Mark and Allen disappeared at the same time and found themselves on the edge of a tall cliff. On the bottom, there was a forest but the estimated distance to the edge of the cliff is like a few hundred meters. Mark couldn't help but move forward in reflex as he wouldn't survive the fall because of his low physical strength. Far away, the Imperial city with lights in the streets could be seen from the cliff.
As the time is midnight, the surroundings were quite dark around. However, the moonlight in the clear sky gave him enough visibility, and the fact that his targets were right before his eyes made the current time irrelevant.
There are three guys in front of him with Song Yue's arms locked by two buffed guys while the other one was leading them. Song Yue's eyes looked dead at the moment as if she gave up on resisting.
But just then, the elder who was leading them stopped in his tracks and let out a shriek in great surprise. "You, what are you doing here?"
Mark walked forward with a cold look on his face. Allen followed him from behind.
"I knew that nobles cannot be trusted, after all." He snarled at them as he raised his hand. "You guys don't deserve to live."
"Lightning Clone"
An energy clone with lightning sparks dancing all over its body was summoned before Mark. "Kill them."
Only then did Song Yue finally see the guy with a familiar voice. Her eyes widened in shock. "Lu… Zhen?"
The Elder of the Song clan quickly took out the sheath from his storage ring. But, he was too late.
Before he even pulled out the sword from its sheath, the lightning clone already reached him and pierced his chest with its bare hand. It pulled out his heart by force and crushed it before eyeing the other prey.
The guards immediately released Song Yue in fear and started running back. But, can 5-circle Spirit warriors like them outrun lightning clone's speed, which is equal to a 7-circle Spirit warrior?
The result is obvious. With consecutive punches to the back of their heads, both of their skulls were crushed in an instant.
The enemies are dead and Song Yue is saved but the notification about Quest completion hasn't appeared. However, Mark's thoughts weren't on that. His entire attention was on Song Yue.
He slowly walked up to her who collapsed on the ground upon being released. As he reached her, she raised her head. Tears filled her eyes as she asked, "How?"
How could Mark reveal his system and the quest? He thought of a quick excuse and replied as he gave her his hand, "I was worried that this might happen. That's why I asked Alina to leave a mark on you."
"Thank you." She didn't take his hand though. Looking at the ground, she further said, "Maybe, it would have been better if you never come on time. I would have been spared from this sadness."
Mark kneeled to her height and asked slowly, "what happened?"
"I thought everything was solved after my father accepted my apology. I knew that my father will be angry but he…" Song Yue's voice quivered as the memories of the past hour appeared in her head. "He turned a blind eye when I was dragged by the guards and Elder Hun. My mother tried to stop him but was locked up. They wanted to kill me…"
Mark's blood boiled in anger. Upon remembering his own birth mother that sacrificed him for selfish gains, he couldn't help but grit his teeth, "That trash… I will not spare him alive…"
"No." Song Yue grabbed his arms while crying, "Please, I beg you. He is still my father. If he wants to kill me, that means I disappointed him very much. Just take my life and forgive him…"
Being overwhelmed by emotions, Song Yue doesn't even know what she is spouting but Mark's pity for her surpassed his hatred for her father. Calming down himself, he slowly said, "Let's go back to my house."
"No, it will only aggravate my father. I don't want anything to happen to either of you because of me. Just leave me alone here. My death will solve everything." As Song Yue continued to weep, Mark grabbed her face and raised it to his eye level. A trace of surprise appeared on her face.
"Look, Song Yue. If I don't know this situation, it would have been fine but now that I am aware, I'm not abandoning you. As for your father, don't worry. I will not kill him. Okay?" said Mark from the bottom of his heart. Usually, he doesn't hesitate to lie or show fake expressions to fool the other party but this time, he was genuine.
Song Yue was touched by his words but a question lingered in her heart. She couldn't help but ask, "Why do you have to go to such lengths for me? We are barely acquaintances."
In response, Mark let out a smile, "it's because you are different from the people who see me either as a commoner or a Cerberus Slayer. You see people for what they are. You are kind enough to show mercy to your enemies. Someone like you is worth saving. Come with me, Song Yue."
"But, what will people think?" She was worried that Mark's reputation will also be damaged because of this decision.
"Well, Alina and Allen are living with me. I consider them as my siblings but in reality, they have no biological relation with me." Mark shrugged his shoulders. This time, he was attempting to fool her with a lie. "One more person will not change anything."
"I know that they aren't human." Song Yue revealed a shocking piece of information, taking Mark by surprise. "How do you know?"
Song Yue answered, "Great-grandpa told me that they are top-grade puppets. Judging by your expression, I guess he is right."
Mark didn't expect that one of his biggest secrets is out. It made him wonder whether the Supreme Realm experts are vastly different from others or if it is just Song Tai.
Anyway, whatever is done is done. Now, he should focus on justifying himself. He thought for a bit and said, "Well, as long as the people don't know about it, we'll be fine."
"But, the truth will come out sooner or later. And at that time, your reputation will damage more than ever." Song Yue replied in a worried tone. She was never thinking of herself from the start.
Not knowing what else to say to convince her, Mark let out a deep sigh, "in that case, there's only one choice left. We have to get engaged to protect your dignity. No one would dare speak ill of you, then."
This time, it was Song Yue's turn to be taken aback. "Eh? You want to marry me?"
The heiress of the Song Clan might be kind but not naïve. Although Mark held a special place in her heart because he saved her three times, she is still a human who can have negative thoughts because of misunderstandings.
As a result, she felt like Mark was probably helping because he wants to court her. If that's really the case, then, her respect for him will be fallen. Thankfully, Mark acted quickly and cleared the misunderstanding with a firm explanation, "No, unless I achieve my goal, neither love nor marriage has any place in my heart as well as my thoughts."
Song Yue was once again surprised but at the same time, slightly disappointed for a reason she doesn't know.
