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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 5: The Rescue Signal
Ji Zichen returned to the Sanctuary of the Professionals as the sun was setting. Standing at the entrance, he gazed at the distant sunset and thought, "Although I don't know when Elder and the others will take action, I hope she can turn danger into safety."
The sunset cast a red glow on Ji Zichen's face, making it appear as if it were on fire.
Just as Ji Zichen was about to enter, he heard Lin Chuyu calling him from behind. Turning around, he saw Lin Chuyu approaching with five long spears in her arms. Ji Zichen was taken aback and asked, "What are you doing?"
Lin Chuyu set the spears down on the ground, feeling a bit lighter now that her heavy hands were free. Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she said, " Uncle Jiang is setting up traps, and since I had some free time, I went to help."
Ji Zichen had never heard of Uncle Jiang planning to set any traps. He inquired, "Setting traps? Is it for people or for Demon Beasts?"
Lin Chuyu replied, "For people. Although there are quite a few trained Demon Beasts guarding this place, it's still not very safe."
Ji Zichen asked, "Where are the traps being set?"
Lin Chuyu answered, "At the Western Cliff Entrance."
Ji Zichen knew that location well; it was a narrow path flanked by steep cliffs on both sides. If traps were set up above, it would be difficult for anyone to pass through unscathed.
Ji Zichen said, "It's getting dark. Have they all returned?"
Lin Chuyu replied, "They have returned; they're just behind me."
---
As the bright moon hung high in the sky, Elder listened to reports from soldiers inside the tent. These soldiers had just returned from scouting Ji Zichen's residence. After hearing their report, Elder instructed, "Clear Focus, search both sides and try to ascertain the number of their people as much as possible."
"Yes," three soldiers responded before retreating.
In truth, Elder's mind was not focused on the search. Whether or not they could find Ji Zichen's residence was no longer important. As long as Ling Xuan was dead, they would have to leave this place. The fate of those from the divine clan—whether they lived or died and how many there were—was of no concern to Elder at all.
Three soldiers had just stepped out of the tent when a Beautiful Maid from Ling Xuan entered, carrying a bowl of medicine. The Elder recognized this Beautiful Maid, and as soon as she entered, he asked, "Did the Chief Justice send for me?"
The Beautiful Maid respectfully placed the bowl of medicine on the table in front of the Elder and said, "No, the Chief Justice asked me to prepare a bowl of medicine for you. The Chief Justice is concerned that you have been overworked lately and your energy is not flowing smoothly. This medicine will help replenish you."
The Elder felt a mix of emotions swell within him. He had never expected Ling Xuan to be so thoughtful and caring towards him. However, they were set to assassinate Ling Xuan the next day, which made his feelings quite complicated.
But the Elder was also a shrewd person; he quickly suppressed his emotions and replied, "I understand. You may leave now."
The Beautiful Maid withdrew.
The Elder gazed at the steaming medicine, feeling Ling Xuan's sincere intentions. He was indeed touched privately, but with a sigh of regret, he picked up the slightly hot bowl and poured the medicine out of the side window.
Watching the liquid being absorbed by the ground, he murmured, "I have wasted your good intentions, Ling Xuan. I cannot drink this medicine; I hope you can understand because I do not want to live with guilt."
---
Zhu Qi, Jiang Chun, and Mo Cang sat inside the tent. Jiang Chun was cleaning his dagger with a piece of cloth and casually remarked, "Do you think Ling Xuan will fall for it?"
Zhu Qi shot him a warning glance. "Shut up; there are ears everywhere."
Mo Cang added, "Everything has been arranged. If your mouth lets slip anything, I won't spare you."
Jiang Chun chuckled teasingly. "So it's just me talking too much? From now on, I won't say a word. Is that satisfactory for you both?"
---
By the second hour past noon, the Western Cliff Entrance was fully prepared. The bearded man named Jiang let out a long sigh of relief and said, "As long as they dare to come, we will ensure they leave without return."
A large net and personnel were set up on the cliff. The path in the center had been dug into a pit over ten feet deep; anyone who fell into it would find it impossible to climb out once the net was thrown over them. Those stationed there were equipped with Fire Elemental Artifacts—though not many in number—if their enemies refused to surrender, they would have no choice but to act decisively.
Ji Zichen stood nearby and did not think Jiang's preparations were excessive. Regardless of whether Ling Xuan was dead or alive, there was a significant chance they would come looking for trouble. Although this place was concealed, it could not withstand too many searches; like ruins that were hidden yet could be rediscovered one day.
Jiang Dahuzi reminded Yu Ren, "Remember, this path can only be walked along the walls on both sides. I've marked the walkable areas, and unless absolutely necessary, we shouldn't get down and move around."
Zhang Tang was also helping everyone out, but he was quite exhausted at this point. His face was flushed, and he was slightly sweating. He flattered Jiang Dahuzi, saying, " Uncle Jiang, your trap is set up very meticulously. I wouldn't have thought of it myself."
Everyone loves to hear compliments, and Jiang Dahuzi laughed heartily, "You kid, don't just pick out the good words. If you mess up or say something foolish, I won't let you off easily."
Zhang Tang pouted and stood aside, looking a bit displeased.
Xia Zhou patted Zhang Tang on the shoulder to encourage him, saying, "Though you're young, many of the wooden spears were split by you. You've helped a lot this time."
Zhang Tang's face lit up with a smile after Xia Zhou praised him.
Although it was already late, Ling Xuan had just woken up when a soldier entered to report, "Chief Justice, we have located the enemy's hideout. Elder requests your presence to oversee the situation."
Ling Xuan was surprised and thought, "They found it so quickly?"
As she pondered this, she found it strange that Elder usually dreaded such troublesome matters but had taken the initiative this time.
Though she felt a bit puzzled, it only lasted for a moment. She considered that perhaps Elder valued this opportunity to open the rift greatly. Ling Xuan said, "You can go ahead; I'll be there shortly."
"Yes," the soldier replied and left.
Elder and Zhu Qi were in the center of the camp with a small group of about twenty soldiers. Each of them looked spirited and appeared to be capable fighters.
After freshening up, Ling Xuan stepped out of her tent and arrived at the center of the camp. Seeing so few people there, she expressed her surprise, "Is this all there is?"
Elder calmly replied, "I've already arranged an ambush in advance. If we moved forward with a large group, it would definitely alert the enemy."
Seeing that Elder had a plan in mind, Ling Xuan nodded and said, "Let's go."
As they were about to leave the camp, Jiang Chun pretended to rally the troops, saying, "Brothers, our goal this time is quite challenging. Those people are oblivious to their own folly in trying to obstruct Western King's grand plans. Today we must capture them all!"
The soldiers shouted in unison, "Capture them all! Capture them all!"
---
Ji Zichen and Yu Ren returned from the West Cliff to Sanctuary. They had not yet reached the gate when a messenger approached and said, "Guard Officer, we have received news from ahead. A group has left the camp and is heading towards the North Side!"
Xia Zhou looked puzzled and asked, "The North Side? What are they going to the North Side for?"
Jiang Dahuzi exclaimed, "Could it be that they have discovered Ma Tongwei's location?"
Xia Zhou immediately responded, "How could that be? There are many hidden sentries set up around Ma Tongwei. If there were any unusual movements, he would definitely notify us."
This left Jiang Dahuzi confused. "If they're not going after Ma Tongwei, then what are they doing at the North Side?"
Ji Zichen felt a chill in his heart as if he had realized something. He quickly asked the messenger, "Who is leading the troops out of the camp?"
Ji Zichen had already informed the messenger about Ling Xuan and Yu Ren's identities. The messenger replied, "It's Ling Xuan."
Ji Zichen was alarmed. "This is bad! They’re luring Ling Xuan out of the camp; they must be planning to attack!"
Ji Zichen opened his mouth to inquire further, "How long have they been out? How far are they from us?"
The messenger answered, "They left half an hour ago. At our current position, we can meet them in less than half a stick of incense."
Ji Zichen said, "Since they want to make a move on Ling Xuan, all the key figures in the camp should be out by now. I thought such an assassination would take place at night; I didn't expect them to act during the day. We need to hurry!"
The reason Ji Zichen wanted to inform Ling Xuan was twofold: first, to make her cautious; second, he hoped to incite internal conflict among their enemies. When chaos erupted within their ranks, they could seize back the Six Yao Lantern Formation. However, he hadn’t anticipated that they would not act within the camp.
Seeing Ji Zichen's anxious expression, Xia Zhou asked, "Why are you in such a hurry? Do you intend to save her?"
Ji Zichen replied, "Things are not unfolding as I expected. Our best chance now is to rescue Ling Xuan and eliminate the others. That way, we can use the soldiers in the camp to exchange for Ling Xuan with the Six Yao Lantern Formation."
Ginger Beard nodded, "That's a good plan. Let's go, and hopefully, we arrive in time."
Lin Chuyu and Zhang Tang stayed at the Sanctuary, while the rest of them set out. Guided by the professionals, they were able to meet up with Ling Xuan in less than half a stick of incense.
When Ji Zichen and Yu Ren reached Ling Xuan's location, they could already hear the sounds of weapons clashing. The terrain here was relatively open, with hills on both sides, each about two stories high and covered in trees. Ling Xuan and Elder Yu Ren were engaged in battle at the Hill Base.
Of the twenty soldiers who had previously left the camp, half had already fallen, all killed by Elder and Zhu Qi. Although Ling Xuan had been warned by Ji Zichen earlier, she still found it hard to fully trust him. But with Elder already taking action, Ling Xuan couldn't help but cry out in panic, "Elder! Why are you trying to kill me?"
Now that they had turned against each other, there was no need to hold back any words. Elder replied with a stern face, "I didn't kill you; it was you who led your troops out to scout for enemies and unexpectedly encountered a Demon Beast. You were killed by the Demon Beast because you couldn't defeat it."
Ling Xuan screamed as if losing her mind, "So you had everything planned out for my death! I only regret not believing him!"
"Him?" Elder didn't know who Ling Xuan referred to as "him," but it no longer mattered. He said, "Ling Xuan, killing you was never my intention. I'm just following orders. If you have grievances, take them up with the King of Hell."
Holding a longsword in her hand, Ling Xuan thrust it toward Elder and shouted, "I'm afraid even the King of Hell won't take me!"
Elder appeared older on the outside but reacted quickly. As Ling Xuan lunged forward with her sword, he sidestepped to avoid her attack. He also held a sword in his hand and countered by aiming for Ling Xuan's waist. She leaped back three paces to evade him, but Elder wouldn't let her feet touch the ground.
As their swords clashed, Elder's wrist flicked skillfully, sending a shock through Ling Xuan's longsword. She felt a numbing sensation in her grip and was about to curse when she saw Elder strike at her with an open palm. Unable to dodge in time, she took the blow to her chest and was sent flying backward like a falling leaf.
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