Yama Reborn-Chapter 383 - 380

Chapter 380: Trip to Europe

London, Heathrow Airport.

It was evening when Chen Nuo, backpack slung over his shoulders, hood pulled over his head, and hands thrust into his trouser pockets, strolled out of the terminal building.

The long flight had left Chen Nuo somewhat bored, and now he felt too lethargic to muster any energy.

At this moment, Chen Nuo increasingly wished he had Seed’s ability to teleport at will.

After all, I’m Seed’s Chosen One; my abilities are clearly similar to Seed’s.

It’s hard to say if my teleportation skill actually came from Seed.

The weather in London was rarely great, but he was lucky today. As he exited the airport, the weather was quite good. He could even see a trace of the lingering glow from the setting sun.

After Chen Nuo hailed a taxi, he watched the plump driver mumble something. It took him a couple of listens to understand the driver was asking if he had any luggage.

Well, British English certainly has a heavy accent. Even within London, accents vary significantly from one district to another.

If you go to northern Britain... the English in some cities sounds almost like an alien language.

London taxis were quite dilapidated, likely because the streets were rather narrow, and many were old-fashioned, tiny black cabs.

How to put it? They can certainly weave through traffic.

But one couldn’t expect much in terms of ride comfort.

The entire car looked ancient, like a conservative but now-decayed nobleman in this modern era.

In the evening, they hit a bit of traffic, which seemed to annoy the driver, who muttered curses under his breath throughout the journey.

Taxis in London aren’t like those in Huaxia, where you can hail one anytime. Here, most taxis are reserved by phone.

If you haven’t booked one by phone, trying to hail an available taxi from the roadside will likely lead to disappointment.

The traffic jam clearly meant the driver might miss another fare dispatched by his company, so he seemed a bit disgruntled.

However, the driver quickly perked up after tuning the car radio to a different channel. It was discussing yesterday’s football match, and he let out an excited shout, followed by a hearty laugh.

Chen Nuo understood perfectly: they were talking about Arsenal’s victory in yesterday’s match.

In 2002, Arsenal had not yet fallen into the state of disrepair seen in later years. Back in 2002, they were in their heyday, having won the Premier League Championship just a few months prior, at the end of the previous season.

The current squad included the "Ice Prince" Bergkamp, and the golden midfield from Gaul Country, featuring Vieira and Pires.

Upfront, there was Henry, the "King of Gunners," steadily ascending to legendary status.

It was now September, the season having just begun. Arsenal was ambitiously aiming to defend their league title while also hoping to make a significant impact in the Champions League.

But it was all for naught.

Chen Nuo knew very well that Arsenal wouldn’t win the league title this season; they would lose to their arch-rivals, Manchester United. They would also meet an early exit in the Champions League, failing to advance past the second group stage.

Their only consolation that season was winning the FA Cup—a small comfort, indeed.

Afterward, Arsenal would rally their remaining strength to achieve a mythical season, winning the league championship with an undefeated record...

And then...

There was no ’then.’ Their final blaze of glory faded, and they began their slide towards The Abyss.

From "The strongest are already in the squad" to the "Top-Four Maniacs," and then to struggling for a spot in the Europa League...

Of course, in 2002, none of this had happened yet. Arsenal, as defending champions, was ambitiously looking forward to the season...

Head Coach "Professor" Wenger was still revered by the fans, enjoying the status of a top-tier manager in the Premier League. He occasionally engaged in media spats with Manchester United’s patriarch, Ferguson. Neither of these old men could have imagined that in just two years, a cocky Portuguese manager would arrive on these shores. This newcomer would disrupt their standoff with his brash style and completely reshape the Premier League landscape.

Alright, none of this has happened yet.

The reason Chen Nuo knew all this so clearly was simple: in his previous life, he was an Arsenal fan.

Alright... just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.

Glancing at the Arsenal team emblem hanging from the taxi’s rearview mirror, Chen Nuo sighed.

When getting out, he gave the driver an extra ten British Pounds as a tip and said with a smile, "Arsenal will definitely be champions this year."

"Of course! The treble! Whatever Manchester United can do, we can do too!" The driver laughed heartily, suddenly much friendlier towards Chen Nuo—though it was likely mostly due to the tip.

Looking at this Gooner, Chen Nuo shook his head and got out of the car.

Poor guy. He has no idea what the long years ahead have in store for him...

Early the next morning, Chen Nuo left the hotel and embarked on his journey to find his wife.

Yeah, mistreating your wife might be satisfying for a moment, keep doing it and... Ptui. You’ll end up in the ’chasing your wife to the crematorium’ scenario.

While the Star Sky Empress’s residence in the northern suburbs of London was a secret to most of the Underground World, it wasn’t to Chen Nuo.

The Victorian-style manor was tranquil. Vast expanses of Scottish thistles were planted on the estate.

Their petals were sharp as needles. Bunches of pale purple Scottish thistles bloomed defiantly, despite being out of season. Chen Nuo wondered if Lu Xixi had used some special method on them.

Chen Nuo stood on the estate for a while, then let out a soft sigh.

This thistle was tied to a legend of love: a goddess fell in love with another deity. But, as the adage goes, "The blossom is willing, but the flowing water is heartless." So, she transformed into the thistle—her heart feeling as if pricked by needles.

Even though Lu Xixi certainly hadn’t planted these flowers after meeting him, their symbolism still made Chen Nuo sentimental.

After a moment’s thought, Chen Nuo pressed the doorbell.

He waited for two minutes. No response.

Chen Nuo frowned.

Looking at the high courtyard wall, Chen Nuo didn’t hesitate and deftly leaped over it.

Standing within the manor grounds, he strolled along the stone-paved path.

The main building of the manor was silent; even the workers who handled daily maintenance were nowhere to be seen.

Chen Nuo walked to the front door of the main building, ascended the steps, and peered through a window. He saw that the fireplace, sofa, and coffee table inside were all draped with white cloths.

Chen Nuo’s heart skipped a beat. He didn’t wait any longer. He approached the front door and reached for the doorknob.

Then, Chen Nuo’s expression suddenly changed!

The lock was broken!

Without any effort, Chen Nuo easily pushed the door open—the lock had been broken for some time!

Chen Nuo’s expression immediately soured. Someone has been here! They invaded and forcibly broke the lock!

He took a deep breath, a hint of murderous intent glinting in his eyes.

Who? Who would be so bold as to break into the home of the Star Sky Empress?!

The furniture inside was covered with white cloths, and the air was slightly stale, clearly indicating that no one had opened the windows for ventilation for many days.

Chen Nuo touched one of the white cloths, feeling a hint of dryness on his fingertips. This layer of dust suggested it had been quite some time.

Lu Xixi wasn’t here; it looked like she had been gone for a while.

Chen Nuo grew anxious and quickly left the ground-floor reception room. Behind the manor, in the outbuilding designed for small animals, the rabbit hutches, dog kennels, fishpond, and turtle tank were all empty.

The more Chen Nuo thought, the more something felt wrong. He hurried up the stairs and entered the master bedroom on the upper floor.

The master bedroom had been ransacked!

Cabinets had been pried open. Many items from the wall shelves lay scattered on the floor.

Inside, the study’s drawers and cabinets had clearly been forced open. Everything was in disarray; books and documents were scattered on the floor.

And the computer... Only the monitor remained; the computer tower had been taken.

Chen Nuo’s chest heaved as he struggled to calm his anger.

At least... there are no signs of a struggle in the house! Although it was thoroughly ransacked, there were no signs of a fight. That’s very important.

Finally, Chen Nuo approached another door along the hallway, not far from the master bedroom. He pushed it open, glanced inside, and instantly froze!

It was a small room with windows facing southeast, affording the best light.

The space wasn’t large, but it felt very warm.

The walls were painted a deep blue, adorned with painted white clouds.

Below the blue sky, a crisp green lawn was depicted, dotted with daisies.

The room’s walls were entirely painted with a childlike whimsy.

When Chen Nuo’s gaze fell upon a small, exquisite crib placed against the wall...

His body suddenly began to tremble uncontrollably!

He didn’t know how long he stood there. Eventually, Chen Nuo took a deep breath and entered the room with the softest steps.

He walked to the crib and picked up an incredibly ugly rag doll lying beside it.

This ugly doll wasn’t store-bought; it was clearly homemade.

The stitches were crooked, barely forming a human shape. The clothes on the rag doll were clearly scraps cut from adult clothing and sewn on.

Chen Nuo clutched the ugly doll, his fingers tightening involuntarily.

After a while, Chen Nuo tiptoed out of the room. He then began to meticulously search Lu Xixi’s master bedroom, inch by inch, for any valuable clues.

More and more clues surfaced.

He even found a uniquely shaped pillow.

Its form was strange, completely different from ordinary bed pillows.

However, after a moment’s thought, Chen Nuo recognized it. This kind of pillow must be for pregnant women.

Later in pregnancy, as their bellies grow larger and heavier, pregnant women find it uncomfortable to lie on their backs. They need to sleep on their sides. To avoid putting pressure on the fetus, they use a soft body pillow to support their belly and alleviate pressure.

With this object in the master bedroom, he’d be a fool not to understand.

His heart rate uncontrollably quickened, his mouth went dry, and he swallowed hard several times.

Chen Nuo went to the bathroom and, not caring about appearances, turned on the tap and gulped down several mouthfuls of water.

Gradually, as the wild pounding in his heart subsided, Chen Nuo splashed cold water on his face. When he looked up, his reflection in the mirror showed eyes brimming with excitement and anticipation!

Chen Nuo left the master bedroom. But before going downstairs and leaving, he returned to the nursery.

After some thought, Chen Nuo picked up a pillowcase and carefully wrapped the ugly doll in it. He then took off his backpack and opened it.

He kept only his phone, passport, ID, and wallet, dumping everything else out of his backpack to make space.

Then, with great care, he placed the carefully wrapped ugly doll inside the bag.

Having done all this, Chen Nuo shouldered his backpack and slowly left the manor.

I have a child!

Although I don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl yet... But I have a child!

At this moment, only one thought consumed Chen Nuo’s mind.

Even if the Mother stood in my way, even if a hundred Controllers blocked my path... Nothing in this world can stop me from finding Lu Xixi and our child!

JINGLE! JINGLE!

The bell over the door chimed as it was pushed open.

Yu Naitang hurried in with a large paper bag in her arms, kicking the door shut behind her.

It was a modest-sized apartment, its furnishings simple rather than luxurious, but it felt cozy and warm.

Little Candy placed the paper bag on the table and took off her baseball cap.

Under the cap, Little Candy’s white hair was cut in a bob.

Taking a shallow breath, Little Candy carefully checked the living room to ensure there were no suspicious traces. Only then did the serious expression on her face gradually fade.

She took the paper bag to the kitchen and unpacked a baguette, a jar of peanut butter, a jar of jam, a steak, some purple cabbage, and a few broccoli florets.

Pouring a glass of water from the kettle and downing it in one gulp, Yu Naitang quietly exited the kitchen. She paused at the bedroom door, peeked inside, and a relieved expression crossed her face.

Returning to the kitchen, sounds of cooking soon filled the air.

Dinner was pan-fried steak with a side of broccoli and some sliced baguette.

Once done, Yu Naitang carried her plate to the living room sofa, sat down, and began to eat, cutting a small piece with her knife and fork.

The white-haired Loli frowned. "This steak is awful..."

Despite her frown, she ate the steak bite by bite and, gritting her teeth, forced down two florets of the broccoli she detested.

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps outside made Yu Naitang instantly vigilant!

She leaped up from the sofa, moved behind the door, and listened intently.

Her hand tightened its grip on the steak knife.

After a moment, the footsteps receded. Then, from the apartment across the hallway, came the sound of a man and woman arguing...

Little Candy sighed in relief, walked back to the table, and put down the knife.

Glancing at the wall clock, she headed back to the kitchen.

Soon after, she emerged with a baby bottle full of milk. As she walked, she skillfully rolled up her sleeves, dabbed a little milk on the back of her hand to test the temperature, then opened the bedroom door and went inside.

"Time for dinner, my little Junior Brother."

In the middle of the night, Yu Naitang, sitting by the window, woke with a start. The first thing she did was check the time. Then, she slightly parted the tightly drawn curtains and peeked outside.

The empty street below was lit only by the dim, yellowish glow of streetlamps; everything seemed enveloped in silence.

Yu Naitang relaxed as the wariness in her eyes faded. She let the curtain fall, glanced at the time again, sighed helplessly, and retrieved a baby diaper from the cabinet. Sighing again, she took it into the bedroom.

A moment later, Yu Naitang emerged carrying a rolled-up bundle...

It landed with a thud in the trash bin.

"You better be good to me when you grow up! If you dare forget all this, I’ll kick your butt!"

Yu Naitang grumbled in annoyance as she vigorously washed her hands with soap in the bathroom.

On the same night.

Chen Nuo stepped out of an old building.

This three-story brick-and-concrete structure was located in a district of Paris.

The apartment upstairs was empty. Chen Nuo had checked it; there were no signs of recent habitation.

However, Chen Nuo still left a covert mark—if Lu Xixi and Little Candy came here, Little Candy should understand it.

This was the second place Chen Nuo had searched today.

This place was one of Lu Xixi’s properties.

To be precise, these were properties Yu Naitang had quietly acquired.

Such properties, purchased under hidden identities, are common in the Underground World. Many powerful Ability Users prepare them for emergencies, stocking them with essential medicine or survival supplies.

These places were called safe houses.

They became crucial when Ability Users faced immense danger or crises, forcing them to flee.

In fact, given the Star Sky Empress’s overwhelming power and pride, Lu Xixi would never have considered arranging safe houses for herself.

What a joke! Who in this world could hunt down the great Star Sky Empress and force Her Majesty to hide in some rat hole?

Lu Xixi herself wouldn’t bother with such precautions. However, Yu Naitang, with her careful and prudent nature, had secretly acquired many such places, following the traditions of the Underground World. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Safe houses, naturally, had to be kept absolutely secret.

Fortunately, these were no secret to Chen Nuo.

In his previous life, after Little Candy began following Chen Nuo, the many secret properties and safe houses acquired over the years by the Star Sky Empress had all fallen into Chen Yanluo’s possession.

In the evening breeze, Chen Nuo vigorously rubbed his face, struggling to suppress his anxiety.

He had already searched two safe houses today.

So, according to my memories from my previous life, the third safe house, the one closest to here, is... Yes, in Antwerp, Belgium.

Chen Nuo had mulled this over many times during his journey.

Lu Xixi’s London residence was originally a secret. For it to be discovered and broken into, the enemy was clearly no small fry.

The most crucial point was that Lu Xixi hadn’t resisted; she had fled...

One thing was clear: there were no signs of a fight at the residence. Lu Xixi and Little Candy had obviously left before the intruders arrived, though possibly in a hurry.

When the intruders arrived, they found the place empty but ransacked it.

Clearly, they weren’t common thieves or burglars. Chen Nuo noted that valuable items, like the expensive jewelry in Lu Xixi’s jewelry box in her room, hadn’t been taken.

Even some cash found in the house was untouched, proving the intruders weren’t ordinary thieves.

But... how could Lu Xixi possibly flee?

How could she possibly need to run away?

So, no matter what, Lu Xixi’s condition must be terrible!

It was almost unthinkable! The Star Sky Empress, one of humanity’s strongest, chose to flee rather than fight?

In the morning, Yu Naitang scrambled up from the sofa, throwing off the blanket that covered her.

She glanced at the clock first thing. Then, still sleepy, she went to the kitchen. She returned shortly with a milk bottle, entered the bedroom, and came out carrying a bundle of changed diapers.

She made herself a simple breakfast: just a cup of milk and two slices of bread.

Yu Naitang turned on the TV and watched some local news.

Okay, the Belgian television station was broadcasting in Dutch. Yu Naitang listened for a while but grew impatient. Her Dutch wasn’t very good, but after listening a bit longer, she didn’t detect any local news that warranted alarm.

Turning off the TV, Little Candy pushed open the door to the inner room.

She took a deep breath. Her steps were wary, yet her face held a hint of resignation as she said, "Alright, time for our daily sunbathing... You’d better behave, okay?"

Inside the inner room, a small space, an old wooden bed stood beside a crib.

Yu Naitang first stood by the crib, looking in. An infant, only a few months old, lay there curled into a ball, one tiny fist clenched, sleeping soundly on its stomach.

Yu Naitang reached out and gently pinched the baby’s rosy cheek, then smiled.

She turned to the window and gently pulled open the curtains, allowing sunlight to stream in, perfectly positioned to illuminate the bed.

Yu Naitang pulled over a chair and sat down by the bed.

"Professor...

Yesterday when I went to the supermarket, a homeless man tried to snatch my bread.

If I weren’t trying to keep a low profile, I would’ve broken his leg long ago.

Junior Brother is doing well now; it’s just that his appetite keeps growing. That should be a good sign, right? Eating a lot means growing quickly.

I’m practically an expert at changing diapers now, did you know?

It’s really infuriating, you know! Since Junior Brother was born, I’ve been the one taking care of him! You, his mother, haven’t changed his diaper even once!

Hey...

I mean...

When are you going to wake up?

It’s so hard for me, doing this all alone..."

After murmuring by the bedside for a while, the white-haired Loli gently wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, her expression clearing of complaints and grievances.

"Alright, let’s get some sun. More sunshine might help you get better quickly."

Saying this, Yu Naitang stood up and walked to the window, as if intending to open it to air out the room.

Suddenly, Little Candy froze.

Outside the window, downstairs by the roadside, a car was parked.

Several men in coarse linen robes were climbing out of the car!

One of them looked up, his gaze quickly and accurately finding Yu Naitang’s window among those on the upper floor!

The man in the coarse linen robe, however, just gave a cold sneer.

Yu Naitang’s face turned deathly pale!