A Shocking Dream

Chapter 198

"Lu Yao..." Lin Wunian's cries echoed against the walls of the dilapidated temple, layers of empty sounds swirling like a cold wind, yet they elicited no response. The dead silence, like a sticky quagmire, wrapped around her body, dragging her heart into an abyss of fear. A chill shot from the soles of her feet to her forehead.

She moved swiftly, like a ghost, weaving through the shattered walls of the dilapidated temple. Her gaze was like a sharp blade, slicing through the thick dust and broken bricks, leaving no trace. Cobwebs tumbled in the corners, as if hastily brushed away; the dust on the ground showed messy trails, pointing erratically to the hidden door at the back of the temple. It was half-open, its dark crevice like the maw of a beast, ready to devour. Lin Wunian's heart sank, and he hurried forward. The rotten door creaked under the pressure, and the pungent smell of mold filled his face.

The dark room was empty except for a pool of dried blood in the center. Its dark, glaring color glared at Lin Wunian like the single eye of a vicious beast. Her knees buckled, nearly collapsing. Her fingertips trembled as they touched the blood, still warm. Despair surged within her. "Lu Yao, where the hell are you?" her voice cracked, a hint of sobbing.

Had Xie Yuan really discovered her? Lin Wunian gritted his teeth, hatred boiling over. Xie Yuan was a sinister and ruthless man, with spies everywhere. If Lu Yao fell into his hands, she would be tortured, her life or death uncertain.

Lin Wunian walked out of the ruined temple in a state of panic. The sunlight dappled through her, but it couldn't dispel the gloom in her heart. She moved quickly, her eyes sharp as torches, scanning the ruined temple inch by inch.

Overgrown weeds rustled in the breeze, as if hiding a hidden secret. A dilapidated stone tablet lay crooked on the ground, covered in moss, as if observing the crisis with cold eyes. Lin Wunian leaned over and parted the grass, hoping to find something Lu Yao had accidentally left behind, or even a trace of her. The grass stems scratched her delicate fingers, but she didn't even notice.

"Lu Yao, you're staying nearby, come out quickly." Lin Wunian murmured to himself, his voice trembling and stubborn, as if this whisper could summon Lu Yao out from her hiding place.

She paced along the temple wall, her fingers tracing the weathered and crumbling masonry, trying to sense Lu Yao's lingering warmth. Not far away, a startled hare darted away, making a rustling sound. Lin Nian's attention shifted instantly, her eyes shooting towards it. When she saw it was just a hare, disappointment washed over her, and her eyes, which had brightened for a moment, dimmed.

Behind the temple, a locust tree leaned crookedly, its trunk thick and deep, its hollow abyss deep. Lin Nian was moved, and quickly stepped forward, tiptoeing towards the hollow. The hollow was pitch black, and when she reached in, she felt only rotten leaves and a ball of damp, cold mud, nothing else. She leaned against the tree, looking up at the fragmented sky between the branches, tears welling in her eyes. "Lu Yao, where are you? Don't scare me."

A sob echoed, a mournful response. Lin Fengnian suppressed her tears and gathered herself together, wondering if Lu Yao had met with misfortune and lost her way in her hasty escape, or if she had been secretly abducted and deliberately set up a maze to distract her.

She recalled that Lu Yaoping was smart and intelligent, with a strong ability to adapt. He would not be easily captured, unless he was outnumbered or had set up a trick.

She stood still for a moment, her eyes keenly capturing the movements around her, trying to discern the distinctive and unusual sound, whether it was the fluttering of sleeves, the dragging of footsteps, or even a suppressed cry. Even if it was inaudible, as long as it was related to Lu Yao, she would not let it go.

The ruined temple is eerily quiet, yet it seems to conceal countless prying eyes and hidden dangers. Lin Yao, feeling lonely and desperate, takes the first step in this desolate wilderness. The road ahead is vast and full of thorns, but as long as Lu Yao is still alive, she will break through the darkness and remain determined.

"What? You said Lin Wunian went out looking for me?" Lu Yao had barely stepped into the inn's doorway, barely even catching her breath when Kankan's anxious words pinned her to the spot. Her already pale face instantly drained of its last bit of color, and she staggered. If she hadn't been holding onto the doorframe, she would have nearly collapsed.

Seeing this, Kanan rushed forward and supported Lu Yao, her eyes full of heartache and self-blame: "Sister Lu Yao, what's wrong with you? Are you hurt? Your sister ran away when she heard you went out, but it's good that you're back. You have to wait here and can't go out." Kanan's voice was filled with tears, and her arms were tightly wrapped around Lu Yao's waist, as if she wanted to transfer her strength to her.

Lu Yao waved her hand weakly, her lips pale as paper as she forced a smile. "It's nothing, just a little trouble on the way, a little scrape." Even so, beads of sweat rolled down her temples, soaking a few strands of hair, revealing her forcing herself to hold on. She let Kankan help her sit down, but her gaze remained fixed on the door, filled with anxiety and guilt. "It's all my fault. I wasn't thorough enough, and I ended up letting Wunian take risks for me. Xie Yuan's minions were even more formidable than I expected. They set a tight net, and I finally managed to escape. I wonder how Wunian is doing now."

Kanan quickly poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to Lu Yao's mouth, her eyes red: "Sister, don't panic. Sister Wunian is very smart. She may find the clues and come back soon. You should rest up and drink some tea to moisten your throat. Your body can't stand the tossing and turning." Lu Yao took the teacup, took a sip, and the hot tea went down her throat, but it couldn't warm the coldness in her heart.

"Xianxian, how can I not be anxious? Yingzhou City is now a den of dragons and tigers. Wunian is alone outside. What if she runs into Xie Yuan's elite? Although her martial arts are not bad, two fists can't beat four hands." Lu Yao put down the teacup, and her hands unconsciously clenched the corners of her clothes, her knuckles turning white. "I can't just wait here. Every extra moment, she will be in more danger." As she said, she was about to get up, but because she pulled the wound, she groaned and staggered.

Kankan held her tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force. Her petite body was almost entirely pressed against Lu Yao's shoulders as she begged in a tearful voice, "Sister Lu Yao, please don't go! If you go out now, what will you say to Sister Wunian when she comes back if something goes wrong? You're injured, and not only will you be of no help if you go out, you might even be a burden to her. You can only wait here now. If you rush out, you might disrupt Sister's plan. Sister will be back at noon, you have to trust her!" Kankan's tears fell like rain, and the hot water droplets splashed on the back of Lu Yao's hand, as if they were going to burn a hole.

Lu Yao bit her lower lip until a bright red bead of blood appeared on it, and the smell of rust spread between her teeth. She struggled internally like a trapped animal. How could she not know that what Kankan said was reasonable? If she went out now, her steps would be unsteady and her breathing would be unsteady. Not to mention finding help, she would probably be captured by Xie Yuan's spies along the way. But her worries were like a wildly growing vine, climbing out from her heart and tightly constricting her internal organs. Every second of torture was like a thorn piercing her heart, and the pain made her almost faint. Her eyes were fixed on the door, as if she could see through it and see Lin Wunian returning safely.