Investigating 3

Feng Wuhen also peered outside through the gap he had pried open. Seeing no one outside, he turned to look at Qin Xiaoran and the others.

Shen Ziheng looked outside with them as well. "There isn't a single person out there right now. Should we go out and thoroughly investigate this residence? If we'd known there was another residence above us, we should have left someone alive earlier."

[This place isn't their real nest at all—it's where the Radiant Moon City Lord keeps his golden canaries. That old bastard truly deserved to be called an undead relic who had lived for thousands of years—old, cunning, and treacherous.

To keep anyone from noticing something was amiss, he had simply dug a tunnel beneath the residence of the lover he kept, leading all the way to the outskirts of the city.

That way, even if he came and went frequently, no one would grow suspicious. If anyone asked, he could simply say that he had come to visit his lover.

And there aren't many people here at all. There are only that old bastard's golden canaries. Those golden canaries have no combat ability, but after accompanying that old man for so long, they should know quite a few things. We can meet with them.]

Hearing Feng Wuhen's inner thoughts, Qin Xiaoran, Xia Jingcheng, and Hua Yichen exchanged glances. They all decided to go out and investigate. There was no danger, after all.

Shen Ziheng reminded Xia Jingcheng at this moment, "Senior Brother Xia, it should be almost two hours now. Should we send a message to the junior brothers and sisters settling those children down, telling them to remain where they are and await orders?"

Without Shen Ziheng's reminder, Xia Jingcheng had nearly forgotten about it.

"No need to rush. There's still some time before the two hours are up. It won't be too late to message them after we investigate this residence."

After learning that the mastermind was the Radiant Moon City Lord, Hua Yichen felt they should still summon their elders.

The Radiant Moon City Lord was a veteran Void Refinement Realm powerhouse. Even though his lifespan was nearly exhausted, he was not someone the few of them could deal with.

Xia Jingcheng understood his concern. If it were only himself, Hua Yichen, and Qin Xiaoran, the three of them could join forces and face him head-on. They might not be able to kill that old thief, but escaping would not be a problem.

"My junior brother is right. There's no hurry to send them a message. Once we investigate this residence, we should be able to uncover the truth. Then we can decide whether to call our elders over."

Shen Ziheng had merely been offering a reminder. Seeing that they had already made their plans, he said nothing further.

Instead, he opened the door. "Time is short. How about we split up and look around?"

Seeing that no one objected, he took the lead outside. Feng Wuhen followed him, and the two brothers headed down the corridor to the left. When Bing Ling saw them leave, he jogged after them.

This residence was much larger than the previous one. They passed through several corridors before finally reaching a place where people were present.

A woman dressed in crescent-white robes, her long hair hanging loose, stood in the middle of the courtyard. Hearing the movement, she glanced at them. "Heh, I didn't expect the ones who came this time to be rather good-looking. Still, just like those before you, you're no good things.

Forget it. People like us have no choices anyway. Good-looking is still better than ugly—at least it's more pleasing to the eye."

After saying that, the woman untied her sash and took off her outer robe, revealing the dudou beneath.

Shen Ziheng hurriedly shut his eyes. He did not forget to reach out and cover Feng Wuhen's eyes as well. "Ah Hen, don't look."

"I know, Brother. My eyes are shut tight. Don't worry!"

Bing Ling did not think there was anything wrong, but after looking at the woman and then at the two brothers with their eyes closed, he did not understand. Still, he closed his eyes along with them.

Seeing their reactions, the woman burst out laughing and put the clothes she had removed back on.

"You two can open your eyes now. I've put my clothes back on. It seems you aren't that old man's subordinates, so perhaps we can have a proper talk. My name is Bai Suji. And you?"

"Feng Wuhen!"

"Shen Ziheng."

"My name is Bing Ling. I'm the only Phoenix in the entire world."

"Phoenix? You're from Mount Grand Mystery!"

Bai Suji cried out in surprise. Her eyes filled with excitement as she looked at them, and tears spilled down her face without her realizing it. She covered her trembling lips.

"Wonderful. We're finally saved."

After saying this, Bai Suji lifted her skirts and knelt before the three of them. "My name is Bai Suji. I was once a Rogue Cultivator. Later, I was plotted against and became the Radiant Moon City Lord's caged bird, losing my freedom, dignity, and every shred of decency.

There are many people like me, all of us trapped within this residence. Before us, a batch of people had already died.

That old thing does not treat us as human. Not only does he toy with us himself, he lets his subordinates come and toy with us too. Many people could not bear the humiliation and took their own lives.

Only some remain alive. Either they have become numb, or, like me, they still hold hope in their hearts and believe that they can escape someday.

Please save us. We will never forget your great kindness, even unto death. As long as you have use for us, we are willing to brave mountains of blades and seas of fire, to die ten thousand deaths without regret."

Feng Wuhen knew that everything she said was true. He had already seen it. That old thing truly was not human, using every possible method to force them into becoming his caged birds.

He gave them to his subordinates to toy with, all to win people's loyalty.

He could see their struggle, anger, pain, and those unbearable scenes.

It made his stomach churn with nausea, and at the same time, he felt pity for them.

[Fuck, that old undead bastard really isn't human. He bullies men and women alike, locks them up, and tortures them day and night.

He breaks everything they have—their dignity, decency, and freedom—then casually gives them away like pets. He has driven so many people to death. He's nothing but a beast.

And the best way to deal with a beast is to carve him into a thousand pieces.]

Bai Suji heard a voice that sounded like heavenly music to her. She did not know who had spoken those words, but she could hear their sorrow for what they had suffered, as well as their hatred and killing intent toward that old undead bastard. That was enough.

As long as they could kill that old undead bastard and restore their freedom, they would repay their benefactor's great kindness, even if they had to weave grass rings in their mouths and carry jade rings in their beaks.

"We are willing to help with your affairs, but we need you to tell us some things first."

To Bai Suji, Feng Wuhen's words were a lifeline. "Ask whatever you wish. As long as I know, I'll tell you everything. If I don't know, I'll ask the others."

"Do you know what that old undead bastard has been doing lately?"

Bai Suji considered the question for a moment before answering, "I don't know exactly what he has been doing, but he has been coming here much more frequently lately. Yet he does not seek out any of us. Instead, he stays alone in the study.

Once, after he drank too much, I heard him say that as long as he absorbed a little more, he would break through very soon. But I don't know what exactly he was absorbing."