Falling Out

The group advanced along the suspension bridge. It swayed and rocked beneath them, making their hearts pound, while the iron chains on either side clattered loudly.

The underground river shimmered with green light, illuminating this gloomy world beneath the earth. After crossing the suspension bridge, Xiao Hen entered the first pillar-shaped platform and looked around. It was an open expanse piled everywhere with skulls. Who knew how many people had died in ancient times to build a tomb like this?

Xiao Hen looked ahead. Hu Bayi, Wang Kaixuan, and the other two had already reached the second platform. Xiao Hen knew there was another key on that platform. Only after gathering all three keys could they finally open the Goddess's Coffin. God knew why the key to opening the coffin had been placed along the tomb passage. Had they never considered that tomb raiders might collect the keys along the way?

"This gentleman is no ordinary man either!"

Big Gold Tooth's astonished voice came from ahead. Then Hu Bayi and the other three continued onward, while Xiao Hen, Ying Caihong, and the rest had only just arrived at this platform.

Ying Caihong swept her gaze around and spotted a skeleton sitting upright on an Altar at the center of the platform. The skeleton was covered in cobwebs and dust, with all sorts of strange objects hanging from its body, though they had long since decayed.

Ying Caihong's eyes lit up when she saw the ancient Bronze Emblem embedded in the skeleton's chest. This palm-sized emblem was one of the three keys—and the final one.

"Yoko, hurry and take down that Bronze Emblem. This is the last one." Unable to hide the excitement in her eyes, Ying Caihong grabbed Yoko's hand as she spoke.

"Yes, Master!"

Yoko stepped forward, preparing to remove the emblem.

Xiao Hen knew that removing this key would trigger a mechanism. This pillar platform would collapse, so he had already steeled himself for danger.

Sure enough, the instant Yoko removed the emblem, a wisp of green flame burst from the seated skeleton's body. It was Phosphorus Fire.

The Phosphorus Fire blazed fiercely, engulfing the entire pillar platform in the blink of an eye.

"Retreat! Quickly!" Ying Caihong ordered everyone to fall back.

"Master, be careful..." The others crowded around Ying Caihong and retreated with her.

Yet even though they reacted quickly, two people still failed to escape in time and were struck by the Phosphorus Fire. They frantically slapped at the flames on their bodies, but Phosphorus Fire was difficult to extinguish. The more they beat at it, the more fiercely the green flames burned.

"Master, Master, save me..." One man, engulfed in raging Phosphorus Fire, stretched out his hands toward Ying Caihong in despair.

However, Ying Caihong merely glanced at him without moving. What could she possibly do?

"Ahhh..."

In the end, amid two screams, the men fell into the river.

As Xiao Hen retreated, he looked at the pillar platform burning with Phosphorus Fire. The green flames grew ever more intense, spreading down to the base of the pillar and winding around it like a green serpent of flame. It was terrifying beyond words.

Phosphorus Fire was hard to put out. Even after falling into the water, it continued to burn, spreading along the current to other pillars as the flames grew even fiercer.

In the distance, Hu Bayi and the others were drawn by the sight. Wang Kaixuan cursed, "What the hell did those bastards mess with this time?"

Big Gold Tooth said despairingly, "We're done for, we're done for. We're going to be roasted suckling pigs."

Hu Bayi waved his hand. "Stop standing around! Run!" With that, he took the lead and ran ahead.

Under the searing flames, the pillar platforms cracked apart. The stone pillars split, and the platforms toppled, shattering into huge chunks that plunged into the underground river.

"Master, wh-what do we do now?" One of the subordinates looked at Ying Caihong. They had no idea what to do anymore.

"Keep moving! The fire's almost on top of us!" Hu Bayi shoved Wang Kaixuan onward as the flames behind them chased after them. Before long, the fire would destroy the suspension bridge.

They finally ran to the end and looked back at Ying Caihong's group stranded halfway across. After exchanging glances, Wang Kaixuan said, "It's not that we're abandoning them, but what can we do? This trap is vicious!"

Seeing that Hu Bayi's group had reached the end, Ying Caihong snorted coldly. "Take out the asbestos suits!"

Yoko nodded. "All right!" A Blackhand behind her opened his backpack and took out several silver-white asbestos suits.

Xiao Hen took one as well. These things could effectively protect against flames and high temperatures. As for why Ying Caihong's subordinates had brought such items, God knew. Maybe the Plot demanded it.

Wearing the asbestos suits, they charged into the flames and rushed along the suspension bridge toward the end. Protected by the suits, they finally made it safely to the other side.

"Move!" Ying Caihong put away her asbestos suit and waved her hand. The group continued onward. Having passed this obstacle, they were getting closer and closer to the Goddess's Coffin.

Xiao Hen felt a little excited. The closer they got to the Goddess's Coffin, the closer he was to completing the Main Quest. The Flower of the Other Shore—once he obtained it and completed both the Main Quest and Side Quest, the Shuttle would naturally grant a reward. What Xiao Hen anticipated most was the Shuttle's repair progress. I hope it can be restored to fifty percent.

After emerging from the dark corridor, they found themselves facing a vast square strewn with heaps of rubble. Xiao Hen looked back and saw that the corridor entrance was shaped like a horrifying Demon Head.

"You actually made it here safely?" Only two people were in the square: Shirley Yang and Big Gold Tooth.

"Where are the other two?" Ying Caihong looked around and asked.

Xiao Hen knew that Hu Bayi and Wang Kaixuan were having a falling-out right now. Wang Kaixuan refused to leave because he wanted to help Ding Sitian find the Flower of the Other Shore, while Hu Bayi intended to drag him away even if he had to tie him up. During their scuffle, Wang Kaixuan had broken Hu Bayi's Luopan.

"I don't know." Shirley Yang was secretly fuming. She was still somewhat jealous of the relationship between Hu Bayi and the dead Ding Sitian. Now Wang Kaixuan did not want to leave either, creating conflict within their team of three. It was giving her a headache.

Big Gold Tooth, however, did not dare contradict Ying Caihong. "Oh, Boss Ying, don't worry. Master Hu and Master Wang will be here soon, soon. Rest assured, they'll definitely complete your task."

Ying Caihong did not listen to Big Gold Tooth's nonsense. She simply waved her hand. "Mr. Xiao, Yoko, go capture this woman for me. I refuse to believe they'll still dare disobey after that!"

Yoko immediately stepped forward upon hearing this, but Xiao Hen turned his head to look at Ying Caihong. So now she needed him?

"Madam Ying, my duty is only to protect you." Xiao Hen smiled faintly. He had no intention of offending Hu Bayi's team at this point. He walked to a nearby boulder, leaped onto it, and looked into the distance. At last, he saw Hu Bayi and Wang Kaixuan grappling with each other dozens of meters away.

"You dare disobey my orders?" Ying Caihong paused and looked up at Xiao Hen.

"I said it already. I'm only here to protect you, not to be your thug." Xiao Hen's expression remained calm.

"Bastard! How dare you disrespect Master!" Someone behind Ying Caihong flew into a rage, drew a pistol, and aimed it at Xiao Hen.

Xiao Hen also pulled out the submachine gun hidden on his body and aimed it at the Blackhands behind Ying Caihong. "Careful. Don't let it go off by accident!"

"You..." The man faltered. He held a pistol, while Xiao Hen had a submachine gun. Their firepower was not even comparable.

"Fine. Very fine!" Ying Caihong was furious, cold light flashing in her eyes. Then she took a deep breath and waved her hand, signaling those behind her to lower their weapons. She then looked toward the square. "Yoko, capture her quickly."

"Yes, Master!" Yoko moved even faster. Her strength was actually about equal to Shirley Yang's, but now others were helping her. The Blackhands could not handle Xiao Hen, but they could deal with an unarmed Shirley Yang. Before long, Shirley Yang was captured and bound.

"Hmph. You dared disrespect Master. Are you looking to die?" After capturing Shirley Yang, Yoko turned around, leaped onto the boulder, and raised a pair of sharp hand axes before swinging one down at Xiao Hen.

Xiao Hen leaped down, and Yoko followed, bringing her axe down at him again.

Xiao Hen twisted aside and dodged the incoming axe. He reached out, grabbed Yoko's arm, then pulled with his right hand and shoved. Yoko was sent flying away.

Yoko gritted her teeth. She had never been Xiao Hen's match, and even with a weapon in hand, she still could not defeat him.

"Come back, Yoko!" Ying Caihong called out.

At that moment, a burst of footsteps sounded in the distance as Hu Bayi and Wang Kaixuan ran over quickly.

"You captured Shirley? Let her go right now, or I'll make you pay!" Wang Kaixuan roared the moment he saw the bound Shirley Yang.

They were about to see the Goddess's Coffin. They were about to obtain the Flower of the Other Shore!

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