Chapter 1073: Weng Faluos 3.1 (119)

A while ago, Cloud Stone Heavenly Palace.

"Ti An…?"

Ti Bao suddenly opened her eyes.

"What's wrong… Did the Shu Ting side run into trouble?"

Ti Bao worried: "Yes. There was a fleeting sensation, but extremely strong… They seem to have run into a nasty problem." Ti Bao lowered her head sadly: "... Ti An used the 【Hundred Worlds Gate】 again."

Aglaea's expression tightened: "Can you see a clear picture?"

"No, it's just as blurry as in peacetime. But the enemy's aura has vanished—perhaps they moved to a safe place… probably."

"I hope it's just a false alarm. Trust Star and Xie Die, my master… they will protect Ti An well."

Ti Bao touched her head: "How dare you treat *us* like children, Ya. One day, Ti An will reach her limit, and Ti Bao will take over the duty of the 【Gate Craftsman】 from her hands—this we both know."

"I'm just… worried about her mind. Before setting out, Ti An could barely recite a short sentence…" Ti Bao lowered her head sadly: "... At least let *us* say a proper farewell."

"I will pray with you."

"Thank you. Ya, this time you have to trouble yourself to accompany *us* to the bathhouse to relax…… I feel we both haven't laughed in a long time."

——

Qin Dynasty Bright Moon.

Dusk settled, the setting sun like blood, dyeing the mountains outside the Mohist Mechanical City with a layer of tragic crimson.

Gazing at the red‑haired girl with a worried expression in the sky, Tian Ming lowered his head, feeling dejected: "After Ti An uses the Hundred Worlds Gate a few more times, won't she… just… die……"

Feeling the heaviness and reluctance in the boy's words, Gai Nie, sitting cross‑legged nearby, let out a soft sigh: "Tian Ming, a person's life mostly ends in death; you must learn to accept it. Moreover, even if Ti An can no longer fulfill the duty of the Gate Craftsman, she may not die—what you're thinking is merely speculation."

"Uncle, I know that." Tian Ming suddenly interrupted him, his voice tinged with childish stubbornness, "But I can't help thinking of the worst. Since that terrifying black‑clad swordsman appeared, the Fire Pursuit Journey will only get harder ahead. I'm afraid that black‑clad swordsman will kill Ti An, as well as Xie Die, Bai E, and the others…… This time Ti An overdrew her power to save everyone, but what about next time? And the time after that?"

As he spoke, Tian Ming lowered his head, his fingers unconsciously drawing circles on the ground, his voice growing fainter: "Just thinking that Ti Bao will inherit the Gate Craftsman's duty, she'll overdraw her power like Ti An, leaving only Ti Ning alone…… I, I……"

"Tian Ming, the future hasn't happened yet; before the Golden Heirs there are still many choices." Duanmu Rong said softly, "For now we don't have to clash head‑on with the black‑clad swordsman. Listen to Dan Heng's idea—perhaps attacking the Sky Titan can yield a way back to the Astral Express."

So far, all fear of the black‑clad swordsman stems from not knowing him. If we could obtain a piece of his body and have Hei Ta or Lady Ruan Mei study it, we should be able to unravel the secret of his regenerative power. Besides, he must have some weakness.

Yue Er couldn't help but wonder: "Sister Rong, but from what we've seen…… the black‑clad swordsman shows no weakness at all? It seems only the Hundred Worlds Gate can temporarily restrain him."

Duanmu Rong nodded: "I'm a healer; I don't understand swordsmanship. But I know that no matter how strong a person looks, the Zhongyang, Jiuwei, and Mingmen—these vital points spread throughout the body are unavoidable weak spots. The Book of Changes says, 'The great derivation numbers fifty, their use forty‑nine'—that missing one is precisely humanity's weak point. I don't know the black‑clad swordsman's weak point, but I believe it definitely exists."

——

"As soon as the two arrived at the bathhouse, Ti Bao felt an unusual heat."

"All along the road lay many injured people, their consciousness blurred. Asked about the cause of their injuries, they kept muttering: 'Be… careful…… careful…… Spear‑point person……'"

"Spear‑point person? This miserable state…… was it caused by them?"

Aglaea's alarm bells rang loudly; just then Feng Jin also rushed over. Along the way she had already treated many injured people—fortunately none were serious, they had merely soaked too long in the hot bath and fainted.

"So many people fainted simultaneously from the hot bath water? Where is the bathhouse manager?"

Feng Jin shook his head: "He's disappeared, unknown where. Some people keep murmuring, saying it was the 'Spear‑point person' who did it…… Lady Aglaea, do you have any leads?"

"……"

Aglaea lowered her head to think for a moment, then looked up and ordered: "Let these people rest properly."

"Ya, did you figure something out?"

"Of course. Although I don't know what scheme they're hatching, it's time to end this farce."

The three continued deeper into the baths and soon saw Wandi swaying, unable to stand steady…… and Bai E lying on the ground enjoying baby‑like sleep.

"A pitiful savior, that's all."

Ti Bao stared blankly: "Xiao… Xiao Di?!"

Only Bai E, collapsed on the ground, stretched out a hand, still stubbornly pointing his index finger at the man before him.

"Xiao Bai! Even Xiao Bai……"

Bai E's voice came in broken gasps, like a dying candle in the wind: "Mur… derer…… derer…… is…… Maidemos……"

Having said that, he tilted his head to the side, uttered an "uh," and fell completely still.

——

Iron‑Blooded Orphans

"Bai E, what are you doing?! Bai E!"

Seeing a water stain continuously extending from the tip of Bai E's outstretched index finger, Lai De felt as if summoned, and suddenly shouted toward the sky.

This shout echoed in the empty room, as if carrying a strong desperation of a comrade shielding him from an assassination bullet.

Meanwhile, Olgar, sitting beside him, also burst forth with astonishing momentum—for some reason, Bai E's prone posture was very familiar to him, making him unconsciously want to cheer him on:

"Bai E, don't stop moving! Get up quickly! As long as your steps don't stop, the road will keep extending ahead! This little injury is nothing—protecting the Golden Heirs is your mission, right? So…… don't stop!"

However, after the team leader's impassioned shout, Laide suddenly calmed down and curiously asked: "Team leader, do you know why Bai'e ended up lying here?"