33 Pillar of the Country 12

[Ding! System 008 created a chat group!]

\"What's this?\"

A notification window appeared. She browses through it and randomly selected the nickname bar.

[Ding! Host No. 4 was changed to Little_Xi.]

[Ding! Little_Xi changed the nickname of Eight to Lost_Seeds.]

[Ding! Little_Xi changed the nickname of 008 to Fairy.]

[Ding! Little_Xi named the group Innocent Club.]

The barrage of notification surprises 008 and Eight. They are both stupefied of what happened and just foolishly look at Xi Sheng who was happily exploring the window.

\"Awoo!\"

Xi Sheng felt someone tugging her lower robe. She looks down and saw the furious and plump face of Eight.

She tilted her head:\"Hmm? What's wrong? Why are you barking? Did you truly become a dog through and through?\"

She finds it weird that she's not hearing the stupid voice of Eight.

Then a mechanical voice appeared:[Since both of the players entered the world, they cannot communicate in the space.]

Xi Sheng licks her lips:\"In short, we can only communicate through the window?\"

[Yes. However, both players can communicate with the main system without the use of the communication window.]

Eight stomped his little paws angrily:\"Awoo! Awoo! Awoo!\"

What the hell is Lost_Seeds!

I didn't lose any seeds![1]

Xi Sheng patted his head:\"No matter how you bark, I can't understand your language.\"

Eight became even angrier, he puffed his cheeks and left her. He distanced himself and settled in a corner. His eyes lingering on his nickname.

Xi Sheng also sat and closed her eyes. Instead of darkness, she saw the familiar space. In the middle of it, there the relentless and cold 008. He was sitting in a chair with big windows surrounding him.

The windows displayed the outside environment.

Xi Sheng was absorbed in the space that she forgot the little 'Fairy' wincing because of his nickname.

After appreciating the place, Xi Sheng asks: \"Why can't I reach you when I transmigrated?\"

008 explained:[Eight is also a player. The two of you in any world isn't fated to meet, so we can't communicate with you. In order to establish a fate connection, you both need to execute a blood pact.]

Xi Sheng remembered what happened earlier. Xi Sheng's hand was injured, she used her bloodied hand to hold Eight's body and she touched his wound on the stomach, then she heard the notification of establishment.

\"Did we both transmigrate at the same time?\"

[Yes. Did you not notice it in the host's memory?]

Xi Sheng rummages her memories and understood 008's meaning.

In her memory, the little cub was very bossy and acts proudly, however, when she took over, the little cub became coward and a simp. That's why Xi Sheng felt sceptical on the cub's superior bloodline.

\"How come you're still aware of those things while Eight isn't even conscious?\"

[If Eight transmigrated to anything that does not have a humanoid form, he'll lose any reason and will become a simpleton. If, by any chance, you made a blood pact and you both fell in a very grave situation, I can immediately assist and update him in the current circumstance.]

Xi Sheng nodded.

Knock! Knock!

\"Junior Sister Sheng?\"

Xi Sheng slowly opens her eyes:\"You can enter.\"

Xi Lan slid the door and saw Xi Sheng and the cub separated with each other.

Xi Sheng was 'mournfully' sitting beside the windows, while the cub sat far away to Xi Sheng with its back facing her.

Did they fight?

Xi Lan shook his head. Yeah, as if they could.

\"Why are you spacing out?\"

Xi Sheng dubiously asks him. Did the Emperor decide to make a move? Should she dodge Xi Lan and make a run for it?

She glances at the sulking Eight and messaged him.

Upon receiving her message, Eight turns his back and blinks at Xi Lan. Eight typed in his mind.

Xi Sheng twitches at receiving his response.

This damn cub.

Xi Lan entered the room and worriedly asks:\"Is your hand okay? What happened to Little Eight?\"

Xi Sheng briefly glances at the door behind Xi Lan.

The probability that they can escape from Xi Lan is quite high. The real danger is the guards outside.

\"Both fine,\" Xi Sheng replied dully.

Although Xi Sheng still exhibits her lack of interest, Xi Lan found that she's somewhat fidgety for someone that is fine.

Xi Lan sighs:\"Are you curious as to what happened after you left?\"

Xi Sheng slightly trembled, she denied Xi Lan's query.

'So that is the case after all,' he thought.

Xi Lan scratches his head and felt at lost. He doesn't know whether he should be proud that Xi Sheng is fearless or panic because she doesn't put anyone in her eyes?

He took Little Eight with him and sat in front of her. He massages the little cub and grooms his fur. He carefully touches the injured parts.

\"Awoo...\"

\"Junior Sister Sheng, don't worry. The Emperor isn't least displeased of what you did. In fact, he was quite grateful.\"

Grateful? Is the Emperor a masochist? Was he happy being called trash?

Xi Sheng burned her thoughts.

Xi Lan lowered his voice and continued: \"Actually, those scummy soldiers are spies sent by his minister. The Emperor is just waiting for a chance to find fault on them.\"

He paused.

\"The Emperor left already. He thanks you for doing the job done! When he comes back, he said he would compensate you handsomely.\"

After hearing that the Emperor isn't threatening her, Xi Sheng relaxes. As for the compensation, her life is a good gift.

Xi Lan slightly bows his head:\"Junior Sister Sheng, I just want you to remember...\"

Even though they bonded for almost half a year, he could still say that his Junior Sister Sheng doesn't trust him and still wary of his existence.

He raised his head and looks at Xi Sheng earnestly and... faithfully?

\"... No matter what happens, I am on your side. I will never be your enemy. I will be your blade and shield. Please trust me more. \"

The fluffy feeling on Xi Lan's lap disappeared.

The little cub stood and slowly stride to Xi Sheng's lap.

Eight refused to go back. He silently shivers. He clung to Xi Sheng.

When Xi Sheng didn't reply to what he said, Xi Lan felt his blood rushing to his face.

Xi Sheng drifted her stare to the foolish cub in her lap.

She whispered:\"Meat...I want meat for dinner...\"

Xi Lan's eyes brightened. She's acknowledging me!

Xi Lan felt excitement all over stood up: \"I'll do my best!\"

He smiled dazzlingly at Xi Sheng and left.

His destination is set to the kitchen. He was excitedly thinking of what to eat to please Xi Sheng's palate.

\"Awoo!\" Damn, why are you pinching me?! Pinch yourself!

She ruffled Eight's fur and stretched his plump cheeks.

Xi Sheng shrugs:\"I didn't utter any words of confirmation...\" It's his own misconception if he thought that I acknowledged him.

....

Footnotes:

[1] Do you remember the joke when Xi Sheng accidentally ended Eight's jewels?

[2] She's barking in the chat to provoke Eight who barks because he's a dog.