Chapter 170: The race begins
Lin led the group through the passages that connected the West Sea to the central cavern, but the familiar routes had changed. Walls that had been covered in mist, were now covered with dark purple veins.
"The corruption is spreading faster," General Huoyan observed as they walked past a section where the tunnel walls had begun to crack. Through the fissures, they saw dark energy pulsing like a diseased heartbeat.
"The corruption is growing stronger," Captain Zhen replied, his sword drawn despite the lack of immediate threats. "The closer Jiaolong gets to breaking the seal, the more power Mo Xuan can channel into the realms."
Commander Yuehua walked slightly behind the group, her expression troubled. The revelation about Mo Xuan’s manipulation had shaken her more than she wanted to admit. For months, she had believed she was serving Jiaolong’s vision of a unified South Sea. Now she understood she had been nothing more than another pawn.
"Commander," Lin called softly. "Are you alright?"
"I keep thinking about all the decisions I made," Commander Yuehua replied. "All the intelligence I passed to Jiaolong, all the operations I helped plan. How much of it was really my choice, and how much was Mo Xuan’s influence working through me?"
Grim, overhearing the conversation, slowed his pace to join them. "Does it matter now? You’re here, fighting against him."
"Is it though?" Commander Yuehua’s voice carried bitter humor. "How do we know this isn’t part of his plan too? Maybe he wanted me to betray Jiaolong, wanted me to guide you to exactly where he needs you to be."
The possibility sent a chill through the group. The idea that their current course might also be orchestrated was deeply unsettling.