nagpurpolice Chapter 143 Entrustment
Chapter 143 Entrustment
Chapter 143 Entrustment
"Manager Liu."
Seeing that Steward Liu was making arrangements diligently, Qi Xuan couldn't help but speak up, recalling what he had overheard during the chaotic battle.
"Junior Brother Li Youan—he is very likely not dead. He was probably captured by that monkey demon leader, and there may be other arrangements for him."
Upon hearing Qi Xuan's words, Manager Liu's eyes lit up, but he was still somewhat puzzled.
"Arrested? Are you sure? Where did you get this information?"
"It was said by the eagle demon leader during the battle. I heard it when Qi Xuan and I were fighting the eagle demon, back when we returned to the rift to rescue the captain and the others."
He Xiaoluo added from the side, "That monkey demon seems to want to get something from Li Youan, something that we could tolerate even after killing his two brothers."
Upon hearing this, Manager Liu, who had been silent and expressionless, suddenly sharpened his eyes.
"If that's really the case, and they're just arrested, then perhaps there's a glimmer of hope," Manager Liu continued after a moment's thought.
"Then Li Youan could only have been taken back to Ghost Howling Ravine by that monkey demon. That's the lair of these monkey demons, and it's right next to the demon race's border. Moreover—our human race and the demon race are currently in a lull in the war, constantly probing each other. If we rashly wipe out this demon beast stronghold, the war between the human race and the demon race might come much sooner than expected. This is a war between two groups, and no one can make a decision. It will result in the death and destruction of countless people."
Upon hearing Manager Liu's words, the members of the Thirteenth Squad around them calmed down. Some members who had originally planned to lead a raid on Ghost Howling Gorge also understood the potentially disastrous consequences of such an action.
Knowing that their teammates were trapped there, and that they were powerless to help them, made them feel even worse.
Manager Liu looked at the silent thirteenth squad, especially at Dongfang Jinghong, who was already in a daze. As a manager who knew the background of each member of the squad, he could understand Dongfang Jinghong's current feelings to some extent.
He shook his head and sighed, "Let them go and recuperate, Young Master Dongfang—"
Dongfang Jinghong seemed not to have heard their conversation, or perhaps she had heard it but did not respond. She simply stood there blankly, her eyes vacant, lost in thought.
Seeing Dongfang Jinghong's current state, Luo Jingshan walked to Steward Liu's side and whispered, "She—she suffered quite a shock and hasn't recovered yet. After all, she's never really experienced something like this before. Li Youan did this to save us—"
"Or rather, it was to save her—"
Manager Liu nodded and said to a female steward beside him, "Take Young Master Dongfang to the meditation room. Remember to choose a good one. Then you stay there and take good care of him. Don't let anyone disturb him. Only those who have Young Master Dongfang's permission can enter."
"Yes." The female deacon bowed slightly, then turned and walked towards Dongfang Jinghong.
The female deacon walked to Dongfang Jinghong's side, gently supporting his body with her right hand. Guided by the female deacon, Dongfang Jinghong mechanically followed her away.
Dongfang Jinghong remained silent, offered no resistance, and made no unnecessary movements throughout. Only after Qi Xuan had passed did she ask a question in a very low but audible voice to everyone present.
"Are you sure what you're saying is true?!"
Qi Xuan was taken aback, not expecting Dongfang Jinghong to ask him. Then, realizing what she had said, he quickly added, "Yes, I'm very sure it's true. I heard it from that eagle demon. Don't worry."
Upon hearing Qi Xuan's words, Dongfang Jinghong's body trembled almost imperceptibly. She softly uttered two words, "Thank you," and then followed the female steward toward the quiet room.
Upon entering the quiet room, the environment was extremely elegant, and there was a faint, calming fragrance in the air.
The female steward brought Dongfang Jinghong some pills and a change of clothes, gave him a few instructions, and then left the quiet room, leaving Dongfang Jinghong alone in the front living room.
The moment the door closed, Dongfang Jinghong seemed to have all her strength drained away. Leaning against the cold door, she slowly slid down the door and sat on the ground.
She trembled as she reached out her right hand and took out the bag that Li Youan had given her from a hidden pocket inside her Blazing Armor.
Looking at the bag in her hand, a wave of sadness washed over her again, and Dongfang Jinghong forced back the tears that were about to spill.
She carefully untied the rope on the cloth bag. There wasn't much inside, or rather, just a scroll of bamboo slips and a sealed envelope.
Dongfang Jinghong opened the bamboo scroll, and a slip of paper fell out the instant she opened it. She quickly caught it and slowly picked it up: "When you see this slip of paper, it means something has happened to me. Although this cultivation technique is only at the initial stage of the Profound Rank, it's not difficult for a cultivator who is just starting to practice spear techniques. It's very helpful for understanding the way of the spear. Consider this my gift to you!"
Then Dongfang Jinghong put away the note and looked at the bamboo slip in his hand. Sure enough, the leftmost side had several large characters written on it: "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix Spear".
Dongfang Jinghong carefully put away the bamboo slips. Although she was the young master of the Dongfang family, she already possessed many higher-level books.
She had more experienced techniques, but she considered this one the most precious.
Then, Dongfang Jinghong picked up the envelope again. It wasn't sealed. Seeing this, Dongfang Jinghong opened the envelope directly, and inside was a neatly folded letter.
With slightly trembling hands, she unfolded the paper. The handwriting on it was clearly Li Youan's, neat and elegant: "To Granny Liu:"
Mother-in-law, it's as if I'm seeing you in person. Xiao An is doing well. Her teachers and classmates at the academy are all very friendly, and everything is going smoothly and safely. Don't worry about her.
The person writing to you is my very good friend. You can tell her anything about the welfare home.
The spirit stones I'm enclosing are the rewards I've received at school these past few days. I'll use them to buy some clothes and food for my younger siblings, and also to buy some books. I'm sure they'll study to broaden their minds and learn righteousness.
"Little Tiger, you can use the Broken Heart Ointment I gave you." Apply it daily, being careful not to get it wet. Your injury will improve. This is a medicine that only cultivators can use.
Little Lian is weak and prone to feeling cold. Buy her some warm clothes and a list of dietary supplements to help improve her constitution.
Grandma, you're getting on in years, please take good care of yourself and don't overwork yourself. These little kids are just at that mischievous age. I was just as troublesome back then, but now I can handle things on my own.
Because of the mission, Xiao An cannot stay by your side. The only thing he can do is to kill more monsters for our human race, accumulate merits, and bring everyone in our orphanage to a safe place where they will not be bullied as soon as possible.
Respectfully submitted by Xiao An.
At the end of the letter was a line of smaller print, the ink still fresh: "If anything happens to You'an, please give this letter and the valuables in the bag to Granny Liu in Qing Shi Lane, west of the city. You'an thanks you."
Tears fell like broken beads onto the letter, blurring the ink. Dongfang Jinghong clutched the letter and the cloth bag tightly to her chest, as if she could feel the lingering warmth and affection of that boy.
It turns out that he worked so hard to earn merits and lived frugally, not only for his own cultivation, but also for Granny Liu who adopted him and gave him a "home", and for the orphans with similar backgrounds who were adrift.
"Bluestone Lane—Grandma Liu—" Dongfang Jinghong murmured, a faint light gradually appearing in her empty eyes. This was the last thing You'an entrusted to her.
She didn't know how long she had been in the quiet room until she heard a soft knock on the door and the gentle voice of the female deacon: "Miss Dongfang, Elder Wei has arrived and wishes to see you."
Elder Wei? Dongfang Jinghong was momentarily confused, then remembered that it was Wei Zifei, the guest elder at the outpost with a transcendent status and extremely high attainments in formations. He was also—Li Youan's guide and half-master in formations. Li Youan had mentioned this somewhat eccentric but knowledgeable elder with admiration more than once.
She quickly wiped away her tears and tidied her appearance. Although she was still haggard, at least she no longer looked like a soulless puppet.
She opened the door, and there stood the female deacon and an elderly man with white hair and a gaunt face, dressed in a simple blue robe. The old man had deep eyes that seemed to see through people's hearts, and he was looking at her with a hint of barely perceptible concern.
"Elder Wei." Dongfang Jinghong bowed slightly, his voice hoarse.
Wei Zifei nodded and said to the female steward, "Thank you for your trouble. I'd like to have a few words with Miss Dongfang alone."
The steward withdrew. Wei Zifei entered the quiet room and casually set up a soundproof barrier. He didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "Did you see what that kid Li Youan gave you at the end?"
Dongfang Jinghong was startled, nodded, and handed over the gray cloth bag and the letter.
Wei Zifei took the letter, quickly glanced at it, then looked at the items in the bag. His face was expressionless, but a complex glint flashed in his eyes. He handed the items back to Dongfang Jinghong and said slowly, "I will send someone to secretly look after Granny Liu in Qing Shi Lane, so you don't need to worry. As for those orphans, the outpost's war hall also has an orphanage. If they have the aptitude, they can be selected and brought in for cultivation. That will also give that kid an explanation."
"Thank you, Elder Wei!" Dongfang Jinghong quickly expressed his gratitude, feeling somewhat relieved.
"You don't need to thank me." Wei Zifei waved his hand, his gaze fixed on Dongfang Jinghong's face, as if trying to see into her heart. "Do you know why I came to find you?"
Dongfang Jinghong shook his head.
Wei Zifei raised his hand and pointed to a simple black ring on Dongfang Jinghong's finger—
That was a "souvenir" that Li Youan gave her after they completed a mission together. He said he found it and that it wasn't very useful, but the design was special.
Dongfang Jinghong subconsciously reached for the ring.
"This ring, along with the one on You'an's hand, is a pair." Wei Zifei's words were startling. "It's called the Mother-Child Unity Ring. It's a little trinket I crafted in my younger days. It's not very useful, but within a certain distance, the child ring and the mother ring can sense a very faint life force. If the wearer dies, the corresponding ring will completely dim."
Dongfang Jinghong's eyes widened suddenly, her heart pounding wildly, almost leaping out of her throat! She stared intently at the black ring on her hand, her voice trembling: "Elder Wei, you mean—this ring—You'an—"
"His ring, the Heavenly Pivot Ring, is the mother ring," Wei Zifei said calmly, but there was a hint of turmoil in his eyes. "I sensed it just now. Although the connection to the Heavenly Pivot Ring is extremely weak, as if it is being strongly isolated and suppressed by something, that core life connection is still there. Although it is very weak and unstable, it is indeed still there."
Still there!
These two words, like a thunderclap from the heavens, exploded in Dongfang Jinghong's mind! Instantly dispelling all darkness and despair!
You'an—is she still alive?!
A tremendous surprise overwhelmed her like a tsunami, making her almost unable to stand. Tears welled up again, but this time, they were tears of joy!
"He—he's really still alive? In Ghost Howl Gorge?" Dongfang Jinghong's voice trembled violently, filled with disbelief and ecstasy.
"Most likely," Wei Zifei nodded. "The Tian Shu Ring's sensing is severely interfered with, and its location is unclear, but the general direction is southwest, which matches the location of Ghost Howling Gorge. There must be an isolation formation or a special environment in the monkey demon's lair to cause such a weak sensing."
Hope! Real hope! Not a self-comforting, delusional fantasy, but hope with concrete evidence!
Dongfang Jinghong felt the blood in his body begin to flow again, his cold hands and feet regained warmth, and a bright light rekindled in his eyes—a light that was a mixture of hope, determination, and a burning fighting spirit!
"Elder Wei, please teach me! I need to save him!" Dongfang Jinghong knelt down without hesitation and pleaded firmly.
Seeing the rekindled flame in her eyes, Wei Zifei did not immediately agree, but slowly said, "Ghost Howling Ravine is a den of dragons and tigers, teeming with True Spirit Realm demonic beasts, and even has a powerful expert like Monkey King at the eighth level of True Spirit Realm guarding it. With your current strength, going there would be suicide."
"I'm not afraid!" Dongfang Jinghong looked up, her eyes resolute.
"Being fearless is useless." Wei Zifei shook his head. "Saving people requires strength, but also planning. Luo Jingshan is seriously injured, the 13th Squad is severely weakened, and the outpost is facing pressure from monster activity recently. It's impossible to organize a large-scale attack on Ghost Howling Gorge."
Dongfang Jinghong's heart sank again, but she still looked at Wei Zifei stubbornly: "Is there really no way?"
"There is a way," Wei Zifei said, his gaze becoming deep. "A direct assault won't work, but we can infiltrate. The monkey demon's lair has a complex structure and isn't impenetrable. Besides, that kid is very clever and a formation master. As long as he's not dead, he might have a chance to save himself."
He paused, then continued, "Your most urgent task is to improve your strength as soon as possible. You have just experienced a life-or-death battle and your mind is still racing; this is the perfect opportunity to break through your bottleneck."