Chapter 109
Chapter 109: The Deep Well
A’Bin was about to strike, but suddenly he froze. He quickly raised his head to look at the tea house manager, only to find the man rooted in place. The fierce Qi that had surged from his body and the powerful aura of the Great Wu Dao vanished swiftly, receding like tides. At that very instant, the murderous intent that had blanketed the tea room quietly faded away, leaving behind only a peaceful calm.
A flicker of talisman light flashed before A’Bin’s eyes, darting straight into the manager’s body. Immediately afterward, the previously silent and formidable Great Martial Grandmaster-level manager let out a shrill scream, like a pig being slaughtered, shaking A’Bin’s ears fiercely.
“This…” A’Bin’s expression shifted uncertainly. Recovering himself, he glanced around anxiously, muttering with astonishment, “You truly had an expert hidden nearby! Where is this person? Why can’t I even glimpse their shadow?”
At this moment, Li Mu Sheng turned to Cang Yin Yue and said calmly, “I’ll leave the interrogation to you now, Miss Cang. Take your time; there’s no hurry. Ask as thoroughly as possible.”
Hearing this, Cang Yin Yue gently nodded and stood up gracefully, approaching the tea house manager who was now writhing in agony and screaming uncontrollably. In an instant, her delicate, lovely face grew icy and stern, shifting smoothly into her working state.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, A’Bin carefully pushed open the room’s door. He shrank back slightly, glancing oddly at the expressionless Cang Yin Yue and the calmly indifferent Li Mu Sheng. Then he respectfully stretched out his hand, motioning for them to proceed.
Li Mu Sheng stepped out first. Cang Yin Yue turned to look at A’Bin, her voice cool and clear, “You should be quite familiar with this place. You can lead the way.”
A’Bin’s expression changed repeatedly, hesitating visibly for a moment. But when his eyes swept over the bodies scattered on the room’s floor behind him, he quickly nodded, agreeing repeatedly, “Of course, of course! It is truly humble one’s honor to serve two esteemed lords from Six Gates.”
His attitude had entirely changed from earlier, now flattering and cautious, with an undercurrent of fear and timidity.
Li Mu Sheng glanced sideways at him thoughtfully but said nothing, simply continuing downstairs.
According to the information Cang Yin Yue had obtained from interrogating the manager, several months ago, Qing Shan House had secretly disposed of the original manager and staff, replacing them entirely with their own people. Thus, the Six Gates spy A’Bin infiltrating the tea house was as conspicuous as a firefly in the dark. Qing Shan House had been secretly monitoring A’Bin’s every move.
Though they lacked solid evidence proving A’Bin was a spy, they nonetheless acted decisively with heavenly thunder techniques when he behaved unusually. They wanted to uncover who was targeting them, especially now, as Qing Shan House had secretly moved against Dragon Abyss Lake, requiring the elimination of all potential threats.
“These remnants of Great Qi indeed have some depth. They even discovered and opened up the hidden passage linking the Lock Dragon Well Workshop and Dragon Abyss Lake. No wonder they still harbor ambitions toward the Imperial Dragon Divine Sword.”
Cang Yin Yue shook her head slightly. Guided by A’Bin, she and Li Mu Sheng arrived at a secluded courtyard behind the tea house. An old well stood at its center, clearly abandoned long ago. Yet hidden beneath it lay a secret passageway, not only connecting to the Lock Dragon Well within the city but also extending through an underground waterway dug by Qing Shan House’s people, directly reaching beneath Dragon Abyss Lake outside the Great Li imperial capital.
The courtyard was eerily quiet. Li Mu Sheng studied the dry well and said thoughtfully, “The Imperial Dragon Divine Sword is secondary now. Our primary goal is to find the true high-ranking leaders of the Great Qi remnants and learn the whereabouts of the key to open the Heavenly Revelation Secret Treasury.”
Cang Yin Yue slowly nodded. A’Bin, who had listened closely to their conversation, rolled his eyes anxiously and pointed toward the well, asking, “Esteemed lords, do you still need me to lead the way? To be honest, I’m really unfamiliar with what lies beneath.”
Cang Yin Yue frowned slightly and glanced toward Li Mu Sheng, who merely waved a dismissive hand and said to A’Bin, “I think it’s best if you continue scouting ahead.”
Hearing this, A’Bin hesitated reluctantly, murmuring, “But I’m just a scout hired by Six Gates. The work below must surely be dangerous, I’m afraid—”
Before he could finish, Li Mu Sheng cut him off bluntly, “Afraid or not, you have no choice.”
With that, Li Mu Sheng lifted his foot and promptly kicked A’Bin straight down into the well.
Soon after, hidden Great Qi remnants guarding the passageway began stirring, and the sounds of intense fighting echoed upward.
Seeing this, Cang Yin Yue glanced suspiciously at Li Mu Sheng and asked, “Does Your Highness have some grudge against that scout?”
Li Mu Sheng gently stroked his chin and replied, “Not particularly. But it’s unclear whether he’s genuinely trustworthy or a hidden danger. Giving him a little jolt now might help prevent him from making the wrong choice later and dying in vain.”
Cang Yin Yue narrowed her eyes slightly. “This doesn’t quite match Your Highness’s usual style. You’ve never hesitated to kill.”
Li Mu Sheng lightly shrugged. “What can I say? Occasionally, I’m more lenient towards those who envy my looks. As long as it doesn’t break any rules, I’m willing to offer them a small chance.”
Cang Yin Yue’s eyelid twitched slightly. Her gaze swept over Li Mu Sheng’s strikingly handsome face, and she inwardly sighed. [He truly excels at everything—martial arts, integrity—yet sometimes I simply cannot follow his thoughts, making me feel oddly out of place.]
At that moment, the fighting below gradually ceased. A’Bin’s echoing voice drifted up from below, “Esteemed lords, I’ve dealt with all the Great Qi remnants down here. It’s safe to come down now.”
Hearing this, Li Mu Sheng beckoned toward Cang Yin Yue, saying, “Let’s go down first, then discuss further.”
With that, he dropped swiftly into the well, and Cang Yin Yue immediately followed.
Inside, darkness surrounded them, but hidden behind piles of bricks in a corner, there appeared a deep tunnel. A dim, yellowish glow illuminated the passageway beyond, where A’Bin stood holding a burning torch, waiting at the opposite side.
Glancing around, Cang Yin Yue saw six or seven lifeless bodies lying beside A’Bin, who greeted them with a wide, ingratiating smile, politely gesturing forward. “Esteemed lords, there’s a path here. Please follow me.”
Despite Li Mu Sheng having just kicked him into danger, A’Bin now showed not a hint of resentment, acting instead with utmost eagerness and courtesy toward the two.