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Chapter 154: Light Bead
Li Tang stepped forward, about to speak, when Youlang said, "I know your intentions." Youlang's voice was low and sounded very deep.
Li Tang paused for a moment, then respectfully asked, "Will you go to Nine Nether Ridge?"
Youlang did not answer immediately. In Youlang's eyes, Li Tang resembled a frail woman, with a gentle breeze blowing around her. The golden feathers on Li Tang's body fluttered lightly like a robe.
"The Vermilion Bird King has already called for me," Youlang replied, eyes closed, his expression calm and resolute. "Your visit is unnecessary; your worries echo in my mind like a continuous drumbeat."
Li Tang slightly bowed and said, "I'm sorry... You..."
"You don't need to apologize," Youlang interrupted. "I can sense the emotions of every Zhuque; this is an innate ability. You are not at fault, so there is no need for apologies. If you have come solely for matters concerning the divine clan, you may leave."
Seeing that Youlang did not appear worried, Li Tang felt a surge of relief. This indicated that Youlang had already devised a plan. Li Tang had come mainly to inform Youlang that the divine clan would assist humanity. Since the Vermilion Bird King had already called for Youlang, there was no longer any need for her to stay. Li Tang said, "Since the Vermilion Bird King has spoken with you, I will take my leave now. I won't disturb you unless something urgent arises."
Youlang replied expressionlessly, "Do not worry too much. Tell Zhi that it is not so easy for the divine clan to descend to the mortal realm."
As Youlang spoke, the golden feathers on his body shimmered with light, constantly flickering in and out of visibility. To Ji Zichen, Youlang appeared as a peculiar being; his expression showed no change. Perhaps Ji Zichen's mortal eyes could not discern the subtle expressions of the Zhuque, but she could see the movement of his eyeballs beneath his eyelids.
Li Tang curiously asked, "Why is it not easy for the divine clan to come to the mortal realm?"
Youlang explained, "The distance between realms is not as close as we perceive. Anyone wishing to enter must pass through gaps or fissures; these gaps are barriers between realms. Opening such barriers is extremely difficult."
Li Tang pondered Youlang's words repeatedly. Clearly, she did not understand the significance of those gaps and fissures, but she did not need to worry about such matters. She said, "I don't fully understand what those fissures represent, but as long as you have a way to deal with it, that's enough."
Youlang continued, "Li Tang, do not underestimate your abilities. You are stronger than other Zhuque. In the future, if Zhi wishes to find me, let him come himself; you are not our messenger."
Li Tang clarified, "This time I came on my own accord; it was not Zhi who sent me."
Youlang looked at Li Tang for a moment, seemingly satisfied with her explanation. "I'm not teaching you; you can go back now," Youlang said.
Ji Zichen felt a strange sensation, sensing that there was a profound connection between Li Tang and Youlang. At the same time, Ji Zichen seemed to understand the current situation: humans and the divine were jointly confronting the Vermilion Bird, and they appeared to be in the past.
With utmost reverence, Li Tang departed to meet Zhi.
Zhi inquired, "Li Tang, does Youlang have any opinions?"
As soon as Zhi finished speaking, four Vermilion Birds flew in from a distance. The arriving birds displayed the elegance characteristic of their kind, their golden feathers shimmering in the light. The four Vermilion Birds landed beside Zhi, exuding an aura of beauty and nobility that reminded Ji Zichen of Li Tang and Zhi, filled with vitality and energy.
Although Ji Zichen and Lin Chuyu currently had no physical forms and existed only as consciousness, they felt a twinge of fear at the sight of so many Vermilion Birds gathered together. They were afraid that these birds could see them, but Ji Zichen was unsure if that was even possible.
Ji Zichen observed the Vermilion Birds before him. Whenever one of them cast its gaze toward Li Tang, Ji Zichen felt a wave of unease and anxiety wash over him, as if those birds were looking directly at him.
"They can't see me," Ji Zichen reassured himself internally, calming his nerves. Something shiny caught his attention; it not only drew his gaze but also piqued the curiosity of the Vermilion Birds.
One of the newly arrived Vermilion Birds placed this shiny object on the ground. It was small enough to fit in a palm or serve as a pendant around one's neck. For the birds, it was like a bouncy ball due to their size.
Lin Chuyu stared curiously at the shiny object and asked, "Brother Ji, what is this?"
At first, Ji Zichen couldn't recognize it either. As the object's brightness dimmed, he finally saw its true form and gasped, "This is the Vermilion Bird Pearl!"
Lin Chuyu had lost her memory, so to her, the Vermilion Bird Pearl was no different from a sparkling gem.
"The Vermilion Bird Pearl? What is that?" Lin Chuyu pressed on.
Explaining what the Vermilion Bird Pearl was posed a challenge for Ji Zichen. He thought to himself, "You know more about this than I do." He understood that Lin Chuyu had forgotten its significance, but now wasn't the time for explanations. "Let's wait and listen to what they say," he replied.
Lin Chuyu nodded and ceased her inquiries.
"Did you see that?" a Vermilion Bird said. "Everything is ready; we are just waiting for that moment."
"What is this?" Li Tang asked.
"This is the Vermilion Bird Pearl. It will only unleash its full power when the time is right," replied another Vermilion Bird.
Zhi stared at the Vermilion Bird Pearl and said, "I hope it can demonstrate its true effectiveness."
"Effectiveness? What effectiveness?" Ji Zichen's curiosity got the better of him. The conversation among the Vermilion Birds continued without pause, and he could only widen his eyes in anticipation of the Vermilion Bird Pearl.
After a moment, Zhi closed his eyes, seemingly connecting with the Vermilion Bird Pearl through his mind. If Ji Zichen did not have Kai Zhou Shen's ring, he would have no idea what Zhi was planning in this situation.
Zhi used his consciousness to probe the shimmering Vermilion Bird Pearl. Although it appeared unremarkable on the outside, it clearly contained unknown powers.
-
In this support mission to Zhang City, Prince Huixin did not send Wei Ye along. The situation unfolded as Prince Huixin had anticipated; it was merely a probing battle. The Arbitrator might be testing their coalition's cohesion. Regardless of the Arbitrator's intentions, the team sent for support returned with several captives. Prince Huixin entrusted Wei Ye with the interrogation of these captives, fully aware of how crucial this task was.
Three captives were brought back, but two died on the way. The one who returned looked more like a lump of mangled flesh than a living person.
This captive was severely injured. Although someone attempted to treat him, it was evident that the effort was minimal. By the time this captive was sent back to Qingyang City, he had only half a life left. Wei Ye spent less than ten minutes on this wounded captive before doing him a favor by cutting his throat to end his suffering.
The interrogation concluded without yielding any of the information Wei Ye sought. However, this was not his fault; by the time the captive was returned, his consciousness was already quite hazy. Wei Ye felt frustrated with the soldiers at the front; what was the point of sending back someone who was half-dead?
As Wei Ye stepped out of the interrogation room, he recalled Ji Zichen. It had been several days since he last saw Ji Zichen, but according to the guards at the other building, Ji Zichen and that girl had not left their room for quite some time. Wei Ye couldn't help but smile and thought, "Young people should know their limits. Some things may be enjoyable to pursue, but it's best to exercise some restraint."
Of course, Wei Ye knew this wasn't his concern; what others chose to do was their business. He had no particular reason to see Ji Zichen and thus did not disturb them.
Outside the interrogation room, there was a long corridor lined with several interrogation rooms. One of these rooms had its door open. Wei Ye stood outside and peeked inside; it was a dimly lit chamber illuminated by a flickering Wall Lantern. Shadows danced in every corner, and a three-inch thick iron door served as the only exit.
The floor was stained with blood, a grim testament to the countless lives lost in this place. This was the lowest level of Qingyang City Prison, a location that Prince Huixin had never visited, and one that Wei Ye preferred to keep him away from.
Inside the interrogation room, two guards were dragging a corpse out. A Captain stood alone, gazing at the bloodied floor, lost in thought. The body belonged to a suspected spy who had been probing into Qingyang City's defensive arrangements. This spy had caught the attention of the sharp-eyed patrols and was brought in for questioning, but it was clear that the spy was quite stubborn. If the spy had revealed anything, the Captain would not have been in such a state.
It was expected that the Arbitrator would send spies into the city; regardless of how many died during interrogations, they would continue their efforts to capture more. Wei Ye observed the contemplative Captain but chose not to disturb him. Each had their own duties; Wei Ye had plenty on his plate already and could not afford to take on additional trivial matters.
Just as Wei Ye was about to quietly leave, the Captain called out to him, "Commander Wei."
The Captain did not intend to trouble Wei Ye; it was merely a polite greeting upon encountering a superior. Since Wei Ye had been called, he felt it inappropriate to leave without responding. "Have you learned anything?" he asked.
The Captain sighed. "These spies fear neither death nor pain; no matter what methods we use, they refuse to speak. Commander Wei, isn’t it frustrating? The Arbitrator can send spies into Qingyang City, yet our agents have never managed to infiltrate Fierce Death Valley."
Wei Ye had also been troubled by this issue. It wasn't that they were unwilling to send people into Fierce Death Valley; rather, the nature of Fierce Death Valley differed greatly from that of Qingyang City. Unlike Qingyang City, which was relatively open and accessible to all, infiltrating the Hall of Malevolence was no easy task.
Wei Ye reassured him, "Captain Luo, that's just how interrogation works. Those who dare to gather intelligence are undoubtedly loyal followers of the Arbitrator; otherwise, why would the Arbitrator allow them to come here?"
Captain Luo stepped out of the interrogation room, fully aware of this logic himself. "Are you heading out, Commander Wei?" he asked.
Wei Ye nodded.
"Then let’s go together; I could use some fresh air," Captain Luo replied.
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