“Master Luo, Madam Luo!” Someone recognized Yan Ge and called out in surprise.
“Madam Pei?” Yan Ge also recognized the woman and the middle-aged man waving to them from behind the bars. They were none other than the “Deceptive Duo”.
“Madam Luo, it’s such a relief to see you!” Huang Shuya’s face looked tired, but her joy was evident. The Luo couple had some acquaintance with her and her husband.
Others in the cell noticed the couple knew Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen, and they approached excitedly.
“Madam Luo, Master Luo, it’s been a long time.” Zhong Xie waved from the cell opposite them, looking rather optimistic as if being confined had no effect on him.
Yan Ge said, “Xiao Tianxie, I never thought that your Escort Bureau would smuggle goods through foreign routes.”
Zhong Xie shrugged, “It’s better to avoid foreign routes from now on.”
Now was not the time for casual chatter. Yan Ge didn’t say much and asked about the main matter, “We indeed came to rescue all of you. But, what is going on here exactly?”
Huangfu Yuchen ordered Gao Feng and Gao Yun to investigate thoroughly and check if there were any other exits in the underground cave.
Huang Shuya sighed, “It’s all because of our greed. We heard about the relics and came here. Initially, we were skeptical when we suddenly heard news of the treasure. However, the reappearance of the Relics in the martial world made us curious. The information was released by the owner of Biliu Manor, only he knew the detailed information. He invited us to Biliu Manor for a feast to discuss the search for the treasure together, and we agreed. We secretly checked the food and drink, and there seemed to be no issue. I don’t know how he managed to drug us; we were affected, and when we woke up, we found ourselves in this cell, with our inner strength suppressed. It was terrifying.”
“That’s not all,” Pei Jinde interjected. “During this time, one or two people are taken away almost every day and never return. We have no idea what they plan to do.”
“There must be a huge conspiracy behind all this,” Zhong Xie added.
Zeng Zhenzhen suddenly ran over, her face full of excitement. She pointed in the distance to a prison cell and frantically gestured towards Yan Ge.
Yan Ge unsealed her acupoint.
“My father and the others are over there!” Zheng Zhenzhen pointed in that direction. After being excited for so long, her initial excitement had somewhat subsided, and after whispering this to Yan Ge, she then ran off.
Yan Ge said, “I have some medical knowledge. If Master Pei doesn’t mind, can I take your pulse?”
Pei Jinde nodded and extended his hand, “Of course.” Luo Fang, Shu Shi, and Luo Jiaxing seemed to have emerged from nowhere. No one in the martial world knew much about them, which was truly strange. However, at present, he could only choose to trust them.
After carefully examining his pulse, Yan Ge’s face became enlightened, “I understand now.”
“Madam Luo, do you know what’s going on?” Huang Shuya asked nervously.
Yan Ge explained patiently, “You have been poisoned, but your inner strength is still there, just suppressed by the poison. I know that people in the martial world usually check for poison in food using silver needles, but this poison is an exception. It’s called ‘Ruo Shui,’ meaning it shares characteristics with water—colorless and tasteless, and it doesn’t react with silverware. Ruo Shui is made using a rare poisonous plant called Tilabu, which grows in the grassy swamps. It’s almost non-existent in Great Han, so it’s no wonder you weren’t aware of it.”
“Can it be cured?” someone asked eagerly.
“Of course, it can be cured. But I would need the necessary herbs to prepare the antidote, which will take long. The fastest way is to find the person who poisoned you and get the antidote from them,” Yan Ge replied.
Huang Shuya clasped her hands together, “Master Luo, Madam Luo, please help us as fellow citizens of Great Han Kingdom. We will be truly grateful.”
Yan Ge nodded, “We came all the way here to find you, of course, we will help. But, we haven’t obtained the antidote yet. Please be patient and stay here for the time being. If we release everyone now, it will raise suspicion.”
“Thank you!”
“Young Master,Madam!”
Gao Feng and Gao Yun hurried over with serious expressions.
“Speak,” Huangfu Yuchen said.
Gao Feng whispered, “ I found a stone room over there. Two people are sitting cross-legged on a stone bed, and the person behind has both palms pressed against the other person’s back, continuously absorbing their true qi. Apparently, that person hasn’t noticed our presence.”
“Is that so?” Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen were astonished. Could it be that the purpose of the person behind all this is to absorb the inner strength of these martial artists?
“What’s going on?” Pei Jinde and the others asked on seeing their expressions change.
Yan Ge didn’t hide anything and explained truthfully.
Pei Jinde, Zhong Xie, and the others were all shocked. Inner strength was like half of a martial artist’s life; losing it would turn them into cripples.
The crowd became restless and urged Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen to release them immediately.
“Quiet!” Huangfu Yuchen’s voice was cold as he scanned the crowd with icy eyes.
The crowd fell silent but still resisted, glaring at him.
Yan Ge patiently explained, “Everyone, you won’t get far without the antidote even if we release you. If you still don’t believe me, then there’s nothing I can do to save you.”
Pei Jinde added, “I believe Master Luo and Madam Luo. As fellow citizens of Great Han, they won’t abandon us.”
Zeng Zhenzhen also ran over, “That’s right. I am the daughter of Yinshan Hall’s master. My father and my fellow brothers are also locked up here. I believe Master Luo and Madam Luo will find a way to save them.”
Some of the crowd recognized the master of Yinshan Hall, Zeng Shouli, as well as Zeng Zhenzhen, and gradually calmed down.
“Is there anyone else in this underground cave?” Huangfu Yuchen asked.
Gao Feng replied, “No, there are only those two people in there. Perhaps they think these people’s inner strength has already been sealed and isn’t a threat, so they haven’t sent others to monitor them.”
This speculation made sense. Yan Ge said, “Although we haven’t had the chance to ask, someone must regularly bring food for all of you, right?”
Pei Jinde nodded, “Exactly. Every two hours or so, someone brings food for us. The food is good, and there is no deliberate mistreatment. It has been over an hour since the last meal.”
Yan Ge thought for a moment and said, “Then, we’ll wait until the next mealtime. We’ll hide nearby and track them after the food is delivered to see if we can gain anything. If we don’t find anything, we’ll come back and subdue the person absorbing inner strength to force them to reveal the location of the antidote.”
“Okay,” Pei Jinde said, “we’ll rely on you for this.”
Zhong Xie looked around and said, “The underground space is all visible; there’s probably nowhere to hide.”
Gao Feng smiled, “Master, I have a solution.”
Saying that, he took out an extremely fine iron wire from his sleeve and tinkered with the lock of a cell. The lock immediately opened.
Yan Ge praised him, “Well done. We’ll hide among the others for now.”
In the enclosed space with over 800 people, the smell wasn’t pleasant. Huangfu Yuchen hesitated for a moment before following Yan Ge inside.
Yan Jin, being small, hid behind the crowd. With Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen coming in, it was unlikely that they meant any harm. No one suspected them of having ill intentions and cooperated to cover for them.
After waiting for about two incense sticks’ time, the sound of approaching footsteps became audible.
Everyone in the cells sat quietly, pretending to be dispirited as the approaching group drew near.
Dozens of people pushing carts came closer, each cart containing a large bucket of rice, a large bucket of dishes, and a barrel of chopsticks.
Mealtime clearly had a time limit, and everyone ate quickly.
During the wait, the food-delivery people stood motionless and silent, it was evident that they were well-trained.
Huangfu Yuchen became more and more suspicious of what sinister plot the mastermind behind all this might have.
After everyone finished eating, the food-delivery people collected the bowls and chopsticks and left with the carts.
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen quickly followed them.
“I’m coming too,” Zeng Zhenzhen hurriedly caught up.
Yan Ge didn’t object.
The others noticed that even Yan Jin, a young child, walked without making any sound, and they were secretly amazed by the profoundness of his inner strength in that he could completely conceal his footsteps.
The group followed the food-delivery people for about thirty steps and saw one of them press a spot on the wall. Surprisingly, a hidden door appeared in the solid wall. The food-delivery people orderly pushed the carts through the hidden door.
After walking for nearly two incense sticks’ time, they finally saw them open another stone door, revealing sunlight streaming in from above.
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen exchanged a glance, realizing they had reached the end. Yan Ge gave Gao Feng, Gao Yun, and Zeng Zhenzhen a look, urging them to be careful.
The three of them nodded In understanding.
As they approached the stone door, they distinctly heard the clamor of swords and blades clashing, as if many people were engaged in combat, but there were no screams. It seemed more like a sparring session.
Huangfu Yuchen’s brows slightly furrowed.
“What’s wrong?” Yan Ge mouthed.
Huangfu Yuchen replied, “These people have profound inner strength, but their moves are stiff and not at all in sync with their inner strength.” As a cultivator, he easily sensed this incongruity with his heightened senses.
“Master Luo, Madam Luo!” Someone recognized Yan Ge and called out in surprise.
“Madam Pei?” Yan Ge also recognized the woman and the middle-aged man waving to them from behind the bars. They were none other than the “Deceptive Duo”.
“Madam Luo, it’s such a relief to see you!” Huang Shuya’s face looked tired, but her joy was evident. The Luo couple had some acquaintance with her and her husband.
Others in the cell noticed the couple knew Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen, and they approached excitedly.
“Madam Luo, Master Luo, it’s been a long time.” Zhong Xie waved from the cell opposite them, looking rather optimistic as if being confined had no effect on him.
Yan Ge said, “Xiao Tianxie, I never thought that your Escort Bureau would smuggle goods through foreign routes.”
Zhong Xie shrugged, “It’s better to avoid foreign routes from now on.”
Now was not the time for casual chatter. Yan Ge didn’t say much and asked about the main matter, “We indeed came to rescue all of you. But, what is going on here exactly?”
Huangfu Yuchen ordered Gao Feng and Gao Yun to investigate thoroughly and check if there were any other exits in the underground cave.
Huang Shuya sighed, “It’s all because of our greed. We heard about the relics and came here. Initially, we were skeptical when we suddenly heard news of the treasure. However, the reappearance of the Relics in the martial world made us curious. The information was released by the owner of Biliu Manor, only he knew the detailed information. He invited us to Biliu Manor for a feast to discuss the search for the treasure together, and we agreed. We secretly checked the food and drink, and there seemed to be no issue. I don’t know how he managed to drug us; we were affected, and when we woke up, we found ourselves in this cell, with our inner strength suppressed. It was terrifying.”
“That’s not all,” Pei Jinde interjected. “During this time, one or two people are taken away almost every day and never return. We have no idea what they plan to do.”
“There must be a huge conspiracy behind all this,” Zhong Xie added.
Zeng Zhenzhen suddenly ran over, her face full of excitement. She pointed in the distance to a prison cell and frantically gestured towards Yan Ge.
Yan Ge unsealed her acupoint.
“My father and the others are over there!” Zheng Zhenzhen pointed in that direction. After being excited for so long, her initial excitement had somewhat subsided, and after whispering this to Yan Ge, she then ran off.
Yan Ge said, “I have some medical knowledge. If Master Pei doesn’t mind, can I take your pulse?”
Pei Jinde nodded and extended his hand, “Of course.” Luo Fang, Shu Shi, and Luo Jiaxing seemed to have emerged from nowhere. No one in the martial world knew much about them, which was truly strange. However, at present, he could only choose to trust them.
After carefully examining his pulse, Yan Ge’s face became enlightened, “I understand now.”
“Madam Luo, do you know what’s going on?” Huang Shuya asked nervously.
Yan Ge explained patiently, “You have been poisoned, but your inner strength is still there, just suppressed by the poison. I know that people in the martial world usually check for poison in food using silver needles, but this poison is an exception. It’s called ‘Ruo Shui,’ meaning it shares characteristics with water—colorless and tasteless, and it doesn’t react with silverware. Ruo Shui is made using a rare poisonous plant called Tilabu, which grows in the grassy swamps. It’s almost non-existent in Great Han, so it’s no wonder you weren’t aware of it.”
“Can it be cured?” someone asked eagerly.
“Of course, it can be cured. But I would need the necessary herbs to prepare the antidote, which will take long. The fastest way is to find the person who poisoned you and get the antidote from them,” Yan Ge replied.
Huang Shuya clasped her hands together, “Master Luo, Madam Luo, please help us as fellow citizens of Great Han Kingdom. We will be truly grateful.”
Yan Ge nodded, “We came all the way here to find you, of course, we will help. But, we haven’t obtained the antidote yet. Please be patient and stay here for the time being. If we release everyone now, it will raise suspicion.”
“Thank you!”
“Young Master,Madam!”
Gao Feng and Gao Yun hurried over with serious expressions.
“Speak,” Huangfu Yuchen said.
Gao Feng whispered, “ I found a stone room over there. Two people are sitting cross-legged on a stone bed, and the person behind has both palms pressed against the other person’s back, continuously absorbing their true qi. Apparently, that person hasn’t noticed our presence.”
“Is that so?” Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen were astonished. Could it be that the purpose of the person behind all this is to absorb the inner strength of these martial artists?
“What’s going on?” Pei Jinde and the others asked on seeing their expressions change.
Yan Ge didn’t hide anything and explained truthfully.
Pei Jinde, Zhong Xie, and the others were all shocked. Inner strength was like half of a martial artist’s life; losing it would turn them into cripples.
The crowd became restless and urged Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen to release them immediately.
“Quiet!” Huangfu Yuchen’s voice was cold as he scanned the crowd with icy eyes.
The crowd fell silent but still resisted, glaring at him.
Yan Ge patiently explained, “Everyone, you won’t get far without the antidote even if we release you. If you still don’t believe me, then there’s nothing I can do to save you.”
Pei Jinde added, “I believe Master Luo and Madam Luo. As fellow citizens of Great Han, they won’t abandon us.”
Zeng Zhenzhen also ran over, “That’s right. I am the daughter of Yinshan Hall’s master. My father and my fellow brothers are also locked up here. I believe Master Luo and Madam Luo will find a way to save them.”
Some of the crowd recognized the master of Yinshan Hall, Zeng Shouli, as well as Zeng Zhenzhen, and gradually calmed down.
“Is there anyone else in this underground cave?” Huangfu Yuchen asked.
Gao Feng replied, “No, there are only those two people in there. Perhaps they think these people’s inner strength has already been sealed and isn’t a threat, so they haven’t sent others to monitor them.”
This speculation made sense. Yan Ge said, “Although we haven’t had the chance to ask, someone must regularly bring food for all of you, right?”
Pei Jinde nodded, “Exactly. Every two hours or so, someone brings food for us. The food is good, and there is no deliberate mistreatment. It has been over an hour since the last meal.”
Yan Ge thought for a moment and said, “Then, we’ll wait until the next mealtime. We’ll hide nearby and track them after the food is delivered to see if we can gain anything. If we don’t find anything, we’ll come back and subdue the person absorbing inner strength to force them to reveal the location of the antidote.”
“Okay,” Pei Jinde said, “we’ll rely on you for this.”
Zhong Xie looked around and said, “The underground space is all visible; there’s probably nowhere to hide.”
Gao Feng smiled, “Master, I have a solution.”
Saying that, he took out an extremely fine iron wire from his sleeve and tinkered with the lock of a cell. The lock immediately opened.
Yan Ge praised him, “Well done. We’ll hide among the others for now.”
In the enclosed space with over 800 people, the smell wasn’t pleasant. Huangfu Yuchen hesitated for a moment before following Yan Ge inside.
Yan Jin, being small, hid behind the crowd. With Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen coming in, it was unlikely that they meant any harm. No one suspected them of having ill intentions and cooperated to cover for them.
After waiting for about two incense sticks’ time, the sound of approaching footsteps became audible.
Everyone in the cells sat quietly, pretending to be dispirited as the approaching group drew near.
Dozens of people pushing carts came closer, each cart containing a large bucket of rice, a large bucket of dishes, and a barrel of chopsticks.
Mealtime clearly had a time limit, and everyone ate quickly.
During the wait, the food-delivery people stood motionless and silent, it was evident that they were well-trained.
Huangfu Yuchen became more and more suspicious of what sinister plot the mastermind behind all this might have.
After everyone finished eating, the food-delivery people collected the bowls and chopsticks and left with the carts.
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen quickly followed them.
“I’m coming too,” Zeng Zhenzhen hurriedly caught up.
Yan Ge didn’t object.
The others noticed that even Yan Jin, a young child, walked without making any sound, and they were secretly amazed by the profoundness of his inner strength in that he could completely conceal his footsteps.
The group followed the food-delivery people for about thirty steps and saw one of them press a spot on the wall. Surprisingly, a hidden door appeared in the solid wall. The food-delivery people orderly pushed the carts through the hidden door.
After walking for nearly two incense sticks’ time, they finally saw them open another stone door, revealing sunlight streaming in from above.
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen exchanged a glance, realizing they had reached the end. Yan Ge gave Gao Feng, Gao Yun, and Zeng Zhenzhen a look, urging them to be careful.
The three of them nodded In understanding.
As they approached the stone door, they distinctly heard the clamor of swords and blades clashing, as if many people were engaged in combat, but there were no screams. It seemed more like a sparring session.
Huangfu Yuchen’s brows slightly furrowed.
“What’s wrong?” Yan Ge mouthed.
Huangfu Yuchen replied, “These people have profound inner strength, but their moves are stiff and not at all in sync with their inner strength.” As a cultivator, he easily sensed this incongruity with his heightened senses.
