The Frail Guide Who Devoured an Entire Pollution Zone

Chapter 104: Chapter 104: Mutual Redemption

It’s always been impossible to have the best of both worlds. Even the most capable person will slip up when trying to handle too much at once.

For Lu Jingyu to be blamed for Chen Yunfei’s coma was truly an undeserved disaster.

Xu Qingsui sighed softly, feeling sorry for Lu Jingyu.

Lu Jingyu smiled at her, a look of acceptance on his face. ”I understand Mr. Chen’s feelings. After all, Yun Fei was a son born to him late in life. He was also following in his father’s footsteps and was exceptionally talented. For him to suddenly end up like this... it’s hard for anyone to accept.”

”Besides, while Mr. Chen resents me and is harsh with his words, he’s never actually done anything to harm me, nor has he ever bad-mouthed me to others. He’s just venting years of pent-up frustration on me. If being yelled at and getting a symbolic shove or two makes him feel better, then why not let him?”

Lu Jingyu spoke lightly and his smile was sincere, showing he was truly philosophical about the matter.

But a moment later, a forlorn look crossed his face. ”As for Yun Fei, I actually thought very highly of him. I saw him as a little brother. It’s hard for me to accept that this is how he ended up.”

”Even though it was an unintentional result of my actions, it’s still a psychological burden. Getting an earful from Mr. Chen actually makes me feel a bit better. In a way, the two of us—one old, one young—are offering each other a kind of mutual salvation.”

Lu Jingyu’s words were so sincere that Xu Qingsui couldn’t help but be moved.

The mood grew a little somber, and by a tacit understanding, neither of them spoke.

As they walked, Xu Qingsui summoned the Golden Octopus.

’Whether it’s for Lu Jingyu’s sake, for the grieving Elder Chen, or out of compassion for the talented Sentinel she’d only ever heard about, I have to do something.’

’Chen Yunfei’s Spiritual World is sealed. As a Super Guide, my specialty is spiritual power. It’s the perfect counter.’

’And with my ”golden finger” to help, I might just be able to wake him.’

”System, can I wake someone who’s in a coma because their Spiritual World is sealed?”

[As long as the host’s spiritual power surpasses the target’s, the host can enter their Spiritual World to guide them and can freely manipulate it.]

The Golden Octopus’s reply instantly ignited a spark of hope in Xu Qingsui.

”How do I do it? Are there any negative side effects?”

[The host simply needs to enter the target’s Spiritual World, find the sealed nodes, and help them break the seal. As for the specific procedure, the host will know what to do upon making contact.]

[As for negative consequences, if the host’s power is great enough to surpass the target, everything will be effortless. If not, you will inevitably suffer a backlash.]

[The severity of the backlash will vary depending on the difference in power between the two individuals and the host’s actions. It could be minor, or it could be life-threatening.]

HUFF!

Hearing the Golden Octopus’s reply, Xu Qingsui couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

She wasn’t arrogant; she couldn’t presume that her spiritual power was greater than Chen Yunfei’s.

She might have been able to soothe Lu Jingyu, but even Mutants were ranked by spiritual power and Physical Ability, to say nothing of Sentinels.

Even Lu Jingyu had called Chen Yunfei exceptional. If he had also focused on developing his spiritual power, she wouldn’t dare to be overconfident.

But despite her concerns and her fear of the backlash, she decided she had to try.

”I want to try to unseal his Spiritual World.”

Lu Jingyu stopped in his tracks, looking at Xu Qingsui in astonishment.

”You don’t have to take this risk. Other guides have tried before and suffered a backlash. They paid a heavy price just to survive.”

”You and Yun Fei don’t even know each other, there’s no need to do this for...” Lu Jingyu’s heart skipped a beat. He suspected Xu Qingsui had made this decision to console him, but as the words reached his lips, he worried he was just being conceited and quickly fell silent.

Though he hadn’t said it, Xu Qingsui seemed to know what he was thinking. ”It’s not just for you,” she said matter-of-factly. ”It’s for Mr. Chen and Chen Yunfei, too. I believe both father and son are good people, and I want to do something to help them.”

”And you don’t have to worry about me. I’ll be careful when I make the attempt. If it seems impossible, I won’t force it. That would be bad for both of us.”

Seeing the determined look on her face, Lu Jingyu knew he couldn’t dissuade her and didn’t try to argue further.

But his gaze, as he looked at her, softened with a newfound tenderness.

They went on to visit the next two elders. From their conversations, Xu Qingsui could tell they were on the same side as Qiu Fang.

One of them, an elder with the surname Wang, spoke with open disdain for Lu Jingyu, as if he had already been stripped of his captaincy.

Xu Qingsui had to admire Lu Jingyu. Even in the face of such disrespect, he showed no emotion, simply stating that they were there to collect medical supplies.

The elder didn’t even bother with a pretense of politeness, simply throwing up his hands and claiming he had no potions in reserve.

This, despite them having seen him take some sort of potion right as they walked in.

Furthermore, his words showed a complete disregard for the injured members of the Alliance. He even had the gall to spout a theory about survival of the fittest.

Hearing him speak, Xu Qingsui could barely contain her anger.

’Weren’t those people injured precisely because of the schemes of men like him?’

’Even if he has no respect for the Alliance, does he really not feel a shred of guilt?’

Lu Jingyu’s composure once again stunned Xu Qingsui. Without saying another word, he simply turned and led her away.

If Xu Qingsui hadn’t noticed Lu Jingyu’s body tremble slightly as the elder spouted his shameless theories, she might have actually believed he was completely unaffected.

The other elder, however, still seemed to have some loyalty to the Alliance, showing a flicker of guilt when the wounded were mentioned.

After they stated their purpose, he had a subordinate bring out a batch of potions and hand them over to Lu Jingyu.

After leaving this elder’s residence, Lu Jingyu contacted Meng Donghua to arrange a rendezvous on the road, telling him to take the potions they had collected so far to the infirmary.

”Captain, how on earth did you manage it? Elder Qi just sent someone over with a load of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures! He Sheng says many of them are useful and will help a great deal!”

”And especially Elder Chen...” At the mention of Chen Chang’an, Meng Donghua’s gaze darted cautiously between the two of them. The situation was complicated, and he wasn’t sure if the captain wanted the guide to know the details.

Seeing no strong reaction from either of them, Meng Donghua continued, ”Elder Chen sent someone with a large supply of potions and passed on a message that more are on the way. He Sheng says that at this rate, they won’t need to dilute the potions at all. Nearly every wounded member can get the best possible treatment.”