Phantylia's lips twitched slightly. Damn that Blake!
He had damaged the fox-girl body she had painstakingly crafted, and no matter how she repaired it, it wouldn't heal properly! She should have just seized the body outright back then, consequences be damned.
Before leaving, Blake had even thoughtfully left behind a neck brace—this was what tormented Phantylia the most, a forced fishing enforcement that made her wish for death.
"Sigh~" Seeing Tingyun in this state, Mengming sighed along with her. "Sister Tingyun runs around for the merchant guild every day. It must be exhausting. Do you need me to massage your shoulders?"
Phantylia shook her head quickly. "No… that won't be necessary. Thank you for your kindness, little proprietress." If Mengming massaged her, she would definitely notice the flaws in this body. If she caught on, it would be another headache.
But… a child shouldn't notice, right? With her exquisite acting skills, Phantylia didn't think a fox-eared loli could see through her.
With that thought, Phantylia's expression gradually turned confident. She changed her tune. "Then… I'll trouble you?"
"Sigh~ Little proprietress, one cup of Immortal's Delight Tea."
Mengming placed her hands on Phantylia's shoulders, just about to start the massage, when a sigh came from behind.
Screwlloyd, disguised as Blake, pulled up a chair and sat directly across from Phantylia, who was disguised as Tingyun.
"Welcome to [Sleepless Earl]. Would the guest like anything else to drink?" Mengming immediately switched to customer service mode.
"No need. I'll pay after I finish…" Screwlloyd waved his hand. As he lifted his head, his eyes met Phantylia's.
Stop stop stop stop… Miss Tingyun? So brazen at night? She can show her true face now?
That was makeup he had painstakingly applied…
In an instant, Screwlloyd's pupils contracted sharply. His fingertips tingled as if electrocuted. The mechanical gears inside him spun faster, signaling imminent danger.
Was this timing for real? First, his resting spot got wiped out in one fell swoop. Now he runs into a Lord Ravager? What a joke?!
Looks like from now on, before heading out, he'd need the acting priestess to buff him with some luck. Otherwise, reflecting on this day, he'd been way too unlucky.
Screwlloyd quickly recovered. Looking at Mengming, who was waiting for a response, a terrifying thought arose within him.
This Lord Ravager was so vicious, planning to strike the teahouse's little proprietress under the cover of night when crowds were thin?
No way. Even knowing the vast power gap, he had to protect the little proprietress! She gave him milk tea and lent a hand in critical moments—this was something Screwlloyd would remember for life!
At worst, he'd play the self-destruct card. Even if it failed, gravely wounding a Lord Ravager would make his life worthwhile.
On Phantylia's side, seeing Screwlloyd made her stand up in fright. Her knee banged against the table leg, the dull thud snapping time out of its freeze.
Cold sweat first pooled in her collarbone, then flooded like a glacier into her body. Her throat bobbed endlessly, yet she couldn't swallow the metallic taste of fear. Her pupils were still branded with that terrifying golden figure.
She had already been tormented enough. Was Blake still not letting her go? Why did this Pontiff still view people through tinted glasses!
She hadn't provoked the Church like [Starroar], nor sought death like [Blazewind] by approaching their priests.
Why… her of all people?!
Seeing Screwlloyd stand as well, Phantylia panicked even more.
No, if she stayed longer, she'd die! Blake clearly wasn't planning to let her off!
"Uh haha… This lady suddenly remembers she has matters to attend to. I'll take my leave first!" At this moment, Phantylia couldn't care less about decorum or disguise tactics. She bolted again.
"Huh? Sister Tingyun…" Mengming, clueless about the truth, watched Phantylia run off and suddenly felt dejected. Did Sister Tingyun not want her massage? Was her touch too light?
Screwlloyd was stunned too, then suddenly remembered he was wearing Blake's face and relaxed.
Indeed, this face still provided a sense of security.
Meanwhile, Master Adrian (who actually wasn't tired), mentally and physically exhausted, returned to the milk tea shop.
"Mister Adrian?"
Tingyun, disguised as the priestess, hid behind the wall and peeked out only after hearing his voice.
"Wow…" Seeing this, Adrian felt a pang in his nose. He hadn't expected Tingyun to be so dedicated, actually managing his milk tea shop until now.
"Sigh~" As Adrian entered the shop, another sigh came from behind. Stelle and March 7th, pretending to be utterly exhausted, walked into the milk tea shop.
Dan Heng stood outside with arms crossed, watching them with a helpless expression.
"It's time to go. Mr. Walter is urging us."
"Uncle Yang? Oh, just say we're buying souvenirs for him. I remember he hasn't tried Teacher Adrian's milk tea yet."
They were at a familiar's milk tea shop—how could they not freeload a few cups? It was also a free boost to Teacher Adrian's daily sales.
Stelle sidled up to Adrian. "By the way… have you considered adding new items to your milk tea shop? This boba milk tea never gets old, but I'd like to try new flavors."
"Yeah! If Stelle hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have noticed. Teacher Adrian's milk tea has only ever had one kind from start to finish!"
"Hehe~ That's called staying true to one's heart."
"Isn't that just laziness!"
…
The pleasant evening passed in a flash. The next morning
The Divination Commission's preparations were complete. Next… it was time to interrogate Kafka!
"Good morning, Mr. Adrian!"
The familiar routine: Qingque pushed open the shop door, ready to buy the day's first cup of milk tea.
"You're here early this time. Want to try the shop's new product?"
Following Stelle's suggestion yesterday, Adrian did think he should add some new items—like the iced smoothie milk tea recommended by customer March 7th.
Adrian wiped the water droplets from the cup with a towel. [Eternity]'s freshness-locking refrigeration technology—you deserve it!
"No matter the flavor, it all tastes the same." With some time left, Qingque sat on the sofa, planning to sip a few mouthfuls before leaving.
"I heard the Divination Commission's grotto had a disaster. Everything okay?" Adrian asked casually.
"Sigh~ That's exactly why I came early. But don't worry, Mr. Adrian! Even if the Divination Commission's sky falls, Madam Diviner will hold it up."
"Though she's not tall, her abilities are sky-high."
"See, I arrived half an hour early today. Definitely not to snag a spot at the jade house for fun. I'm under her orders to wait at Exalting Sanctum for important guests. Time is precious—every second counts!"
"This is what I mentioned before to Mr. Adrian: slacking off without neglecting work."
"So… that's your reason for sitting on the sofa and not leaving yet?"
"Hey~ I figured I could rest a few more minutes. Once at the Divination Commission, I'll be busy here and there… Might even get a scolding from Madam Diviner. No time to slack then~"