Mo Qingchen turned to look at Chuan Liu and asked with some doubt, "You mean the assassin Zhui Ming? Hmm, he's an exception."
Chuanliu raised his eyes and asked, "What do you mean?"
Mo Qingchen's eyes revealed admiration as he recounted, "Zhuiming is considered a legend in our assassin circle. He arrived on the island at a young age and immediately struck with overwhelming force. It's said he challenged his way up from 'Two of Spades' to 'King of Spades,' but ultimately chose the position of 'Eight of Spades' because he wanted to work alone and didn't want so many subordinates."
Such an outrageous legend, I wonder if it's true or not.
Chuanliu glanced at Zhuiming, who seemed to be listening to something that had nothing to do with him.
Mo Qingchen pursed her lips and continued, "But later he became very low-key, occasionally taking on jobs, and living a really comfortable life! No one knows his whereabouts, and it seems that no one has even seen his true face. Assassins like us can't reach his level, so we might as well just make some money peacefully."
Chuanliu raised an eyebrow and asked in return, "Stable?"
Never mind what I said.
Mo Qingchen immediately changed his tune.
He suddenly stopped, as if annoyed that Chuanliu and Zhuiming were too slow, and complained, "You two, don't be so inseparable while climbing the mountain. Brother Qiang, are you afraid she'll fall backward? Hurry up and catch up."
Chuanliu and Zhuiming exchanged a glance, then said to Mo Qingchen, "You lead the way, why are you making so many comments?"
Mo Qingchen had no choice but to continue leading the way, grumbling to Chuan Liu, "Your money is really hard to earn..."
After walking for about two more hours, the roads on both sides became narrower and narrower, and the mountain was deserted, with very few traces of people.
Chuanliu said calmly, "You're not planning to take us to the middle of nowhere and then kill us to cover your tracks, are you?"
Mo Qingchen touched her neck, put her hands on her hips, and said, "What do you take me for? You're my savior, after all. I was poisoned twice, and if it weren't for you, I would have been dead by now, right?"
As he spoke, a serious expression crossed his face as he looked intently at Chuanliu and said, "I haven't formally told you yet, thank you."
“You’re welcome. Just keep your promise,” the latter replied.
As they spoke, the group had already crossed a hill.
"arrive."
Mo Qingchen pointed with one hand.
Not far away, nestled in the dense forest, a dilapidated stone tablet hidden among the grass came into view. Its surface was covered with the marks of time, mottled with moss, bearing the imprint of history. Pushing aside the weeds, the bold, dark characters on the tablet gradually became clear—"Hidden Door."
This is the location of the "secret door" under the jurisdiction of "Queen of Spades" Tang Qing.
Behind the stone tablet, a narrow and long stone path leads straight ahead, only wide enough for one person to pass at a time.
There is no protection on either side of the stone path; both sides are bottomless cliffs, seemingly ready to swallow any living creature that dares to approach. Stepping onto this stone path requires caution with every step, for the slightest carelessness could lead to a plunge into the abyss and a gruesome end.
Crossing this stone path, you will see the location of the "secret gate" base, with a simple and ancient Chinese building standing not far ahead.
Mo Qingchen straightened his clothes and then arranged, "Brother Qiang and I will stand in front and behind, respectively, and you will stand in the middle. We will hold you and protect your safety."
Before he finished speaking, he stepped onto the stone path and reached out his hand to the flowing river.
However, Chuanliu suddenly interrupted his actions.
"Wait a moment."
Chuanliu hesitated before speaking.
She took out two ropes from somewhere, tied one around her waist, and had Zhui Ming tie the other around his waist. She held Zhui Ming's rope end herself, and handed her own end to Mo Qingchen.
The girl seemed a little uneasy about the upcoming operation. She nervously cleared her dry throat and asked the two of them softly, "Is there any water?"
Mo Qingchen frowned, seemingly annoyed by Chuanliu's dawdling, and replied with slight impatience, "Young Miss, once we get to the 'Secret Gate,' you can drink as much as you want. Do you really have to drink now?"
However, while he was complaining, Zhuiming had already quickly taken out a water bottle and handed it to Chuanliu.
Chuanliu took the water bottle, took a few big gulps, and then handed the bottle to Mo Qingchen.
Despite Mo Qingchen's complaints, he subconsciously took the water bottle, took a couple of sips, and then stuffed it into his pocket.
"Is this alright now? Be careful when you leave, and don't take me with you."
Mo Qingchen stepped onto the stone path again, pulling on the rope tied to Chuanliu.
The three of them walked onto the stone path one by one.
This smooth but narrow path can be traversed smoothly as long as one remains steady, but losing balance will lead to danger.
Chuanliu: "Why did your boss decide to build the base in such a place?"
Mo Qingchen: "Safe enough, discreet enough, and impressive enough."
Chuanliu: "So you have to pass through here every time."
Mo Qingchen: "This is where we get our orders. As the saying goes, people die for money, and birds die for food."
Chuanliu: "What percentage of the profits do you assassins and the 'Dark Gate' make?"
Mo Qingchen: "Low-level: 40-60 points; Intermediate: 30-70 points; High-level: 20-80 points; Top-level: 10-90 points."
Chuanliu: "I heard you're a high-ranking assassin?"
Mo Qingchen: "I'll be promoted soon."
A biting mountain wind swept in, piercing their clothes and bringing a chill to their bones. Inside the canyon, the howling and roaring of the wind mingled together, making them shiver.
Chuanliu gripped the knot at her waist tightly, while her other hand held firmly to the rope of Zhuiming. She stared ahead, chatting with Mo Qingchen.
All three possessed remarkable mental fortitude, and they quickly reached the center of the stone path while the two were talking.
Chuanliu continued, "How do you level up?"
Mo Qingchen replied, "Based on performance and contribution."
Chuanliu glanced at the deep shadows beneath his feet and suddenly asked, "Why are you answering every question so readily? Doesn't your 'Dark Gate' have a confidentiality agreement?"
Upon hearing this, Mo Qingchen, who was walking at the front, stopped in her tracks.
The two people behind them also stopped one after another.
"What's wrong?" Chuanliu asked.
Mo Qingchen calmly turned around on the narrow path, barely wide enough for one foot to walk on. His androgynous profile appeared particularly striking in the dim light. He tilted his head, glancing sideways at the chattering woman behind him, a fleeting, unfathomable emotion flashing in his eyes.
"Keep it a secret?"
He parted his thin lips slightly, the corners of his mouth curving upwards into a half-smile, as if everything was under his control. "Of course I'm not worried that you'll reveal it."
However, in the next moment, his eyes suddenly turned cold and sinister, and his voice became low and terrifying, as if a demon was whispering in their ears: "After all... the dead can't speak."
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