Hu Xiaotian racked his brains but could not remember ever leaving a portrait of himself at the Wan Residence. Still, he showed no surprise and smiled. "That portrait really does look a little like me."
Madam Hu said, "It isn't you. It's your older cousin."
Hu Xiaotian said, "You must be joking, madam."
Madam Hu gently set down her teacup. "I never joke."
Long Xiyue sensed something decidedly strange about the atmosphere. She rose, came to Hu Xiaotian's side, and whispered, "We'd better stop disturbing her."
Madam Hu let out a faint sigh. "What do you two take this place for? Somewhere you can come and go as you please?"
Hu Xiaotian said, "What do you mean by that, madam? Surely you don't intend to keep us here by force?"
Madam Hu said, "Anyone I choose to keep here stays here!" The instant she finished speaking, thudding sounds came from both the roof and the floor, and white smoke billowed everywhere.
Hu Xiaotian grabbed Long Xiyue's hand and rushed outside with her, but countless webs had already surrounded them. Both held their breath. Hu Xiaotian drew the Windbreaker Saber, intending to cut his way out, only to feel a violent tremor beneath his feet. The floor split down the middle. Long Xiyue cried out as she lost her footing and fell, and Hu Xiaotian caught her. At that moment, a huge net descended from above and scooped them both up. With a powerful tug, Hu Xiaotian drew Long Xiyue into his arms. Before he could leap out of the pit, an iron plate sealed the opening overhead. He raised the Windbreaker Saber and thrust it sideways, trying to drive it into the wall and halt their fall, but the blade failed to penetrate. Its edge scraped a long trail of