Infinite Mask Game.

This idiot.

Zhou Fan cursed inwardly, but on the surface he maintained the demeanor of a gentleman.

He gave Cao Hai a look, and the latter nodded almost imperceptibly.

Zhou Fan sighed, "Then I have no choice but to risk my life to accompany you."

Cao Hai didn't say anything, but after spending so much time together, they all knew that he would definitely support Zhou Fan's decision.

“I’ll go too,” Lu Sha said without hesitation.

"Are you really sure? This is dangerous." Xie Jingming said emotionally. He really wanted his partner to go with him, but reason made him dissuade him.

Zhou Fan said helplessly, "I told you long ago that I would always support you."

He had a lot to complain about. Knowing there were tigers in the mountains, he still went headlong into the tiger's den. Don't you know who that's because of?
Xie Jingming was so moved that he didn't know what to say, so he could only give her a knowing look.

Zhou Fan ignored him completely and asked Dong Luan, "Does the Master have a complete plan?"

"Hahaha, of course!" Dong Luan was overjoyed and kept praising, "Even if there are thousands of people, I will go! You are all heroes, your spirit is soaring and your heroism is boundless!"

Xie Jingming was pleased, but Zhou Fan was unable to respond.

No amount of praise can mask the risks involved.

Dong Luan led the group out of the southwest corner and found a secluded spot to discuss their plan.

After they left, a large gray rat suddenly emerged from a dirty corner of a house by the roadside and scurried away.

night.

With no stars or moon, the chill of late autumn grew ever stronger.

The slave market was hidden in the northern part of the capital. This area was a hub for merchants, and many artisans and other craftspeople also lived there.

Even as the epidemic engulfs the capital, there are still many people living normal lives on the streets.

The proportion of martial artists here is slightly higher.

Dong Luan and the group of four stepped into a bustling street adorned with red lanterns.

Zhou Fan: "I heard the slave market is located underground in the North District?"

“Exactly. I’ve contacted a slave owner who’s willing to take us in,” Dong Luan said. “There will be others joining us then.”

Zhou Fan reacted quickly: "You've already planted a group of spies in the slave market?"

Dong Luan nodded approvingly: "There are many chivalrous people in the world. Tonight, this humble monk will make this slave market cease to exist!"

"Master, your ambitions are lofty," Zhou Fan said casually, "but what are we supposed to do then?"

He initially thought it was a sneaky sabotage attempt, but it turned out to be a full-scale attack.

The defenses of Slave City are unfathomable; they might even include the Seven Sects.

Dong Luan replied with a smile, "I see that you young friends are quite capable. You can help hold off the experts when the time comes."

Zhou Fan gave a meaningful laugh twice and said nothing more.

A short while later, the five arrived at a secondhand clothing shop.

A handsome young man sat lazily behind the counter, with faint dark circles under his eyes, looking like he hadn't slept well.

He glanced at the five people, his gaze lingering on Dong Luan for a moment.

He slowly got up and stretched: "Come with me."

The young man took out the key chain from his waist, walked to the innermost wooden door, and unlocked the iron lock hanging on the door.

He pulled the door open forcefully, turned to the crowd, and said, "Here, please."

Xie Jingming sensed it briefly and was surprised to find that this unassuming young man actually possessed top-tier cultivation.

How could someone like that be guarding the gate here? Even if he applied for a position at the Imperial Secretariat, he could become a judge.

The young man ignored the stares of the crowd and urged them to go inside quickly.

Dong Luan led the way, with Xie Jingming bringing up the rear, and the group filed in.

After they all went inside, the young man closed the door but did not lock it.

He waited a moment longer, and then a woman shrouded in a crimson veil walked gracefully towards him, her figure captivating. The veil added to her allure, making her even more enchanting.

Yan Ziqi removed her veil and greeted him: "Liu Ruyan."

She always felt that the name had a profound meaning, but she didn't think much of it.

The young man straightened his posture: "You've arrived. Dong Luan just brought people in."

Yan Ziqi asked, "Is Kou Yu ready?"

"He's quite good at ruining my slaves." Liu Ruyan nodded lazily and chuckled. "I've also made arrangements for your people."

Yan Ziqi's eyes shone brightly: "Then let's begin, it's time."

Liu Ruyan opened the wooden door for her.

Yan Ziqi entered the passage behind the door.

Liu Ruyan closed the door again, and this time locked it.

Behind the wooden door is a sloping passage made of blue bricks, leading all the way down.

The ground was slippery, and there were luminous patterns carved on the stone wall overhead.

The group of people slid down in a half-crouching position until they reached the bottom.

After exiting the passage, the view suddenly opened up.

Xie Jingming stared wide-eyed, amazed by the scale of the slave market.

He originally thought that slave market was at most a low basement, never expecting it to be excavated to a height of ten meters and an endless expanse.

It's probably half the size of the North District.

Beneath their feet lay flat earth, and above their heads were countless glowing runes that provided a dim light, sufficient for a martial artist to see.

Several streets were lined with gloomy brick houses, with flagpoles next to them bearing the names of slave owners.

Almost every rooftop had a lantern hanging under it, some green and some bright red.

People with cloths wrapped around their faces or wearing comical paper masks walk through the streets.

All those who sensed it were martial artists.

It was like a marketplace in the underworld, even more bustling than the one overhead, but the sounds were extremely faint, and even the occasional conversations were hard to hear.

"This is the slave market..." Xie Jingming murmured, not quite coming to his senses for a moment.

Although Zhou Fan had long heard of this place's bad reputation, this was his first time setting foot here.

He silently took out a white cloth and was about to cover his face when Dong Luan stopped him, lowering his voice and saying, "Only rats in the gutter need to cover their faces. What need is there for customers to cover their faces?"

"Here, guests are not expected to wear masks. Therefore, many powerful and influential people will send their trusted confidants, who are rarely seen in public, to make purchases."

The group listened obediently as Dong Luan explained the rules of the place, and followed him forward.

It has to be said that the appearance of a monk here, accompanied by a group of martial artists who were clearly not servants, attracted a lot of attention.

Dong Luan remained calm and composed, a composure that even Zhou Fan admired.

"The lanterns under the eaves indicate whether the shop is open or closed; green means it has stock, and red means it's closed," Dong Luan explained as he walked, clearly leading them to a shop.

The courtyard in front of us occupies a large area, which shows that the slave owners here have considerable power.

Dong Luan explained, "Our collaborators are inside."

There was a martial artist in front of the courtyard gate, who was completely covered from head to toe. He clearly recognized Dong Luan and let him pass without saying anything.

"A first-rate martial artist." Xie Jingming was amazed by the depth of Nu City's resources.

Even top-tier martial artists serve as gatekeepers here.

Xie Jingming had become somewhat numb to the fact that he rarely encountered anyone above the top tier while traveling the martial arts world.

Zhou Fan glanced at the character "smoke" written on the banner next to him, and remained silent.

He had a bad feeling about this. (End of Chapter)