Chapter 1135: A pleasant surprise in a sudden discovery (1/2)

Gu Beiyue followed Long Feiye’s directions and eventually arrived at the exit beneath the tree. He delivered the unconscious Tang Li outside before doubling back to help. Little Yu’er was almost out of strength while Fourth Young Miss Ren was exhausted. When Gu Beiyue re-entered the tunnel, Gu Qishao seemed to recall something. He quickly picked up Su Xiaoyu and headed out, leaving Fourth Young Miss Ren to Gu Beiyue. There was a certain distance from the ground to the tree’s exit up above, so Gu Qishao didn’t want to carry an unfamiliar female and fly through he opening.

Naturally, this thought occurred to Gu Beiyue as well.

“Fourth Young Miss Ren, please pardon me. May I piggyback you up?” Gu Beiyue was still modest and unassuming despite being an academy head.

Fourth Young Miss Ren’s heart had long turned aflutter, but she carefully climbed onto his back. Unfortunately, she’d hardly felt his warmth before they reached the exit. Gu Beiyue might be a warm and gentle man, but his speed was nothing like it. As soon as he set her down, it was all over.

Guarding this exit was Xu Donglin and a few poison guards, female mercenaries, and Chu Tianyin’s ten personally-picked archers. They were the only remainders of the Chu Clan troops who still knew Driving Arrow Arts.

“What’s the situation? How is His Highness and the princess?” Xu Donglin asked hastily.

“What happened to Tang Li?” Chu Tianyin came forward as well.

“It’s a complicated situation underground. Ning Jing perished in a sea of fire while Tang Li...his situation isn’t optimistic. Xu Donglin, you have to keep an eye on him. If you can’t, then tie him up. And remember, tell the Tang Clan to send people here!” Gu Beiyue instructed carefully. “Also, have someone escort Fourth Young Miss Ren and little Yu’er back. Little Yu’er’s injuries need immediate treatment.”

Xu Donglin was left hapless. “Miss Jing…”

Neither Gu Beiyue nor Gu Qishao had time to waste. The former said, “Everyone, look sharp! It’s very possible that Bai Yanqing will try to escape!”

“Don’t worry! We’ll definitely be on guard!” Chu Tianyin replied earnestly.

Xu Donglin supported Tang Li with an expression of anguish, but nodded his head. “Orders accepted!”

Gu Qishao and Gu Beiyue prepared to leave when Fourth Young Miss Ren hastened to remind them, “Academy Head Beiyue, take along some water and food, just in case! The princess is still pregnant and can’t afford to starve.”

It was sound advice, so the shadow guards quickly delivered the goods. A sack of dry rations wasn’t heavy, but the two jugs of water weighed quite a bit. Still, Gu Qishao was dissatisfied by the sight. “Too little, too little! Get three more bags of rations and two more jugs of water. I want the big jugs! And it’s best if it’s hot water!”

Fourth Young Miss Ren hesitated. “If it’s too heavy, will it affect you all…”

“What’s with the blathering? Hurry up!” Gu Qishao said unhappily.

Xu Donglin immediately ordered men to bring over the items. After some thought, Gu Qishao added, “Is there a bamboo crate or basket? Bring one over, quick!”

The shadow guards on duty ate nothing but field rations and carried them in such containers. Xu Donglin found one for them, and a delighted Gu Qishao quickly began to pack up the items with care. All of the food went into the crate, stuffed full and tight. At the very top, he squeezed in the jugs of water before carrying everything on his back. When he saw Xu Donglin’s ox-horn water bottle, he snagged that too and hung it off his shoulders.

Gu Qishao had completely forgotten the fact that he was still dressed in tatters and covered in wounds!

Gu Beiyue couldn’t bear the sight and had a shadow guard about Gu Qishao’s height lend the man his outer robes. The heavy crate made it hard for Gu Qishao to use his strength, but he was still incomparably happy.

With a shout, he cried, “Brothers, just wait! When I truss up Bai Yanqing and bring him back, everyone can award him with one slash!”

The duo returned to the maze. Currently, Long Feiye and Han Yunxi had almost reached the exit that led to the cliff. Gu Qishao and Gu Beiyue managed to meet up with them by following Long Feiye’s markings.

“Your Highness, princess, we’ve successfully sent the people off,” Gu Beiyue reported seriously.

Meanwhile, Gu Qishao gave Han Yunxi a water jug. “It’s hot!” he announced.

“Thanks!” Han Yunxi drank it down.

Long Feiye glanced at Gu Qishao’s crate full of food but didn’t say a word.

“There’s natural light ahead which should be the exit. Everyone be careful,” Han Yunxi said. She and Long Feiye had already checked the other pathways nearby and didn’t find any sign of Bai Yanqing. Perhaps the man was waiting for them just up ahead. Still, when the quartet approached with caution, they saw no sign of him.

Where is he?

They’d headed here soon after saving little Yu’er at fast speeds, so there wasn’t much delay. Had Bai Yanqing discovered something amiss?

“Since there’s no movement outside, he must still be inside the maze!” Long Feiye said coldly.