74 Cries for help (2/2)
”Like, I saw a pair of feet moving away. He might have gone into a room. But…why didn't he say anything?”
Liu Sumeng's suspicions deepened. ”I see,” he said and decided that it was time to catch back up with Yuan Xuelan.
But Nan Chang was the one that held him back this time. ”Wait,” her voice dropped into a whisper to match his earlier tone.
”...?”
”Could it be that Jipei…?” There was no anger or rage on her features, simply alarm. Unlike Yuan Xuelan, she was not moved by the thought of betrayal and did not bat a lash at casting aside her personal sentiments upon the revelations. ”Come to think of it, isn't it weird that he discovered us first? I can't imagine him running off willingly without a word unless…”
”Say no more.” Liu Sumeng said softly. Nan Chang's gaze veered towards Yuan Xuelan's direction in understanding.
But it was then, the fog suddenly lifted a little, and the spiritual light hover over their heads was able to penetrate the atmosphere much better.
”What the heck are you two doing?” Yuan Xuelan hissed, glaring at them pointedly and snapping the flag in his hand in two. Nan Chang pressing up against Liu Sumeng was bad enough but the way he leaning ever so slightly toward her was much more aggravating to Yuan Xuelan! So much so he could feel himself seeing red. ”Can't you focus on the task!?”
”Don't worry, Xuelan!” Nan Chang chirped, seeming to have regained some of the spirits that she had lost earlier to fright, ”We are focused, aren't we, Liu-gege?”
Liu-gege! Yuan Xuelan wanted to throw his hands up in exasperation, just what even were these two doing behind his back!? Instead, he stomped up to Nan Chang, and as before grabbed her off of the Ivory Sword Saint, ”What did I say earlier!”
Nan Chang pouted at him, ”You didn't want me! Of course, if you treat Nan Chang cruelly I'm going to find a better man.”
This girl…! ”Who said-!? Argh! If you need to cling to someone just cling to me okay?” He even took the initiative and pulled her closer by the waist.
”Hmph, what if I don't want you anymore? What if I think the Ivory Sword Saint is better than you?”
”You can't just hang off of him! He's not…not that kind of person, okay?”
Liu Sumeng, the gall of him, said, ”It's fine.” Yuan Xuelan felt his jaw drop to the ground.
Nan Chang squeaked happily and Yuan Xuelan had to tighten his hold on her before she wiggled back towards the Ivory Sword Saint, ”See? He doesn't mind!”
Yuan Xuelan was losing his mind, ”What did I say about staying focused!?”
And as if fate was responding to his words, the fog around them alleviated even further, snapping Yuan Xuelan's mind back to the matter at hand, ”That must have been Peng-ge!”
On queue, there was a piercing cry for help and a chorus of groans. It wasn't that far away from them! With the fog thinned out, the direction of sound could also be made out. ”We have to go!” Yuan Xuelan was quick to rush off.
Nan Chang, before being pulled away by an alarmed Yuan Xuelan looked over her shoulder and gave Liu Sumeng a wink, letting him know that she hadn't forgotten their earlier conversation.
This woman…
Liu Sumeng's heart shivered. But this devious aspect about her that he once despised in his previous life was currently working to his favor. Maybe if he kept being kind to her, she wouldn't grow to become such a despicable person. Maybe he would grow to like her as well.
The thought twisted his gut so he set it aside to chase after Yuan Xuelan.
There was still that problem concerning one Peng Jipei.
The sounds came from the direction of the Red Room. It wasn't very difficult to locate with all the corpses shuffling in that direction. The fog, though present, was thin enough that their surroundings were clear and even Liu Sumeng, who was unfamiliar with the manor, could dash across the halls without the worry of bumping into things.
They cleaved their way through the undead. Now that visibility was better, Nan Chang pulled out a set of long, silver needles from her dress and shot them towards the fiends from afar. Her aim was pinpoint and each needle pierced the skull right in the center between dead eyes. Now that she could fend for herself again, her fear wasn't nearly as debilitating as it was before.
With the three cultivators in tiptop condition, the corpses were easy to fend off. They saw a group groping the wide red door and it was easy to guess what was on the other side with Peng Jipei's voice occasionally shouting, ”Help!” Upon hearing his cousin's voice so close and vivid, Yuan Xuelan was inspired with renewed determination.
They made quick work of the corpses, with Mingshui arcing beautifully, and Silei thundering with power. Nan Chang made herself useful as well, shooting down any stranglers that the men did not obliterate. When the coast was clear, Yuan Xuelan reached for the door but Liu Sumeng grabbed his shoulder to stop him, ”Wait.”
”What? What now?” Yuan Xuelan fumed.
”It could be a trap.”
Yuan Xuelan was still in an agitated state. He ran out of patience, threw away the hand at his shoulder, and snarled, ”That's my cousin in there! Sumeng, I won't stand for all these unfound accusations any longer.
Liu Sumeng froze, his eyes blown wide. What should he say? ”…Sorry.”
”Yes. You should be,” Yuan Xuelan said cruelly before opening the door.