Chapter 835: Chapter 617: Disappearance (Recovering Status)_3
From his bosom, he took out a book, opened it, and randomly turned to a page with more blank space. Xiang Fengchen picked up a candle, using it as a brush, and sketched out the layout of the Sleeping Gold Pavilion annex. Seeing his poor drawing skills, Yang Xiao took over actively and attempted to complete the outline of the annex.
Xiang Fengchen touched the sketch with his hand and said solemnly, "Everyone, we are a team and cannot act alone. It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack to try to find something in such a large area with just one or two people’s strength. Besides, the candle inside the lantern doesn’t have enough time to last."
"And tonight I have a plan that must be completed inside the attic. Only then can we avoid the eyes and ears of the Earl Mansion."
Everyone understood that Xiang Fengchen intended to conduct divination using the Divine Turtle Shell, and the best condition would be during cloudy, rainy, and gloomy timings of the day, seeking out the heavily Yin influenced Three Yin Days. This was also the request of the predecessor, and currently, the best choice was Ancestor.
"We need to force Ancestor into the attic." Xiang Fengchen clenched his fist and struck heavily on the sketch at the attic’s location.
"How do we proceed?" Yang Xiao got straight to the point.
"The first ones to go need to search outside. Remember, whether you find something or not, do not rashly enter the attic. The first group must ensure Ancestor isn’t in the yard to pave the way for those following," Xiang Fengchen took a deep breath and lifted his head, "I’ll speak frankly, to clear the perimeter, we must be prepared to lose three to four persons."
"What?" Lou Huixiang could no longer hold back. "Half of us to die?"
"Not death, but hidden away by the Ghost, just like those missing people before. But we are different; we have the Life Burning Incense. Even if hidden away, we will not get lost. As long as we find the Ancestor and break his spell, our people can return."
Xiang Fengchen spoke with certainty, but the reaction of the crowd was extremely cold. This was a deadly task, and the first few who go were nearly certain to die. Nobody wanted to be cannon fodder, paving the way for others.
Previously, people didn’t want to offend Xiang Fengchen because he was experienced and capable, able to lead everyone to survive. But now, he had clearly suggested sending people off to die. Even more outrageous was, as the implementer of the divination plan, Xiang Fengchen would obviously not be in the first group to go. He would wait, wait for others to find Ancestor and then make a move.
"Since it’s like this, let’s draw lots," Xiang Fengchen suggested frankly, "Life and death are predestined, wealth and rank are determined by heaven."
"Mr. Xiang, forgive my bluntness, will you draw?" Lou Huixiang couldn’t hold back. He suspected all of this was a trick conjured by Xiang Fengchen, Nalan Shuo, Yang Xiao, and perhaps even the woman Jiang Qingluan. The previous words from Xiang Fengchen were a mix of truth and lies just to deceive them into being cannon fodder.
"No, I have tasks to do, and the risks I take are no less than yours," Xiang Fengchen stated bluntly.
"Humph." Lou Huixiang sneered, folding his arms and said no more, but his expression said it all.
"Mr. Xiang, I also think this is not quite appropriate... shouldn’t we... think of another method?" Chang Chuchu asked timidly. Though not as direct as Lou Huixiang, Chang Chuchu’s stance was clear; she also did not want to be a stepping stone for others.
Yang Xiao knew clearly, regardless of Xiang Fengchen’s character, at least this plan was feasible and indeed the best option they currently had. But the downside was that it required someone to make a sacrifice, sadly, they had too many smart people here.
Too many smart people tend to have too many ideas, and with too many ideas, it’s easy to foster dissent. Yang Xiao had no doubts, if people like Lou Huixiang and Chang Chuchu were forced to lead, it’d be fine if Ancestor was found, but if not, these two wouldn’t hesitate to cause a big mess, dragging everyone down with them.
Now standing here, apart from the newcomer Fang Zhou, everyone had their hands stained with blood to some extent.
"You... planning something?" Xiang Fengchen withdrew his hand, staring coldly at Chang Chuchu and Lou Huixiang, his seemingly scarce patience having reached its limit. "Just the two of you greenhorns, if I truly wanted to scheme against you, could you still be alive?"
"Mr. Xiang, we respect you as an elder, but don’t treat us like fools. This is clearly sending people to their deaths, perhaps some kind of sacrifice for your Evil Technique. You three have always been in cahoots, otherwise..." Lou Huixiang suddenly raised his hand, pointing at Yang Xiao, "Let him lead the charge, if he goes first, I’ll follow!"
"Right, I will go too!" Chang Chuchu also hardened her resolve, deciding to revolt, she couldn’t hesitate, she had to stand firm.
"Fang Zhou brother, you’ve seen what’s happening here, he’s forcing us to die. Say something!" The two were still weak alone, Lou Huixiang looked to Fang Zhou, trying to pull him into their group to strengthen their side’s voice.
Fang Zhou seemed as if he hadn’t heard, focusing on the book on the table, neither agreeing nor refusing, completely silent.
Jiang Qingluan also didn’t express any stance.
Just when the atmosphere became extremely tense, suddenly a voice captured everyone’s attention:
"I’ll go first."
The always silent Nalan Shuo stood up at this moment, his eyes deep and calm as he looked at the slightly agape and stunned Lou Huixiang:
"I’ll go first to scout the path for everyone. The rest of you can draw lots."
