Chapter 246 — Waiting in Gloom

Mr. Gui shook his head again. "You know his temper well enough. Miss Bi Li is the one he holds dearest in his heart. I only think he does not trust me, and so will not let me comprehend the Star Plate."

The shadow gave a cold snort and slowly stepped out of the darkness—it was Ming Wang. His face was grim as he said, "Since he will not hand over the treasure, and our blood formation here is not yet complete, we cannot afford to fall out with him just now. What is to be done?"

Mr. Gui said calmly, "Ming Li still cares a great deal for Miss Bi Li, so just now he put a condition to me."

Ming Wang started. "What condition?"

Mr. Gui sighed softly. "He will lend me the Star Plate treasure to comprehend, but I must remain under his eye at every moment, watched by him."

Ming Wang's brows knit at once. He hesitated a moment, then said, "We take that treasure in order to undo the Qiankun Locks binding the Furious Dragon Cauldron and the Four Spirits Blood Formation. If he never leaves our side, how are we to work the spell?"

Mr. Gui gave a bitter smile. "That is just where the difficulty lies."

Ming Wang fell silent, brooding without a word. Mr. Gui thought for a while, then said, "In my view, it may still be best to obtain the treasure first and comprehend it carefully. The wonders of an ancient divine artifact are inexhaustible; perhaps we truly can find some way to undo the Qiankun Locks from afar. After all, the other day the Star Plate and the Qiankun Lock on the Furious Dragon Cauldron did resonate with each other, and they were far apart indeed."

Ming Wang nodded silently and said slowly, "For now, that is the only way."

Mr. Gui turned and made to go, saying casually, "Then I will go and make preparations first."

"Wait!"

Ming Wang's voice suddenly rang out behind him. Mr. Gui paused, turned, and looked at Ming Wang. "Is there something else, Sect Master?"

Ming Wang's gaze suddenly turned somewhat fierce. He stared at Mr. Gui for a long while, then said slowly, "There is one more thing I must ask you."

Mr. Gui said, "Pray speak, Sect Master."

Ming Wang's face was blank, but after that fierce look, his eyes seemed somehow at a loss. "I ask you—that Star Plate, that ancient divine thing—apart from undoing the Qiankun Locks, is it truly also possible... to save Bi Li?"

Mr. Gui fell silent. After a long while he said slowly, "I do not know. All must wait until I have carefully comprehended that treasure before it can be clear."

Ming Wang's lips moved slightly; then he gave a light wave of his hand and said in a low voice, "I understand. Go."

Mr. Gui cupped his hands to Ming Wang, turned, and went. Ming Wang stood alone in the passage and did not move for a long time. The darkness of the passage crept quietly outward, gently folding Ming Wang's lonely figure back into the shadows, and before long nothing could be seen of him at all but darkness.