Seventeenth Master and the others were locked in a cave, their hands tied behind their backs, unable to move. Seventeenth Master managed to grab a sharp pebble from the ground and struggle to get closer to his companions.
Outside the cave, there were patrolling soldiers from time to time. Although they were called soldiers, they were all women. Seventeenth Master had already experienced their prowess, and now that he was like a lamb entering a tiger's den, he naturally dared not make a move.
He had painstakingly worn a small hole in the rope with pebbles, but before he could continue, the cave door opened. Seventeenth Master quickly clutched the pebbles in his hand, staring at the woman who slowly walked in.
The woman was heavily pregnant, followed by a group of women dressed in brightly colored clothes. Although Seventeenth Master had never met Zhu Wanqing, he recognized her from the pregnant woman's appearance as the leader of the White Lotus Sect, whom he had always admired and been curious about.
Zhu Wanqing first sized up the Seventeenth Master and his group. Then, the Green-Clad Hall Master leaned close to Zhu Wanqing's ear and whispered a few words to the Seventeenth Master. A hint of ferocity flashed in Zhu Wanqing's eyes, and the Seventeenth Master felt a chill run down his spine. This woman's mere gaze was enough to intimidate others. Although she was a woman and pregnant, it did not conceal her heroic spirit and imposing manner.
Zhu Wanqing noticed that the Seventeenth Prince was staring at her, so she smiled and walked forward. The Seventeenth Prince was startled and became wary, but his hands were tied and he couldn't resist. Zhu Wanqing circled the Seventeenth Prince and asked disdainfully, "They only sent a few of you here?"
Seventeenth Prince was taken aback, then immediately realized that Zhu Wanqing didn't recognize him, and perhaps didn't even know that he was Seventeenth Prince. He then devised a plan, feigning stubbornness as he turned his head away, not intending to answer Zhu Wanqing's question.
Seeing that the Seventeenth Master was fearless, the Green-Clad Hall Master angrily stepped forward and reached out to slap him, but Zhu Wanqing stopped him.
"Master? They are all spies. They won't tell the truth unless you torture them!" the green-robed hall master said anxiously.
Zhu Wanqing, however, didn't seem to care at all. She smiled and said, "No matter what, they are still living, breathing human beings. They just mistook the right master for the wrong one and worked for the wrong people!" After saying that, she stared meaningfully at the Seventeenth Master and said coldly, "Don't you think so?"
The Seventeenth Prince's heart tightened. This woman was indeed skilled at winning hearts and minds. He glanced warily at the soldiers around him. Fortunately, these were his trusted confidants, otherwise he might have been manipulated by Zhu Wanqing.
The Seventeenth Prince took a deep breath and remained silent. Zhu Wanqing was not in a hurry, and smiled as she squatted down to face the Seventeenth Prince: "Are your masters the Thirteenth Prince and the Seventeenth Prince of the Qing Dynasty?"
Seventeenth Master feigned surprise, but quickly regained his composure: "I don't know what you're talking about?"
Zhu Wanqing covered her mouth and laughed, "Don't refuse so soon! I know more than just these things; I also know that your purpose in coming to the island is to meet the Fourteenth Prince of the Qing Dynasty?"
The Seventeenth Prince stared in disbelief, speechless. Zhu Wanqing struggled to her feet, her expression immediately turning serious: "I won't kill you! And I'll give you a chance..." The Seventeenth Prince hesitated, glancing at Zhu Wanqing, who slowly said, "In the eyes of the Qing dynasty's nobles, you are nothing but insignificant slaves, used like beasts... Why don't you consider yourselves? My White Lotus Sect has plenty of gold and silver treasures. As long as you pledge allegiance to me, I guarantee you a life of wealth and honor..."
The Seventeenth Prince's eyes darted around, and he immediately knelt on the ground, crying out, "Injustice! Leader, injustice! We really don't know anything; we were just following the Prince's orders to find the Fourteenth Prince..."
Zhu Wanqing was startled by the Seventeenth Prince's sudden kowtow. She covered her mouth in disgust, took two steps back, and smiled contemptuously.
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