With both Wu Ma Nan Sheng and Nan Gong Yu present, Qilin realized it was no longer safe to continue questioning the assassins. They had already mentioned the Zhang family’s “secret”—something he did not want outsiders hearing more about.
Qilin made a quick decision.
These men were Zhang clan members, and it would be easier to interrogate them in private.
He reached up and pulled a wooden hairpin from his hair. With a flick of his wrist, he traced a circle in the air, enclosing all six assassins within it.
Then, he called out, “Let’s go!”
A white mist erupted around them.
Wu Ma Nan Sheng and Nan Gong Yu both recoiled in shock.
When they reached out, trying to grab hold of someone, their hands found nothing but empty air.
Qilin and the six assassins had vanished without a trace.
Was this… sorcery? Or some kind of illusion?
Qilin and the six assassins reappeared beneath the tea shack.
They now stood inside a vast underground cavern, its walls glittering with stalactites. The cave system connected to the lake’s depths, and torches had been placed along the stone walls to illuminate the area.
This was the entrance to the underwater tomb—the very place where the Zhang family gathering was supposed to take place.
Qilin glanced down at his wooden hairpin. It had become noticeably shorter.
This is King Mu’s artifact, the “Earth Escape Talisman.”
It only has three uses… and I’ve already used one.
The six assassins immediately knelt again, their voices filled with awe.
“My lord, you possess divine powers! You can soar through the skies and tunnel through the earth! Thank you for rescuing us—truly, our clan leader is mighty beyond compare! Please, my lord, untie us.”
Qilin chuckled softly.
Some people claim to be ‘impartial in education,’ he thought, amused. I, on the other hand, seem to be ‘impartial in saving people’—first, I rescued the Silver-Armored soldiers, and now I’m rescuing their assassins.
He untied them while continuing his questioning.
“You mentioned that the Zhang family was gathering at Qing Ze Lake. Is it in this cavern?”
The sixth assassin nodded. “You are wise, my lord. Our Zhang family specializes in underground work. Of course, we excavated tunnels leading to the ancient tomb beneath the lake. This is where we will gather.
“I heard Zhang Hai Xing mention before… my lord, you have been here before.”
Qilin’s expression darkened behind his mask.
The ‘other’ Zhang clan leader… has been here?
He hesitated for a fraction of a second. He couldn’t risk pressing for details—it might expose his deception.
Instead, he let out a low cough and sternly replied, “You shouldn’t pry into my affairs.”
His mask concealed his face, making it impossible for them to see his true expression.
To maintain his cover as the “missing Zhang clan leader,” Qilin had no choice but to take the lead.
“Show me the way,” he commanded.
The assassins bowed. “As you command, my lord!”
Then, they followed him deeper into the cave.
As they walked, Qilin grew uneasy.
The deeper they went, the darker it became. The underground path sloped ever downward, and the sound of rushing water grew louder and louder.
Ahead, a pitch-black tunnel emerged, narrow and foreboding.
From within, an eerie stream of green water flowed outward—its color a stark contrast to the deep blue of Qing Ze Lake above.
The six assassins stopped abruptly.
The one who had cried earlier began trembling once more.
He stammered, “M-My lord… are you punishing us for using corpse beetles against Wang Cang Hai?”
He fell to his knees, his voice breaking with fear.
“I beg you, my lord—please spare us!
“I would rather stab myself three times and carve six wounds than step into the Forbidden Cave of the Banshee!”
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