Chapter 16-A Night in the Cave (2/2)
As the darkness of night was upon them, they finally found a cave where they thought they could stay for the night. The three Princes were about to enter the cave when Luo Shangyan exclaimed, ”Wait! There is a magical formation set here by the Elders!”
The three immediately scampered backward, saying, ”God, no! Are the Elders so sadistic!”
Luo Shangyan's head shook as she said, ”No. This is also a test. My points will also be deducted if you have fallen into the trap. Let me see if I can break it.” With her sword, she shot a few Sword Qi projectiles at the mouth of the cave. The auric bolts flew and struck harmlessly upon a shimmering wall of light that materialized before the cave.
Minutes passed as night beckoned. The cries of crows could be heard through the gloom of the coming darkness. Yet, still, the magic that guarded the entrance of the cave could not be broken. Beads of perspiration glistened on Luo Shangyan's forehead. ”I am sorry. It seems that I am unable to undo the magical formation conjured by the Second Elder.”
”Ah... What can we do then? I heard that the demons will come out of their hiding place in the night to hunt for preys...” Fear and panic were beginning to appear on the faces of the three Princes.
”I am sorry. It is all my fault. My cultivation is so low that it now brings trouble to us. I am sorry...” Luo Shanyang said, her head hanging with disappointment over her shoulders.
”No matter. Everything will be all right. Demons are nothing to be afraid of, in truth,” said Prince Zhao with a giggle as he scratched the back of his head.
Xiao Chen walked to Luo Shangyan, shaking his head softly as he smiled. He held her wrist and raised her arm, aiming at the mouth of the cave and channeled his powers, sending bolts of True Energy that shot forth and shattered the magical defenses of the cave.
”Junior Brother Xiao... You...”
Xiao Chen smiled thinly in response and said, ”I have once studied a little on magical formations.”
The three Princes then scoured the surroundings for firewood and lit a small fire in the cave. Luo Shangyan then revealed to them the details of their current test, ”At dawn tomorrow, we will start to look for something called the Octarine Core. The more we find, the more points we have. Of course, we will also have to prevent conflicts from our fellow disciples.”
Xiao Chen's brows rose inquisitively, ”Prevent conflicts with others? Does it mean that we can steal or plunder for the Cores?”
Luo Shangyan's head dipped slightly as a tacit nod, gesturing her muted approval. Her head then rose as she continued, ”But we are all fellow disciples of the same order, nonetheless. This rarely happens, unless...” At that, her head sank once more.
”Unless what?”
But Luo Shangyan kept her head down, giving no more answers. Xiao Chen then understood that her Octarine Cores must have been taken away by her fellow disciples last time. He smiled assuredly, ”Worry not, Senior Sister Luo. We will not have any 'unless' happen again.”
”Indeed! Be at ease, Senior Sister! With our combined efforts, we will guard our Octarine Cores well!” The Three Princes voiced their agreement, through their mouths full of food.
Xiao Chen looked at them and saw them eating some strange fruits. He asked them, ”From where did you find these?”
”Ah! We found these when we were foraging for firewood. Why don't you have one? It is sweet to the taste,” said Prince Zhao as he took another bite on his fruit with a hand offering one of the fruits to Xiao Chen.
”Ah! This is bad!” Luo Shangyan exclaimed suddenly, her hand over her mouth. ”I am so sorry! It is my mistake! I have neglected to inform you that you must not simply eat the fruits around here.”
”What happens if we eat them?” Prince Zhao asked, his eyes blinking with interest.
Xiao Chen pointed at Prince Yan who was at his back. Prince Zhao turned and looked, only to find Prince Yan dancing wildly, his hands flailing about, ”Hahahaha! I am the most beautiful person in the world! Come you all! Prostrate yourself before me and give me your allegiances!”
Frightened, Prince Zhao yelled, ”You! Insolence... Hahahaha! I am the most beautiful person in the world, not you...”
”Preposterous! Only I am the most beautiful person under all heavens! You two should come and accompany me to bed!” Prince Qi screamed as he, too, began to dance and stripping off his clothes.
Xiao Chen slapped his forehead with disgust. ”What profanity and misbehavior! Ghoulish Woman, deal with them if you please.”
Shangguan Yan clasped her hands together before her chest. Shaking her head, she cast a spell. There was a soft chime of ringing bells and all three princes collapsed into a deep slumber.
”What... What happened to them?” Luo Shangyan asked anxiously.
”No matter. I have cast a sleeping curse on them.”
...
It was deep into the night when the stars above glittered brightly. Shangguan Yan had already fallen into sleep, leaning on the wall of the cave. Xiao Chen noticed that Luo Shangyan was still awake. ”Why are you still not asleep, Senior Sister?” Xiao Chen asked.
”No matter. Go ahead and rest. I am remaining on guard.”
Xiao Chen stared at her, taking note of the faintly trembling eyelashes in the flickering glow of the firelight. He asked, ”Are you a native of the Serene Province, Senior Sister?”
Luo Shangyan threw another branch into the fire, shaking her head. ”I know not myself. My teacher found me by a river.”
Xiao Chen felt a sore in his heart, is it so, he mused to himself. He was once an orphan too in his past incarnation. His teacher, too, had found him left alone in the mountains.
The pair fell into a reverie of their past recollections as a lethargic voice rose from the heap of sleeping princes, ”Halt! Drumstick! Don't move...”