Investigate 3

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

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

This place isn't the old bastard's lair at all—it's where the Radiant Moon City Lord keeps his golden canaries. That old bastard has lived for thousands of years; he truly is as cunning as an old fox.

To keep anyone from noticing something was off, he 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 here frequently, no one would grow suspicious. If anyone asked, he could simply say 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 canaries have no fighting ability, but having stayed by that old bastard's side 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, since there was no danger anyway.

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

Without his reminder, Xia Jingcheng had nearly forgotten about it.

"No need to rush. There's still some time before two hours are up. We can send them a message after we've investigated this residence."

After learning that the mastermind was the Radiant Moon City Lord, Hua Yichen felt that they should have their elders come over.

The Radiant Moon City Lord was a long-established Void Refinement Realm powerhouse. Even if his lifespan was nearly exhausted, he was still not someone the few of them could handle.

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

"My junior brother is right. There's no need to rush 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 only meant to give them a reminder. Seeing that they had already made their plans, he did not say anything further.

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

Seeing that no one objected, he was the first to head outside. Feng Wuhen followed him, and the two brothers went down the corridor to the left. Seeing them leave, Bing Ling trotted 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 quite good-looking. But just like those before you, none of you are anything good.

"Forget it. People like us have no choices to begin with. Good-looking is better than ugly, at least it's easier on the eyes."

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

Shen Ziheng hurriedly shut his eyes. He even reached out to cover Feng Wuhen's eyes. "Ah Hen, don't look."

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

Bing Ling did not think it was anything serious, but after looking at the woman and then at the two brothers with their eyes closed, she did not understand—but she shut her eyes as well.

Seeing their reactions, the woman let out a soft laugh 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 chat. My name is Bai Suji. What about you?"

"Feng Wuhen!"

"Shen Ziheng."

"My name is Bing Ling. I am the only Phoenix in the whole world."

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

Bai Suji cried out in surprise. Her eyes were filled with excitement as she looked at them, tears spilling down uncontrollably while she covered her trembling lips.

"This is wonderful. We're finally saved."

After saying this, Bai Suji lifted her skirt and knelt before the three of them. "My name is Bai Suji. I used to be a Rogue Cultivator. Later, I was plotted against and became the Radiant Moon City Lord's caged canary, losing my freedom, my dignity, and all semblance of decency.

"There are many people like me, all kept in this residence. Before us, an entire group of people has already died.

"That old thing doesn't 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 are still alive. Either they have become numb, or, like me, they still hold hope in their hearts and believe 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 fire and water and die ten thousand deaths without regret."

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

He gave them to his subordinates to toy with, all for the sake of winning their loyalty.

He could see these people's struggles, rage, pain, and those unbearable scenes.

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

Fuck, that immortal old bastard really is no good thing. He bullies men and women alike, locks them up, and tortures them day and night.

He breaks everything they have—their dignity, their decency, their freedom—then 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 heard the sorrow for their plight, as well as the hatred and killing intent toward that immortal old bastard. That was enough.

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

"We're willing to help with your situation, but we need you to tell us some things first."

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

"Do you know what that immortal old bastard has been doing recently?"

Bai Suji thought for a moment before saying, "I don't know exactly what he's doing, but he has been coming here much more often lately. Yet he doesn't seek out any of us. Instead, he stays alone in the study.

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