Firefly Journey

Chapter 151 Rescuing the Journalists in Action (8)

As they approached the door, the guards tilted their heads and glanced at them, seemingly finding nothing amiss.

But his shifty gaze and hesitant expression made Lin Yuanran uneasy, and his palms almost sweated.

In private, he had used the "Thousand Illusions" mask to transform into countless people, but he had never used anyone else's face to deceive anyone. He never expected that this first time would be spent on the northern tundra.

That brief encounter that night left a rough impression of Locke in Lin Yuanran's mind.

Arrogance, haughtiness, and self-righteousness are qualities that Locke displayed.

Lin Yuanran deliberately put on a stern face, giving off an unapproachable vibe, and it was hard to tell how much he resembled him.

But when he swaggered into the side door, none of the guards stopped him, which shows that there was nothing wrong with his appearance.

Lin Yuanran entered the city lord's mansion with a cold face, and only then did he feel a little calmer. He was not a professional actor, and heaven knows how flustered he had been just now.

After he left, the guards began to whisper among themselves.

"Strange, why did he take the unconventional route today?"

"Who knows? Keep your voice down, or he'll hear you and we'll be in big trouble."

"What's there to be afraid of? If it weren't for the Commander's favor, he'd be nothing! He thinks he's someone special just because he's got a godfather. Bah! He'll get his comeuppance sooner or later."

"Brother, watch your words, watch your words!"

Entering through the side gate, one is greeted by a garden planted with evergreen vegetation suitable for northern winters. Because of the continuous snowfall these past few days, even now that it has temporarily stopped, the thick white blanket hasn't completely melted, weighing down the plants and making them feel as if they're about to break.

Lin Yuanran transmitted a message via telepathy: "I've successfully infiltrated."

"It's good that we haven't been discovered. Follow the corner of the wall and see where it's secluded. That's where we'll climb over," Hugh said.

"Ok!"

Soon, Lin Yuanran realized that things were not going to be easy.

Along the courtyard wall is a wide, straight road, where soldiers patrol frequently at very short intervals.

Seeing them approaching with torches, Lin Yuanran quickly crouched down and hid among the grass and trees.

Although this face is his pass, he doesn't know where the real Locke is. If he shows up everywhere and the real Locke discovers any clues, the whole operation risks being exposed.

Just in case, avoid showing your face if possible.

After several patrols of guards passed by, Lin Yuanran figured out their pattern of movement.

Each patrol of guards is about five minutes apart. After three rounds of this, there will be a longer gap, no longer five minutes, but ten minutes.

To be on the safe side, this ten minutes is when Lin Yuanran will make his move.

Patiently hiding behind the snow-covered vegetation, Lin Yuanran waited until three waves of patrolling soldiers passed before quickly giving the signal.

Seeing this, Claudia and the others outside knew that it was safe behind the wall for the time being, so they all used their abilities to leap up and enter the city lord's mansion.

"Follow me." Lin Yuanran communicated telepathically.

The group followed him to a relatively lush patch of vegetation.

The four continued to communicate using a secret method, moving only their lips without making a sound.

Claudia held a "taste compass" in her hand, the pointer of which kept fluctuating slightly before finally stopping and pointing to a certain location in the city lord's mansion.

Lin Yuanran said, "The four of us are too conspicuous, so it's not advisable for us to act together. I'll go and scout things out first. Even if we're discovered, we can use Locke's identity as an excuse. If all else fails, then we can take action."

Everyone nodded. This wasn't like moving a heavy object; many hands make light work. In the current situation, the fewer people involved, the better. Lin Yuanran's suggestion was absolutely correct.

Lin Yuanran, wearing Locke's face, took the compass and carefully walked in the direction it indicated.

……

……

Not long after Lin Yuanran walked in through the side door, the main person came in from outside with a group of guards.

Before entering through the side door, Locke stopped and looked the guards up and down.

The guards felt uneasy under his sharp, piercing gaze, but no one dared to speak; they were all quite puzzled.

Didn't you just go in?

What, you turned back and brought a squad of guards with you, and now you don't recognize us?

"Has anyone been inside this place?" Locke asked.

The squad leader in charge thought for a moment. He hadn't changed shifts since the afternoon, and he didn't recall anyone coming or going.

If I had to say something, wouldn't it be that you went in there before?

Seeing the squad leader's hesitant expression, Locke grew impatient and roared:

"Speak up if you have something to say, I don't have time to play along with your silence."

The squad leader shuddered, his voice trembling: "Besides you, who went in an hour ago, there's no one else here."

"I?"

Locke was taken aback for a moment, then a look of amusement appeared on his face.

I went in here before? I don't know that.

In that instant, a possibility flashed through Locke's mind.

That's right, just like Mond Toby said, rats have infiltrated the city, and now they seem to be planning to steal cheese.

Seeing Locke's gloomy face, the squad leader dared not utter another word, not even daring to breathe, just hoping that this guy would leave as soon as possible.

Locke had no intention of making things difficult for them. He abandoned the small team he had brought and went straight to Mond Toby. This was huge news, and naturally he had to report it.

……

……

City of Eden, St. Louis College.

Apart from Lin Yuanran, who was far away in the tundra, the teachers and students of Class 29 gathered together.

Today is not Monday, and Cassius made an exception to come to class, which naturally has a very important reason.

Once everyone was present, Cassius said, "With the academy competition approaching, the academy leadership has also put the selection of classes to represent St. Louis on the agenda."

Upon hearing this, everyone had their own thoughts.

On paper, Class 29 is undoubtedly the best in the college. But everything must be fair, and theory alone is not enough. So, the qualification to represent St. Louis must be proven in real matches.

Cassius continued, "The selection method has been determined: a tournament where each class sends six people. The side that eliminates all its members first loses."

The competition was held a week later. The first round used a random draw, and we were lucky enough to be drawn against Class 57.

There are hundreds of classes in the college, but apart from well-known classes like Class 29, the rest are not really famous. Class 57 was really unlucky; they encountered Class 29 in the first round of elimination and were eliminated in the first round.

After explaining the rules and time of the qualifying match, Cassius said no more, sat down on the podium, and focused intently on a book on the table.

The students below were whispering amongst themselves, but he paid them no mind and even found it amusing.

Sabrina turned to Wind Chime and said, "A week is too long for Ario to make it back."

There was a hint of regret in his tone.

The first opponent is Class 57. Being unknown means there aren't many experts. Against this level of opponent, we can let the weaker Lin Yuanran go out first. It would be good if he could take out one or two of them. If he loses due to bad luck, it won't matter. Anyway, someone will cover for him later. It's good to give him some sense of participation.

Given the current situation, it's highly likely he won't be able to make it back.

Feng Ling said, "I feel that with you here, I don't even need to lift a finger."

Sabrina smiled and said, "I like hearing that. You should save your energy for the engagement party."

Fengling's expression darkened slightly. She found the topic very annoying, but given Xu Dagong's resolute attitude, there was no way she could refuse.

But... what does that have to do with me?

Feng Ling smiled faintly, her expression gentle. "I'm not someone who can be manipulated."