Xiao Man gently stroked Huo Wu's head, then produced two more pills and fed them to it. Only then did Huo Wu cease its commotion.
"Phoenix, so that's how it is. No wonder it could melt meteor iron so easily. Your luck is truly unparalleled, to have encountered such a rare phoenix." Mo Mo picked up the key and unlocked the chains that bound her. "Alright, let's get out of here now."
"Master, the Jin family head is back and is heading towards the secret prison."
Xiao Man's expression shifted slightly. She immediately had Mo Mo relock the chains, while she herself retreated into the Tongtian Pagoda space.
A moment later, the Jin family head appeared at the staircase, descending step by step. He stopped at the bottom of the last flight of stairs.
Mo Mo sat on the ground, looking at the Jin family head with a cold gaze. "What do you want this time?"
"Do you wish to leave?" the Jin family head asked softly.
A flicker of shock crossed Mo Mo's face, but she quickly regained her composure. "To leave would likely come at a great cost. I think I'll pass. I find this place quite agreeable."
"If you leave, you can become a guest elder of the Forging Hall, assisting Elder Tie in refining powerful weapons. You will also gain your freedom. However, the premise is that you must sign a slave contract with me and never betray me for life."
Mo Mo sneered. "Dream on. I would rather die than be a slave!"
"In that case, you shall remain here. When you change your mind, inform the guards. Otherwise, you will spend your entire life in this dark and sunless secret prison."
After the Jin family head left, Xiao Man did not emerge immediately. She waited, anticipating the guards' arrival.
As expected, within the time it took to brew a cup of tea, a guard entered and began collecting the scattered blueprints. As he approached Mo Mo, he unexpectedly discovered something beneath the table and picked it up with a puzzled expression.
"What is this..."
"Something that will end your life!" Mo Mo seized the inkstone from the table and violently smashed it onto the guard's head. Before the guard could react, he was struck, bleeding profusely, and fell to the ground. However, Mo Mo did not stop. For the past two years, she had endured countless humiliations in this dark cell, and now these petty individuals dared to insult her.
"Enough." Xiao Man grabbed Mo Mo's hand. "He is already dead."
Mo Mo released her grip, and the inkstone clattered to the floor. Mo Mo knelt on the ground, wiping the bloodstains from her face with her sleeve. Suddenly, she covered her face and wept. Xiao Man reached out and stroked Mo Mo's head.
"Cry if you need to. I am here for you from now on," Xiao Man comforted her softly.
Mo Mo sobbed uncontrollably. "I thought... I thought I would never see you again."
"How could that be? I still need to take you all back and return you to Tian Que's side."
"Tian Que..." Mo Mo's tears flowed more profusely. When she found herself in a completely unfamiliar world, where everyone was incredibly powerful, her heart was filled with panic. Here, strength was paramount, and those with abilities but lacking power would ultimately become enslaved.
"Alright, we need to leave this place. But before we go, let's give the Jin family head a grand gift." Xiao Man brought Mo Mo into the Tongtian Pagoda. "Stay here for now, clean yourself up, and change your clothes. I'll find a way out."
"Mm."
Xiao Man darted out quickly but hid by the cave entrance, afraid to venture further. The dark guards had returned to their posts, and the Jin family head had also returned. If she were to carelessly step outside, she would never escape.
Jin Feng hid in a large tree outside the courtyard, his gaze fixed on the interior. Worry was evident in his eyes. What was that fellow doing sneaking into the family head's courtyard? The family head was already back. If he found out she had infiltrated his courtyard, he would surely kill her!
Jin Feng's gaze fell upon the courtyard adjacent to the main house, separated by a wall. That was Madam Jin's courtyard. Since Madam Jin had accompanied Jin Yao on a trip, the defenses there were weaker. Jin Feng hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth. "You little brat, when you get out, if you don't explain clearly what you were doing, I'll break your legs!"
Just as Xiao Man was contemplating her next move, she heard shouts from outside.
"Fire! Fire! Madam's courtyard is on fire!" The guards' voices echoed, immediately attracting a lot of attention. Even the Jin family head was alarmed and rushed to the adjacent courtyard.
Xiao Man took the opportunity to escape from the main courtyard. The moment she emerged, someone grabbed her. "This way!"
Xiao Man was about to launch an attack, but upon seeing it was Jin Feng, she immediately withdrew her offensive stance and followed Jin Feng along a different path, quickly departing.
They walked along secluded paths the entire way. Jin Feng's face was so dark it looked like water could drip from it. Xiao Man sheepishly rubbed her nose.
"Senior Brother, how could you..."
Jin Feng exerted force, pulling Xiao Man stumbling a few steps, nearly causing her to fall. Once she regained her balance, she feigned innocence. "Senior Brother Jin Feng, what are you doing?"
"I haven't asked you yet!" Jin Feng grabbed Xiao Man by the collar. "You're practically courting death, sneaking into the family head's courtyard without permission!"
Xiao Man chuckled sheepishly. "I was just curious what the family head's courtyard looked like, so I went in for a look."
"You went in for a look and ended up in the secret prison?"
Xiao Man's eyes flickered. "So, it was Senior Brother who helped me by starting the fire."
Jin Feng snorted. "Tell me honestly, why were you in the secret prison?"
"To rescue someone," Xiao Man replied truthfully. "The person imprisoned in the secret prison is my close friend. I infiltrated the Jin family specifically to save her."
Jin Feng had already prepared how he would make Xiao Man tell the truth if she lied, but to his surprise, Xiao Man confessed outright.
"The person imprisoned in the secret prison should be a heinous criminal captured by the family head. How could it be your friend?" Jin Feng asked in shock.
"Criminal?" Xiao Man scoffed. "If a young girl like that is a criminal, then there are probably no good people left in this world."
"Then how do you plan to rescue her?" Jin Feng frowned. "After today's incident, the family head will undoubtedly strengthen the defenses within the courtyard. It will be even more difficult for you to get in next time."
"I've already figured out how to rescue her. Senior Brother doesn't need to worry."
"How can I not worry?" Jin Feng reprimanded. "You are simply reckless! Do you know how many Golden Core stage experts are in the family head's courtyard? Moreover, the family head himself is a Nascent Soul realm powerhouse. If you are discovered by him, you will have no escape."
"Senior Brother is worried about me," Xiao Man said with a beaming smile. "As expected, Senior Brother has a cold exterior but a warm heart, and is full of chivalry."
"Stop flattering me. I forbid you from approaching the family head's courtyard again!"
"Don't worry, I won't be approaching the family head's courtyard anymore," Xiao Man quickly responded. "Today, thank you, Senior Brother. If it weren't for you, I would have surely been discovered."