Chapter 894

Chapter 894: Dispersal and Escape

In the underground ruins.

Lolan Hill swung her longsword, sending out several violet light blades that easily shattered and annihilated the spirits rushing towards her. She then surveyed her surroundings before continuing forward.

This area was already quite deep within the ruins. In the dim space, one could hear the sound of dripping water. The ground was covered with damp, cracked stone bricks, some of which had collapsed or were lifting at the edges, making the passage uneven.

Although most of the supplies in the ruins had decayed and been damaged, a small portion had survived. When Lolan Hill searched a room earlier, she found a box of gems.

These gems and scattered gold coins were vastly different in style compared to those of the present era, suggesting they belonged to the first era, when the orc Empire ruled. They likely ended up here because past explorers had stored their loot here but forgot to retrieve it later.

After a rough estimate, even if these gems were taken out now, they could fetch over a hundred extraordinary gold coins, which would be a considerable sum.

After putting away the gems, Lolan Hill continued down the corridor and began to hear a commotion.

“Break open this door; there are treasures left behind by our family inside,” Baron Moroz suppressed his excitement as he directed a large stone door.

“Your Excellency, this may not be what you described earlier.”

Several officers stood beneath the massive ten-meter-high door, looking up at the tightly closed gate adorned with wailing skeletons, clearly a symbol of the Mercury Dynasty. Moreover, the cold magic power seeping from the cracks suggested that whatever was stored inside was no ordinary treasure.

“We should perhaps return and seek some support; what’s inside is dangerous,” other adventurers standing near the door began to waver. Although they were greedy, they valued their lives more.

“No, we must do it today,” Baron Moroz shook his head and explained, “Once this ruin is opened, a self-destruct mechanism will activate. If we wait a few days, we’ll get nothing.”

“There isn’t enough time to prepare. Wealth is right before us. If you help me retrieve the treasures left by my family, I promise to give each of you three hundred extraordinary gold coins as a reward.”

He offered a staggering amount, far beyond what many ordinary adventurers could earn in a lifetime.

“This…” The others hesitated, but the generous offer eventually won them over.

“Then leave it to us. However, Your Excellency can provide some advance payment?” one of the cunning adventurers asked.

“We aren’t like you; if you renege on your promise, we’d be in trouble.”

“Hmph, take it. This is all the money I have on me. Once we return to the castle, I can give you more.”

With that, Baron Moroz pulled out a pouch containing extraordinary gold coins, broken gems, and some jewelry found in the ruins.

After counting, it was worth about fifty extraordinary gold coins. The adventurers nodded and began their preparations.

They first had the people at the door step back. One of them took items from their backpack and retrieved bottles and jars from their waist and pockets, mixing them on the spot.

“Is this alchemy?” Yan Liuyan asked, recognizing the familiar scene.

“Indeed, sir. Though I’m just a half-baked alchemist, my teacher fled from Rourna and taught me some genuine skills.”

The adventurer in the dark green robe squatted on the ground, quickly shaking the test tubes and adding ingredients like glass shards, then stirring again.

When bubbles rose in the mixture, he carefully took out a package from his backpack filled with black powder, placed it under the door, and wedged it into the crack. Then, he made a small opening and poured the mixture inside.

After completing these actions, he stepped back and retreated dozens of meters before summoning tiny sparks of magic energy, which drifted slowly toward the mixture.

“Boom!”

It was like a small firework igniting, with countless tiny sparks bursting simultaneously, followed by a dull explosion.

Once the dust settled after the explosion, the others emerged from behind the wall, searching through the smoky ruins.

The originally sealed door had loosened and partially opened outward. Though small, it was enough for the remaining few to squeeze through sideways.

“Alright, let’s continue,” Baron Moroz excitedly waved, leading the others forward as they squeezed through the gap.

Only after everyone entered did Lolan Hill step out from around the corner, looking at the core area of the ruins. She stopped under the door, gazing at the wailing skeleton pattern, feeling a sense of awe.

According to Cui Nasha, this should be the mark of the Chamber of Wails, symbolizing the danger and power of what lay inside—a place that needed to be handled with utmost care.

‘The stronger something is, the more likely it is to bring disaster and curses.’ —A proverb from a governor of the Mercury Dynasty.

She didn’t know whether opening this place was a good or bad thing. The young girl shook her head, then placed her hand on the hilt of her sword and walked through the open stone door, entering the dark and silent depths.

—

At the same time, on the other side under the night sky.

Xialuoluo was being protected while running through the wilderness. The rugged mountain path made escape difficult. She stumbled over roots and loose stones, occasionally slipping and twisting her ankle.

Fortunately, her trained body didn’t suffer serious injury, but she looked quite disheveled. Mud caked her boots, and her skirt’s hem was scratched and torn.

“Over there!” A shout and chase came from afar. The elite soldiers of the empire still pursued relentlessly, holding torches to search for Xialuoluo and her companions in the darkness.

“Quick, quick, quick!” They urged their comrades, and a bright signal arrow shot up into the night sky, piercing the silence.

“Cursed hyenas!”

Seeing the gathered pursuers, several of Naitiwen family’s personal guards spat angrily, but they were helpless. They weren’t a match for these pursuers in terms of combat strength.

“We can’t keep running like this,” Gersimi slowed down, quickly scanning the surroundings and the distance.

“We need to find a way to shake them off.”

He pondered quickly and then looked up.

“You three form a team and run in different directions. That’s the only way to draw them away.”

“But that means fewer guards around Miss Xialuoluo,” the captain immediately noticed the flaw.

“In critical moments, we can’t worry about that. Being caught now is worse than anything else, even with more guards. You understand, don’t you?”

Gersimi stared directly at the captain.

The captain looked between Xialuoluo and Gersimi, hesitating for a moment before nodding firmly.

“Alright, we’ll serve as decoys. You take the young lady to safety.”

He turned and waved.

“Follow orders. Form teams of three and scatter. If we survive, we’ll meet at the outpost in the southern Dragon Spine Mountains in three months.”

“Yes!”

These were Naitiwen family’s loyal soldiers, who had already prepared themselves mentally. They dispersed deliberately, creating noise to draw the enemy’s attention.

“This helmet and cloak are yours. Hopefully, Miss Xialuoluo can wear them; it will make her safer.”

The captain removed his helmet and cloak.

Compared to Lottie’s attire, his helmet and cloak would make the girl appear indistinguishable from the others from behind, reducing attention.

“Thank you.”

Xialuoluo didn’t hesitate and accepted the cloak and helmet.

“You also need to be careful. I hope to see you again.”

She responded sincerely to the loyal guard.

“Of course. I’ll live to see Lady Yiwenni rebuild the Naitiwen family,” the captain said with a smile, nodding at Xialuoluo before running off into the night with the guards, disappearing into the depths of the forest.

Seeing Xialuoluo motionless, Gersimi reminded her, “Young Lady, we should go now.”

“Alright.”

Xialuoluo put on the helmet and cloak and stepped back into the dark woods.

(End of Chapter)