More laughter and playful scuffling ensued.
Duán Chén allowed the group to surround him, their chatter buzzing around him like thousands of sparrows. He made no move to push them away, a slight smile gracing his lips.
Just then, Xiǎo Lì came running in, flustered and anxious.
Her expression immediately shifted to one of relief upon seeing Lù Shuǐshuǐ standing amidst the crowd, appearing somewhat shy and demure.
"Shuǐshuǐ, quickly come with me! Something big has happened!"
"What is it?"
Duán Chén emerged from the center of the group, inquiring.
Upon seeing him, Xiǎo Lì found her anchor. Tears began to stream down her face.
But there was no time to cry.
Xiǎo Lì quickly wiped her tears and, sobbing, explained, "Officer Duán, you're here! Something terrible has happened. The Guild Master is severely injured, for reasons unknown!"
"She was just brought in and has fallen unconscious. I want Shuǐshuǐ to go with me to freeze her with ice. Her vital signs won't be compromised by the freezing; instead, it will help reduce the severity of her injuries."
Xiǎo Lì poured out the entire story through her sobs.
Duán Chén's expression changed instantly.
It felt like a storm was about to break.
He didn't hesitate, rushing out immediately, not even waiting to ask Xiǎo Lì for more details.
Xiǎo Lì quickly followed.
The others stood rooted to the spot, exchanging bewildered glances, before eventually rushing out in a hurried, chasing fashion.
After all, they were part of this guild, and the Guild Master was their Guild Master. With her injured, they couldn't possibly stand by idly.
Moreover, even though this was a branch guild, anyone who could become Guild Master here was not to be underestimated.
Just moments after seeing their vibrant Guild Master, they were now hearing news of her severe injuries. What could have possibly happened?
Duán Chén's mind was a blank slate, devoid of any other thoughts, filled only with one pressing concern.
Míng Yán was injured.
And severely at that.
What had happened?
He stormed directly into the guild's medical bay, pushed the door open, and found Míng Yán lying on a sickbed, her life hanging in the balance.
In that instant, all the warmth around Duán Chén faded, replaced by an intensely sharp killing intent.
Everyone within the guild trembled simultaneously, unable to pinpoint the source of the threat they felt.
Fortunately, Xiǎo Lì caught up and urged Lù Shuǐshuǐ forward.
Seeing the situation, Lù Shuǐshuǐ knew there was no time to waste. She immediately activated her most powerful innate skill, freezing Míng Yán.
After using her skill, Lù Shuǐshuǐ wiped the sweat from her brow, her lips pale and weak.
She spoke softly, "I've done all I can. From here on, we can only wait for the most professional healers. I can't cure our Guild Master."
Duán Chén seemed to snap back to reality. Hearing her words, he nodded and patted Lù Shuǐshuǐ's shoulder.
"I know."
"How did Míng Yán get injured?"
When asked, Xiǎo Lì led Duán Chén and Lù Shuǐshuǐ out, closing the door. They sat on chairs in the corridor outside, Xiǎo Lì's expression one of deep unease.
Seeing Xiǎo Lì's demeanor, Duán Chén knew there was more to this than met the eye.
He spoke decisively.
"You can choose to tell me, or you can choose not to. But if you don't, I'll find out my own way, and I can't guarantee what consequences that might entail."
"I'll tell you!"
Xiǎo Lì panicked at his words.
After all, they had been colleagues for many years.
How could Xiǎo Lì not understand Duán Chén's temperament?
She simply didn't know how to begin. The implications of this matter were simply too vast.
After much deliberation, Xiǎo Lì decided to explain the entire situation in the simplest terms.
"It's like this..."
Míng Yán's severe injuries were actually caused by a peculiar item.
She had accepted a mission to escort this peculiar item all the way to Jīngchéng. It happened to align with her own travel plans to Jīngchéng, and it could secure some resources for Sūchéng, so Míng Yán readily agreed.
"What kind of peculiar item?" Duán Chén asked directly.
His questions were sharp and to the point.
"From whom was this peculiar item obtained? Who was responsible for escorting it before Míng Yán took over?"
"Míng Yán is now severely injured. Is it directly or indirectly related to this peculiar item? Was it an explosion from this peculiar item that caused it?"
"Since it required an escort, this item must have had some significant properties, right?"
"And where is this item now?"
Xiǎo Lì gnawed her lip in distress, but having started, she saw no way back.
She sighed, resigning herself to the inevitable.
"As we know, peculiar items, or the spoils of war we can seize, are generally divided into two types. One is similar to the pendant you once owned, Officer Duán, or the spatial ring you have now."
"These are called ordinary peculiar items."
"They have no offensive power and can only be worn as auxiliary tools or accessories."
"Generally, most of the peculiar items dropped by sea monsters are of this type; it's unlikely to be anything else."
"But this is only generally the case. There's a second situation: peculiar items with offensive and infectious properties."
Duán Chén knew all of this, understood it clearly, and frowned slightly. He suddenly grasped what information Xiǎo Lì was about to reveal, and at the same time, a sense of disbelief washed over him.
"You're not going to tell me that Míng Yán's severe injuries were caused by a peculiar item, are you?"
Xiǎo Lì nodded, her voice quivering.
She trembling extended her hand, pointing towards the door.
It was as if she could see Míng Yán, encased in ice, through the door.
"That peculiar item is here now."
"To prevent anyone from obtaining it, the Guild Master swallowed it beforehand."