Chapter 1860 A Difficult Ascent
Nicole smiled at Joy, writing off her claims as childish imagination.
They continued hiking up the hill. Suddenly, a group of guards appeared, blocking their path.
Levant chuckled and asked, “Are these bandits seeking to rob us of our wealth?”
The guard in the lead harrumphed and replied coldly, “You cannot head up this mountain. Leave if you have any common sense.”
Davin queried, “We’ve been on Daemonic Mount for days and hiked up the mountain multiple times, yet you’ve never stopped us before. Why did you suddenly materialize like spirits to block our advance?”
“We did not see a need in dealing with peasants such as yourselves until you deigned to ascend this mountain. I’ll repeat myself only once. Get lost if you know what’s good for you. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Looking at the group of guards before them, Levant whispered to Davin, “The three Guardians must’ve realized our plans to open the treasure and sent these guards to stop us!”
“How did they find out so quickly?” Davin was stunned.
“I guess our party size alerted them to our presence. Along with Steven’s men, the Guardians can hardly miss us.”
Davin sighed, wondering if they had startled their enemies into action. It’s not easy to open that treasure.
“What should we do? Engage them in a fight?” he asked.
Evan was still pondering their next move when Faye and Damien stepped forward, offering to handle the guards.
“Leave them to us, Mr. Seet. You should head on up with the others.”
“I agree, Mr. Seet. We’ll get rid of these small fries in no time.”
Evan considered their offer and nodded. “All right! But be careful.”
Faye and Damien nodded before charging at the guards while Evan ordered the others to seek an opening to ascend the mountain.
Under Draven’s and Levant’s protection, Nicole and Sheila successfully left with Zayden and Joy. Evan and Davin followed soon after.
They had been walking some distance when Elias and Gale appeared out of the blue, halting their progress.
Draven mocked, “My, my, have the Guardians decided to take things into their own hands? I must say, we’re very flattered.”
Gale’s eyes were fixed on Evan as he asked, “Where’s Shermaine?”
“In my hands!”
His hostility confounded both Gale and Elias.
Gale was the first to ask, “Have you remembered that she isn’t your wife?”
“Nope!”
“Then are you—”
“Am I still a victim of her ruse? Wouldn’t you like to know?” came Evan’s stinging reply.
“So you’ve seen through her act. What are you going to do to her?” Elias demanded.
Too unbothered to beat around the bush, Evan decided to cut to the chase. “That depends on the two of you.”
“What do you mean? Shermaine only did those things because she truly wanted to be with you. You can’t harm her, or we’ll never let you off!”
Evan announced, “If you want to ensure her safety, let us up the mountain. Once everything here has come to an end, I’ll release her.”
Elias and Gale exchanged a glance that echoed their concerns about allowing them to head up the mountain. Trouble may ensue if we grant them access.
Their gazes landed on the children in the group, and they were taken aback by the sight of Joy.
It’s her! It really is her!
Elias repressed his excitement and said, “I can allow you to go up the mountain, but the children must stay behind.”
“Yes, the children must stay back!” Gale concurred.
Davin insisted, “No. The children must come with us!”
“We can’t leave the children behind. We are going up together.”
Elias fell into contemplative silence before voicing, “Fine. We will allow one child to go up the mountain. The boy can go, but the girl stays here!”
Davin weighed up their words before making a suggestion of his own. “Evan, how about we let Nicole and Joy wait here? We can come back to meet them right after getting the treasure.”
