Chapter 3045 - 3046: Xiaoxiao Didn’t Respond

Chapter 3045: Chapter 3046: Xiaoxiao Didn’t Respond

The Grand Elder cupped his hands toward Bai Ruozhu and her group, "My young friends, the Zhong Family has experienced a major ordeal. Please forgive any lapses in hospitality, as I must go check the situation. Please, follow me into the residence first."

The Sixth Elder was displeased upon hearing this, "Brother, you can’t let those two outsiders enter again. They are from Gaochang."

It sounded like the Zhong Family was very wary of those from Gaochang.

"Do not treat guests poorly." The Grand Elder raised his hand to stop the Sixth Elder from continuing, "Go and help; don’t waste time here."

"Fine." The Sixth Elder did not dare to argue further, glaring at Ao Song before departing.

Bai Ruozhu saluted the Grand Elder, "The Grand Elder is sensible. We won’t make things difficult for the Zhong Family. If there’s anything needed, please feel free to speak up."

"Thank you for your magnanimity." The Grand Elder exchanged a few polite words before hurrying away.

Even someone as composed as he was in such a hurry, it seemed a significant incident had indeed occurred at the Zhong Family.

Tu Ying and Ao Qi entered the Zhong Residence, finding it somewhat strange. However, the alarm endlessly rang, creating quite a distracting commotion.

"Ao Song, what does this alarm signal in your house?" The group returned to the Inner Courtyard, the surrounding guards having stepped back, and Bai Ruozhu hurriedly asked.

"It’s a level one alert, not yet lifted. I haven’t heard it for many years." Ao Song seemed nostalgic, "The last time was when I was seven years old. A sorcerer from the Southern Border infiltrated the Zhong Family and released a massive amount of Poisonous Insects, covering the yard with a dark cloud of bugs. I still can’t forget it."

"A sorcerer from the Southern Border?" Bai Ruozhu’s heart tightened. Could it be Gufeng?

"The Southern Border is thousands of miles away and shouldn’t have grievances with us. But back then, an elder in the family was harmed to death by a sorcerer. Our family has a strong protective instinct, so a large number of horsemen were sent to handle that sorcerer. Nevertheless, the sorcerer had familial backing, leading to quite a chaotic and destructive situation. Ultimately, we managed to eliminate the one who killed our clan member. However, the other party remained unwilling to concede, arranging for a few young ones to infiltrate the residence a few years later, leading to a dangerous situation."

Ao Song sighed, "That incident led to numerous deaths in the residence, about one-third of the people."

Bai Ruozhu’s heart tightened, "Let’s move quickly. We don’t know what’s happening yet; let’s go check on the little ones first."

Although there were Gao Zhou and Chushuang with the children, if the situation was exceptionally dangerous, they might not be able to handle it.

The group quickened their pace, rushing back to the guest room. Thankfully, Little Dengdeng and the others were unharmed, only finding the alarm too noisy.

"Ao Song, why don’t you check the situation?" The Astrologer couldn’t bear to see her bear the family’s blame and spoke up proactively.

Ao Song was still angry, puffing her cheeks, and said, "I’m not going. I don’t have any other skills, so I wouldn’t be able to help even if I did."

A figure rushed into the yard—it was Ao Song’s maid-servant.

"Miss, someone entered the forbidden land and injured the Third Elder." The maid-servant’s eyes slightly reddened, "He cut off one of his arms!"

"What!" Ao Song rushed over and grabbed the maid-servant’s hand, "Who was it? Were they caught?"

"Miss, I don’t know. I only heard he is very dangerous, so the alarm sounded." The maid-servant became nervous under Ao Song’s stare, and her words became less coherent.

Ao Song came to her senses and quickly let go of her hand, "How many people were there in total?"

"It seemed to be just one." The maid-servant answered.

"What? Just one person could be that formidable?" Ao Song exclaimed in disbelief.

Bai Ruozhu’s heart tightened. She rushed over to ask, "The forbidden land? Did they target Xiaoxiao?"

The maid-servant didn’t understand what Xiaoxiao was and shook her head, "I don’t know, Miss."

Someone already cut a piece of flesh from Xiaoxiao; why come again? Could it be they aren’t from the same group?

This was too outrageous; did everyone want to come and cut a piece from Xiaoxiao? What was the Zhong Family doing?

Ao Song’s face grew darker as she looked toward the Astrologer, "No, I have to go and check."

Bai Ruozhu opened her mouth; she was concerned about Xiaoxiao and wanted to follow. But recalling the clan elders’ unfriendly demeanor, she changed her mind and decided it was wiser to communicate with Xiaoxiao secretly.

"I’ll accompany you." The Astrologer gritted his teeth. Despite the Zhong Family’s insults, he couldn’t bear to let Ao Song face it alone.

"But..." Ao Song spoke with guilt, only to be interrupted by the Astrologer.

"It’s fine; I’m just accompanying you." He emphasized that he wasn’t interested in others or other affairs, just being there for his little wife.

Ao Song’s eyes reddened, and she nodded firmly, "Okay, we’ll go together."

Bai Ruozhu had quite a few questions for Ao Song, but now wasn’t the time, so she handed the two some signal flares, saying, "Be careful. If you need help, just send a signal."

"Alright."

Once the two left, Gao Zhou began to nag, saying the Zhong Family was a chaotic mess and they should have left earlier.

Chushuang glared at him, "We helped save those children back then, and you couldn’t just ignore them, could you?"

Gao Zhou instantly deflated, though he often bickered with Ao Song, and rarely spoke with the Astrologer; they’d long regarded them as the younger generation to care for.

"Sister Ruozhu, if you have things to do, go ahead. Ao Qi and I will rest for a bit," Tu Ying sensibly said, sensing the situation wasn’t well.

Bai Ruozhu smiled at her, "There’s an empty room next to us. Rest there a bit, stay in the yard, and later we’ll have a nice meal together."

"Mm, alright." Tu Ying responded with a smile.

The alarm’s sound gradually diminished, seeming to indicate the Zhong Family’s crisis was nearing its end.

However, Bai Ruozhu sniffed the air, frowning, "The scent of blood, the wind carried a bloody scent over."

"I’ve sent Muyu and the others to check; we’ll have news soon." Jiang Yichun said.

Bai Ruozhu pondered and used her Divine Sense to call Xiaoxiao from the ground.

"Xiaoxiao? Xiaoxiao, are you alright? Is the Zhong Family’s crisis aimed at you?" Bai Ruozhu inquired.

Xiaoxiao did not reply, and there was no movement from the ground; it seemed Xiaoxiao was not below.

"Xiaoxiao!" Bai Ruozhu called out worriedly. She repeated the call several times but never received a response from Xiaoxiao.

"Ruozhu, what’s wrong?" Jiang Yichun, noticing her expression was off, held her hand and asked.

Bai Ruozhu opened her eyes, filled with worry, "Xiaoxiao isn’t responding to me. Could he be in trouble?"

Jiang Yichun’s expression grew graver, "It appears the crisis targets Taisui. However, Taisui isn’t that easy to kill; perhaps he’s somewhere else now. Don’t worry too much yet."

"Let’s wait for news from the Zhong Family." Bai Ruozhu sighed, "That child is pitiful, not knowing if he can recover this lifetime, and yet constantly being targeted."

Little Dengdeng grew anxious, "Mom, did the bad guys take Xiaoxiao? We must save him; he’s my friend!"

He spoke anxiously, dropping the Mechanical Box he held in his hand. After studying it for many days, the box suddenly emitted a strange clicking sound...