novelraw Chapter 911 - 773: Irreconcilable Revenge
Chapter 911 - 773: Irreconcilable Revenge
The Gui Cang Sect Master added, "She is unconscious and knows nothing."
The implication was, if she knew of our presence, she naturally couldn't be spared, but now there's still room to maneuver.
The Three Sects ultimately sided with her opinion, as the allure of the Demon Altar was too great; regardless of its usefulness, they wanted to give it a try. Otherwise, the presence of so many forces mingling in the Extreme Abyss made them uneasy, potentially exposing the Demon Altar.
The Three Sects reached a consensus. Discovering Mulan Qingqing's whereabouts was too easy, with the operatives they had planted in all directions, it was effortlessly arranged…
On the high platform of the Beiju Team Command Center, Commander Lan She turned back in surprise to confirm, "Who? Mulan Jin's daughter?"
His trusted subordinate Xiao Ruomei replied, "Yes, they heard the sounds of fighting and went to investigate, finding the deceased Han Bao. They searched everywhere but didn't find the murderer. Instead, they discovered the unconscious Mulan Qingqing in a nearby cave and are seeking instructions on how to handle it."
Handle it? Lan She felt a headache, for her father is the Xuanji Token Master, holding significant power.
If he were just a member of the Beijulu Royal Court, it wouldn't matter; for the court's interest, offending Mulan Jin would see the court doing its utmost to protect him. After all, the relationship between the Royal Court and the Heavenly Court was just like that. But behind him, there's also a Sect, the Thunder Sound Sect, and Mulan Jin might not conveniently act against him, but finding an excuse to deal with the Thunder Sound Sect would not be difficult.
It's not right to kill, and there's no need to, as killing her would bring no benefit. Mulan Qingqing doesn't carry any token, so why kill her? Provoking the Xuanji Token Master to death... do we directly release her?
He turned his gaze to the Mountain River Map at the Extreme Abyss position and slowly asked, "What do you think?"
Being a trusted subordinate, she naturally understood him. Xiao Ruomei followed his gaze, thought briefly, and replied, "The purpose of the Xuanji Token Master getting Shi Chun out of Life Prison was to protect Mulan Qingqing. Now that she is in trouble, Shi Chun shouldn't ignore it, right? We don't even know if Shi Chun really has the safe route map of the Extreme Abyss. This can be tested."
"Test?" Lan She said slowly with twinkling eyes, "How to test?"
Xiao Ruomei tilted her head to glance at him, secretly complaining about his knowing inquiry but continued to offer advice as if unaware, "Use Mulan Qingqing to exchange for the route map from Shi Chun."
Lan She sighed, "How is this different from threatening Mulan Jin?"
This indeed was his hesitation.
Xiao Ruomei: "Sir, this is not a threat. It is informing the Xuanji Token Master that we saved his daughter. If we hadn't arrived in time, his daughter would have been killed."
Upon hearing this, Lan She's eyes lit up, gently clapping his hands, nodding silently, correct. I saved your daughter's life; this is a huge favor. By sentiment and reason, Mulan Jin should be grateful, right? Isn't it okay to ask for a little return? Asking for a little return, wouldn't make Mulan Jin unhappy, would it?
After his delight, he became somewhat troubled: "How to communicate with the Xuanji Token Master is a problem. He is aloof, and probably no one here is in contact with him…"
Xiao Ruomei said, "This is simple. Sir, don't you have contact with Manxi? You can directly contact Manxi, say there's something to discuss with the Xuanji Token Master, and mention it concerns Mulan Qingqing. Manxi wouldn't dare to hide it."
Lan She looked at the woman with admiration, repeatedly nodding, "Good, immediately arrange proper personnel to respond and receive Mulan Qingqing; nothing can go wrong."
"Yes." Xiao Ruomei accepted the order.
Just as she was about to turn to make arrangements, a thought struck Lan She, and he called her back, "Forget it; it concerns the Xuanji Token Master. I'm not at ease leaving it to others; better let my junior disciple Chongxing and his team handle it personally."
Xiao Ruomei immediately praised, "Having Chongxing himself take charge is certainly fine."
This was not merely flattery, as Chongxing was an adept disciple sent by the Thunder Sound Sect, and within the Beiju Team, his strength was top-notch, second only to Su Jikuan.
After she left to make arrangements, Lan She also took out the Mother-child Talisman to contact Manxi, conveying the same message as Xiao Ruomei mentioned.
On the high platform of the Heavenly Court Command Center, upon receiving the message from the Mother-child Talisman, Manxi frowned, realizing immediately upon examining the situation that it was inappropriate, just as Xiao Ruomei had predicted. Since it concerned Mulan Qingqing, he dared not hide it from Mulan Jin.
Therefore, without erasing the message on the Mother-child Talisman, he turned and approached the spectating Mulan Jin.
At this moment, Mulan Jin had already furrowed his brows, sensing something had happened to Mulan Qingqing due to the loss of contact with Han Bao.
Under normal circumstances, Han Bao was supposed to contact him regularly, and several contact times had already been missed, and he couldn't reach Han Bao himself.
Just as Manxi approached him, transmitting a message, "Commander, Commander Lan She of Beiju suddenly sent a message, saying there's something concerning your daughter to disclose to you."
Saying this, he offered the Mother-child Talisman.
Hearing that it concerned his daughter, Mulan Jin immediately grabbed the Mother-child Talisman to check, and the content was precisely as Manxi stated, causing a pang of anxiety in his heart, fearing it might be bad news.
He dared not react hastily, but finally steadied his mind to respond, asking: I am Mulan Jin, what is the matter?
On the other side, Lan She, seeing the message, believed Manxi would not impersonate Mulan Jin, immediately responded: There is something to report to the commander. Earlier, a small Beiju squad passing through the desolate smoke miasma heard the commotion of fighting, rushed to check it out, found Han Bao dead. Fortunately, despite misfortune, the masked assailant was intimidated by my junior disciple Chongxing, and your daughter was rescued by him in time. She is currently safe and sound.
Upon reading this message, Mulan Jin was finally able to let out a heavy sigh of relief, yet still feared; it could only be said his daughter had good fortune.
Manxi, standing by, couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth, realizing Lan She had stumbled upon great luck, indebting the Xuanji Token Master with an enormous favor.
Just this one time surpassed all his constant interactions with the commander.
No matter how esteemed the Xuanji Token Master was, at this moment, he had to reply in a straightforward manner, expressing gratitude: I appreciate your faction's timely intervention. Do we know who the assailant was?
Considering the previous incident, he was already suspicious of the Demon Path.
Lan She replied: We really don't know, only that the masked assailant was exceptionally skilled and would not entangle with my junior disciple, realizing futility, quickly fled, and we couldn't catch up.
Mulan Jin replied: No matter, thank your sect for the rescue. I will immediately arrange for someone to pick up my daughter. Also, please bring Han Bao's body along.
They planned to conduct an examination based on the marks on the body.
Lan She said: We should certainly proceed as planned, however, I have a small request.
Mulan Jin erased the message and replied with a single word: Speak.
Lan She replied: If Manxi is watching on the sidelines, please have him step away.
Upon hearing this, Manxi was speechless. When he noticed Mulan Jin's gaze, he wisely chose not to make things difficult for Mulan Jin and stepped aside, but not without leaving a remark, "Commander, be wary, this scoundrel is no good, he might have tricks up his sleeve, but rest assured, he dare not harm your daughter."
Mulan Jin ignored him and directly replied: He is not watching.
Only then did Lan She unreservedly say: Please send Shi Chun alone for the exchange.
He wouldn't outright demand Shi Chun to hand over the safe route map. After all, the Xuanji Token Master opposite is a member of the Heavenly Court, speaking so directly would only make things difficult.
Since there's a chance to deliver it upfront, not only does he want the Extreme Abyss safe route map, but he also wishes to fulfill what Liang Mian, the Beiju Mutual Market Junior Supervisor, entrusted him to do.
High-level negotiation is often more effective than conflict.
As soon as this was said, Mulan Jin narrowed his eyes and replied steadily: Are you coercing me?
Lan She quickly responded: Commander, you've misunderstood, I meant no such thing.
Mulan Jin asked: Will Shi Chun make it out alive after going?
Lan She confidently replied: Commander, my junior sister Qu Xiaoxiao was killed by Shi Chun's party; she and my junior brother Chongxing were like family, and this enmity is unforgivable to him. He's seeing red over this matter and wouldn't heed my orders. Shi Chun is already a doomed person; if not for you saving him from prison, everyone knows what his fate would have been. His life is yours.
In short, he wouldn't admit he's targeting the Extreme Abyss safe route map.
Mulan Jin understood; the other party now wants him to repay the favor of saving his daughter's life.
The rules of the game are set, and he can't simply demand the other party release him.
He held the mother-child talisman, refrained from replying, and fell into deep thought. After a long time, he glanced sideways and inadvertently caught Manxi's sneaky gaze.
He pondered and communicated, "It would be best if you win the championship this time, but even if not, you've given it your best shot. I'll recommend you to become the Domain Master elsewhere."
Manxi was startled, knowing the weight of these words, and then burst into secret joy, quickly sending a grateful message, "Thank you, Commander, for fulfilling this."
The burden on his heart was finally lifted. Although founding a domain under direct Heavenly Court control offers a brighter future, this provided a solid fallback compared to the grim outcome of being a defeated general.
As for Lan She and Commander's exchange, he no longer speculated and turned to observe the vast Demon Realm, secretly feeling guilty, knowing that most participants are Life Prison prisoners doomed to perish.
Some things remain unspoken; one of the higher-ups' primary objectives in such wars is not just casualties.
On the other side, Lan She lingered on the high platform, not pursuing further dialogue, having said what needed to be said. If the Commander agrees, he'll naturally agree; if not, further discussion is moot, thus patiently awaiting the reply.
In a way, the other party's delayed response already indicates intent...
Amidst the rising vapors within the Extreme Abyss, Shi Chun surfaced again to observe the external world, now feeling rather comfortable, clutching a bunch of tokens awaiting the outcome.
Qilin A San hovered below, accompanying him.
After confirming no abnormality around, he retreated again, pulling out the mother-child talisman, routinely inquiring Mulan Jin, "Commander, is there any news on Dongguo Shou?"
On the high platform, Mulan Jin retrieved the mother-child talisman and glanced at its content, pondering how to brief Shi Chun just as the latter approached proactively.
Given the contact was established, Mulan Jin wasted no time, directly informing about Mulan Qingqing's incident.
Shi Chun, upon hearing the news, was filled with suspense and relief knowing Mulan Qingqing was unharmed, else he'd truly struggle to justify to the Commander. Unable to resist, he sent a message scolding, "Even without a token, they were discovered; what was Han Bao doing? Han Bao deserves to die!"
Mulan Jin then conveyed Lan She's request.
Shocked by this news, Shi Chun felt overwhelmed, finding himself in a situation where disaster seemed to come out of the blue.
Mulan Jin waited awhile before responding casually, "You promised to keep Qingqing safe; now is the time to fulfill that promise."
Shi Chun felt bitterness spread throughout; realizing his efforts had been in vain, trapped in circumstances beyond control. Had he known, he wouldn't have competed for credit, but rather stayed hidden with Mulan Qingqing until safely out, ensuring Mulan Jin wouldn't trouble him further.
Now, if Mulan Qingqing isn't safe, even if he earns merit, it's meaningless if he returns to Life Prison. What use is merit then?
Returning to Life Prison is something he absolutely wants to avoid.
Upon prolonged contemplation, he sought to stabilize Mulan Jin, "Commander, if you trust me, let the younger generation handle this matter. Can arrangements be made for direct communication with Beiju Commander Lan She?"
Mulan Jin replied: Sure, locate a place to bury the mother-child talisman, and have him send someone to retrieve it.
Not directly plotting against Shi Chun was owing to Shi Chun's past capabilities; Mulan Jin still holds a shred of hope Shi Chun can resolve this successfully.
Shi Chun responded: Alright, I'll arrange this immediately.
On the other side, Mulan Jin picked up the mother-child talisman for Manxi's communication with Lan She, replying, "You'll directly liaise with Shi Chun on this matter..."