After Swapping Identities With My Archenemy - Chapter 73

Chapter 73: Run, You Foolish Child!

It really could find the way. The two shared a knowing glance and discreetly re-covered the lampstand with a bag, sliding it to the side while sealing the flap on Xiao Die’s carrier. Once they were ready, they walked toward the creature without showing any outward emotion.

The Jiao seemed to sense their approach. Its head, which had been facing away, slowly swiveled around, its dark eyes fixing on them. That strange, unsettling feeling in Jiang Huaiyi’s gut intensified, though she still couldn’t put her finger on what was wrong.

The Jiao flicked its massive tongue. “You’ve come quickly. Are you well-rested?”

Jiang Huaiyi managed a smile and a nod. Despite the underlying unease, the creature’s presence felt oddly comfortable. “Let’s head out. How long will it take to get there?”

The Jiao didn’t answer. Instead, it whipped its body around, straightening its trunk in a single, fluid motion. The two women stared, bewildered. The Jiao’s head curved back, its gaze previously icy now looking at them with a strange, blank dullness.

“Come. Sit upon my back. We shall move faster.”

Jiang Huaiyi blinked, feeling like she was being invited onto a living train. The Jiao’s scales were smooth, clean, and odorless, which also meant there was absolutely nothing to hold onto. Realizing their hesitation, Yu Cheng submerged slightly into the water near the bank.

As they stepped onto its back, a single large scale near the front flared up. Jiang Huaiyi grabbed it a built-in “handrail.” Talk about thoughtful service.

Once they were settled, the Jiao surged forward. The wake it created formed massive waves on either side, yet not a single drop of water touched them. The wind rushing past wasn’t cold; instead, a soothing, warm breeze caressed their faces.

Yu Cheng moved with incredible stability. If the situation weren’t so surreal, Huaiyi would have felt like she was on a luxury sightseeing tour. As they delved deeper into the mountains, the temperature remained constant, even as they passed through sections where the river surface was covered in thin ice. The Jiao smashed through it with a rhythmic crack-crack-crack.

Shen Wensi pulled the silk paper from her pocket. The glowing dot was drawing closer. They were definitely on the right path.

The Deep Forest

By 9:47 AM, they had been traveling for nearly an hour. At this speed, they had covered dozens of kilometers. The riverbed was suspiciously clear of obstacles, as if the creature traversed this path constantly.

The further they went, the more they saw old, discarded snake skins snagged on branches remnants of past molts in various sizes. Jiang Huaiyi felt a prickle of doubt. If such a massive creature lived here, why hadn’t anyone found it? “Searching for a Dragon” usually implied seeking something hidden. This creature was… quite obvious.

She leaned closer to Shen Wensi, brushing against her tactical jacket. From this angle, she could see the Jiao’s eyes. They were wide open, seemingly watching them from the front even while swimming. She reached out and touched the gun on Shen’s pack, seeking a modicum of security. Against a beast this size, a pistol was a mere toothpick, but it was all they had.

“We are here,” Yu Cheng announced.

The river narrowed, and the Jiao sank lower, allowing them to jump onto the bank. The temperature here was significantly higher, and thick, white mist swirled over the water.

They were in the heart of the primeval forest. Massive, ancient trees loomed over them, their canopy blotting out the sun and creating an oppressive, claustrophobic atmosphere. Ahead, the river ended at a mountain cliff. A thin stream of water trickled down into a perfectly round, steaming pool.

The waterfall above was frozen into jagged ice, yet the pool below bubbled with heat. This was it the Spiritual Spring.

The air was saturated with spiritual energy. Jiang Huaiyi felt her pores open; her exhaustion vanished instantly. She felt so revitalized she wondered if simply staying here for a week would cure her “condition” entirely.

The Warning

Xiao Die was restless on Huaiyi’s back, shifting and kneading the bag. They had also brought the captured weasel, currently bound and gagged like a furry stick. The weasel was trembling violently, its eyes fixed on the spring with sheer terror.

Yu Cheng shrank its body and slithered into the pool, leaving only its head and eyes visible above the surface, watching them.

Jiang Huaiyi checked the silk paper. The instructions had changed: Jump into the Spiritual Spring.

This was the final step. Huaiyi felt a wave of relief. She had learned to swim after her last near-drowning incident. The pool didn’t look deep. In and out, then we’re done, she thought.

She walked over to the bound weasel and casually pulled the cloth from its mouth. The creature’s jaw was partially dislocated from the tight binding. Huaiyi gave it a light pop with the back of her hand, clicking it back into place.

The weasel opened its mouth, but its voice was a raspy, garbled mess.

“Speak up,” Huaiyi muttered, leaning in. “What’s wrong? Are you excited to see the spring?”

The weasel’s jaw worked for a second before it let out a piercing, shrill scream:

“RUN! LET ME GO AND RUN! SAVE YOURSELVES! HELP!”

The scream echoed through the silent forest, loud enough to be heard for miles.

Jiang Huaiyi froze, her blood turning to ice. She slowly turned her gaze back to the pool. The Jiao was no longer looking “dull.” Its head had risen fully out of the water, and its dark eyes were now burning with a cold, murderous intent.

BANG!

Shen Wensi’s reaction was instantaneous. She fired as soon as the Jiao lunged. The deafening report rang in Huaiyi’s ears. She felt a hand grab her wrist, and her instincts took over. She ran.

“RUN!” Shen Wensi screamed over the ringing in their ears.

They tore into the thicket, scrambling through dead grass and narrow gaps between ancient trees. Behind them came a sound that made their skin crawl the heavy, rhythmic crushing of dry leaves as a massive weight pursued them through the dark woods.

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