Chapter 297: Split into Three Paths
It’s a bit unfortunate that this store is quite close to home; I can reach it in just a few minutes.
Speaking of which, the last time I came to pack, the boss said that besides a few regulars, hardly anyone came by and that he planned to develop elsewhere.
I just didn’t expect them to close down so quickly.
Due to time constraints, I hastily found a fast-food restaurant to settle dinner.
Back home, I went online.
……
After finishing dinner, Yang Yu went to take a shower; she would need to continue doing tasks online later.
Seeing her excited demeanor, she should make some substantial progress.
As for Yang Chen, there were more important matters to attend to.
The cleanup of the secret passage in the Imperial City was nearing the end.
From the initial encirclement of the river mouth to hunt the Ratman, then delving into the cave to chase monsters.
After an afternoon, almost the entire cave entrance had been cleared.
The Corrupted Rats are level 48 golden monsters; thanks to that, the Rock Beast leveled up to level 33, and Chen Chen’s main body reached level 40.
Reaching level 40 wouldn’t bring about any new changes.
However… there was a piece of equipment that had been gathering dust in my bag for a long time.
The Fire Cannon, a level 40 gold-tier item, was a high-level piece of equipment obtained in the Spirit King’s Forest and was now ready to be used.
With this equipment, not only would there be an enhancement in attributes, but I could also replace the Bone Armor, so even if I stripped away my disguise, I wouldn’t be immediately exposed.
By the way, while I was eating, Alna and Kurei were also enjoying the dinner provided by the Apothecary boss.
Meanwhile, the Wishcaster reached level 35 during this battle, resulting in a qualitative change in strength.
Once I logged in, they had already prepared everything.
The Corrupted Rats were almost completely wiped out; perhaps there were a few stragglers, but they wouldn’t pose any real threat.
According to Alna’s analysis, Corrupted Rats usually do not approach places inhabited by humans.
Such a large group of Ratmen appearing under the Imperial City must have been driven by something or there’s something worth their while down there.
Following the direction of their burrowing, I might uncover some clues.
However, considering that night was approaching, the real Demoness might have already set her target.
It would be better to prioritize this matter.
Ah—
At that moment, the stone slabs of the passageway shifted on their own.
Standing on top was a tall man.
“Brother, you’re back! How was it?” Alna promptly walked over.
Aijue shook his head, speaking as he walked. “No progress… We went to the scene of last night’s incident, questioned all the relevant individuals, and there wasn’t a single eyewitness, plus several people are missing… Their movements are faster than we expected.”
Those missing individuals might just be the unfortunate souls who witnessed the truth.
“So tonight…” Alna lightly pinched her pink lips, uncertain.
“It’s okay, Nana. Although we still do not know the specific information about the culprit, we have already detected the pattern… we know who it is!?” Aijue said halfway, glancing at the other two figures in the depths, he lowered his voice.
“General! It’s so good to see you safe!” Kurei excitedly stepped forward, kneeling on one knee, fists clenched.
“Kurei?! Aijue was somewhat puzzled. “What are you doing here instead of staying in Yunshui City?”
“Unbeknownst to you… just yesterday, foreign four cities allied with the Elf and Orc to reclaim Huawucheng; even the Shadow Lord was killed in the siege. Huawucheng has been restored to us!”
“What!? The Shadow Lord is dead? Who killed him?”
“…A human adventurer named Princess Wencheng.”
“…Have adventurers become this powerful? Aijue gasped; slaying a lord was something he had not dared to dream of.
“Wait, how did you get in? I thought the Imperial City was already sealed off?”
“It was with the lady…” Kurei was halfway through when he jumped as Aijue threw a glance at the golden-haired loli.
Alna quickly pulled him down.
“Brother, don’t ask so much, what about His Highness Meida?”
“Oh right, I almost forgot the main matter.” Aijue nodded. “We discussed and speculate that the Demoness might appear at these three locations tonight.”
He took out a map showing various locations, directions, and notes regarding the Imperial City.
“The red circles are places where she has appeared before; the Demoness always goes to new locations each time she strikes, so we can disregard those marked in red. These three black circles are the locations that Meida and I believe the Demoness is most likely to appear tonight.”
The locations are Ma Street, Ten Li Street, and Jade Edge Bridge.
Upon closer inspection, the distances between the three locations were all situated in different corners of the map.
This meant it would be very difficult to support each other.
“Kurei, you arrived at the right time. Originally, I planned for Nana and Meida to go together while I took another route alone. Since you came, then go with me!”
“Understood! But there is still one location left unoccupied, isn’t there?” Kurei asked curiously.
“There’s no way around it, we don’t have enough manpower. With a bounty on our heads, we can’t take extra. If neither side spots the Demoness, we’ll all go to the third position,” Aijue explained.
“I have a suggestion.” Zane suddenly approached and said.
“You are…?” Aijue, not having seen Hedy before, sensed something was amiss.
After explaining a bit, she introduced herself as Hedy, who had come to the Imperial City with Kurei.
Perhaps due to Alna’s presence, Kurei did not expose her.
Aijue nodded, somewhat skeptical.
“Well then, what’s your suggestion?”
“We can… split into three paths,” Zane thought for a moment and replied.
……
Meida and his subordinates, being local power players, shouldn’t be a concern for them.
That leaves the two remaining locations.
Aijue proposed a solo route likely due to concern for Alna.
Regardless, the remaining two locations had to be accounted for.
Kurei, although lacking in strength, had been a subordinate of his for a while, so ordering him around wouldn’t sting as much.
Though he felt somewhat guilty, that was the reality.
However, he probably wasn’t aware of Kurei’s current strength. If he utilized the Unmatched Realm, he should be more formidable than Aijue, possibly even stronger.
Alna, after reaching level 35, also gained a new skill.
Combined with the inherent traits of Zane, Nitiya, the Black Crystal, and the hidden ultimates of Mo Se and the King of Contamination, they could easily manage two people per route.
Aijue would obviously not agree, but when Kurei suggested a spar, his explosive aura made him realize the fact that Kurei had grown stronger.
“I understand… Kurei, protect Nana. You two go to Jade Edge Bridge and stand by. If you sense anything amiss, you must signal before considering combat, understood?”
“Understood!” Both Alna and Kurei nodded.
“Then what about me?” Zane pointed at himself.
“You… Hedy, right? Stick with me; I’m not too at ease with you,” Aijue stared at Zane, stating his thoughts directly.
His unease here was certainly not one of concern; he was suspicious.
It was just unavoidable, as the Summoner of the Void class is inherently a symbol of darkness, not to mention the concealed identity of the King of Contamination.
