Following the direction of the strange aura, Rover held her swift blade and rushed in at the front.
Climbing over a stretch of rocky terrain, the deeper they went into the cave, the fiercer the sounds of fighting ahead became.
"FBI open… damn it, I got infected by Zane…" Rover quickly shook that joking thought out of her head.
Turning the corner, she immediately saw a male explorer surrounded by several Remnants.
Judging from his outfit, he didn't seem like a native of Mt. Firmament, more like someone from Jinzhou.
"Holy crap, bro, you're playing it big! Non-human, multiple participants, abuse…"
Rover's face darkened. Just as she was about to properly teach this guy a lesson for not reading the situation, a white figure suddenly flashed past her and charged straight at the group of Remnants.
A dazzling streak of sword light flashed by, and the seven or eight Remnants surrounding the explorer all fell at once.
Looking closely, the one who killed them in that instant... who else could it be but Zane?
The explorer finally broke free, staggering as he leaned against the cave wall. After catching his breath, he looked up and thanked the one who saved him.
"Ha… ha… thank you for the help…" But when he saw the group approaching, an uncontrollable look of shock appeared on his face.
"Zane? The Rover? And Lady Changli…"
The man quietly glanced at Changli standing behind Zane and Rover, then hurriedly looked away, not daring to meet her gaze again.
"Although Mt. Firmament has escaped the crisis, it has not yet fully reopened. Explorers coming here for investigation must report in advance and enter the mountain together with the Midnight Rangers soldiers," Changli stepped forward lightly, looking down at the explorer from above.
"Why did you come here alone?"
She slightly raised her chin, and the aura of authority built from years in a high position burst out instantly, pressing down on the man until he could barely breathe.
"I... I've only been in the mountain for half a day. I just heard about the legends of Mt. Firmament, so I wanted to find…"
The man lowered his head, then suddenly seemed to remember something. His eyes lit up, and he quickly looked at Zane, hope filling his gaze.
"Mr. Zane, I've heard of your name in Jinzhou."
"I'm telling you, even if you flatter me, I won't plead on your behalf." Zane spoke righteously, issuing his stance, then turned to Changli with a serious face, brows tightly furrowed, his expression cold enough to drip water.
"Master, since a notice has already been issued banning entry into the mountain, then even a prince should be punished the same as a commoner. This kind of situation absolutely cannot be tolerated!"
"Oh?" Changli raised an eyebrow. This speech didn't quite match Zane's usual character. "Then how do you think he should be punished?"
"Make him do twenty push-ups. That's super hard. And he can't leave Hongzhen for seven days."
Hearing Zane's punishment, Rover couldn't help but laugh softly.
This guy talked tough but had a soft heart, cared about appearances, and liked to act strong…
Seven days without leaving Hongzhen was basically forcing this man to rest there for a week. After all, she had long heard that Hongzhen's hot springs were among the best in Jinzhou.
Seeing Changli simply shake her head with a smile and not oppose his decision, Zane finally relaxed a little. Then he turned back to the man.
"Alright, since we've settled your punishment, you can now make your request. As long as it's reasonable, the great and beautiful Rover will help you complete it."
Hearing this, the man showed a grateful smile on his weak face.
"I… I want to ask you to save Fu Ling…" After saying that, his strength reached its limit, and he fainted.
Seeing the man pass out, Zane jumped up instantly and pointed at Changli in accusation.
"Wow, Master, you scared him unconscious!"
Veins popped on Changli's forehead. Her fists clenched, then loosened, then clenched again. After hesitating for a while, she decided to let him off this time… until he messed up again.
"Brother, rest in peace. I'll take care of your wife for you, don't worry."
Zane grabbed the explorer's hand, speaking with tears and emotion, completely unaware that above his head, a red "danger" symbol had quietly appeared.
———
A few minutes later, with a red bump on his head, Zane carried the unconscious man back to Hongzhen with the others.
After sending the man to the clinic, Zane began asking around about "Fu Ling."
"Hey, have you seen Fu Ling? What do they look like… hehe, I don't know."
"Uncle, do you know Fu... wait wait wait, don't hit me! I'm not here to sell buns with apple sauce this time, I'm looking for someone…"
"Fu Ling, are you there?"
Stelle, who happened to pass by, saw Zane sticking his head into a roadside trash can and shouting loudly. She immediately gave him a thumbs up.
"As expected of my best friend, excellent taste."
In the end, it was Rover who grabbed his ear and yanked him out of the trash can.
"Are you looking for a person or what? You think you're searching for a kitten!?"
Zane's face twisted, his brows scrunched together. "It hurts… Rover, it hurts…"
Hearing him complain, although Rover's expression remained cold, her grip loosened a little.
"You already promised him. Searching like this is just fooling around. He asked you to save Fu Ling... every second you waste could make things worse."
Zane knew Rover was worried about him. He chuckled twice, then, ignoring her slightly flushed face, reached out and held the hand that was pulling his ear.
"This is called Zane fishing for people. Whoever's willing will take the bait."
"You…"
Just as Rover was about to say something more, a timid girl's voice came from behind her.
"Um… hello… I'm Fu Ling… may I ask what you two need me for?"
Rover suddenly turned around. Seeing the girl, who had been startled by her sudden movement and now looked a bit pale, she was completely stunned.
'...Could he actually be a genius?'
Zane sized Fu Ling up. She had the typical gentle, delicate look of a modest girl. The thick cotton clothes she wore were what truly matched the climate of Mt. Firmament.
Then he looked at Rover's light, form-fitting cheongsam-style thin dress…
Only then did Zane realize it. He quickly took off his coat and draped it over Rover's shoulders.
While Zane and Rover were observing Fu Ling, Fu Ling was also quietly observing the two famous figures of Jinzhou. When she saw Zane take off his coat and put it on the Rover, and noticed the way they held hands tightly,
she thought of her own boyfriend, and then of her own condition… a trace of bitterness appeared on her face.
Naturally, that expression didn't escape Zane's notice.
"Miss Fu Ling, hello. I was entrusted by… uh, that guy… to help you… what was it again?"
Only when he spoke did Zane realize he didn't even know the explorer's name, nor what exactly he was supposed to do to "save Fu Ling."
Seeing the boy beside her acting a bit clueless, Rover smiled silently and gently tugged his hand.
At a time like this, it was more appropriate for her, as a woman, to speak.