It was dawn. Hearing light footsteps behind him, Wu Kuang who was sitting behind a patch of thorns and watching turned his head. He saw Cui You who had rested for the night approaching. He immediately wanted to stand up but Cui You pressed down on his shoulder.
Cui You leaned over and sat beside him. He also looked through the gaps in the thorns at the cave entrance covered in hanging vines inside the basin and asked, “How is it?”
Wu Kuang said, “It is still the same as before. There is basically no movement, except that smoke seems to be coming out from the cave entrance.”
Cui You said, “You go and rest. I will keep watch.”
After standing up Wu Kuang squatted down again. “Cui steward, when exactly are we going to make our move?”
Cui You said, “Keep waiting. We will naturally act when the time comes. You go and rest.”
Wait? Wu Kuang fell into thought. It seemed his judgment was correct. There really was an inside contact on the side of Miao Qing Hall.
“It is fine. I can rest here as well.”
…
Bang!
Inside the red underground space filled with smoke, a shadow flashed past like a meteor. It slanted down from the air and inserted into the ground. A metal can half embedded itself into the ground. Then there came urgent clanging sounds from inside the can. The vibrations made the embedded can loosen and show signs of bouncing up.
A human figure rushed through the smoke and landed. One foot stepped on the loose can. Flames rose under the foot. The feet kept switching and stomping repeatedly.
After stomping out the burning soles of the shoes, Yu Qing pulled out a cup lid from his waist belt, placed it upside down on the ground, and with a bang slapped the cup lid so it sank into the ground. With the other hand he slowly pulled up the part of the metal can that was embedded in the ground. Once it was level with the ground he began to slide it across the surface towards the lid. When the mouth of the can aligned perfectly with the lid he immediately rotated the metal can. After tightening it he used his inner energy to pull. The can and lid came out completely into his hand.
Clang clang clang clang clang…
The impact sounds inside the metal can were clearly more intense than the previous two times. There was no helping it. There were two fire crickets inside.
Yu Qing who was holding the can and admiring it clicked his tongue twice. His face was full of delight and surprise.
He had not expected this either. He had run around looking for fire crickets because he thought they were not group animals. Who knew two would appear at once in this place. It now seemed the idea that fire crickets were not group animals could be broken.
Of course it could also be for other reasons.
The reason he could catch two at once was that the two fire crickets that had crawled out were a male and a female. They were in the middle of mating when they were caught in one net. Their reaction was much slower than when alone. They were probably too engrossed.
There had been no risk of any escaping during the process. This pair had been caught quite easily. Yu Qing guessed that only during mating would there be such an opportunity.
To him this did not matter. Holding the thing in his hand he leaped away. After jumping around several times on the island land of the lava lake he returned to the exit. Walking to a pile of unused wood he threw the can in his hand onto the ground and moved a pile of wood to press on top of it.
Ignoring the impact sounds from under the wood he turned and headed towards the direction of the tunnel exit.
He walked at an unhurried pace all the way. When he was almost at the exit he stopped again and sat cross legged on the spot to meditate.
After about one and a half hours the smoke had mostly dispersed. Yu Qing pulled down the towel covering his mouth and face and tried breathing once. Although the air was still not very clean it was barely acceptable. Only then did he stand up again and continue forward.
He made no attempt to conceal the sound of his footsteps. Outside the cave Tie Miao Qing and the others all pricked up their ears. After exchanging glances they successively stood up, walked to the cave entrance, pushed aside the hanging vines and looked inside. They saw Yu Qing who had walked over and then stopped inside the cave.
Not hearing any impact sounds from a can on Yu Qing’s body several people immediately drilled inside. Tie Miao Qing said hesitantly, “Ah Shi Heng, is it that there is none…” She stopped before finishing.
Yu Qing sighed and said, “There really is one inside. However catching this one may be a bit troublesome. It may need everyone’s help and cooperation.”
The crowd did not quite understand the situation. But as long as there was still hope of catching it cooperation was naturally no problem. Tie Miao Qing immediately agreed. “Just tell us how you need us to cooperate.”
Yu Qing waved towards Xu Fei and Chong Er who were standing outside the vines and secretly looking in. “All of you come in. The more people the better this time.”
Xu Fei and Chong Er had no objections. Apart from letting themselves be arranged there was no other choice. They obediently came in.
“Follow me.” Yu Qing gestured with his hand. He turned first and walked inside.
Tie Miao Qing and the others followed. Zhu Shang Biao casually took several pre made torches and lit them. Cheng Shan Ping looked back outside with some hesitation.
Yu Qing who had also looked back immediately added, “It is a very simple cooperation. It will be done very quickly.”
Hearing that it would be done very quickly Cheng Shan Ping had no more concerns and quickly followed.
The smoky air had not completely cleared. Xu Fei and Chong Er who did not have the ability to use their cultivation immediately coughed repeatedly. They hurriedly covered their mouths and noses with their sleeves…
“Cui steward, look, there is movement. The people have all gone in.”
Wu Kuang behind the thorns suddenly spoke to remind him.
Cui You who was staring and observing gave a sound of acknowledgment. “I saw it.”
Wu Kuang asked, “Can we act now?”
Cui You frowned in confusion for a moment but he still needed to wait for the definite signal. He shook his head and said, “Keep waiting.”
…
Inside the tunnel when they had walked halfway Yu Qing suddenly stopped, turned around, faced the crowd and smiled. “Everyone wait here for a moment first.” He reached out to ask for the torch from Sun Ping’s hand and then said to Tie Miao Qing, “Boss lady, we will go ahead first to make some arrangements.”
The crowd did not understand what he was doing. Tie Miao Qing however cooperated very well and went with him.
Yu Qing’s behaviour was a bit strange. Sun Ping and the others were somewhat worried there might be some problem. But seeing that Xu Fei and Chong Er were there they felt a bit more at ease.
Yu Qing did not lead Tie Miao Qing too far. But the distance he walked was enough that the people behind could not hear the sounds of conversation here. Tie Miao Qing was no stranger to this place either. Seeing the butts of incense sticks inserted in the cave wall she knew they had reached that place that felt eerie again.
While Tie Miao Qing was feeling uneasy in her heart Yu Qing偏偏 stopped at this exact place. He held up the torch, turned around and met her eyes directly.
Tie Miao Qing sensed something abnormal and immediately became somewhat vigilant. She probed, “Did you not say you wanted to make some arrangements?”
“There are no arrangements.” Yu Qing denied it. Seeing the other party immediately show a highly vigilant expression he waved his hand and said, “Boss lady do not misunderstand. I invited you over in this way because there is something to inform you about. It concerns the life and death of both you and me.”
Tie Miao Qing’s vigilance did not decrease. “What matter could be spoken of by you as being this serious?”
Yu Qing said, “Boss lady, do you still remember when we entered the cave earlier I asked how many shops had accepted the You Ya task?”
Tie Miao Qing thought for a moment. “I remember. What exactly do you want to say?”
Yu Qing said, “If people from another shop want to snatch the three fire crickets in your hands, can I assume this way, since the other party dares to act then their strength definitely exceeds your side. Once they make a move you will almost have no chance of winning. Everyone will be in trouble. Am I right?”
Tie Miao Qing did not deny this point but it was not what she cared about now. “You do not need to worry about these things. You and I only need to fulfil our mutual promises.”
Yu Qing said, “If I say that among your people there is a spy planted by another shop, would you believe it?”
Tie Miao Qing frowned. “What nonsense are you talking? My people are all reliable. There will be no problems.”
Yu Qing said, “Do you still remember the sounds of fighting from the ancient monster old forest? The ancient monster old forest is so large. Why did someone just happen to bump into our advancing route, causing conflict with the mountain monster? Actually your suspicion at the time was not wrong. There really was someone following us.”
Tie Miao Qing did not know what this person wanted by saying these things at this time. “That was me overthinking. What they said was correct. If they were really tracking us, knowing that we had alarmed the ‘single horned mountain monster’ ahead, how could they still rush straight up? Even if someone was tracking us you also know the consequences of fighting in the ancient monster old forest.”
Yu Qing said, “This is what I want to confirm. I cannot treat my own life as a joke. I want to know whether those people escaped from the ancient monster old forest.”
Seeing that he insisted on suspecting her people, which was no different from insulting her people, Tie Miao Qing felt a bit angry. “Do you not feel that your current behaviour is like sowing discord? I said I would keep my promise. You have no need to worry that I will go back on my word. There is no need to rack your brains here. It is useless.”
“I have caught the third fire cricket.” Yu Qing suddenly changed the subject. He reached out and pointed towards the end of the tunnel. “It is right under that pile of wood. If you are not afraid of death then feel free to take it and leave. I…”
Caught it? Tie Miao Qing was surprised and doubtful. Suddenly her gaze flashed. She moved as fast as lightning and pointed several times on Yu Qing’s body. Fearing Yu Qing was playing some trick she first sealed Yu Qing’s acupoints. Then holding the torch she flashed away.
Yu Qing who was stunned stiff remained frozen on the spot. He had not expected that before he finished the words he had been preparing Tie Miao Qing would launch a sudden attack on him. This completely unreasonable behaviour was entirely beyond his expectations. He cursed wildly in his heart.
Fortunately Tie Miao Qing was eager to know the answer. Her speed coming and going was very fast. Before long she returned. In her hand she held the metal can that kept clanging nonstop. Her expression under the torchlight was full of surprise and delight. “Two? You caught two at once?”
Yu Qing remained motionless and did not utter a sound.
Tie Miao Qing then reacted. She quickly reached out to unseal his acupoints and asked again, “How did you catch two?”
Yu Qing rubbed his chest. He did not drag on with this woman and pulled the topic back. “I now suspect that the inside traitor has already led people from the other shop to the outside. There is a very high possibility that an ambush has already been set up outside. If it is really like this then the reason they have not acted for so long is that they are waiting for the three fire crickets in your hands to be gathered. Do you know the consequences of taking the things in your hands out now?”
Tie Miao Qing understood the meaning in his words. She also understood why he had caught the fire crickets yet said he had not. She sighed and said, “You are really overthinking. All three of them are my trusted aides. They have followed our husband and wife for many years. They will not betray us.”
Yu Qing threw out a sentence, “They are not my trusted aides!”
His tone was ice cold. The meaning was also cold. I do not believe them!
Tie Miao Qing said, “I do not understand. Why would you suddenly have this suspicion for no reason?”
Yu Qing did not want to say the real reason. He found a huge excuse. “I divined a hexagram and calculated it. Actually I had already calculated long ago that there is an inside traitor among us.”
Tie Miao Qing was stunned for a moment. She was a beneficiary of this ‘divine calculation’ skill and also the one among the crowd who believed in it the most. After being speechless for a while she asked, “Who is the inside traitor you suspect?”
Yu Qing had his own plans. He would not say the suspected target now. “If I could calculate every little detail then I would not need to go to this trouble. I can only calculate that there is a traitor by your side. I still do not know exactly who it is. Not saying it out in front of everyone is also because I am afraid I calculated wrong and fear causing misunderstanding. After all I already made a mistake when the boss lady was communicating with the spirits. Asking the boss lady to speak in private is precisely to discuss a method to verify it.”