A Glimmer of Hope

By Lin Musen

Yihshyong and company have to endure their patience when facing the kidnappers who always change plans suddenly. They remember Shannchyuan’s words that there is always a glimmer of hope in every difficulty. When they receive the latest plan details, they could only hope that it is the last one.

In any way they can, they try to cooperate with the kidnappers, including pretending to agree to trick the police. Even though they are not one hundred percent sure that their friend will return safely, they always try to do their best, even when they have to race against time to save their friend.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lin Musen
• Release date: Feb 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215435748

Lin Musen

Not much can be said about the author. Besides being an introvert, the author also doesn’t leave the house too often other than to work. Lin Musen lives in a small town that isn’t very crowded. Lately, apart from writing, he usually fills his days by reading books and watching [e-mail]

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A Glimmer of Hope

Copyright © 2023 Lin Musen

All Rights Reserved

Book 06 of The Six Dragons Series

No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the

prior written permission of the copyright owner, except for the use of brief

quotations in a book review.

POV : Third Person Limited Shifting (Multiple Characters)

Names and places are written using Gwoyeu Romatzyh instead of Hanyu Pinyin

Disclaimer

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and

incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a

fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual

events is purely coincidental.

License Notes

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be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book

with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you

share it with. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. No part of

this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or

by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or

mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher,

except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain

other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law

ISBN 979-8-215-43574-8 (ePub Version)

Published by Utopia Wryness

Smashword Edition

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 01 : Dongfang Jenqyih

Chapter 02 : Dongfang Jenqyih

Chapter 03 : Nangong Iren

Chapter 04 : Nangong Iren

Chapter 05 : Nangong Iren

Chapter 06 : Nangong Iren

Chapter 07 : Nangong Iren

Chapter 08 : Jongharng Chioujen

Chapter 09 : Jongharng Chioujen

Chapter 10 : Jongharng Chioujen

Chapter 11 : Jongharng Chioujen

Chapter 12 : Nangong Iren

Chapter 13 : Nangong Iren

Chapter 14 : Nangong Iren

Chapter 15 : Dongfang Jenqyih

Chapter 16 : Nangong Iren

Chapter 17 : Dongfang Jenqyih

Chapter 18 : Nangong Iren

Chapter 19 : Nangong Iren

Chapter 20 : Dongfang Jenqyih

Epilogue

Prologue

The sun was setting on the horizon, casting a golden hue over the vast expanse of the desert. Three young men were standing atop a sand dune, looking out at the horizon. They had been traveling together for weeks, exploring faraway places and seeking adventure.

The three youths intended to spend their time adventuring while they were still young. Many people regret in their old age because in the past, when the opportunity arose, they did not dare to pursue their dreams. The three people didn't want to end up like those people.

One of them, a young man with minus glasses, whose lenses were quite thick, clasped his hands together and placed them in front of his lips. He turned to his two companions and said, Well, what do you think? Shall we keep going?

Another young man, who had thick, curly hair, smiled. He shrugged. I don't know. We've been traveling for so long now. I'm starting to get a bit tired.

The third young man looked at his two friends, one after another. He was a young man with an emaciated physique. Among the three of them, he was the most neatly dressed. He nodded in agreement. Me too. I think it's time we stopped for the night and got some rest.

Instantly, the one who wore thick glasses, sighed. I suppose you're right. We should find a place to camp for the night. He ran a hand over the dark blue jacket he was wearing. The jacket had accompanied him faithfully during their journey. It was a birthday present from someone very important to him. Therefore, almost every time, he always wore the jacket.

The three of them looked up at the sky. They realized they didn't have much time before the sky darkened completely. In the middle of the night, wandering around without knowing exactly where to go was not a wise move.

They began to make their way down the sand dune, heading towards a nearby oasis. As they walked, they talked about their travels and the places they had seen. They discussed the people they had met and the stories they had heard.

Suddenly, the bespectacled youth stopped in his tracks and pointed ahead of them. Looks! he exclaimed. What's that?

The other two followed his gaze and saw an old wooden box lying in the sand. It was covered in dust and looked like it had been there for a long time.

What do you think it is? The emaciated youth looked straight at the object.

Without asking for the approval of his two friends, the young man with curly hair stepped forward a few dozen steps and kneeled down beside it. He brushed away some of the dust and revealed an intricate pattern carved into the lid of the box. He ran his fingers over it, feeling its texture and admiring its beauty.

Following his friend, the young man who was dressed the most but stepped forward and peered inside the box. He could see something glinting in the darkness. Instantly, he reached in and pulled out a small golden key. He held it up to the light and examined it closely.

The young man wearing glasses smiled at his two encounters. Well, what do you think? Shall we open it?

Those three looked at each other. Their faces were full of excited lines. They seemed to forget the fatigue that hit all over their bodies.

Smiling, the curly haired youth nodded eagerly. Yes! Let's see what's inside!

The young man in the dark blue jacket hesitated for a moment before finally agreeing with his friend's suggestion. He inserted the key into the lock and slowly turned it on until he heard a click. He lifted the lid of the box and gasped in surprise as he saw what was inside: a pile of ancient coins!

He reached in and picked up one of the coins, examining it closely before passing it to the young man with curly hair who did the same before passing it to the emaciated youth who also examined it with awe before placing it back in the box with reverence.

The bespectacled youth smiled at his two friends before saying, Well, I think we've found something special here today.

The second youth nodded in agreement and adding, Yes, this is definitely something worth keeping.

As if going with the flow, the third youth smiled as he looked around at his two friends, then saying, Let's keep this box safe and take it with us on our travels.

Are you sure about that? The curly haired youth said while stroking his chin. He seemed to be considering something.

This chest isn't that big. I don't think it will bother us. But of course, we have to find a place to rest quickly.

How about we rest here? The bespectacled youth looked around them. I don't think this place is too bad.

Hmmm! The most neatly dressed young man nodded in a swift motion. I'm afraid that if we leave this place to find a better place, it will take quite a long time. That would almost certainly be impossible, since the sky will soon turn dark.

Okay! the curly haired youth finally agreed. Let's just rest here. Now let's close this chest first.

Wait a minute! The emaciated youth frowned. I have a feeling there are other things in this chest.

Eh? The young man with minus glasses also turned to his friend. He tried to guess what his friend wanted to say.

Just pay attention. The bespectacled youth pointed his index finger at the object they had just found. The bottom of this chest, doesn't it look too shallow?

His two friends simultaneously groped at the bottom of the coffin.

You're right, said the curly haired youth. Behind this slab, there is another room.

They tried to pry off the slab that had looked like the base of the chest. It wasn't easy, but after trying several times, they finally succeeded.

Eh? The three of them let out the same short exclamation when they saw the objects that were in the hidden space.

The contents are books? The bespectacled youth shook his head.

Let's see what's in these books! The well-dressed youth nodded vigorously.

There were six books that were not too thick there. Each of them took a book to read. There were still three books left at the bottom of the chest.

Chapter 01 : Dongfang Jenqyih

As Yihshyong picked up the receiver, a voice sounded in front of their house. There was someone trying to open the fence of the house. Yihshyong patted Jinqkang on the shoulder. With his left hand, he pointed outward. Jinqkang nodded. He immediately left Yihshyong.

However, before Jinqkang got to the entrance of the house, Jenqyih and Tsaehorng had already preceded him. The two of them both got up from the couch. Between the two of them, Tsaehorng arrived at the door first. He then quickly opened the entrance.

Just as the door opened, Jinqkang arrived at the door. The three of them, who were currently standing right in front of the door, saw someone had entered the courtyard. The person walked towards them. His steps were like someone in a hurry.

Uncle Nangong, good afternoon! Tsaehorng greeted the person who had just arrived.

Good evening, Tsaehorng. Iren, the person who had just entered the courtyard, returned Tsaehorng's greeting while smiling so broadly. Everyone's gathered here, huh? He stopped for a moment, one step from the front of the terrace, which was quite wide. The smile on Iren's face widened.

Tsaehorng nodded. Please come in, Uncle.

Iren laughed out loud. You know! This is my house. Why are you the one who let me in?

Sorry, Uncle, Tsaehorng said. He also laughed.

Jenqyih just shook his head several times. He glanced at Jinqkang. The young man said nothing. He just nodded respectfully at Iren.

Iren looked at his wrist. It's already four o'clock in the afternoon! Once again, he smiled at Jenqyih, Jinqkang, and Tsaehorng.

When Iren stepped onto the terrace in the living room, he looked inside at once. His brow furrowed slightly when he realized Yihshyong was talking on the phone.

Apparently, the people currently calling us are the kidnappers. Jinqkang opened his mouth right away.

Iren nodded. He hastened on. After stepping inside, he sat down on the sofa in the living room straightway. He sat right where Yihshyong had sat before. He turned to Yihshyong.

Fine! We will do according to your directions. Yihshyong said in a serious tone to the caller. After that, he hung up the phone with such a quick motion.

Iren frowned. But he said nothing. He only glanced sharply at Yihshyong.

Yihshyong turned his body around. He walked back into the living room. He sat beside Iren. After sitting down, he took a deep breath.

So it's true that it was a call from the kidnappers? Chioujen asked.

Yihshyong nodded. This time they didn't ask to speak to Dahge!

Have they realized that we have lied to them? asked Iren.

Before Yihshyong could answer, Jenqyih opened his mouth. Our Huahshiang is on! He pointed at the two boxes beside the phone.

Shyongge, I'm sure the police want to talk about what the kidnappers talked to you about just now, Chioujen said.

Yihshyong got up from the sofa. He gestured for Iren to follow him. Then the two of them walked over to where Yihshyong had just left.

Arriving there, Yihshyong speedily put earphones in both ears. Iren also did the same thing. After that, Yihshyong talked to the police. Iren didn't say much during the conversation. He just nodded while answering with short sentences.

After he finished speaking with the police, Yihshyong motioned for them all to gather at the dining table.

As usual, the kidnappers called to say that there was a change of plans, Yihshyong said after they were all neatly seated in the dining area.

It was already everyone's guess, so no one there was surprised when they heard it.

What kind of change of plans? Chioujen asked.

Not a big change, actually. They're just delaying the handover of the ransom.

So, it's not tonight? asked Jenqyih.

It's still tonight. However, the time was delayed two hours from the original plan. They had asked us to put the bag somewhere by ten o'clock. Now they said we have to deliver it at twelve o'clock.

According to Uncle, why did the kidnappers only delay for two hours? asked Tsaehorng.

The police say it is possible the kidnappers will take the ransom in some way that is not simple. This method requires careful preparation. Because there are some serious obstacles, it will take them a little longer.

From the letter I read yesterday, it seems that the handover process for the ransom was quite simple. Kinda similar to what we had to do yesterday at the park. Chioujen exhaled.

Yesterday's incident was part of their plan, said Yihshyong. From the start, they only wanted to test our sincerity.

Regarding the plan that the kidnappers had made, the police said the kidnappers would definitely change the things they had written in the letter again. There is a possibility that they would improvise while we were there, said Iren.

According to all of you. Jenqyih looked at his friends. What kind of preparations forced them to ask for a delay?

"I think that their plan, which required careful preparation, may have something to do with their escape after successfully obtaining the