Chapter 71

The maiden silently prayed, awaiting their triumphant return.

She felt fortunate to have met someone worthy of trust in her life; the maiden slowly rose and began to dance within the traveling palace.

But the person she most wished to see could not; sunlight streamed through the window, casting a hazy glow on the misty weather. The maiden wore what she thought was her most beautiful attire and danced in this room. She herself was already beautiful, and with her graceful movements, she became impossible to look away from, so much so that the observers could not tear their gaze away. The morning sun slowly moved, as if it had created a natural spotlight for her. When the dance ended, she panted, her face flushed red, sweat beading on her forehead.

She gradually calmed down, her complexion returning to normal, then she smiled and said, 'So, you all, come back together, okay!'

'"Oh, the dancing girl danced in the traveling palace?" The prince, after hearing the scout's report, instantly felt doubtful, then waved his hand, showing a disdainful expression, and continued, "Well, after all, they're just women with no insight; to us owners of wealth, they're merely a sort of showy capital."'

After the prince finished speaking, he gestured for the scout to leave, then turned to the soldier beside him and asked, 'How effective is the strengthening potion? Can it be mass‑issued to the army?'

The soldier respectfully replied, 'Your Highness, the potion can indeed make soldiers stronger; after use, their abilities are greatly enhanced, only…'

The soldier glanced at the prince, not daring to continue.

'"Keep going!" the prince shouted loudly.'

'"Yes, Your Highness." The soldier, having heard the order, continued, "It's true they gain strength, but what follows is the effect after the potion wears off—the strengthening potion only lasts for a period; after that time, the soldiers will lose all ability to move."'

'"Hmm, I see." After listening to the soldier, the prince pondered for a moment, then continued, "So, you mean that during that period, my Li State's soldiers would be invincible?"'

'"Yes, Your Highness, but…" The soldier wanted to say more, but the prince cut him off.'

'"I know, but do you think we'll lose with this strengthening potion in hand?" the prince rebuked, then issued an order, continuing, "Pass my command: gather all soldiers and bounty hunters, assemble, prepare to attack the dwarves; this time I will wipe them out completely!"'

'"Yes!" The soldier respectfully saluted, then began preparing the muster.'

The prince gripped the red potion in his hand—the strongest strengthening elixir given to him by the Red‑clothed Devil. He looked at the potion and said, 'Feng Yan, Feng Yan, this time you adventurers aren't around; let's see how you protect the dwarves!'

'"Clang!"'

Feng Yan shattered one of the blue runes, was about to move on to the next when he sneezed, then said, 'Really, that guy insulted me; when I get back I'll definitely chop him to death!'

'"Enough, no killing anyone—let's get out of here first!" Chen Hao picked up Feng Yan's thread, then mocked him harshly.'

'"Huh, that's not right." Feng Yan ignored Chen Hao's mockery and instead observed the already‑shattered rune, which was now only a tiny bit of debris. He leaned in to examine it closely, but soon the fragments slowly turned into blue smoke, flickering with a faint blue light before vanishing.'

'"It's gone." Chen Hao was also astonished, eyes wide, unable to believe what lay before him.'

The two looked up at the blue‑rune debris turning into smoke; the smoke lingered in the air without dispersing, instead behaving like a sort of energy that drifted toward the several statues at the map's center. Before they could figure out what was happening, the smoke shot straight into the body of the eagle‑statue!

At that very moment, the eagle statue seemed to come alive: it first flapped its wings, then opened its eyes and looked around. Seeing the eagle's movements, Feng Yan and Chen Hao were both astonished, then they laughed.

'"You say, are we about to find what we're looking for?" Chen Hao said, half‑joking, half‑serious.'

Feng Yan gripped his sword, guarding against the eagle's attack, then replied, 'I think you're right! But isn't that exactly our purpose?'

'"That's true; then get ready—let's start our fight!" Chen Hao smiled and simultaneously went on alert.'

The eagle had already spotted the two people before it; it let out a roar that sent a tingling numbness through Feng Yan and Chen Hao's hearts, making them instinctively cover their ears to keep the sound out.

'"It's coming!" Chen Hao shouted. Feng Yan, too, saw the eagle swoop straight down toward them; they couldn't dodge in time and were seized by their clothes and lifted into the air! The eagle carried them upward continuously until they reached the cave's top, where they finally could see the interior of the whole cave!'

It turned out that although the cave only had three statues, the statues seemed to be sealing someone; their expressions showed reluctance and anger, and the wolf behind them bared sharp teeth, looking exceptionally fierce. At the same time, Chen Hao noticed that things there appeared to have been moved; originally they were in pairs, but now only a solitary one remained.

'"Ahhh" the statue emitted a strange sound.'

'"Huh, why does this eagle look so much like a crow?" Feng Yan felt surprised and voiced his question.'

'"Actually, this isn't an eagle but a crow!" Chen Hao explained, then added, "Anyway, it's just a game—don't talk about giant crows; maybe something will drop from the sky."'

'"Aaaah!" Chen Hao's words had barely left his mouth when a scream echoed from some corner!'

'"Thud!" came the sound of something heavy hitting the ground.'

'"Great chance!" Feng Yan shouted, then threw his sword; the sword floated in midair, circling the crow's head back and forth, the crow's eyes darting with the sword's rapid spin. They waited for an opportunity—a moment to strike the foe down in one blow!'

'"Now!" Feng Yan yelled, and the Black Sword thrust straight at the crow's head!'

But who knew the crow loosened its talons; Feng Yan and Chen Hao fell, then used their own claws to block the Black Sword's attack.

'"Clang!" The crow's talons struck the Black Sword, making a noise; Feng Yan reached out with his right hand, the Black Sword returned to his grip, and seeing the sword back in Feng Yan's hand, the crow dove straight down at him!'

The crow's speed was great; in a moment it was less than half a foot from Feng Yan, who also gritted his teeth, gripping the Black Sword tightly, ready to deliver a final blow when the crow reached him.

'"Come on, you bastard—who's afraid of whom!" Feng Yan shouted, preparing to thrust; the crow drew ever closer. He glanced back at Chen Hao, gave him a look, nodded, smiled, then pushed off the ground and lunged toward the crow!'

'"Whoosh!" an arrow flew, striking the crow squarely in the chest; the crow crashed to the ground. Feng Yan felt odd—how could an arrow suddenly come from behind? He turned and saw Yang Xin!'

Seeing Feng Yan turn his back, then noticing Yang Xin's appearance, he burst out laughing!

'"Hahaha, what's this situation—crawling out of a mud pile? It really proves the legend of Nüwa creating humans! Hey, Chen Hao, you say it's true? Answer me, Chen Hao, you mute?" Feng Yan laughed so hard he couldn't close his mouth; he tried to hold it in, then asked Chen Hao.'

Chen Hao intended to ignore Feng Yan, but seeing Yang Xin's appearance he restrained himself and said, 'Look behind him—who is that?'

Upon Chen Hao's remark, Feng Yan could no longer laugh; he saw that Wang Tingwan was in the same state. Feng Yan looked back, noting the crow still clung to life, then strode up, chopped off its head in one swing, and muttered to himself, 'Being human, you must learn to finish the job!'

Then Feng Yan walked over to Wang Tingwan, tossed his outer coat at her feet, and coldly said, 'Here, wear it if you want.'

Wang Tingwan took the black coat, placed it before her chest, and fell into thought. Yang Xin looked at Feng Yan's gaze, utterly puzzled—she herself had refused him, yet why did he still show concern? This had always baffled Yang Xin, so she asked, 'You… do you still like her?'

'"Maybe I used to like her, but now I just want to protect what's beside me. The past is gone and won't return; even if you miss that feeling, what does it matter? It's all history—you don't need to chase it, for time's flow is something we can never catch up to." Feng Yan recalled their past game, feeling deeply, then continued, "Just as this game, everyone knows it hides a cruel nature, yet we each play happily because in reality we only lose time."'

'"Alright, enough chit‑chat—we should get to work!" Feng Yan said, glancing at the three runes on the wall, then told Yang Xin, "Let's call a truce for now; our goal is to get out of here."'

'"Mm." Yang Xin nodded.'

'"Well, then…" Feng Yan hadn't finished speaking when the ground shuddered violently.'