I Received Messages From Future Self!-Chapter 660 - 656: Half a Sleeve

Fang Xiaocao followed the group unhurriedly from behind.

Every now and then, she squatted down, rummaging through the weeds, searching for footprints.

Once she was sure the group was heading in the right direction, she paid them no further mind.

As long as they didn’t stray off course, they would eventually catch up.

"Princess Your Highness, we’ve found a fragment of Hou Qing’s war clothing."

"There’s blood on it; Hou Qing might be injured."

A Half-step Super from the Blacklist came running over, holding a torn sleeve.

And very tactfully, echoed Ying Gou in addressing her as Princess Your Highness.

It was clear he had already settled into his new position and identity.

Ready to join the Phoenix Nest or Swan Goose, and serve Fang Xiaocao.

Fang Xiaocao gave him an approving look, smiled, and nodded, "Well done, where did you find it?"

"Over there, on that tree."

Seeing Fang Xiaocao accept his form of address, he breathed a sigh of relief.

He realized that Fang Xiaocao had acknowledged him.

He could now confidently follow Fang Xiaocao.

As the first to voluntarily submit, he perhaps might even get a small position in the future.

"On the tree?"

Fang Xiaocao was startled, looking in the direction he pointed.

Sure enough, there was a large tree, with clear scratch marks on the trunk.

Probably left by the Old Zongzi.

Hearing the commotion, Ying Gou came over as well.

Looking at the blood-stained half-sleeve in his hand, Ying Gou showed a worried expression.

"Princess Your Highness, could Hou Qing be mutating?"

Ying Gou’s worry wasn’t unfounded.

After all, before the doctor died, he said anyone scratched or bitten by the Old Zongzi would become a carrier.

In a short time, they would mutate into something not quite human, not quite ghost, a living dead with only bodily instincts and no thoughts.

Thus, if Hou Qing was scratched, it was highly likely she would mutate as well.

Then their opponents wouldn’t just be a Super-level Old Zongzi.

There might also be a mutated Hou Qing.

Fang Xiaocao nodded, "Theoretically, yes!"

Then, Fang Xiaocao continued, "However, Hou Qing is a Super Strong, her physical fitness isn’t comparable to ordinary people."

"Blacklist wouldn’t experiment on Super Strong either."

"Maybe this virus could be immune to the body of a Super Strong?"

"Even if a Super Strong can’t be immune to this virus, with their physical fitness."

"It’s likely they could withstand it longer than an average person."

"So right now, Hou Qing may not have mutated yet."

Fang Xiaocao shared her thoughts, and Ying Gou nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"Makes sense!"

"As expected of Princess Your Highness, your thinking is comprehensive."

Ying Gou flattered Fang Xiaocao a little.

Fang Xiaocao ignored Ying Gou, turning her attention to the person who found Hou Qing’s sleeve, "What’s your name?"

"Replying to Princess Your Highness, my code name is Chong Ming."

Chong Ming humbly answered with courtesy.

"Chong Ming?"

Fang Xiaocao repeated the name.

Chong Ming, also known as the Chongming Bird, is a mythical beast.

This fits well with the Blacklist’s habit of assigning code names.

They tend to pick them from the Classic of Mountains and Seas or primordial mythology.

"Well done, you’re quite meticulous."

"Keep it up."

Fang Xiaocao casually praised Chong Ming with a remark.

"It seems Hou Qing caught up with the Old Zongzi here and even had a confrontation."

"However, it appears Hou Qing wasn’t a match for the Old Zongzi and got injured."

"We must pick up the pace in our pursuit."

"If Hou Qing couldn’t hold on and mutates, my opponents would be two Super Strong."

Fang Xiaocao said solemnly.

Although Fang Xiaocao believed that even if Hou Qing was infected, it was unlikely for her to mutate immediately.

But Fang Xiaocao always prepared for the worst-case scenario.

This way, she ensured the probability of unexpected occurrences was minimized.

That’s why Fang Xiaocao said what she did.

"Understood, I’ll lead them to continue the pursuit at once."

Ying Gou replied seriously.

Fang Xiaocao nodded, "Go, if you find Hou Qing first, be cautious."

"Make sure she hasn’t mutated before approaching her."

Fang Xiaocao patiently advised a few words.

"Rest assured, Princess Your Highness, I will."

Ying Gou responded, calling out to the gathered crowd, "Follow me!"

With that, Ying Gou charged forward at the forefront.

The Blacklist members, along with Chong Ming, immediately followed Ying Gou.

Only Fang Xiaocao was left at the scene, still examining the half-sleeve in her hand.

"Strange, this sleeve doesn’t seem to have been torn by the Old Zongzi; rather, it looks like it was cut with a knife."

Fang Xiaocao murmured, tossing away the half-sleeve and proceeding in the direction that Ying Gou and the others had left.

Fang Xiaocao couldn’t shake a feeling she couldn’t quite articulate.

There seemed to be things they didn’t yet understand going on.

Like how the appearance of Hou Qing’s half-sleeve was quite unusual.

Even if her arm was injured, why cut off the sleeve?

This didn’t seem like it was for stopping bleeding or anything.

Rather, it looked like someone had left a mark for someone else.

The more Fang Xiaocao thought about it, the more it seemed there was more to this.

But she couldn’t make sense of it all at once.

Fang Xiaocao shook her head, temporarily setting aside the question.

Maybe once they found Hou Qing, everything would become clear.

Ying Gou led the captured Blacklist members in a mad dash.

Finally, three thousand meters away, they found another spot with evidence of a struggle.

And prominently, they found another half of Hou Qing’s sleeve.

This half-sleeve also had bloodstains.

The bloodstains were even fresher than on the last half-sleeve they found.

It seemed to have only recently oozed out, not yet completely coagulated.

Seeing this half-sleeve, Fang Xiaocao’s doubts deepened.

This half-sleeve had no signs of damage.

It was entirely cut off with a knife.

So what was with the bloodstains?

Why did Hou Qing leave a half-sleeve and even deliberately stain it with blood?

Fang Xiaocao did not speak out, keeping her doubts internal.

Now was not the time to question the existence and rationality of the sleeves.

Since the bloodstains were still wet, it indicated the person had left not long ago.

And Hou Qing had not yet mutated.

"The direction is right, continue the pursuit."

At Fang Xiaocao’s command, Ying Gou and the others promptly continued their chase.

After another two thousand meters, they found fresh signs of combat.

This time, the aftermath of the battle looked particularly intense.

Even the nearby large tree had been snapped in half, though it wasn’t clear if by Hou Qing or the Old Zongzi.

Again, there was another half-sleeve here.

It was still Hou Qing’s, but from a different arm.

This half-sleeve also bore bloodstains.

Very fresh, as if newly wound.

Fang Xiaocao specifically observed, finding no damage on this half-sleeve either.

It was entirely cut off with a knife.

Fang Xiaocao could basically confirm that the sleeves were signposts Hou Qing left for someone.

But precisely who they were meant for, Fang Xiaocao had no clue yet.