Chapter 979: Split into Groups

A dead silence fell over the air.

Jiang Xiaohua’s words seemed nonsensical, yet they pinpointed the core of the current problem: Chen Ling was abducted by the King of Silver and is likely under his control now. To rescue Chen Ling, they would inevitably have to confront the King of Silver. But how could the three of them possibly defeat the King of Silver?

“Perhaps there’s another way around this,” Jian Changsheng said, not intending to give up. “The King of Silver can’t keep an eye on Red Heart constantly. He might have imprisoned Red Heart in some hidden location… Plum Blossom can conceal our presence, so if we can find Red Heart, there might be a chance to quietly take him away.”

Hearing this, Sun Bumian cast a surprised glance at Jian Changsheng.

“…What kind of look is that?” Jian Changsheng raised an eyebrow.

“Actually, sometimes, you’re quite clever…”

For a moment, Jian Changsheng couldn’t tell if he was being praised or insulted.

“But the Boundless Realm is so vast, how do we find Red Heart?” Sun Bumian mused.

Jiang Xiaohua, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke: “Through the Rat Party.”

“The Rat Party?” Both were startled. “What’s that?”

“A wizard organization. They were the ones who sent those children through the Gray Realm before.”

Jian Changsheng’s eyes lit up, and he couldn’t help but pat Jiang Xiaohua’s shoulder. “Plum Blossom! I knew you’d have an idea! Thank goodness for you!”

“So, are you familiar with this Rat Party?” Sun Bumian asked.

Jiang Xiaohua quietly lowered her head. After a long pause, she extended two fingers, pinching them together slightly: “…A little bit.”

“Can you find them?”

“I’m not sure… The Rat Party’s strongholds change frequently. I don’t know if they’ve moved recently,” Jiang Xiaohua paused. “But I can go look for them.”

Perhaps to make up for the mistakes she had made along the way, Jiang Xiaohua uncharacteristically volunteered.

“That’s great,” Jian Changsheng nodded repeatedly. “Diamond and I can help you search too…”

“Hmm… I might not be able to help with that for now.”

“Why?”

“I have a very important matter to attend to in the Boundless Realm… I traveled all this way specifically for it,” Sun Bumian confessed, spreading his hands with a helpless expression.

“What about Red Heart then?”

“Rescuing Red Heart isn’t something to rush. We need to at least find his location first. And my matter will be handled quickly; I should be able to rejoin you in about half a day.”

Seeing this, Jian Changsheng opened his mouth but said no more. Sun Bumian had traveled through so many realms just to handle this business in Boundless. Jian Changsheng naturally couldn’t demand anything from him, especially since Sun Bumian didn’t remember Chen Ling’s existence or feel any attachment… It was already commendable that he was willing to take a risk for this matter.

“Then Plum Blossom and I will split up to search first.” He rose from his seat, his gaze resolute. He didn’t know why he was so determined to rescue Red Heart, but he just felt it was what he had to do… He disliked this unsettling feeling deep inside; he had to rescue Red Heart to see what was truly going on.

“Wait, settle your bill first.” The exhausted owner, seeing them prepare to leave, stood up and presented a bill.

The three stopped abruptly. Jian Changsheng turned to Sun Bumian, who then turned back to Jian Changsheng. Silence filled the air.

“…Why are you looking at me?”

“Didn’t you have all the money from pawning the shop??”

“When the disaster struck, it was torn to shreds along with everything else… I don’t have any money left on me.”

“No money?? If you have no money, why are you eating!!”

The owner had long suspected something was off with this group. Three people in rags, acting suspiciously, came in and ordered wildly without asking for prices, then tried to leave after stuffing themselves… What else could it be but a dine-and-dash? The owner naturally couldn’t swallow this. He glared fiercely and walked towards the three. Seeing this, Sun Bumian was the first to bolt out the door, vanishing without a trace.

“Damn you, Diamond!!” Just as Jian Changsheng regained his wits, he and Jiang Xiaohua were blocked by the owner. In desperation, he could only pull out several land deeds and property certificates from the Mortal Realm from his pocket. “Owner, I’ll use these as collateral!”

“Shops in the Mortal Realm? The Mortal Realm has been flattened, what use are these things? And who knows if they’re even real… I won’t accept these!”

“Then… then…”

“Spade,” Jiang Xiaohua quietly moved towards the door. “I’ll go find the Rat Party first… I’ll leave this to you.” With that, she darted out of the restaurant and sprinted into the distance.

Jian Changsheng’s mouth twitched uncontrollably. He turned back to see the owner’s almost murderous gaze and could only force a strained smile: “Owner… how much is washing a dish worth?”

***

As the sun set, Chen Ling emerged from Chu Muyun’s private hospital, holding another survey questionnaire.

Under the guise of research, Chen Ling had visited again, but his timing seemed unfortunate. Spade 8 wasn’t there today, likely busy with something else. Chen Ling could only mimic Spade 8’s method: he placed the Era Archive under the corner of a table and casually dropped a red pen on the floor, so Spade 8 would spot them immediately upon returning.

Outside the private hospital, Red Sleeve was leaning against the car, waiting for him, holding two bags of bread and a bottle of mineral water.

“Are you done?” Red Sleeve asked calmly. “The crackdown on the Rat Party begins tomorrow at dawn. As a guide, you need to stay clear-headed. If I were you, I’d go back and rest early…”

“I’m done.” Chen Ling brushed dust from his hands and got into the driver’s seat. He watched Red Sleeve settle into the passenger seat from the corner of his eye, his mind stirring… If he wanted to interfere with the Rat Party’s eradication, Red Sleeve would be his biggest obstacle. After all, she would constantly be by his side, ensuring his safety. He needed to find a way to create some opportunities…

Chen Ling’s mind raced as he started the car and drove towards the church.

“Miss Red Sleeve.”

“Hmm?”

“Are you seeing someone?”

“????” Red Sleeve was stunned, then frowned deeply at Chen Ling. “What are you talking about? I don’t need anything like that.”

“Oh? Never been in a relationship?”

“No.” Red Sleeve seemed a bit offended, her tone distinctly displeased. “Why do you ask?”

“Because I noticed the pendant on your neck is quite beautiful,” Chen Ling said with a slight smile, as if casually. “I thought it might be a token of love from your boyfriend.”

Red Sleeve’s pupils contracted slightly. She looked down at the pendant on her neck and fell silent.