Let’s set aside the matters inside the secret hall for now.
Outside Guangchun Hall, Shen Du and Jing Lin followed the retreating half-faced ghost to the outer courtyard wall.
Conveniently, there was a large tree at the corner outside the courtyard, lush with branches and leaves. The two hid among them, ensuring they made no noise to avoid detection.
After Wang Buzui returned and gave orders, the guards in the courtyard noticeably increased, with half-faced ghosts wearing blue masks patrolling everywhere.
Shen Du gritted his teeth, “This must be the Fire Moth Party’s stronghold in Yingzhou. Judging by this setup, Zhu Yan must be here.”
Mo Qianzhi had long been colluding with the Fire Moth Party, and the half-faced ghost leader stood beside Mo Qianzhi during the sacrificial ceremony, suggesting a deeper connection.
If his guess was correct, these half-faced ghosts were members of the Fire Moth Party, wearing ghost masks to deceive others and create a supernatural facade.
No one would have thought that the half-faced ghosts, who had been committing crimes in Gannan Dao for years, were actually members of the Fire Moth Party, with Guangchun Hall, known for its benevolence, behind them.
Using the guise of healing and saving lives to commit evil deeds is unforgivable.
Jing Lin shared the same thought, “Since this is their stronghold, it must be heavily guarded. The two of us alone cannot escape unscathed.”
Moreover, they were injured and expended a lot of energy. Charging into a dragon’s lair alone would only lead to their demise.
If that happened, not only would they fail to rescue Madam, but they would also lose their lives, which worried Jing Lin greatly.
As the saying goes, “The onlooker sees more clearly than the participant.” Zhu Yan might not have seen Shen Du’s feelings for her, but Jing Lin was well aware.
A dragon’s reverse scale, when touched, leads to death. Zhu Yan was Shen Du’s reverse scale, but also his weakness. Jing Lin feared Shen Du might recklessly charge in, disregarding his own life.
How would that be different from seeking death?
“Perhaps I should scout ahead while you wait here for news,” Jing Lin suggested, preparing to leave.
Shen Du stopped him, squinting as he quickly assessed the situation and made a plan, “Jing Lin, return to the county office and bring some brothers from the Internal Guard for support. I’ll find a way to sneak in and locate where Zhu Yan is being held.”
After a moment’s thought, Shen Du added, “If you can find the local constables, ask for their help to take down this stronghold.”
When Sun Tan approached Zhu Yan, Shen Du had already instructed Jing Lin to investigate their identities. Today, they came to help again, sharing hardships, which made them friends.
Moreover, Zhu Yan held the command seal of Constable Xu Xiangren. Seeing the seal was like seeing the Constable himself, so they wouldn’t refuse to help.
“But going in alone is like a lamb entering a tiger’s den. It’s unwise,” Jing Lin shook his head. “Sir, why not stay here and observe while I quickly return with reinforcements?”
“Jing Lin, listen,” Shen Du’s tone was firm, an order rather than a suggestion.
“Yes, sir.”
Obedience was a duty. In the Internal Guard, the Grand Leader’s orders were paramount. Despite his concern for Shen Du’s safety, Jing Lin had to comply.
Concealing his presence, Jing Lin quietly left.
Shen Du sighed, tearing some cloth strips to hastily bandage his wounds. Taking advantage of a guard change, he leaped from the tree onto the wall and into the courtyard.
Upon landing, he heard footsteps and quickly hid in a bush.
Just as he concealed himself, several half-faced ghosts passed by, one of them grumbling, “Hurry up! If we delay the Deputy Leader’s plans, there’ll be hell to pay.”
“Boss, those women have been kept for so long. When can we…?”
Shen Du’s brow furrowed, his eyes sharp. These people referred to the imprisoned women, including Zhu Yan, as if they were livestock.
A cold killing intent seeped out…
“So cold…” someone muttered, glancing around. There was no wind, and the leaves stood still.
Shen Du suppressed his aura, waiting for them to pass.
“Shut up and mind your own business,” the leader scolded, silencing the questioner.
Once they moved on, Shen Du crept out, swiftly silencing the last one in line by breaking his neck and dragging him into the bushes.
After the footsteps faded, he stripped the half-faced ghost of his clothes, hesitated for a moment, then donned the disguise and mask, emerging from the underbrush.
Standing in the courtyard, Shen Du adjusted his attire before following them, passing through corridors and a side gate into another courtyard. Before he could survey the area, a half-faced ghost blocked his path.
“Kitchen staff? What are you doing wandering around here?”
Shen Du was momentarily stunned. Was there some protocol he was unaware of? Despite the identical attire, how did they know he was from the kitchen?
Seeing his confusion, the man slapped him on the back, “What are you standing there for?” No wonder he was stuck in the kitchen, not sharp at all.
Shen Du quickly regained his composure, clenching his fists before relaxing them, clutching his stomach, and forcing a smile, speaking in a stammer, “S-sir, I… I have a stomachache and was looking for the latrine.”
“This courtyard is so big, where… where is the latrine?”
“Go that way. There’s a latrine in the back courtyard. Don’t wander around aimlessly. If you bump into someone important, you’ll be in big trouble.”
Seeing he was a stammering fool, the man kindly pointed the way.
Shen Du immediately nodded, bowing, “Yes, yes, thank you, sir. I’ll leave right away.” With that, he turned and headed in the direction indicated.
Leaving the man puzzled, muttering, “He doesn’t stammer anymore!”
The residence wasn’t large, but searching each area would be time-consuming and risk exposure. So Shen Du pretended to be new, asking for the kitchen’s location before heading there.
Since the kitchen staff knew about the women, they must have delivered food to them and would know where they were held.
Inside the secret hall, Zhu Yan moved closer, finding the sweet fragrance even stronger.
Seeing Wang Buzui and others engrossed in the ritual, treating her as if she were already dead, she boldly approached the stone table.
On the table were various jars, from which the sweet scent emanated.
Zhu Yan stepped forward, peering into one jar. Despite her experience with countless autopsies, she was shocked, instinctively exclaiming, “Ah!”
Inside the jar was a human head, fresh and lifelike, without any decay. Its eyes were wide open, staring ahead, clearly dying with unresolved grievances.