The face that had yet to shed its flush turned away from the view of the retreating youth, returning the insolent remarks with a resentful and icy gaze.
"How could I possibly tell a disrespectful lecher like you!!"
Verdant eyes filled with blood-lust and anger broadcast a clear message, pervading the air with the scent of rejection.
"Well, it would be troublesome if there is no clear purpose. After all, right now, there are three single men and a young, beautiful, unmarried lady traveling together in the wilderness. Well... we and you, miss, understand that this is a fairly common occurrence. But to those who crave spice in their monotonous lives and enjoy gossip and scandal, how would it appear? A distortion of truth, spiraling further away from reality to satisfy the public's curiosity and amusement, eventually becoming salacious rumors—is this really alright?"
The serene and gentle voice seemed to have no connect with provocation, yet the loud volume and frank words instinctively made the elf scoot back a bit, burying her face into her knees. But realizing that they were in a desolate forest frequented by fleeting passers-by, she understood how she'd once again been toyed with. Her angered gaze was aimed again at the apparent not-a-care-in-the-world driver. But to the Black Dragon and dwarf spectating, the flushed face and tightly pursed lips hardly conveyed any ferocity or threat, instead resembling a sulking adolescent girl.
"Ah, so that's it. You may be pleasing to the eye, but you only hang around with old men and little kids. With that mouth that does nothing but insult others, along with an annoying personality that drives people away, no girl would ever fancy you. Your plain appearance is going to waste, no, you're born into the wrong body. Don't think any woman will approach you, not this year at 16, not even at 160!"
In villages, marrying and bearing children at 15 or 16 is quite common. It's only natural for the labor force of the young and robust to establish families as early as possible. Although Li Lin's single status cannot be said to be extremely rare, it still falls within the category of "uncommon". The elf girl's retort can be said to be an apt, timely mockery. However, there are people who disagree and decide to correct her misconception.
"This is something that needs correcting. Girl elves may make statements like this due to a lack of understanding of the situation. However, ever since we moved into Alberish's den, various young females have started coming over to strike up conversations or deliver gifts, and a host of elderly females have come asking about Li Lin's family situation, marital status, potential love interests, and other boring, monotonous topics. Though I personally hold reservations about the elderly ones reproducing... Oh! Sir, what I'm saying is factual! Those with wrinkles all over are definitely not suitable... Ah! Don't hit my head! I will become stupid!!"
"Strange, I distinctly remember that if I chop at a 45-degree angle, it should immediately cure the problem of brain parasites, as well as change the properties of the object being treated?"
"What kind of dubious treatment is that?! Moreover, the entry angle certainly wasn't 45 degrees!"
"That's right, this time it's 38 degrees, last time it was 62 degrees."
"You're doing this intentionally! It's definitely intentional!!"
"Hmm...yes, indeed, having the correct angle is crucial."
"That's not the point at all!!!!!"
Similar to the screams of a child, the repeated dull sounds of something being chopped, the boy with the friendly face, the seemingly gloating dwarf, and—
"Can't you guys be a bit more serious!! At least act like adults, three jerks jerk jerk jerk jerk jerk jerk!!!!!"
The elves were at their wits' end with their ridiculous behavior, reminiscent of slapstick comedians or a trio of simpletons.
After venturing her wrath with the intensity of a volcanic eruption, encapsulating years of accumulated grievances akin to a middle-aged housewife, she felt considerably relieved. At least, she wouldn't be driven crazy by the strange dissatisfaction and strain anymore.
Having let out all the pent-up tension, she succumbed to the searing pain radiating from her wound, and with fading energy, she laid back down on the floor of the carriage.
Dropping his playful and mischievous demeanor, Li Lin returned to his enigmatic smiling face. With a swift arc cutting through the air, he exactly smashed Nidhogg's head at a 45-degree angle. The Black Dragon, as if having some internal switches flipped, quickly scurried to the back of the carriage. He took out a packet of dried plant powder from a box and poured it into the elf's mouth mixed with water from a flask. After a while, the furrowed brows of the elf girl began to relax.
"Alright, as you wish. Let's redirect our off-tangent discussion back onto the right track. Have you considered it? Are you ready to tell us a detailed address?"
After swallowing the anesthetizing powder, the severe pain from her injury eased. At this moment, an unhurried voice rang in her ear conveying the boy's ease, causing her brows to furrow under the pressure.
"Perhaps we can disregard the issue of gossip and rumors arising from unmarried girls and a group of single men traveling together. However, would those lusting after your kind's dwellings and the underlying gold mines give us the leisure time to dilly-dally? If their two failed attempts at silencing could cool their heads, that would indeed be ideal. Yet, they are more likely to resort to drastic measures because of their failures. To ignore such dangerous prospects and remain deadlocked with us—is that really okay?"