When the retired emperor learned of this, he immediately realized the great significance of this secret passage and thus conceived the idea of ​​leaving a secret passage in the palace as well.

After all, having an extra escape route is like having a piece of driftwood to save you in a stormy sea, providing more security and hope for survival.

Therefore, before Ning Chenyi moved the capital, the retired emperor solemnly told him about this idea, earnestly emphasizing its importance and secrecy.

Every word was filled with deep concern and earnest expectations for his future safety.

Originally, it was just to seek peace of mind and find a secluded and safe haven.

Unexpectedly, it has come in handy at this critical juncture, playing a vital, even life-or-death, role.

Without this secret passage, given the current tight encirclement, which is like an impregnable fortress...

For Xuan Ying to escape quietly would be as difficult as ascending to heaven; it was undoubtedly impossible.

Seeing that Xuan Ying had already understood his intentions, the Emperor lowered his voice to an extremely low hue.

So low that it seemed only their rapid, tense heartbeats could be heard, he whispered, “Go find the Shadow Guard Commander; he knows where the Chiwen Division is.”

The voice, though soft, seemed to carry immense power; each word was like a heavy boulder, bearing boundless strength, trust, and entrustment.

In this silent yet deadly space, where the air seemed to freeze, a secret and crucial code pierced through the darkness, conveying an unquestionable sacred command.

It was as if it were pointing out a faint but precious glimmer of hope for this nightmarish struggle in darkness, and finding that ray of light to break the deadlock.

In this tense atmosphere, so quiet it was almost suffocating, Ning Chenyi spoke in a voice as low as a mosquito's wing flutter, yet carrying an undeniable air of authority.

He hurriedly conveyed the key information to Xuan Ying, while slowly and cautiously reaching his hand into the thick and complicated clothing around his waist.

At this moment, the surrounding air seemed to freeze, and every slight movement could trigger a hidden crisis.

His every move was like walking on thin ice, cautious and treading on thin ice.

His fingertips gently caressed the seams of his clothes at his waist, like a treasure hunter searching for precious gems.

In the darkness, relying on his keen sense of touch, he meticulously searched for that crucial token.

Finally, Ning Chenyi's fingertips touched the small token.

This token has a warm and delicate texture, as if it were carefully carved from the finest mutton fat jade, and exudes a soft and restrained luster.

In this bleak environment, it seemed to be the only warmth and hope.

Upon touching it, a cool sensation permeates the skin, and that coolness slowly spreads from the fingertips to the whole body, yet it also carries a strange sense of peace.

The patterns engraved on the token are exquisite and detailed, with smooth and mysterious lines, like a mysterious scroll containing ancient codes.

Each line seems to tell a little-known secret of the palace or a thrilling legend.

It also seems to contain some mysterious and powerful force, a force that seems to transcend the boundaries of time and space, inspiring awe and making one dare not desecrate it in the slightest.

Ning Chenyi gently grasped the token, as if he had grasped the key to turning the tide, and then handed it to Xuan Ying.

His eyes were filled with deep trust and earnest entrustment; his gaze was like the deep night sky, containing endless expectations and unwavering faith.

He slightly opened his mouth, but then stopped for fear of making a sound, only emphasizing the important mission the token carried with his eyes.

It was as if it was telling Xuan Ying that this was not just an ordinary token, but a key to the fate of the entire palace, and a beacon of hope to break through the current predicament.

Xuan Ying's expression was solemn, his face as cold and stern as an ice sculpture, and his eyes revealed an unwavering determination and a courage to face death.

He reached out his hand, his movements steady and powerful, like steel pliers, firmly taking the token.

The moment his fingertips touched the token, a warmth emanated from it, a warmth that seemed to carry Ning Chenyi's unwavering belief and earnest expectations, flowing down his arm and straight to his heart.

This made him clearly and deeply aware that the mission he shouldered was of paramount importance.

He nodded slightly, casting a resolute, steely gaze at Ning Chenyi, a gaze as bright as the most dazzling star in the dark night, piercing through the darkness.

It conveys his determination to fulfill his mission, even if the road ahead is full of thorns and life and death are uncertain, he will never back down.

Then, he quickly turned around, like a black gust of wind, his movements nimble and agile. Crouching low, he slipped into the secret passage without hesitation.

As Xuan Ying's figure completely disappeared into the secret passage, the passage seemed to be quietly controlled by a mysterious and powerful invisible force.

At the entrance to the secret passage, the gap that had opened was slowly smoothed out as if by an unseen hand, and the bricks and stones were pieced together seamlessly.

It emits a soft, subtle sound, like the ancient gears of time quietly turning, completing their final reset.

The sound, though faint, seemed to be the intersection of history and reality, or the prelude to a turning point in fate.

In no time, the secret passage silently returned to its original state, the smooth and flat bed surface showing no abnormalities and without any flaws.

It was as if the secret passage leading to the mysterious place had never existed; everything returned to its original tranquility.

It makes one wonder if everything that just happened was just a dream or a fleeting illusion.

This secret passage is like a mysterious network hidden beneath the palace, a complex and crisscrossing hidden spider web.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!