Max gave a knowing nod. "We'll find out soon."
Just then, Arlecchino shifted her stance, leaning against a tree with a cool, detached expression. Her crimson eyes narrowed, focusing on the horizon.
"Someone's coming," she said flatly.
Max raised an eyebrow. "Can you describe their appearance?"
She nodded, turning her gaze to the distant sky. "A man cloaked in flowing robes of white and gold… His entire body radiates light, almost blinding. His feet don't touch the ground—he glides, and behind him, wings of luminous spirit energy flare like a burning halo. He wears the emblem of Spirit Hall on his chest."
Max nodded and said to others " The Spirit hall is like good orgainsation here so, he must be coming here to save this village, though he is clearly late"
Moments later, the figure descended from the sky like a beam of sunlight piercing the clouds. Though Max and others looked at each others and then Peter asked quitely " is he man or woman?"
his confusion was genuine as the guy is realy handsome and have long hair, if not for the lack of breasts, Peter just would have thought he is a woman.
"I am late," he muttered, scanning the wreckage of the burned village. His tone was regretful, but his eyes were sharp—assessing everything at once. Then his gaze fixed on the group of children gathered near the edge of the village—especially Arlecchino.
He approached slowly, his golden robes fluttering slightly in the breeze. "Are you the survivors?" he asked, voice calm yet commanding.
Max, already deep in his act, took a timid step back, pretending to tremble. "P-please… don't hurt us…" he whimpered, eyes wide with fake fear.
Liu Guangzhen's stern expression softened. He stepped forward and gently placed a hand on Max's head. "Do not be afraid. I am from Spirit Hall. I came here to protect the innocent."
He turned his gaze to the other children, who were also playing their roles well—eyes wide, bodies trembling, as if truly frightened six-year-olds. Max had quietly gestured for them to act scared and small, fitting the age their bodies now reflected.
Then Liu Guangzhen's gaze fell on Arlecchino.
"And you… who are you?" he asked, curious but cautious.
Arlecchino crossed her arms, unfazed by his presence. "Who I am doesn't concern you. What matters is—who are you, glowing man?"
He blinked once, a little surprised by her attitude. "I am Liu Guangzhen, the Flowing Light Douluo of Spirit Hall. I was sent to investigate the destruction of this village and ensure the safety of any survivors… but alas I am late."
He took a closer look at the scene—burned homes, charred ground, collapsed structures. Then his tone shifted slightly as he asked, "Now tell me, who are these children with you? Why were they here? And what exactly happened?"
Arlecchino stayed silent for a moment before glancing subtly at Max. He gave a slight nod, signaling her to go along with the backstory he'd prepared.
"This village… it saved me," she began, her voice calm but tinged with sorrow. "I arrived here barely alive, on my last legs, and the kind villagers took me in. They gave me shelter, treated my wounds, and cared for me like one of their own."
"so, in order to repay them I decided to live with them and train a spirit master and only then leave"
She drew a breath, letting her eyes briefly scan the scorched remains of the village.
"Today, I was taking the children to the city to have their Martial Spirits awakened," she continued, voice lower now, burdened with emotion. "But midway… I saw smoke rising—thick, dark columns from the direction of the village."
She paused, her voice low and steady, laced with grief.
"When I returned to the village, everything was already destroyed. The other adults were dead. Even other childfren were dead. I was too late."
Liu Guangzhen's expression turned grave. He nodded slowly and said nothing for a moment, simply letting her words hang in the air.
Max looked up at Liu Guangzhen, eyes wide with practiced innocence. In a trembling voice, he said, "We… we were going to awaken our spirits, but… but woooooo…" His voice cracked, and tears welled up in his eyes as he began to cry.
The others, catching on quickly, joined in—sniffling and sobbing like frightened children. Their performance was convincing enough to tug at even the hardest heart.
Liu Guangzhen let out a long breath, his expression softening. "You've all suffered greatly," he said gently. "But you're safe now."
He turned, raising a glowing hand, and released a soft pulse of golden light. It washed over the burned remains of the village, cleansing the air of smoke and soot. As the golden wave passed, the village crumbled fully into ash.
With another wave of his hand, the earth shifted, forming a large communal grave. He turned toward Arlecchino. "What was the name of the village?"
She paused, eyes shadowed, before responding softly, "Xiaomu Village."
Liu Guangzhen nodded solemnly and etched the name into a stone marker that rose above the grave. Then he looked back at the children—and Arlecchino.
"We'll return to Spirit Hall," he said. "You can begin new lives there. All orphans will be cared for and educated."
Then he turned to Arlecchino. "And you? What will you do?"
She met his gaze squarely. "I failed to protect the village. So from now on… I will protect these children. I will be their guardian."
Liu Guangzhen nodded slowly. "Very well."
"Hmm, you said you would train and protect these children as their master," Liu Guangzhen said, turning toward Arlecchino. "Then let me ask—what is your spirit rank?"
Arlecchino raised her hand calmly. "You want proof?"
Without waiting for a reply, she activated her Martial Spirit. In a swirl of crimson and gold, a flaming rose—elegant and deadly—bloomed in her palm. Behind her, nine Spirit Rings rose in a majestic arc: the first eight alternating between yellow, purple, and black… and the ninth—a deep, pulsing red.
Liu Guangzhen's eyes widened in disbelief. "You're a Titled Douluo… and your last ring… it's a 100,000-year spirit ring?!"
Arlecchino simply nodded, her expression calm but sharp. "Yes."
Her aura pulsed gently, heavy and regal. It was unmistakable—she was not someone to be taken lightly. Her crimson rose blazed, its petals crackling with a quiet promise of destruction.
Liu Guangzhen stepped back slightly, now looking at her with a mix of respect and wariness. "I see… Then I welcome your presence. The children will be under powerful care indeed."
***
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It's 22 chaps ahead