Initially, everyone thought the Qing Consortium might have some other motives for offering their help. However, that was not the case. It was only because Qing Zhen and Luo Lan had found out about Ren Xiaosu’s situation that they decided to help him attack the Zong Consortium. This linkup was also what shocked Zhang Xiaoman back then. No one in the Razor Sharp Company had expected the Qing Consortium would place so much importance on their relationship with Ren Xiaosu.
Furthermore, Luo Lan had also stood by his side at the Yang Consortium’s gala back at Stronghold 88. When everyone was mocking them, Luo Lan stepped forward to back him.
Now that Luo Lan was here in Stronghold 61, and since Ren Xiaosu had found out about his itinerary from the newspapers, it would be wrong of him to not go to Luo Lan’s rescue.
Ren Xiaosu had Zhou Yingxue test it out first. Just to be safe, he wanted to see if Zhou Yingxue would really not get attacked by the creeper vines.
What surprised Ren Xiaosu was that when Zhou Yingxue walked towards the gate that had been blocked by the creeper vines, the vines started giving way to her. Zhou Yingxue turned around to look at her master. “Master, I wasn’t lying. They really won’t attack me.”
Ren Xiaosu frowned and thought for a moment. “Then can you make it not attack me as well?”
The creeper vines had grown so dense it would be a little troublesome even if Ren Xiaosu could get into the stronghold. So it would be best if he could rely on Zhou Yingxue’s power.
But Zhou Yingxue replied, “I doubt it…”
“Let’s give it a try.” Ren Xiaosu walked to Zhou Yingxue’s side. But as he walked over, extremely aggressive creeper vines thrust towards him.
Zhou Yingxue was just about to rush forward to save him when she saw the black saber in Ren Xiaosu’s hand flick by. The vines thrusting at him broke off and fell to the ground.
“Master, this is too dangerous.” Zhou Yingxue said, “Let’s not go inside. As your maid, I definitely won’t allow you to take such a risk!”
To put it plainly, Zhou Yingxue absolutely refused to go into such an eerie place at this moment. Although she could now make the creeper vines not attack her, who knew what else could happen inside the stronghold?
When Zhou Yingxue saw Ren Xiaosu frowning silently, she thought she had convinced him. Therefore, she added, “Master, think about it. We’ve stuck together for so long, so how can I watch you die?! It’ll be very dangerous for you to go in there!”
Ren Xiaosu pondered it for a moment before saying, “Alright, I won’t go in then, but you should be careful when going in alone.”
Zhou Yingxue was surprised.
Ren Xiaosu looked at Zhou Yingxue. “There a problem? Yesterday’s Hope Media paper reported about the hotel Luo Lan checked into, so go and look for him there first. If he isn’t there, you can go and take a look at the bank vaults. If he isn’t at the bank vaults, go search for him in the center of the stronghold. Luo Lan’s a smart person. Since the creeper vines are growing inwards from the outside, he’ll only escape towards the city center.”
“Ahem.” Zhou Yingxue said, “Master, I suddenly thought of something. Actually, you won’t get attacked if you hold my hand….”
Ren Xiaosu sneered, “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”
“I just thought of it,” Zhou Yingxue replied. She was on the verge of breaking down. How could she have known her master would make her go into the stronghold alone? If she had known that, she would have said so earlier! ‘Master, you’re way too cruel!’
Ren Xiaosu gave Zhou Yingxue a sidelong look. “Can you really make the vines not attack me?”
Zhou Yingxue nodded vigorously. “I guarantee that as long as you hold onto my hand, the creeper vine will definitely not attack you!”
“Alright, wait here for me.” Ren Xiaosu then he went back into town. Zhou Yingxue stood there in a daze, not knowing what Ren Xiaosu was planning.
Ten minutes later, Ren Xiaosu returned. Zhou Yingxue looked at Ren Xiaosu dumbfoundedly as he held a pair of gloves in his hands!
“Master, what’re you doing?” Zhou Yingxue asked.
“It’s improper for men and women to be in close contact with each other. Let’s put on the gloves!” Ren Xiaosu said.
“Master, do you really have to go that far!” Zhou Yingxue did not know whether to laugh or cry. “It’s just holding hands, isn’t it? Are my hands that dirty to you?”
“Don’t think too much into it. I just feel that we should avoid certain misunderstandings.” Ren Xiaosu remarked, “After all, it’ll be a little difficult to explain why I’m holding another girl’s hand. Although she won’t see it, I have to be honest with her.”
“Master, you’re way too innocent.” Zhou Yingxue had no energy to argue with him anymore. Her master standing before her had achieved so many amazing deeds, yet he was not even willing to hold hands with another woman!
Ren Xiaosu had already put on his glove. Then he held Zhou Yingxue’s hand and they tested it again. As expected, the creeper vines did not attack him anymore.
Ren Xiaosu was initially worried that wearing the glove would make the power ineffective. In the end, he was relieved it worked. Meanwhile, Zhou Yingxue was rolling her eyes from next to him.
Most of the refugees in town had already fled along with the soldiers that had just escaped from the stronghold. Only a few of them were still watching the developments.
Qin Shengm who was standing not far away from Ren Xiaosum suddenly said, “I’ll go inside with you two!”
Ren Xiaosu turned around and looked at Qin Sheng. The young Rider had a lot of combat strength as well. If a battle were to break out, he would definitely be of great help.
But this time, the enemy was not human or beast. It was a plant. Moreover, after going in, based on the character of the Riders, he might even try his best to save some of the stronghold residents. This might slow Ren Xiaosu down in his search for Luo Lan. So Ren Xiaosu decisively rejected him. “You can just wait here in town. Aren’t you Riders not supposed to enter the stronghold during your training period in town?”
“But this is a crisis! How can I just stand by and do nothing? Besides, even if I go in, my teacher might not necessarily find out,” Qin Sheng explained.
Ren Xiaosu said, “If you go in, I’ll go to Luoyang City and report your actions.”
Qin Sheng was confused.
With that, Ren Xiaosu and Zhou Yingxue walked into Stronghold 61. Qin Sheng was just about to rush in when the vines blocking the gate started closing up again, leaving him helpless.
Qin Sheng suddenly realized there was probably no human who could face the creeper vines alone. Not even a superhuman could do that.
A group of refugees nearby could only stand by and watch as Ren Xiaosu and Zhou Yingxue made their way into the stronghold. They could not understand why someone would voluntarily enter the stronghold at a time like this.
How bold of them!
Ren Xiaosu was considered a familiar face in town. Everyone only knew he was rich, but they did not know he was actually also a superhuman.
And that person who addressed him as “master” earlier, was she also a superhuman?
After Ren Xiaosu entered the stronghold with Zhou Yingxue, the first thing that shocked him was that everything in sight had turned green.
The dense growth of creeper vines was an ocean, while Zhou Yingxue and he were a miniscule presence in this huge expanse.
