The stone door to the secret chamber creaked open.
The tall, thin man known as Fifth hurried inside and dropped to one knee. His manner was deferential, but he did not dare look up at the man in the Blood Pool.
"Reporting to you, Helm Master!" His voice grew sharp with excitement. "We've received word from the west side of the city. Scarface and the others found a witness! The killer fled toward the western part of the city!"
Zhou Kui, in the Blood Pool, didn't even move an eyelid.
"Oh?"
He merely let out a faint sound through his nose, as if he'd heard not earth-shattering news but something trivial.
His voice was hoarse and low, with a metallic rasp that made Fifth bow his head even lower.
"Yes, Helm Master! The witness said he saw a man in black kill Third Prince, then flee all the way to the slums in the western part of the city!" Fifth hurried to add, "Scarface has already taken men after him. He sent me back to report to you first!"
Zhou Kui slowly opened his eyes.
What kind of eyes were they?
They held not a trace of human emotion, only a murky, unnerving blood-red glow. They looked like two glass beads soaked in blood, filled with brutality, madness, and lofty indifference.
His gaze swept over Fifth, kneeling on the ground, then shifted to the "sacrifice" in the Blood Pool, who was nearly drained dry. The corner of his mouth curled into a cruel smile.
"A flea who killed Third Prince is worth making such a fuss over?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it struck Fifth's heart like a heavy hammer.
Fifth shuddered all over. Cold sweat instantly soaked his back. "Please calm your anger, Helm Master! I... I was out