Secret Realm Maze
Cang Jing Chong Xue seemed to have discovered Han Jiang's intentions and deliberately paused for a long time: "Am I some kind of magical artifact that can answer any question?"
Han Jiang dodged the question by saying, "I was just bored, so I thought I'd chat with you."
The truth is, Cang Jingzhongxue was convinced that Han Jiang would do as she wished, so she chose not to hide it.
The Azure Mirror Sword is located at the deepest part of the secret realm, far away from Azure Mirror Snow, so spiritual power manipulation is ineffective. She can only speak through the Azure Mirror Sword, but cannot use her magic power.
“Apart from the Cangjing family, no one else can touch the Cangjing Sword, let alone enter the secret realm directly. Only after passing the three illusions of the secret realm and being tested can one enter. At first, you entered with Amo. He will enter the first illusion with you. After the first illusion ends, he will enter the secret realm, while you will enter the second illusion.”
So, Wenxu and Cangjingqi were in Wenxu's first illusion, which was also Hanjiang's third illusion.
The key to escaping the illusion lies with Han Jiang and Wen Xu; relying solely on Cang Jingqi to go underwater is insufficient for escape.
The illusion is over. Cang Jingqi will enter the secret labyrinth like Cang Jingmo, while Wen Xu will have to experience two more illusions.
The three golden threads on your wrist correspond to the three illusions you pass through in the Cold Descent event, much like a game completion certificate. However, the prizes aren't yours, but you can touch the prizes as a completion reward.
Han Jiang felt disgusted; she wouldn't even bother drawing your Cangjing Sword.
In the original book, the Cangjing Sword was completely useless. It was said to be the most powerful magic weapon of the Cangjing family, but it played no role in the plot.
I pulled out a vase ornament and threw it into the warehouse.
In the original book, Cang Jingmo used his own sword during the battle between immortals and demons. Of course, now that the battle between immortals and demons is over, there's nowhere to use this sword anymore.
Hanjiang stared blankly at the exit of the maze, wondering who would come out first.
I've been in this world for almost a year now. If what Cang Jing Chong Xue said is true, that it takes five years for the Demon Lord's position to be handed over, does that mean I have to wait another five years before I can go home?
Things are getting more and more troublesome.
Cang Jingmo arrived at the center before Cang Jingqi and was about to walk towards Han Jiang when Han Jiang immediately made a "shush" gesture, telling Cang Jingmo to stay put.
Cang Jingmo didn't understand, but he did as instructed.
Han Jiangchao rushed over and led him back to the maze.
She was afraid that if she got too far from the exit, she wouldn't be able to get back, and at the same time, she was afraid that if she got too close, Cang Jing Chong Xue would hear her.
Han Jiang repeatedly turned around to test the sound, and only after confirming that there was no problem did she speak to Cang Jingmo about how Cang Jing Chongxue could communicate with them through the Cang Jing Sword.
Cang Jingmo was also hearing about the regulations concerning the Demon Lord for the first time, and said, "It's alright, I can wait five years. You and your brother draw your swords, at worst my brother will have to handle affairs for five years, and after five years you and your brother will be free."
"No, that's not the point." Han Jiang didn't know how to explain and was somewhat incoherent for a moment.
As I was explaining, Cang Jingqi popped his head out from around the corner; he was also nearing the finish line.
"What are you two talking about?" Cang Jingqi took a few big strides to Han Jiang's side and stopped next to him.
Han Jiang said, "You've come at the right time. We were just talking about drawing swords and the Demon Lord. Let's not draw our swords yet, and wait for Sister Wen to arrive so we can discuss it together."
“There’s a problem. What if Miss Wen doesn’t make it this far?” Cang Jingmo asked.
The triple illusion, plus the secret labyrinth, poses a considerable challenge to ordinary people. Once trapped inside, one can only be rescued when the Azure Mirror Sword is drawn.
"I believe in Sister Wen."
Cang Jing Chong Xue stood guard beside Cang Jing Jian. None of the three wanted to get close. They sat on the ground at the exit of the maze, gazing at Cang Jing Jian from afar.
Even so, one could still hear Cang Jing Chong Xue calling out Han Jiang's name from afar: "Han Jiang? Han Jiang!"
"Why is your mother calling my name like a ghost?" Han Jiang whispered to Cang Jingqi. "It's terrifying."
"I never expected her to pull this stunt."
The three sat in the same way they did on their way to Jingzhou. Han Jiang and Cang Jingqi sat next to each other, while Cang Jingmo tactfully kept his distance from the other two.
Han Jiang sat cross-legged on the ground, took Cang Jingqi's arm, and leaned against him: "Isn't she tired?"
"Or should I go ask her?" Cang Jingqi joked, looking down at Han Jiang with a smile.
Han Jiang shook her head: "No, I'll go instead."
It wasn't good to keep hearing Cangjing Chongxue shouting like that, so Hanjiang got up, dusted himself off, and went back to Cangjing Sword.
Cang Jingchongxue must have been listening intently, because she heard Han Jiang's approaching footsteps: "You're back? Where have you been?"
"Would you believe me if I said I needed to use the restroom?"
"Huh?" Cang Jing Chong Xue didn't catch up with Han Jiang's sudden change of thought. "What are you talking about?"
"It's nothing. Don't you have anything to take care of? I can wait here for your two sons."
Cang Jing Chong Xue said, "I was just worried you'd be bored. I was trying to chat with you out of kindness, and you're still not happy?"
Who's keeping whom company? Han Jiang finally understood. This person had been in seclusion for a whole year. One of his sons was away from the Demon Palace all year round, and the other was about to take on the position of Demon Lord. His daughter had long since become estranged. So he was bored and came here to keep Han Jiang company.
"Besides, my two sons have already arrived, what are you waiting for?" Cang Jing Chong Xue changed the subject.
This rapid change in tone is very similar to Gui Xu's, or rather, Gui Xu's way of speaking comes from Cang Jing Chong Xue.
Han Jiang remained calm, treating the situation as a minor matter, and said in a flat, unflappable tone, "You already guessed it, so why pretend?"
"I'll play along with you." Cang Jing Chong Xue smiled. "You're waiting for Miss Wen, aren't you? She's trapped in the illusion."
"How did you know?" Upon hearing that it was related to Wen Xu, Han Jiang couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety.
Cang Jing Chong Xue: "Although I don't know much about your plans, I can guess the relationship between you. I can glimpse part of the situation in the secret realm, otherwise, what would I do if all my children perished there? That little girl is different from you; her obsession is too deep, so she gets trapped in her own illusion."
This wasn't the first time Wen Xu had been trapped in an illusion. Back in Yinzhou, Wen Xu was supposed to break free of the illusion and rescue the male lead in place of the female lead, but she was trapped in the illusion and missed her chance.
If Han Jiang didn't know Cang Jing Chong Xue, she would most likely suspect that Cang Jing Chong Xue was lying to her, but Han Jiang knew that Cang Jing Chong Xue, as an ally in the original book, wouldn't be a villain.
She told Han Jiang about Wen Xu's situation for one purpose only: to get Han Jiang to draw his sword quickly.
Cang Jingchongxue guessed that the five-year period of the Demon Lord's succession was very important to Han Jiang. As a result, Han Jiang might not necessarily draw his sword against Cang Jingchongxue.
She was simply betting on how Han Jiang would choose.
Hanjiang is also gambling, betting that the story of "heavy snow on the mirror" is false.
She returned to Cang Jingqi and Cang Jingmo and shared information about Cang Jingchongxue.
“There’s no time limit in the secret realm, unless it takes too long and is ended by the people outside. Let’s wait for Miss Wen a little longer,” Cang Jingmo said.
Hanjiang knew that being anxious was useless, so she could only trust Wenxu.
“Let’s wait at the maze entrance, that way we can meet up when she arrives,” Cang Jingqi suggested.
"No, we don't know where she might have fallen. Since I was able to wake up directly in the pool, perhaps she can too," Han Jiang stopped Cang Jingqi.
Cang Jingqi and Cang Jingmo entered through the same entrance, but took different routes to their destinations; Cang Jingmo took a longer route.
“We can’t keep waiting. You don’t have the cultivation to abstain from grains. You won’t be able to hold out for a day or two.” Cang Jingqi looked at Han Jiang with concern.
When Cang Jingye took Hanjiang away from Cang Jingchongxue, he mentioned this point. Therefore, although this secret realm seems to have no time limit, the time limit is actually Hanjiang.
I ate dinner the night before, entered the secret realm in the middle of the night, and now, Hanjiang has not eaten for more than a whole day.
The illusionary realm of Shenlu Valley is quite physically demanding. Although Han Jiang can still hold on, he is inevitably tired and hungry.
I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen, but there was nothing in my stomach, so the stomach acid I was producing couldn't be processed.
With no other choice, Cang Jingqi stayed behind with Han Jiang, while Cang Jingmo entered the maze to find Wen Xu.
Time passed slowly, and Hanjiang leaned against Cangjingqi's chest, her stomach rumbling.
If Hanjiang were alone here, hungry and feeling wronged, she would definitely cry. But since there are two people here, Hanjiang will only laugh.
With her stomach growling, Han Jiang laughed in Cang Jingqi's arms, her shoulders shaking as she shrugged.
"You can still laugh?"
Han Jiang said, "But I think it's hilarious, my stomach is pounding like a drum."
"You're about to starve to death, and you're still laughing?"
"Although I cherish life, I'm not afraid of death... well, I am a little scared." Han Jiang's laughter faded as he spoke. "I'm just afraid the atmosphere will become too dull. Hey, you're usually quite the joker, why can't you tell a joke now?"
Cang Jingqi didn't reply, but simply hugged Han Jiang even tighter, letting her lean her whole body against him.
I don't know if it's because I haven't eaten for too long and I have low blood sugar. I feel increasingly sleepy as the cold weather approaches. It could also be because I've been working hard all day and I'm overworked.
She yawned several times in a row: "Aqi, I'm going to sleep for a while..."
Cang Jingmo had walked through the maze three times, while Han Jiang had spent most of his time sleeping to conserve his energy. It was now about the third day since they entered the secret realm.
When the cold descends, I have no energy left, and I'll wake up hungry even when I'm asleep.
Cang Jingqi couldn't wait any longer and insisted on dragging Han Jiang to draw his sword.
From within the Cangjing Sword came Cangjing Chongxue's advice: "Draw your sword. She is trapped in the deepest part of her obsession and cannot escape."
Han Jiang knew that Wen Xu's obsession was related to her suicide in her previous life. She thought that Wen Xu would be able to let go of many things after experiencing death, but it seems that she has not. She still has not been able to overcome the pain of the past.
Cang Jingmo and Cang Jingqi didn't understand why Han Jiang was holding back from drawing his sword; in their view, Wen Xu wasn't a major participant.
Han Jiang thought it over carefully. If she really had to wait another five years to go home, she could accept it, but she couldn't deprive Wen Xu of his right to choose.
"I'll look again." Cang Jingmo was much more familiar with the maze than the first time he entered it.
Cang Jingqi supported Han Jiang's body to prevent him from collapsing.
My stomach ached from hunger, and my head hurt too. Hanjiang pressed his temples, his eyes were glazed over, and he felt dizzy and lightheaded.
"Mother, I beg you to remove the secret realm from the outside world," Cang Jing pleaded.
After leaving the secret realm, they would simply have to go through the test of the secret realm again, and Cang Jingqi didn't want to see Han Jiang stubbornly endure it.
"Han Jiang hasn't even asked yet, what's your rush?" Cang Jing Chong Xue rejected the request. "She seems very afraid that the Demon Lord won't be able to transfer it to A Mo, which is really strange."
When Han Jiang left, she told Cang Jingqi that it wasn't her who was going to marry the Demon Lord, but Wen Xu.
Cang Jingqi initially thought that Wen Xu needed the identity of a Demon Lord's consort, but after Han Jiang's explanation, he realized that what Wen Xu needed was the Demon Lord's love.
Although Cang Jingqi only had a vague understanding of the "mission" and "strategy" that Han Jiang mentioned, he never questioned Han Jiang and believed and supported whatever Han Jiang said.
Even if Wen Xu arrived, Han Jiang couldn't come up with any solutions. No matter how the four of them combined their abilities, they couldn't get the desired result.
The only point of discussion is who ultimately chooses to compromise.
This is the situation Hanjiang least wants to encounter, because no matter what she chooses, she will be conflicted.
Because the results are never satisfactory, someone will inevitably be sad.
Cang Jing Chong Xue's voice suddenly disappeared; it was unclear whether something had happened outside.
"Hanjiang!" After a long time, Cangjing Chongxue contacted Hanjiang again. "Your master and Aye have entered the secret realm."
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