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Chapter 50

Nie Jiuluo descended the staircase, signaling to Xing Shen to follow her upstairs. Xing Shen got up and approached. As he passed Big Eye, he stopped him from making any noise and quickly stuffed the cloth ball back into his mouth.

 

Concerned that the second floor might not be soundproof enough, they decided to move their conversation to the third floor.

 

Nie Jiuluo handed the drawing paper to Xing Shen. Xing Shen squinted at the calligraphy and sketches on the paper, then held it up to the light: “What does this mean?”

 

Nie Jiuluo hesitated before speaking: “I’m just puzzled. On this trip, how many people have been arrested in this small building?”

 

Xing Shen considered the question: “Including Uncle Jiang, there are eight.”

 

“Eight, plus the lame father and the three-person team, that makes twelve?”

 

For now, Xing Shen nodded. He had lost contact with Lao Dao and Yu Rong, so the number of confirmed trapped individuals was twelve.

 

Nie Jiuluo continued: “The other party instructed us to rescue the lame father as soon as possible and mentioned a specific pickup location. That must be the head of the Nanba monkey, right?”

 

Xing Shen agreed: “So far, they have only mentioned this one location.”

 

Nie Jiuluo took back the paper from Xing Shen: “They had Gangzi and Big Eyes convey the message indirectly. It’s a subtle hint meant for those who understand. The drawing shows four fruits that aren’t typical—they’re suspended. My interpretation is that this symbolizes the lame father and the three-person team, who are hanging from a specific tree at the head of the Nanba monkey.”

 

Xing Shen shivered: “Hanging?”

 

Nie Jiuluo shook her head: “They emphasized ‘the weather is cold’ and ‘the fruit is frozen.’ I don’t think it means they are literally hanging but rather being held in a precarious situation.”

 

Xing Shen asked: “So, you mean the four of them are currently tied up and left out in the cold at the Nanba monkey’s head? Right now?”

 

Nie Jiuluo didn’t answer immediately, instead looking out the window. The snow was heavy again, falling thickly. In such weather, the deep mountains would be even colder, making it possible to freeze people overnight.

 

She shuddered and continued: “No. 8 instructed us to rescue the lame father, but we didn’t go. The lame father has likely been hanging there since then, and the three later individuals were hung up afterward.”

 

“The phrase ‘when the fruit freezes, bury it under the tree, and produce a new round of fruit until it finishes’—likely suggests that if someone dies from the cold, they will bury them at the spot and hang up new captives. They have many of our people in their custody. Until it’s done.”

 

Xing Shen remained silent for a moment before speaking: “This is a trap. They know we haven’t caught all their people and are trying to lure the remaining ones into a trap.”

 

Nie Jiuluo glanced at him: “Yes, it’s a trap, and it’s clear from the setup.”

 

However, the trap is highly distressing. It sends a harsh message: the lives and deaths of your companions are in your hands, not ours. We will continue capturing people, and it’s up to you whether you can rescue them. The longer you take, the more “fruit” will freeze.

 

Xing Shen said: “Don’t be intimidated. This could be a bluff. With so many lives at stake, I don’t believe they would actually be so ruthless.”

 

Nie Jiuluo asked: “If it’s true, what’s your plan?”

 

Since Jiang Baichuan was absent, Xing Shen was in charge. He responded: “I will draw out seven numbers, and Yu Rong must be among them. Arrow, is your phone ready? It’s crucial to inform the remaining people.”

 

Nie Jiuluo hesitated but then removed the phone case, revealing several spare SIM cards. She selected a replacement card and dialed Xing Shen. On the fifth attempt, an impatient female voice answered: “Hello?”

 

Xing Shen was relieved: “Yu Rong?”

 

Contacting Yu Rong was a breakthrough. More people on their side meant more resources: for example, making an anonymous call to the police to imprison Gangzi and Big Eyes. Additionally, a car was arranged to pick up Xing Shen and take him to meet Yu Rong at the landmark building center shopping mall.

 

Nie Jiuluo tidied up the small building and drove Xing Shen and Grasshopper to the central shopping mall. The snow had fluctuated that night but was expected to be light in the end. The roads were mostly clear, with no snow left after several cars had passed, only wet roads remaining. However, the radio mentioned that the mountains would see heavier snowfall.

 

Despite the seemingly clear roads, Nie Jiuluo couldn’t shake the feeling of ominous shadows and imagined the frozen figures of the captives swaying with the wind and snow.

 

Xing Shen spoke up: “Yu Rong’s head is safe. According to her, there are other things to discuss. When I arrive, we’ll go over everything in detail. Arrow, are you with us? With the three of us and Grasshopper, I believe if we plan well, our prospects look promising.”

 

“Prospects?” Nie Jiuluo questioned. “What prospects are there when twelve lives are in such danger?”

 

Nie Jiuluo casually replied: “I have other tasks to attend to, including a competition.”

 

Indeed, Lao Cai had asked her to win more awards and introduce a promising young talent to her…

 

At that moment, Nie Jiuluo felt as if her life was falling apart.

 

Xing Shen stopped talking and paused before speaking: “Ah Luo, I think you should put your own business aside for now. Uncle Jiang has been arrested, and if he can’t endure the pressure and reveals you, do you think you’ll still be able to focus on your work or participate in the competition?”

 

Nie Jiuluo pursed her lips.

 

“And if he doesn’t reveal you, Ah Luo, are you just going to leave him to fend for himself? Uncle Jiang has always been good to you. If it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t be here now.”

 

Nie Jiuluo replied coldly, “I didn’t say I wouldn’t care about him. When I need to help, I will. Also, I asked you earlier, and you didn’t answer—what will you do if what those two people said is true? After you and Yu Rong meet, will you immediately head to the Nanba monkey head?”

 

Xing Shen fell silent.

 

Nie Jiuluo found his hesitation amusing. “Whether you do or don’t, just give me a straight answer. I want to know what you prefer to do.”

 

Xing Shen pondered for a moment. “I really want to save the people, but this is clearly a trap, and going in could be disastrous. I’m inclined to conserve our strength and look for other opportunities.”

 

Nie Jiuluo scoffed. “And the twelve people? Are you just going to abandon them as a last resort?”

 

Xing Shen hesitated. “I need to consult with everyone. I can’t make a dangerous decision like this alone.”

 

Nie Jiuluo smiled and said, “Understood.”

 

Nie Jiuluo didn’t drive the car to the mall entrance. Instead, she parked at a street corner and watched as Xing Shen carried the duffel bag containing Grasshopper to the car. Once he was inside, she turned and headed to the plate factory to return the vehicle.

 

Xing Shen’s response was practical. The enemy’s trap was likely complex, and no one would dare to make a decision about the Nanba monkey head lightly. Moreover, with Jiang Baichuan’s group nearly wiped out, the remaining people were likely scared and indecisive. Everyone’s input would likely be: “Think long-term,” “Don’t be impulsive,” and “Take your time.”

 

Nie Jiuluo parked the car and slumped tiredly over the steering wheel. Before dawn, the heating in the truck was ineffective, and she felt cold in her front and back, feet and legs. She hoped, as Xing Shen had suggested, that the enemy was merely bluffing.

 

She pulled out her phone and noticed an unread message marked “burn after reading.” Could it be from Jiang Baichuan?

 

Nie Jiuluo sat up immediately and clicked on it. The message was inflammatory.

 

Is something wrong with your people?

The message was sent over an hour ago, and she hadn’t noticed it earlier due to her busy schedule.

 

Nie Jiuluo typed back: “Yes, what do you know?”

 

She hoped Yan Tuo would be awake and reply quickly. The night was clearly sleepless for him as well. He read her message within seconds and replied: “I don’t know much, but I heard someone with the surname Jiang was injured and lost half a foot.”

 

Nie Jiuluo stared at her phone, stunned by the message. What did “lost half a foot” mean? Why would they cripple someone right away?

 

She composed herself and typed again: “Do you know where they are being taken?”

 

Yan Tuo replied: “I don’t know.”

 

Disappointed, Nie Jiuluo watched her phone screen dim. She wondered, what was she supposed to do?

 

Just then, Xing Shen’s words echoed in her mind: “Uncle Jiang has always been good to you. If it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t be here now.”

 

Yan Tuo might be a minor character, but at this moment, he was her only source of information.

 

Nie Jiuluo reactivated her screen and sent Yan Tuo another message: “Is it possible to meet and discuss?”

 

There were cameras in the room and corridor, making it difficult to explain a pre-dawn meeting. Yan Tuo pondered and eventually agreed to meet Nie Jiuluo for breakfast.

 

He tried to sleep for another hour but struggled with the anxious thoughts. He wondered why Nie Jiuluo, who usually avoided involvement, suddenly changed her stance. Did someone she cared about deeply end up in danger?

 

At just after seven o’clock, Yan Tuo got up. Xiong Hei had left in the middle of the night, leaving only him, Lu Xian, and the injured individual in the room.

 

Yan Tuo first knocked on Lu Xian’s door. Lu Xian, barely awake, grumbled, “What is it?”

 

Yan Tuo had prepared his excuse: “I want something to eat. The fridge is stocked with frozen food, but I want something hot. I don’t want to order takeout.”

 

Lu Xian, not angry, replied, “Then go out to eat.”

 

“I’m tired of walking. Can I borrow your car?”

 

Lu Xian angrily threw him the car keys.

 

Yan Tuo caught the keys and headed to the basement. After getting into Lu Xian’s car, he turned off the dash cam and drove away.

 

At the agreed street corner, he saw Nie Jiuluo waiting, leaning against a telephone pole and looking like she might fall asleep.

 

Yan Tuo pulled over and honked. Nie Jiuluo got in, bringing with her a gust of cold air. Yan Tuo noticed the dark circles under her eyes and asked, “Did you not sleep well?”

 

Nie Jiuluo replied casually, “Not well. After returning the car, I took a taxi to get here non-stop.”

 

Yan Tuo turned up the car’s heating and drove to the nearest snack street. Since he was out to “buy breakfast,” he decided to bring back a few extra meals, thinking it would be more convenient in the future.

 

As the car warmed up, Nie Jiuluo felt comfortable enough to almost doze off. She pinched her leg to stay awake and asked Yan Tuo, “Do you know where the people are being held?”

 

Yan Tuo shook his head. “I don’t know. Lin Xirou has several locations in Shihe, and I’m not sure where she is staying. Why? Are you trying to save them?”

 

Nie Jiuluo inquired tactfully, “Is it possible for you to find out?”

 

Yan Tuo thought for a moment. “It’s possible. If I get any information, I’ll let you know.”

 

Nie Jiuluo asked urgently, “Can you help me rescue them?”

 

Yan Tuo was taken aback, slamming on the brakes and halting the car on the empty road.

 

Yan Tuo observed the scene at the toy store with a distant smile, his thoughts drifting back to a simpler time. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia, recalling the innocent excitement of childhood. The memory of little Yanxin’s insistence on having a rubber duck was vivid and poignant, contrasting sharply with the gravity of his current situation.

 

He glanced back at the car where Nie Jiuluo was sleeping. Her presence, though tense and guarded, reminded him of the precarious balance between duty and personal safety. The commitment she showed, even when it meant risking herself for someone else, was something he respected deeply.

 

Deciding to make the most of this unexpected pause, Yan Tuo turned back to the toy store. He bought the small yellow rubber duck, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction. Perhaps it was a small gesture of normalcy amidst the chaos, a way to hold onto a piece of his past while grappling with the present.

 

Returning to the car, Yan Tuo carefully placed the rubber duck on the dashboard. He then took a moment to watch Nie Jiuluo sleep, noting the subtle tension in her posture. As he looked at her, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of protectiveness. Despite her strong and determined exterior, she was still vulnerable.

 

He knew he had to make a decision about helping her, weighing his own safety against the potential to aid someone in need. His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the food he ordered. After picking up the bags, he returned to the car, ready to continue their uneasy alliance. As he prepared to wake Nie Jiuluo, he resolved to consider her request seriously, understanding that their shared mission might demand sacrifices from both of them.


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An Owl Rising From The Green Soil

An Owl Rising From The Green Soil

Love On The Turquoise Land (Drama)
Score 8.0
Status: Ongoing Type: , Author: , Artist: Released: 2020 Native Language: Chinese
Over two thousand years ago on a deep night, Xu Fu* set sail to the eastern seas in a treasure ship to search for immortality, but few people knew that at the same time, a group of black-turban soldiers secretly entered the vast and dense Nanbao forest
 A millennium later, the dark legend continues to slowly grow in the shadows. XĂș FĂș: Qin dynasty court necromancer and was tasked by Qin Shi Huang to look for the elixir of life between 219 BC and 210 BC. He never returned after departing on his second mission in 210 BC.

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