Free Web NovelChapter 784: Chapter 219: Entering the Insect Abyss, Gazing at the Palace Bell
The Ancient Insect Abyss, beneath the fissure separating the Divine and Demon Clans, is like a world isolated from the rest of existence.
All one can see when looking up is a narrow slit of sky.
"Is this the Ancient Insect Abyss?" Mu Qingge slowly withdrew her gaze from the sky and surveyed her surroundings. In the days since she’d entered the Demon Realm, she had finally arrived here and received possible news of Si Mo.
"Princess, the information is that a small tribe in the Insect Abyss recently rescued a man in the Great Marsh," Gu Ya murmured behind Mu Qingge.
Mu Qingge nodded slightly, pursing her lips.
This was the message that had been relayed, but whether the rescued man was Si Mo, no one could confirm.
"Why not send someone to investigate that tribe?" Mu Qingge voiced her question.
Gu Ye replied, "Princess, you are unaware that the Insect Clan in the Abyss is divided into various tribes, each isolated and self-governing. To defend against intrusions from other tribes, they have placed Insect Formations outside their territories, which are impossible to trespass without guidance from a tribe member."
Is that the case?
Mu Qingge frowned slightly. She couldn’t picture what an Insect Formation was but assumed it was nothing benign. Otherwise, with the Demon Guards’ abilities, they would not sit idly by.
Initially, they wanted to visit and then investigate, but knowing the Princess was concerned, they sent over the news promptly and waited for her arrival to investigate.
"Let’s go directly to that tribe, make a proper visit, and state plainly that we’re looking for someone," suggested Mu Qingge.
She had left the remaining matters by the Menglan River to Qing Ze and hurried to the Insect Abyss with the intent to find Si Mo. Now, regardless of whether the person is Si Mo or not, she was unwilling to wait any longer.
"Princess, let’s proceed to the rendezvous point first," Gu Ya reminded.
Gu Ye quickly added, "The two hundred Demon Guards sent previously to the Insect Abyss to search for Your Majesty will meet us at the rendezvous point and then lead the way to that small tribe."
Mu Qingge nodded slightly, suppressing her impatience.
Lowering her gaze, her eyes fell on the Palace Bell tied at her waist, pondering in her heart, "If the rescued person is indeed Si Mo, then what is his current condition? Is he conscious or gravely injured and unconscious? Why has this Palace Bell not given any indication?"
"Princess, let’s go," said Gu Ya.
Mu Qingge collected her swirling thoughts, nodded, and followed Gu Ya and the others forward.
This time, in addition to Gu Ya and Gu Ye, they brought three hundred Demon Guards, making a total of five hundred with the two hundred Demon Guards who had entered the Insect Abyss earlier to gather intelligence on Si Mo.
This number should suffice to handle any problems that arise within the Insect Abyss.
Deep in the Insect Abyss, within a remote small tribe.
Outside a wooden hut, a very handsome man sat cross-legged. On the ground was a bamboo mat to prevent his clothes from getting sullied by the dust.
In fact, even if his dark robes were dusted, it wouldn’t be noticeable.
In a corner behind him, the window was ajar. A young girl from the Insect Clan was hiding behind the window, resting her chin in her hand, stealthily gazing through the gap at his back and handsome profile.
It seemed as though quietly observing like this for a day would be delightful.
"Lingling, what are you looking at?"
Suddenly, an elderly yet loving voice startled the girl known as Lingling.
She scrambled to her feet, nervously tugging at her sleeve, lowering her head, not daring to meet the elder’s gaze. "Grandfather..."
The elder, leaning on a cane, though aged, wore a kind expression.
He glanced at Lingling, then at the slightly parted window, sighed with resignation, and shook his head, "Lingling, I understand your feelings, but he is not suitable for you."
Lingling lowered her head, biting her lip in grievance.
Her defiant demeanor made the elder sigh again from the heart. "In terms of appearance and demeanor, he is extraordinary. It is impossible for him to stay in the Insect Abyss for you, and our ancient laws forbid you to leave with him."
Lingling’s eyes clouded with disappointment at the elder’s words.
Unwillingly, she glanced back at the figure that captivated her at first sight. Reluctantly withdrawing her gaze, she stubbornly asked, "Grandfather, why can’t I go with him?"
"That’s the rule!" the elder’s cane struck the ground with a thud.
"Rules! Rules! You’re always holding onto these inexplicable rules!" Lingling protested loudly.
Her eyes reddened, as if feeling deeply wronged.
The elder, looking at her with a pained expression, softened his tone, "Lingling, if I’d known you’d react this way, I shouldn’t have agreed to let you keep him here back then."
Lingling’s face went pale, tightening her lips in silence.
The elder continued, "Anyway, remember my words. It is impossible between you two; don’t entertain delusions. Tomorrow, I will have someone send him out."
"Grandfather!" Lingling raised her head in disbelief to look at her grandfather.
The elder glared, "Why look at me like that? He has almost recovered, and although the Insect Abyss doesn’t restrict outsiders’ comings and goings, the Insect Clan doesn’t mingle with outsiders. Keeping him here for a few days has already been generous."
"But his wounds have not fully healed yet!" Lingling said anxiously.
The old man pierced through her words, "I think if he stays here any longer, when his wounds heal, your heart may be lost."
Lingling bit her lip, her eyes filled with mist.
The old man shook his head helplessly and turned to leave.
Watching the old man depart, Lingling took a deep breath and turned to look out the window. She muttered to herself, "Even though you haven’t spoken a word to me these past few days, always appearing so cold, I still can’t bear to see you go. But grandpa is right, you can’t stay in the Insect Abyss for too long. Would you be willing to take me with you when you leave?"
Her murmuring was not heard by Si Mo outside.
Even if he had heard it, he likely wouldn’t care.
At this moment, his gaze fell on the Palace Bell tightly tied to his belt, his brow slightly furrowed. His amber gaze seemed to hold a hint of confusion and contemplation.
...
Within the Insect Abyss, a pale yellow mist was spreading everywhere.
This world beneath the Earth Crack also had mountains and water, with grasslands and gobi. How vast was the Insect Abyss? This question was something even Gu Ya and Gu Ye couldn’t answer, let alone Mu Qingge.
She scanned her surroundings, hiding the sights she witnessed along the way within her gaze.
"Isn’t this the Insect Abyss? Why have we been here for so long without seeing a single insect?" Mu Qingge suddenly asked.
Gu Ya explained, "If we had seen insects, we might have encountered people from the Insect Clan."
"Insect Clan." Mu Qingge whispered softly.
"Although the Insect Clan dislikes conflict, they are extremely xenophobic. This xenophobia extends not only to outsiders but to everyone outside their tribe, even if they are of the same race." Gu Ye said.
Mu Qingge raised an eyebrow, somewhat curious.
Gu Ye continued to explain, "There are many branches within the Insect Clan, differentiated by the types of insects they control. Perhaps due to the natural animosity of some insects, these branches also live in seclusion. Usually, they live in peace, but if another branch trespasses their territory, it would lead to conflict. Of course, there are branches that are close with others, but the relationships within the Insect Clan are complex and difficult for us to understand."
"So how should outsiders walk through the Insect Abyss?" Mu Qingge asked.
Gu Ya replied, "Outsiders... in truth, everyone in the Insect Clan understands that the only ones capable of entering the Ancient Insect Abyss are the Divine and Demon Clans. After all, the Insect Abyss is located on the boundary between the Divine and Demon Clans. Toward the Divine and Demon Clans, they adopt an attitude of neither approaching nor provoking. As long as we don’t infringe on their interests or enter their territory at will, they won’t bother us."
Mu Qingge furrowed her brow slightly, gaining some understanding in her heart.
Perhaps it was the Insect Abyss’s unique environment and customs that made gathering information unusually difficult.
"Princess, we have arrived!" Gu Ye reminded.
At this moment, Mu Qingge noticed two hundred Demon Guards already standing among the reeds by the riverbank.
"Subordinates greet the Princess!"
The two hundred Demon Guards did not need prompting. As soon as they saw Mu Qingge, they uniformly knelt and saluted.
Their attitude spared Mu Qingge a lot of trouble. At least, she no longer needed to undergo any tests or do anything to prove her identity.
"Rise, all of you. You’ve worked hard during this period. Once we find Your Majesty, he will reward you according to your merits," Mu Qingge said.
"Dedicating our lives to Your Majesty and the Princess is our duty," the Demon Guards replied.
Mu Qingge nodded almost imperceptibly and said to them, "Since we’ve gathered, lead the way ahead to find your king."
"Yes, Princess."
The two hundred Demon Guards merged into the team, guiding Mu Qingge toward the small tribe from which the message came.
The location they chose was not far from the small tribe.
Soon, Mu Qingge could see the outlines of some buildings in the distance. The structures were simple, looking plain and unadorned.
Upon reaching the outside of the tribe, separated by a ’No Trespassing’ stone tablet, Gu Ye stepped forward and called out, "We heard that your tribe rescued someone a few days ago. This person may be our Family Head. We kindly ask your tribe to allow us to confirm."
As soon as he finished speaking, Mu Qingge heard a rustling sound from the ground.
She looked down and felt her scalp tingle. From the loose sand, countless insects emerged, quickly skittering to the sides, creating a path into the tribe.
These countless insects, divided into two sides, looked at them as if they were soldiers on parade.
Gu Ye turned to Mu Qingge and explained softly, "The people inside have allowed us to enter. Princess, remember, regardless of whether Your Majesty is inside or not, do not touch anything. These insects can attach themselves to any object."
Mu Qingge slowly nodded, indicating her understanding.
Mu Qingge, followed by the Demon Guards, proceeded along the path into the tribe. As they stepped through the symbolic gate of the tribe, an elderly man appeared before them.
"Follow me." The old man, supporting himself with a cane, said to them and turned to lead the way without any pleasantries.
Mu Qingge raised an eyebrow and followed behind the old man...
