Because things had changed, they had no choice but to alter their plan.
Old Fang quickly bought a pile of clothes and brought them over, and everyone started putting them on.
“Aren’t you guys hot in all these layers?” Clara Night, who’d been worried about standing out, stared at the thick clothes—practically wrapped from head to toe. This was nothing like what they’d worn before!
Hearing this, Old Fang hurriedly explained, “Normally we wear less, but the sacrifice is a big deal, so we have to cover up completely. That’s how you show respect to the gods.”
“Real gods wouldn’t care about this stuff. The only thing that matters is having a sincere heart.” Liam Willow couldn’t help chiming in.
At that moment, Ivy Shen quickly finished putting on her clothes. The fully covering outfit was a lifesaver—otherwise, with so little fabric, their skin tone would give away that they were outsiders unless they smeared ash all over themselves!
“This mission is dangerous—we can only succeed, not fail,” Ivy said seriously, looking around at everyone.
Everyone nodded, instantly understanding what she meant.
“Colin, I need a favor. Can you look after Liam for me? He can’t fight, and knowing how my six husbands are, they’ll all rush in if things get chaotic. Liam would be in real danger.”
“I have my own ideas,” Colin grumbled at Ivy’s order, clearly annoyed. But he couldn’t hide the joy on his face—he was actually thrilled. This meant he could openly stick to Liam’s side as his protector, and if anyone questioned it, he could just say, ‘Hey, Ivy told me to!’
“Hey, he’s my husband, so of course he should protect me!” Clara Night snapped, miffed that Ivy hadn’t asked Colin to guard her but instead her man. With so many husbands around, couldn’t Ivy just pick one to shield him?
“Didn’t you say you’re super tough? Tough people don’t need protecting, right?” Ivy shot back, leaving Clara speechless. If she argued, she’d basically admit she was weak. But if she didn’t argue… well, what if danger actually showed up?
“Miss, I’ll stay with you,” Aiden piped up, always loyal to Clara Night.
Just then, the sky was getting brighter when the sound of drums and gongs erupted outside. Old Fang explained, “That’s the signal for the sacrifice. It means everyone needs to dress up and head out for the ceremony.”
“Let’s go, Brother Fang!” After saying goodbye to Cora, Ivy led everyone out with Old Fang. She knew if they didn’t leave now, people would get suspicious about Old Fang’s family when they saw a crowd inside later.
Soon, Old Fang led them to the square. The massive plaza had a five-meter-high stage—wide and long—with all sorts of porcelain vessels arranged on top. Old Fang explained, “These are for praying for rain. The idea is, if heaven answers, they’ll fill up.”
And right in the middle of the stage was a little earthen altar, with a stone cradle hollowed out at its center.
Old Fang’s eyes grew wet as he looked at the hollow—this was where the children were placed, left to die of hunger and sun. It was the spot where they’d wait for death.
“Where’s the child?” Ivy asked, noticing squads of guards converging and sealing off the altar.
“It’s not time yet—the child’s been taken away and hasn’t been brought out,” Old Fang replied, his voice shaking.
“How much longer till it starts?” Ivy asked, seeing the crowd growing thicker around them.
“About four or five hours. The sacrifice always starts when the sun’s at its fiercest—closer to the sun, closer to the gods. That way, the gods are sure to see…” Old Fang choked up, his heartbreak plain for all to see. Oh, my child…
Liam Willow trembled with rage at this—how could people be so cruel?
“Goslyn Goss, you all wait here. I’m taking Goslyn Goss to scout things out,” Ivy said to the group.
“I’ll go with you.”
“Me too!” Everyone wanted to tag along.
Seeing this, Ivy shook her head. “No need. It’s way easier for us girls to handle things. If you guys come, it’ll just make things harder. Old Fang, since there’s still a few hours, could you take everyone to get some food?” She knew it was a lot to ask, given how heavy Old Fang’s heart was, but they’d need their strength for the tough fight ahead.
“Okay.” Old Fang nodded to everyone, even though he was hurting inside. He was just too kind to say no.
“Xin’er…” The group called out softly, still worried for her.
“Don’t worry, Nina’s super skilled. I’ll come find you soon, okay?” Ivy flashed a small smile and hurried off with Nina.
Goslyn Goss couldn’t figure out what Ivy was up to. She watched as Ivy wandered from spot to spot, peering around like she was investigating something. Finally, Goslyn Goss couldn’t help asking, “Xin’er, what are you looking at?”
In the desert, water was worth more than anything—crazy expensive, almost ridiculous.
Goslyn Goss was impressed—why hadn’t she thought of tracking the routes before?
“Routes,” Ivy replied coolly.
“Routes?”
“Exactly. In a strange place, you have to figure out the layout and routes for yourself. No matter what anyone tells you, you need to see it with your own eyes. If you want to survive, you need to pay attention to every detail.” With that, Ivy kept moving forward.
Nina was impressed—why hadn’t she thought of tracking the routes before?
But just as Ivy and Goslyn Goss entered a deserted alley, four or five men suddenly appeared, brandishing knives. They shook their blades menacingly and barked, “Hand over your silver!”
“We don’t have any money,” Ivy replied, still as cool as ever.
“No money? Ha! Then we’ll just take you instead!” Even with Ivy’s hat and face veil, her bright, striking eyes caught their attention.
“Are you looking for trouble?” Goslyn Goss snapped, furious.
“Whoa, two women? Ha! Brothers, we hit the jackpot!” The men were thrilled—no one ever passed through here, and now two ladies had wandered in. They couldn’t see their faces, but those eyes were pretty, so they couldn’t be too ugly!
“Boss, quit talking—let’s snatch them and get to the sacrifice!” another thug urged.
“Good idea!” The leader grinned, and the men lunged at Ivy and Nina.
Goslyn Goss was about to charge, but suddenly a shadow flashed in—moving so fast it was shocking. In just a few moves, the newcomer had the thugs sprawled on the ground, teeth scattered everywhere!
“Mercy, hero! Spare us, we’ll never do it again!” The once-cocky thugs scrambled to their knees, begging for their lives.
“If I ever see you again, I’ll kill you. Now scram!” the masked stranger roared. The men bolted, terrified out of their minds.
The stranger turned and looked at Ivy and Nina, then suddenly pulled off his mask.
Goslyn Goss gasped. The man’s face was chiseled and fierce—a classic northern look, all power and intensity. Strangely, his eyes were covered by a black veil. Was he sick or blind? Even so, his aura was jaw-dropping.
Ivy didn’t give him a second glance—she just kept walking. Nina hesitated, then gave the man an apologetic nod before hurrying after Ivy.
Just then, the man darted in front of Ivy, blocking her path. Raising an eyebrow, he asked, “I saved you—aren’t you going to thank me?”
Ivy just gave a dismissive laugh, which clearly rubbed him the wrong way. “What’s so funny?” he demanded.
Ivy looked him dead in the eye, not the least bit curious about his masked eyes, and said coldly, “Did I ask you to?”
The man froze at her piercing stare and blunt words, completely at a loss for how to respond.
“You’re not from around here, are you?” he quickly recovered and asked.
Ivy didn’t answer, just kept walking. But he followed, repeating, “I saved you!”
“Thank you,” Goslyn Goss said quickly, hoping he’d leave. But he kept following, staring at Ivy. “Aren’t you going to thank me?”
Ivy stopped, clearly annoyed. “Hero?”
“If that’s what you want to call me, I’ll take it!” he replied, suddenly excited, playing along with her word game.
Ivy gave him a look. “Do you just go around picking fights for fun?”
The man considered her words for a moment, then replied, “If I see someone in trouble, I’ll always step in.”
“So you’ll save anyone who needs help?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not afraid of dying?”
“Ha! What’s so scary about death? Everyone dies eventually,” he said with a carefree grin.
“Then right now, there’s a baby about to be sacrificed in the square. Don’t you think you should save him?” Ivy’s dark eyes flashed with a mysterious light.
“Save him? But that’s a sacrifice to the gods. Why would I stop that?” The man raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.
Ivy let out a mocking laugh. “I thought you were a real hero, but you’re just as backward as the rest. Gods? Sacrifice? Your king is a fool, and you all follow his nonsense. If there really were gods, this desert would be an oasis!”
“Do you realize how treasonous that sounds? If anyone else heard you, you’d lose your head,” the man warned, his face darkening.
“Lose my head? The tyrant’s killed plenty already. Your thinking is twisted—if you really want to save people, go save the children of Flame Valley, save those who could still bloom, instead of playing hero here!” Ivy shot back.
“You…”
“If you can’t back it up, don’t try to play hero. Otherwise, you’ll just be a coward.” With a cold smile, Ivy strode off, leaving Nina to nod apologetically to the man before rushing after her.
“If you can’t back it up, don’t try to play hero. Otherwise, you’ll just be a coward.” With a cold smile, Ivy strode off, leaving Goslyn Goss to nod apologetically to the man before rushing after her.
Just then, two strange-looking men approached—one in fiery red, hotter than the sun, the other in watery green, like the color of water. Their unusual clothes marked them as important.
They bowed deeply to the man. “Your Majesty, the sacrificial ceremony is ready. Should the elder preside, or will you do it yourself?”
“I’ll do it myself!” the king said, a wicked smile playing on his lips as he watched Ivy’s fading figure. Somehow, he was sure she’d be there.