Hearing Zhu Yan’s question, Ji Dafu felt irritated. If not for his life-saving bond with Liu Qingming, he would never consider taking this fool under his wing.
“Alright, alright, it’s not what you think. Once we complete the ritual, you’ll be one of us. I’ll take good care of you, ensure you live well and make money. Understand?”
Pan Chi nodded satisfactorily, then gave Zhu Yan a look.
Zhu Yan understood, seamlessly picking up the jar from the altar to examine it closely. “We’re not worshipping gods or Buddhas, but a jar? Could there be some immortal relics inside?”
Seeing Zhu Yan grab the jar, Ji Dafu’s face went pale. He shouted, “Stop!”
Startled, Zhu Yan’s hands loosened, and the jar shattered on the floor.
Before anyone could react, a foul stench filled the room, making them nauseous.
Shen Du quickly pulled Zhu Yan back. They saw the putrid, dark red liquid from the jar writhing as if alive.
“What… what is this?” Pan Chi’s face changed dramatically as he questioned Ji Dafu. “I saved your life, and this is how you treat your savior?”
Ji Dafu looked panicked, his face ashen. He’d never seen the jar’s contents before, nor imagined it could be so horrifying.
After a moment, he seemed to regain his composure and explained to Pan Chi, “It’s… it’s just part of the process. I don’t know what’s inside either. Just prick your finger and drip blood on it to join us. Hurry.”
“No, no, no. I refuse,” Pan Chi backed away, shaking his head. “This isn’t good. It might even be harmful. I don’t want to join anymore. I’ve changed my mind.”
Zhu Yan and Shen Du also stepped back, indicating their refusal.
At this point, Ji Dafu’s face suddenly took on an eerie expression. “At this stage, don’t you think it’s too late for regrets?”
His tone was ice-cold, devoid of any goodwill. Shen Du instinctively shielded Zhu Yan behind him.
“What are you planning? We don’t want to join. Are you going to force us?”
As Pan Chi stalled for time, Ji Dafu righteously told them, “Once you’ve entered this door today, if you don’t join us, you can’t leave. Do you choose your life or join us?”
Pan Chi’s facial muscles twitched. “I… I saved your life. Why are you doing this to me?”
“Because you’ve discovered my secret. There’s no other choice now. Considering you saved my life once, I’ll spare yours. If you won’t join willingly, I’ll have to help you along.”
With a clap of his hands, several thugs entered from outside. “Help these gentlemen complete our joining ritual.”
At his command, the thugs swarmed forward. Shen Du quickly shielded Zhu Yan, backing away. Pan Chi kept protesting, “How can you do this? If we don’t want to join, why force us?”
Just then, a thug rushed in from outside, whispering something in Ji Dafu’s ear.
Ji Dafu’s expression changed as he coldly asked, “Who are they?”
“Government officials.”
“Have the men outside send them away.”
The thug looked troubled. “Among them is the Governor of Yingzhou, Lord Mo.”
Hearing this, Ji Dafu’s face darkened. “Watch them. Don’t let them escape.”
With that, Ji Dafu hurriedly left.
The thugs stayed behind, closing the door. Zhu Yan, still pinching her nose, carefully examined the moving liquid on the floor.
Upon closer inspection, she realized the movement was caused by unknown insects within the liquid.
“Stay away from it,” Shen Du suddenly pulled Zhu Yan back, saying coldly, “If I’m not mistaken, this stuff is probably poisonous.”
Zhu Yan quickly stepped back. Pan Chi nodded seriously, “It’s best not to get close until we know what these things are.”
Zhu Yan went to the door, peering out. Two figures still guarded the entrance. “What should we do? We’re trapped!”
The two men remained remarkably calm. Pan Chi scoffed, “In all my years of travels, no one has ever blocked my way. These rotten potatoes and stinking eggs don’t concern me at all. We’re just waiting for our people to arrive. Then we’ll coordinate from inside and outside to escape.”
Zhu Yan narrowed her eyes, looking at Pan Chi. “Will they find us here?”
“They will,” Shen Du answered before Pan Chi could, “If they couldn’t manage this much, what use would I have for them?”
Pan Chi chuckled, shaking his head. With Shen Du and Jing Lin’s rapport, plus help from the Internal Guard, finding this place wouldn’t take long at all.
Disguised Jing Lin hurried through the gambling den when someone tripped him. He glimpsed a token in the person’s palm and looked up to see them nod at him.
The exclusive token of the Local Constable – this person was from Yingzhou’s Local Constable.
Jing Lin understood. During the commotion, he silently left the gambling den. The Local Constable guided him covertly, and he quickly found the back hall.
Reaching his destination, he launched the signal flare.
Hearing the flare, Shen Du’s lips curled into a smile. “We can leave now.”
Before Zhu Yan could react, Shen Du had pulled her to open the door.
The guards outside hadn’t processed the flare’s meaning when the door behind them opened. They swung to attack.
Pan Chi quickly grabbed an incoming thug, kicking him down.
The situation escalated. Guards from the courtyard rushed forward, but suddenly the main gate was kicked open, and countless men in black flooded in from all sides.
Chaos erupted in the back courtyard. To protect Zhu Yan, Shen Du kept her behind him, clearing obstacles to meet up with Jing Lin.
Pan Chi covered the rear, but the enemy’s numbers kept growing. This couldn’t continue, especially with Zhu Yan at risk of harm.
Without hesitation, Pan Chi grabbed Zhu Yan’s arm. Shen Du glanced at him, and without even exchanging looks, the two men each took one of her arms and leaped over the wall.
Seeing the Grand Envoy’s group leave, Jing Lin ordered the others, shouting “Retreat!”
He then leaped over the wall himself.
Soon after, they left the gambling den, arriving at the alley where they had changed clothes earlier.
As Shen Du and Pan Chi changed, they ordered Jing Lin, “Ji Dafu has left the gambling den. Send people to pursue him.”
“Yes, sir,” Jing Lin acknowledged, quickly departing.