Chapter 19 – Cave

Volume 3: Rising Winds and Clouds

Looking at the new arrangement of the room and then at Xiao Xue standing to the side, Wen Yu nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Thank you."

Perhaps noticing that Wen Yu's smile was a bit forced, Xiao Xue wiped her hands casually on her newly changed civilian clothes and nodded.

"It's nothing. I'm still the one to blame. I overstepped my bounds by messing with your room without asking."

"Anyway, let's eat first. Xiao Xue's cooking is actually quite good!"

Ye Nan's wife, likely sensing the tense atmosphere, spoke up and gave Wen Yu's sleeve a gentle tug. "Let's eat."

…

A meal's time passed quickly. With Wen Yu cracking jokes and making small talk, Ye Nan's child didn't notice the stiff atmosphere at the table.

After Ye Nan's wife and child had left, Wen Yu pointed to the nearby sofa, gesturing for Xiao Xue to sit.

"Do you remember our agreement?"

Xiao Xue hesitated for a moment before sitting down on the sofa and nodding.

"I need to say it one more time: Do not disturb me! I hope you can remember that. Honestly, if it weren't for the woman and child next door, I really would have killed you!"

"Don't gamble with your life."

Xiao Xue looked into Wen Yu's serious eyes. After a long silence, she suddenly laughed.

"I get it. You're being so serious…"

Before she could finish her sentence, a half-meter-long short spear was already pressed against Xiao Xue's forehead.

Looking at Wen Yu holding the spear, Xiao Xue slowly raised her hands.

Then, she began to calmly arrange the tea set.

"You are a very guarded person!"

At this moment, the smile had vanished from Xiao Xue's face, and her tone carried a sense of gravity and earnestness.

"When we first met, I was indeed testing you. That was an order given to me by the War God; he wanted me to observe your strength."

"Actually, there wasn't much to observe. I haven't even seen all of your Soul Pets. Also, as a fellow Soul Master, I believe your strength is definitely greater than Lord War God's. Simba alone probably wouldn't be a problem for you, even if it has evolved into a Level 4 Mutant Beast."

As Xiao Xue spoke, she skillfully scalded the teapot and warmed the cups.

"But that mission itself wasn't mandatory. I haven't had any professional training in that area, and my attempt to test you this morning was clumsy and annoying."

"So, after you went out, I tidied up your house. Firstly, I felt that since you plan to live here for a while, your living space should actually look like a home. Secondly, it was my way of apologizing."

"Maybe I'm just too stupid. I can't even handle these small things properly and ended up making things worse."

"If you're truly angry, then I promise I won't disturb you again. Consider this cup of tea my formal apology!"

After finishing her piece, Xiao Xue smiled again, respectfully lifted the teacup, and handed it to Wen Yu.

Still holding his weapon, Wen Yu studied Xiao Xue seriously for a few moments before slowly nodding.

He took the cup and drained it in one gulp.

"I accept your apology. But you should know, there won't be a next time! Never again!"

"Now, you can leave."

"Okay."

Xiao Xue finally regained a bit of her normal composure. She gave a reserved nod and slowly walked out of Wen Yu's room.

After a while, Wen Yu retracted Wild Song and looked over the room's layout once more.

"Not bad."

Star's voice drifted out slowly.

"Yeah, not bad."

…

In the afternoon, after Ye Nan returned, he visited Wen Yu's room once.

Ye Nan was somewhat wary of the new resident who had moved in-though mostly, he was afraid.

Wen Yu offered some words of comfort and explicitly told Ye Nan that he and the soldiers would be leaving in a few days. Only then did Ye Nan relax, even inviting Wen Yu to join them for dinner that evening.

Dinner was excellent.

The main reason was that Xiao Xue had also been invited by Ye Nan's wife.

As a powerhouse within the Military, Xiao Xue had plenty of supplies in her Spatial Ring. The variety of dishes was a feast for Wen Yu's palate.

Furthermore, the personnel Xiao Xue brought along had already located Simba's position.

After agreeing on a time for the operation the next day, Wen Yu returned to his room and went to sleep early.

…

Early the next morning, Wen Yu was awakened by the sound of knocking.

Opening the door, the first thing he saw was Xiao Xue in full military uniform.

And, of course, One-Eye was in Xiao Xue's arms.

As it turned out, One-Eye was very obedient. Wen Yu had told One-Eye to come back at night, and he indeed had.

Unfortunately, Wen Yu had gone to sleep early, so One-Eye had been forced to crouch in the hallway all night.

Of course, given One-Eye's strength, where he slept didn't really matter; it wasn't like he was going to catch a cold.

Seeing Wen Yu's gaze fall on One-Eye, Xiao Xue spoke up.

"This isn't my Soul Pet. When I went out this morning, I saw this little puppy lying in the hallway. He looked so pitiful that I gave him something to eat."

Xiao Xue sighed softly and continued.

"A puppy this small… I don't know how he managed to survive. He must have gone through so many hardships. It's just too heartbreaking!"

As soon as Xiao Xue finished speaking, One-Eye let out two barks.

"You're the one who's pitiful! Your whole family is pitiful!"

"Though, that garlic-flavored dog food this morning was pretty good."

Of course, Xiao Xue had no idea what One-Eye was actually saying!

"See? This little guy is very spiritual. He must have been thanking me just now!"

Xiao Xue spoke with a serious, certain tone, gently stroking One-Eye's forehead.

One-Eye squinted his eyes comfortably, enjoying the caress of her soft hand.

"Well… tsk."

"How should I put this?"

Looking at One-Eye still nestled in Xiao Xue's arms and seeing the slightly confused look in her eyes, Wen Yu thought for a long while but still didn't mention that One-Eye was his Soul Pet.

"Let's head out then. The sooner we solve this problem, the sooner you can return to the military."

Seeing Xiao Xue nod gently, Wen Yu took the lead and headed downstairs.

…

Just as they reached the ground floor, Xiao Xue activated her Soul Realm.

This was a Soul Master's means of self-protection and a sign of Xiao Xue's cautious nature.

It also revealed something else: Xiao Xue was likely the type of Class Holder the Ruler had mentioned-one who treated the Soul Master Class as a Summoner.

A flash of purple light appeared in mid-air, and then a three-meter-tall Husky leaped out of the Soul Realm.

Its glossy fur and bright, piercing eyes scanned the surroundings. Then, it silently tucked its tail between its legs and scurried off to a distance.

Animals truly had a much stronger sense of danger than humans.

Xiao Xue communicated silently with her Soul Pet for a moment, then shoved One-Eye into Wen Yu's arms.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know he was your Soul Pet…"

Seeing Xiao Xue's cheeks flush slightly, Wen Yu gave her and her Soul Pet a small laugh.

"His name is One-Eye. He's a bit of a troublemaker."

"Um, well… why is he so small?"

Xiao Xue hesitated for a long time before finally asking.

Wen Yu shook his head, indicating he didn't intend to explain that particular issue.

"Let's go. Let's find Simba. It's been a while since I last saw him."

…

As Wen Yu's group moved off, far away in a factory in the Old City District, a trap targeting Wen Yu and One-Eye was already prepared.

Creeeeak.

The harsh sound of a door being pushed open rang out.

Then, Wan Ping's figure slowly emerged from the underground space.

His movements were slow, like an old man with one foot in the grave.

Guan Tao looked at his good friend and sighed softly.

"Are you ready? The fish has taken the bait."

Wan Ping nodded slowly, then raised his head to look Guan Tao straight in the eye.

After a long pause, Wan Ping's voice slowly drifted out.

"Has the manpower from the Organization arrived?"

Guan Tao nodded.

"They are already at the trap site making preparations."

"Good."

At this moment, Wan Ping's reaction speed was sharp.

"Once that dog is dealt with, kill everyone present! Including the people from the Organization."

Guan Tao looked at Wan Ping in shock.

"If you kill them, what about you? They're the only ones who can help you regain control over your body!"

"That's pointless!"

Wan Ping answered quickly.

"You know what their 'solution' is. I'd rather die than become one of those monsters that are neither human nor ghost!"

"Besides, I really hate those human traitors! I really do!"

…

By the time Wen Yu and the others met up with the team responsible for tracking Simba's location, they were already at the foot of East Mountain.

Xiao Xue stepped forward and spoke with her subordinates for a long time before turning back to Wen Yu.

"My people say the lion is currently in a cave on the back of the mountain. Judging by its size, it hasn't reached Level 4 yet. It looks like this mission will be completed easily. After all this time, I finally have a lead on my Third Soul Realm!"

After hearing Xiao Xue's words, Wen Yu nodded.

"Then let's not waste time."

"By the way, you should be Level 4 by now, right? Why haven't you contracted a fourth Soul Pet yet?"

Xiao Xue chatted with Wen Yu as they followed the scouts forward.

"I have high standards."

"You don't even think much of that lion? It's very strong!"

Wen Yu glanced at the slightly excited Xiao Xue and spoke flatly.

"If Kuangliu had told me you talked this much, I definitely would have refused his request. After this is over, I'm going to Yanjing to have a talk with him!"

Xiao Xue pursed her lips and deliberately lagged two steps behind, rolling her eyes at Wen Yu repeatedly before slowly moving to the front.

…

Xiao Xue had brought five people with her, all of whom were Level 3 Class Holders!

This alone demonstrated the Military's deep foundations; they were truly powerful!

Combined with Xiao Xue, who was at Peak Level 3, and Wen Yu at Level 4, as well as the deterrent force radiating from Xiao Xue's Soul Pet, Qiqi, the mountain path-though difficult-was free from any blind Mutant Beasts looking for trouble. Consequently, the journey didn't take long!

In less than half an hour, the lead soldier had guided the group to the mouth of a massive cave.

"It's right inside," the lead soldier said to Xiao Xue behind him.

"Understood." Xiao Xue nodded and headed straight for the cave entrance.

"Woof! Woof!"

"Boss, Simba's scent isn't in there."

One-Eye had a very keen sense of smell and had encountered Simba before, so he could naturally distinguish the lion's scent.

"Wait!"

Hearing One-Eye's warning, Wen Yu immediately called out to stop Xiao Xue, who was about to enter the cave, and turned to look at the soldier leading the way.

"My Soul Pet tells me that the lion's scent isn't inside."

The soldier frowned upon hearing Wen Yu's question.

"That's impossible. My Skill shows that the lion is right inside."

Wen Yu looked at the soldier's serious, earnest expression, then turned back to the pitch-black cave and spoke immediately.

"My Soul Pet definitely wouldn't make a mistake! There's something wrong here!"

Then, looking seriously at the slightly conflicted Xiao Xue, he said bluntly, "Abort the mission. I suspect your man has made a mistake. The level of danger inside is unknown. If you insist on taking the risk, I won't be joining you!"

Xiao Xue looked at Wen Yu, then at the soldier who remained motionless. After a long pause, she shook her head at Wen Yu.

"He wouldn't make a mistake. He has always been my personal guard. I'd rather trust him than you."

"Then, goodbye!"

Without paying any further mind to Xiao Xue and the others, Wen Yu turned and began walking back down the mountain.

Simba's scent not being in the cave meant one of two things. First, Simba wasn't there, meaning the cave wasn't dangerous; in that case, Wen Yu certainly wasn't going to waste his effort! 

But what if it was the second case?

That would mean someone was targeting Xiao Xue.

Wen Yu understood that a massive organization like the Military was bound to be full of internal schemes and filth. Wen Yu wasn't afraid of trouble, but he absolutely didn't want to go looking for it!

These messy affairs were like a giant whirlpool. Once involved, Wen Yu would undoubtedly be used as a pawn by those politicians!

He preferred to keep a respectful distance from such things.

As for whether they were targeting him? Wen Yu hadn't even considered it. He had very few enemies!

…

Watching Wen Yu's retreating back, Xiao Xue said nothing more and turned to walk into the cave.

Behind her, the other five followed closely.

One of the soldiers remarked, "And he's called Sequence 2? Must be a fake. He doesn't have a shred of courage!"

His voice was thick with mockery.

A soldier next to him quickly chimed in, "I think he was scared witless by that lion. Look at him running away with his tail between his legs!"

Once the topic was opened, everyone except for the scout began to criticize Wen Yu's failings.

The Military was a place that worshipped the strong!

These soldiers felt nothing but contempt for Wen Yu's "cowardly" display.

"Alright, that's enough!"

Xiao Xue listened to the increasingly unpleasant comments behind her and cut the conversation short.

The cave was very long, possibly an air-raid shelter from before the Apocalypse. The group walked for about two minutes and still hadn't reached the end.

Furthermore, the ceiling was getting lower, and their field of vision was growing darker.

"Uncle Wang, are you absolutely sure you didn't make a mistake?"

Xiao Xue stopped in her tracks and pulled a glow stick from her Spatial Ring. She turned to observe the increasingly dark environment and the cave ceiling, which was now less than three meters high, and couldn't help but ask.

By now, Xiao Xue had also realized something was wrong.

The soldiers behind her slowly raised their rifles, carefully scanning their surroundings.

They had also noticed the problem.

This height couldn't accommodate a Level 3 Mutated lion!

"There is no mistake."

The scout spoke slowly, but his voice had a strange, mechanical quality to it.

Xiao Xue narrowed her eyes, sized the soldier up, and commanded immediately, "Retreat!"