207: Chapter 205 The plane isn't as fast as me

When the insiders present caught the words "here to pick someone up," they couldn't help but marvel at the Queen's foresight.

Otherwise, how else could someone sit so securely on the throne?

As for the Queen at this moment, she also felt a sigh of relief in her heart, secretly feeling fortunate about her decision.

She had been keeping a close eye on intelligence regarding the "transcendental" within China, regardless of whether it was true or false, or if the specific source was uncertain.

After spending time watching all the collected videos, the Queen was firmly convinced of the existence of "Cultivators."

Because of this, when faced with Zhao Qi's claim that his arrival at the palace was entirely accidental, although she couldn't confirm its truth, she ultimately chose not to imprison or torture him; she didn't even carry out the necessary, non-offensive routine of an interrogation.

She felt that since Hogwarts took such good care of its native Ying Country, the "Cultivators" and China, who shared a similar relationship, would surely have some connection as well.

From the way Headmaster Dumbledore treated the white-robed young man who had abruptly appeared as if facing a formidable foe, the Queen knew her deduction was perfectly correct.

They didn't just have a connection; their relationship was very good.

At the very least, the other party was willing to take up arms for China; otherwise, Dumbledore wouldn't be acting this way.

"He has been staying in the palace very comfortably," the Queen said, leaning in to whisper into Dumbledore's ear as she approached him from behind.

This wasn't a lie; Toby could testify to that.

When Zhao Qi moved into the room the Queen had selected, he found that aside from not being able to leave, every other aspect was of the highest standard of hospitality.

Top-tier cuisine cooked with various high-end ingredients and all sorts of entertainment were readily available.

Not only were hardware facilities like a computer provided, but they could even arrange any game he wanted.

Taking this opportunity, Zhao Qi had a great time filling up his Steam account's game library.

All things considered, he hadn't spent these past two days anything less than happily.

Immortal Xu didn't seem surprised and said with a smile, "It is precisely because of this that I said I am here to pick someone up."

The Queen and the others didn't understand Chinese; Dumbledore clearly knew a bit, as he had translated the previous sentence for her.

Naturally, the Queen asked him what this sentence meant now.

"Because Zhao Qi has been staying well, he is only here to pick him up." The explanation was only half-finished, but it was enough for the Queen to understand the hidden meaning: if he hadn't been treated well, it wouldn't just be a matter of picking someone up.

He would likely have done something else along the way.

With things out in the open and seeing no possibility of conflict, everyone's hearts slowly settled, and they turned to curiously observe Immortal Xu, who stood quietly opposite them.

Is this the 'Immortal' from the recent rumors?

Vino and Toby, who had seen the videos, thought to themselves.

A foreign transcendental? Can he also throw fireballs and fly?

These were the mutterings of others who knew nothing about the "Cultivator Incident."

In the center of the stage, the two men focused on by everyone paid no mind to their confusion and conversed amongst themselves.

"How long has it been since we last met?"

"Hmm..." Immortal Xu looked at the sky, reminiscing for a moment, and said uncertainly, "Has it been seven hundred years?"

"Seven hundred and three years."

"Since you remember so clearly, why bother asking me?"

The air on the scene went silent for a moment before Dumbledore calmly shifted the topic: "Is your teacher well?"

"My master is still in the mortal realm."

"Regarding the calamity..."

Just as the words began, the white robes moved without wind, and Immortal Xu's silver hair fluttered behind him. Dark clouds gathered in the sky above, with faint lightning flashing within: "With me here, you may rest easy."

"Hogwarts will bear its own responsibilities, but as for the rebels..."

"I shall personally send them to hell to repent."

After speaking, the white-robed figure vanished into an illusion.

"Headmaster..." Toby jogged up behind Dumbledore. "Who was he? Is he very close to you, Headmaster?"

"Also, does 'Huo' refer to..."

"An Immortal. You can address him by the single name Xu; in this regard, they have always been free-spirited."

"As for 'Huo', it means calamity. You will find out more later."

"So he really is an Immortal," Toby muttered to himself in realization.

Before he could ask further, Leon ran over: "Where did he go?"

"He should be off to pick someone up."

...

On the outskirts of London, in the guest bedroom of the Queen's castle courtyard.

Zhao Qi sat at the computer desk, mouse in one hand and keyboard in the other, eyes shining as he stared at the computer screen.

"Whoa, that Butler Li is an honest man. I just casually mentioned buying games, and he really bought them!"

Sliding the scroll wheel of the mouse, he excitedly checked the games in his account library. By a rough estimate, at least two hundred thousand dollars' worth had been purchased.

"Let's try this one first."

Zhao Qi figured that since he couldn't leave for now and could only wait for the Director's move, he might as well click on a single-player game.

"Brother Zhao is indeed staying here very comfortably, just as the young lady said."

"What young lady?"

A voice suddenly sounded behind him. Zhao Qi responded subconsciously, only realizing after he spoke that he hadn't heard the door open at all.

This all-too-familiar way of appearing...

His neck turned slowly as if it were rusted.

Sure enough, Immortal Xu, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, stood in the middle of the bedroom with a faint smile.

"The young lady who settled you in."

The young lady who settled me in?

Zhao Qi, who was about to say hello, froze for a second before realizing he was talking about the Queen.

"Immortal Xu, you've misunderstood. She is the Queen of Ying Country, not some young lady. She looks young because she took a special potion; she's over a hundred years old this year... Uh, actually, calling her a young lady works too."

Remembering that the person in front of him was at least a thousand years old, it was naturally perfectly normal for him to call the hundred-year-old Queen a "young lady."

Awkwardly scratching the back of his head, he asked, "Immortal Xu, why have you come to London?"

"I originally came to seek out an old friend to reminisce and handle some private matters. I happened to hear that Brother Zhao was stranded, so I came by to see if there was anything I could help with. Now it seems..."

The smile on Immortal Xu's face became playful. "It seems I have worried unnecessarily."

"Not unnecessary at all, not at all! How could it be unnecessary!"

Jumping up abruptly, Zhao Qi hurriedly grabbed his sleeve, as if worried he would leave him behind and vanish. "I was just fretting over how to return home. Now that you're here, Immortal Xu, I can rest easy."

"Fretting?"

His gaze fell on the computer screen playing a game cutscene. "Although I do not care much for modern amusements, I have heard a thing or two. Games are usually something one plays when one's heart is light..."

Immortal Xu didn't finish the sentence, but Zhao Qi knew what it was.

"It's like this, Immortal Xu," he tried to struggle. "The enemy is trying to corrupt my mind with sugar-coated bullets, and I am conducting targeted training."

"I see. Hold on for a bit longer, and perhaps you will persist until the enemy uses the honey trap you desire?"

Zhao Qi's face went blank.

He forgot that while Immortal Xu was indeed an "old antique," it didn't mean he was a stranger to modern times. On the contrary, he was very well-acquainted with them; he might even secretly browse videos in private.

Seeing his face turn red from being unable to speak, Immortal Xu laughed loudly. "I shall joke with you no further. Let us depart."

"Immortal Xu, you don't have a phone, right? I'll book the plane tickets."

"Why book plane tickets?"

"Uh, boat tickets then?"

Immortal Xu stared at him with a strange look.

Zhao Qi said in shock, "It can't be bus tickets, right? Ying Country is an island!"

"Planes are not faster than me."