Chapter 40
Deep Undercover
The crisp and efficient-looking big sister pulled a somewhat unskilled smile onto her face. It was clear that this very heroic-looking big sister wasn’t very practiced at this particular service, but she was quite dedicated. Especially when she heard Ying Jiuque’s instructions on the precautions for using that so-called ‘Pili Fire’, her expression could almost be described as gentle. The two guards standing behind Qi Zheng looked at the expression on the other party’s face with near horror, suspecting they hadn’t washed their eyes today, thus leading to this hallucination.
Was this really their unsmiling, murderous aura-radiating deputy captain? They never thought they’d see the day when a gentle expression appeared on her face. This trip out was really worth it, totally worth it.
Chunyu Shuang looked at Qi Zheng’s female guard, hesitating to speak. Although it was a good thing to have a highly skilled woman step forward to investigate at a time like this, those human traffickers were also selective about the girls they kidnapped; after all, good looks were a resource. But this female guard…
Of course, she couldn’t be called ugly, but she was so valiant and heroic, it didn’t quite fit the traffickers’ usual standard, did she?
However, the next scene that played out somewhat challenged Chunyu Shuang’s perception. Because the other woman rubbed her face, and her originally valiant, heroic, and efficient expression subtly shifted, transforming into that of a slightly heroic but gentle and gracious woman.
Ying Jiuque let out a “Wow!”, almost clapping her hands in applause. So, you didn’t need the magical art of makeup to make someone ‘unrecognizable’!
Time was tight, and everyone quickly completed the arrangements. After the lookout gave the signal, Qi Zheng decisively released the several trembling girls. A wave of slightly panicked, subtle chaos was followed by the sound of hurried footsteps. The two traffickers who had just gone out to check returned, cursing and swearing. Seeing the wide-open courtyard gate, they instantly sensed something was wrong. They rushed in and looked – damn it! Not a single person was left! That included their companions.
Seeing the messy footprints at the entrance, how could they not realize the people had run away?
“After them! If we don’t get back with them, the higher-ups will skin us alive. Seriously, what a mess tonight is, why are there so many patrols?”
“Stop talking, I heard movement over this way! Hurry up! We need to find at least one to account for!”
Hiding with Qi Zheng in the dark corner, Jiuque watched as these two men were lured towards the prepared direction without a hint of suspicion along the way. She couldn’t help but glance at the retired Great General beside her.
As expected of one of those formidable talents from the founding era, right? His skill in luring the enemy in was truly meticulous and seamless.
A moment later, the two traffickers returned, pushing a tall, trembling figure along, still muttering curses under their breaths. But before they could even enter the courtyard gate, they heard the sound of rapid footsteps and orders to search coming from the distance. Their steps immediately changed direction, heading towards the left front. If Ying Jiuque remembered correctly, there was indeed an abandoned small bridge culvert in that direction.
Everyone exchanged glances and stayed quietly in place. Things had reached this point; they could only rely on that female guard now.
The waiting process was undoubtedly agonizing. During this time, Qi Zheng and the others weren’t idle either; they patrolled the entire city, driving all those who lurked in the shadows into a frantic scramble. Precisely because of this, even those who had initially been suspicious followed the crowd back to what was, for them, the safest place – the Carefree Caverns.
The deep, dark underground wasn’t as cramped as one might imagine. Over the course of three successive dynasties, an extensive network of passages had formed underground. Some were naturally formed channels, but more were passages dug out by the inhabitants for easier living and transit. It was dark and damp underground; of course, one couldn’t sleep lying in water. Dwellings were mostly built using wood and bamboo. However, living conditions were certainly not as convenient as above ground.
The two men, now escorting the heroic female guard, weaved their way through the underground. Since they were walking, they hadn’t knocked the female guard unconscious, but they fiercely forced her to walk ahead. The female guard – Xiao Sheng – was now softly sobbing in fear, but didn’t dare make any large movements lest she anger the two traffickers behind her. However, her eyes, fixed on the darkness, were unusually bright. She was trying her best to memorize the twisting, turning passages of the Carefree Caverns. She still didn’t know how effective the two weapons provided by that County Magistrate Ying would really be, so it was best to memorize the routes clearly to lead a raid later.
“Damn it, why is our luck so bad tonight? We finally found a few good ones and they ran away! We only managed to find this one, and she looks a bit older, not as tender as the others. The higher-ups definitely won’t like her. They won’t beat us later, will they?”
“This isn’t our fault! Who knew those damn patrol soldiers would be running all over the capital tonight? What’s gotten into them? They’re really showing off. Hey, do you think some blind idiot kidnapped someone from a powerful family? There have been disappearances before, but never such a big fuss.”
“Hard to say. The last few batches of recruits have been useless, like weaklings, no discernment at all…”
“Shh! We’re almost there, stop talking.”
Xiao Sheng walked quietly in front, letting out an occasional sob. Vague sounds came from ahead, seemingly the suppressed fear of others. They must be getting close. According to the Scarface man, the traffickers underground didn’t just kidnap anyone; they judged the quality of the ‘two-legged sheep’ they brought in. The higher the quality, the greater the reward.
Tonight happened to be the monthly quality comparison.
Sure enough, after turning five corners in succession, the view suddenly opened up into a large, empty space. But at this moment, the space was packed with sobbing women and children. However, these people dared only to sob,死死捂住自己的嘴 (clamping their hands over their own mouths), not daring to cry out loud. Of course, it was also possible they had been temporarily poisoned mute. In short, with over a hundred people crowded into this large area, it was remarkably quiet.
Xiao Sheng was shoved hard and stumbled forward into the crowd due to the force. Several crying women quickly steadied her, but didn’t dare speak, only inquiring with their eyes. Just then, a few more traffickers pushed some women and children in, not only impatient but also spewing foul language and occasionally laying hands on them.
Xiao Sheng sighed softly and tried to herd the people near her further inside. This wasn’t the best time yet; she had to wait for as many traffickers as possible to bring their captives here, so she could save the maximum number of people.
After another two incense sticks’ worth of time passed, a clear sound of a gong rang out, and the site immediately fell silent. A sinister, cold aura, arising from nowhere, swept through the area. Following a series of footsteps, a group of people dressed in bright, fine clothes – completely out of place in the underground world – slowly walked in. They ascended a smaller cave connected to this large space but situated on slightly higher ground, looking down on everyone present from their elevated position.
