Chapter 1811 - 1797

Chu Ge saw the Old Gang Leader stop and curiously approached, "What’s the matter again?"

The Old Gang Leader shook his head, placed his hands on his hips, and glanced around, then said to Chu Ge, "If I remember correctly, we should be there."

Chu Ge was even more puzzled, "But we haven’t reached the volcano yet?"

"No, I remember we didn’t go all the way to the volcano. We went down the hillside here to the backside, where there’s a cave."

The Old Gang Leader recalled, "Even though it’s been over ten years, there hasn’t been a volcanic eruption in this time. Not much has changed here, as I remember."

Chu Ge surveyed the surroundings. To him, this place was barren—not a single plant, nor any significant landmarks. He really wondered how the Old Gang Leader remembered the location.

"Then let’s head to the back of the mountain," Chu Ge suggested. He had no other choice but to believe the Old Gang Leader.

The Old Gang Leader pointed in a direction, and they headed that way. When they reached the back of the mountain, perhaps due to the angle, the light dimmed significantly, and it was already evening.

They walked for a while, and just as they seemed about to reach the foot of the mountain, they still hadn’t found the cave entrance.

Unable to resist, Chu Ge stopped to look at the Old Gang Leader, about to ask a question when the Old Gang Leader suddenly slapped his thigh, "Found it! Look!"

The Old Gang Leader ran forward excitedly, pointing at a black, charred-looking entrance, "Chu Ge, it’s here! This is the entrance!"

If the Old Gang Leader hadn’t pointed out the cave entrance, Chu Ge wouldn’t have noticed it; it was pitch black, impossible to see anything.

Chu Ge strode over and looked at the pitch-black cave entrance, "Are you saying the Time-Space Mirror is in there?"

The Old Gang Leader nodded, his face full of excitement, "That’s right, it’s right here. I remember when Wei Yongxiang brought me here, we entered from this spot."

As he spoke, the Old Gang Leader was ready to enter. Chu Ge quickly pulled him back, "Old Gang Leader, wait a moment."

The Old Gang Leader looked at him in confusion, "What’s the matter? Why can’t we go in? We finally found it."

Chu Ge nodded, "Yes, we’ve indeed found it, but look inside—it’s pitch black, nothing is visible. If we rush in recklessly, we might face danger."

The Old Gang Leader patted Chu Ge on the shoulder, "You’re overthinking it. According to Wei Yongxiang, he wouldn’t set any traps here."

Chu Ge frowned. No traps here? If he could set up traps outside, yet did none here, that would be quite arrogant.

Does he think they couldn’t get through the Refraction Mirror?

The Old Gang Leader sighed with emotion, "Actually, don’t assume Wei Yongxiang was foolish not to set traps here. In truth, he couldn’t."

"What do you mean?"

"Because he couldn’t control the Time-Space Mirror either. We can stroll in unharmed, but if you touch the Time-Space Mirror, dangerous things will automatically emerge, and you might get caught."

Chu Ge was surprised, "You’re saying there are traps in here, but they weren’t set by Wei Yongxiang?"

The Old Gang Leader nodded, "That’s right, but these traps inside are largely decorative. However, whether they are a problem depends on how you proceed—there’s a technique to it. To win me over, Wei Yongxiang told me the technique himself."

"What technique?"

Chu Ge asked eagerly.

The Old Gang Leader chuckled mysteriously, winking at Chu Ge, "Don’t rush; just follow me and see for yourself."

Seeing him keeping secrets, Chu Ge was speechless. At such a crucial time, he was still playing games.

Yet, having no choice, Chu Ge silently followed the Old Gang Leader into the cave.

...

In the military camp, the Prince’s ordered investigators returned.

So the Prince hurriedly emerged from Fengluo Camp, "What were the investigation results?"

The Prince asked, his face stern and cold as he looked at the newcomer.

"Reporting to the Prince, the Old Gang Leader and Chu Ge did indeed go up the mountain early in the morning to gather herbs."

The soldier replied truthfully.

The Prince fell silent, really gathering herbs? He wasn’t suspicious of Chu Ge serving as a military doctor in the camp, but the Old Gang Leader joining in was doubtful.

The Old Gang Leader was someone who wouldn’t be constrained; even when the Emperor offered him an official title, he refused. Yet he was willing to come here as an apprentice to a young man? There must be something else to this!

The Prince pressed his lips tightly, his gaze coldly fixed ahead, "Are you sure the information is reliable?"

The man paused, then continued, "Reporting to the Prince, I haven’t finished speaking."

The Prince glared at him, "Then why aren’t you continuing!?"

"Yes!" The man quickly continued, "I found out they indeed went up the mountain to gather herbs, but they couldn’t have done it all day unless they encountered some danger. I sent someone to check the mountain, and there was no one there."

"What do you mean?"

The Prince looked at him doubtfully, "Explain yourself clearly."

"I paid a fisherman to inquire about the situation. It turns out they used the pretext of gathering herbs to go to Gourd Island."

Upon hearing the words ’Gourd Island,’ the Prince’s expression changed.

Indeed! The Old Gang Leader’s visit to the camp was indeed about Gourd Island! Could it be that Chu Ge is connected to Wei Yongxiang? Why did the Old Gang Leader take Chu Ge to Gourd Island?

A string of questions tangled in the Prince’s mind.

"Prince, what should we do next?"

"There’s nothing to do yet; wait, wait for them to return."

The Prince’s voice was heavy, "Arrange to ambush them at their landing spot. As soon as they come ashore, capture them immediately!"

He couldn’t allow the tragedy of fifteen years ago to happen again. Regardless of who Chu Ge was or his connection to Wei Yongxiang, he couldn’t let the events of the past repeat!

Old Gang Leader, you truly are muddle-headed, taking someone to Gourd Island. Haven’t you learned from the past enough?!"

The Prince’s hand dropped to his side, clenched into a fist, and then slammed heavily onto the table.

On Gourd Island, the Old Gang Leader sneezed abruptly, rubbed his nose, and muttered, "Who’s cursing me?"

As he spoke, he touched a nearby rock, which was warm to the touch yet not very hot.

"We are getting close."

The Old Gang Leader said, "Chu Ge, I know you must be very excited now, but once you see the Time-Space Mirror, you have to promise me one thing."

Chu Ge nodded, "Old Gang Leader, please tell me."

He was undoubtedly excited, as he would soon see the Time-Space Mirror, bringing him closer to his time to go home.