To avoid being discovered, Lin Yan kept a distance while following him.

Xie Muqing had never met this person.

Seeing her serious expression, I couldn't help but ask in a low voice:

"Wife, who is this person?"

“This is Yuan Xu’s man. I saw him sneaking around last time, and I thought he was kidnapping girls, but it seems that’s not the case…”

By this time, the sky was gradually darkening.

I followed that person for about 15 minutes.

They arrived at a mountain range with little green vegetation.

Just as Lin Yan was about to follow, several people suddenly appeared out of nowhere at the cave entrance!

They searched the man thoroughly before letting him in.

She quickly pulled Xie Muqing aside and hid behind a corner of the mountain.

The two couldn't help but exchange a glance.

They both saw shock in each other's eyes!

There must be some unspeakable secret in this cave, which is why it's secretly guarded...

Considering the unknown dangers hidden inside the cave.

Lin Yan gently tugged at Xie Muqing's arm, and as he lowered his head, she whispered in his ear:

"Xie Muqing, wait for me here, I'll go in and check the situation."

The warm breath near her ear made Xie Muqing so excited that she almost forgot where she was.

After calming down, he mentally berated himself.

He hurriedly grabbed Lin Yan's arm and said in a deep voice:

“My lady, I’ll go in with you. Don’t underestimate me. I was once the talented and skilled Prince Xie. Although my legs have been crippled for many days, I’m slowly recovering. I’m not like a weak young master.”

Meeting his almost pleading gaze, Lin Yan had no choice but to agree to let him go in together.

"Okay, if you find anything amiss when you go in, leave immediately."

The two quietly made their way to the cave entrance.

The guards had sharp eyes and spotted them immediately.

But Lin Yan was faster than them.

Before they could react, the powder in his hand was quickly sprinkled towards their faces!

Several guards instantly lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground one after another.

Just as their broadswords were about to fall to the ground, Lin Yan and Xie Muqing quickly caught them, preventing them from making a sound.

After exchanging a glance, the two nodded slightly and each took a large knife and ventured into the cave.

The cave was pitch black, with only a few faint candlelights barely enough to make out the path beneath our feet.

Upon entering the cave, a pungent smell of rust filled the air.

An incredible idea flashed through Lin Yan's mind.

She frowned in disbelief, and not knowing whether there were guards inside the cave, she dared not speak rashly, and could only secretly tighten her grip on Xie Muqing's large hand.

By the dim candlelight, she squinted at the mottled wall, which showed that the mine had been in operation for some time.

Only now did Lin Yan finally understand.

Why is there so little vegetation on this small mountain range...?

It turns out that a sizable iron mine was hidden in these mountains!

Just as they were wondering whether to continue forward or retreat, a piercing sound suddenly came from ahead!

Immediately following were the crisp sounds of several leather whips striking flesh, accompanied by a man's curses and another man's muffled groan.

"You better behave! Do you still think you're the Xie family army from before?! None of you are getting dinner tonight!"

In the darkness, Xie Muqing's body suddenly trembled when he heard the words "Xie Family Army"!

Lin Yan immediately noticed that something was wrong with him.

She opened her mouth silently, knowing that it was not the right time or place to say anything comforting, and could only hold his hand even tighter.

Their steps, which had originally intended to leave, quickly changed direction.

They slowly made their way toward the center of the mine.

The two finally reached the center of the mine without any major incident.

Only after seeing the scene below did Lin Yan finally understand why there weren't many guards inside the cave.

There are at least several hundred people involved in the mining.

However, without exception, their feet were all chained.

There was even a man holding a leather whip standing next to them.

And that leather whip was lashing people all the time!

When that familiar face appeared on the paper in front of Xie Muqing, he could no longer contain his anger and his whole body trembled.

Although Lin Yan could not feel the pain in person, she felt indignant as well.

These people were all brothers who had followed General Xie through thick and thin, and were soldiers who had defended their country.

Now they are treated like lowly slaves.

Working all day long in this dark and gloomy mine...

Suddenly, Lin Yan accidentally stepped into thin air.

Seeing that she was about to fall, Xie Muqing's eyes widened, and he quickly reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back from the edge.

He managed to hold the person in his arms without any serious injury.

Although the two of them did not make a sound the entire time.

However, the slight commotion of his foot slipping was immediately noticed by the two guards.

"Who's there?!"

Lin Yan didn't have time to admire Xie Muqing's exquisite jawline and quickly got up from his embrace.

The two exchanged a glance, and both saw murderous intent in each other's eyes!

Two guards, carrying torches, slowly approached them.

Lin Yan suddenly darted out from the corner and slashed at the neck of the newcomer.

Xie Muqing followed closely behind and swiftly slit the throat of another person...

There were only about a dozen guards inside the mine.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the two of them had taken care of them.

After dealing with all the guards, Xie Muqing, with Lin Yan in his arms, used his light-footed skill to jump down to the center of the mine.

He immediately killed the man with the whip with a single blow.

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