Chapter 39: I've got this Ancestor's back (10)
Gu Ting stared at him for a while and then nodded lightly. "Yes."
Having said that, he then gathered the person protectively into his arms. He steadied his footing on the constantly rocking sightseeing ship and jumped into the cockpit that had already been half-destroyed by the explosions.
The cabin was empty and not even a shadow of any figure was left. The crew members were not only slaughtered by the out-of-control superpowered being, but even their bodies had been absorbed by the stigmata, turning them into energy necessary for its awakening.
"At that time, you just wanted to come and find this superpowered being?"
Gu Ting's arm moved. Behind him, Fang Yi's gasped inquiries could already be heard.
They had been abandoned on this ship that was about to crash at any moment. The only way to save themselves was to try their luck in the cockpit. Glancing at the situation in the cabin, Fang Yi also guessed the situation. He gritted his teeth and slammed his fist against the door frame. "Damn it–if we hadn't stopped you then…"
The breath of life around him had dissipated not long ago. The massacre must happened not long ago. If Kang Yan hadn't insisted on restraining Lu Huaiye and forcibly punishing him, there might have been hope of saving these people.
Lu Huaiye dropped his head slightly and leaned against his chest without answering. Gu Ting's expression became darker. He pressed him deeper into his arms, protecting him more, using his body to completely cover him. "Group Leader Fang, we will leave the passengers outside to you. We will find a way to sort things out here."
The situation was urgent. Fang Yi stopped talking, nodded, turned and jumped out.
Lu Deng had already roughly sorted through the emergency plan. He raised his head and was about to speak but Gu Ting had already placed him carefully on the captain's seat. He half-knelt on the side arm rail, and stabilized Lu Huaiye's figure for him. "Are you sitting steady?"
He still had enough strength to maintain his balance sitting down.
Lu Deng's brows stretched out. He nodded. He moved his wrist and the vines penetrated into the seriously damaged piloting console, trying to repair the half-destroyed main computer.
His right hand was still unable to exert any strength. The time for the pain isolation was up and once again, he could only persist for a little while before his forehead was once again densely covered with cold sweat.
With no one controlling it, the sightseeing ship will crash very soon. It must be restored to operational condition as soon as possible. Lu Deng integrated his mental power with the system and poured it into activating the main computer, forcing the paralyzed piloting program to restart.
The sightseeing ship suddenly shook and their fall suddenly slowed down.
The cold sweat slid down his forehead, blurring his vision, painfully stinging his eyes.
Lu Deng let out a long sigh of relief, briefly relaxing. He raised his head wanting to blink away the cold sweat but his body was suddenly taken into the other's arms. He sat down in the pilot's seat once again.
We're sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we're going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
The pureblood ancestor held him between his arms and with his fingers, gently wiped the cold sweat from the corner of his eyes with his fingers. He lifted the hem of his damp shirt with one hand.
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Lu Deng couldn't help pursing the corners of his lips. He buried his cheek against his bosom. The base of his ears turned even hotter but the tension in his chest miraculously calmed down.
The embrace from behind him was solid. His strength was so steadfast as though there wasn't even half a bit of hesitation. The immediate crisis before them was immeasurable, but he only felt at ease.
This trust that could be handed over to him at any time and place made his chest feel hot. The corners of his eyes, which had just been wiped free from the cold sweat, was once again moistened, this time by hot tears.
The power kept pouring in and his body warmed up. Lu Deng held his hand and raised his head to signal for him to put him down. However, Gu Ting still held him firmly. "Huaiye."
Lu Deng raised his head and responded with a soft hum.
Most of the cockpit had been blown up, and the remaining shell had also been swept away in the fierce wind until almost nothing was left. The wind was bitingly cold. Gu Ting let out a bloody aura and shielded the two of them. He smiled, bowed his head and kissed his temple. "Even if we really do crash, this trip has been worth it."
His speech was calm and affectionate. Behind his waist, it was evidently cool, but his low-mellow voice was like a pot of hot water poured into Lu Deng's cold chest.
Facing the soft light in those eyes, a smile appeared in Lu Deng's. He squeezed his hand firmly. "We won't crash."
Their journey wasn't yet over yet. That painting wasn't finished yet.
They can't just crash like this.
*
The sightseeing ship that stabilized once again finally gave the frightened passengers some hope.
There was no telling when the main computer that he had barely managed to piece together would run into problems again. When the energy was completely transformed, Lu Deng's body had also basically recovered. Gu Ting helped him stand firmly on the ground and carefully repaired various parts.
"Mr. Gu, Huaiye, rescue is coming soon. Can you still hold on for a while?"
Fang Yi leaped in, gripping the edge of the door. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked.
Although Kang Yan escaped, the Special Service Office has received the alarm and several patrol boats were rushing over. As long they were able to hold on for a while longer, all the passengers on the ship could be safely extradited.
The system was still carefully controlling their course. As long as the parts of the main computer held together by the vines do not fall apart, they should be able to support it for a while.
Lu Deng nodded and stood up.
He needed to remain here to maintain the sightseeing ship till the last moment. Gu Ting has already transferred most of his power to him but he refuses to suck his blood. If some accident happens, it will pose a real threat to the other.
Lu Deng grasped Gu Ting's wrist, which had become colder because of giving him his power. When he looked up, his earlobe suddenly hurt.
He had promised not the repeat it.
Thinking of the other party's "punishment", Lu Deng's lips pressed lightly. He hurriedly looked away. The base of his ears could not stop blushing.
Gu Ting raised his eyebrows in slight surprise. He looked at his suddenly blushing little prey. After thinking for a moment, he couldn't help but chuckle. He pulled the person into his arm and pressed close to his ear, jokingly, he whispered, "Are you thinking of knocking me out and sneaking off or are you thinking of playing with another milk bottle?"
…
He'd thought of both.
Lu Deng continued to blush in his arms. He buried his face against the pureblood ancestor's cold chest.
Looking at the little prey who was really serious about correcting matters, Gu Ting's heart softened. Although he knew the situation was urgent, he couldn't hide his smile, overflowing from his eyes. He lifted his chin and solemnly bent down.
Fang Yi got their reply and turned back to lead the passengers. Everyone was busy trying to save their own lives. It stands to reason that no one would notice them in the cockpit.
Lu Deng's heart beat a little faster. He met the light in those eyes and didn't avoid it.
Pain.
The kiss he was expecting hadn't come. Lu Deng gave a start and raised his head in amazement. But Gu Ting had already curled the corners of his lips and rubbed the other earlobe he had just bitten with satisfaction, "A reward."
Seeing his calm attitude that seemed to carry absolutely no qualms, Lu Deng opened his mouth, but still failed to protest against such clear overbearing terms.
Gu Ting gripped his hand. He was still smiling but the light in his eyes was serious. "Huaiye."
Lu Deng raised his head. Gu Ting wasn't joking with him again this time. He lowered his head and focused on him for a long while, tightening his arms. "I heard that the altar is capable of converting a vampire into a human…"
Halfway through the conversation, the sightseeing ship shook violently.
The Special Service Office's patrol boats were too close, and the air currents caused turbulence to the already huge and unwieldy sightseeing ship. The system urgently corrected the control instructions, but a baby who had just been handed over fell from the mother's hands because the violent shaking.
There was a horrified cry and the crowd became chaotic in an instant. But a vine suddenly chased the baby through the air, wrapping firmly around the falling baby.
The lush branches and leaves gathered the baby who was crying from fright. They patiently soothed the baby and gently returned it to his mother's arms.
"It's a superpowered being! He was just punished by the Special Service Office. I saw it all from the window!"
The unusually conspicuous vines were immediately recognized and people looked over. The young man who manipulated the vines was leaning against the arms of a tall figure. His body was thin and frail. The cold wind pulled at his clothes, making them flutter. His face was particularly pale under the light.
They were standing in the cockpit. The shield had been mostly destroyed and the broken parts inside were firmly entangled by the vines. The dark red vines were accompanied by a layer of strange blood-colored light.
The bespectacled middle-aged man shivered suddenly and instinctively backed away. "It's a vampire…"
"So what if he's a vampire? The two of them are together, both of them saved us!"
A young man shouted loudly. He glanced at the patrol boats that were rapidly retreating and snorted disdainfully. He rolled up his sleeves and quickly stepped forward. "Are you both vampires? Do you still need to suck blood? — I'm healthy. I'll give you my blood to do with as you wish. It's fine so long as I don't die!"
"Me too! I exercise every day, so it doesn't matter if you suck a bit more of my blood!"
"I'm a doctor, I can help them draw blood. Can you drink blood already drawn from the body? It won't coagulate if you'll use it within a short time…"
Fang Yi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He was about to say something but swallowed the words back.
The air turbulence situation was far beyond their expectations. The Special Service Office's patrol boats couldn't get close and could only escort it at some not too far away point. The blood-colored vines scooped up not only the baby, but also everyone's remaining hope.
Fang Yi tactfully rejected the notice from the headquarters telling him to evacuate. Fang Yi forced the emergency parachute device to the young man beside him, rolled up his sleeves and walked towards the doctor.
The blood quality of a stigmatic was invariably much better than those of ordinary humans with low-level abilities.
Shocked by the suddenly enthusiastic crowd wanting to feed him, Gu Ting unconsciously took a half-step back. Meeting the smiling black eyes in his arms, and suddenly understood what Lu Huaiye intended from borrowing his power.
Lu Deng raised his head and smiled at him, handing over to him the task of collecting the blood bags. He then walked quickly into the cockpit.
The patrol boats can't get close and there was nothing they could do but to find a way to let this sightseeing ship make an emergency landing. There was no flat ground suitable for landing nearby. There was only a lush jungle not far away. If there really was no way, they can only go there to try their luck.
Lu Deng could control the forest but only if he has enough power.
There was still twenty minutes before the sun rises.
The system repeatedly assured that it could hold on for twenty more minutes. Lu Deng stood in front of the console, looking at the faintly lightening sky.
The sound of footsteps came from behind. Gu Ting embraced him from behind, pressing his palm against his stigmata and passing over new strength.
Perceiving that the pureblood ancestor behind him seemed to be a little dispirited, Lu Deng couldn't help pursing the corners of his lips. He relaxed his body and pillowed his head on his shoulder. "What did you use this time to drink?"
"...A straw."
Gu Ting sighed lightly. Thinking of what he had experienced just now, he couldn't stop seeing bursts of blackness before his eyes. He tightened his arms and held the other against his chest. "Huaiye, I don't want to be a vampire. Let me be a human being with you…"
This was the second time that he mentioned this plan. Lu Deng's heart stirred slightly. He held his hand and brought their palms together.
There was nothing wrong with this either.
The main computer's instruments were constantly showing the situation. The system tried its best to round through their course, manipulating the sightseeing boat to turn slowly in the air, trying to use up the additional twenty minutes.
As the seconds and minutes ticked up, the sky became increasingly gloomy instead.
As before, Gu Ting held him steady, his bloody aura separated the both of them from the increasingly biting and freezing wind. However, his expression couldn't help but sink.
The untimely cumulonimbus clouds wandered over and condensed, quickly covering the rays of sunlight that had just started to emerge.
The airflow accompanying the incoming rain was unstable and the sightseeing ship that they had finally managed to stabilize began to sway once again. Big raindrops slammed down together with the roar of thunder and the sky was made pale by lightning.
That little rekindled hope once again swayed in the wind and rain. However, the passengers were no longer as panicked and frightened as they were at the beginning. More and more people have gradually calmed down.
Only the cockpit had been destroyed, but the protective cover of the sightseeing ship was still functional. The virtual cover kept away the fierce wind and rain. People still gathered on the deck. Some knelt on the side of the ship to pray, some tried to leave their last messages and some were even readying to go back to their cabins, resigned to waiting for the final ending that was to come.
Fang Yi walked through the crowd and supported himself on the half collapsed door edge of the cockpit. Suddenly, he didn't know what to say.
"I can still try."
Hearing his footsteps, Lu Deng said this amidst the sudden torrential rain. He held up the manual control lever in front of him and looked up at Gu Ting.
We're sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we're going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Gu Ting gathered him into his sight and smiled. "Okay."
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Fang Yi smiled bitterly. He raised his hands and shouted an affirmative. He walked briskly back to the deck to inform the passengers but some unrealistic hope was born in his heart.
If there was indeed hope…
With thunder roaring, the gust of wind finally shattered the stern of the ship which it used for balance. The broken wreck disappeared into the dark skies and the sightseeing ship begun to plummet.
The main computer was completely broken and unusable. The system's energy has also been exhausted and it finally flashed and fell into sleep mode.
Lu Deng clenched the control lever and tried his best to control the direction of the airship. His body couldn't help stumbling due to the violent shaking. A pair of arms firmly held him steady.
Gu Ting hugged him tightly, settling him against his chest. He took out one of his hands and reached out to hold the control lever, thinking to exert their strength together. However, he was held back by a pale hand and a new shoot appeared in his palm.
It wasn't the vine Lu Huaiye usually used. Gu Ting recognized this one. When he was modeling by the ship's side, it was this delicate vine that held him firmly in place.
"If you plant it, I will have enough strength."
Lu Huaiye looked up at him, relaying his meaning as succinctly as possible. Gu Ting's pupils suddenly shrank and narrowed and he firmly grasped his wrist.
Meeting his gaze, Lu Huaiye smiled instead. Raised his arm to embrace him and leaned forward.
"Let's take an adventure together. You will catch me from below and then take me to the altar."
His other hand remained firmly grasping the control lever. He told him the plan in a gentle voice, as though he hadn't considered any other possibilities at all.
Gu Ting still held his arm, remaining motionless. Lu Huaiye pursed his lips, finally reaching out an arm to embrace him. He leaned in to kiss him. "Trust me."
"...Okay."
There was light in those black eyes that no one could bear to dim.
Nodding lightly, Gu Ting hid the sprout in his palm, leaving an aura of blood to shield Lu Huaiye. Holding onto a vine that was serving as a buffer, he pushed against over console with one hand and leapt down from the broken window.
The physical strength of a vampire was way stronger than that of human being's. The vines slowed down the speed of his fall. In a blink of an eye, he could already see the protruding branches of the forest below, steadily catching him and sending him to the ground.
Gu Ting was so nervous that his heart almost started beating. He found a patch of fertile soil and buried the shoot.
Under the heavy rain, the forest suddenly grew wildly.
Everyone witnessed a miracle unfolding before their eyes.
The forest full of branches rapidly grew thick and dense. The sturdy trunks formed a simple sliding track. The branches and leaves suddenly grew lush, forming a thick buffer belt, as though they were all preparing to reach out to rescue and support.
The pitch-black forest was caged with a faint bloody glimmer and yet it didn't appear frightening at all. Instead, it seemed as though it was opening its arms wide to capture them into an embrace, using its real body to accomplish its final act of protection that had no assurance of success.
Lu Deng showed determination in his eyes. He pushed down abruptly on the control lever while pressing the gate valve for emergency braking. The ship was suddenly being forced into reverse. The cockpit bore the brunt of the impact. It barely connected to the wooden slide and it was diving down at lightning speed.
The friction instantly made the body of the ship violently hot but it was soaked cold by the rain.
Even if his core was absorbing energy below, Lu Deng could still feel that the power in his body wouldn't be enough to make ends meet. The dense bloody aura that protects his body was gradually consumed by the repeated collisions.
Gu Ting was below.
If the sightseeing ship kept descending like this, even the vampire will find it difficult to escape. He has to stop the ship before it crashes.
Lu Deng tried his best to press down on the emergency brake gate valve. Amidst the violent shocks, a white snowflake flashed in front of his eyes. His chest was quietly filled with vigor.
Hold it. Hold it and jump down.
Gu Ting was waiting for him below. He didn't want to break his promise any more. He wanted to live and he wanted to experience anything that would happen next with him.
Strong wind kept pouring into the broken cockpit. The strong pressure made it difficult for him to even move. Lu Deng gritted his teeth and tried his best to pull back a little consciousness from the pain. He looked down from the observation port and suddenly saw a dazzling bloody glow.
That was the pure form of power of a pureblood vampiric ancestor. A black cloak blew in the wind. His whole body was surrounded by a dazzling bloody light. The rain was flicked away whenever it got close. Black mist filled the air, covering everything in mysterious allure.
Lu Deng smiled. He finally jammed lock the brake valve and jumped down.
The bloody aura around his body was quickly consumed and the cold rain hit his cheeks. The cockpit was finally completely destroyed from frequent collisions but the remaining body of the ship was still being fenced in by branches and leaves, continuously slowing down its descent.
The remaining branches and leaves broke off and fluttered down. Before it could hit the ground, the huge body of the ship finally slowed to a halt.
There was instant silence.
*
The Special Service Office caught up in the blink of an eye and rushed to rescue people. Fang Yi though was in a foul mood. He leapt onto the broken sightseeing ship and his footsteps suddenly stopped.
More and more passengers came out. The members of the Special Service Office tried to evacuate the crowd, but no one paid much attention to them. Everyone was a little uncertain and the joy at being able to survive disappeared without a trace.
The cockpit had disappeared.
Under such intense friction and collision, it was impossible for there not to have been any damage.
The little girl led by her mother sobbed and said brokenly, "Bro-brother vampire…"
The mother took her into her arms and gently patted her, her eyes flushed red.
Oppressive silence spread across the crowd.
Fang Yi walked over and picked up a ripped off piece vine. He held it in his hand, carefully put it in his pocket, and turned to leave.
…
In the hidden depths of the forest, Gu Ting hugged the body tightly, anxiously examining it, his heart filled with lingering fear.
Just a little bit.
Lu Deng had calculated it accurately. He was unscathed save for losing strength. Resting on his arms, facing those dazzling dark pupils, his eyes widened with a clear smile. "Do I get a reward this time?"
"You do."
After checking that there was no wound on his entire body, the pureblood ancestor finally breathed a sigh of relief. He wiped his forehead and chuckled with lingering fear. He simply nodded his head, embraced him and kissed him deeply.
"It's fine this time. In the future, I will protect you and make sure you never ever get hurt…"
Their lips touched but then little prey in his arms suddenly gasped.
"What is it?!"
Gu Ting's heart seized abruptly. The black mist looped around the person and placed him down. He leaned over to check him over but was stopped by Lu Deng's expression. He said vaguely, "It's nothing…"
"If you say it's nothing again, you're going to be punished."
He had felt downright sick watching the sightseeing ship fall. Gu Ting spoke in a stern voice but his movements were still gentle. He held his wrist carefully, moving it away. His movements suddenly slowed down.
The pureblood vampire's fangs were sharp. In Gu Ting's eagerness, he forgot to be careful and a shallow welt was cut across the side of Lu Deng's lips.
Translator's note:
I'm sorry if this chapter was confusing. I also got confused but here's a short run down of what happened.
Lu Deng gave Gu Ting the core of his power in the form of a little sprout. He had Gu Ting jump down from the ship to the forest floor, where Gu Ting planted the sprout. With the sprout buried in soil, Lu Deng got just barely enough strength to stimulate the forest to grow and grow and grow until it made a sort of slide to catch the falling ship.
Just after the ship made contact with the slide, Lu Deng jammed on the brakes to slow its descent and jumped off the ship. Gu Ting, now in his full vampire super saiyan mode, was waiting to catch Lu Deng. Gu Ting catches Lu Deng. The now empty cockpit is destroyed by the violent acceleration/jostling of the ship. The ship stops. The passengers are saved but everyone thinks they're dead.
Gu Ting and Lu Deng are hidden within the forest. Gu Ting manages to technically get this first bite in the form of an accidental welt on Lu Deng's lips. =)