"Careful!" Shen Muzhou pulled Lin Yanxi to his side.
An arrow grazed Shen Yu's sleeve and embedded itself in the doorframe of Zhihai Tower.
After steadying Lin Yanxi, Shen Muzhou leaped up and onto the opposite roof, pursuing the archer.
A small piece of cloth was attached to the dart. Lin Yanxi pulled out the dart and examined the cloth repeatedly.
The style and color of the cloth seemed familiar. She recalled it and exclaimed, "It's Xiao Shit头's."
Shen Yu also leaned in and asked, "The child you wanted to take back to the capital?"
She nodded with concern. The bottom of the dart still bore the totem of the pit prison, with the character 'Gui'.
Shen Muzhou descended from above and took the cloth from her hand. "I didn't find him."
"Xiao Shit头 has been captured by people from the pit prison, we have to go save him." Lin Yanxi was flustered for a moment. Seeing Shen Muzhou hesitate, she urged, "He was captured because of me."
Shen Yu's drunkenness also cleared. He shook his head. "Xiao Liu hasn't brought his people back yet. If they've captured him, they've already set a trap for us. Going now is like walking into a death trap, isn't it?"
Lin Yanxi agreed with Shen Yu, but she couldn't stand by while Xiao Shit头 suffered because of her. "I'll find a way to sneak in, and you two can wait outside to support me."
Both men looked at Shen Muzhou, awaiting his decision. His gaze slowly moved upwards, and a pair of bright eyes looked back at him, full of earnest expectation that was almost burning.
"Alright, if we're going, we go together."
Lin Yanxi's heart, which had been clenched tight, loosened slightly, and the worried look on her face also eased.
The group arrived at a deserted spot at the end of the alley. Shen Muzhou checked the surroundings again, ensuring no one else was present. He picked up a branch and drew a rough map on the ground.
Holding the branch, he circled a door and looked up at the two. "Yanxi, you can't go in again. The people in the pit prison must have already discovered we were there. Coupled with the incident at the teahouse, they're trying to lure us in with Xiao Shit头 to silence us."
"So, you and I will go head-on to the pit prison to rescue him. Fifth Brother, I need your help."
Shen Yu nodded, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Of course. Tell me."
Shen Muzhou held the branch and pointed at the map. "I want you to change into one of the pit prison's uniforms and find a way to sneak in. While Lin Yanxi and I are creating a diversion by rescuing him head-on, their attention will be on us, and no one will notice you."
"Once you're inside, find their arsenal and set it on fire."
He took out a firearm and handed it to Shen Yu, pointing at the circled area on the map with the branch. "From here, you enter a cave. Go down another level in the cave, to this spot, which is the warehouse."
"There's a lot of gunpowder in the warehouse. After you light the haystacks, get out quickly to avoid getting hurt."
He wanted to draw the map again to help Shen Yu remember it better.
Shen Yu casually tucked the firearm into his clothes, giving the map a cursory glance. "Oh, don't worry. This is such a simple task, leave it to me."
"We can't waste any more time. I'll go find a way to sneak in first."
With that, he left the end of the alley in a flurry.
Watching his receding figure, Lin Yanxi couldn't help but furrow her brow, worrying, "Can he do it?"
When she turned back to look at Shen Muzhou, he suddenly placed two fingers on her brow.
In the dim candlelight, his profile was illuminated by a soft glow, making his fair cheeks flush. His usually stern eyes, now a pair of alluring peach blossom eyes, stirred the heart. His eyes were as clear as obsidian, making her face burn with heat.
The girl's innocent, almond-shaped eyes were the most touching. He couldn't bear to see her worried.
His slightly rough fingertips tapped twice, then poked her forehead firmly. "Already panicking?"
Lin Yanxi rubbed her forehead, wondering why he was being so inexplicable.
He walked ahead, and she quickened her pace to catch up, feigning bravery. "Who's panicking? With you here, what do I have to be worried about?"
After saying that, she felt as if she was relying on him.
After a pause, he let out a low "Oh," and the corners of his lips gradually curved into a beautiful arc. He lowered his gaze slightly and quickened his pace, hiding the expression on his face.
Lin Yanxi also quickened her steps to match him, muttering in confusion, "Why are you walking so fast?"
Following their usual routine, they left secret signals for Xiao Liu along the way. By the time they reached the pit prison, the sky was already faintly breaking. Extra guards had been posted outside. Shen Muzhou suddenly stopped and grabbed Lin Yanxi's wrist, whispering, "If anything unexpected happens, you leave first. Don't worry about anyone, including me."
"What? Are you panicking?" Lin Yanxi mimicked his earlier action, reaching out to touch his brow, but her fingers were still slightly short.
He froze for a moment, then leaned down slightly, pressing his brow against her fingertips.
A strange feeling crossed her heart. The next moment, she poked his brow firmly, looking at him defiantly.
He said nothing, but held her soft, small hand in his. With his other hand, he gripped the hilt of his sword and pulled her towards the pit prison.
"Stop!" The outermost guard blocked them. Everyone immediately looked at them, faces full of vigilance.
Shen Muzhou's calm eyes hid infinite ruthlessness and coldness. He drew the long sword at his waist, flicked his wrist, and blood gushed from the throat of the guard who had stopped him. The guard fell to the ground.
Seeing this, the other guards swarmed forward, surrounding Shen Muzhou. Lin Yanxi was tightly protected under his cloak.
Inside his cloak, the girl yelled fiercely, "Tell your superior to come out, or you will all die!"
The guards also held weapons, but their stances were unsteady, their sword-wielding hands trembling slightly. They glanced at each other, but no one dared to step aside.
A glint of ferocity flashed in Shen Muzhou's eyes. He said casually, "You can try if you don't believe me."
His words were spoken lightly, but to those who heard them, it was like facing a great enemy. No one dared to move. This was a small place, and they were used to bullying others here. They had never truly fought in battle, let alone witnessed this young man slit someone's throat with such ease.
The man's blood had splattered on the spot, his death gruesome.
As the two sides were in a standoff, a hearty, mocking laugh came from within the pit prison. "Let them in."
After the warden's command, the guards visibly relaxed and immediately cleared a wide path leading directly into the pit prison.
From the sound of his voice, it was the same person who had come to inspect weapons and solicit official positions earlier.
"Speak, who are you? What is your purpose in investigating me?" He was not tall, his face covered with a mask, revealing only his eyes.
He was also embracing a woman. Although his attire was casual, this woman was clearly pampered, dressed in a Luo Zhu silk long dress and a complete set of white jade hair ornaments. She was tall and fair-skinned.
Shen Muzhou's sword was still dripping blood. He chuckled lightly. "Why ask the obvious?"
The warden's eyes clearly darkened. He stopped pretending and asked directly, "Were you sent by the imperial court?"
Lin Yanxi poked her head out from his cloak, frowning and saying, "Since you know, why don't you confess and surrender? Perhaps there's still a glimmer of hope for you."
The warden exchanged a glance with the woman in his arms and burst into laughter, as if he had heard something exceedingly amusing.
"Little girl, do you think I'm as naive and easily fooled as you are? Illegally manufacturing weapons is a crime punishable by extermination of the entire clan! But don't forget, this is Ghost City."
He strode forward a few steps, completely unfazed by Shen Muzhou's sword, and boasted, "Once you enter Ghost City, life and death are your own affair."
Shen Muzhou's swordsmanship was swift. With a direct thrust, the sword was already at the warden's throat.
The warden cherished the woman in his arms dearly. As the sword came down, he first pushed the woman away. "Ming Yun, be careful!"
He could have retreated safely, but to protect Ming Yun, his shoulder was cut by the sword.
"My lord," Ming Yun called out softly and charmingly.
"Ming Yun, it's alright. Wait for your lord to take you to a faraway land." He nodded at her to reassure her.
Ming Yun nodded and took half a step back. The surrounding guards, holding their sabers, stepped forward again, surrounding them once more.
The warden raised his palm and flipped his wrists backward, signaling the guards to retreat. He looked up at Shen Muzhou's cold eyes, moved his neck left and right, and asked with a light laugh, "What? The Ninth Prince's swordsmanship is unparalleled in the world, plus..."
His eyes fell on Lin Yanxi. "...this little talisman master?"
Lin Yanxi looked at him in surprise, a hint of disgust in her eyes.
Her reaction perfectly confirmed the warden's words. He asked, "Even if everyone in our entire pit prison joined forces, we might not stand a chance, but why haven't you acted yet?"
Shen Muzhou's sword flashed with a cold blade. Just as it was about to descend, a bound youth was brought out from the pit.
Xiao Shit头 was held by two men and thrown to the ground. He was covered in bruises, lying on the ground. The boy's bright eyes trembled slightly, and at the same time, the guards' swords were placed at his throat.
"No!" Lin Yanxi grabbed Shen Muzhou's arm, shaking her head. "Don't kill him."
Her back was to everyone, and her gaze was fixed on the soul ring on her hand. Shen Muzhou understood her meaning.
He sheathed his sword, letting it hang by his side, and said, "Tell me, what will it take for you to let him go?"
Lin Yanxi wanted to gather the spiritual energy of the术法 within her, but she had just used the Soul Capturing Bell. After trying twice, the soul ring still showed no reaction.
She needed more time to gather energy; she had to stall for more time.
The warden paced back and forth nonchalantly, a triumphant smile on his face. "What else can it be? Exchange this little girl. Once we've reached a safe place, I'll release her."
He cast a sinister glance at Lin Yanxi. The girl was pretty, a beauty, but it was a shame. The Black Cloak specifically asked for her.
As long as he got Lin Yanxi, with the protection of the Black Cloak, he would naturally be able to escape unharmed.
Xiao Shit头, lying on the ground, said weakly, "Don't agree, Sister Yanxi. You and Brother Shen should leave quickly."
"Ugh..."
Before he could finish speaking, a guard kicked him in the stomach. He clutched his stomach in pain and looked at Lin Yanxi, her face full of worry.
Xiao Shit头 tried his best to grin, his once white teeth stained red with blood.
The more anxious Lin Yanxi became, the less she could conjure talismanic power. She shouted hoarsely, "If you dare to touch him again, I'll perish with you here!"
Xiao Shit头 lay on the ground, barely breathing, a smile on his face. This smile wasn't to comfort Lin Yanxi; it was because there was someone in this world who would risk their life for his survival.
"Sister, run quickly..."
Seeing Lin Yanxi's anxious expression, the warden knew that this boy mattered to her and that she would agree.
He feigned impatience and said, "I don't have that much time to waste with you."
"Yes or no, it's just a word."