Chapter 395: 382: Collapse
After finishing his speech, the muscular man solemnly bowed at the cave entrance, incredibly devout. He then hoisted his shoulder pole and staggeringly left down the mountain.
“His words make the cave sound mysterious. It really makes me want to go inside and have a look,” Chu Jinzhou said.
Everyone else aside, if he could make a wish, and ensure his elder brother Chu Jinnian’s safety, even at the cost of his own lifespan, it would be worth it.
“Yes.” Zhuang Qingsui nodded in agreement.
Everyone else aside, if she could make a wish, and ensure her sister Zhuang Qingning’s lifelong peace and prosperity, even at the cost of her own lifespan, it would be worth it.
“If you really want to go inside, then let’s do it.” Zhuang Qingning, seeing the eager faces of the two children, suggested.
“I’ll go in first to check it.”
Jinzhou and the others were planning to enter this narrow crevice. Although nothing has happened for many years, Banqing dared not be careless. He took the lead and squeezed through the entrance.
“How is it? Can you see the flowers?”
After waiting outside for a while, Chu Jinzhou couldn’t help but ask impatiently.
“I see it, but…” Banqing squatted down to look at the wilting flower that squeezed out from the rocks. After scratching his ears and thinking for a moment, he shouted to the outside, “Third Young Master, Miss Sui, Miss Zhuang, you should also come in and have a look.”
If he said it out loud, others might not believe it. It’s better to let them see it themselves.
“Okay.” The three of them carefully entered the cave.
Chu Jinzhou went in first, followed by Zhuang Qingsui, and finally Zhuang Qingning.
After entering the dark and narrow entrance, the view inside was indeed remarkably different. It was like a cave; the view was wide, and fragmented sunlight could be seen filtering from the gaps above.
Due to the sunlight and the dew drops on the mountain rocks, thick moss and some sparse, small plants were growing on the rock wall and the ground they were stepping on.
“Is this the flower that brings auspicious revelations?” Zhuang Qingsui and Chu Jinzhou squatted next to the flower and wondered.
“Probably…,” Banqing replied, his voice also filled with disappointment.
What’s wrong with this supposed revelation-bringing flower?
Zhuang Qingning, who was observing the terrain and admiring the unique landscape, noticed the mood of the others was running low and decided to take a look herself.
Before she could make a move, a loud “thud” echoed inside.
The mountain under their feet seemed to shake, and Zhuang Qingning and the others seemed unstable. Especially Chu Jinzhou and Zhuang Qingning, who were halfway crouching, were jolted to the ground due to the strong vibrations.
Banqing quickly stabilized himself and hurried to them, shouting anxiously, “Third Young Master, Miss Sui…”
Before Banqing could finish, a “swish” came from above. Due to the huge shock, rocks from the mountain wall above started to fall around them. One of them even hit Banqing’s arm.
Following that, another “thud,” this time closer and shaking the ground more vigorously. Accompanying it was the sound of the rocks breaking and falling from the mountain.
The initially dark and narrow entrance was now falling apart and looking like it could be sealed off.
“We need to get out of here!” Zhuang Qingning shouted. She quickly grabbed Zhuang Qingsui and Chu Jinzhou and ran towards the exit.
Banqing, pale as a sheet, hurriedly followed behind.
The entrance was beginning to be blocked by falling rocks, and the road was more rugged and narrow than when they entered.
“Both of you, hurry and go.” Zhuang Qingning urged Zhuang Qingsui and Chu Jinzhou.
The two children were understandably frightened, their faces stark white, but they were calm enough to heed Qingning’s instructions and quickly made their way out.
“Crack!”
The sound came from above. Zhuang Qingning, looking up, saw a huge rock falling towards Zhuang Qingsui and Chu Jinzhou.
Zhuang Qingning bit her lip. She sprawled against the walls of the crevice, moved nimbly to the falling rock, and raised her hand to stop it.
The rock was extremely heavy. Even with the Strength Attribute she possessed, when she caught it, her arm immediately sank due to the weight. Aching and pulling sensations spread from her arm and shoulder to her waist.
Unable to suppress a gasp, she was now covered in sweat.
“Sister!”
“Big Sister Ning!”
“Miss Zhuang!”
Zhuang Qingsui, Chu Jinzhou, and Banqing, all startled, called out in alarm.
“Get out!” Zhuang Qingning managed to shout.
Seeing the three of them unmoving, she yelled again, “If you don’t leave now, none of us will be able to get out!”
“Banqing, quickly take the Third Young Master and Qingsui out of here. If anything happens to them, I won’t be able to forgive myself, and neither will your master!”
This brought Banqing back to his senses, realizing what he needed to do. After acknowledging, he gritted his teeth and forcefully pushed Zhuang Qingsui and Chu Jinzhou out.
“Third Young Master, Miss Sui!” The two waiting outside were startled by the loud noise and tremors. They wanted to go in and see what happened but saw movement indicating people were coming out. They stayed outside to greet them.
Seeing that Chu Jinzhou and Zhuang Qingsui made it out safely, they were elated and quickly moved to protect them asking urgently to Banqing, who had half his body out of the cave, “Where’s Miss Zhuang?”
“Quickly take the Third Young Master, Miss Sui and Mr. Fan down the mountain. You, follow me and help Miss Zhuang.” commanded Banqing.
“Yes.” The two did as they were instructed without hesitation.
Before they could move, another loud “thud” echoed, and rocks began falling again. Several rocks crashed behind Banqing, and even the mountainside fell, blocking the only way in and out of the cave.
“Miss Zhuang!” Banqing’s face turned pale. He tried pushing the rocks, but they wouldn’t budge.
Zhuang Qingning was trapped inside.
“Sister!”
“Big Sister Ning!”
Zhuang Qingsui and Chu Jinzhou, having just encountered a close call, were already terrified and in a panic. Seeing Zhuang Qingning trapped induced their tears.
They were already out of breath, their small faces flushed red. They began pushing the blocking rocks.
Fan Wenxuan, who had been resting below, rushed over as his worry for Zhuang Qingning and the others grew. Out of breath, he asked, “What happened!”