This Spiritual Energy is Lethal!
Chapter 398: Lucina’s Decision

Chapter 398: Chapter 398: Lucina’s Decision

This is a lake in the Deep Anchor District, where Chen Ke and Hainerd walked on the muddy ground to the lakeside.

Hainerd asked Chen Ke to put down the small stool he was carrying, and then he scattered some powder from a red bucket onto the water’s surface.

"Do you know how to fish, Chen Ke?" asked Hainerd while setting up the fishing rod and hanging the bait on the hook.

"I’ve seen it on TV," Chen Ke said.

"I thought so, at least learn to put bait on the hook by yourself, that bucket contains bait I made," said Hainerd as he handed a small yellow bucket to Chen Ke.

He propped up the fishing rod, took some time to untangle the lines that were twisted together, and then grabbed a pink piece of bait from the bucket.

The bait was slippery and soft, with a coating on it similar to cornstarch; it did not feel like a worm or anything of that sort.

"I thought fishing bait was supposed to be worms and the like..." Chen Ke said, threading the bait onto the hook.

"Fishing bait bought from stores won’t catch fish; a pro wouldn’t just hang worms on the hook," Hainerd explained with a rare smile.

He flicked the fishing rod forward gently, the hook flew far out with the line, landing in the water.

"Alright, now it’s time to relax and... um... do it like I do, cast the fishing line out," Hainerd instructed.

Chen Ke mimicked the action, gently casting the rod forward, and found it comparatively easy to learn.

The two sat on their stools, holding fishing rods, quietly watching the lake surface in front of them.

The weather was getting hotter and hotter, but it felt rather cool by the lake.

"So... what did Pihom say?" After a while, Chen Ke couldn’t resist asking.

"Three million is not a small amount," Hainerd said.

"Does that mean he agreed?" Chen Ke asked, feeling hopeful.

"Not quite; he’s got a lot of troubles to handle right now, and with all the changes happening in Opportunity City, it’s really not the time to make deals," Hainerd explained.

Opportunity City was indeed undergoing changes; at some point, the city had started to feel different.

Was it because of those two women from the foundations? Chen Ke sighed.

The city was as desolate as ever, completely lifeless, but the involvement of Chinese enterprises such as Li Moyang seemed to have brought a kind of vitality in a certain sense.

"Do you know about last night’s incident?" Hainerd suddenly asked.

"Last... night? What happened?" Chen Ke asked, unclear about what Hainerd was referring to.

"You should watch the news more. The boss of Lescott Spirit Company and their chief model died last night in the warehouse," Hainerd said.

"Oh...? Seems like it’s a good time to rob them..." Chen Ke was taken aback, then chuckled.

"That matter has nothing to do with you?" Hainerd inquired.

Just then, Chen Ke’s fishing line suddenly tensed up; he immediately began to turn the handle, excitedly shouting, "I got one! I got one!"

"Don’t be too forceful; be careful not to break the line!" Hainerd warned.

Chen Ke pulled the rod in the direction of the struggling fish and gently turned the handle, feeling the force transmitted through the fishing line.

"Hmm..." Chen Ke turned the handle a couple more times, and the fishing line calmed down.

"It got away; seems like you’re not great at baiting. Did you just hang it directly? Didn’t you cover the hook completely with bait?" Hainerd asked.

"Ah... fuck!" Chen Ke raised his right hand, almost firing a Spiritual Ability Pistol into the lake; he clenched his fist then sat back down.

Hainerd passed the small bucket to Chen Ke, who re-baited his hook.

"Si’s consortium has also been quiet for a while; it’s said that their boss is dead too," Hainerd mentioned.

"People die when they get old; there’s nothing strange about it," Chen Ke said.

"What are your future plans?" Hainerd asked.

Chen Ke did not respond; he had no plans. He really had no idea what the future held. Perhaps once he got his hands on that Symbiotic Stone, he’d have some plans?

"Isn’t it quite nice the way things are now?" Chen Ke smiled.

"Pihom is getting old, and he’s hesitating about whether or not to retire; that’s also why the couriers haven’t been active for a long time. Hall and Priskin are quite dissatisfied; they’re preparing to join the couriers down south," Hainerd said.

"Why are you telling me all this?" Chen Ke asked.

"It’s an opportunity to get out," Hainerd said.

"Retire?" Chen Ke looked at Hainerd.

"Every gun has its holster," Hainerd said.

Chen Ke understood what Hainerd meant; his dealings with Si’s consortium had concluded, and since Pihom was currently indecisive, it was a good time to wash his hands clean of his past life.

Chen Ke, this gun, now had Lucina as its holster. A family returning to an ordinary life, that’s what Hainerd wanted.

But that was impossible.

Because Hainerd didn’t know about a thing called a life countdown.

"Hainerd... my bullets aren’t spent yet, she and I are two guns," Chen Ke said helplessly.

Hainerd sighed. Just then, his fishing line twitched. He skillfully pulled the line, turned the crank, and soon hoisted up a trout.

"Ha-ha! I think I should start a fishing club," Hainerd laughed.

The two fished a little while longer and didn’t return to the fish factory until noon. On the way back, Chen Ke couldn’t help but inquire about Lucina’s situation.

"I thought you had settled things with her," Hainerd said.

"I thought so too," said Chen Ke helplessly.

"Then go settle things," Hainerd told him.

Hainerd arranged his fishing gear and left the fish factory under the pretext of "returning the car to Pihom." In reality, he was giving Chen Ke and Lucina some space.

Chen Ke stood by the Red Door, fully aware of the reasons behind Lucina’s change.

That day eating steak, she had a nosebleed—a precursor to traveling through time. Lucina must have seen something, and the vision deeply disturbed her.

What could it be...? Chen Ke wondered, what future event could so unsettle Lucina, this hot-tempered woman, that she was left out of sorts?

Could it be that he betrayed Lucina in the future? Is that why Lucina had prepared a bunch of guns in the house? Was she planning to find an opportunity to shoot him dead?

Chen Ke stood at the door lost in thought, when Lucina opened the door.

"Come in," Lucina said abruptly, then turned and went inside.

Chen Ke had no choice but to follow her, not forgetting to gently close the Red Door behind him. As soon as he entered, Lucina turned and hugged him, wrapping her arms around his waist and rubbing his back.

"Luc... what did you see..." Chen Ke asked directly, stopping in his tracks.

"...You already know?" Lucina leaned her ear against his chest, as if she wanted to listen to his heartbeat.

"Tell me, what did you see?" Chen Ke said soothingly.

"There were too many of them, and only one of you," Lucina said as she held Chen Ke tightly.

"Great, you’re worried about me, but it would be even better if you could loosen your grip a bit, I think my ribs are about to break..." Chen Ke gasped.

Lucina let go of Chen Ke and walked over to the table.

"Who are ’they’ that you’re talking about?" Chen Ke moved his arms a little.

"I don’t know, I’ve forgotten, just... ’they.’ Lots and lots, that’s all," Lucina said.

"Is that it?" Chen Ke asked.

"I’m considering something very seriously, Chen Ke. Should I leave you?" Lucina leaned against the table, gazing earnestly at Chen Ke.

"Why suddenly consider this?" Chen Ke spread his hands.

"Because I don’t want to marry a man who’s destined to kick the bucket," Lucina shook her head.

"Have you thought it through?" Chen Ke asked.

Lucina nodded and picked up a handgun from the table, inserted the magazine, and chambered a round. Chen Ke saw another gun on the table; it was the Spiritual Ability Pistol he had given to Lucina.

"Why would you believe that vision to be my destined future?" Chen Ke smiled.

"I don’t know, but the feeling deep inside me tells me it’s true. I don’t know why I have this feeling either," Lucina sighed.

"If that’s your decision, then..." Chen Ke put his hands in his pockets and shrugged.

Lucina hopped down from the table, grabbed Chen Ke, and kissed him.

A minute later, she licked her lips, looked at Chen Ke, and said, "That’s your future, but it’s not ours."

Chen Ke nodded and said, "So... what do you mean?"

"Let’s change it together!" exclaimed Lucina.