Chapter 123: Obstacle Course
Feeling a bit unwilling to leave the young master out of this, I zip by a particular flower that hasnt been yet ground up by its owner, at a stall.
The flower is known as Ezells tears, for the allergic reactions its pollen causes in normal people. Even for cultivators, who only have enhanced senses, but not fully protected ones, it can cause disorientation and some minor allergic reactions.
What is special about this particular flower is that its owner has clearly removed the pollen glands. Likely to make sure that no one is affected by its effects.
Of course, I use this to my advantage. Snatching up the flower, I heal the removed pollen glands, which immediately start releasing pollen as I move around at high speeds.
Once again, the strength of this specialized scan reveals itself. It shows the exact air currents that the pollen needs to flow to only reach the young master of this group.
I use a mole this time to catch the young masters attention. This creature has another similar item that resembles jewelry that she was wearing. Besides that, it also shakes it in a way that catches attention, sounding almost like the jingling of jewelry.
The mole then throws it in the air and dives to the side. This sound draws the young masters attention to it and as his eyes widen at the site of floating jewelry, already tracing a path back to the source of the throw, the pollen hits his eyes, mouth, and nose. All of which, while he was taking a deep breath of cold air.
Almost immediately, he begins coughing and scratching at his eyes.
He suddenly throws two knives in the girls direction, or where he believed the girl to be (I.e., the moles location), piercing the jewelry into the wall and the location where a human sized person would have moved to after throwing it.
All while being blinded and desperately trying to clear his eyes and face.
He looks absolutely furious.
Ah, I might have made a mistake.
This may cause him to not care about how it appears with the main group.
I shouldnt have involved him until he directly moved.
Taking this in note, I stop all actions towards him and refocus on the henchman.
By this time, both henchmen have met where the girl originally started. The henchman with bird poop in his eye has finally cleared it.
They seem to be well trained, because the path changes, as they stop moving and quickly discuss where she might have gone. It only takes 10 secs, before they figure out that she would head to the main group. They used more than a few explicit words in saying this.
They also note that their boss is coughing and having a tough time, buying her some extra time as they double back, just to hear him yell to go after her. To drag her back to him.
By this time, shes gotten very close to the main group, within earshot, in fact.
Since they changed the path, they caught just the barest glimpse of her almost reaching the group and they redouble their efforts.
Young Master Shui seems to have finally gotten the pollen out of his eyes, and is finally seeing the current situation.
Almost in a single bound, he reaches their location and forces their heads to the ground.
Interestingly, he bows his head slightly, as he is kneeled, showing a form of respect, but not complete submission.
All Long Shui does at this point is give a curt apology, before falling silent. His head still slightly bowed.
Hmm
Maybe they are on semi-equal footing, with Ao Hai at a higher standing at this point in time? Its hard to tell without using the scan.
Ill have to look into this a bit later.
This new young master, Ao Hai, appears dissatisfied, but then acknowledges it with a nod.
He then steps back, and then the three moves back into the chase almost immediately. Unfortunately for them, their prey has already reached the main group, where the cultivator escort is.
Shes standing right next to the escort, visibly relaxing but still keeping a watchful eye back at them. She appears to have noticed all the strange things that occurred, but looks confused why.
From what I can tell, Long Shui isnt known for regular incompetence. Making this situation lol the stranger.
Looking back at Long Shui, it seems hes realized that this might be moving from one unpleasant situation to another.
He seems to be visibly hesitating.
It only takes a moment before he strides over to the group. Its easy to see that he still has something planned.
Im not sure if anything I can do will help.
Hes paying full attention to his surroundings now, and isnt focused on any one thing.
It would be hard surprising him at this point.
Almost helplessly, the only thing I find that I can do, is get closer to the group and see what he has planned
And figure out how Ill handle this situation next