CHAPTER 292
Su Cheng's Mission
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Indeed, everything in this world seemed different from her memories.
That Cheng Liang, using my master as a pawn to send Ye Qinghan back to the North Domain—what a cunning scheme!
This way, it would appear as though Lingxian Hall had meddled in Northern Domain affairs. That bitch Ye Qinghan would unify Northern Domain, yet the blame would be pinned squarely on my master!
At Cheng Liang's command, Ye Qinghan would abandon the master and return to the Celestial Path Pavilion!
I doubt the master would ever realize he'd been used, even in death!
And yet, they'd provoke the Northern Domain's factions for nothing. It's obvious that Ye Qinghan's rise to power wouldn't be good news for those bloodsucking scum!
In the end, all this will be pinned on the Lingxian Hall, on the Master and her!
Meanwhile, Ye Qinghan had long since taken everything and gone to find that dog of a man!
Listening quietly as Su Cheng briefly recounted his encounter with Miaomiao, Chu Youwei felt a jolt of shock in her heart!
Master saved Miao Miao's mother?
How could that be possible?
Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
How could that illness possibly be cured?
With the medicines available in the lower realm, it was utterly impossible!
And the price…
One hundred Ice Gale Flowers?
"Does Master Su really like this girl? A hundred Ice Gale Flowers is just an excuse to get her to stop bothering you, right?"
Su Cheng curled his lips and chuckled, "Kid, sometimes being too clever isn't such a good thing."
Miaomiao's coat was ragged and torn, her boots clearly ill-fitting. Her small face was dark and covered in dirt.
Compared to the beauties surrounding Su Cheng, Miaomiao resembled a wild child—the difference between a city princess and a country girl, one heaven, one earth.
"Well, I don't want to be a fool either."
The words seemed to slip out before Chu Youwei could stop them. Only after speaking did she realize her tone had slipped, that her words felt out of place.
Yet it was her true feeling. She refused to be that fool anymore!
【Trust your master. I will return.】
It's all lies! My master is a big liar!
During those days of seeking vengeance for her master, she pondered this question every single moment!
Why did those words—words only a fool would believe—deceive her?
How could she have been so foolish to believe such nonsense!
"Fools can feel pain too, though no one sees it. Even fools can feel the sting, right?"
Chu Youwei: What am I even saying?! w(ﾟДﾟ)w
Su Cheng: What is she saying? (°ー°〃)
Chu Youwei felt her body was acting up right now, constantly spilling her… true feelings…
When all she really wanted was to go on a grand adventure with her master…
"Maybe. Never mind that. She's still alive, but poisoned."
After pretending to take her pulse, Su Cheng casually pulled out a pill of immortal medicine and slipped it into Miaomiao's mouth.
As always, immortal medicine—true to its name—required neither chewing nor swallowing. Simply placing it in the mouth sufficed.
Su Cheng didn't know which medicine would work, but the system had provided several recommendations. Following the system's suggestions would suffice.
Expensive wasn't necessarily better, but cheap was definitely no good. And cheap options weren't even on Su Cheng's radar.
This was Miao Miao. Su Cheng simply wished for her to grow up safe and sound, and for her mother to pass away peacefully in her old age!
As long as she didn't turn dark, Su Cheng was willing to make some sacrifices—considering it an investment in his disciple's peace of mind.
"Oh? So Master Su already had a countermeasure for the poison mist?"
Su Cheng chuckled. What countermeasure?
"This isn't a countermeasure. I don't know if this pill can save her, but it can't hurt to try. As long as we preserve her life, we can figure out the rest later."
With Miaomiao strapped to his back, Su Cheng and Chu Youwei left the village.
Su Cheng couldn't possibly leave Miaomiao behind alone, and besides, he had a brilliant idea!
"Miss Chu, I wonder if I might trouble you with a favor. Miaomiao isn't a bad child. Would you be willing to look after her for me?"
"No. What are you going to do? We're not even acquainted. Why should I look after her?"
Chu Youwei retorted with righteous indignation. In such a dangerous place, how could she let her master go alone?
What if he got hurt?
What if she got poisoned?
What if something happened to her?
"This toxic mist is clearly suspicious. It seems to be gradually expanding and spreading outward."
"In my humble opinion, we must locate the source and eliminate the culprit to dispel this toxic mist."
"If we let it spread unchecked, it will only become harder to control. The number of injured and dead will surely grow!"
Su Cheng wore a look of deep concern, like an emperor who cherished his people like his own children, his heart filled with compassion for all living beings.
But Chu Youwei couldn't care less. The common people? What did they have to do with her?
"Oh, is it truly that dire? I'll accompany you!"
But then he reconsidered: "Such perilous business—how could I ask a young lady to accompany me? Stay here and watch over this girl. I'll be back soon."
"No, I'm coming with you! You know this place is dangerous. If I don't follow you, what if something happens?"
Hmph~ This kid's… actually got a point…
【Xu Zhanfeng, have you discovered anything over there?】
【Reporting to the Honorable Magistrate, nothing significant.】
【Head to the village entrance. Bring this girl back and take good care of her.】
[Understood.]
"Let's go." Su Cheng stowed away the jade pendant, then glanced at Chu Youwei with a raised eyebrow, looking utterly helpless.
According to Su Cheng's speculation, the center of this area was most likely the hunters' lair.
【Hunters】
These combat units resembled hounds in individual form, varying in size from three to fifteen meters in length.
They were the apostles of the gods, harbingers of impending calamity.
In Su Cheng's understanding, Hunters possessed no emotions whatsoever and might not even be living beings.
Based on observed behavioral patterns, they can only execute simple commands such as attack, retreat, or patrol.
Given the estimated area size, multiple Hunters are unlikely to coexist in one location. Otherwise, within a ten-mile radius, there would be no survivors left.
[Ding~ Side Quest Unlocked: Repair the spatial rift and eliminate the Apostles escaping through it.]
Hmph, I'm used to it.
Spatial rift, my ass. Like this is my first time crossing over?
How long have I been doing this job?
But damn it, I'm only at Foundation Establishment now. Every fight costs me money!
After kicking the Heavenly Dao Pavilion's ass and then tangling with Ku Mu, Su Cheng's system points were running dangerously low—barely two million left.
Su Cheng considered himself extremely frugal—he refrained from using points whenever possible.
But the system points kept draining like water.
As the grass beneath his feet turned to yellow earth, Su Cheng knew he was closing in on the Hunter.
This toxic mist proved equally deadly to vegetation.
Though devoid of corpses, the withered trees and grasslands were saturated with the stench of death.
Such places were commonly called Deadlands by those from the lower realms.
To Su Cheng, this was merely the widespread impact caused by the Apostles. Besides the Hunters, he had encountered many other forms of Apostles, each exerting different effects upon the world.
"We're almost there. Stay safe. Hide behind me."
Su Cheng gave one final warning to the girl behind him before stepping into the Dead Zone. Regardless of their identities, he understood they were good girls.
Chu Youwei nodded blankly. "Mm… I understand…"
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