Chapter 88 - How Dare You...

When Xinyi and the Hutyuns arrived earlier, the magical animals was amazed to see a human girl could last the biting cold with her clothes and to have a calm demeanor within the illusion. They also find her voice hilarious. 

Then they saw some tiny beings flew her. They looked at each other and turned their gaze at a cave far ahead.

In that direction, there was a red bear observing Xinyi from the cave. He smiled watching her because he recognized the Hutyuns. The bear shook his head to the fellow animals. They understood and retreated but remained vigilant.

Then he gazed at a certain area in the mountain. "Let's see what will happen next."

Xinyi was oblivious to her surroundings because she concentrated on becoming one with the Hutyuns while flying. Time went by fast. She could see the cave the Hutyuns mentioned. Somehow, her attempts to connect to the Hutyuns failed. Xinyi thought of trying it again when they are out from the trap.

Suddenly, a rushing wave of power headed toward them but... she could not see it and frightened her. "What's this coming?" Her heart pounded heavily and hairs behind her neck stood on end. "Damn, I need my power now but... Why can't I use it now?"

"Queen, a gigantic being is coming," yelped the Hutyuns.

--- o ----

Nianshi flew and went to the centipede's cave and the latter pointed where Xinyi ran off. He thanked the centipede and left. While flying, they searched the areas they passed by. And Nianshi saw the cloudy mountain and reluctant to fly there.

"Why are you hesitating?" Ming asked when Nianshi didn't move an inch while staring ahead.

"Governor, that place is bad news. I feel an unstable power there."

"The more we need to go. She might be down there and causing that disturbance."

"No, it's not her. I can tell. It's from another being." Nianshi continued to search for her presence deep inside him.

"Please, Sir. Your master could be there. Try calling for her."

"I'm doing it." Nianshi closed his eyes and tried contacting her again, but they heard a long squeal instead. Nianshi sensed danger, a strong sound wave attacked them from the mountain. He instantly moved away. 

"What was that?" 

"It's from that creature." Nianshi squinted his eyes staring at the mountain.

"Can you see the creature under that clouds?"

"No, but I can feel it."

"Why can you feel it but not Xinyi?"

"The creature made his presence known to me. He is telling me to leave."

"What?"

Nianshi opened his mouth and roared. The creature squealed back. Ming figured they were talking.

Allow me to translate their conversation. 

Nianshi: Do you see a girl with little beings flying with her?

Creature: No. Even if I see one I won't tell you.

Nianshi: You're lying. I felt her presence earlier but you're blocking our connection with your powers.

Creature: Damn you. Why do you care with this murderer and thief?

Nianshi: What? How dare you...

At this moment Nianshi's patience reached its limit and roared, attacking with his own sound waves. However, the clouds surrounding the mountain thickened in less than a second and absorbed the sound waves like it was nothing.  

The two stared at the clouds with their eyes and mouth froze wide open to witness someone repelled Nianshi's power. 

Not good. This guy is very strong.  Nianshi couldn't bear thinking Xinyi might be facing this horrible monster right now.

"Hold tight, governor. I'm going in." Nianshi folded his wings and dove straight head first, but before they entered the cloudy atmosphere, they sensed a static magical barrier pulling them in. 

"NO!" Ming shouted. He tightened his hold on Nianshi's hairs as his body began swaying away from the lion's head. 

Nianshi was also struggling. He moved his wings to fly up with all the strength he could muster. Inch by inch heis body moved higher until they were out from the pulling force. 

"Illusion trap." Ming breathed short quick breaths, lying on the lion's head.

"I know. And a strong and deadly one." Nianshi looked at his wings and feet. His whole body was trembling, not of fear, but because of the effort exerted fighting against the heavy force.

---- o ----

In Fengfu City, Mafan openly conversed with the free-thinking Qinfen to help him find the place the map showed. And ended up facing the entrance to Cuxin estate. The guards let Qinfen passed the gate but blocked Mafan with crossed spears.

"Lord Qinfen, this man can't enter with you."

"He is my guest. My brother already met him." He didn't wait for the guards and pushed the spears down, pulling Mafan in. The guards had no way to stop him but noted Mafan's pretty face.

"Is Lord Qinfen into men now?"

"Maybe." The two giggled thinking of the possibility.

Mafan heard them well but cared less, as long as he was inside the premise. He turned around, never expected the mines were within the governor's estate and thankful he met Qinfen first. He noticed dusk had come. 

Tomorrow, my quest for the mines will start and tomorrow, I will gain what General Lei Ming said in his journal.