"Where are the candles?" Zou Yuxing asked.
Su Shangting thought he was unreliable and had taken the candles away, only now reluctantly returning them.
Zou Yuxing, exuding righteousness and brimming with yang energy, strode into the strange room. When they saw the scene around them, they were so shocked that they couldn't utter a sound and remained stunned for a long time.
This appears to be an underground prison cell. The surrounding walls are pitch black, as if covered with a layer of greasy stains. There are two rows of tables on the left and right, displaying various terrifying instruments of torture, also covered in greasy stains. In the middle of the room, iron nails thicker than an arm are firmly driven into the ground, from which two heavy chains extend, twisting and turning on the ground like a venomous snake flicking its tongue. At the other end are two pairs of handcuffs that have been pried open; the iron plates are incredibly thick, and it's hard to imagine what tools were used to pry them open. Upon closer inspection, one can even find what appear to be teeth marks, as if a wild beast is chained here.
But how can wild animals write?
The wall at the very front was covered with writing, densely packed together, twisted and chaotic, like a malicious curse that would drag anyone who saw it into an endless hell.
Knowing full well the danger ahead, Wen Feiran's innate curiosity only intensified. As if bewitched, she held her breath and subconsciously took a step forward, only to find it was densely packed with people. "Help me!"
The handwriting varies greatly, some characters are childish and some are illegible. It's hard to imagine that they were written by the same person, or that someone was imprisoned here for too long, spending their childhood and adulthood in this way, which would explain the huge difference in their handwriting.
Surrounded by a dense mass of "Save me!" were several enormous words, like the pupils of an eye, peering into everyone who entered the room.
"Teacher, I know I was wrong."
There were no supernatural elements here, but they felt as if a mountain was pressing down on their shoulders, incredibly heavy. No one spoke, and even their breathing was soft.
Wen Feiran walked tentatively to the iron chain, trying to take it, when a hand snatched it from his face and handed him a handkerchief.
Wen Feiran cast a grateful glance at Gu Suian, then picked up the iron chain through her handkerchief.
After only lifting herself off the ground by one centimeter, Wen Feiran was completely exhausted.
His expression was very focused. He moved forward inch by inch along the direction the iron chain extended, and after making a decision, he looked at the words on the wall.
He frowned in confusion, his thoughts seemingly trapped in a dead end. As he connected the words with the chain, a horrifying thought suddenly flashed through his mind. He gasped and covered his mouth tightly with his other hand.
Could it be...?
He shook his head in disbelief, staggered back two steps, and was the first to leave the room. The others, as if receiving a coded signal, also left one after another.
Zou Yuxing asked, "What's wrong? Did you discover something?"
Wen Feiran's lips twitched, revealing a very strange smile, "Nothing?"
Zou Yuxing thought he was just frightened and didn't take it to heart.
Although Zou Yuxing could get lost, he was also a powerful talisman against evil spirits, and everyone agreed that he should continue to lead the way on the way back.
As expected, he had to find his way back on his own. Zou Yuxing successfully led everyone through the maze-like corridors and back to the castle hall.
"Thanks to you this time," Wen Feiran said sincerely. "It was too convoluted; even if we wanted to find that room again, it would be very difficult."
Zou Yuxing scratched the back of his head and accepted the praise with a smug look on his face.
Finally back in a safe area, they had just exhausted themselves, their nerves on edge, and now they felt tired, collapsing haphazardly onto the sofa.
Su Shangting grabbed the last seat and said apologetically to Gu Suian, "Brother Gu, why don't you go back to your room and rest?"
Gu Suian nodded. "We'll go over the information together again in half an hour."
Everyone's minds were blank. They nodded casually and closed their eyes to rest. Only Su Shangting seemed to be looking down, but his attention was focused on Gu Suian. After Gu Suian returned to his room, his eyes flashed and he revealed a triumphant smile.
The next second, something unexpected happened: a heavy iron door suddenly slammed shut, locking Gu Suian inside the room.
Everyone who heard the noise immediately sat up straight, looking in alarm at Gu Suian, thinking they had broken some rule again and danger was imminent.
Su Shangting straightened up with great flair, a card between his fingers, an expression that screamed "All my subjects must kneel before me!" "I've got a Skill Card! The detective represents justice, he's our only enemy. Once we trap him, we can move freely, no longer bound by rules!"
Wen Feiran had never heard of Skill Cards before and was stunned for a long time. Zou Yuxing had the same reaction, and the other three also showed surprised expressions, but it seemed they were more surprised by Su Shangting's actions.
Wen Feiran noticed this subtle difference and realized that the three of them knew about the existence of the Skill Cards and might have also regained their memories.
He silently moved aside, turned to look at Su Shangting, and asked, "May I take a look at this Skill Card?"
Su Shangting nodded and handed over the Skill Card without any suspicion.
After examining it carefully, Wen Feiran's expression turned strange.
"What's wrong?" Zou Yuxing with a naive and innocent expression.
Wen Feiran licked his lips, his voice dry, and said, "This Skill Card can indeed restrict freedom, but it only lasts for one day, which means..."
Wen Feiran hesitated, but everyone understood what he meant.
They couldn't possibly complete the mission in a day. Gu Suian regains his freedom tomorrow, he will naturally become suspicious, and perhaps he will have already figured it out in that day.