Ling Yue didnât keep any secrets from her big sister now that sheâs back out. Whatever love affairs, whatever Chen Hong Ru being the mastermind, she said it all. However, the girl also specifically forbade Lan Caier from sharing the information to anyone, in particular was General Lan and their closest friends. The consequences would be dire if words get loose. For example, like causing a war between Da Xia and North Qing would be catastrophic.
âLing Yue, why is your expression looking so ugly? Oh right, Feng Shen was looking particularly strange when he left. We better move now and catch up to them before its too late. Thereâs only Dao Nu by his side so itâs unsafe.â Unsettled by the ominous feeling inside, Lan Caier urged her younger sister to move out of concern.
âI will go now, but Sister, you and Little Crow should stay behind for now. I fear the third cave tunnel would be even more dangerous.â In the end, this was the decision Ye Ling Yue decided upon with after deliberating whatâs for the best.
Surprisingly enough, for the one thatâs usually the first to charge into things, Lan Caier didnât object to the idea. The big girl knew this was the right choice; after all, sheâs not dumb. During their fight with Zhu Ge Yi, it has become quite apparent her strength was lacking and unfit to continue.
âI will take Little Squeak with me and go ahead. Little Crow, you stay with Sister here okay? This would be a good chance to further both your cultivations with the treasures we found in the room earlier.â Ling Yue figured the furball could at least transform when the need arises, hence the choice.
With the plan settled, it was time to take action. Ling Yue did as she said and went into the third tunnel after using the blank tablet. As for Lan Caier and Little Crow, they found a hiding spot somewhere and bunkered down. Thereâs plenty of good stuff around for them to use so itâs not a bad arrangement.
â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦..
âMilord, which way should we go?â Dao Nu asks, worried that the one in front of him has already swapped with that âoneâ.
Thereâs good reason for the big guyâs worry actually. For one, Feng Shenâs iris was abnormally cold, frosty even, and the air around the boy was starting to turn distant and dangerous.
âThereâs sound in that direction. We going.â Feng Shen points to the southern pathway after the question.
But before Dao Nu could react in time, the boyâs figure was already gone and running away. Very soon, the source of the commotion was in sight.
âBrother Feng Shen!â The one crying out was Princess Qing Bi who recognized the newcomer right away.
Turns out the North Qing team had run into Hong Ming Yueâs team after the incident back at the fourth cave. Since the latter refuses to explain the whereabouts of Prince Hou Qi to this lovestruck princess, a fight quickly ensued and thus the current brawl.
âWhy is it only you two? Whereâs Miss Ye and the other ladies?â Considering how dark and ugly his close friendâs was acting, Cong Lu (royal guard) could already tell things are going to turn from bad to worse.
âCong Lu, whereâs the last member of your team?â Not meeting the eyes of his friend, Feng Shen scanned the area with his intense stare and found something amiss among the North Qingâs team who only had ten members left.
Every delegation team had permission to bring along eleven teammates along when entering the Star Cave. Aside from Ling Yueâs party who came with only five, itâs no secret everyone else had filled their rosters to the brim. Now that left to beckon, whereâs the missing last person if thereâs only ten?
There should be no reason for the North Qing team to lose someone this early on in the Star Cave Venture, especially when they are operating on their own home turf.
Now this left Cong Lu in an odd state of mind. The captain of the royal guard was definitely taken aback by the question that came right out of the blue, but heâs more worried about the answer heâs about to give after noticing that frosty look in the boyâs face at this point. Theyâve known each since they were kids so Feng Shenâs every move wonât be missed by this royal guard captain.
âHoho, I can answer that in Captain Congâs stead. When the North Qingâs team entered the cave tunnel, one of their members had left in the beginning, claiming they are unwell.â The voice had a hair-raising effect to any whom listened to it.
Turning over, everyoneâs attention soon fell upon the third party that was coming out from the other tunnel. This was the Kai Jiang Manorâs team and they were being led by none other than Chen Minzhi, the demonic being thatâs currently disguising himself as a human.
Now this was a troubling turn of event for Hong Ming Yueâs team. The ice beauty had originally intended to score it big in the third cave tunnel after coming here, but after witnessing how strong the North Qing and Kai Jiang Manorâs lineups were, her confidence was starting to sway for the worse.
âOh donât look at me like that dear Phoenix Lord, I merely saw what happened by coincidence. Pity though the gentleman was sporting a hooded gown, otherwise I couldâve seen his face as a result. However, I did see the person disappearing after using a blank jade tablet in hand. If Iâm not mistaken, itâs the same as the one issued by the Dan Palace, just that itâs not engraved with a number like the ones we received at the entrance.â Retracting his gaze from everyone, Chen Minzhi puts on the air of someone urgently waiting for everyone to fall into a fight.
This revelation sent the royal guard captain into a panic. Cong Lu knew exactly what the man was indicating too. Among the people in his party, Xue Pian Ran definitely has one and he too has seen some before!
âDao Nu, weâre leaving.â That said, Feng Shen immediately turns back for the direction in which he came from.
If Cong Lu was intent on protecting that said person then his only recourse was to seek out the individual on his own, with or without his friends help.
âHold on Phoenix Lord, Iâm afraid you canât leave yet.â Swinging in front of the boy, Chen Minzhi blocks the path without a clear reason why.
âWhat is the meaning of this?â The boyâs voice has lost all its patience and showed off a hint of intimidating flavor.
âI believe Captain Cong is thinking the same thing as I am. In fact, none can leave here until we are finished.â Saying no more, Chen Minzhi then brings out a jade piece from his sleeve. The item was the same as the tablets they used to enter, just that itâs been cut in half.
As it turns out, Cong Lu also had one in his possession so the royal guard captain could guess exactly what the opposition meant by none could leave. Unless they combined both pieces together, neither party could advance less they do.
âSir Minzhi, even if that is the case, what difference is there between me staying or not?â Feng Shenâs expression grew stern and harsh.
âOf course there is a difference.â Flipping the half piece over, he reveals the reason whyâ¦.