Undying Life

Chapter 225: The Wisdom Returns to Gǔ Lín

Half an hour later, atop a mountain peak, stood Zhōng Shān, Princess Qiānyōu, ā Dà, and ā èr.

"Sir, are you sure that setting a fire here to form the characters 'Dà Luó' will really work?" ā Dà questioned skeptically.

"Yes, exactly. Previously, I explained to you by using an analogy—consider this flat land as a clock face with twelve directions. True north is the 'twelve o'clock' direction. As you move clockwise, you have 'one o'clock' through 'twelve o'clock'. The position we were in earlier was threatened by three cities, which are located at the 'twelve o'clock', 'one o'clock', and 'ten o'clock' positions respectively. Now, all the soldiers from these three cities have spread out to search for us, leaving no gaps in their search grid," Zhōng Shān explained.

(The directions are described using the analogy of a clock laid flat, with twelve points.)

"Understood," ā Dà nodded but still looked at Zhōng Shān with some doubt.

"If we set a fire here, it will quickly be seen by the soldiers coming from the 'ten o'clock' direction. Additionally, with a soldier we captured and tied to the mountain top as a witness, those soldiers will be drawn here. This way, we can avoid the soldiers from the 'ten o'clock' city. Meanwhile, at Mr. Shuǐ Jìng's location, a volcano will be set alight, leaving clear signs. This will attract the soldiers from the 'one o'clock' and 'twelve o'clock' cities there, ensuring that the 'eleven o'clock' direction remains completely safe. Similarly, for Mr. Shuǐ Jìng's group, the 'two o'clock' direction will also be completely safe," Zhōng Shān said with a smile.

"When Yì Yǎn's troops arrive, we will have already broken through the search perimeter of the three cities' soldiers. They won't be able to catch up with us. Once we're beyond this area, we'll be completely safe," ā Dà said, looking at Zhōng Shān with admiration.

"Exactly. Once we've passed the most dangerous area, safety is assured," Zhōng Shān affirmed with utmost confidence.

"Alright, I'll get to it right away," ā Dà said eagerly—

In another place, Gǔ Lín and Mr. Shuǐ Jìng had also stopped atop a mountain peak.

"Your Highness, this is the spot. I will set the fire, and then we can safely leave this area and be completely out of danger," Mr. Shuǐ Jìng said.

"Wait," Gǔ Lín suddenly called out.

"Your Highness, what is it?" Mr. Shuǐ Jìng asked, puzzled.

"You said that even if I don't set the fire, Qiānyōu will still be able to escape, right?" Gǔ Lín said with a cold smile on his lips.

Mr. Shuǐ Jìng felt a sudden tightness in his chest upon hearing Gǔ Lín's words.

"Yes, with Princess Qiānyōu's merging phase cultivation and the protection of ā Dà and ā èr, they should be fine. However, Mr. Zhōng Shān..." Mr. Shuǐ Jìng looked at Gǔ Lín, uncertain and wary.

"Then don't set the fire. Qiānyōu cares deeply for Zhōng Shān; she won't abandon him. Let her watch him die," Gǔ Lín said coldly, his eyes turning icy.

Mr. Shuǐ Jìng stared at Gǔ Lín in shock. This was highly unusual. How could the young prince have suddenly become so calculating?

"Your Highness, you mustn't! If anything goes wrong..." Mr. Shuǐ Jìng hurriedly began to persuade.

Turning his head, Gǔ Lín cast a cold glance at Mr. Shuǐ Jìng and suddenly became incredibly composed. "Shuǐ Jìng, if you don't want to be expelled from the Grand Xuán Palace, then go ahead and light it."

Seeing Gǔ Lín's expression, Mr. Shuǐ Jìng felt a chill run through him. His face showed extreme disbelief. What had happened? How did the young prince suddenly change? How did he know about my true intentions at the Grand Xuán Palace?

"Your Highness, have you... succeeded?" Mr. Shuǐ Jìng asked, his voice trembling with doubt.

With a sinister smile, Gǔ Lín replied, "Indeed. Just now, I completely defeated the one who tried to possess me. My primary consciousness is now assimilating his primordial spirit. Soon, I will be fully restored."

"Congratulations, Your Highness," Mr. Shuǐ Jìng immediately bowed in respect.

"Never thought Qiānyōu has become a princess all these years. I came out too late. But it doesn't matter. What matters is my recovery. Engagement? Dissolving the marriage? No one can dissolve my engagement. Qiānyōu belongs to me," Gǔ Lín said with a chilling expression.

"Yes, Your Highness," Mr. Shuǐ Jìng immediately responded.

"Alright, let's continue. We'll go from the weakest point. Setting the fire will make that side absolutely safe, while not setting it will leave that side uncertain. But there's a fifty percent chance we won't encounter any troops from Dà Yǔ. I trust my luck," Gǔ Lín asserted confidently.

"Yes," Mr. Shuǐ Jìng nodded.

Then, Gǔ Lín and Mr. Shuǐ Jìng did not set the fire as Zhōng Shān requested, but hurriedly shot towards the 'two o'clock' direction—

Yì Yǎn led his army slowly northward, waiting for reports from all sides.

Jùlù Wáng was extremely anxious, but Yì Yǎn remained calm, instructing the army not to fly too hastily.

At that moment, a streak of light shot from the northwest.

Jùlù Wáng's subordinate, Wǔ'ān, quickly rushed forward and grabbed the streak of light.

It was an arrow, shot by a master from a certain city. There was a message attached to the arrow.

Jùlù Wáng eagerly opened it.

"There, Princess Qiānyōu has been spotted. She headed west!" Jùlù Wáng exclaimed excitedly.

"No, something's wrong!" Yì Yǎn suddenly exclaimed.

"What's wrong?" Jùlù Wáng asked in confusion.

"Princess Qiānyōu? How could she be discovered? And why would they set a fire after being discovered? They should have split into two or three groups," Yì Yǎn frowned, pondering.

"Split into two groups? But where's the other group?" Jùlù Wáng froze. What should they do now? Where is the Thousand City Treasure?

"Yes, it must be two groups. And based on the terrain, if a fire was set in the west, then there should have been one set in the north as well. Why hasn't there been any news from the north? Something's not right," Yì Yǎn's brow furrowed deeply.

"General, which two directions are you talking about?" Jùlù Wáng asked anxiously.

"Something's off. Setting a fire in just one place is pointless. Unless Zhōng Shān isn't in the northwest but rather went northeast. Yes, it must be that way," Yì Yǎn thought aloud.

To Yì Yǎn, if Zhōng Shān wasn't at the eleven o'clock position, then an explanation could be made. If Zhōng Shān wasn't at the eleven o'clock position, then he must be at the two o'clock position.

"Jùlù Wáng, you follow this road to chase after Princess Qiānyōu. She must be going this way. I'll lead another group to chase after the other route," Yì Yǎn pointed towards the eleven o'clock direction.

"Understood!" Jùlù Wáng affirmed resolutely.

"Wait," Yì Yǎn suddenly said.

"What is it?" Jùlù Wáng asked, puzzled.

"If you see Princess Qiānyōu, do not harm her. And just in case, I say just in case, if Mr. Zhōng Shān is there, bring him back," Yì Yǎn added a final contingency.

"Don't harm Princess Qiānyōu?" Jùlù Wáng frowned.

Now Yì Yǎn wanted to spare Qiānyōu while before he wanted to kill her?

"Yes, the situation has changed. Princess Qiānyōu must not be harmed. Your task is simply to check if the Thousand City Treasure is there. Remember, if you see Mr. Zhōng Shān, I request that Jùlù Wáng doesn't harm him and brings him back," Yì Yǎn emphasized repeatedly. Although he was certain Zhōng Shān had gone in another direction, it's always good to prepare for contingencies.

Narrowing his eyes and looking at Yì Yǎn, Jùlù Wáng smiled slightly. "Alright."

"Well, they've already gone far. Now, you must chase after them as fast as possible," Yì Yǎn said.

"Hmm," Jùlù Wáng nodded.

"Wǔ ān, you and I are both in the Imperial Supreme Realm. Let's chase after them as fast as we can," Jùlù Wáng said to Wǔ ān.

"Yes," Wǔ ān immediately responded.

"Your Majesty, this humble monk is willing to accompany you," Huìguāng Luóhàn said.

Seeing Huìguāng Luóhàn, Jùlù Wáng's eyes brightened. "Good, Master, I'll rely on you. Let's go."

Huìguāng Luóhàn nodded, and then Jùlù Wáng, Huìguāng Luóhàn, and Wǔ ān disappeared in an instant, shooting towards the distance.

Watching their departing figures, Yì Yǎn turned his head to look in the direction where Mr. Shuǐ Jìng had gone.

"Iron Blood, you and your men go ahead. I'll catch up later," Yì Yǎn said.

"Yes," Iron Blood immediately complied.

Due to Yì Yǎn's physical condition, his speed was definitely not enough—

In a valley.

Zhōng Shān, Qiānyōu, ā Dà, and ā èr stood silently. Not far from them lay the body of a man dressed in armor.

At this moment, the faces of the four were all grim.

"Sir, what's going on? How did troops end up here? If I hadn't acted quickly just now, we would have been completely exposed," ā Dà said with surprise.

Princess Qiānyōu's face darkened. ā èr stood silently on the side.

"They didn't set the fire. These are troops from the twelve o'clock direction city," Zhōng Shān frowned.

"Why didn't they set the fire? This Gǔ Lín!" Princess Qiānyōu's face was full of anger.

"Without setting the fire, there's nothing we can do. Your Highness, you should hurry and break through. By now, Yì Yǎn must have sent powerful individuals to pursue us, most likely Imperial Supreme Realm experts. As they fly, they will radiate their divine senses and will definitely discover us. You should hurry. Otherwise, they will catch up to us," Zhōng Shān said with a furrowed brow.

"We go? But what about you?" Princess Qiānyōu stared at Zhōng Shān.

"I'll find a mountain forest with miasma. With my flag array, they won't be able to detect me with their divine senses. Once they withdraw their troops, I'll come out to find you," Zhōng Shān immediately said.

Staring at Zhōng Shān, Princess Qiānyōu looked at him for a moment. "No, this route has few obstacles. What if troops enter the forest and search?"

"These search troops won't trouble me," Zhōng Shān shook his head.

Princess Qiānyōu also believed that these troops wouldn't trouble Zhōng Shān. But how could she allow these troops to capture Zhōng Shān and then hand him over to Yì Yǎn? Although Zhōng Shān would be unharmed, he wouldn't be hers anymore.

"Sir, please stop talking. I won't leave you behind," Princess Qiānyōu shook her head.

Zhōng Shān naturally understood Princess Qiānyōu's plan. With a wry smile, he said, "Alright, then let's change our appearances again."