Firefly Journey

Chapter 145 Rescuing the Journalists in Action (2)

The sky was dark tonight, but suddenly it lit up.

But how can the night sky brighten on its own?

It can only be the result of external interference.

The bright moonlight shone precisely on the corner where the three of them were resting.

Following closely behind was a group of Imperial soldiers.

These soldiers were organized into squads of about one. Their silver armor gleamed coldly in the moonlight, and the spears in their hands shone with a chilling light.

"Who are you...?"

A young-looking boy spoke from the front of the squad.

The difference between a teenager and an adult lies in the lingering childishness, which gradually disappears over time. Even if a person speaks in a mature and sophisticated manner, it cannot change the fact that he is still a teenager.

The three remained remarkably calm. Lin Yuanran said, "We are traveling merchants, staying at the 'Blizzard Hotel.' We couldn't sleep at night and thought we'd like to wander around."

The young leader squinted, looking incredulous.

"The Blizzard Hotel? That place is several kilometers away from here. Would you walk that far for an evening stroll?"

"We have more energy," Lin Yuanran continued, trying to come up with a lame excuse.

"Take him away." The boy clearly had no intention of listening to any explanation from the start.

Lin Yuanran's expression changed almost imperceptibly, and his palms began to heat up. Perhaps in a second or two, a magical clash would break out at the entrance of the City Lord's Mansion.

Claudia and Dick were also prepared for battle. If they were taken away by the Imperial Army and their magical powers were tested, their identities as superhumans would be impossible to hide.

In the dead of night, three extraordinary individuals appeared outside the city lord's mansion. Were they really just out for a stroll?

Therefore, it must not be taken away.

Just as a conflict was about to erupt, a voice came from not far away.

"Locke, what are you doing?"

The boy named Locke looked over and said, "We encountered three suspicious people."

Benjamin walked closer and closer, and in the blink of an eye, he was beside the group. He glanced at Lin Yuanran and the other two, and suddenly laughed, "Suspicious people, you mean them?"

Locke frowned and countered, "Doesn't it look like it?"

Benjamin said, “If you have nothing to do in the city, you can go to the front lines and fight those orcs instead of being suspicious here.”

You say they're suspicious, but have you sensed any magical fluctuations from them?

“No. But unless a supernatural being uses divine oracle, and aside from certain professions, it’s basically impossible to tell from their appearance. So how can you be sure they aren’t?” Locke said.

Benjamin said, "Suit yourself. I can't stop you from bullying ordinary people. After all, I'm just an adjutant to Commander Mond, unlike you, who is his son."

Benjamin emphasized the last two words, as if he were stressing something.

Locke's expression changed instantly; Benjamin's words were clearly an insult. Because he wasn't Mond Toby's biological son, but rather his adopted son.

Mond Toby has always loved talent and wanted to recruit any gifted young man he saw. Locke was the most outstanding among them and also Mond's favorite.

At his age, he should have been receiving education at Ecklin University in Radiant City, but he had already learned everything he could, and staying any longer would only be a waste of time. So he submitted an application to the school and came to the northern frontier of the empire.

"I'm curious about your relationship with those three." Locke's eyes narrowed.

Benjamin chuckled. "I told you, do whatever you want, see you later."

After saying that, Benjamin turned and left, completely unaffected, as if he had only come to say those words to disgust him.

Watching Benjamin's departing figure, young Locke's face grew darker and darker, almost blending into the night.

"Let's go, continue patrolling."

Locke, emboldened by Mondstadt's influence, was used to being arrogant and domineering, and would fabricate stories even when there was none. In fact, he wasn't sure if Lin Yuanran and his two companions were spies; after all, while Selyol wasn't bustling at night, it wasn't completely deserted either.

After being subjected to Benjamin's sarcastic remarks, Locke was in a very bad mood and lost interest in the three of them.

Watching Locke lead his team away, the three of them were left looking at each other in bewilderment.

This means... we don't have to fight anymore? I never thought the trouble would disappear this way.

Lin Yuanran said, "It seems that the Imperial Army is not an impenetrable fortress."

Based on their observations, from Lin Yuanran and his companions' perspective, the two imperial officers clearly did not get along.

Claudia smiled sweetly: "Where there are people, there will be conflict. Isn't that perfect? ​​It increases our chances of rescuing Mr. Reporter."

……

……

The sun rises in the east, and to the east lies the great Chu, a land of towering mountains and treacherous rivers.

The center of the Great Chu was Danyang, and beyond Danyang lay Yunlu Mountain.

This mountain was the site of the imperial sacrifices of the Chu Kingdom, and it was not a place for ordinary people to go.

Mist drifts through the forest, fledglings chirp in the ravine, and even in winter, when all the trees have withered, there is no sign of desolation.

On the narrow path, a little girl walked towards us. She was as beautiful as a porcelain doll, and her emerald green dress seemed to transform the desolate winter mountain into a vibrant spring forest.

The little girl was not frail; on her back, she carried a black sword almost as long as she was tall. The black sword was heavy, but she moved with incredible speed, never stopping along the way.

Perhaps she was tired, she turned towards the clear stream beside her, took off her black sword, stuck it vertically into the ground, and slowly squatted down.

The stream was crystal clear, and fish could be seen swimming and swaying their tails. The little girl didn't want to disturb this beautiful scene, so she gently scooped up a handful of water and drank it all in one gulp.

After quenching her thirst, the little girl tilted her head, looked at her reflection in the water, and smiled sweetly.

Her stunningly beautiful face, her turquoise dress, and... a blue robe were reflected in the water.

Yunlu Mountain has checkpoints on all sides, making it impossible for ordinary people to enter, so he must be an extraordinary person.

The little girl squatted down, turned around, looked up, and revealed a sweet smile:

"uncle!"

Chen Qingchen patted the little girl's hair.

"Hongxiu, did you come here specifically to see me?"

The Green-Clad Sword Saint was somewhat puzzled. He naturally had many ways to contact the Chu royal family, so why did the young girl come here without informing him?

“Yes, Uncle.” Lü Hongxiu stood up. “There’s no one else living in these mountains except you.”

Chen Qingchen said, "None of the pigeons in the palace have flown over, but a little princess has."

"Is there something you need?"

It's strange that the young girl came without prior notice, as people don't usually visit temples without a reason.

Lü Hongxiu said, "Besides looking for my uncle, I also want to go out for a walk! Those old scholars are all terrifying. I finally managed to ask my father for leave, so of course I want to have a good time."

Chen Qingchen raised an eyebrow: "There's nothing worth exploring in these deep mountains and forests."

"Besides this, I also have something important to discuss with you, Uncle."

"What's the matter?"

The little girl smiled sweetly: "I'm so clumsy, I can't seem to unleash any sword energy. Aren't you a sword saint... could you teach me?"