Chapter 164: Enchanting Heart Worm and Illusion Insect
Bai Zhi frowned and asked, "The Insect Clan has entered the Main Star? Has the border been breached?"
Zelda explained with a grave expression, "Yes. There was a traitor in their ranks who colluded with the Insect Clan. They revealed the border defense layout, which led to all the border soldiers being killed by the Insect Clan. By the time Hu Yan and the others arrived, they were a step too late."
Hearing this, Bai Zhi couldn’t help but feel a little worried.
Although she had given Hu Yan things to defend against the Evolution Species, the Insect Clan reproduced so quickly that there was no telling if it would be enough.
Besides, the situation on the front lines was complex; new problems could arise at any moment.
Lang Qiu’s brow furrowed slightly. "Have they found out who the traitor is?" he asked.
Bai Zhi chimed in anxiously, "Right, what if they haven’t found him and more information gets leaked? How is Hu Yan doing now?"
"Not yet. He’s doing alright, but the fighting is at a stalemate right now. He’s just really worried about you, so he asked me to get you out of here first." Zelda’s expression was a little frantic as he said this.
Sang Mo’s gaze fixed on Zelda for a few seconds before he suddenly said, "You seem to be in a big hurry today."
Hearing Sang Mo’s words, the others all turned their gazes to Zelda, their eyes filled with doubt and vigilance.
Lang Qiu locked his eyes directly on Zelda, as if searching for any suspicious signs.
It wasn’t that they wanted to be suspicious, but at a time like this, anyone besides their small group was a potential suspect.
Although Zelda was Hu Yan’s childhood friend, they had only known him for a short time. Even if they trusted him, it wasn’t a deep trust.
Zelda froze for a second upon hearing that, then immediately switched to his usual relaxed tone. "What can I do? Hu Yan made me promise that she wouldn’t get a single scratch so he could go to the front lines without worrying. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have rushed over the moment I got the news."
Hearing this, Yue Junxiao nodded along. Given how worried Hu Yan was about Bai Zhi, this did sound like something he would do.
Sang Mo lifted his eyelids and said nonchalantly, "Before Hu Yan left, he told us not to leave this place under any circumstances. So why would he have you come and take Bai Zhi away?"
Lang Qiu also nodded. "Hu Yan did say that."
For a moment, the atmosphere in the room grew strange.
’Zelda’ seemed surprised that what he had assumed would be a simple task had gotten stuck at this stage.
Sang Mo continued, "Besides, if Hu Yan wanted us to leave, he definitely would have sent a message to Bai Zhi, or to one of us... but we haven’t received anything. So who are you, really?"
As soon as he said this, Lang Qiu and Yue Junxiao all moved at once, vigilantly shielding Bai Zhi behind them.
If Sang Mo hadn’t pointed it out, they might have already left with this ’Zelda’ standing before them.
’Zelda’ said helplessly, "What are you talking about? I’m Zelda."
Bai Zhi asked, "You say you’re Zelda. Last time we went to the palace, you gave me something. What was it?"
’Zelda’ said with a helpless sigh, "It was my Jade Pendant, the sigil of the Sel Family."
At these words, everyone froze. Sang Mo narrowed his eyes slightly, staring at Zelda.
Only Zelda and their small group knew about this. Even Hu Yan didn’t know.
’Zelda’, worried they didn’t believe him, continued to explain, "The reason Hu Yan wants me to take you away is because he had me investigate something, and this news was what I brought back. As for why he told you not to leave before but now wants me to escort you away, he probably has his reasons, but I don’t know the specifics. If you don’t believe me, you can ask him."
Zelda’s words made them hesitate. Every point Sang Mo had raised was valid and certainly grounds for suspicion.
But Zelda had been able to mention something only they knew, and his explanation was plausible.
Upon hearing this, Lang Qiu decisively placed a video call to Hu Yan.
But no one answered.
Bai Zhi tried calling too, but also got no answer, which made her even more worried.
Hu Yan’s video call wouldn’t connect. She didn’t know if something had happened. The last time they couldn’t reach him was when he had gone on a group hunt.
Bai Zhi thought for a moment and decided not to leave. When Hu Yan left, he had said that if necessary, they could have the butler, Uncle Sen, activate the defenses, which meant this place was well-protected.
And according to Hu Yan, they had enough food here to last for several months without leaving.
’Since I can’t make a firm decision right now, it’s best to maintain the status quo.’
With this in mind, Bai Zhi said to Zelda, "Sorry, we can’t leave with you, but I apologize for our earlier suspicion."
Yue Junxiao said without hesitation, "Since Bai Zhi says we’re not leaving, then we’re not leaving."
Lang Qiu simply said, "Are you going to stay here with us?"
’Zelda’ couldn’t believe it. After he’d gone to such lengths, they still weren’t willing to leave with him!
They even wanted him to stay with them. For a split second, his expression twisted.
But in that single instant, Sang Mo caught it.
Sang Mo narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing in their depths. "You’re an Illusion Insect, aren’t you? What have you done with Zelda?"
Yue Junxiao blurted out instinctively, "What? An Illusion Insect!"
Immediately, Yue Junxiao and Yan Yichen took up combat stances.
Lang Qiu’s muscles tensed, and the Wolf Fang Club appeared in his hand. "Sang Mo, are you sure he’s an Illusion Insect in disguise?"
Sang Mo said, "I’m not sure if it’s an Illusion Insect or an Enchanting Heart Worm, or if both are here. An Illusion Insect can transform into anyone it has touched, while an Enchanting Heart Worm excels at confusing people’s minds. If we’ve been caught in the Enchanting Heart Worm’s trap from the very beginning, trapped in its Illusion Realm, then this thing before us might just be a form it has taken on within the illusion."
"But if it is an Enchanting Heart Worm, that would explain why you can’t get through to Hu Yan on a video call. There’s a barrier between an Illusion Realm and the outside world."
Sang Mo’s explanation not only made Bai Zhi and the others come to their senses, but it also made ’Zelda’s’ face fall.
’Zelda’s’ face darkened as he said, "You know too much!"
This was tantamount to admitting it wasn’t Zelda, but a member of the Insect Clan.
It had originally thought that just capturing a female would be an easy task. It never expected someone would see through its disguise and know so much about it and the Enchanting Heart Worm.
’Zelda’ said in a vicious tone, "Since you’re not willing to come with me, I’ll just have to take you by force!"
As it spoke, it suddenly vanished, but in the next second, it had already reappeared beside Bai Zhi.
But Lang Qiu, who had been watching its every move, swung his Wolf Fang Club directly at it. Caught off guard, ’Zelda’ was hit. "ARGH—"
The next second, it vanished again.
Sang Mo said, his eyes dark, "It seems both the Enchanting Heart Worm and the Illusion Insect are here."