365 Cannot Go Anywhere (1/2)
”Prove your words.” Colt reached out. ”Do you have proof?”
”No.”
”Any way to get in?” Colt asked again pressingly. ”You came here to take us all into the underground palace but you won't even tell us how to get in?”
”I'm the only one who can do it,” Ye Qingxuan replied indifferently. ”I don't plan on publicizing the details.”
”Ha.” Colt scoffed. ”You must have some results, right? What about the King of Yellow? Any trace of him?”
Ye Qingxuan fell silent. After a long pause, he said, ”I don't know.”
Colt looked at him strangely as if looking at a lunatic. ”So, you have no proof and you're unwilling to provide any details or the exact location and method of entering, yet you want everyone to risk their lives and help you find a possibly non-existent secret room?” Colt raised his voice, ”Ye Qingxuan, are you dreaming?”
”Colt!” Miller shot up instinctively and glared.
Torre looked over too, and Casper opened his mouth, revealing sharp canines. Colt stared back without fear. In his corner, a few musicians with clenched fists walked forward silently, preparing to surround them.
”Wanna fight?” Colt sneered and looked at Ye Qingxuan. But Ye Qingxuan stayed silent. He smoked, blowing out plumes of gray. An eerie phantom appeared from the smoke. It was a wisp but wrapped around the two. It seemed that it would appear behind Colt at any time and place invisible swords on his neck.
Colt stiffened. He looked at Ye Qingxuan darkly. ”I was kind enough to let you all in but you've wanted to fight since the beginning?”
Ye Qingxuan still did not reply. Finally, the pipe went out. The figure in the smoke disappeared. Lowering his head, he knocked off the ashes and wiped his pipe clean with a handkerchief. He slowly rose and put his bag back on his shoulders.
”Since you're all willing to wait here and die, I have nothing to say.” Without looking at Colt, he said nonchalantly, ”We're leaving in two minutes. Those who are willing to believe me can come.”
Sensing his contempt, Colt's expression darkened. However, the confused crowd rustled when they heard Ye Qingxuan's words. Some hesitated but walked toward them.
”Hey, are you really going?”
”What if it's true? We'll just be waiting here anyway. Doing something is better than not doing anything at all. If I go and attract the dark musicians, I can make it safer for you.”
”Then—then I'll go with you.”
”What about you?”
”I…”
The whispers snuck into Colt's ears. Coldness flashed past his eyes and his lips thinned. With Ye Qingxuan's arrival, everyone forgot the things he had done. They'd rather believe that demagogic guy. It was always like this! As long as that guy was present…
Already five or six people were preparing to leave. The others started having doubts too, panicking especially when Miller prepared to retract the Copper Mountain.
Hiding the darkness in his eyes, Colt made his decision. ”Wait!” he raised his voice and looked at Miller. Miller turned around, his hand stopping in mid-air. ”I'm not against your leaving.” Colt stared at him coldly. ”But if you take it away, then what about the rest of us?”
Hearing this, everyone grew anxious. Menace appeared in some eyes. Miller finally realized that he had become surrounded at some point.
”Leave the Copper Mountain behind if you're leaving.” Colt looked at him with a cruel expression. ”With so many people here, any resource is valuable. It can't go to the grave with you.”
Miller froze. Seeing all these people around him, he was helpless. ”B-but…this is Sam's…”
Ye Qingxuan waved, gesturing for him to stop. ”The Copper Mountain is what Sam left behind and I'm taking it. Even if I don't, I still won't give it to you all.” He glanced at the people surrounding him. His cane popped out of his fingertip and thudded on the ground. ”If you want to fight, then come. If you want to talk about philosophy, then here's something for you—what does your life and death have to do with me?”
Hearing this, Colt laughed. He pounded his staff and asked quietly, ”So you're set on going alone?”
”Stop the nonsense, Colt. Haven't you been waiting for that?” Ye Qingxuan arched an eyebrow, his lips twisting into a smirk. ”But are you confident in winning against me? Or are your teammates really that useful? Think carefully. Since I've come here, how many times could I have put a hint in your minds? Or put down fulcrums? Plus…”
Plus what?
Behind him, Casper's figure slowly expanded. A wild shadow scurried up the wall like a burning flame, emanating with beastliness. The music note key on Torre's arm had appeared. He could activate the 'humanity seal' instantly.