She's Back Again

Du Chen returned to his dormitory, a lingering unease unsettling his heart. Though Aunt Sherine had reassured him during their casual chat that her music could at least ensure Roland wouldn't relapse for a while, Du Chen still didn't want Aliza to risk anything. For Aliza, this servant held an unparalleled position in Du Chen's heart; bluntly speaking, if Aliza and his ducal father were both in danger, he would absolutely not consider saving his father first. Aliza was his true family, family he acknowledged!

If not for Roland's temper and strength truly leaving Du Chen temporarily powerless, or if Flaying, Deboning, Helen, Sulan, and the rest were still at their full strength, or if there was some other means to dispatch Roland, Du Chen would absolutely not hesitate! But for now, he could only implore Aunt Sherine to occasionally play the zither for Roland, to heal his wounds, and by no means let him go mad and relapse again. Even if he did go mad, it didn't matter, as long as Aliza remained unharmed.

By the time Du Chen returned to his dormitory, it was already noon.

"Daddy, eat!" Beibei, perched atop Harry's head, greeted him. The little one was adorably dressed; her two pigtails, tied into a butterfly knot atop her head, added a touch of gravitas to her playful smile. Over her small red jacket, she wore a white apron, heavily stained with grease and rice grains. The little one grinned, throwing herself into Du Chen's arms, "Daddy, Beibei made you lunch! Beibei is very good!"

Du Chen recalled the two half-raw chunks of meat from that morning and couldn't help but frown. "Sweetheart, what 'good deed' have you been up to now?"

Beibei pouted. "Nothing! Beibei is very obedient, Beibei just wanted to make lunch for Daddy."

Harry chuckled, "Esteemed Master, Young Miss saw how much you enjoyed eating meat this morning, so she personally cooked lunch for you." He glanced at the little girl, then chuckled again, "This time, Young Miss cooked the meat thoroughly, and added seasoning!"

"Oh, my clever little one, you can cook now!" Du Chen picked up the little girl and carried her to the dining table in the restaurant. He was stunned to see a roasted steak on the table, one with a surprisingly appealing aroma and color. "Harry, did Young Miss really make this? Frying pan, heat control, seasoning... does Young Miss know how to use all these things?"

As he spoke, Du Chen grasped Beibei's tiny hand, looking at it in disbelief. How could these tender white hands produce such a seemingly decent roasted steak? After all, Beibei was only two or three years old. Though she was very intelligent, Du Chen simply couldn't imagine a two or three-year-old wielding a spatula at a stove.

"Daddy, eat!" The little one sat on the table, arranging a knife and fork before Du Chen. She even hugged a large wine bottle and poured Du Chen a full glass of rum.

*Sigh*. Never mind how she made it, it was his daughter's good intentions, and this roasted steak did look good... Du Chen forked a piece of beef and put it into his mouth.

"Daddy, is it delicious?"

Du Chen smacked his lips, laughing with a choked sound, "Harry, this was made by Young Miss; I bestow upon you a piece to savor!"

"Oh, what an immense honor! Harry praises his Master and Young Miss!" The Shieb carefully cut off a small piece of beef and put it into his mouth, then was overjoyed internally...

His Master thought so highly of him! Who said good fortune never comes in twos? Wasn't this it?

The gold coins he received a few days ago were one blessing! And now...

Misery loves company!

"Daddy, Harry, is it delicious?" The little one asked, her big eyes wide. Du Chen held the piece of meat in his mouth, his tongue almost numb, barely able to move. After a moment's thought, he chuckled, "Let Alex try a piece too, daughter!"

*Poof*. The little one transformed into Alex, who sported a grim expression. He glanced at the steak on the table, curling his lip. "Old Man, are you trying to drag me into this misfortune with you? Bah, is this even edible for humans!?" Alex jumped off the table and walked straight into the kitchen.

"Pfft! Pfft!" Du Chen spat out the piece of meat. "Damn it, Harry, how much salt did Beibei put in this? Didn't your nose detect it? As a reward, eat this entire plate of beef clean!"

Harry wanted to cry but had no tears. The Young Miss held his Spiritual Contract; even if he *had* detected it, would he dare displease her?

The Shieb's face was already white, but after Harry stuffed that entire plate of steak into his mouth, his face turned purple.

"This is what humans eat!" Alex emerged, holding a plate of beef. He slammed it down in front of Du Chen, then frowned at his dirty clothes and raged, "Sister, I'm warning you, if you get our clothes dirty again, I'll fork your nostrils! Damn it, water, I need to wash clothes!"

Du Chen stared blankly at the fragrant steak on the table, and the exquisite carving on the edge of the plate, worthy of a culinary master. He smacked his lips, took a bite of the steak, then said woodenly, "Alex, from now on, you'll be in charge during meal times, and let your sister take a break! From now on, our family meals will be prepared by you..."

Du Chen looked again, and the little one had already stripped bare, squatting beside a small basin, gritting his teeth and scrubbing the dirty clothes within! Beside him was a roll of needle and thread; it looked like he planned to mend and do some chores after washing the clothes.

"M-Master!" Harry, having devoured Beibei's masterpiece, spoke in a wretched, hoarse voice, as if his throat felt scoured by sandpaper.

Du Chen glared at him. "Finished it all? From now on, you're responsible for eating all of Beibei's cooking! I know you highly appreciate Beibei's culinary skills!"

Harry shook his head repeatedly. "Gods, just let me die!" He pointed to his nose, his purple face turning a dark purplish-red. "Harry smelled it, smelled the Demoness's aura! Helen, Helen is back!"

Hellen was back again? Du Chen's heart jolted with surprise. He quickly ordered, "Take Alex and hide immediately! Don't come out until I give the word!"

Just then, a knock sounded at the door. "Is Student Francis here? I'm a student from Fiery Gorge, and I have some Student Council matters to discuss!"

*Hmph!* This Demoness had disguised her appearance again, and even changed her voice.

Du Chen cleared his throat, adopting the aloof and arrogant demeanor of a master, and said coldly, "Enter!"

A plain-looking female student walked into the courtyard, wearing the standard red robe school uniform of Fiery Gorge. Du Chen recognized her face; she was an officer from the Student Council's liaison office. However, this poor student must have suffered a similar fate as Annie, controlled and impersonated by Helen using her Soul-Ensnaring Art.

Du Chen chewed his steak, gently raised his wine glass, and took a sip. "Helen, have you returned to court death? If that is your wish, I am willing to grant it!" His voice was cold and furious, indicating Du Chen's extreme impatience—in truth, he genuinely did not want to see Helen again!

Helen suddenly knelt before Du Chen, saying tremulously, "Benevolent Lord, please do not misunderstand. Thanks to your immense grace, my father and I were able to escape Battle God Isle, but..."

"But what!? Hmph!" Du Chen slammed his wine glass down emphatically, snorting coldly. "I warn you, if you encounter trouble again this time, I will absolutely not help you! Moreover, I have many matters to attend to on Battle God Isle, and if you interfere with my plans, then... you should understand that if you offend others, you might only die. But I can make it so that you and your father can neither live nor die. Do you believe me?!"

"Benevolent Lord, Helen would never dare doubt a single word you say, nor dare trouble you again. However, my father and I truly have a reason to return to Battle God Isle!" Helen stole a glance at Du Chen's expression. Seeing his brows furrowing more and more, she quickly sped up her explanation. "Precisely because my father and I know you have many affairs on Battle God Isle, he commanded me to seek your opinion before acting, lest our actions inadvertently interfere with your plans!"

Du Chen secretly chuckled. It seemed Helen and her father had been utterly terrified by his display on Mount Tianshan, fearing their plans might conflict with his, and he would cripple them for it!

"You and your father still show some sense!" Du Chen's expression softened slightly. He glanced sidelong at Helen and said, "What do you intend to do? Speak! I require every detail. You are not yet qualified to negotiate with me! Understand?"

"Yes!" Helen dared not rise without Du Chen's command. She looked up and said, "Wondrous and Benevolent Lord, Helen heard of your effortless defeat of Rogliff. If I may be so bold as to ask, are you enemies with Rogliff?"

Could their father's and daughter's matters be related to Rogliff? Du Chen's heart stirred as he pondered Helen's question. As things stood, his relationship with Rogliff contained considerable variables. If Rogliff was indeed a member of the Yessar Church and a friend of his Maternal Grandfather, then he would also be his friend. If he had no connection to his Maternal Grandfather, then it would depend on the circumstances.

Thinking this, Du Chen sneered, "Cease your babbling! Speak quickly. Whether I am an enemy or friend with anyone is none of your concern! As long as I am pleased, any enemy can become a friend, and vice versa!"

In fact, Helen and her father were indeed targeting Rogliff this time. Moreover, they had heard about the gambling match at the Red Sand Casino and surmised that even if Du Chen and Rogliff weren't enemies, they certainly couldn't be friends. That's why they had come here, ostensibly to seek advice, but in reality, to gauge his disposition and see if they could once again enlist the aid of this 'grand master'!

Helen gazed at Du Chen, then suddenly gritted her teeth and said, "Among the enemies who killed my mother back then, Rogliff was one!"

Du Chen ran a finger over his nose and smiled slightly. Things were indeed becoming quite interesting.

To refuse information delivered right to your doorstep would be the height of foolishness, would it not?!

Du Chen continued feigning profound wisdom, taking another sip of wine. "So Rogliff is your sworn enemy! Continue!"

"Yes, Exalted One!" Helen was overjoyed, as long as he was interested in hearing more! "Exalted One, after my father, Sulan, and I escaped Battle God Isle, we encountered the Ross, which is your Belkus, in the southern seas. We didn't recognize Rogliff at first because he was disguised! But you know, Sulan and other snake-like Aberrant Beasts possess incredibly keen senses of smell. She recognized by scent that Rogliff was one of the murderers who killed my mother that year!"

Helen's eyes reddened slightly, and her voice choked up. "Originally, my father and I planned to kill him immediately, but he had many experts with him, and my father was gravely wounded... So, we decided to wait for an opportunity, and the Assembly of Battle Gods three months from now is the perfect time to eliminate him!"