Heaven Worship Platform.
High atop the platform, the cold wind howled, blowing Empress Hong Shang's robes.
She shivered lightly, unsure whether it was because the weather was too cold or for some other reason.
Then, at Zheng Jie's signal, she stepped forward. A red scarf was tied over her face, revealing only her eyes and hiding her expression.
Her deliberately imitated indifferent voice rang out: "The Heaven Worship Ceremony begins."
Bang!
Bang bang!
Bang bang bang...
Firecrackers erupted atop the platform. The sound drilled into Uncle Li Gen's ears, jolting the middle-aged man awake.
After a brief bout of confusion, he remembered that he and Huo Wa had gotten up during the night.
They had discovered that Zheng Jie and the others intended to use them as sacrificial offerings. He had immediately told Huo Wa to escape while he lunged at Zheng Jie and tangled with them.
In the end, Zheng Jie had kicked him unconscious.
Damn them!
Uncle Li Gen climbed to his feet and saw men from the same camp sprawled all around him.
Looking around again, he found himself in a stone chamber. It was not particularly spacious.
More frighteningly, both walls were covered in densely packed iron spikes.
The things were roughly as thick as an adult's arm. Their tips were sharp, and triangular blades bristled all around them.
They were stained with blood, and Uncle Li Gen's heart sank.
He rasped, "Get up. Everyone, get up!"
He kicked a young man beside him. "Er Gou, Er Gou, wake the hell up!"
The young man nicknamed Er Gou opened his eyes in pain and cursed, "Who is it? I've told you, I'm an adult now. Don't call me by my nickname anymore. Use my real name."
Then he saw Uncle Li Gen and said, "Uncle Gen,