Chapter 820: Mist (1/2, Requesting Subscription)

Hoo—

Lin Ling heard this and let out a long breath, as if a heavy stone had been lifted from his chest, leaving him significantly lighter.

"Thanks."

"Between you and me, what's there to thank for?"

Fang Yue patted his shoulder, then walked out with them.

Jing Yan and the others were heading toward Qingchen's side, but Fang Yue wasn't in a hurry to go.

He wanted to first observe the mist over Han Jiang, then meet with Qingchen to discuss whether his earlier plan was viable.

After temporarily parting from Jing Yan and the others, Fang Yue thought about Lin Ling's matter.

As far as Fang Yue knew, Lin Ling's Martial Arts had always been the trash he'd learned before.

Hmm… calling it trash Martial Arts wasn't quite right.

In Gu Yue Cun, Martial Arts that could break through the Fanren Realm were already top-tier.

But with expanded horizons, having met more people and seen more places, looking back at Lin Ling's Martial Arts now, it could only be described as lacking any distinguishing features—low-end Martial Arts.

In the past, Fang Yue might not have had the confidence to guide Lin Ling, but after experiencing so much, relying on his extraordinary Comprehension, Lord Han's vast inheritance of Martial Arts as a knowledge base, and having just experienced that state of sudden enlightenment.

At this moment, Fang Yue, in both knowledge and other aspects, was fully qualified to teach Lin Ling.

Not to mention, Fang Yue's strength and realm far surpassed Lin Ling's—guiding a Xiantian Warrior was effortless.

The only question was how far he could guide Lin Ling's growth.

As Fang Yue thought of this, he arrived at the deck entrance, where a Special Envoy guard stood.

"Night Lord!"

Seeing Fang Yue, the man quickly bowed respectfully and handed him a semi-transparent, crystal-clear half-face mask.

"Night Lord, Qingchen Lord instructed that before the thick mist outside dissipates, everyone entering or exiting the deck must wear this mask."

"What kind of mask is this?"

"The Jingying Mask—it's a strange artifact prepared by the Special Envoy upon departure.

Originally white, its material is unique, primarily made from the skin of the Jingzhang Claw Octopus, refined by the Imperial Palace's Strange Artifact Master with multiple precious materials. It offers extremely strong protection against all forms of gaseous intrusion.

But Qingchen Lord believed the Jingying Mask's protection was still insufficient, so after taking it, he modified it partially, transforming it into its current crystal-clear, semi-transparent form, enhancing its protective effect further—enough to resist the thick mist outside."

The guard seemed to hold Fang Yue in deep respect, even detailing the mask's origins thoroughly.

Fang Yue noticed the number of masks hanging behind the guard; including the one in his hand, there were barely three total.

Fang Yue frowned, thought for a moment, and asked: "Even Qingchen couldn't deduce the original mask's inadequacy just by looking—didn't someone try stepping outside with the original Jingying Mask?"

"…Yes."

Fang Yue's heart lurched.

"Who?"

"One of my colleagues."

The guard's colleague was, naturally, another guard.

Though somewhat heartless, Fang Yue instantly felt a wave of relief.

But soon, he felt this was inappropriate and asked with concern: "How is he now?"

"Lying in Qingchen Lord's care—his life hangs in the balance."

As he spoke, the guard puffed out his chest proudly, as if honored by his colleague's act.

Here was Qing Guo—a nation resembling an ancient feudal society.

In such an environment, for a servant to sacrifice his life to remove threats for his master was a great honor.

The higher one's rank and power, the more pronounced this mindset became among their subordinates.

The Special Envoy team were never Tian Ruichi's people—they were… the Fourth Prince's!

They sacrificed themselves for Tian Ruichi, but in truth, they served the Fourth Prince.

It was supreme glory; as the Fourth Prince's trusted men, their families and all posthumous affairs were fully arranged.

The imperial family's trusted retainers received such treatment that they would risk death to prove their loyalty.

Seeing the guard's slightly fanatical pride, Fang Yue's expression grew complex.

He had still been educated in modern society—he simply could not comprehend this brainwashed, blind loyalty.

Yet from this guard's demeanor, Fang Yue sensed pressure.

Pressure from the imperial family!

Whether the Fourth Prince was friend or foe remained unknown, but if all his subordinates were like this—fearless of death, proud to die—then the Fourth Prince's power was likely unfathomable, far beyond what Fang Yue could oppose.

By the same logic… the First Prince, or the Fourth Prince, even more cunning, would be even stronger, even more formidable!

The enemies hidden in Jingcheng… might be far stronger than he thought.

After all, the Fourth Prince presented himself as a carefree, detached figure, yet still commanded such devoted followers, ready at any moment to join the struggle for power!

And other princes, with deeper preparations, would be even stronger.

The First Prince, the Fourth Prince, the Seventh Prince… and the Phoenix Organization, the Ox Constellation…

In Jingcheng, who was friend, who was enemy…

As Fang Yue thought of Jingcheng, he grew momentarily lost in thought.

Only after the guard called out twice did he snap back.

Without showing emotion, he took the Jingying Mask, put it on, and walked onto the deck.

The Jingying Mask covered the nose and mouth, a half-mask.

Though transparent, as Fang Yue stepped onto the deck and was enveloped by the thick mist surrounding him,

with each inhale and exhale, the Jingying Mask shifted between solid and ethereal.

Times are no longer what they used to be; Fang Yue now has some understanding of strange phenomena.

Especially with Chenqing, a professional, right beside him, it's easy to come across all sorts of odd knowledge.

Therefore, after carefully sensing the changes in the Jingying Mask, he immediately understood what Chenqing had done.

The Jingying Mask originally had only the function of protecting against gases, but after Chenqing made some modifications, it transformed into another form to protect the wearer's respiration.

That is, when the mist drifted near, it sensed the mist's composition and synchronized its assimilation—this was why the Jingying Mask turned ethereal.

Once this process was complete, the Jingying Mask would return to its solid form, rejecting all analyzed mist entirely, completing the cycle.

Understanding it was simple, but actually modifying it was far beyond Fang Yue's capability.

That was a technique only Chenqing understood; Fang Yue could at most grasp parts of it.

After confirming the mist had been kept outside, Fang Yue pushed through the mist toward the helm.

He needed to ask the Helmsman some questions.

But no sooner had he taken two steps forward than Fang Yue suddenly froze, his pupils contracting!

The mist was moving!

Violent movement!

(End of Chapter)