Firefly Journey

Chapter 188 Seeing Mountains as Not Mountains (5)

The wind chime's strategy of feigning indifference was quickly put into practice.

All the crystal mines in the Amara Mountains slowed down their operations, with miners and soldiers huddled inside to avoid serious casualties.

Actually, the simplest way to completely avoid losing manpower would be to withdraw all staff. But that would leave the crystal ore unclaimed, at the mercy of the monsters.

The goal of the wind chimes is elimination, not compromise. In this process, casualties are very normal. If we don't do this, the consequences will be even more unimaginable.

In short, while ensuring the safety of the staff as much as possible, we should show weakness to the monsters and, when necessary, hand over the crystal ore to them in order to make the monster horde relax.

In the days following the issuance of the command by Fengling, the effect was not very good, because the monster horde, which had been intimidated by her, did not dare to show themselves for a short period of time.

It wasn't until a week later that Warcraft began to probe.

This time, the Golden-backed Mantis didn't take action itself, but only sent out a small group of magical beasts to scout ahead. As a result, the humans in the mine seemed to be no different from before, or even worse, losing their armor and weapons along the way, and were no match for the group of magical beasts.

Gradually, more and more small groups of monsters came to harass them, but without exception, none of them included the Goldenback Mantis.

Fengling wasn't in a hurry; a good hunter must be patient.

One mine after another was abandoned, and piece after piece of ore was looted. Fengling sat calmly, waiting for a favorable wind.

On the edge of the Amarama Mountains, Fengling and Lin Yuanran are watching the sunrise.

"It's been half a month, shouldn't we close the net now?" Lin Yuanran said.

The amount of crystal ore stolen by the monsters has reached an alarming level.

Although Fengling and Lin Yuanran knew very little about the golden-backed mantis, they could ask the Duchy for help.

Sabrina, far away in Iberia, became their encyclopedia. After researching, this "Queen of Calamity" explained things to them.

The strength of a golden-backed praying mantis can be discerned from the color of its forelimbs' "double blades".

If the color of its forelimbs is exactly the same as the color of its back, it means that it has become a demigod.

The two recalled that when they first saw it, the color on its forelimbs was gradually turning yellow, which meant that it was not far from that step.

That explains it perfectly. The Golden-backed Mantis led a horde of monsters to attack the crystal mine in order to plunder the materials needed for advancement.

Now, having witnessed the existence of the wind chime, it only dares to send low-level magical beasts to snatch it, while its own whereabouts remain unknown.

However, this didn't really matter to Feng Ling and Lin Yuanran. Their ultimate goal was to take advantage of the golden-backed mantis's molting process and eliminate it by surprise.

Whether it comes to take the crystal ore in person or sends cannon fodder to seize it, it makes no difference; it will simply hand it over anyway.

In her letter, Sabrina said that after the Golden-backed Mantis gathers all the materials, it will find a quiet place to advance, during which time it will be very vulnerable.

Many of the plundered ores were branded, allowing the two to pinpoint the location of the Golden-backed Mantis.

When those marks gather in one place, it will be time for the two of them to go and wipe out the enemy.

“That’s about it. Most of the branded ores are in the same place. I believe it won’t be long before it dies in this mountain,” Wind Chime said.

Lin Yuanran nodded, and after a while said, "I have a small favor to ask of you..."

My 'fantasy ledger' can record divine pronouncements, so..."

“No problem.” Fengling readily agreed.

Taking the heavy book handed to her by Lin Yuanran, she tossed the wind chime high into the air, and then proceeded to unleash a variety of divine pronouncements.

By the time the "Fantasy Ledger" returned to Lin Yuanran's hands, it had been mostly filled.

"Thank you," Lin Yuanran said sincerely.

"No need." Fengling smiled mischievously.

Lin Yuanran was unaware that she had added a tiny bit to his book.

……

……

Danyang, the royal palace of the Chu Kingdom.

After the imperial examination results were announced that day, Emperor Zhuang was very satisfied with the new young scholar who had passed the imperial examination. Therefore, he specially sent a palace maid out of the palace to summon him and meet him privately again.

Upon hearing of the Emperor's favor, Duan Feibai was filled with trepidation. After dressing up carefully, he followed the palace servants to Chongde Hall.

Chongde Hall is a side hall that houses various classic texts from the founding of the Great Chu Dynasty. It also served as Emperor Zhuang's study and office.

Emperor Zhuang himself was an extraordinary being, and of a high level. The inner palace was heavily guarded, and there were even more soldiers outside, so no guards were stationed in the De Chong Hall. Emperor Zhuang disliked external interference when handling state affairs.

Before the hall, the palace attendant who had led the way stopped, explained the situation to Duan Feibai, and then let him enter on his own.

Upon arriving, Duan Feibai looked around anxiously.

He walked into the hall, head bowed, not daring to speak. Only when he saw the partition screen and a figure inside did he quickly bow in greeting.

"I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

There was no response from inside.

Duan Feibai was immediately embarrassed. "Wait, why didn't you say anything when you called me here?"

About ten seconds later, a voice finally came from inside the screen.

"who are you?"

Duan Feibai looked up, his expression one of astonishment.

Why is it a woman's voice? And she sounds quite young...

"Yes, I didn't know you were... "

Duan Feibai reacted quickly. The women who could freely enter and leave Chongde Hall were either imperial concubines or noble ladies. No matter who they were, they were not comparable to him, a minor official with no background.

"Oh, you haven't seen me before." Lü Hongxiu stood up and stepped out from behind the screen. "My name is Hongxiu. Did Father Emperor send you? Where is he?"

Princess Qingjia, Lü Hongxiu, is a name that everyone knows, whether in the Black and White Academy or on the streets of Danyang.

As Emperor Zhuang's only daughter, she was famous enough.

Many young talents of the Chu Kingdom dreamed of being favored by him, becoming his son-in-law, and rising rapidly in rank.

Duan Feibai hadn't expected to meet her by chance today. He smiled slightly; she was just a young girl, and those people's thoughts were a bit too far ahead of their expectations.

“Your Highness, my name is Duan Feibai, and I currently work in the Ministry of Revenue. His Majesty summoned me here, but I have no idea where His Majesty is,” Duan Feibai said.

“Oh, then you can get up first,” said Lü Hongxiu.

"Thank you princess."

Duan Feibai stood up, not daring to move, and respectfully stepped aside.

Lü Hongxiu returned to the chair behind the screen, where Emperor Zhuang often sat, her eyes fixed on the doorway.

Duan Feibai was like a mountain of knives.

Summoned by the emperor, only to be presented with a princess—what kind of situation is this?