But now she has no way out, the Xiao Mansion is no longer her safe haven. If she doesn't move forward, where can she go?
"Then wait until I finish the matters at hand and then report."
"Everything has already been reported to the Light Camp. It's not easy to find the place for preparation. Why don't you go with me right now to get familiar with the situation?"
It was planned early in the morning that she would go, and Xiao Nanhui still wanted to put in a final struggle.
"I still have some small things to prepare..."
"The Spring Hunt is a matter of royal concern, so all expenses should be arranged directly by the palace to avoid criticism. If Guard Xiao has any other special needs, you can directly let me know. You don't have to bother arranging it yourself."
What special needs could she have? She just felt that this matter was strange and wanted to stay here for a while.
But after hearing these few words, the other party made it clear that he was going to take people away immediately. Even if she had ten thousand excuses, she would always be rebutted.
"Then I'll be grateful to you for leading the way."
When Xiao Nanhui left the Xiao Mansion, he didn't know that the "in the city" that Shan Jiangfei mentioned referred to the military camp, and he didn't know that it was the Black Feather Camp.
The Black Feather Camp has four camps in Que City, two of which are located in the city, one is near the north gate, and the other is in the southwest corner of the imperial palace, which is the one in front of us.
The Black Feather Battalion was a lean-to, though modest in size, it occupied the highest point of the Imperial City's defenses. The entrance to the camp was located beneath the West Bell and Drum Tower, a secluded and narrow structure. Yet, within, a hidden world unfolded, complete with training grounds, barracks, and an arsenal.
Shan Jiangfei led Xiao Nanhui deeper into the depths, relying on the same iron ring on Xiao Nanhui's wrist.
The Heiyu garrison was still tense and relaxed, loose on the outside but tight on the inside. What happened in Jiaosong County did not seem to have any impact on the people in the camp. Everyone was still as unshakable and well-trained as before. After Shan Jiangfei showed the bracelet, no one looked at Xiao Nanhui again. Everyone was busy with their own affairs. Even the most ordinary soldiers looked extremely decent and dignified.
Thinking of his past experiences as a captain in the Subei Camp, Xiao Nanhui felt a little sad. Then he thought of his current situation and felt a little sad.
Back then, she thought that she, the sergeant who had endured for so many years, would finally make it, but it turned out that everything was just a dream.
Perhaps she was born to be a squad leader. As the saying goes, her fate is short and her fortune is meager. She could not bear any more power and wealth.
"Xiao Yingwei, we're almost there."
Shan Jiangfei's voice rang out at the end of the narrow alley behind the parade ground. Xiao Nanhui came to his senses and hurried to catch up, only to find that the end was a death road. Behind the several-meter-high wall was an endless stretch of dark-colored pines and cypresses. The rugged bluestone brick wall looked a little mottled, and a thick layer of green moss had grown after being soaked in rain for three consecutive days.
Is this the destination? Xiao Nanhui was puzzled.
Shan Jiangfei lowered his head in silence, not even looking up to see Xiao Nanhui's expression. He pulled a jade token from his pocket and inserted it horizontally into the crack in the mossy brick. A dull "click" sounded from deep within the wall, and then the stone brick sank inward about ten feet, sinking into the boundless darkness.
A deep entrance with no visible way forward appeared, and a damp and cold breath came out of it, brushing across Xiao Nanhui's astonished face.
"I'll take you here. Guard Xiao can ascend the stairs from here. There are rules here, and candles are not allowed. Guard Xiao, please be careful where you step."
Xiao Nanhui swallowed and his calves suddenly felt weak.
She was not afraid of the dark, nor of ghosts, but she was afraid of the people she might meet after the darkness.
Once upon a time, she had met that man in the dark in the cellar of Mr. Zou's house. At that time, he was sitting on a pile of rotten cabbage. Although his occasional smile looked a little mysterious, she had never taken him seriously.
After all, who would put so much attention and emotion into someone who might just be a casual acquaintance?
But the fate between people is already determined.
The bond she thought would last a lifetime was easily broken, and the fate she thought was just a passing one was like spider silk and drizzle, which she could not cut no matter how hard she swung her blade.
Sighing, Xiao Nanhui stepped into the boundless darkness.
The stone steps behind the entrance are narrow and steep, spiraling upward with no end in sight.
Darkness, wrapped in damp and cold air, surrounded and engulfed her. The light behind her gradually faded away, and she could only hear her own short breathing echoing against the stone walls.
The darkness and silence make people lose their judgment of space and time. A short cup of tea seems as long as a lifetime.
Vaguely, she had a strange illusion: it seemed that at some point in the past, she had been to such a place with spiral stone steps and darkness.
But she clearly remembered that she had never been to such a place.
Maybe, it was in a dream.
After an unknown amount of time, the darkness finally came to an end. First, a breeze brushed the ends of her hair, and then she felt a shifting light shining on her face.
It took a moment for his eyes, which had been in darkness for a long time, to adjust to the surrounding light. Xiao Nanhui then discovered that the moving light was a lake as smooth as a mirror.
At the end of the secret passage was an open platform. Above the platform was the sky, which had cleared up after days of rain. A pale sun hung in the clear, cold light gray sky.
A flock of grey geese returning north flew by, and the sound of their wings flapping broke the quiet air around them.
Xiao Nanhui unconsciously took a few steps forward and found herself on top of a tall building. Right in front of the building was the lake, which was square and bare. Not even a lotus leaf could be seen. Perhaps because there were many obstructions around, the water surface was frighteningly still and as smooth as a mirror.
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