Chapter 131: A Complicated Fate


    Han Ming was utterly flustered by the woman''s words.


    To be honest, he was already twenty-three years old. At this age, it was indeed time to experience love. But now, he was in a different world, where his future was uncertain and fraught with danger. He had never thought about such matters, nor dared to.


    Seeing the hesitation in Han Ming''s eyes, the woman remained silent, patiently waiting for his response.


    After a long moment of contemplation, Han Ming finally shook his head gently.


    It wasn''t that he didn''t want to, but he didn''t dare. He carried too many burdens in his heart. He didn''t know where he would be tomorrow, or when he might die.


    The woman chuckled softly. "Good, I''ll take that as a yes."


    Han Ming nodded, then suddenly realized what she meant and stammered, "Who said yes? I was shaking my head just now."


    The woman giggled, her eyes fixed on Han Ming.


    Feeling embarrassed under her gaze, Han Ming said, "It''s not that I don''t want to, but... first of all, I don''t even know you. And as for me, I have too many things to do, too many responsibilities. I can''t..."


    The woman interrupted him. "Those aren''t reasons. Tell me, how many years does a person have in this life? And how many people truly have a smooth journey? I don''t know what you''re thinking, but I believe that life is full of things worth experiencing. Maybe you have many secrets, but so what? Isn''t that what life is about? Do your best, and have no regrets. Treat your life well, and don''t leave any regrets behind."


    Han Ming fell into deep thought upon hearing her words.


    The woman continued, "Don''t you want to know who I am? Then take a look at my face."


    She reached up and pulled off a thin layer of something from her face, and her appearance instantly changed.


    Han Ming stared at her, unsure if he had seen her before or not. There was a sense of familiarity, but he couldn''t quite place it.


    The woman giggled again.


    Han Ming frowned slightly. "Why do you keep laughing like that? What''s so funny?"


    The woman''s face was breathtakingly beautiful, her smile like a delicate flower adorned with dew. Her laughter was like the chime of silver bells, and her presence was as serene as an orchid in a secluded valley. For Han Ming to call such a smile "silly" was truly peculiar.


    "Have you really forgotten me? I''m Kuro."


    Instead of being offended by Han Ming''s comment, the woman laughed even harder.


    "Kuro?"


    Han Ming jumped up in disbelief, scrutinizing her face closely.


    Now that he looked closely, there was indeed a resemblance. When they had last been together, she had been at her weakest, her skin withered and her face gaunt, almost skeletal. Back then, she couldn''t be described as beautiful—if anything, she had been quite unattractive.


    Han Ming exclaimed in delight, "It''s really you!? I never thought we''d meet again. Is this your true appearance? That''s amazing! Have you recovered from your injuries? How did you find me?" Han Ming was overjoyed. The last time he had seen Kuro was at the edge of the Savage Ice Plains. Due to certain circumstances at the time, he hadn''t been able to acknowledge her. He never expected she would track him down here.


    Reunited with an old acquaintance, Han Ming was so excited that his words became a jumbled mess.


    "Yes, it''s me. But it''s best not to let others see my true appearance, and my aura has also been altered."


    Kuro smiled softly. Her true appearance was even more stunning than before.


    As she spoke, Kuro reapplied the thin layer to her face, restoring her appearance to what Han Ming had seen at the banquet.


    "And also..." Kuro''s cheeks flushed slightly as she smiled. "You''ve already seen my body. Did you think you could just walk away without taking responsibility?"


    Han Ming felt awkward at the mention of the past and chuckled nervously.


    "Well... that was a special circumstance. Besides, you''re so different now. Back then, you hardly spoke a word. Now you can''t stop talking, and you''re always laughing like a fool."


    Kuro pretended to be angry and glared at Han Ming. "It''s because I''m happy that I''m talking so much. It''s not easy to get me to talk to others. Now stop dawdling. You''re a grown man—why are you acting so hesitant? Just say yes!"


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Han Ming''s expression turned somber again, and he said hesitantly, "But..."


    "No buts! Come with me!"


    Without giving Han Ming a chance to refuse, Kuro grabbed his hand and pulled him down the mountain.


    "Hey, hey, wait! Slow down! Where are we going?"


    "On a date!"


    On the bustling streets of Fila City, Han Ming and Kuro walked hand in hand.


    Han Ming''s face was flushed red. His right hand held Kuro''s, while his left hand fidgeted, unsure where to put it—sometimes in his pocket, sometimes out. He felt extremely awkward.


    "Why are you so nervous?"


    "Uh... I''m not. It''s just... this is my first time, haha."


    Han Ming laughed nervously.


    A sly smile flashed across Kuro''s lips. She suddenly turned and lightly kissed Han Ming on the lips. "There, your first kiss is mine too."


    Han Ming''s mind went completely blank.


    Kuro giggled as she watched Han Ming''s dumbfounded expression.


    Throughout the day, the two ate, shopped, and strolled around. Kuro chatted nonstop, while Han Ming listened in a daze, unsure of what to say or how to interject.


    A warm, indescribable feeling filled his heart. It was comforting and joyful.


    This feeling... wasn''t so bad.


    Night fell.


    "Where do you live?" Kuro asked.


    "Oh, right. I live at the magic academy."


    Han Ming replied nervously. He had a strange premonition that something was about to happen.


    "Let''s go. I''ll walk you back."


    Kuro''s expression remained calm as she led Han Ming toward the magic academy.


    Creak...


    Kuro closed the door behind her, and Han Ming froze, too nervous to even turn around.


    "Uh... you... you should probably head back now."


    Han Ming swallowed hard.


    From the beginning, Han Ming had been completely passive. He had rejected Fei''er before, and now he wanted to reject Kuro as well. But this girl gave him no chance to refuse. And besides... he had seen her body.


    He was at a disadvantage...


    Kuro clasped her hands behind her back and tilted her head as she walked around Han Ming''s room, examining the furnishings.


    "Hmm... not bad. I''m not going back. The place I''m staying is fine, but it feels lifeless. I don''t like it. I''ll stay here tonight. And from now on, I''ll stay here too."


    "Wha...?"


    Han Ming''s heart raced.


    What should he do? What should he do!?


    Kuro turned and studied Han Ming''s face, a mischievous smile on her lips. "What are you thinking about?"


    Gulp...


    Han Ming swallowed hard and stammered, "N-nothing... haha, haha. Look, the weather''s really nice today, huh?"


    Kuro stepped closer to Han Ming, who nervously backed away until his back hit the wall.


    This... feels so strange. I''m the guy here... Han Ming thought, his mind in turmoil.


    Kuro let out a sly chuckle and began unbuttoning her shirt.


    "Ah... you..." Han Ming was startled and quickly reached out to stop her.


    Kuro giggled, moving her hand away and teasingly looking at Han Ming. "What? Do you want to undo it yourself?"


    "N-no, I just..."


    Han Ming was at a complete loss. His hands hung awkwardly in mid-air, unsure whether to pull back or stay where they were.


    "Silly! Alright, I''m just messing with you. What do you take me for? Hmph!"


    Kuro gave a triumphant smile, buttoned her shirt back up, and said, "Someone''s mind is in the gutter... Haha, alright, you sleep here. I''ll take the other room."


    With that, she turned and walked out, closing the door behind her.


    Phew...


    Han Ming let out a long sigh of relief and flopped down onto the bed.


    "Am I... in love now?"


    Han Ming tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. The room still carried the faint scent of Kuro''s perfume.


    The thought of a woman sleeping in the next room kept his heart racing.


    "Sigh... dealing with magical beasts is so much easier. Women... are terrifying."


    Unable to sleep, Han Ming quietly slipped out of his room.


    A short while later, an old man arrived outside Han Ming''s dorm.


    "Young friend Han, are you there?"


    The door creaked open, and Kuro stepped out with a smile.


    "Elder Mai Lun, looking for Han Ming? He''s not here. He went out."


    "Han Ming? Oh..." Mai Lun paused, realizing that Han Ming must be Han Er''s real name.


    Mai Lun gave Kuro a meaningful look, then glanced at the small villa behind her. He chuckled. "Has Lady Kuro truly taken a liking to young friend Han?"


    "Here, call me Kuro. Han Ming doesn''t know my real name, and I haven''t revealed my true strength to him."


    Mai Lun nodded in understanding, then asked curiously, "Then why have you changed your appearance multiple times in front of young friend Han? When he sent you back to deliver the message, why..."


    Kuro was taken aback. "Wait, are you saying that Han Er is Han Ming?"


    Seeing Mai Lun''s equally surprised expression, Kuro cursed inwardly. That kid really kept me in the dark. And here I was, worried about him and even went looking for him.


    Mai Lun lowered his head in thought, his expression troubled. It seemed Han Ming didn''t know this woman was the infamous Kuro. And Han Ming had once mentioned that he was Li Xiaotian''s disciple. Mai Lun had heard about the feud between Kuro and Li Xiaotian. Putting two and two together, it was clear that Kuro also didn''t know Han Ming was Li Xiaotian''s disciple.


    These two should have been mortal enemies, yet by some twist of fate, they had come together.


    Mai Lun felt his head spinning. This was a mess. If the two ever discovered each other''s true identities, it would be disastrous. What a complicated fate.


    "Elder Mai Lun, did you need something from Han Ming?"


    Mai Lun''s mood was heavy as he slowly shook his head. "No, I just wanted to catch up with young friend Han. Since he''s not here, never mind."


    Then he suddenly remembered something. Han Ming had been pursued in the Savage Forest, and Mai Lun had heard some rumors. Now that Kuro knew Han Ming was Han Er, given her temperament, she would undoubtedly seek revenge on those who had hunted him.


    Recalling the terrifying tales of this woman, Mai Lun quickly added, "By the way, young friend Han is determined to stop the demon army''s invasion. If Lady Kuro—I mean, Kuro—is willing, please don''t seek vengeance on those from the Savage Forest. We need all the manpower we can get right now. I believe young friend Han wouldn''t want to see such a situation unfold."


    Kuro''s eyes turned sharp as she stared directly into Mai Lun''s.


    "Heh, heh."


    Mai Lun forced an awkward smile.


    This woman was truly someone you didn''t want to cross.


    Kuro looked at Mai Lun, her expression icy. The two stood in silence for a long moment before Kuro suddenly smiled. "Fine."


    Mai Lun let out a long breath of relief. As he turned to leave, he suddenly looked back and asked, "Do you know young friend Han''s identity?"


    "Identity? What identity?"


    "Oh, nothing. Farewell."


    Mai Lun shook his head helplessly and left.


    Now, Mai Lun wasn''t sure what to do. Should he reveal their identities and let them face each other as enemies? Or should he keep it hidden? But the truth would come out eventually. If by then the two had fallen deeply in love, it would only make things more complicated.


    "Ah well, let the young ones figure it out themselves." Mai Lun gradually disappeared into the night.


    No matter what, if these two ever came to blows, he would risk his life to protect young friend Han.