Chapter 3102 - 3103: Surrounded

Chapter 3102: Chapter 3103: Surrounded

"Astrologer, wake up, it will be fine in a while." Ao Song gently persuaded, his voice almost in tears.

Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun were scouting ahead. Upon hearing the commotion, they quickly turned back and saw the Astrologer biting Ao Song’s hand, with red oozing from the corner of his lips.

He looked like a tantrum-throwing child, biting an adult’s hand without understanding, yet not fiercely like a beast; he seemed to enjoy the sensation, his expression somewhat enchanted.

Yet even so, Ao Song must be in pain, right? Besides, he was not just biting but drinking human blood!

Bai Ruozhu darted over in one swift step, grabbing the Astrologer’s collar and pulling him away.

"Sister Ruozhu, don’t knock him out!" Ao Song hurriedly said, "My father said the effect is temporary; he needs a magic technique to completely halt demonization. If we miss the chance, it will be hard to find out which treasure helps him."

Bai Ruozhu retracted her raised hand, glaring fiercely at the Astrologer, squeezing words through clenched teeth: "Bite again and I’ll chop you!"

The Astrologer’s eyes held confusion mixed with bloodlust. He was losing his senses, but humans and monsters alike have an innate sense of danger; he should know to restrain himself upon sensing Bai Ruozhu’s killing intent.

Sure enough, the Astrologer stopped biting Ao Song, obediently letting Ao Song lead him forward.

Bai Ruozhu sighed silently; who would have thought Fusang’s first Yin Yang Master once captured countless demons but would end up like this?

"The patrolling guards are approaching, speed up." Jiang Yichun, having received Jianqi’s signal, urgently reminded.

Bai Ruozhu nodded and followed, and the group bypassed the guards, quickly locating the Western Regions royal family’s treasure vault.

"Usually a high-ranking General guards this place, but he’s gone to attend the king’s funeral." Jiang Yichun whispered, taking out a key.

Facing Bai Ruozhu’s startled look, he sighed slightly, saying, "Managed to get it through connections over there; otherwise, breaking it would trigger an alarm."

There... refers to Upstairs.

Bai Ruozhu frowned, not keen on him involving too much with Upstairs, but this time he had no choice, right?

Jianqi and the others had lured the guards away, allowing Jiang Yichun to unlock the door and lead Bai Ruozhu and the group inside.

The Western Regions treasure vault appeared not very large at first glance, seemingly incomparable to Danliang’s imperial treasure vault, though whether it had hidden chambers was unknown.

"Isn’t this going a bit too smoothly?" Ao Song asked worriedly.

Bai Ruozhu also felt uneasy, but with an arrow on the string, there was no turning back; even if this place concealed traps, they had to plunge in.

"Check for arrays." She told Ao Song.

Jiang Yichun helped maintain control over the Astrologer, as Ao Song releasing his grip meant the Astrologer would not remain so calm.

Ao Song took out a magical instrument, muttering spells as faint white light floated upwards, flying in two directions.

"There are arrays at both spots; there should be hidden chambers in the back," Ao Song said.

"Can you open them?" Bai Ruozhu asked.

"It shouldn’t be too hard for me." Ao Song’s expression was exceptionally serious; after these experiences, she had matured quite a bit.

While Ao Song cast spells, Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun took the opportunity to lead the Astrologer around, looking for anything that might trigger a reaction in him.

Of course, such special treasures likely weren’t in plain view; they were just being more meticulous.

A Black Gold Curved Knife caught Bai Ruozhu’s attention; it resembled Sangta’s knife, possibly a pair, one with the Western Regions royal family, the other with the Barbarian Tribe.

But it had no effect on the Astrologer.

After making a circuit, they indeed found nothing, while Ao Song had finished casting spells, opened two arrays, and uncovered the mechanism location.

She chose the left mechanism first; Bai Ruozhu somewhat familiar with Mechanical Techniques, inspected and opened it.

Mechanisms too difficult wouldn’t be opened by those untrained in Mechanical Techniques; not every king learned them, thus mechanisms couldn’t be overly complex, just well-hidden and array-protected.

The left Secret Chamber was large, almost as big as the visible treasure vault, filled with exquisite, rarer treasures, including extinct calligraphy and paintings from Zhongyuan’s renowned masters.

But as the Astrologer was led around inside, he still showed no reaction, his eyes just fixated on Ao Song’s hand wound, still wanting to drink blood.

"It must be the other one." Ao Song said confidently, seemingly also encouraging herself.

Soon Bai Ruozhu and she opened the other Secret Chamber; this one was much smaller, easy to survey at a glance, appearing less remarkable.

Ao Song’s face turned grim, "Could that treasure be hidden elsewhere? Not in the vault?"

"It shouldn’t be. If it’s not a longevity treasure, the king wouldn’t carry it around." Jiang Yichun said.

"Take a closer look first." Bai Ruozhu signaled Ao Song to lead the Astrologer inside, passing by one treasure after another.

Suddenly, the Astrologer showed pain, emitting a muffled sound.

"To exorcise him is to counteract the Demon Qi within him; it must cause discomfort, so this is surely it!" Ao Song exclaimed joyfully.

Bai Ruozhu quickly opened a box from the shelf; inside was a piece of white fang, origin unknown, yet entirely white and glossy, almost like jade.

She held the box close to the Astrologer, and indeed, he shrank back in pain, his cries growing louder.

"It’s this!" Ao Song said excitedly.

Bai Ruozhu swiftly closed the lid, stashing the box into Space.

With Spatial Isolation, the Astrologer’s mood calmed down again.

"Let’s head out first." She signaled Jiang Yichun with a glance.

Having found the item, she could relax a bit; the Astrologer was saved.

The four headed toward the exit, only to hear footsteps outside, followed by Western Regioners’ calls: "Surround them, don’t let them escape!"

"Exposed?" Bai Ruozhu asked in surprise. Jianqi and the others outside would intervene if inadvertently exposed; unless...

Unless someone came straight here; Jianqi and his men couldn’t report in time and were now likely preparing to cover their escape.

"No matter, let’s charge out," Jiang Yichun said sternly. "I’ll clear the path; you protect Ao Song and the Astrologer."

"Okay."

The two exchanged a look, no need for many words; one glance conveyed their intentions, their mutual understanding clear.

Ao Song tightly held onto the Astrologer; losing him now was absolutely out of the question.

Jiang Yichun charged ahead, sword drawn, bursting through the main gate; there was a blaze of fire at the entrance, and the newcomers were indeed numerous!

"You’ve colluded with the Prince to steal the Royal Seal; caught in the act, how will you explain?" the man dressed as a General leading them bellowed harshly.