After the three suona sounds had sounded in succession, the atmosphere on the carriage was somewhat heavy, but it hadn't reached the point of despair.
On one hand, this was, after all, only the Human Gate.
It wasn't to the extent of leaving people without hope of passing.
On the other hand, the three young women sitting in this carriage were all heaven-blessed talents, each unrivaled among their peers. If they didn't try, they would truly feel unconvinced.
Bai Yuyu had tried, but she still wasn't convinced.
That was just her personality.
"So in history, were the scouts sent out from Dingwu City for aid also encountered by that eighth-rank demon?" Bai Yuyu asked curiously.
"Perhaps."
Mu Qinglan sighed:
"No message successfully got out back then. Now it seems that was indeed the case. The General Yuan mentioned by the city lord is a fourth-rank expert, but he's from Prince Qi's mansion. That side is engaged in fierce battle, so definitely no one can be spared. At this point, it depends on which side can deploy more subordinates. If Prince Qi didn't receive the message, then he's definitely at a disadvantage in terms of fighting power."
Jiang He was somewhat puzzled.
She felt that a city, even if it was just a small city, shouldn't have only ninth-rank experts.
Mu Qinglan thought for a moment and said:
"That city lord should be seventh rank. It's normal for him not to have many strong subordinates. As for why he doesn't personally go out of the city to seek aid... maybe because he's a member of the royal family?"
Yes, after Jiang He raised this question, Mu Qinglan completely remembered.
Although that city lord had always seemed somewhat familiar, it wasn't until she happened to hear his name in the city that she fully recalled his identity.
He was indeed an NPC from the game.
And after Prince Qi's mansion fell, he was one of the generals who smoothly switched allegiance to the royal faction.
In that Prince Qi rebellion, many generals and officials who had close relationships with Prince Qi were liquidated one by one, making those who remained unscathed particularly conspicuous.
Many players had speculated whether he was a mole infiltrated into Prince Qi's faction.
Now, after seeing that city lord's actions, Mu Qinglan also had such suspicions.
She was almost certain, in fact.
'Is he the mole I'm looking for?'
Her eyes darkened slightly, and she planned what to do next.
"...a member of the royal family?"
Jiang He, who was driving the carriage in front, silently turned her head. Bai Yuyu, who was adjusting her equipment, also looked up and asked with confusion:
"Aren't Prince Qi's mansion and the royal family on the same side?"
"No, that's not the case. Everyone serves Great Xia, but within the court, there are differences in political views and factions."
Mu Qinglan smiled somewhat mockingly: "You don't think the demon found Prince Qi's family through their own information, do you?"
"Are you saying...?"
Bai Yuyu widened her eyes.
"Most likely, the royal family sold this information to the demons. And that city lord is a mole from the royal family!"
Mu Qinglan concluded.
This was information that even her father couldn't confirm, but with her player's perspective, combined with current knowledge, she could assert this point.
And in revealing such information, she naturally had a purpose.
She could now be certain that Jiang Jiang was indeed the Ninth Princess of the royal family, and had no connection with the emperor and the mainstream faction of the royal family.
So, she could be recruited.
—After all, she would leave Great Xia in the later stages anyway.
That being the case, why couldn't she come to her side?
This was a super combat force.
"So that's how it is..."
Bai Yuyu could hardly believe it, but quickly, as a constable of the Six Bureaus, she keenly associated it with another matter:
"I heard that a few days ago, the princess from Prince Qi's family was assassinated by a demon? Could it be...?"
"Most likely still the royal family's doing."
Mu Qinglan said decisively, without any burden.
Joking aside, she was the person involved!
The person involved was telling her firsthand, how could it be false?
That princess who awakened at the National Teacher's mansion a couple of days ago? Hearing the familiar name, Jiang He blinked her eyes, deciding to investigate thoroughly later.
Of course, neither of the two would easily believe Mu Qinglan's words.
But it had to be admitted that she had successfully planted a seed of doubt in the hearts of these two.
Because this could indeed happen.
It was also reasonable and sensible.
As for whether this seed would take root and grow into a towering tree in the future, that was no longer her concern.
After all, she had achieved her purpose.
"I'll investigate this matter when I get back. If this is true, then the royal family..." Bai Yuyu murmured, feeling her worldview refreshed.
Mu Qinglan glanced at her imperceptibly.
It seemed her status wasn't low either.
But she was still more interested in seeing Jiang He's actions, because only then could they naturally come into contact.
—She remembered that in Jiang He's plot introduction, it was said she was the type of person who had no friends? And thus yearned to make a friend. Unfortunately, until the completion of the dungeon in the game, she never made the friend she wanted.
That being the case, in this world where everything had yet to happen, let me sacrifice myself.
If she has no friends, then I'll be her friend.
Be her best friend.
Also... her only friend.
○
"The pursuer is a demon? Then I'll have to test whether this senior or I am stronger!"
Galloping urgently on the official road, the person in black was full of disdain, thinking only that as a demon genius who could be sent to the Great Xia capital as a mole, his strength would certainly not be inferior.
The howling night wind blew up his hood, and under the hood was actually a beast face!
He was the seventh person in this Human Gate ritual!
"Hyah!"
With a whip, the horse ran faster, but suddenly his heart skipped a beat.
There was an urgent wind sound from the wild fields.
"Who?!"
The black-clothed person was startled and immediately drew his weapon. Suddenly, his pupils contracted as he looked to the right.
In the dim forest, a black shadow leaped from behind a tree, holding a gleaming large knife, fiercely chopping down toward him!
Swoosh!
The sound of the wind was almost torn to the point of breaking!
"So fast?!"
This knife erupted from the night, coming too fast and too urgently! The black-clothed person's face changed drastically. He only had time to infuse spiritual power into his arms, veins bulging, raising his staff horizontally in front of his chest.
Bang!
The sound of cutting through the air was sharp and high-pitched, followed by the heavy blade viciously hitting the staff!
In just an instant! The fine iron staff that the black-clothed person had seized from the city was cut in half, and then, following his horrified gaze, the blade fiercely chopped into his chest!
Eighth rank?!!!
The black-clothed person's body flew horizontally, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Clang—
He rolled on the ground five or six times in succession until his waist hit a tree half as thick as a person. Only then did he spit out a mouthful of blood, barely stopping, glaring with unwilling eyes, wanting to see who his opponent was.
"Demon?"
The mysterious person murmured somewhat puzzledly to himself.
"Forget it, since you've chosen to help Prince Qi, whether you're human or demon, you'll have to die in the end."
The mysterious person raised his knife, preparing to send him off on his final journey.
However, at this moment, he discovered that after seeing his appearance, the demon opposite actually widened his eyes, his gaze filled with an incredible shock:
"You, you're not a demon! You're that centurion from the Imperial Divine Guards! You're a royal person!"
What is he talking about? The mysterious person frowned, raising his knife and bringing it down.
Divine Guards centurion?
That was a position that only a sixth-rank expert could hold, he was still far from that! However, how did he know that he was serving the royal family? He had never revealed his identity to outsiders.
Better investigate when he returns.
○
Woo~
When the suona sounded for the fourth time, the carriage immediately fell silent.
Everyone knew that it would be their turn next.
Jiang He's eyes were calm, thinking that even if they couldn't win, it wouldn't be a loss. At least she had made a friend. She just hoped this wouldn't be the last time they saw each other.
Bai Yuyu's expression was tense, her heart pounding like a drum.
She was never one to hide her emotions well, so under high pressure, she began to repeatedly wipe the short spear that was all she had left, muttering "come on, come on, come on" in a low voice, trying to persuade it to perform more perfectly.
On the other side,
Mu Qinglan just quietly looked at the two of them.
Thinking, should I find an excuse to part ways with them?
It's time to do the mission too.
So, she softly spoke:
"You two go ahead first. I'll hold him back alone."