The Fierce Farm Girl Has A Secret Space Chapter 2484: It’s Chengzi (4)

"What is a pity?" Gu Qingheng inquired, his brow furrowed.

"It’s a shame your wife isn’t present. Honestly, I was anticipating a duel with her more," Flame expressed with a hint of regret, continuing, "Isn’t that young lady supposed to be more formidable than you?"

"Indeed, my wife is quite capable," Gu Qingheng affirmed with a nod. "However, dealing with you is beneath my wife. I, the General, am more than sufficient."

"Haha... Gu Qingheng, your wit is surprisingly sharp. Tell me, if I were to capture you, do you believe it would lure your wife to me?"

Gu Qingheng offered a faint smile. "That outcome would likely bring you disappointment." He offered no further explanation.

"Shall we put that to the test?" Flame proposed and swiftly launched an attack towards Gu Qingheng.

However, before Gu Qingheng could react, Ming Guang, positioned beside him, intercepted the assault. Their palms met with a resounding thud. Flame was forced back a half-step, while Ming Guang merely swayed slightly, a clear indication of superior strength.

Moxie and Chi She prepared to intervene, but Flame motioned for them to halt. "You wouldn’t survive more than two exchanges with this elder. Save yourselves the humiliation."

Recognizing the futility of further confrontation, Ming Guang returned to Gu Qingheng’s side, remaining silent. In his haste, a small cloth bundle slipped from his sleeve.

"Master, your chicken leg has fallen," Gu Qingheng remarked, bending to retrieve the bundle and casually pocketing the stone as well.

Ming Guang quickly felt his sleeve, finding it empty, and promptly seized the cloth bundle, tearing it open to begin eating.

Acknowledging the absence of the stone from the ground, the individual affixed to the wall stirred, weakly lifting their bowed head.

Gu Qingheng’s gaze shifted, meeting the other’s newly raised face, and his heart constricted involuntarily for a fleeting moment. Despite the brief duration of their interaction, he was certain it was Chengzi.

"Let us depart," Gu Qingheng swiftly regained his composure, clenching the stone in his hand. "Where does Master intend to lead this General on our next excursion?" He felt an urgent need to devise a plan for Chengzi’s rescue and to ascertain Weng Xin’s location.

"Is there anything else the General wishes to know? I shall conceal nothing," Flame assured, escorting Gu Qingheng from the training area and the herbalist’s workshop. They proceeded up a different path, halting at a vantage point on a platform. "From this position, one can observe nearly everything below."

"And who are those individuals?" Gu Qingheng inquired, gesturing towards another group engaged in labor.

"Most of them are Miao people who have defied orders, though others are from various regions," Flame explained with a glance. "Here, they all serve as laborers, currently occupied with transporting medicinal stones."

"Medicinal stones?"

"This Miaojiang region is a veritable treasure trove," Flame declared, extending his arms towards the heavens. "It encompasses all manner of riches."

Gu Qingheng’s eyes narrowed slightly, a thought crossing his mind about whether Ran Lei’s family might be enduring hardship in this place.

"For instance, there are gold and silver mines," Flame continued, his voice imbued with palpable excitement, "iron and copper deposits, rare herbs and potent poisons... And to extract and transport these valuable resources, laborers are indispensable."

"General, you wish to know, after all these years of exploitation and heinous acts, what is your ultimate objective?" Gu Qingheng suddenly posed the question with utmost seriousness, fixing his gaze intently upon Flame.