The Frail Guide Who Devoured an Entire Pollution Zone

Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Hanging from the Southeast Branch

Xu Ruming’s words immediately drew a look of displeasure from Shen Ling’an.

But Xu Ruming completely ignored him, turning and walking directly toward Xu Qingsui and Lu Jingyu.

’She was already certain that the only reason she had suffered was because of Lu Jingyu and Xu Qingsui.’

’Her wrist had almost been broken. She absolutely couldn’t let this go.’

”Going on and on about how she was going to find a way out for everyone, making us all so grateful. Turns out it was all just empty talk!”

”She didn’t do a thing this time, and we still got out safely, didn’t we?”

Xu Ruming’s words instantly shattered the delicate atmosphere.

Lu Jingyu’s face darkened. Even he didn’t know why the whale had spat them out.

But no matter what, he wouldn’t allow Xu Ruming to accuse Xu Qingsui like this.

”Putting everything else aside, at least she was constantly trying to figure out a way for us to escape while we were trapped. And you? What did you do?”

”It seems the only thing you’ve done since we entered this instance is constantly find fault and point fingers at others!”

”I knew it. People really are different. Everything you’ve done so far has only strengthened my conviction that you are not qualified to join the Heiyu Alliance!”

”I don’t know what tricks you pulled or what conspiracies were at play to get someone to sponsor your entry into the Heiyu Alliance, but based on your performance, you’ll end up getting kicked out anyway.”

Xu Ruming’s repeated provocations had truly infuriated Lu Jingyu. He pulled no punches, even bringing up matters that weren’t fit for public discussion.

The once-lively atmosphere instantly grew cold.

Everyone’s gazes shifted from Lu Jingyu and Xu Qingsui to Xu Ruming and Shen Ling’an.

There had long been rumors in the Alliance about those two, and today, it seemed Captain Lu had personally stepped in to confirm them.

With their shady dealings exposed, Shen Ling’an finally tore his gaze away from Xu Qingsui.

Seeing the mocking expression on Lu Jingyu’s face, Shen Ling’an felt as if he had been brutally slapped.

’It was all Xu Ruming’s fault. She’s more of a liability than an asset!’

Shen Ling’an immediately stepped forward, grabbed Xu Ruming’s arm, and dragged her away.

He must have grabbed the same spot on her arm he’d injured before, as a sharp scream of pain escaped her lips.

But Shen Ling’an paid her no mind, dragging her away from the others before furiously throwing her hand aside.

”Shen Ling’an, what the hell do you think you’re doing?” Xu Ruming’s expression was twisted with rage as she glared at him.

”What am *I* doing? I should be asking you what the hell *you’re* doing!” Shen Ling’an’s face was filled with disgust. He gritted his teeth, barely restraining himself from slapping her.

”Ever since we entered this instance, you’ve gone looking for trouble time and time again, and it has always backfired on you. But you still haven’t learned your lesson and just had to keep provoking them. Will you only be satisfied when you’ve ruined everything?”

Shen Ling’an was seething with rage, a fire that had been burning for far too long.

But fearing that Lu Jingyu might overhear, he did his best to keep his voice down.

”Don’t forget our purpose for joining the Heiyu Alliance. Don’t get us kicked out because of your antics before we can even accomplish our mission.”

”If that happens, forget accomplishing the mission—it’ll be a miracle if we even get to keep our lives.”

”Xu Ruming, how did I never realize how useless you are? Let me tell you something: if you have a death wish, go find some other place to die, but don’t you dare drag me down with you.”

Although the two had dropped the pretense with each other before, it had been more about testing boundaries and issuing warnings.

This time, however, Shen Ling’an was pushed to his limit. He held nothing back, spitting out whatever came to mind.

But his unfiltered tirade finally made Xu Ruming face reality.

She gritted her teeth and glared at Shen Ling’an for a moment, but in the end, she swallowed her indignation.

’She realized Shen Ling’an was now completely beyond her control, and she couldn’t afford to lose this person, her only support.’

Xu Ruming swallowed her pride, her expression shifted, and she began to plead for a truce.

”I was just so angry, I lost control for a moment. It won’t happen again.”

”Brother Ling’an, jealousy makes people see red, and love drives people crazy. I can feel your feelings for her changing. The thought that you might fall for her again... it’s driving me insane. That’s why I lost control.”

”I know I was wrong now. In the future, no matter what, I promise I’ll control myself. Please don’t be mad at me. Forgive me, okay?”

As she spoke, tears actually began to stream down Xu Ruming’s face.

Seeing Xu Ruming’s tear-streaked face, Shen Ling’an felt a pang of pity.

He gently stroked Xu Ruming’s hair. ”Alright, this is the last time. Don’t act recklessly again, or you’ll jeopardize our plan.”

Xu Ruming nodded meekly and leaned gently into Shen Ling’an’s arms.

But in his arms, a venomous hatred flashed in her eyes.

’Shen Ling’an didn’t mention Xu Qingsui. I was right.’

’It’s all because of Xu Qingsui!’

’Sooner or later, she would make Xu Qingsui pay for all of this, and then some.’

”Look!” A sudden shout from one of the members drew everyone’s attention.

Following his astonished gaze and his slightly trembling, raised arm, everyone looked up toward the sky.

They saw the massive body slowly turn over, and they finally got a clear look at the entire Mutant.

Remarkably, after the whale had been infected, aside from its body growing several times larger, its appearance hadn’t changed much.

So, they could confirm with a single glance that it was, in fact, a whale.

The whale’s body was now slowly rolling over in the sea, clearly devoid of life.

”The Mutant’s dead?” Lu Jingyu frowned slightly, not understanding why the whale had suddenly died.

Only Xu Qingsui knew the answer, but it was her secret, and she wasn’t going to tell anyone.

Xu Qingsui looked up at the overturning whale, feeling surprisingly emotional.

Although she had been through a perilous ordeal inside the whale’s Sea of Consciousness,

it was undeniable that it had also allowed her to witness a bright, sunny scene—a rare sight in the Apocalypse.

After chasing the whale for so long, and then controlling it to guide everyone to the maze’s edge, she found she had actually developed a sliver of affection for the creature.

Watching the great creature perish before her very eyes, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow.

But she wasn’t the type to get lost in sentimentality, and she quickly recalled something important.

’This is the edge of the maze. Can we finally leave?’

Tearing her gaze away, Xu Qingsui quickly began to scan her surroundings.

Sure enough, she spotted the entrance where they had come in.

She recalled that when they first entered the maze, she had been curious, wondering if simply turning around and walking out would have cleared the instance.

But at the time, she hadn’t dared to make a rash move.