Chapter 129

Chapter 129 Just as ascending the mountain required various credentials, descending was equally stringent. Leaving without a guide was nearly impossible. “How about finding Feng Lan?” Qi Huang suggested, as he was likely the only one who could lead them out. But she immediately retracted her question: “No, Feng Lan vanished during lunch. We don’t know where he is.” Vanished at lunch? Su Bei raised a brow, recalling he indeed hadn’t seen Feng Lan then. His disappearance likely wasn't capture—if he were caught, the estate wouldn’t be in this state. Knowing danger via [Prophecy], Feng Lan was probably prepared, and his absence was part of that. “Find Jiang Tianming’s group,” Su Bei decided firmly. He couldn’t figure out how to leave, but from his manga knowledge, his actions aligned with the manga’s intent, as the red wine issue needed resolving. He deduced finding the protagonist group might reveal a way. Qi Huang had a sense of their location, having been with them until enemies forced them to split. She led them to the back garden. The ground was littered with fainted or possibly dead enemies, evidence of recent battles. Qi Huang only knew they headed toward the garden, not their exact spot. Luckily, her fortune held. After a few winding turns, they spotted Jiang Tianming’s group. They were moving forward, including familiar faces—Jiang Tianming, Lan Subing, Mu Tieren, Ai Baozhu—and an unfamiliar bound girl. Her hands and feet were tied, the rope’s other end in Mu Tieren’s hand, forcing her to hop along. Even from afar, the rope glowed faintly. Su Bei realized it was Jiang Tianming’s new Ability—[Immortal-Binding Rope]. Used so soon—practically learned and applied instantly. This Ability was easy to explain as an item, raising no suspicion. “Who’s that...” Qi Huang squinted, but the girl’s back view left them guessing. Su Bei had a hunch: “Feng Lan’s cousin, right?” An important, unfamiliar character tied to this event, appearing with the protagonist group, could only be her. The others recalled the cousin. Qi Huang’s brows shot up, striding over: “Jiang Tianming! Wait for us!” Jiang Tianming’s group turned, showing delight. Ai Baozhu rushed to Qi Huang: “You’re here! Did you handle those people?” Qi Huang nodded, softening, pointing at the two trailing behind: “They helped.” Wu Jin’s low presence aside, Su Bei’s was undeniable. Ai Baozhu looked at him: “Su Bei, got any intel?” Su Bei didn’t answer, eyeing the bound girl. She turned, revealing a face confirming she was Feng Lan’s cousin. Her white hair, like Feng Lan’s, was tied in an elegant bun. Pale green eyes held anger and faint grievance. She resembled Feng Lan—a family member, no doubt. Shifting his gaze, Su Bei asked Jiang Tianming: “What’re you planning, binding her?” Jiang Tianming led them to a secluded corner, recounting everything. “She’s the cousin Feng Lan mentioned—you probably recognized her. We found her escorted to the castle. Seeing us, she ordered her guards to seize us. You saw the result—her guards were counter-killed, and we captured her.” From meeting Qi Huang to finding the hidden guests, much time passed. Yet Jiang Tianming’s group was still in the garden, suggesting they spent significant time on the cousin. “Why not ask her their plot?” Qi Huang’s hand sparked a flame. “If she escapes later, what then?” “I’m a good person!” the cousin protested, indignant. “I didn’t betray my cousin. Who’d want to be head of this mess? If I were bad, would I be caught so easily? I should’ve escaped! And stop calling me Feng Lan’s cousin! I have a name—Feng Ling!” Though older, her demeanor was the most childish present. Her privileged upbringing likely shaped this. “That’s how it is,” Jiang Tianming shrugged, helplessly. “She makes sense, but we can’t fully trust her. We’re taking her to Feng Lan to see what he thinks.” Her words had merit, but without proof and sounding like an escape excuse, they couldn’t believe her until Feng Lan verified. “I wanted to use my Ability to make her speak truth, but she has an item resisting mental control,” Lan Subing added. Without her caution after the Teleportation Nightmare Beast incident, she might’ve thought her Ability worked. She noticed minimal Mental Energy use, deducing an anti-control item. “Where’s Feng Lan?” Su Bei asked curiously. Lan Subing replied, dejected: “Don’t know. He slipped away faster than you.” Su Bei was momentarily speechless, while the others couldn’t help but laugh. “Cough, we don’t know where he is, but this is the Feng Family. As head, Feng Lan likely monitors the situation. If we appear in key spots, he’ll find us,” Mu Tieren, the most earnest, coughed, suppressing laughter, explaining kindly. Reasonable—Su Bei believed Feng Lan was watching, likely approaching upon seeing they caught Feng Ling. Thinking this, he looked at Feng Ling, activating his Ability to check her Destiny Compass. Surprisingly, both big and small pointers were in favorable positions. A good small pointer could mean short-term scheme success, but a good big pointer made Su Bei reconsider her words. Was Feng Ling really good? He checked the big pointer again. From prior study, he roughly understood its meanings. Her big pointer was at ten o’clock, indicating “outward journey” if he recalled right. This meant not just leaving but broader concepts, like leaving family. Given Feng Ling’s rebellious desire to leave, working as a weather forecaster despite her strong Ability, a positive outcome of freedom was plausible if she was good. Su Bei was 80% sure she was good. To confirm the 20% doubt, he showed her the red wine: “Recognize this?” Feng Ling looked shocked: “How’d you get that? They collected all the poison after lunch.” The word “poison” confirmed she knew the wine’s nature. Qi Huang asked: “You know it? Can you fix it?” Feng Ling shook her head: “I don’t know. My father brought it from outside, likely from their partnered organization.” “What organization?” Unexpectedly, a third party was involved. Jiang Tianming frowned, though everyone suspected the same group entangled with them. Feng Ling huffed: “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t hear me out until seeing my cousin? Slapped your face yet?” Jiang Tianming replied calmly: “I said we’d wait for someone to verify your truth. Isn’t that person here?” Not twisting words, Feng Ling couldn’t retort, pouting: “It’s the Black Flash organization.” As expected, everyone fell silent. Not noticing their reaction, Feng Ling continued: “I only heard them mention it once. I don’t know their plans. The wine has an Ability product, making drinkers addicted, stronger than the worst drugs.” The familiar name stunned them, then panicked. Mu Tieren tightened his grip on the rope: “It’s them! No wonder they caused Feng Family chaos. Their target isn’t just the family but Feng Lan himself. What do we do?” Ai Baozhu stomped: “Why’re they everywhere? Didn’t teachers say the school hit Black Flash’s Headquarters? How’re they still causing trouble?” Unlike her, Qi Huang focused on facts: “I heard the school’s action was ambushed, but losses were minimal.” Su Bei felt no surprise. After their absence, Black Flash was due to reappear. “Someone needs to descend, deliver the message, and give the wine to Endless Ability Academy for research to save people. Can you ensure a safe exit?” Su Bei asked. He watched Feng Ling’s expression closely. Any hint of deceit or insistence on taking the wine herself would renew suspicion. If she insisted on leaving, it’d align with the big pointer, meaning she could still be a villain. “I’ll lead someone down, or give me the wine—I’ll take it. I’m not from Endless Ability Academy, but I know its location,” Feng Ling offered, choosing the most favorable option. No need for heavy suspicion—this was expected, even if not a spy. But it had to be rejected: “Think that’s possible?” Feng Ling knew it was wishful, chuckling awkwardly: “Fine, I’ll give you the token and route. But you can’t keep me tied—I’m innocent!” Her actions seemed innocent. Su Bei, convinced, untied her. Mu Tieren, holding the rope, let go but looked puzzled: “What if she’s lying?” Lan Subing couldn’t control her. If Feng Ling lied, the descender risked danger, and untying her could endanger them. Su Bei couldn’t say he was 80% sure she wasn’t a villain—baseless claims weren’t needed. He looked at Wu Jin: “Can you confirm?” “Yes,” Wu Jin nodded. His emotion-sensing, a passive racial trait, wasn’t harmful, so items rarely blocked it. Rubbing her reddened wrists, Feng Ling nodded approvingly at Su Bei: “You’ve got good eyes. If you want after graduation, I can recommend you as a guest elder.” “No thanks,” Su Bei refused firmly. Feng Ling gave a “you’re no fun” look, then remembered: “My amulet only lets the holder descend. If others follow, both face danger.” Only one could leave. For ordinary people, this might spark a fight for the slot. But with the protagonist group, no worry—they all wanted to stay. Fleeing? Sorry, no protagonist thought that way. “Who’ll take it down for help?” Su Bei asked directly. Truthfully, he wanted to go. He’d gained enough presence, got what he wanted, and the protagonist group could handle the task without him. He wasn’t a protagonist, lacking their halo. Early plot was puzzles and exploration; later, combat. If something went wrong, he might not escape. Thinking this, he wasn’t rushed. He believed no one would leave, leaving him the slot. As expected, Jiang Tianming, Qi Huang, and others had no intent to leave. They’d promised to help Feng Lan—leaving now was unthinkable. Though leaving helped, they felt staying was more impactful. Only Wu Jin considered leaving, thinking fetching his father, Wu Di, would amplify efforts. But he needed to monitor Feng Ling for deception, and... his gaze landed on Su Bei, sensing deep desire. Seeing no one speak, Su Bei adopted a saintly expression: “Sigh, if no one wants to, I’ll go.” His face seemed noble, but those who knew him saw he was slacking. Qi Huang huffed: “Keep acting, see what happens.” Su Bei toned it down. With Qi Huang’s temper, continued acting might make her take the slot to spite him. When she looked away, he grinned at Feng Ling: “Tell me how to get down safely.” “You need to memorize the route. I don’t have a map—it’s in my head. Can you handle it?” Feng Ling asked, unsure, as descending was tough. “If you mess up, you’ll get trapped, and we won’t have time to save you.” “No worries,” Su Bei snapped his fingers. “Destiny will guide me.” Ability Users often spoke oddly—Feng Ling did too—so she didn’t mind. Seeing his confidence and others’ trust, she shared the route and gave him an amulet, essential for descending. Only task-assigned or main family members got such tokens, and Feng Ling was one. Handing it over, she nagged: “Return it after this, okay? It’s my personal amulet—I’ll be sad if it’s lost.” “I’ll give the wine to the teachers for rescue. But don’t expect much—by the time they arrive, it’ll likely be over,” Su Bei said. “Is that your Prophecy?” Jiang Tianming asked knowingly, while others were confused. Turning, Su Bei waved lazily: “I don’t do Prophecy. It’s your Destiny.” True—in novels, manga, or dramas, rescue arrived after everything settled. That was the protagonist’s Destiny. Descending wasn’t hard. The Feng Family’s design was clever: touch stone pillars in order with the token to reach the base. A wrong sequence meant getting lost. At the base, Su Bei scanned with Mental Energy. The enemy was cautious, stationing guards. But his Invisibility Charm let him slip past, reaching the highway, taking a cab to school. In the cab, he called Meng Huai: “Teacher, come to school—trouble.” Meng Huai’s tone was irritated: “You never want a break, do you? Twice in a month! If this is your curiosity again, you’re staying at school. I’ll skip my break to train you daily.” Wow, he was pissed. Su Bei denied: “Not me! I’m good! It’s Feng Lan.” “Feng Lan?” Meng Huai doubted. Compared to Su Bei, Feng Lan was closer to “good kid,” though not truly. No good kids in Class S! About to retort, he recalled it was the Feng Family’s Open Day. Feng Lan invited them—maybe it was trouble there. “Get to the point,” Meng Huai said, dressing to rush to school. With Su Bei’s love for drama, calling for help meant big trouble. Su Bei didn’t delay: “Hold on, I’ll send it.” He hung up, texting a concise summary of the main events, omitting his side activities. Why not say it on the phone? The driver was there. Spilling this might land him in a mental hospital. At school, Meng Huai waited at the gate with Ye Lin and white-coated doctors. With so many present, there was no worry about losing evidence. Su Bei handed the bottled wine to Meng Huai. Ye Lin’s group, skipping pleasantries, asked about the poisoned guests’ state, then left with the wine. These were big shots—delaying antidote research was unthinkable. Meng Huai glared at Su Bei: “Come with me. Explain everything again.”