After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety Shows
Chapter 502 - 493: Natural Enemy, Suction

Chapter 502: Chapter 493: Natural Enemy, Suction

Until the enticing aroma from the cooking food over the fire filled the air, the crowd’s chatter finally came to a halt.

The journey so far had been thrilling enough, albeit leaving them famished.

Catching the scent of food, even Jiang Lingxi couldn’t help but swallow a mouthful of saliva.

Shen Yunqing handed over a lunch box filled to the brim with hot soup and rice, "You’ve worked hard."

Jiang Lingxi took the lunch box, leaned close to the person’s ear, and, seizing the moment while everyone else was focused on their meal, whispered, "Were you so sure I would come here?"

Shen Yunqing’s ear twitched slightly, "I intended to hurry back before you wrapped up filming, but realized there wasn’t enough time. I guessed you’d certainly come looking for me."

Jiang Lingxi unzipped her jacket and took out a small white stone, placed it in his palm without another word, and focused on her meal like the others.

Shen Yunqing caressed the stone still warm from her touch, enveloped in a long-missed tenderness from head to toe.

The deepest understanding in this world.

Is probably knowing you’d come, and you really did!

Braving the wind and snow, without any hesitation.

*

Once their stomachs were full, tiredness settled in. Just as everyone was relaxing and about to drift into slumber, a sudden sound came from the back of the hall.

The initially relaxed crowd instantly reverted to full alertness, grabbing whatever weapons were within arm’s reach and standing up to look.

What they saw made their eyes widen simultaneously, staring at the little figure in the corner that finally revealed its complete form.

It was only the size of a small child, entirely snow-white and hairless. Its eyes weren’t all green, but when light hit them, they reflected green, otherwise remaining black.

At first glance, it was indeed peculiar. Yet, the longer one looked, it exuded an oddly adorable vibe.

"Is this the one that was supposed to guide us, that... what was it called, a changren?"

Jiang Lingxi noticed this little fellow cautiously looking at Shen Yunqing, even showing some trust in its gaze, "Has this little guy been following you all these days?"

"To be accurate, we took over its residence," Shen Yunqing, surrounded by strangers unfamiliar to the little guy, didn’t beckon it over, "This hall was originally its hiding place."

"Hiding? Does it have predators outside?"

"Indeed," this time Wu Jue, who had revealed himself, replied, followed by Zhang Ying, Chang Fu, and several other youth with strong qi, "Its predators are far more formidable, it’s just a coward."

Wu Jue looked at Jiang Lingxi, a faint smile on his face, "I figured you guys would arrive by now. Everything going smoothly?"

Jiang Lingxi nodded at him, "Thanks to the markings you left and this little fellow for leading us."

"My only remaining apple was given to it as a reward."

Shen Yunqing and the others handed over a bottle of water, "How’s the situation on the Dark Hall’s side?"

"Tough," Wu Jue shook his head, pointing to the little fellow still huddled in the corner, "It rushed ahead without waiting for me, which means its predators are likely close. These creatures rarely enter the Dark Hall, so the only possibility is that they’re accompanied by humans, likely those from the Changcang Sect. They arrived rather quickly!"

After speaking, he yawned and waved his hand, "But don’t worry. I set things up in advance, hoping it’ll make things easier for us later. Now that Miss Jiang brought so many people, along with the preparations, we shouldn’t suffer any loss."

Originally, everyone was a bit anxious, but seeing his demeanor, their tension eased considerably.

Since they were among allies, the vigilance dissipated, followed by contagious yawns.

Wu Jue drank some water and sat cross-legged, "The Ming Hall here is not easy to breach, so everyone needn’t worry. Just rest for now. If there’s anything to discuss, we’ll do it after a good rest."

With that, he started meditating.

Hearing this, the people put aside their inquisitive thoughts for the time being, pulled out sleeping bags from their backpacks, spread them out on open spots by the fire, and soon drifted into dreamland.

Jiang Lingxi pulled Changning into the tent where they had changed earlier to rest.

After exchanging a few words, they both fell deeply asleep.

Knowing Shen Yunqing was outside, Jiang Lingxi slept deeper this night than she had the past few nights.

*

After several who entered the Ming Hall had eaten and drunk their fill, leaving only two on the night watch while the others rested, over at another part of the river, Yin Chong and his group were walking when suddenly Lian Lian and Li Yan, who were at the front, vanished.

Their steps halted, and for a moment, they exchanged bewildered glances.

Yin Chong looked gravely at the spot where the two disappeared, "Luan Feng, go take a look."

Luan Hua’s foot instinctively twitched, but seeing Yin Chong’s tense expression, she dared not say anything.

When her brother turned to look at her, she gave him a "be careful" look.

Luan Feng took a deep breath, approached in a few quick steps, and soon reached where the two had vanished.

He was about to speak when he felt a strong suction from beneath his feet. Before he could make a sound, he was drawn straight down.

Watching her brother disappear right under her nose, Luan Hua’s pupils contracted suddenly, "Xiao Feng!"

No longer caring about anything else, she rushed forward and soon vanished too.

Yin Chong didn’t need to turn around to feel the unrest and fear behind him.

"Three people, holding hands, go over!"

But no one moved.

Until Yin Chong gave them a look, the three at the front exchanged glances, then finally held hands and walked forward as if facing certain death.

They dared not defy Yin Chong’s order; otherwise, the consequences could be worse than death.

Being part of the Changcang Sect granted an esteemed status in the secular world, but within the sect, it was a strictly hierarchical place.

This time, though, not all three vanished together; only one struggled to shout, "Save me!" before disappearing underwater like the two companions before him.

Then it was six people.

Yin Chong, apart from issuing orders, stood coldly watching the whole time.

Watching, he finally discerned some pattern.

Soon, only he and a solitary member remained in the water.

This time, he went over himself, sensed the suction beneath, and inwardly affirmed his suspicion, before being swallowed, too.

Left alone, the last person couldn’t hold it anymore, scrambling to climb ashore, trying to flee back the way they came.

This place was too eerie; he didn’t want to keep going.

Unfortunately, he didn’t get far before running into Chong Shi and his men.

"Why are you all alone? Where’s Yin Chong and the others?"

"Master Yin and the others, they were swallowed by the water!"

Chong Shi personally pulled him ashore, "Explain yourself. With Yin Chong’s cautious nature, would he do something self-destructive?" He narrowed his eyes, "Perhaps you sneaked back?"

"I’m telling the truth!"

"I don’t believe you unless you take me to where they vanished."

He couldn’t refuse; Chong Shi’s rank and power surpassed his own, leaving him unable to resist.

But upon returning, the man was stumped.

On land, he could leave some traces when walking.

But in the river, all he could see was water. He couldn’t remember the exact spots where his companions had disappeared.

Finally, impatient Chong Shi carelessly tossed him, and as suction came from below, he never surfaced again.