National Guardian's Gone and We're Done

Chapter 44: Chapter 44: I Spared Your Life Last Time, and You’re Still Confident?

Chu He’s face was always as calm and placid as a lake’s surface, as if he could remain composed no matter what storm he faced.

Liu Yuzhu looked at him, a sense of helplessness rising in her heart. She said softly, ”I’m afraid not everyone can achieve a state of mind like yours, Mr. Chu.”

”Tell me. What exactly has happened?”

Chu He’s voice was like a gentle spring breeze.

Liu Yuzhu began to explain slowly, ”The first matter is the Black Pearl.

This legendary Ghost Ship has recently caused a huge uproar among the nations of the world again.

It disappeared for a while and has now quietly reappeared, but its target nation this time is still unknown.

The Black Pearl, a ship full of Curses, brings unimaginable disaster and destruction with every appearance.

The terrifying scenes from its first appearance are still vivid; the whole world was shocked.

Many countries sent elite forces to try and uncover the secrets behind it, but every time, the Black Pearl would vanish so bizarrely it was as if it had never existed at all.”

”The second matter is related to the Great Jing Empire.”

Liu Yuzhu’s brow furrowed slightly as she continued, ”The Great Jing Empire has announced that Xiao Cangqing himself will take action. He’s going to the Demon Cave to completely resolve the problem of the Evil Spirits causing trouble there.

Mr. Chu, what are your thoughts on this matter?”

Chu He nodded slightly, his face showing little emotion. He said faintly, ”The Black Pearl... I heard legends about it when I was the Defender of the Demon Cave in the Great Jing Empire.

Its three appearances each caused irreparable damage.

Now, a fourth appearance is imminent. I fear it will be another bloodbath.”

”As for Xiao Cangqing’s matter,”

Chu He paused for a moment before continuing, ”Every country has a Demon Cave. Most nations speculate that the Evil Spirits come from these Demon Caves.

If all the Evil Spirits could be driven back into the Demon Caves, and the Demon Caves then utterly destroyed, perhaps this planet could return to peace.

But that is, without a doubt, an extremely difficult task.”

”The Demon Cave in the Great Jing Empire is rated five stars for danger.

But in my opinion, that assessment seems a bit low.”

Chu He said gravely, ”Five stars is the highest level on the danger index, so that’s the highest it can be rated.

But if it were to be assessed based on the actual situation, I’m afraid its danger level would exceed that scale.”

As the former Defender of the Great Jing Empire’s Demon Cave, Chu He’s understanding of that place was bone-deep.

”Is that so? Then Xiao Cangqing is in for quite a show.”

Liu Yuzhu gazed into the distance, her eyes glinting with a mix of anticipation and schadenfreude.

She was already getting impatient to see the live broadcast.

The Great Jing Empire’s operation this time, after all, would be streamed live for the whole world to see.

Liu Yuzhu had absolute faith in Chu He’s judgment.

...

「The Great Jing Empire’s Demon Cave.」

Morning sunlight pierced through layers of clouds and mist, spilling onto the open plain.

Gao Yimin and Dai Ju emerged from a tent. Both seemed to have returned to normal, at least on the surface.

”Did you two sleep in the same tent last night?”

Zong Yajuan had just returned from patrol. Seeing Gao Yimin and Dai Ju walking out side-by-side, she asked in surprise.

Gao Yimin nodded, a forced smile on her face. ”Yes, we were together last night.”

Dai Ju, however, wore a cold expression and said nothing.

”What’s wrong with you two?”

Zong Yajuan keenly sensed the tension between them. ”Right now, we’re facing the unfathomable Evil Spirits of the Demon Cave. Even the slightest bit of friction between us could become a fatal vulnerability.”

Hearing this, Gao Yimin forced an even brighter smile. ”Don’t worry, Big Sis. We’ll be careful.”

Seeing this, Zong Yajuan didn’t press the issue.

After all, they were all adults, and King-level Martial Artists at that. They should know how to prioritize.

So she turned to face everyone and shouted, ”Everyone, assemble!”

”Big Sis, aren’t you going to rest? You just got back from patrol and you’re already assembling the team. Did something happen?”

Gao Yimin couldn’t help but ask, seeing Zong Yajuan’s hurried expression.

Dai Ju also cast an inquisitive glance.

A brilliant smile bloomed on Zong Yajuan’s face, like a refreshing spring breeze. ”I have good news for you all.

Her Majesty the Queen has sent Xiao Cangqing. His mission is to completely purge the Evil Spirits from the Demon Cave.”

Hearing this news, both Gao Yimin and Dai Ju’s expressions became a little unnatural.

’If the Evil Spirits in the Demon Cave could really be purged, wouldn’t that make their experience of being controlled by them all for naught?’

’More importantly, Xiao Cangqing’s power is unfathomable, far beyond that of an ordinary King Level expert.’

’When he arrives, will he see through the Evil Spirit power hidden within their bodies?’

At this thought, Dai Ju shot Gao Yimin a vicious glare and turned to walk away.

Gao Yimin, for her part, struggled to maintain her smile, trying to hide her inner panic.

Soon, the members of the Time Girl Group were urgently assembled.

Led by Zong Yajuan, they walked in an orderly formation toward the convoy of vehicles waiting to receive them.

Every member’s face held a trace of nervousness and anticipation.

After all, they were about to welcome the renowned Xiao Cangqing of the Great Jing Empire.

The reporters stationed at the Demon Cave were elated to see this.

Although they had been tasked with live-streaming every moment from the Demon Cave to the citizens of Great Jing—a mission they were to complete even in the face of death—their greatest wish was, naturally, to leave this dangerous place alive.

When Xiao Cangqing stepped out of the vehicle, Zong Yajuan immediately went up to greet him, her face beaming with a sincere smile. ”Xiao Cangqing, it’s so good that you’ve come.”

Her happiness was genuine; after all, Xiao Cangqing’s arrival meant there might be a turning point in the Demon Cave crisis.

However,

Xiao Cangqing showed Zong Yajuan no courtesy whatsoever. He shot her a cold glance. ”Twelve King-level experts have been in the Demon Cave for this long and still haven’t dealt with the Evil Spirits, and you’ve even lost two of your own. I really don’t know how you, the captain, have the face to smile.”

Zong Yajuan’s smile froze on her face.

The other members of the Time Girl Group also frowned, glaring at Xiao Cangqing with displeasure.

Xiao Cangqing paid no mind to their reactions and asked directly, ”What’s your current status?”

Zong Yajuan suppressed her displeasure and replied, ”Our current status is fine.”

”Good,” Xiao Cangqing said.

”Her Majesty the Queen has ordered that upon my arrival at the Demon Cave, all of you are to be under my command.

You must obey my orders. If anyone dares to be two-faced, don’t blame me for being merciless.”

”Now, move out immediately. We’re going to completely purge all the Evil Spirits from this Demon Cave together.”

After speaking, Xiao Cangqing strode off toward the mountain range deeper in the Demon Cave,

unafraid of the dense, cold, gray miasma.

The members of the Time Girl Group exchanged glances. Though reluctant, they chose to follow.

As they went deeper into the Demon Cave, a nauseating stench instantly spread, filling the air,

like the combined odor of thousands upon thousands of rotting corpses,

making one’s stomach churn and want to retch.

Xiao Cangqing, however, seemed accustomed to it. He waved his hand and said, ”You all go deal with the other Evil Spirits. Leave this rotting man to me.”

And when the rotting man saw Xiao Cangqing arrive, a cruel smile spread across his face.

He said menacingly, ”Look at you, acting like you’re Chu He. I spared you last time, and now you’ve gotten confident?”

His voice was hoarse and grating, full of provocation and contempt.