Chapter 101 - Don't Know the Effect

In Fengfu City.

That night when General Lofey came around, Anghus told them everything he knew but it was not sound convincing for the general's ears. He left his men to look after Anghus as the generals planned and rest for the night. 

The next day, Anghus stood silent in front of General Lofey and General Hester in the old general's tent. Veiled Lifen waited outside for Anghus and to keep the General from touching the prisoner. 

Anghus palms and forehead was wet with sweat. He gulped down looking up at the two.

"Wait! Did you say Mafan hired your group? What does he want in Fengfu?" General Lofey asked him harshly and with his broadsword on his waist.

Anghus gulped hard as beads of sweat covered his whole body. He was totally scared for his life. "He never really told us," he answered with shivering voice. 

He didn't know what would become of him after this. These two big men with braided blond hair seemed scary compared to Mafan or Ming. What have I gotten myself into?

General Lofey didn't believe him. His face grew red and grabbed Anghus's collar.

"Tell me one good reason I should believe you?" He fisted his free hand, ready to swing a punch anytime.

Anghus crossed his arms on his face to block the big punch of the general. "Because I wouldn't have saved you out from the illusion and wouldn't dare to be here with you guys if I knew. I'd be out there with Mafan to stay safe from you, people." 

The general threw him down and spat on Anghus. "I'm letting you go now for taking us out from the illusion." He scowled. "But if you dare make a suspicious move, I'll beat you until your ancestors can't recognize you." General Lofey walked out after speaking. 

"Men, search out for the traitor, Mafan. I don't care if you have to search for him high and low. Scour the inner city and the vicinity around the walls until you find that scoundrel." The whole Goding army moved in teams and checked every alleys and houses for Mafan.

General Hester approached the old general. "I need to go back to the capital and report this to the king."

"I'll stay here and find that pretty boy and make him suffer." His hands itched, wishing to strangle Mafan right now, if possible.

"Don't overdo it until you find out his true purpose. As you said, this city has more than it lets on and..."

"He is after it."

"I believe so." 

General Hester whistled, and they heard a shrill cry. A white horse with an eagle's head swooped down and the young general jumped on its back… and flew away. "See you back in Flamefort, Sir Lofey," he said with a wave of his hand as his voice trailed. 

General Lofey watched General Hester and his men flew away. And went back inside.

"You'll go with me and find that Mafan. I want him to taste the lethality of your trap. Let's go!"

Anghus ran in a hurry at General Lofey's side and walked with head low. He was so afraid of the big man but the general didn't say a word or give the short man a glimpse. Lifen followed behind in silence.

---- o ----

At this moment, Ming thought what he was experiencing was real. The thought about Xinyi dying was dreadful even if it was only just a dream. So, he walked in silence, trying to find his way out from the darkness. He waved his hand, wielding his wind power, but it hit at nothing. The whooshing wind continued moving until it dispersed.  

What's going on? Wasn't I supposed to be outside the cave. What is this place?

He groped as his feet slowly moved, careful for he might fall or stumble on something. But to his surprise, the whole place was flat. He moved his feet and sniffed to analyze the ground. No dust. Plain and hard as if made of marble. There was also the cold air rising from it.

While outside, Nianshi sat beside Ming as the spirit gave his last instructions.  

"Remember, when you see him, grab him right away and fly as high as you can until you reach a white hole. If not..." It clicked its tongue and smiled mischievously. That smile gave Nianshi goosebumps, while Xinyi thought this spirit was only playing them.

"Well, let's just say you might end up doing the same challenge with him again." It playfully patted Nianshi's shoulders and danced around him annoyingly. Nianshi made a loud gulp. Xinyi surmised that what Nianshi had gone through was fairly hard and had second thoughts to let Nianshi go in.

"I'll be honest, I don't know the effect of two people being together in one dream."