Liu Da could tell just by the feel of the hemp against his skin that the rope Feng Xingyun had used to bind him was completely ordinary.
He specialized in external martial arts, and with his recently achieved breakthrough in the Vajra Body, breaking free from these ropes would be as easy as turning over his hand.
Honestly, he could escape on his own. As long as he was careful along the way, he could even slip out of the old residence without taking any damage. However, he had no intention of running just yet.
Because, for the moment, he saw no hope.
Since there was no hope, it was better to stay put for now and not make any rash moves.
The last thing he wanted was to draw Feng Xingyun's attention again. If he actually got himself killed, it would truly be game over. At least he was still breathing right now.
But just as Liu Da was worrying, the puppet that had hidden in the cabinet pushed the door open and stepped back out.
It waddled over to Liu Da on its short, stubby legs and looked up at him.
“Liu Da, I have another idea. It might save you.”
Liu Da snapped his head toward the puppet.
What was going on?
Was Chang Sheng trying to squeeze some remaining value out of him and use him as a pawn?
“Speak.”
He didn't believe for a second that Chang Sheng was actually being this kind-hearted.
However, Chang Sheng was clearly unaware of Liu Da's inner thoughts and began to explain his plan.
“There are two NPCs in this dungeon. You stand no chance with Feng Xingyun, but have you forgotten? There's still Yao Wenli. He's still out taking a stroll right now.”
“My puppet has been keeping an eye on him. I can guarantee one hundred percent that he has no idea what happened here.”
Liu Da frowned slightly, but his interest was piqued.
“You mean...?”
Standing in the corner, the tiny puppet transmitted Chang Sheng's voice from afar.
“I can have a puppet monitor Feng Xingyun and report his location to you in real-time. This will let you smoothly avoid him and escape the old residence. After that, I'll guide you to Yao Wenli's location.”
“As long as you can capture him and stay by his side, the specters might not attack you.”
“And you... only need to hold out for three days.”
Liu Da wasn't foolish enough to ask what would happen if a specter attacked anyway despite an NPC being present.
After all, neither he nor Chang Sheng could know for sure.
“What about... the path of survival?”
Just surviving for three days was useless; they still had to find the path of survival to leave.
Chang Sheng understood his concerns.
“As for the path of survival, I'll craft more puppets and send them out to search. The moment they find anything, I'll let you know immediately through the puppet.”
Liu Da took a deep breath.
For now, he couldn't see any obvious traps or loopholes in Chang Sheng's plan.
So, was he actually trying to help?
Forget it.
Whatever the case, this seemed to be the only option left on the table.
He had no choice.
“Alright, let's do it your way!”
Three days!
As long as he could hold out for three days!
He would have a chance to clear the dungeon.
Of course, that was assuming Chang Sheng could find the path of survival and wouldn't play dirty.
As for whether kidnapping Yao Wenli would meet with resistance?
Both of them tacitly avoided the subject. They had both seen how frail and weak Yao Wenli looked. How could an ordinary person possibly be a match for Liu Da?
Seeing that he had agreed, Chang Sheng continued.
“Feng Xingyun is still in Yao Wenli's room. But from what I can see, the room isn't dirty or messy, so cleaning it shouldn't take long. I can't be sure when he'll come out.”
“Therefore, you must hurry and leave right now. Do you need me to untie the ropes for you?”
Liu Da shook his head.
“No need, I'll do it myself.”
With a sudden surge of strength, his muscles swelled, instantly snapping the ropes binding him.
He stood up and casually tossed the broken pieces aside.
Chang Sheng wasn't surprised.
“True, you have incredible strength. Follow me.”
Liu Da quietly followed the puppet as they slipped away.
At that moment, Feng Xingyun, who was in the neighboring courtyard, seemed to sense something. Just as he was about to head over and investigate, he received a message from Zuo Lin'an.
【Zuo Lin'an: Ignore it.】
Only then did Feng Xingyun pretend not to notice and continue with his business.
With the puppet leading the way, Liu Da's escape went incredibly smoothly.
When he scaled the outermost wall and beheld the dead, silent withered forest outside, an indescribable sense of salvation actually washed over him.
He let out a long sigh of relief.
“I used to think this withered forest was creepy and ominous, but now...”
Compared to the old residence, and compared to that NPC Feng Xingyun, this forest was practically paradise.
Seeing him standing there dazed, the puppet urged him anxiously.
“Liu Da, don't just stand there resting! Hurry up and follow me. It's less than ten minutes until seven o'clock. You have to find him as soon as possible.”
Snapped out of his momentary sentimentality, Liu Da nodded.
“Right!”
The puppet led the way, moving at a rapid pace.
Fortunately, Liu Da's physical fitness was superb, allowing him to keep up easily.
It was also a stroke of luck that Zuo Lin'an hadn't actually gone down the mountain.
His location wasn't far from the peak. Running from their current position, as long as they were fast enough, they would definitely spot him within a few minutes.
Sure enough, before long, the puppet leading the way ground to a halt.
“He's right ahead. Go on by yourself.”
Chang Sheng lowered his voice.
“You're on your own from here. I've got my own troubles to deal with.”
After all, he still didn't know Feng Xingyun's stance toward him, so he had to remain vigilant at all times.
On top of that, Liu Da had just escaped.
If Feng Xingyun assumed he was the one who broke the man out, what then?
He had to be fully prepared for any scenario.
“Understood.”
Liu Da gave a soft reply. By now, he had already spotted Zuo Lin'an.
The young master named Yao Wenli was standing in the withered forest not far away, taking a few steps every now and then, looking for all the world as if he were taking a leisurely stroll to enjoy the scenery.
He had no idea what kind of scenery there was to enjoy in a place like this, but that wouldn't stop him from making his move.
The guiding puppet quietly retreated.
Naturally, there was still another puppet monitoring Zuo Lin'an from the shadows.
That one hadn't been recalled.
Chang Sheng still needed it to keep tabs on what was happening.
Zuo Lin'an was fully aware of Liu Da hiding in the shadows, but he found the situation quite satisfactory.
Earlier, when Liu Da and the others had sought out Feng Xingyun in hopes of using an NPC to ward off specter attacks, his decision to hold back on attacking had indeed been the right call.
Just look at this.
Hadn't the prey delivered itself right to his doorstep?
Zuo Lin'an remained standing with his back to Liu Da, but a subtle smile played on his lips.
There were still five minutes left until seven o'clock in the morning.
Zuo Lin'an's specter body was already in position.
He had already decided: he would knock Liu Da unconscious and drag him away.
At this point, he was one hundred percent certain that Liu Da had no means left to resist.
Whether it was specter items or talents, none of them would save him.
According to Zuo Lin'an's analysis...
Earlier, Liu Da had been heavily injured by Feng Xingyun so many times, relying on his talent to heal himself.
If his Delayed Injury timer wasn't long enough to support him until the completion of the main quest to 【Survive for Three Days】, he would have definitely given up and slacked off.
After all, if there was no hope left, why bother trying?
Rate on N.U.
