Chapter 48
Gun smoke, blood, the stench of burnt kerosene... all sorts of disgusting smells mixed together, like a sticky slurry, blocking Gu Linzhi's mouth and nose. He was half-dragged and half-carried by the Cao Gang man, running frantically through the narrow, dark alleys filled with rubble and corpses, one foot deep and one foot shallow. Every bump brought with it a sharp pain that tore his whole body apart - the dormant poison under his ribs, the fresh knife wound on his back, the burns caused by the flames... It was like countless blunt knives cutting repeatedly in his body. His vision was shaking and blurring violently, his ears were buzzing, and the only sound was the man's heavy breathing and the approaching shouts and sounds of killing in the distance, the sound of bowstrings, like the beat of a death drum, beating his consciousness that was about to collapse.
"Quick! This way!" The man's voice was low and urgent, and he suddenly dragged him into an even darker corner that smelled of urine. He narrowly avoided a wave of arrows fired from the main street! The arrows pierced the opposite earthen wall with a puff, and the tail feathers were still trembling.
Gu Linzhi's back slammed hard against the cold, rough wall, blinding him. A sweet, fishy smell rose in his throat, which he swallowed back with all his might. He forced his eyes up, and through his blurry vision, he saw the main street outside the alley. Flames shot to the sky, figures swarmed, and the sound of weapons clashing filled the air. Like leeches, the black-clad warriors were engaged in brutal street fighting with the Cao Gang and scattered soldiers. Every moment, someone screamed and fell.
"Damn it! The Dongchang guards are getting involved too!" The Cao Gang man spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, glanced fiercely at the few figures in brown guard uniforms on the street corner, and cursed softly. Then he forcefully lifted Gu Linzhi up, "Master Gu! Hold on a little longer! We're almost there!"
Gu Linzhi was too weak to respond. He could only rely on instinct, squeezing the last ounce of strength from his bones as he followed the man deeper into the maze of alleyways. The numbness beneath his left ribs spread upward through his blood vessels like a venomous snake awakening. Every heartbeat was accompanied by a dull, stagnant pain and a cold numbness. Su Wanwan's death announcement of "six hours" hung like a sword overhead, a constant reminder of the urgency of time.
After twisting and turning, the shouting and screaming behind him seemed slightly isolated by the complex alleys. The man stopped in front of a low, unremarkable wooden door, blackened by smoke, and knocked on the door in a rhythmic pattern: three long, two short, a pause, then two short, and one long.
The wooden door creaked open a crack, and a pair of vigilant eyes scanned behind it. The man whispered a few words in code, and the door opened immediately, and the two men quickly slipped in.
Inside the door was a narrow stone staircase leading down, wide enough for only one person. It was dark and damp, and the air was filled with a complex odor of water vapor, fish, and rust. The wooden door behind him closed quickly and bolted, completely isolating himself from the smoke and murderous intent outside.
"Quick! Help Lord Gu down!" The person who opened the door was a thin old man who was also wearing the clothes of the Cao Gang. He had sharp eyes and helped with quick movements.
Descending the stone steps, deeper into the earth, a vast underground space suddenly opened before us. The walls were made of rough rock, evidently a renovated natural cavern. Several windproof tallow lamps hung overhead, casting a dim, flickering glow. The air flowed adequately, but the thick, humid air and lingering fishy odor suggested the proximity of a canal or underground river.
Dozens of people gathered inside the space, most dressed in Cao Gang attire, all bearing varying degrees of wounds. Some sat or lay, talking in low voices, the atmosphere heavy and oppressive. In a corner lay weapons, a crude medical kit, and some water and dry food. This place seemed like a secret Cao Gang refuge, or perhaps... a wartime headquarters.
Gu Linzhi's appearance immediately attracted everyone's attention. Those looks were mixed and varied—some were surprised, some were awed, some were curious, and there was also a hint of doubt that was hard to conceal.
"Master Gu!" A calm but tired voice sounded.
Gu Linzhi looked in the direction of the voice. He saw a tall, rugged-looking middle-aged man with a deep scar running from his left brow to his cheek. He was supported by a young man and walked quickly towards them. He was wearing the uniform of a gang leader, but his robes were stained with blood and dust. His right hand was draped across his chest with a cloth, clearly seriously injured.
Luo Manzi, leader of the Tongyuan Canal Gang. The name flashed through Gu Linzhi's mind. Ge Ping's superior, the man who quelled the internal strife within the Canal Gang following the Black Rock Massacre, and a figure renowned for his righteousness and bravery along the Jiangnan Canal route.
The young man who was supporting Luo Manzi made Gu Linzhi's pupils shrink slightly.
The man wore a police uniform, its original color long gone, torn in many places and stained with blood. His face was thick with fatigue and dust, but his eyes shone with a resoluteness and sharpness that belied his age. It was none other than Shen Mo, the doctor from the Ministry of Justice who was supposed to be investigating Zhou Fu's murder in Jiangnan and who had been rumored to have been silenced!
He's not dead?! And he's hanging out with the Cao Gang, appearing in this underground rudder of Shengjing?!
"Boss Luo... Doctor Chen?" Gu Linzhi's voice was almost hoarse and indistinguishable, each word tinged with blood. He forced himself to stand upright, freeing himself from the man's support. His gaze, like an icy probe, swept over the two of them.
"Minister Gu!" Luo Manzi saluted with his fists clasped. His movements were a little awkward due to his injuries, but his expression was extremely solemn. "I'm sorry that this place is so simple and scared you! How are your injuries?" He glanced at the blood all over Gu Linzhi's body and the faint blue color under his ribs, and a trace of fear flashed in his eyes.
Shen Mo simply nodded slightly, quickly and professionally examining Gu Linzhi's condition. His brows furrowed tightly as he whispered, "The poison has penetrated deeply, and the wounds have caused blood loss. This must be addressed immediately!" He immediately turned to the side, "Old Wu! Bring me some healing medicine and some clean water! And let's see if there are any herbs that can detoxify and dissolve blood stasis!"
An old man dressed like a doctor hurried over carrying a medicine box.
Gu Linzhi waved his hand, stopping them. Time was running out, and he didn't need these inadequate treatments. His eyes were fixed on Luo Manzi and Shen Mo. "What's going on outside? Why are you here?"
Luo Manzi and Shen Mo exchanged a heavy glance. He took a deep breath and spoke in a hoarse voice, "Prime Minister Gu, your bloody remonstration in the Golden Palace shook the government and the nation. That eunuch Cao Wushang is desperate! He's sending men after you and Censor Feng, while simultaneously mobilizing the East Factory's thugs and the scoundrels he secretly controls, intending to purge everyone who knew about it with blood and silence them!"
Shen Mo interrupted, his tone hurried and clear: "This humble official has been secretly investigating the case under secret orders, and has long suspected that Zhou Fu's death was related to Cao Wushang. When he learned that Censor Feng had sounded the drum to report the incident, he knew something was wrong and immediately contacted Gang Leader Luo. Gang Leader Luo is very understanding and knows that Ge Ping, Zhou Fu, and countless brothers in Heishiji died unjustly at the hands of Cao Yan. He is willing to lead the Cao Gang members to help this humble official protect the evidence and rescue the loyal and honest people!"
He glanced outside and lowered his voice, "We originally wanted to try to sneak into the Imperial Prison to rescue you, but we found that the prison was extremely heavily guarded and there were signs of explosions. When we were at our wit's end, we suddenly received an anonymous tip-off, which pointed out the location where you were transferred and the force of the guards. Only then were we able to raid the cellar... Unfortunately... we were still a step too late, and you were in danger..." His eyes fell on the scars on Gu Linzhi's body that were obviously caused by the explosion and fire, with a hint of fear and guilt.
An anonymous tip? Gu Linzhi's heart skipped a beat! Was it Su Wanwan?! Did she anticipate the silencing? Or... was this all part of her plan? Using herself... and that strange whistle, as bait and a signal?!
He forced himself to suppress his turbulent thoughts and said in a cold voice, "Where's Feng Mingyuan?"
Shen Mo and Luo Manzi's expressions instantly became uglier.
A trace of grief and anger flashed in Shen Mo's eyes. He gritted his teeth and said, "After Censor Feng was thrown into the imperial prison, before we could even come up with a plan... he was... strangled to death in prison... by Cao Wushang's confidants... with a bowstring... and it was announced to the public... that he committed suicide out of fear of punishment..."
A cold flame of rage instantly swept through Gu Linzhi's chest! Feng Mingyuan... the Hanlin editor who was pushed onto the golden steps and gave his last cry with his life, ultimately could not escape the murderous clutches!
"Where are the blood letter and the account book?!" Gu Linzhi's voice was as hard as ice.
"It has been taken back by Cao Wushang's men..." Luo Manzi said hatefully, his fists clenched so hard that they made a clattering sound, "But our people fought to the death to get this back!" He carefully took out something from his arms.
It was the hardwood box that Gu Linzhi had given to Feng Mingyuan, used to store the blood letter and account books! The edges of the box had traces of bumps and burns, clearly having experienced a brutal struggle.
Gu Linzhi took the box and brushed his fingers over the cold lines on it. Although his father's blood letter and the fatal account book were lost, the box itself, as well as the hidden groove and key on its inner wall, were still the key clues and physical evidence!
"Minister Gu," Shen Mo stepped forward, his voice low and his eyes sharp. "I've risked my life to investigate. Combining the scattered clues Zhou Fu left behind with this incident, I've discovered that Cao Wushang is colluding with the Northern Di. Their intentions are far more than just smuggling refined iron and disrupting the imperial court! They seem to be secretly searching for or... manufacturing something! An extremely dangerous weapon or... secret medicine... related to 'ice'? Several strange fires and missing persons cases in Jiangnan may be related to this!"
Ice?! Ice Soul?!
The broken words Su Wanwan uttered before her death were like thunder, exploding in Gu Linzhi's mind again!
"They...want your life...in exchange for...Ice Soul's...awakening..."
Could it be that… Cao Wushang and Beidi were secretly carrying out some kind of horrific conspiracy that required a special bloodline or life sacrifice to activate?! And was he one of those chosen "sacrifices"?! Was that why Su Wanwan said his life was "valuable"?! Was that why that strange low-frequency whistle had such a strong hold on her, even forcing her to commit suicide to escape?!
A chill instantly ran down my spine and spread throughout my body!
Just then—
"Boss! Lord Shen!" A Cao Gang member hurried down another secret passage leading to the ground, his face filled with panic. "Oh no! The East Depot has brought a large group of troops with them, blocking all the exits above! They're searching house by house! They'll soon cover this area!"
A dead silence instantly fell in the underground dark rudder! Everyone's eyes were focused on it, filled with tension and despair.
Luo Manzi's face turned pale as he looked at Shen Mo and Gu Linzhi: "Although this secret rudder is well hidden, it is definitely not a place to stay for long! We must move immediately!"
Shen Mo frowned: "We are surrounded on all sides, how can we move away?!"
Gu Linzhi endured the dizziness and severe pain, his eyes sweeping over the steamy cave, his mind racing. Steam... fishy smell... underground river...
He suddenly looked up at Luo Manzi: "Is this hidden rudder... connected to the canal?"
Luo Manzi was startled, then his eyes suddenly lit up. "There's a very secret waterway! Originally used for emergency flood discharge and transporting critical supplies, the entrance is right under the stone slabs over there where debris is piled! But the waterway is narrow and hasn't been used for years. I wonder if it's still clear..."
"We must take the waterway!" Gu Linzhi said firmly. Although his voice was hoarse, it was filled with unquestionable determination. "The land route is blocked. Only the water route may offer a glimmer of hope!"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the bewildered Cao Gang members and Shen Mo present. His voice was as cold as steel: "Cao Wushang is colluding with the Northern Di people. His plans are far-reaching, and they concern the fate of our nation! If we are trapped and die here today, the truth will be buried forever. The 70,000 Jingbei Army soldiers, Feng Yushi, Ge Ping, Zhou Fu... all the innocent souls will never rest in peace! You Cao Gang members have relied on the Grand Canal for generations. You should know that this waterway is not only a way to survive, but also... the bloodline for the final counterattack!"
His words seemed to carry a heavy force, hammering down on everyone's heart. Luo Manzi stamped his foot, his face distorted by the scars, and shouted, "Gu Xiang is right! We, the men of the Cao Gang, are adept at swimming. How can we let castrated dogs block us on the shore?! Open the waterway! Prepare the boats!"
"Boss! The stone slabs at the entrance to the waterway are blocked! It will take time to pry them open!" The gang member in charge of checking reported anxiously.
"It's too late!" There were faint sounds of banging on the door and shouting from above! The people from the East Factory had already searched the area!
A cold light flashed in Gu Linzhi's eyes, and he suddenly looked at some canal supplies piled in the corner, his gaze falling on the barrels of sealed kerosene that were obviously used for lighting on the ship!
"Boss Luo! Have your men pour kerosene on the stairs and main passages leading to the ground!" Gu Linzhi's voice was cold and urgent. "Doctor Shen, take your men and help the wounded, women and children evacuate through the waterway first! Boss Luo, select a few skilled swimmers to cover my retreat!"
"Minister Gu! Your body..." Shen Mo said anxiously.
"Follow the order!" Gu Linzhi interrupted harshly, his cold eyes sweeping over everyone. The majesty of having been in a superior position for a long time and the resolute killing intent at this moment instantly suppressed all hesitations!
Without hesitation, everyone sprang into action. Kerosene was quickly poured, a pungent odor filling the air. The wounded, women, and children were quickly supported and carried toward the newly opened waterway entrance. From below, the gurgling sound of muddy water and the cold steam of water could be heard.
The banging sounds from above were getting louder and louder, and the wooden door groaned as it couldn't bear the weight!
Gu Linzhi accepted a powerful bow from a gang member, tested the bowstring, and picked up a torch. The pain in his ribs felt like burning, and his arms trembled slightly from the blood loss and poison. But his eyes were as cold as ice, staring intently at the wooden door that was about to be knocked open.
Luo Manzi, holding a water-dividing spear, brought several elite water ghosts from the Cao Gang to protect Gu Linzhi, with a determined look in his eyes.
“Boom!”
The wooden door was finally slammed open! Several Dongchang guards rushed in with ferocious looks!
The moment they rushed in——
The rocket in Gu Linzhi's hand, like the gaze of the god of death, shot accurately into the kerosene spilled on the ground!
"boom--!!!"
The flames instantly erupted! Like an angry fire dragon, they spread wildly along the kerosene-sprinkled passageway! They instantly engulfed the first few soldiers! Sharp screams echoed throughout the passageway!
"Let's go!" Gu Linzhi shouted softly, threw the torch into the sea of fire, turned around and rushed towards the waterway entrance without hesitation!
Luo Manzi and others followed closely behind!
At the entrance, Shen Mo was anxiously waiting. Seeing him descend, he immediately reached out to meet him. Below, a narrow waterway, barely wide enough for a small boat, emerged. The water was dark and cold, and it was unclear where it led. Several small shuttle boats were already at the ready.
Gu Linzhi took one last look back at the stairway that had turned into a sea of fire, and at the figures struggling and screaming in the sea of fire, his eyes clear. He stepped into the freezing cold river and boarded a shuttle boat.
Luo Manzi, Shen Mo and several water ghosts also quickly boarded the other two boats.
"Go!" Luo Manzi gave an order, and the water ghost pushed hard with a bamboo pole. The three small boats slid silently into the deep and narrow underground river that was completely swallowed by darkness like arrows.
Behind him, the flames, explosions, and cries of killing receded further and further. Ahead, the unknown, cold darkness of the underground.
Gu Linzhi sat at the bow, his robes soaked by the icy river water. He gripped the bow tightly, feeling the vitality in his body slowly draining away under the dual erosion of poison and pain.
Six hours... maybe even shorter.
But his gaze penetrated the darkness before him, like the sharpest hawk, and locked onto the huge conspiracy called "Ice Soul" hidden behind the heavy curtain of darkness.
The boat glided silently into the depths of darkness.
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