NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: In Xianyong Country
Xianyong Country, Evening
After a long and arduous journey, Deng Min Chi and his group finally arrive in Xianyong Country, only to be met with an eerie silence. The once-bustling country is now a ghost town. The streets are deserted, and the houses stand in ruin, burnt to the ground.
Deng Min Chi: (surveying the desolate landscape) "What happened here? There's not a soul in sight."
Wu Feng: (eyes scanning the horizon) "It looks like the country was abandoned in a hurry. But who would do such a thing?"
Lin Xuxu: (her expression troubled) "It's as if the people vanished overnight. Something doesn't feel right."
Lin Bai Yu: (nodding) "The remains of the buildings are still smoldering. It's not an old disaster."
As the group walks through the desolate streets, the air grows colder, and the feeling of unease grows. There's a sense that something is hiding in the shadows, waiting for them. But for now, they have no choice but to continue.
Zhong Manor, Night
Back in the safety of his estate, Zhong Xinling makes a difficult decision. He has uncovered the truth about his father's death—Lu Taiyang, the daughter of Prime Minister Lu Wei Ye, was involved in the poisoning of his father. However, as Zhong Xinling investigates further, he realizes that she was not the only one behind the conspiracy.
Zhong Xinling: (clenching his fists, voice cold) "So it wasn't just her. There are more people involved in this treachery. But she will pay for her role in my father's death."
In a swift and silent move, Zhong Xinling takes matters into his own hands. Despite knowing there are more players in this deadly game, he kills Lu Taiyang without hesitation. He believes justice must be served, even if it's only the first step toward uncovering the full extent of the conspiracy.
Xianyong Country, Night
As the night falls, Deng Min Chi and his group are forced to seek shelter. They find a dilapidated hotel in the heart of the country, its once-grand facade now covered in soot and ash. Inside, a few people linger, seemingly untouched by the devastation outside.
Deng Min Chi: (stepping into the dimly lit hotel lobby) "We'll stay here for the night. We need to gather our strength before we continue our investigation."
Lin Xuxu: (glancing at the few people inside) "This place is strange. It's as if the world outside has forgotten this place, yet these people remain."
Guan Yandi: (watching the people closely) "They seem… unsettled. Almost as if they're waiting for something to happen."
Wu Feng: (gripping his sword) "We'll need to stay alert. This country is hiding something, and I don't trust these people."
As the group settles into the hotel, they begin to sense that something is wrong. The silence is suffocating, and the feeling of being watched never fades. The hotel's strange inhabitants seem to know more than they let on, but they remain tight-lipped, adding to the tension.
Deng Mansion, Kingdom of Chan, Night
Meanwhile, in the Deng Mansion in the Kingdom of Chan, Minister of Justice Deng Ren and his wife, Mrs. Deng Pei, sit in the quiet of their home, their faces etched with worry. They have heard nothing from their son, Deng Min Chi, since he left on his journey to investigate the corruption and the mysterious events surrounding Xianyong Country.
Deng Ren: (frowning, his voice filled with concern) "It's been weeks since we last heard from Min Chi. I fear something has happened to him."
Mrs. Deng Pei: (gently placing a hand on her husband's) "He's strong, Deng Ren. He can handle anything that comes his way. But I fear for him nonetheless."
Deng Ren: (his brow furrowing) "I've sent word to the Emperor. He's assured me that Min Chi is in good hands. But the longer he's away, the more my heart aches. I know our son. He's not one to ignore a call for help."
The couple's concern is palpable as they sit in the quiet, waiting for any word from their son. They both know that the political landscape is shifting, and Deng Min Chi is at the heart of it all. But what they don't know is the danger he faces, nor the secrets he's about to uncover.
Xianyong Country, Night
Back in Xianyong Country, as the group settles in for the night, Deng Min Chi and Lin Xuxu share a quiet moment. They sit near the fire, speaking softly, though the weight of their journey presses on them both.
Deng Min Chi: (his voice steady, yet tinged with concern) "Tomorrow, we must push deeper into Xianyong. I'm certain the answers we seek are here, hidden in the ruins."
Lin Xuxu: (looking into the fire) "This country… it's like a forgotten place. But I sense we're not alone. There's something here, something we're not seeing."
Lin Bai Yu: (from across the room) "It's the same feeling I had when we first arrived. There's an oppressive force at work here."
Wu Feng: (nodding) "Stay vigilant. There's no telling what dangers lie in this country. We'll face whatever comes together."
As the night deepens, the group prepares for what's to come, knowing that the mysteries of Xianyong Country will soon unfold. The ghostly silence, the remnants of destruction, and the strange hotel all point to something far more sinister than they could have imagined.
To be continued ....