The carriage did not enter the newly established surface camp as Xu Jiujiu had expected.
Instead, it swerved sharply near the forest's edge, slipped through a concealed tunnel entrance, and plunged deep underground.
The sudden turn caught Xu Jiujiu off guard. Just then, the Soul Guidance Lamp inside the carriage lit up, driving back the darkness.
She looked up at the tunnel walls. Ornate Soul Guidance Chandeliers hung there in a row, casting a soft, bright glow.
So this is what the carriage was really built for.
Xu Jiujiu had noticed its unusual construction the moment she boarded.
The Fatui were using the old trick of openly repairing plank roads while secretly marching through Chencang. Their surface camp was a facade; the vast structure buried beneath it was the real project.
As the carriage pressed on, the narrow passage suddenly opened wide.
Polished Obsidian tiles covered the floor and walls, lending the place a cold, extravagant air.
Farther in, powerful Soul Tools were set ever more densely into the walls, lighting the underground passage as brightly as day.
Beneath the clop of hooves came a faint, rhythmic clanging: metal striking stone.
A long table carved from a single block of Obsidian occupied the center of the carriage. Delicate Bone China Cups sat upon it, steam curling above fragrant, rare Pre-Rain Dragon Well Tea.
"Your Highness, have a taste. We still have some distance to go before we reach the real central camp."
Across from her, Owl Bro gestured gracefully toward the tea.
Owl Bro habitually kept his eyes narrowed to slits, an impeccable smile on his lips.
It was impossible to see what he truly felt beneath that mild mask.
Xu Jiujiu drew a deep breath and forced down her shock.
Gathering her elaborate skirts, she sat back down and