Chapter 398 - Chapter 398: Chapter 385: Skin Injury

Chapter 398: Chapter 385: Skin Injury

“Eldest Young Master, why are you here?” Fan Wenxuan was taken aback.

He remembered the letter stating that Chu Jinnian wouldn’t be back until the 14th at the earliest.

“I finished my business in Beijing and came back early,” Chu Jinnian answered, “When I arrived at Qingzhuyuan, you were all absent. A servant told me you were at Cuiwei Mountain, so I came to look for you.”

“On the way, I ran into Jinzhou and Miss Sui’s carriage.”

Upon hearing about the journey to Cuiwei Mountain and Zhuang Qingning’s predicament, he promptly rushed here, quickly climbing up Cuiwei Mountain. “Give me the rope, you two go get the gunpowder.”

Chu Jinnian raised his hand.

Yes.” Banqing quickly unwound all the hemp rope from his body, carefully coiled it, then handed it to Chu Jinnian. Afterwards, he followed the short, round-faced strong man down the mountain to get the gunpowder. Chu Jinnian, taking the hemp rope, tucked his clothes in at the waist.

“Take care, Eldest Young Master,” Fan Wenxuan admonished solemnly.

“Hmm.” Chu Jinnian responded, then pushed off with his feet, soaring into the air, and grabbed onto a protruding rock.

Subsequently, he darted about like a nimble swallow, ultimately reaching the very top.

Seeing Chu Jinnian successfully reach the top, Fan Wenxuan breathed a sigh of relief.

No matter what, he finally saw a glimmer of hope.

Upon reaching the rugged mountain top, Chu Jinnian carefully observed the mountain below.

The original thin crevice was clearly visible below, and there were some holes you could see inside from, but it was nearly noon. The outside was bright and glaring, making it difficult to see the situation inside.

Especially without knowing Zhuang Qingning’s specific location.

Chu Jinnian took a deep breath, gently lifted his foot, and bent over to listen carefully to the movement inside, hoping to determine a rough direction. “Tick, tick, tick…”

A faint, fragmented noise drifted up from below.

Sounds like the crisp noise of stones colliding with each other, very rhythmic, it should be man-made noise.

Chu Jinnian felt a moment of joy.

Being able to make a sound at this time indicates that Zhuang Qingning doesn’t currently face any threats to her life.

But he also felt a moment of worry.

If communication could only be made in this manner, then wasn’t it…

Chu Jinnian’s heart sank upon this realization. Identifying the direction from which the noise was coming, he urgently called out, “Miss Zhuang? Are you okay?”

The noise of the stones suddenly stopped. After a moment of silence, Zhuang Qingning’s response came from below, “Are you… Master Chu?”

“Indeed.”

Hearing Zhuang Qingning’s response, and that it was very calm, without a hint of panic, Chu Jinnian felt somewhat relieved, “Have you been injured, how do you feel now?”

Don’t worry, I’ve already sent people to get gunpowder. The top of the cave will be blown open, and we will be able to rescue Miss Zhuang soon.” Blow open the top of the cave?

Zhuang Qingning nodded slightly.

Indeed, it’s safer than blowing open the entrance of the cave, just that when the explosion happens, debris will probably fly all over the place, so she’ll have to find a good shelter.

[System Mall can provide an arch shield, ensuring the host’s safety.]

Very good!

Zhuang Qingning couldn’t help but give thumbs up to a certain entity.

Thank you, Master Chu,” Zhuang Qingning responded with a smile.

“Miss Zhuang, you overstate,” Chu Jinnian replied, “You ended up in this dangerous situation due to trying to save my younger brother, it’s my duty to help.”

Chu Jinnian, while speaking, observed the crevice filled with debris below him and shook the debris above, saying, “May I trouble Miss Zhuang to move away a bit? I’m trying to see if I can open up a pathway here.”

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Qingning looked up to see the shadow at the crevice and sidestepped, “I’ve moved.”

“Alright.”

Chu Jinnian drew a short breath, then with a powerful swing of his fist, the debris that was originally jammed in there scattered, revealing a hole about the size of a bowl.

Seeing that his effort was having some effect, Chu Jinnian continued to pound the debris forcefully, trying to use this method to rescue Zhuang Qingning safely.

Despite pounding many times and blood staining the back of his hand, the hole had only grown a little larger.

Even so, the hole of this size was still insufficient for Zhuang Qingning to get through.

But before the gunpowder arrives, Chu Jinnian still planned to give it a try, punching nonstop as if he were a tireless machine.

Zhuang Qingning, hiding to the side, with the sounds of dull, nonstop fists pounding reverberating in her ears and the crevice now being completely silent, felt a warmth rising within her.

Even if it was for Jinzhou’s sake, Chu Jinnian could have waited for the gunpowder to arrive, but he obviously couldn’t wait to save her. With such a warm heart, it was clear that Master Chu was a passionate and honest person. Zhuang Qingning felt a bit more acknowledgment for Chu Jinnian, and said, “Master Chu, no need to try anymore, just wait for the gunpowder.” “There’s a fairly safe place here in the cave. Even with the use of gunpowder, it’s okay, I won’t get hurt.”

“Look, that’s a place where I can hide.”

Zhuang Qingning pointed inside the cave.

Chu Jinnian stopped his actions, peered through the hole into the cave, and saw

Zhuang Qingning standing below, pointing to a place inside.

Due to the lack of light, Chu Jinnian couldn’t see clearly, but Zhuang Qingning’s wonderfully confident expression made him believe.

“Very well,” chu Jinnian sighed in relief, ripped off a piece of his robe, casually wrapped his right hand, which was smeared with blood, and squeezed it hard.

A skin wound, nothing serious.

“Then I’ll ask Miss Zhuang to wait a moment. Banqing has already gone down the mountain with some men, he should be back shortly.”

Are you thirsty, Miss Zhuang? I brought some rope up. I can have the people below tie up a water bag and then lower it down to you.”

“It’s not necessary for now, thank you Master Chu,” Zhuang Qingning answered with a smile, “How are Jinzhou and Qingsui? Were they scared?”

“I heard from the people below that Jinzhou and Miss Sui didn’t want to leave. It was Mr. Fan who persuaded them to go back. They should be in Qingzhuyuan by now, so Miss Zhuang can rest assured.” Chu Jinnian answered truthfully.

“Very good.” Zhuang Qingning finally felt relieved, she sat down on the ground again, took down the small stone from earlier, and started playing the stone- catching game.

Leave one stone in hand, sprinkle the other stones randomly on the ground, throw the stone in hand high into the air, then quickly grab the stones on the ground and catch the thrown stone.

One by one, until all the stones lying on the ground were held in her hand, then start over again, a cycle.

The crisp sound of stones colliding ticked again. Chu Jinnian, puzzled, peered through the hole in the cave and saw Zhuang Qingning leisurely playing with them.