novelraw Chapter 197 - 194: "No Need to Send Me Away—If You Have a Way, Just Say It.
Chapter 197 - 194: "No Need to Send Me Away—If You Have a Way, Just Say It.
The horse fed with spiritual spring water was incredibly fast. Originally, it would take a day’s and night’s journey, but it managed to reach the destination in just one night.
If it were the White Tiger, it might be even faster!
What a pity.
According to the map, they found the area, but at first glance, it looked like an ordinary hill with nothing unusual.
Thinking about the gold mine, they guessed that the secret might be inside the hill.
But the area was so vast, finding the entrance wasn’t easy.
Ruan Mian thought for a moment and walked over to Xie Huai’an, saying, "Master, why don’t we split up to search faster? I think..."
"Mianmian." Before she could finish her sentence, Xie Huai’an interrupted her.
Surprisingly, Xie Huai’an suddenly said, "No need to send me away, if you have a solution, you can speak directly."
His face carried a faint smile, which left Ruan Mian momentarily stunned.
After all, he was the Prime Minister, noticing something unusual was normal.
Ruan Mian thought, since he had already seen through her mind, she didn’t want to hide it anymore.
"I was afraid that if I said it out loud, you might think I was a demon."
Xie Huai’an couldn’t help but smile, "Why would I think you’re a demon?"
Seeing his steadfast and trusting gaze, Ruan Mian took a deep breath and lowered her voice.
"There’s a secret I’ve never told you. Actually... I can tame many animals. Earlier, I wanted to send you away to ask Little Deer in the forest to help find the entrance."
She thought Xie Huai’an would be astonished after hearing this.
But he remained calm, "I know."
"You know??"
"It seems you’ve forgotten that you mentioned this to me a long time ago. And ever since I saw you at the Zhuangzhou Mountain Pass, I noticed that you were particularly loved by small animals. Remember when we first arrived at the valley, you tamed a flock of wild white geese. Prior at the shelter, I also heard you kept two little deer."
"And this horse, he listens to you exceptionally well, as if he understands what you say."
"So Mianmian, this doesn’t surprise me. Taming creatures is your ability. Of course, if you ever have something else that might shock me, I won’t think otherwise. In my heart, you’re just Mianmian."
Indeed, after spending so much time together, his sharp senses would surely detect something amiss.
But he didn’t mind, nor was he too curious, because Ruan Mian was just his Mianmian.
A warmth rose inexplicably in her heart, and with a soft smile, she touched the Jade Bracelet, using her thoughts to summon Little Deer.
Soon, a little deer came bouncing from the depths of the forest towards them.
Ruan Mian proactively held Xie Huai’an’s hand, interlocking their fingers, feeling warmth in her palm.
Under Xie Huai’an’s astonished gaze, she smiled, "Follow me."
Ruan Mian felt his palm hold hers tightly, warmth spreading, and as Little Deer sped up, she gathered her thoughts.
The entrance was hidden behind a very concealed large tree, obscured by layers of branches. After passing through the dense foliage, they saw a tunnel blocked by a large boulder.
If not for Little Deer’s guidance, who could find this place?
Even if found, the entrance might not be located.
The two of them worked together to move the stone and entered the tunnel through the dark entrance.
She carried a flint with her, and after lighting it, discovered it was a narrow passage.
It was entirely man-made.
Upon reaching a fork, she even saw many paths branching out on the sides.
It seemed as if this place was interconnected.
Continuing forward, she faintly saw a glimmer of firelight and heard voices.
Ruan Mian quickly blew out the flint and slowly approached in the darkness.
From a distance, she noticed an entrance with a dim oil lamp burning, guarded by two burly men in rough clothes.
She exchanged a glance with Xie Huai’an, who gave her a signal before sprinting over at an incredible speed!
Those two men, still drowsy, didn’t even have time to react before being knocked unconscious, one by one, by his blows.
Ruan Mian quickly went over and fed each of them a sleeping pill.
Then she stripped their clothes and put them on herself.
Xie Huai’an dragged them into the dark passage before heading inside with Ruan Mian.
As the noises grew louder, they finally arrived in a vast space where the area was brightly lit, with countless people hard at work mining.
The clang of mining resounded as those in tattered clothes were driven and whipped to work by others wielding instruments of punishment.
They looked like exiled refugees, hunched, emaciated.
Not far away, an elderly person with little strength moved slightly slower and was whipped by a fierce brute!
Skin split open instantly, the man fell to the ground, writhing and begging for mercy.
Those enslaved had no unscarred place on their bodies.
This concealed mining site was essentially a disguised torture ground.
These exploited slaves were guarded day and night, forced to work until their lives were exhausted.
Ruan Mian suddenly understood that the supposed secret beneath the gold mine was someone was mining in private!
And these slaves brought here were mercilessly exploited to their last drop of value.
Xie Huai’an pulled her towards the dimly lit area, where everyone stared at the slaves working. Wearing the clothes didn’t draw much attention.
Xie Huai’an led her back to the tunnel, speaking in a low voice.
"The one secretly mining could very likely be the City Lord of Tunan City, Mianmian, we can’t stay here long. We need to retreat and discuss further outside."
Ruan Mian thought for a moment, then left with him along the original path.
Passing by those two burly men, Ruan Mian took out a dagger, swiftly executing them to prevent any loose ends.
People like them who treat lives as ants aren’t worthy of pity in death.
After their quick escape, Xie Huai’an handed her the previously worn clothes, indicating she should change in a nearby grove.
Ruan Mian was momentarily stunned, but upon sniffing the scent of sweat from the men’s clothing on her, she indeed found it nauseating.
Yet just as she removed the foul clothes, a noise suddenly erupted from the forest!
Alert rose within her! Xie Huai’an swiftly pulled her into his embrace at lightning speed!
In the next moment, Ruan Mian realized that a net had been triggered to lift into the air where she had stood earlier.
If he hadn’t pulled her away in time, Ruan Mian would have been caught.
It seemed to be a trap set by those people nearby.
Upon realizing this, she noticed Xie Huai’an’s blushing face as he turned away.
Only then did Ruan Mian remember she hadn’t finished dressing, awkwardly smiling before quickly changing into her outfit.
"Master, let’s go."
Xie Huai’an responded with a soft "Mm," though his usually calm face couldn’t hide the flush.
Which amused Ruan Mian.
This master was still a pure-hearted warrior.
Especially when he tried to ease the awkwardness by analyzing everything comprehensively for her.