CHAPTER 52

The journey from Reid's world back to Jin Guo City was but a blink of an eye, and the Sheng Manor was now under heavy guard, a scene of heightened vigilance. There was a sentry every three steps, a patrol every five.

Amidst the surprised and bewildered calls of the crowd for Miss Sheng, Sheng Qing finally met her nominal mother, Sheng Zhilin, the city lord of Jin Guo City, and Cheng Yuanjin, who stood by as if facing a formidable enemy.

"Who exactly are you?" Sheng Qing still remembered Sheng Zhilin's questioning, filled with surprise and uncertainty. "Where did you take my daughter?"

It turned out that they had already discovered Sheng Qing's identity as an outsider, and what's worse, Cheng Yuanxiu seemed to have been captured by the resistance organization.

The leader of the resistance organization was none other than Jian Fei, a member of Team Zero. Sheng Qing felt that even if he had eight mouths, he still couldn't explain this matter.

What about Meng Yunxi? Oh, he spent the last three months searching through all the libraries in Jin Guo City, and then secluded himself in the mountains to focus on studying secret arts.

“First of all, we have no ill intentions, and I was forced to come to this place.” Without the support of elemental power, Sheng Qing did not think he had the ability to escape from this group of well-trained soldiers, so he readily agreed to the terms of the agreement.

"Why are you impersonating Sheng Qing? What are you all up to? Why should I believe you?"

"Secondly, I am Sheng Qing, it just so happens that I share the same name as your daughter. I have no idea where your daughter, Sheng Qing, has gone. Finally, go find Jian Fei and make a deal. Give him my name and exchange me for Cheng Yuanxiu. It's a very good deal." Sheng Qing finished speaking quickly in one breath. If she was too late, she might miss her chance, and she didn't want to experience the feeling of being a prisoner.

Contrary to expectations, Sheng Zhilin gave an order and Sheng Qing was imprisoned in a private cell set up by the Sheng family, and was even ordered to be strictly guarded.

Sheng Qing remained outwardly calm, but in reality, he had cursed the person behind the design of this world several times. You've been slacking off, but you're still going to be implicated and sent to a dark room.

Alas, women are too gentle. Even when it comes to resisting injustice, they prioritize subtle influence rather than men directly rising up in rebellion.

This is the result of long-term domestication. Women are always advised and educated to be gentle and mild, to reason with them and appeal to their emotions. Men, on the other hand, are taught and encouraged to use their fists and directly tear down the ceiling.

Even as a prisoner, Sheng Qing still enjoyed some human rights, and his basic needs for food, drink, and sanitation were met normally. Apart from the restriction of his personal freedom, his life wasn't much worse than in Mengcheng.

Sheng Qing took the time to ponder her sea of ​​consciousness.

It's been quite a while since I've been inside the Sea of ​​Consciousness. The space here has become much more expansive, stretching as far as the eye can see, like an endless ocean.

Sheng Qing tried to mobilize his spiritual energy and trace the shape of the object in his imagination. A clumsy little boat leaped onto the sea surface and then melted into the seawater a few seconds later.

What a pleasant surprise!

Sheng Qingyao thought that if the things he conjured with spiritual energy could stay longer, and then he could add some things to them to create a complete little world, it wouldn't be difficult.

Could it be that the city of heroines she lives in was also created by someone with similar skills to her?

By the same token, could the various secret realms we've encountered in the past, and even the city of Montreal, be in the same situation?

Sheng Qing was horrified by his own thoughts. Impossible! That's something only the Creator could do!

What virtue or ability does Sheng Qing possess to dare to have such thoughts?

In that instant, Sheng Qing felt a strong sense of being watched, or rather, something glanced at her quickly yet slowly, its indifference and nonchalance palpable. It was like the feeling she had when she unconsciously glanced at the ants at her feet on the roadside and then hurried away.

Sheng Qing forced herself to pull her thoughts back. She felt as if she had a physical body in her sea of ​​consciousness, and her whole body trembled uncontrollably. There was always a thorny string tugging at her nerves.

When she regained control of her body, another day had passed. The female soldier guarding Sheng Qing was startled by her pale face and cold sweat and hurriedly found a female doctor to treat her.

"The prisoner is physically weak and in extremely poor spirits." The female doctor, who seemed to hold a high position, confronted the female soldier in charge of guarding him after a brief diagnosis, "You've used torture without authorization? I don't think the city lord gave such an order, did he?"

“How dare we? We haven’t done anything wrong. We haven’t skimped on her food and drink. Besides…” The female soldier hesitated for a moment before continuing, “Besides, she said she could exchange her for General Cheng’s sister. We dare not make that decision on our own.”

The female doctor frowned after hearing this, gave her medical advice, and left with a puzzled look. Perhaps this outsider had other reasons, but since he was currently not in serious danger, she did not want to investigate further.

Not long after the female doctor left, Sheng Zhilin's personal female soldier came to summon her. Seeing Sheng Qing's weak and lifeless appearance, she panicked and went to report back anxiously after learning the situation.

"Have the details of the deal been finalized?"

"I heard that it was that treacherous scoundrel Jian Fei who used a despicable trick to deceive General Cheng."

"I've heard about it too, it's so despicable!"

...

In a daze, Sheng Qing overheard the female guards discussing something. It seemed that Jian Fei had already received the news. How embarrassing! They still had to wait for someone to come and rescue them.

In fact, Sheng Qing had a chance to escape. After many experiments, his mastery of spiritual energy improved to a higher level. He could not only deceive people and dazzle their eyes, but also make objects that had been materialized and transformed remain in real life for nearly a minute.

However, Sheng Qing did not want to cause any more trouble, so he honestly continued to hone his skills in spiritual energy in the small dark room.

The day for the hostage exchange arrived quickly.

Hmm, why is this not the scene I imagined?

As a hostage, Cheng Yuanxiu sat arrogantly on the front horse, while Jian Fei, the leader of the resistance, at least nominally, followed behind Cheng Yuanxiu like a wronged wife.

Why are prisoners being treated differently?

"Lord City Lord, General, there's no need to worry about me. I'm doing very well here and don't plan to go back anytime soon." Cheng Yuanxiu exuded an air of magnanimity. "I will not return until I have thoroughly defeated them. I, Cheng Yuanxiu, am making this clear today. Jian Fei, I formally declare war on you. Do you dare accept my challenge?"

When Jian Fei heard his name called, his expression visibly became flustered, and he was speechless for a moment.

What kind of hostage would dare to be so audacious? Sheng Qing, who had read countless books, had never seen anything like it.

After a while, Jian Fei spurred his horse forward, and after keeping pace with Cheng Yuanxiu, he stopped for a moment. The two seemed to be talking in hushed tones.

However, no agreement was clearly reached. Jian Fei coughed awkwardly a few times and said, "Lord Sheng, General Cheng, I, Jian, have no ill intentions. I merely wish to secure an opportunity for the men of Jin Guo City to engage in equal dialogue. I have no intention of holding Cheng Yuanxiu hostage. I have come today specifically to return him. I implore you two not to make things difficult for my friend and to return him to us. We will certainly..."

"Wait, did I agree?" Cheng Yuanxiu interrupted Jian Fei before he could finish speaking, "I haven't settled accounts with you for arresting me yet."

Jian Fei's eyes twitched slightly as he tried to maintain a respectable persona.

"Shut up!" Cheng Yuanjin snapped, "Get back here right now."

Upon hearing his older sister speak, Cheng Yuanxiu deflated like a punctured balloon. Reluctantly, he patted his horse's rump and rode towards Sheng Qing's camp.

Jian Fei's expression immediately relaxed; the hot potato had finally been shaken off.

"Let her leave," Sheng Zhilin said indifferently.

Sheng Qing was gently pushed and slowly walked towards Jian Fei.

"Hey, you're really not Sheng Qing?" As they brushed past each other, Cheng Yuanxiu asked incredulously, "You look so much like her, are you really not her?"

"I am Sheng Qing, but I may not be the Sheng Qing you remember," Sheng Qing explained helplessly.

"Cheng, Yuan, Xiu!" Cheng Yuanjin's cold voice came from afar.

"Sigh, let's chat when we have time. I still consider you a friend." Cheng Yuanxiu jumped off his horse, left those words behind, and ran towards his sister without looking back.

Sheng Qing took the reins, glanced at Cheng Yuanxiu's back, sighed, and then led the horse to Jian Fei's side.

"Why don't I see the captain?" Sheng Qing looked around for a while but didn't see the familiar figure.

"He was just here? He's probably engrossed in his messy research on secret techniques again." Jian Fei shrugged helplessly.

Sheng Qing expressed her understanding, after all, not everyone revolves around her.

But is Meng Yunxi planning to abandon martial arts and pursue literature? Why has she suddenly become so engrossed in the study of secret arts?

After a simple settling-in, Sheng Qing went to the temporary council hall.

"When are we going back to Mengcheng?" Sheng Qing had gone around in circles but still hadn't seen Meng Yunxi, so he went to ask Jian Fei again.

"The captain told everyone to pack up and leave tomorrow. Huh, where did they go? They were just here." Jian Fei scratched the back of his head in confusion.

Oh dear, this is such a bad coincidence.

To make matters worse, Sheng Qing missed Meng Yunxi again while eating in the cafeteria.

Something was definitely amiss, and Sheng Qing was beginning to suspect that Meng Yunxi was deliberately avoiding her.

As for why he was avoiding her, he had no clue and it was purely a figment of his imagination.

Sheng Qing really wanted to talk to Meng Yunxi in person, but she hadn't decided what to talk about yet.

Actually, there's not much to talk about regarding their relationship; perhaps it's just a matter of emotions.

Sheng Qing lay on the bed, feeling sullen, counting sheep out of boredom, trying to hypnotize himself into sleep.

Humans are such strange creatures; the more you try not to think about something, the more it lingers in your mind and refuses to leave.

I must see Meng Yunxi and get to the bottom of this, right now!

Sheng Qing got out of bed and, facing the moonlight, strolled toward the address he had found out during the day. He looked back every three steps and hesitated every two steps. Halfway there, he had a change of heart and lingered in the same spot for a while before finally slinking back.

Sheng Qing pushed open the door in frustration, but out of the corner of his eye he noticed a strange change in the space in the lower left corner, where a pair of rings appeared out of thin air.

Sheng Qing carefully squatted down, and the moment he touched it, a ripple lit up, flowing with tiny but clear words.

This item is called Symbiosis. Once it recognizes its owner and is worn, it can transmit sound over long distances without being limited by space or time.

Well, that's a bit beyond what's expected.

Who left something so important here?

Having grown up under the influence of the old adage that one should hand over even a penny found to the police, Sheng Qing, a model young man, dared not secretly put it in his pocket, let alone something so valuable.

After deciding to ask Jian Fei about the situation the next day, Sheng Qing packed his things away and put them under his pillow before finally falling asleep.

"They do look somewhat familiar. You mean they appeared suddenly, and the water ripples even thoughtfully explained how to use them?" Jian Fei's expression showed disbelief.

“That’s right.” Sheng Qing said confidently, then suddenly realized something was amiss. “Can you use elemental power?”

"No? Do you think you can?" Jian Fei retorted.

"The person who abandoned it is capable." Sheng Qing already had someone in mind; if it wasn't him, then something was amiss. He snatched back the rings and put them in his pocket. Could it be that he deliberately placed them at his door?

All that remained for Sheng Qing was his back; people were constantly approaching him, seeking his advice or engaging in discussions, without ever stopping for a moment.

Half an hour before leaving, Sheng Qing finally mustered up her courage and asked the person in front of Meng Yunxi with a smile, "Excuse me, could I borrow the captain's time for five minutes?"

Meng Yunxi remained silent, staring intently at Sheng Qing.

"Captain, is this convenient?" Sheng Qing believed that no one could refuse her smile, and sure enough, with a gentle tug, Meng Yunxi obediently followed her to the side.

"You received the gift? Don't you like it?" Meng Yunxi's frank expression left Sheng Qing at a loss for words.

"Have you made progress in your secret arts research?" Actually, what Sheng Qing wanted to ask was why you were hiding from me. What kind of hero would you be if you secretly left your rings at the door? But when she saw those dark eyes, she suddenly lost her courage.

"Not bad. Although the range is small, we will no longer be limited by external factors and unable to use elemental power." Meng Yunxi said calmly, her gaze still fixed on the person in front of her.

“I’m not that greedy. One ring each is enough for each of us.” Sheng Qing suddenly found some courage and said, word by word, “How about I return one to you?”

"Are you sure?" Meng Yunxi seemed completely unprepared for this move. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, her expression relaxed, and the reflection of Sheng Qing in her pure black eyes was overwhelmed by surprise, joy, and satisfaction.

"I'm sure." With absolute certainty, Sheng Qing's eyes sparkled, perhaps more dazzling than the most beautiful gemstones at this moment.