Chapter 48: Hunting and Retribution (2/2)

“Why is he doing this?” Qin Yu asked in a cold voice.

“My father wanted to select a group of elites from this batch of youths and build a loyal team to serve my brother. Prince Qi knew of my father’s plan and plotted this scheme.” As she elaborated, Mu Rongyue’s face gradually hardened. “What’s worse is that we covertly received news that Prince Qi had already secretly trained a group of soldiers more than a decade ago.They’re now the hunters within the Slaughter Array. Not only does my uncle want all of the young elites of Qiongxi dead, he wants them to be prey to train his army.”

“How cruel!” Qin Yu was appalled by Prince Qi’s merciless tactics. “But, there may be something you haven’t considered. All of those who entered the Slaughter Array had a fire bug stealthily injected into them without them knowing. This bug occupies their Dantian. Once a person dies, the bug will immediately absorb all of that person’s spiritual energy. These bugs are called ‘fireflies’ by the hunters.” Qin Yu’s words made Mu Rongyue shiver. Her brows knitted together, and she looked thoughtful.

“No wonder. I finally understand why they’re seeking this so-called ‘firefly’ and draining the spiritual energy of thousands of people. If the hunters use it all for themselves, that’s terrifying. Third Uncle, why are you so vicious?” Mu Rongyue sighed with deep sadness.

“Princess, it seems like Prince Qi has lost his mind and is using the most ruthless of methods to usurp the throne and overthrow the king,” furious, Ruo Feng spat out the words in fury.

“Ruo Feng, call me ‘Miss’ when we’re outside,” Mu Rongyue reminded him.

“Yes, Miss. However, even if I don’t call you ‘princess,’ I think your cover’s been blown already. If not, they wouldn’t hunt us down to such an extent, leaving only two of us remaining.” Ruo Feng’s slightly hoarse voice became soft near the end. Perhaps he recalled the companions who’d died.

“Ruo Feng, there’s no time for us to be upset. We have to toughen up and avenge our dead brothers.” Mu Rongyue’s delicate features held traces of a deadly aura. She had always been strong and would not be beaten easily.

“Da Ge, you must help me!” Mu Rongyue looked toward Qin Yu with pleading eyes.

Qin Yu smiled grimly in his heart. If she asked, he couldn’t say no. “Tell me, how do you want me to help?”

“Thank you, Da Ge,” Mu Rongyue said before continuing. “Three days ago, Father sent Ruo Feng and an entire elite team rushing to Luosang City to find me and inform me of Prince Qi’s scheme. Thus, I brought Ruo Feng and the others into the Slaughter Array in hopes of stopping the hunters.”

Qin Yu could not understand. “Such a small number of you trying to stop all this?” Was this a joke?

“Of course we weren’t the only ones. Father had sent other elites who are now in the array; I just don’t know their current situation.” Worry flashed through Mu Rongyue’s eyes. She feared the elites had suffered the same fate as them and had been attacked. From the beginning, she and her father had never expected the hunters to be so strong and well-trained. They had underestimated their enemy all along, and the outcome was obvious.

“Da Ge, I hope that you can join us in putting a stop to this killing and Prince Qi’s scheme. We could save thousands of lives and the future of Qiongxi. If the examinees all die here, wouldn’t Qiongxi’s future…” Mu Rongyue didn’t dare to continue. If this could not be stopped, the dire consequences were unthinkable.

*Sigh* Qin Yu stood up as he shot a sharp gaze shot along the outside of the cave. He spoke calmly. “Xiao Yue, there’s nothing much to say about this. Whether I join you is unimportant. What’s crucial is that we, the ones participating in the Examination, survive. For this, we must kill the hunters—all of them.”

Mu Rongyue shot a sharp gaze as well. “Yes, Da Ge. In order for more people to live, the only thing we can do is kill.” She’d seen too many deaths amidst the ruthless battles that occurred within the palace, so she didn’t frown upon it. Besides, it wasn’t like she wanted to kill, she was forced to. In order for more to live, they needed to kill.

Qin Yu was shocked that Mu Rongyue would say something so resolute. He broke into a smile. “Xiao Yue, you’re different from the rest. So daring! Fine, we will stop the killing by killing, but he…” Qin Yu looked at the injured Ruo Feng on the floor. If they were to bring someone injured to the fight, they’d only be an inconvenience.

Ruo Feng understood what Qin Yu meant and answered quickly, “Miss, don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”

Mu Rongyue frowned and came to a decision. “Ruo Feng, you’ll recover here. I’ll leave some pills for you. After you’re fully recovered, look for us.”

“Yes, Miss,” Ruo Feng replied decisively. After promising Mu Rongyue, he looked at Qin Yu and spoke earnestly. “I will entrust Miss to you, Master Qin. Please protect her well. Let me kowtow to you.” As he spoke, he really knelt and kowtowed.

Mu Rongyue shouted to stop him. “Ruo Feng, don’t! Don’t do this!”

Qin Yu was very touched by Ruo Feng’s loyalty. He sincerely nodded and agreed to the guard’s request. “Don’t worry. Your mistress won’t be in any danger.” Then Qin Yu turned to Mu Rongyue. “Let’s go.”

“En.” Mu Rongyue nodded and stepped out of the mountain cave with Qin Yu.

From that moment, a bloody slaughter of hunting and retribution officially began.