Chapter 18: Safely Return, My Friend

My name is Wang Yan, a resident of the Jia Ma Empire. I am a three-star Dou Master and currently serving the royal family.

Some time ago, my not-so-bright partner, Wang Dalang, and I received a secret mission from the princess. Well, there's really nothing I can't say about it. It's simply to secretly protect a young boy.

The princess emphasized to us many times that if necessary, even at the cost of sacrificing ourselves, we must ensure his safety.

After leaving the Holy City, Wang Dalang and I followed this boy named Chen Guan on the journey. Wang Dalang is a big-mouth and can't keep things to himself. He kept speculating about the boy's identity along the way, so I silently distanced myself from him.

What no one knows is that I am also very curious. I have observed this boy countless times, but I still can't figure out what makes him special. Isn't it just because he's younger and better looking than me? Why does the princess value him so much? Perhaps Wang Dalang's speculations are not entirely baseless.

Of course, I would never say such things out loud. I have maintained a rational facade for forty years, and I don't want others to know that I'm actually a complex individual.

I'm glad I didn't make any rude moves because during the following month, I discovered that this boy is actually a monster!

That day, when he returned from the Beast Mountain, covered in blood, Wang Dalang and I were shocked, but fortunately, he was unharmed.

The next day, he went again, and Wang Dalang and I secretly followed him. We found that this boy was actually looking for trouble with a third-level beast.

What a reckless guy!

At the same time, we also discovered that despite his Dou Master strength, he could fight against a third-level beast without falling into danger. He suffered some setbacks, but he always emerged unscathed.

Damn, it was incredible! How old is he? He looks like he's fourteen or fifteen at most. Now I understand why he receives so much attention.

In the following days, this guy went to provoke that beast every day. His combat experience improved visibly, and gradually, he even gained the upper hand!

It was too unbelievable.

Knowing that he was fighting that beast every day without danger, Wang Dalang and I felt relieved and stopped following him constantly. After all, it was the princess's command.

But it seemed like fate was playing a trick on us. That day, as usual, Wang Dalang and I were playing chess to pass the time until it got dark, but that guy hadn't returned.

I started to panic, feeling an ominous premonition.

"Old Wang, something seems off. Chen Guan should have come out even on the latest day," Wang Dalang said, unable to sit still as night fell and the starry sky emerged. He dropped the chess pieces and spoke up.

In my mind, I thought, "Did you just realize that?"

"Yes, something seems wrong. Let's go and take a look. With that kid's strength, as long as he doesn't go further, nothing serious should have happened."

The two of us hurriedly got up and plunged into the Magic Beast Mountain, which loomed in the darkness like a primitive beast.

Knowing the place where Chen Guan and the Red Ice Snake King usually have their "dates," our destination was clear. With our abilities, we quickly arrived at the intended location.

The scene was in chaos, and as they followed the traces on the ground, the expressions of the two men became increasingly grim.

He went in.

He really went in!

As they ventured deeper, they entered the primary area where third-level beasts were active. How could he dare? Handling one might be possible, but dealing with a group was a different story!

The only consolation was that based on Chen Guan's demonstrated strength, as long as he wasn't surrounded by third-level beasts, he should be fine in one-on-one battles.

Another consolation was that since this boy received so much attention, the royal family might have provided him with means to protect himself.

Following the traces, within a few minutes, the two men arrived at the small lake. At this point, all traces and auras completely vanished.

"Split up and search!"

Without much talk, Wang Yan gave the order, and they each went in a different direction.

The Beast Mountain was vast, even in the area where third-level beasts were active. It took them most of the night to conduct a rough search.

The result was evident.

Looking towards the deeper regions, Wang Yan's expression turned extremely grim. Could he have foolishly ventured into the territory of fourth-level beasts? That was a place even they dared not explore.

"Dalang, you go back and immediately report this to the princess. I'll try to go in and search. He might really be inside."

"No, I'll go search, and you deliver the message. I'm smaller and better at hiding, especially at night. Let's decide like this. It's not the time to be sentimental."

Both of them declined, displaying their unwavering friendship in this crucial moment.

Deep down, they knew that there was a good chance the boy had encountered trouble, but they didn't need to say it out loud.

They were destined to shoulder the blame, but neither of them mentioned anything about taking the opportunity to run away. By entrusting this task to them, the princess had already demonstrated their absolute loyalty to the royal family.

With their plan set, the two men swiftly took action.

...

In Qingshan Town, at the Thousand Medicine House.

It was already time to close the doors and go to sleep, but tonight, it dragged on for a long time.

The Little Fairy Doctor stood by the bamboo window, gazing in the direction of the Magic Beast Mountain, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Today, she hadn't eaten any Fire Fox meat, and her stomach was growling. Well, that wasn't important right now.

What puzzled her was that the young boy, who came to visit every day without fail, hadn't shown up until now. Was he delayed or had he encountered some danger? It really made her uneasy.

The Little Fairy Doctor clasped her hands together, praying for her only friend for a moment, and then shook her head and returned to her seat, picking up her physician's notes and reading by lamplight.

Sleep was impossible; her thoughts were unsettled.

And her stomach was still growling. She felt embarrassed to go downstairs and look for something to eat, so she could only endure it for now.

I hope you return safely.

My friend.

(End of this chapter)