hurt, right? Once you’ve done what needs to be done, you can die however you want—I won’t object," she said, rising from her seat to leave.

Someone quickly downed the last mouthful of tea, still clutching a bag of tea leaves pilfered from the Gilrod household, and hurried after Huanluo. The remaining two, Liangyin and Lance, were left to exchange polite farewells, running through all the formalities before finally being released.

"You two are so disloyal, just leaving us behind like that?" Liangyin pinched someone's cheek, wishing she could stretch it a size bigger.

Someone struggled, pointing at the true culprit, Huanluo, stammering excuses and blaming her for leaving first.

"Huanluo is playing the role of the stern one to provoke Andy's will to live. Leaving without notice can be seen as wrapping up the performance," Lance still smiled amiably. "But you, after pilfering tea, left without even a word, leaving me and Liangyin behind to apologize. Do you think that's appropriate?"

"No… uh… not appropriate…" someone tried desperately to defend herself, but her cheeks were pulled tight by Liangyin, rendering her speechless.

"Of course it's appropriate. It's not the first time you've left me behind, is it?" Liangyin fixed someone with a fierce smile. "Come clean—when I was injured in the Monster Forest, how many times did you think about abandoning me halfway?"

Someone flashed a number with her fingers, and Liangyin's face darkened instantly. Someone quickly amended, "Not even once, I swear on my honor!"

Liangyin stood with her hands on her hips, eyeing someone suspiciously.

Someone looked skyward, vowing earnestly, "I swear on four—yes, four, not a vow—if I ever once thought of leaving Liangyin behind in the Monster Forest, then..." She deliberately paused, hoping someone would rush up, cover her mouth, and shout, No, don't curse yourself, I believe you!

But clearly, that was not going to happen. Someone glanced around—no one even attempted to stop her. She could only finish, aggrieved, "May lightning strike me dead."

Who started that kind of oath, anyway? In dramas, the curses always boiled down to those two phrases, which someone could recite with her eyes closed.

After the vow, someone finally received temporary forgiveness from Liangyin. Just as she was about to sigh in relief, she heard Liangyin’s excited voice: "Since we’re out, let’s go shopping!"

What?! At the mention of shopping, someone was instantly flooded with memories of all the times she'd accompanied her mother, friends, and classmates. Without exception, her mother, friends, or classmates would walk ahead, chatting and laughing, while she trailed behind, carrying bags and giving commentary.

For a long time, someone believed she had potential as a weightlifter or a journalist, as her years of shopping experience had bestowed upon her the legendary ability to hold five bags filled with wool coats, arm outstretched at ninety degrees, for half an hour without strain. She could also, while arranging clothes and aligning the tags, comment on a single item from three different angles, observing the buyer’s expression to deliver the perfect praise or critique.

Yet, no matter what, shopping—especially accompanying girls—remained a deep psychological shadow for someone. Now, with Liangyin proposing to shop and Lance not objecting, someone was inwardly opposed. If she could just win one ally, she could retreat home and rest in comfort.

Someone gleefully plotted, preparing to win Huanluo over. But while she was scheming, Liangyin had already successfully persuaded Huanluo.

"After so many days in hospital clothes, it’s high time you changed. Let’s shop for something new. When your father arrives, you can surprise him," Liangyin said sweetly, tugging at Huanluo’s sleeve.

Huanluo, straightforward and generous, shattered someone’s dreams.

Liangyin, with a three-to-one overwhelming victory, subdued any hope someone had of returning to rest, and led the entire group toward Acacia’s busiest commercial street—Suvina District.

Suvina was the only disciple of the war god Vonxi. Though she was a woman, she was as ruthless as Vonxi on the battlefield. Her greatest skill was not command, but leading the charge. Under Vonxi’s strategic direction, Suvina once led a team of thirty in a lightning raid, breaking through to the enemy camp and taking the head of their commander. Though all thirty perished and Suvina lost an eye, nothing diminished her image as the goddess of victory in people’s hearts.

That influence persisted a century later. When Huanluo, as the only female general of the White Tower nation, led her first expedition, she faced no opposition.

To commemorate this legendary female general, Acacia named its largest commercial street after her.

"So, why are we shopping?" someone complained, arms full of bags, standing at the shop’s entrance, muttering, "This kind of thankless, expensive task is the worst. Why didn’t you oppose such a boring idea? If you had, I’d be feasting and resting comfortably at Huanluo’s house."

Lance, carrying two light bags, shrugged indifferently. "Girls all like shopping, don’t they?"

"Who says so..." someone grumbled resentfully.

"I said girls, including you, right?" Lance eyed someone’s eternally gray cloak, smiling annoyingly.