This third underground passage for searching the fire crickets should be the shortest one. They walked less than five miles before reaching the end, possibly related to the terrain being a basin.
The underground space was glowing red. Yu Qing only took a casual look around before returning with Tie Miaoqing.
Tie Miaoqing had originally wanted him to rest near the end to avoid him running back and forth. However, as a dignified Xuan-level cultivator, when she thought of that unclean existence, the words would not leave her mouth. She allowed Yu Qing to accompany her back.
On the way, they passed the spot that made her feel uneasy all over. Tie Miaoqing could still recognise it. The incense stick that Yu Qing had inserted into the cave wall had not yet burned out and was still emitting faint red light.
When the two emerged from the cave entrance, Zhu Shangbiao and Cheng Shanping had already finished preparing the cut trees.
The sky had also turned dark.
The group rested right there, behind the hanging vines at the cave entrance. Other matters could wait until after they had rested.
Zhu Shangbiao and Cheng Shanping lit a bonfire outside the cave and chatted. This also served as a form of vigilance. Not everyone could close their eyes during rest.
While chatting halfway, Cheng Shanping said he wanted to go to the high mountain ahead to see the night view. Zhu Shangbiao let him go.
Yu Qing slowly opened a slit in his eyes, glanced through the gaps in the vines at the figure disappearing into the night, and then slowly closed his eyes again.
Plop!
A stone fell from the sky and smashed into the riverbed from the rainy season, now a dry mountain gully.
“What person?”
The personnel from Jian Yuan Zhai who were resting in the mountain gully were startled and jumped up. They shouted loudly. Steward Cui You scanned around with cold eyes.
A hoarse calling voice came from the mountain forest. “Cui You.”
“Over there!” Someone pointed in the direction the voice came from.
Cui You, with a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, flashed forward to stand in front of everyone. He waved his hand to stop those who wanted to go check. He turned back and instructed, “This has nothing to do with you. Continue resting.” Then he flashed away in pursuit.
Everyone was surprised and doubtful. Wu Kuang seemed thoughtful. He knew it was probably the person Cui the steward had mentioned who was coming to deliver instructions. He immediately turned to calm everyone. “It’s nothing. It’s nothing. Rest, everyone, rest.”
It was a false alarm. Since nothing was wrong, and everyone had not yet recovered from their fatigue, they were happy to relax and sat down one after another.
Cui You, who had plunged into the mountain forest, saw a human figure flashing towards the mountain top. He immediately shot forward like lightning in pursuit.
The two figures landed one after the other under a large tree on the mountain top. One of them kept looking around. The moonlight filtering down through the tree canopy illuminated his face. It was none other than Cheng Shanping from Miaoqing Hall.
Cui You smiled and said, “Do not be so nervous. No one is coming. It is just me alone.”
Cheng Shanping glanced at the bandaged wound on his chest. “It seems my judgment was correct. The ones fighting in the ancient monster forest were indeed you. Those few ‘non-monsters’ are no pushovers. How did you escape from their hands?”
Speaking of this, Cui You sighed and shook his head. “Better not to talk about this matter. I naturally have my own ways to escape. Let us talk about the main issue instead. Has Miaoqing Hall really found the fire crickets?”
Cheng Shanping frowned. “You did not find them?”
Cui You snorted with a self-mocking tone. “We did find them, but our reach was too short. We could not get to them. We could not catch even one. Otherwise, why do you think I led people to chase over day and night as soon as I received your signal? However, looking at your direction, it does not seem like you succeeded either. It does not look like you are returning to Youjiao Port.”
Cheng Shanping said, “We have not found all of them yet. We are still short one.”
Cui You’s eyes lit up with surprise and admiration. “You caught two? Miaoqing Hall actually has this ability. I did not see that coming! Quickly tell me how you caught them.”
Cheng Shanping said, “Actually, it was not Miaoqing Hall that caught them. This matter was purely coincidental. On the road, we unexpectedly encountered two scholars heading to the capital for the imperial examinations.” He briefly explained the situation.
After listening, Cui You was stunned for a while and felt a bit confused. “There is actually such a thing? Could it be that there really is some ability to foresee the future in this world?”
Cheng Shanping rolled his eyes. “Cui You, those two women over there have the views of mere housewives. Could it be that you also have long hair but short insight? If there really was the ability to foresee the future, would we have ended up in our current situation? That kid, the moment he met us, opened his mouth with words of swindling and cheating. One look and you can tell he is not a good sort. He only engages in all sorts of ghostly tricks. It is clearly just some Jianghu scam techniques. Yet Tie Miaoqing actually believed his nonsense. In my view, he probably just used the smoke from the incense to fumigate the fire crickets out.”
Cui You found the earlier words acceptable, but the later ones made him listen with some hesitation. “Smoke fumigation? I have tried that too. It was useless.”
Cheng Shanping sighed. “I have also tried smoke fumigation on my side with no effect. There must be some trick in here that we do not understand. Looking at the signs, I estimate that something was mixed into the smoke. Once we catch him and interrogate him under torture, everything will become clear. At that time, I will even slap his face to see if he can calculate that he would have this calamity!”
Cui You waved his large hand. “No matter what method he used, being able to catch the fire crickets is a skill. I only want to bring the things back to give an account to the chief steward. Alright, enough nonsense. Let us discuss how to make our move instead.”
Cheng Shanping said, “How else can we make our move? Either go over and wipe them all out in one go, then force that kid to help you find the third one. I can force him to submit on my side, and naturally you can on yours. Or just wait. Wait until that kid finds the third one before making your move. You decide for yourself.”
Cui You nodded with a hum. After a slight ponder, he said slowly, “From what you said, the possibility of him finding the third one is very high. Since that is the case, there is no need to create extra complications. Let us wait a bit more. Once the third one is found, you send the signal again, and I will immediately take action.”
“Good.” Cheng Shanping agreed, but then put forward a requirement. “You can take the fire crickets, but when you make your move, you must guarantee the safety of everyone in Miaoqing Hall. I do not care about the others, but the people from Miaoqing Hall cannot die.”
Cui You sighed. “Swords have no eyes. I cannot guarantee it absolutely!”
Cheng Shanping immediately reminded him sternly, “I warn you, if anything happens to Sun Ping or Zhu Shangbiao, Tie Miaoqing will definitely fight desperately. If that ruins the chief steward’s plans, ask yourself if you can give an account to the chief steward. You can hold me hostage to force Tie Miaoqing to hand over the fire crickets.”
Cui You thought for a moment. “Alright, I know. When we act, I will try my best to control it.”
The two continued whispering for a while longer. Cui You, to guard against any contingencies, wanted to take control of the situation first so that the people from Miaoqing Hall could not run away. After Cheng Shanping informed him of the detailed location, the two then separated.
Back at the camp, Cui You immediately summoned everyone to get up, ended their rest, and led a group of people to set off in the dark.
It did not take too long before the group stealthily reached near the resting spot of Miaoqing Hall and the others.
Hidden in the mountain forest, they could see the bonfire at the cave entrance and could also see Cheng Shanping and Zhu Shangbiao sitting by the bonfire chatting and laughing.
Wu Kuang, who was accompanying Cui You and observing from the front, saw the two by the bonfire and was greatly surprised. He whispered, “Zhu Shangbiao and Cheng Shanping from Miaoqing Hall? Steward, are we tracking the people from Miaoqing Hall this whole way?”
Now that things had come to this, Cui You could not completely hide it from him. He whispered a reminder, “Have the brothers keep a close watch. This time the task relies on Miaoqing Hall. We are here to pick the peaches!”
Wu Kuang suddenly realised, then became puzzled again. “Even we had no way to catch those three insects. What method could Miaoqing Hall have?”
Cui You said, “I will tell you what to do at the time, and you will naturally know then. It is estimated that it will take half a day before there is a result. For now, let everyone take turns resting and taking turns watching. Rest well and gather your spirit to act. Remember, everyone be careful. Do not alert the enemy!”
“Understood.” Wu Kuang nodded, but he was reluctant to leave just like that to prepare. He rubbed his hands and chuckled. “Steward, I have a presumptuous request.”
Cui You stared at the movements over at the bonfire. “Do not waste words. Speak.”
Wu Kuang chuckled. “I heard that the proprietress of Miaoqing Hall has also come. That woman, you know her. That appearance and figure are truly a rare beauty. Back then she was the top flower of Youjiao Port, yet she ended up with that pretty boy Yan Xu, leaving so many men regretful. In Youjiao Port everyone followed the rules and did not dare to act recklessly. Now this woman has run over here. Cui Steward, look, I have been running around with you in these remote mountains and wild ridges for so long. Even if I have no merits, I have had hardships. How about letting me take care of that woman Tie Miaoqing for one night afterwards?”
“Hah.” Cui You smiled superficially without warmth. He turned back and looked Wu Kuang up and down. “You still know about Yan Xu? Then do you know what Yan Xu has become now?”
Wu Kuang laughed. “I heard. It seems he was poisoned severely and is now hanging by a thread. I heard that the group from Miaoqing Hall is doing everything they can to keep him breathing. Tie Miaoqing has delicate skin and tender flesh. The fact that she could personally run to this ancient tomb wilderness is nothing more than wanting to complete the Youya task to save her husband.”
Cui You snorted. “Then do you know why Yan Xu ended up in this state?”
“Uh…” The sturdy man with stubble was stunned. From the other party’s words he sensed a different meaning. He instantly thought of the markers left behind by the Miaoqing Hall group and immediately understood something. His face showed uncertainty and alarm.
Cui You raised his hand and patted his shoulder. “Wu Kuang, in this world many beautiful things, everyone wants them, but most people can only think about them in their hearts. To truly obtain them requires strength. Behind tempting things, risks are often hidden. Do not reach out lightly. At best you bring humiliation upon yourself. At worst your life is hard to preserve. Considering your service running errands for me during this period, I advise you one thing. Just think about it in your heart. Do not touch it. Understand?”
“Hehe, what the steward says is right. Understood. Then, I will go make arrangements.” Wu Kuang retreated with a dry laugh.
Cui You shook his head and once again stared in the direction of the bonfire to observe.
It was not until the latter half of the night that Yu Qing, who had rested sufficiently, finished his cultivation and stood up. His gaze first glanced at Cheng Shanping, then looked outside where there were occasional insect chirps.
Once he had rested well, the group from Miaoqing Hall immediately started moving around him.
Cheng Shanping and Zhu Shangbiao began transporting the cut wood inside. They had been afraid of disturbing Yu Qing’s rest earlier.
Sun Ping then presented the prepared food and drink. The last five bags of spiritual rice had been cooked.
After eating and drinking their fill, Yu Qing raised his hand to smooth his ponytail, then went alone deeper into the cave.
The four from Miaoqing Hall switched so that Cheng Shanping and Zhu Shangbiao rested. Tie Miaoqing and Sun Ping were responsible for vigilance. Xu Fei and Chong’er continued to pass the time nearby.