Chapter Seventeen: Forcibly Severing the Chain

Looking at the fierce beast lying lifeless on the ground, Zhao Yuan finally felt the tension in his heart ease. Now that the threat was gone, there was no need to be afraid.

“Let’s hurry inside,” Yu’er said, standing beside him. She was visibly excited as she stepped forward to Zhao Yuan.

Zhao Yuan withdrew his weapon and replied coolly, “Let’s go.”

Although Yu’er was a little displeased with his tone, she still followed after him. After all, that beast had been so formidable; if not for him, there was no way they could have eliminated such danger.

The two of them made their way down the corridor, heading further in.

Soon, they reached the inner chamber. Zhao Yuan scanned the area but saw no sign of his father. Frowning in confusion, he turned to Yu’er. “Where is my father? Didn’t you say he’d be here?”

Facing this situation, Yu’er was at a loss. Very few people knew about this place; with their caution, how could anyone have found out and moved him? Besides, the information couldn’t possibly be false—he should have been here.

“I…” Yu’er began, but was interrupted by the man before her.

Zhao Yuan had suddenly caught sight of his father in another part of the chamber and rushed over, no longer listening to what Yu’er was saying.

“Father! Father!” Zhao Yuan knelt beside his unconscious father, anxiety written across his face as he tried to rouse him.

Following the direction Zhao Yuan had run, Yu’er too saw the elder Zhao and hurried over. Although she was somewhat anxious, she did not share Zhao Yuan’s deep worry and fear for the old man’s safety.

“Why are there chains binding him? So, we need to break these chains, right?” Yu’er said, examining the elder Zhao’s condition.

Zhao Yuan hadn’t noticed the fine chains before, assuming his father had simply fainted under some unknown influence. With Yu’er’s reminder, he now saw the chains clearly.

He grasped the slender chains, attempting to break them, but to no avail. “These chains aren’t ordinary—they must be something special,” he said.

Yu’er suggested he inspect the chains more closely for anything unusual. With no other choice, Zhao Yuan examined them, only to discover runes of lightning etched onto the chains binding his father.

Seeing the lightning runes, Yu’er looked at Zhao Yuan with concern. These runes were not something Zhao Yuan could easily break. If that was the case, their efforts to come here were in vain. What use was it if they couldn’t free him?

“Zhao Yuan, let’s go. These lightning runes are beyond you. We should leave now. If they discover we’ve broken in, none of us will escape,” Yu’er said, gripping Zhao Yuan’s wrist, hoping he would recognize the danger.

But Zhao Yuan could not give up—not when it was his father, not even if it seemed impossible.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll find a way,” Zhao Yuan insisted, beginning to forcefully try to break the chains.

Yu’er, seeing his unwavering resolve, felt pity but still tried to persuade him. “Let’s go. Forcing it won’t work!”

But Zhao Yuan had no intention of leaving. He continued to try, finally snapping the chains in defiance of all expectations.

The instant the chain broke, Su Lie sensed it and immediately led his men toward the forbidden ground.

Meanwhile, the elder Zhao awoke. But instead of relief or joy, his face was filled with anxiety as he pushed Zhao Yuan away, exclaiming, “What are you doing here? You must leave at once!”