The two fumbled their way forward and soon arrived outside the cave. The so-called research laboratory was situated within, carved out of the mountainside. Coupled with the abundance of mountains in Liangzhou, it remained undiscovered.
"Wait here for a moment, I'll go in and take a look!" Ye Feng whispered, stealthily trying to enter the cave. As the guards were Jin Yi Wei, no one obstructed Ye Feng.
Ye Feng entered the cave and surveyed his surroundings. The setup was much as he had imagined, and he couldn't help but nod in approval. Suddenly, a shout echoed.
"Something's missing, come quickly, quickly!"
Ye Feng froze. Thinking that penicillin was, after all, partly his enterprise, his expression changed. He rushed forward. In his haste, he collided with someone on the narrow path.
"Ouch!" Ye Feng, with the physique of Chu Bawang, remained unmoved. The other person, however, landed squarely on the ground, rubbing his backside. "Who are you, to dare block my way!"
Opening his eyes, he saw Ye Feng's muscular physique and stern expression. He quickly got up, feigning nobility. "Who exactly are you, to dare block my path? Do you know who I am?"
Ye Feng, certain the person didn't know his identity, played along with interest. "I am, I am a villager from around here. I got lost and ended up here!"
The person's eyes darted around a few times, and he cleared his throat. "I am the King of Chu, the great king of this place. You've offended me, what should be done?"
"You, you are the King of Chu?" Ye Feng exclaimed in feigned surprise, dropping his mocking tone. "Impossible, this is impossible!"
The person's heart skipped a beat, and he forced a show of anger. "What? Have you met the King of Chu before and think I don't resemble him? Could it be that you are the King of Chu?"
*I am!* Ye Feng thought to himself, feigning timidity. "I've heard my family talk about him, but he didn't seem quite like that. He probably, probably isn't!"
"Then it's settled. Since you haven't met him, I am the King of Chu!" the person declared righteously. "There's a rebellion now, and I order you to be the vanguard general and lead me out!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a squad of Jin Yi Wei rushed over. Seeing the strange pairing of Ye Feng and the thief, they were momentarily stunned. Then, remembering that few could subdue Ye Feng, they regained their composure.
"Don't hurt the King of Chu, you traitors!" Ye Feng rushed out, not caring about anything, and exchanged a look with someone not far from the Jin Yi Wei.
"Brothers, charge! Capture Ye Feng, and there will be plenty of rewards!" the Hundred Commander bravely led the charge, his Xiu Chun Saber wielding with impressive might. But when he reached Ye Feng, his attack was feeble and weak, as if powerless. "I'll kill you!"
The Jin Yi Wei's attack on Ye Feng was loud but lacked force. Before long, the remaining Jin Yi Wei were all tossed into the nearby lake by Ye Feng. Watching them struggle, Ye Feng unhesitatingly turned back.
The person stood frozen, wanting to escape but unable to move his legs. Ye Feng gently patted his shoulder. "Your Majesty!"
"Mercy, good sir, mercy, I, I didn't..." The person turned around, eyes squeezed shut, babbling incessantly.
"Open your eyes and see..." Ye Feng said with great patience. "It's not what you imagine! 'They have all been defeated by me!'"
"I know, I know. I won't open my eyes. If I see your true face, I'll be killed. I understand, I understand!" the person muttered. Ye Feng, somewhat exasperated, forcibly pried open the person's eyes with his fingers.
Seeing Ye Feng standing directly before him and all the Jin Yi Wei in the water, the person immediately abandoned the idea of fleeing. He straightened up and forced an explanation. "I was going to find someone to save you just now, but I didn't expect you to have already resolved it. Fine, I will then appoint you as the General of Might!"
Ye Feng sneered and happily agreed. Under the propagation of the first wave of Jin Yi Wei, most of the guards ignored Ye Feng, and some even respectfully saluted him.
"You are excused!" the person inwardly rejoiced at his newfound status, not bothering to question why. After a while, he finally saw the light outside and was unwilling to give up Ye Feng's protection.
"From now on, you will follow me and protect my safety personally. Do you understand!" the person declared righteously. Ye Feng nodded.
"Good, follow me to handle some business!" the person said solemnly. Along the way, they received respect from everyone. He even took the time to help some common folk!
They walked and stopped along the way, as usual, arriving at an alley, which was also a usual gathering place for high officials and nobles!
"You go first, I have some business to attend to!" the thief acted with great decorum, waving his hand dismissively.
Seeing the truth within his grasp, how could Ye Feng agree? He reminded him, "I am not Your Majesty's personal general. If someone were to target Your Majesty, I could protect him!"
"No need. This is a business partner. We've contacted each other many times, and there will be no problem!" the thief flatly refused. In an instant, Ye Feng felt the truth was right before him!
"What if he plans a double-cross? What if he dislikes Your Majesty!"
"I see the King of Chu also brings many guards when he goes out!"
This last sentence deeply resonated with the thief. Such a short time was enough to inflate his ego. He leaned back in his chair, contemplating for a long time. "What you say has some sense. I will allow you to stand here and listen, but this matter..."
"I understand, it mustn't be spread!" Ye Feng subconsciously pulled out a stool, and just as he was about to sit down, he heard the thief cough a few times and say coldly.
"Stand up. What right do you have to sit down!" the thief rebuked him coldly.
To complete the act, Ye Feng immediately stood up and watched as the thief drank seven or eight bowls of the good tea as if it were water, before finally lying down on the bench with satisfaction.
"You won't be able to taste such fine tea," the thief said, holding up a cup of tea and flaunting it. "Fifty wen per tael, I doubt you've ever seen it!"
Ye Feng suppressed a laugh and perfunctorily nodded. After a while, he saw a person with quick steps but a steady upper body gently push open the door and sit on a stool. Since Ye Feng had his back to him, he didn't see.
"Where is the thing I asked for?" the newcomer's face was ice-cold. "Hand it over quickly!"
"Audacious!" the thief slammed his teacup onto the table, his face turning cold. "I am the dignified King of Chu, and you speak to me like this? Are you not afraid I will kill you!"
"King of Chu? What is the King of Chu worth!" the newcomer scoffed. "If you are the King of Chu, then I am the King of Chu's grandfather. Even Ye Feng would be respectful to me!"
The newcomer was about to say more, when the thief, enraged, shouted, "Quickly, catch him, catch him! I want to beat his mouth to a pulp!"
Ye Feng remained motionless. Just as the thief was about to step forward himself, he was slapped hard by the newcomer, who pointed at his nose and yelled, "Go piss and look at yourself, with your pointed mouth and monkey-like face, and you dare call yourself the King of Chu!"