Chuanliu was stunned. This seemed to be the first time she had truly felt what simple happiness was.

At that moment, she seemed to understand the meaning of "Paradise Island." Perhaps this was another chance for rebirth for those who had made mistakes in the past.

Chuanliu unconsciously revealed a genuine smile, and she shook her head, saying, "I feel much better, thank you for saving me."

The little girl quickly added, "The older sister couldn't accept being forced into marriage by her family, that's why she was so upset."

The girl's mother wiped her hands and hurried over, saying with a pained expression, "Child, you've really suffered. If you don't mind, please consider this your home."

A warm feeling welled up in Chuanliu's heart, and for a moment she really had the urge to agree. But she knew she couldn't. Her existence would ultimately disrupt her family's peace.

So she shook her head and said, following her prepared script, "My lover must be looking for me. I promised to go to another city with him."

Even so, Chuanliu was still somewhat worried. She vaguely remembered seeing Zhuiming successfully counterattack Mandala before falling into the waterfall, but she couldn't be sure if it was just a hallucination she had when she was on the verge of death.

Seeing the girl's worried look, her mother patted her head sympathetically and said with a look of pity, "Okay, we'll keep an eye out for you. Child, what's your name?"

“My name is Xiao Ni,” Chuanliu replied.

That noon, Mo Qingchen and Zhuiming followed the trail along the shore from the previous night and found their way to the vicinity of the family.

The little girl spotted the two people looking for someone first and called her mother.

The woman looked at the two cautiously, her gaze lingering on Mo Qingchen, who seemed more friendly, and asked carefully, "Are you two looking for someone?"

The latter nodded. "If you have any leads, please let us know. We are really worried about her."

The woman asked again, "Who are you looking for?"

"Chuan..." Mo Qingchen was about to say Chuan Liu's name when Zhui Ming interrupted her.

“Xiao Ni,” Zhui Ming said, “If you know Xiao Ni’s whereabouts, please tell her that A Qiang is waiting for her.”

The woman's gaze lingered on Mo Qingchen and Zhuiming, seemingly wondering why Xiao Ni had chosen a poker-faced man who liked to wear a mask. But she still left, turning back every few steps.

Zhuiming waited in place, and with a glance, he saw Mo Qingchen looking at him with a gossipy expression.

Mo Qingchen stepped forward and asked gossipily, "Brother Qiang, are you and Chuanliu really employer and bodyguard?"

Zhuiming glanced at him but did not answer.

He was never a talkative person in front of outsiders.

Zhuiming also wanted to refute Mo Qingchen's words, but every time he brought up the topic, the other person would only change the subject.

Mo Qingchen seemed to see through something and laughed, "Brother Qiang, if you're in a one-sided love affair, would you like me to give you some advice?"

Zhuiming dodged Mo Qingchen's hand and said coldly, "Do I know you that well?"

The latter said with a sad face, "Brother, we've been through thick and thin together. If it weren't for you, I would have died at the hands of that mandala long ago."

Zhui Ming said calmly, "So what did you do?"

Mo Qingchen was speechless, but shamelessly said, "That was because the residual poison hadn't been cleared at the time. If I hadn't been poisoned, that Datura would definitely have died at my hands!"

He tried to put his arm around Zhui Ming again, but the latter dodged. Then, Mo Qingchen changed the subject, "But with your skills, wouldn't you have a better future in Spade City? You're just a bodyguard in Diamond City? Hey, tell me the truth, were you hired by Chuanliu from Spade City?"

Faced with Mo Qingchen's probing, Zhui Ming frowned somewhat displeased.

At this moment, Chuanliu had already followed the woman out through the back door.

To make the performance more convincing, Chuanliu threw himself into Zhuiming's arms, tears welling in his eyes, just like a love story.

After confirming that Xiao Ni was safe, the woman and her husband snuggled together, with their daughter standing beside them, and the family of three waved goodbye to Xiao Ni.

After seeing Chuanliu and the other two off, they returned to their room and saw a package on the bed.

Inside the package were chips worth 10,000 points.

There was also a piece of paper with the words "We are extremely grateful!" written on it in a flamboyant style.

The couple stared wide-eyed, unable to calm down for a long time.

With the threat of Mandala resolved, Chuanliu, Zhuiming, and Mo Qingchen once again embarked on their journey to the "Dark Gate."

Mo Qingchen had previously told them that although there was indeed a mansion belonging to "Q of Spades" Tang Qing on Black Spade Mountain, Tang Qing did not usually live there, but instead settled in the "Dark Gate" base.

The "Dark Gate" base is a secret location whose location is unknown to anyone other than those within the "Dark Gate".

Therefore, the path to the "secret door" can only be led by Mo Qingchen.

After leaving the village at the foot of Spade City again, Mo Qingchen took an unconventional route and continued up the mountain along a very inconspicuous path.

Zhuiming stayed close behind Chuanliu, fearing that the girl might aggravate her wounds and cause further injury.

Mo Qingchen walked at the very front. He had clearly recovered a lot of energy, looking back every three steps, and even had the energy to talk non-stop, in addition to climbing the mountain.

"Chuanliu, you have no idea! Brother Qiang's final, deadly strike yesterday, even though he was poisoned by the datura, still managed to kill her. Hey, Qiang, that move you showed yesterday was so cool! You seemed more professional than me, an assassin. Can you teach me sometime?" Mo Qingchen said, gesturing excitedly.

Zhui Ming didn't speak, but Chuan Liu responded instead, "What are you, an assassin, doing learning the work of a bodyguard?"

Mo Qingchen touched his neck and said, "It's always good to have more skills. Besides, I reckon many Spade people couldn't pull off what A-Qiang did yesterday. Chuanliu, you've got a great bodyguard."

Chuanliu didn't continue the conversation on that topic, but instead asked, "Mo Qingchen, you're quite capable, so why did you become an assassin with the 'Dark Gate' instead of establishing your own in Spade City?"

Mo Qingchen gazed into the distance and said, "Like all assassins of the 'Dark Gate,' it's all for money."

Chuanliu: "Can't you make money by taking orders yourself? Besides, if you're lucky, you can even get a formal resident status."

Mo Qingchen smiled. "Do you think it's so easy to be an official resident of Spade City? We're not as civilized as the other suits. Official residents of Spade City are constantly under threat to their lives. Only those with established power, like the Thug Gang, Zhuge Hall, and 'Spade Nine' and 'Spade Ten,' can maintain their position."

Chuanliu glanced at Zhuiming without changing his expression, then quickly looked away and asked Mo Qingchen, "What about the 'Eight of Spades'?"