Wan Xing remained as silent and shadowlike as ever, while Qin Wan watched her with deepening eyes. Beside them, Qin Xiang also looked at Wan Xing in surprise. She had never known that this ordinary maid, who was usually unremarkable among the other servants, possessed such impressive skills and had even saved them…

“Good, let’s leave now…” Qin Wan responded quickly, stepping forward to help Qin Xiang up.

“Young Lady, let this servant help.” Wan Xing came forward and firmly supported Qin Xiang. Qin Wan nodded and glanced at Shang Lu lying on the ground before turning to leave. The torch in Qin Wan’s hand flickered as she looked back, seeing Wan Xing efficiently supporting Qin Xiang behind her, her face as calm as still water without a trace of confusion.

Qin Wan turned away, her heart slowly sinking into contemplation. When she reached the main entrance of Renxin Court, she noticed something strange about the incense inside. Therefore, before entering Renxin Hall, she had taken an antidote pill. Because of this, when others began to feel drowsy, Qin Wan remained clear-headed. Later, she pretended to faint and was brought to this underground residence. She had detected it early and was prepared, but what about Wan Xing?

At this moment, the suspicions that had briefly crossed Qin Wan’s mind became clear.

Following the tunnel forward, they soon reached the ice room. Its door remained tightly shut, and the path leading to the exit was quiet. Qin Wan’s heart lightened slightly, and she immediately headed toward the nearby storage room. They had come to rescue Qin Xiang but wouldn’t leave others behind.

Qin Wan went straight to the storage room. The room was narrow, and after Qin Wan entered, Wan Xing followed with Qin Xiang. After closing the door, Qin Wan took out her medicine pouch and gave each person – Qin Shuang, Fu Ling, and the others – an antidote pill.

After administering the antidote, Qin Wan kept watch on the movement outside the door. The antidote wouldn’t work immediately, and time ticked by slowly. Shang Lu wouldn’t wake up anytime soon, but people from above might come down.

“Young Lady, why don’t I escort you out first?” Wan Xing suddenly spoke up. The usually silent Wan Xing now seemed extremely anxious. Qin Wan looked at her, and in the dim light, she could only see Wan Xing’s clear, sharp eyes.

Qin Wan shook her head, “Leaving now might alert those outside, making it harder to come back and rescue the others.”

Wan Xing seemed very concerned about Qin Wan’s safety. “But waiting longer could bring more complications.”

Hearing this, Qin Xiang quickly grabbed Qin Wan’s arm, afraid that Wan Xing would take Qin Wan away and leave her behind. Qin Wan glanced at the others lying there and still shook her head, “Very soon, just wait a little longer.”

After Qin Wan spoke, Wan Xing seemed to want to say something but held back. Seeing Qin Wan’s resolute expression, she simply stood by the door carefully listening for movement outside.

Qin Xiang looked at Qin Shuang and Fu Ling with tears welling up in her eyes. She hadn’t expected that without Qin Yan present, these young ladies would dare to come to rescue her, and now everyone was trapped here because of her.

“Ah… Young… Young Lady…” At one point, the unconscious Fu Ling suddenly called out softly. Qin Wan’s heart lifted, and she quickly helped her up. In the pitch-dark room, Fu Ling first recognized Qin Wan, then Wan Xing, and finally Qin Xiang. She was slightly surprised, “Fifth Young Lady, why are you here? Young Lady, how did you and Wan Xing find Fifth Young Lady?”

Qin Wan spoke in a low voice, “We woke up early. Don’t talk now – we’re locked in and need to get out.”

Fu Ling collected herself, presumably remembering they were in the Herbal Garden, and immediately frowned.

“We’ve been imprisoned by Doctor Sun…”

At this, Qin Wan couldn’t help but smile bitterly. Before she could speak, Qin Shuang, who had been lying down, stirred.

“Ah… my head hurts…”

“Shh, don’t speak.” Qin Wan warned in a low voice near Qin Shuang’s ear. Qin Shuang started, but her reaction was quicker than Fu Ling’s. “Ninth Sister… Fifth Sister… how…”

“Don’t talk now, we’re locked in.”

Qin Shuang sat up, leaning against the ground, and shuddered upon hearing this, naturally remembering where she was.

Soon, Wan Qing and Xiu Yun also woke up. After Qin Wan gave some instructions and waited for everyone to regain some strength, she had Wan Xing lead them out. As soon as they left the storage room, Qin Shuang expressed surprise, “I never imagined there would be such an underground residence beneath the Herbal Garden. What was this residence originally used for, and why did the owner build an underground hideout?”

Even at this moment, Qin Shuang had the leisure to ask such questions. Qin Wan didn’t answer, and nearby, Qin Xiang anxiously watched the exit direction. Seeing no one responding, Qin Shuang shrank her neck – she was also afraid but was trying to mask her fear with conversation.

Wan Xing led the group toward the exit. Those who had awakened hadn’t expected that the usually silent Wan Xing would become their leader. Following the winding stairs upward about twenty steps, the exit’s stone door soon appeared before them. Qin Wan gave Qin Shuang and the others a warning look, and everyone held their breath, not daring to make the slightest sound.

Just as they were about to reach the door, Wan Xing paused and made a gesture to those behind her. Everyone stopped, and Wan Xing approached the door. She pressed her ear against the stone door and listened for a moment. Seeing that all was quiet outside, she turned and nodded to those behind her. With this nod, Qin Wan finally led the others to follow.

Though they had reached the front, how were they to get out?

Everyone stared at the dark stone door, at a loss for what to do.

At this moment, they saw Wan Xing raise her hand and lightly tap the wall. Her hand against the wall produced only muffled, light sounds. As Wan Xing tapped along, suddenly one sound seemed slightly different.

Qin Wan frowned as she watched Wan Xing gently press on that section of wall. A gray stone brick was pressed inward, and instantly, there came the sound of mechanisms turning within the dark stone door. Moments later, the stone door slowly opened, and as it did, weak light filtered in from outside.

Wan Xing made a gesture of silence to those behind her and took the lead. Qin Wan followed closely behind Wan Xing and saw that this was a spacious study-like room, though its ceiling was more towering and heavy than other places.

A dim lamp burned in the corner of the room, showing that someone had been there recently. The room was elegantly arranged, with bookshelves and desks holding many books and writing materials. Qin Wan glanced over and saw that most of the books were medical texts.

“Be careful, this is Doctor Sun’s study…”

Qin Wan had barely finished whispering when the dim lamp in the corner suddenly flickered, and simultaneously, the stone door behind them began to move again. Qin Wan looked back to see the stone door slowly closing.

Wan Xing stood at the front, vigilantly watching their surroundings. Seeing that everyone had come out, Qin Shuang instinctively walked toward the door. “Quick–“

Qin Shuang hadn’t taken two steps when Wan Xing suddenly raised her hand to stop her.

Qin Shuang was slightly startled, seeing Wan Xing’s vigilance suddenly turn to alertness–

“There are people outside the door, Young Lady be careful–“

Wan Xing was warning Qin Wan, and at the same time, a figure in white appeared at the room’s only exit.

Sun Haoyue stood quietly in the doorway, looking at them with compassionate eyes. His gaze swept over them, and he saw the fearful face of Qin Xiang. Soon after, Uncle Dong’s figure appeared behind Sun Haoyue.

The master and servant stood in the doorway, their expressions ordinary, showing no sign of being caught doing wrong.

“Where is Shang Lu?”

Sun Haoyue suddenly asked, clearly knowing that if Qin Wan and the others could escape from below, Shang Lu must have noticed. However, Shang Lu hadn’t followed them up, which could only mean that Qin Wan and her group had subdued Shang Lu.

Wan Xing raised her hand, already taking a defensive stance. Her martial skills were superior – Sun Haoyue and Uncle Dong were no match for her. Dealing with these two would be extremely easy.

But Sun Haoyue merely glanced at her, and then, an eerie draft swept through the room. The next moment, black holes appeared in the ceiling beams above, with cold glints flashing within those holes. It seemed that besides the underground residence, this room also contained arrow mechanisms.

Wan Xing’s brows immediately furrowed, and she shifted slightly to stand in front of Qin Wan.

“I hadn’t expected Ninth Young Lady’s medical skills to be so impressive.”

Sun Haoyue no longer looked at Qin Xiang, focusing only on Qin Wan. Half-hidden behind Wan Xing, Qin Wan had also noticed the mechanisms in the ceiling beams. “Doctor Sun comes from Medicine Valley, originally a person of benevolence meant to save the world’s people. How have things come to this?”

As she spoke, Qin Wan looked past Sun Haoyue into the room behind him. She immediately saw the heavy purple curtains, behind which dim lamps flickered like fireflies in a vast purple sea of smoke. Qin Wan had once seen Madam Sun lying on her sickbed from afar with Sun Muqing, and seeing these familiar curtains, she knew what place this was.

Qin Wan continued, “Madam Sun lies there. If she knew that Doctor Sun had taken so many lives to treat her illness, what would she think? If she knew that beneath her bed lay the organs and rotting corpses of other innocent people, would she find peace even in her dreams? If she knew that the person she loved most had become a demon because of her, would she prefer to never wake up? The world calls you a Divine Doctor, and doctors are meant to heal the world. Has Doctor Sun forgotten the family teachings of the Sun family of Medicine Valley?”

After Qin Wan finished speaking in a heavy tone, Sun Haoyue’s eternally compassionate and unruffled eyes remained unchanged. He asked in a casual tone as if discussing the weather, “Has Ninth Young Lady studied Medicine Valley’s medical arts?”

Qin Wan hadn’t expected this question, and Sun Haoyue continued, “The ‘Dream Descent’ I used can only be countered so quickly by Medicine Valley’s Pure Heart Jade Dew. What did Ninth Young Lady use?”

Sun Haoyue’s tone was calm as if merely discussing medical techniques with Qin Wan.

But seeing his completely unmoved demeanor, Qin Wan’s heart grew cold. The mechanisms in the ceiling beams stirred ominously – these were not her sleeve arrows. If those arrows were released, taking their lives would be effortless. Among their group, probably only Wan Xing could escape, but this wasn’t her original intention.

“I’ve heard that Medicine Valley’s medical arts are profound, and only now do I truly understand. However, even if Madam’s illness truly requires another’s heart to cure, how can Doctor Sun treat others’ lives as worthless grass?”

Speaking thus, Qin Wan looked at Uncle Dong, “Lin Aunt’s illness, Little Li Zi’s illness, and the deceased Da Cheng – were they all cured by Doctor Sun’s heart transplant technique? That man who harmed Little Song Zi, where is his daughter’s heart now?”

Sun Haoyue looked at Qin Wan dispassionately, the compassion in his eyes seemingly dispersed by her words, leaving only empty indifference. Uncle Dong stood behind Sun Haoyue and sighed softly, “Since Ninth Young Lady had left, why did you return?”

Qin Wan’s lips curved slightly, “Uncle Dong, cats, and dogs may not matter between life and death, but your young master has harmed people.”

Uncle Dong sighed again, “Ninth Young Lady has studied medicine too. Have you ever experienced being able to save others but unable to save your own beloved? Only then would you understand heaven’s unfairness.”

Something seemed to pierce Qin Wan’s heart, and Uncle Dong continued, “Heaven is unfair, driving people to dead ends. When people have no way out, there is always one final path… evil.”

Uncle Dong spoke heavily, seemingly without any intention to conceal anything. Qin Wan felt a chill in her heart, and the others showed fear on their faces. Qin Wan narrowed her eyes, “There is always a choice between good and evil. Doctor Sun wants to save Madam Sun, but has he asked what Madam Sun thinks?”

At this, Uncle Dong’s expression changed slightly, and he suddenly looked at Sun Haoyue before him with great pity. Seeing his silence, Qin Wan continued, “He wants to save Madam Sun, but has he considered how this would implicate you all?”

Uncle Dong lowered his eyes and smiled, “Never mind that this humble servant has reached the age of knowing heaven’s mandate, even if I hadn’t, I would still lay down my life for Young Master. My life, Shang Lu’s life, and the lives of many others outside were all saved by Young Master. Heaven has mercy for life, as does Young Master – he merely wants to save his beloved.”

Qin Wan wanted to say more, but seeing Sun Haoyue and Uncle Dong’s expressions, she knew her words would be useless. She composed herself and asked, “Then what does Uncle Dong plan to do with us?”

Uncle Dong sighed again as if facing a very difficult task, “Ninth Young Lady didn’t need to return, and even returning, didn’t need to know so much. But now, Ninth Young Lady has blocked her path.”

Qin Wan shook her head, “Uncle Dong is mistaken. At this point, does Uncle Dong still think this matter can be minimized? I’ve already informed the authorities, and they will arrive soon. The innkeeper at Changfu Inn knows we came to the Herbal Garden. My Third Brother will come looking. Uncle Dong, no evil can truly leave no trace. There’s still time to turn back.”

“Turn back?” Uncle Dong smiled, “No need, Ninth Young Lady. You are a good person, you’ll surely receive good karma in your next life.”

As Uncle Dong spoke thus, Sun Haoyue’s gaze fell once again on Qin Wan. Strangely, Qin Wan felt he wasn’t looking at her but rather examining a corpse as if considering which parts might be useful.

Qin Wan unconsciously gripped her Han Yue sword tighter, while Uncle Dong questioned, “Young Master?”

His words were asking for Sun Haoyue’s decision. In an instant, Qin Wan’s gaze quickly swept across the spacious, somewhat empty study. If the mechanism was activated, how could they protect themselves? With Wan Xing’s skills, she could certainly escape the arrow rain. As long as they didn’t die, there would still be hope—

Sun Haoyue scanned them again, but just as he was about to nod, voices suddenly arose from the courtyard outside. From afar, Qin Wan could faintly hear Lin’s Aunt’s voice.

Qin Wan’s heart jumped, and Sun Haoyue heard it too. He looked at Uncle Dong, “Go see what’s happening.”

Upon hearing this, Uncle Dong immediately turned and left. Seeing Uncle Dong leave, Wan Xing moved quickly, but as soon as she took a step, an arrow suddenly flew toward her. Wan Xing twisted sharply, the arrow grazing her shoulder with a “rip,” instantly tearing open her shoulder. Simultaneously, a faint smell of blood spread out.

Qin Wan’s heart raced, and Qin Shuang and the others were startled. Wan Xing raised her hand, “Don’t move—”

In just moments, cold sweat had broken out on Wan Xing’s forehead. Her voice carried a stern warning, and Qin Shuang, frightened, quickly stood still, not daring to move.

Wan Xing looked down at the floor tile beneath her feet.

The room was paved with black square tiles, one next to another, made of some unknown material – hard but not cold. Now, Wan Xing had stepped on one, sweat dripping from her temple. Wan Xing said, “We can’t move. Any movement will trigger the mechanism.”

Qin Wan didn’t understand the art of mechanism arrays, but she saw clearly that when the arrow shot out, Sun Haoyue hadn’t moved at all, indicating that he hadn’t activated the mechanism.

While Qin Wan was both alarmed at such sophisticated mechanisms in this residence and frozen in place not daring to move, she remembered that Wan Xing had only taken one step before triggering a flying arrow. If they all moved, an arrow storm would likely trigger instantly. Though tense, Qin Wan’s gaze fell on Wan Xing’s face.

She saw Wan Xing intently watching the floor, her face slightly tilted as if listening for something.

Following suit, Qin Wan also tilted her head to listen, and soon, she barely detected the sound of something flowing.

Qin Wan didn’t understand this field, so she could only place her hopes on Wan Xing. Meanwhile, she wondered what Lin’s Aunt outside had to say. Lost in thought and listening intently, she suddenly seemed to hear the thundering sound of horse hooves.

“What should we do…” Qin Shuang was nearly crying, her face covered in cold sweat. Her legs seemed frozen as she stood in place, not daring to move, looking pleadingly at Qin Wan.

Disturbed by this, Qin Wan could no longer hear anything.

Qin Wan raised her chin slightly to indicate Wan Xing, “Follow her.”

Qin Shuang stared at Qin Wan, clearly distrusting Wan Xing, but seeing Qin Wan’s determined expression, she finally nodded. Despite this assurance, Qin Shuang had no hope in her heart and couldn’t help glaring at Qin Xiang.

Qin Xiang stood weakly, feeling cold and uncomfortable, almost about to collapse, but she knew she couldn’t move. Currently just barely holding on, when met with Qin Shuang’s glare, she felt both wronged and scared. Knowing that Qin Shuang’s group had come for her, she could only cry, and when looking at Qin Wan again, she saw Qin Wan’s gaze fixed on the doorway.

Soon, Uncle Dong entered the room. Compared to his slightly puzzled expression when leaving, he now appeared particularly anxious and serious. He first glanced at Qin Wan’s group, then quickly whispered something in Sun Haoyue’s ear. The group was too far away to hear clearly, but Qin Wan saw Sun Haoyue’s frown.

Seeing their expressions, Qin Wan’s heart immediately lightened – it must be Qin Yan!

It was still early, surely not the authorities. Thinking it through, it could only be Qin Yan. Perhaps he had reached Three Yuan Village, learned they had come to the Herbal Garden, and followed – the timing would be about right.

At this point, anyone’s arrival would be good, at least disrupting Sun Haoyue’s plans.

As Qin Wan was thinking this, there was more movement outside the courtyard. Sun Haoyue cast a cold glance at Qin Wan’s group, then looked at Uncle Dong, “Go out and handle it…”

Upon hearing this, Uncle Dong hurried out, while Sun Haoyue’s gaze grew colder.

He examined Qin Wan’s group, seemingly considering how to deal with them, yet showing no hurry or panic, apparently waiting for Uncle Dong’s report…

Qin Wan watched Sun Haoyue as he watched her, his eyes showing no mad obsession, but that very calmness gradually created a sense of unease in Qin Wan’s heart.

“Senior Brother Sun…”

Qin Wan suddenly blurted out, somehow addressing him as “Senior Brother.” A flash crossed Sun Haoyue’s eyes before darkening again, and Qin Wan immediately said, “Senior Brother Sun, think of Medicine Valley, think of the Bai clan and the Sun clan. There’s still time to turn back. Madam Sun’s illness can be treated back at Medicine Valley. Even if it can’t be fully cured, it could give her more time.”

Sun Haoyue’s gaze grew distant for a moment at her words, but quickly turned cold again, like a dark cloud covering a frosty sky, both cold and oppressive.

He remained unmoved, still waiting for Uncle Dong, who soon returned with hurried footsteps.

This time, his steps were more urgent than before, and reaching Sun Haoyue, he didn’t even wait to whisper in his ear, “They’ve broken in, we can’t stop them – Young Master Biao opened the door.”

Sun Haoyue’s brows immediately furrowed but relaxed again in an instant.

He looked at Qin Wan’s group, suddenly showing unprecedented relaxation, then turned to look at the bed behind the purple smoke-like curtains. “Uncle Dong, do you remember what we agreed upon before?”

“Young Master—” Uncle Dong’s voice suddenly grew hoarse. He looked at Sun Haoyue with eyes full of unspoken words, but facing Sun Haoyue’s ordinary profile, he ultimately couldn’t say anything.

“I remember… this servant remembers…”

Sun Haoyue turned to glance at Uncle Dong, “Good, you may go.”

That glance seemed like a final farewell, Sun Haoyue’s gaze lingering on Uncle Dong’s face for a moment before leaving.

And Uncle Dong, with a face full of struggle and hesitation, looked at Sun Haoyue. His feet seemed frozen in place for a long while, his hands clenched into fists as if suppressing the urge to hold Sun Haoyue back…

“Uncle Dong, having these six months has been enough for me. You may go.”

“Young Master… alright…” Uncle Dong nodded with a choked voice, finally turning resolutely to leave.

Once Uncle Dong left, Sun Haoyue’s back slowly softened. He seemed aware of his current poor appearance, and only after adjusting his breathing to become gentler did he walk toward the ethereal purple sea of smoke.

His steps were extremely slow, as if afraid of waking the person sleeping on the bed. He intentionally approached silently, but heaven seemed unwilling to grant his wish. Perhaps because Uncle Dong had forgotten to close the outer door when leaving, suddenly, a bone-chilling wind surged in from outside. In an instant, the purple smoke sea began to ripple mysteriously.

Sun Haoyue’s white robes fluttered in the cold wind, while the layers of purple gauze in the room rose and fell like waves at the moment. Through the rising and falling curtains, Qin Wan could finally see the person lying on the bed without obstruction. Bai Feiyan was covered with a brocade quilt, exactly as Qin Wan had seen her the first time she came. After so many days, Qin Wan felt that Bai Feiyan hadn’t moved her lying position at all.

The distance wasn’t close, and with the brocade quilt covering her, Qin Wan couldn’t see Bai Feiyan’s profile, but she could see her neat cloud-like hair. Her black hair had long been tied up, and even from this distance, one could see the detail in the hairstyling. Her hair was like clouds, adorned with hairpins and rings, making her look like an elegantly dressed woman who had just returned from an outing and was taking a brief rest due to exhaustion. However, Qin Wan remembered Sun Muqing saying that Bai Feiyan hadn’t woken for many days.

An eerie unease crept over Qin Wan’s heart, and at this moment, Sun Haoyue had reached Bai Feiyan’s bedside.

He leaned forward, sitting on the high stool beside Bai Feiyan’s bed. He bent down, whispering something unknown in Bai Feiyan’s ear, his face suddenly showing a slight smile. That smile was satisfied and joyful as if telling Bai Feiyan sweet nothings. After speaking, he raised his hand to brush Bai Feiyan’s cloud-like hair.

He methodically tucked in the quilt corners and caressed Bai Feiyan’s cheek, just like an ordinary husband tenderly caring for his sick wife. The smile never left his lips, his gentleness making Qin Wan almost believe that the person sitting there couldn’t be the same Sun Haoyue they had met. The originally lofty, frost-like figure was now like a piece of the finest jade, crystal clear and providing warmth to the sick Bai Feiyan.

Sun Haoyue seemed to have forgotten about Qin Wan’s group. After saying a few more words, he suddenly reached under the brocade quilt and slowly pulled out Bai Feiyan’s hand. Simultaneously, dense footsteps suddenly sounded from outside the courtyard. These footsteps came quickly and urgently; Qin Wan momentarily wondered if hundreds of people had rushed into Renxin Court.

The noise made Sun Haoyue frown instantly, but even so, the smile remained on his lips. Holding Bai Feiyan’s hand, he suddenly bent down to kiss her hand back, his face showing sincere tenderness. Then, he placed Bai Feiyan’s hand against his cheek, as if wanting her to feel his warmth.

But at this moment, Qin Wan’s eyes suddenly widened in disbelief.

This final movement exposed Bai Feiyan’s arm from under the brocade quilt. What should have been a lotus-root-like jade arm instead bore deep purple decay marks. Qin Wan had seen too many corpse marks; seeing the greenish tint within those marks, her mind went blank for a moment, her breath caught by an invisible hand—

Bai Feiyan… Bai Feiyan was dead, she had been dead for a long time!

Qin Wan stared at Sun Haoyue with wide eyes, while Wan Xing and the others stood frozen. Some of them had seen dead bodies before, some hadn’t, but anyone could tell this wasn’t a living person’s arm. The mottled decay of that arm formed a heart-stopping contrast with Sun Haoyue’s jade-like tenderness. Fu Ling and Wan Xing’s hair stood on end from head to toe, while Qin Shuang and the others were scared witless. Madam Sun was dead, and the Madam Sun that Sun Haoyue had been caring for day and night was a corpse…

No one spoke. Qin Shuang’s eyes nearly popped out. Fear, terror, and horror flooded their hearts, instinctively making her want to move closer to Qin Wan. However, as soon as she took a step, a whooshing sound broke the air. Qin Shuang screamed, suddenly remembering that any movement would trigger the arrow mechanism!

Just as Qin Shuang’s scream emerged, a powerful force struck her left shoulder. She was pushed backward, and simultaneously, Wan Xing suddenly moved swiftly toward a floor tile in the eastern corner of the room. Her toes lightly touched down there before she quickly moved toward the south, landing on another floor tile. During these movements, over a dozen arrows were flown toward Qin Wan’s group. Qin Shuang, pushed back by Wan Xing’s strike, dodged the arrows, but her proximity to Qin Wan put the latter in danger. As the last two long arrows flew toward Qin Wan, Wan Xing leaped to shield her.

With a “thud,” the smell of blood erupted. Qin Wan caught Wan Xing, seeing two long arrows embedded like nails in Wan Xing’s left shoulder blade. Qin Wan’s throat tightened, “Wan Xing—”

Wan Xing struggled to support herself, gripping Qin Wan’s arm tightly, “The mechanism has stopped, go!”

Seeing that Wan Xing had broken the mechanism and taken arrows for her, Qin Wan felt heartbroken. Hearing the commotion outside growing louder, she quickly supported Wan Xing toward the exit. They just needed to leave this room; the people outside must be coming to rescue them!

Sun Haoyue, who had seemed to forget their existence, moved at this moment. He turned to look at Qin Wan’s group, frowning slightly as if displeased that their noise was disturbing Bai Feiyan. His eyes narrowed, and he suddenly raised his hand to touch something at Bai Feiyan’s bedhead. In an instant, a huge rumbling sound arose, and the entire building began to shake!

Qin Wan, supporting Wan Xing, both stumbled.

Wan Xing shouted, “He’s going to destroy this place, Young Lady, quickly go—”

Qin Wan’s heart raced. Meanwhile, Fu Ling came to help her, but Qin Wan pushed Fu Ling away, “Go quickly!”

Wan Xing and Qin Wan’s words terrified Qin Shuang to her soul. She could barely save herself, let alone help Qin Wan. Fortunately, Wan Qing and Xiu Yun were usually strong, almost dragging Qin Shuang out. Meanwhile, Qin Xiang, seeing everyone ahead of her, instinctively grabbed Wan Xing’s arm. Wan Xing was already injured but couldn’t bear to push her away, instead using her strength to propel Qin Xiang forward. In an instant, the smell of blood became even more pungent!

The “rumbling” sounds grew louder. At this moment, Qin Wan immediately recalled Uncle Dong’s earlier expression. No wonder it had seemed like a final farewell – Uncle Dong knew Sun Haoyue’s intentions. Once he left and people broke in from outside, this place would be destroyed. This room had mysterious arrow mechanisms, and below it was a hidden residence. Qin Wan had no doubt the room would truly be destroyed, so she used all her strength to move toward the exit with Wan Xing.

“Young Lady, you go first—”

Wan Xing wanted to push Qin Wan away, but because Qin Wan was supporting her injured left arm, she couldn’t muster the strength to push her. “Young Lady, quickly go—”

Wan Xing shouted again, but Qin Wan wouldn’t let go. Suddenly, the floor beneath her feet moved strangely. Those tightly fitted floor tiles suddenly split apart, and she was just one step away from leaving the room. Seeing this, Qin Wan frowned and pushed Wan Xing beside her out first…

This push used all of Qin Wan’s strength. Caught off guard, Wan Xing was thrust forward, crossing the split directly. Wan Xing’s face went pale, and when she turned back, she saw the split widening. At the same time, the towering and heavy beam suddenly crashed down with a huge “bang,” forcefully separating Qin Wan from Wan Xing and the others. Seeing Qin Wan alone left behind, Fu Ling turned and let out a heart-wrenching scream…

She tried to go back, but the entire ceiling seemed to be collapsing, dropping debris. Fu Ling’s eyes turned red as she tried frantically to climb back, but a falling beam grazed her shoulder. Qin Shuang, whose legs had been weakened by fear, found courage in this desperate situation, grabbing Wan Xing with one hand and Fu Ling with the other, forcefully pulling them back.

Wan Xing wasn’t wrong; the mountain-crumbling destruction left Qin Wan’s group helpless. After that push, she had hoped to find a way to survive, but the escape route was blocked by the heavy beam. Just as she was looking for another way, Qin Wan suddenly felt the floor tiles sinking beneath her, and sinking rapidly…

Qin Wan looked around but couldn’t see anything to grab onto.

Her heart tightened as if she had fallen off a cliff, but the next moment there was a soft “splash,” and at the same time, bone-chilling water surged over her.

Qin Wan felt as if she had fallen into a bottomless well. Looking up slightly, she could still seemingly see the dim lamp in the room. Her hands found nothing to hold onto, and her body involuntarily sank deeper. In an instant, the presence of death made her heartache. Although in the bone-chilling ice water, she seemed to see again that night of blood, fire, and cold arrows…

Just when Qin Wan felt there was no hope of survival, something flashed through the square well opening above, followed by a shadow moving increasingly closer to her. Her mind was foggy and couldn’t identify the approaching figure, until a warm softness pressed against her lips…

Qin Wan’s eyes suddenly widened…

At close range, she saw those brilliant eyes full of starlight that she had seen in her dreams.