I become stronger by sacrificing my lifespan, becoming invincible in the world.

Zhang Heng's face darkened: "That bastard is fast and knows the terrain well. We chased him for over ten miles, but it was too dark, so we lost him. But it's alright!"

He sneered, "With this evidence and these prisoners, a trial back at the prison will surely uncover his master! This time, we'll uproot him and his shady connections completely!"

He paused, then looked at Lin Chen: "You're right, Chen Hong definitely has someone behind him. I'll personally oversee the interrogation, focusing on uncovering this 'Beijing mastermind'!"

Lin Chen nodded: "The captain is wise. Also, this token..." He took out the black token and briefly explained how he discovered it and its strangeness.

Zhang Heng took it and examined it, his brows furrowing: "These runes... I've never seen them before. The material is strange too."

He tried channeling his internal energy, but there was still no response. "It might be some kind of token from the demon race, or... something used in some kind of cult ritual?"

He casually handed the prisoner back to Lin Chen, saying, "Keep it for now, and find an old scholar in the pass who knows about runes to take a look at it later. Right now, the most important thing is to get these prisoners and evidence back as soon as possible, lest things get complicated."

Lin Chen put away the token and said nothing more.

Zhang Heng turned around and began loudly directing the troops to assemble and prepare for the return journey.

Lin Chen walked to the side, his back to the busy crowd, and took out the black token again, rubbing its cold, smooth surface with his fingertips.

The throbbing sensation emanating from the divine jade was still clear.

The abyss... a token?

How could Wolf Kui, the leader of the Gray Wolf tribe, have something that carries the "abyssal aura" on him?

The Gray Wolf Tribe, the Fierce Tiger Gang, the strange ore of Blackstone Manor, the legends of Burial Valley...

There seems to be a faint thread connecting these fragments.

And at the end of the line, there may be a shadow deeper and more terrifying than the demon rebellion or gang collusion.

He clutched the token tightly in his hand.

Whatever it is, since it's fallen into his hands, he's determined to find out.

Zhang Heng, who was in the distance, had already begun to urge them on.

Lin Chen took one last look at the Wolf Valley, where the bloodstains still lingered in the morning light, then turned and followed the group.

Ghost Cry Pass, the torture chamber of the patrol camp.

It was dark and damp, with the air thick with the mingled smells of aged blood and rotting wood. The walls were covered with various instruments of torture, whose names I didn't know, gleaming coldly in the dim light of the oil lamp.

Zhang Heng didn't let Lin Chen participate in the actual interrogation process, but only let him wait in a small room next to the torture chamber. But even through the not-too-thick earthen wall, one could still vaguely hear the sharp sound of whips cutting through the air, the sizzling sound of branding irons burning flesh, and the suppressed, pitiful screams and indistinct pleas for mercy.

Zhang Heng personally took charge of the procedure.

This captain, who usually appeared rough and tough, was exceptionally meticulous and patient when it came to torture. He knew how to pry open the toughest mouths and how to keep prisoners from dying before they revealed all their secrets.

Lin Chen sat quietly in the small room, closing his eyes to regulate his breathing and refine the remaining lifespan of the demon race within his body. The screams and pleas for mercy outside seemed to have nothing to do with him.

His mind, after experiencing countless life-and-death battles and betrayals, had long been tempered to be as hard and cold as the frozen soil of the North.

About two hours later.

The noise from next door gradually subsided, leaving only faint, intermittent groans.

The door was pushed open, and Zhang Heng walked in. He had taken off his blood-stained outer robe, wearing only a single layer of clothing. Fine beads of sweat covered his forehead, but his eyes gleamed with an excited yet cold light.

"I confessed." He sat down opposite Lin Chen, picked up the now-cold tea and took a big gulp, his voice a little hoarse. "Chen Hong's cronies aren't the toughest. They're afraid of death, but they're even more afraid of living a life worse than death."

Lin Chen opened his eyes: "What did you find out?"

"Pretty much as expected." Zhang Heng put down his teacup. "Chen Hong and the Fierce Tiger Gang have been colluding for quite some time now. They help the Fierce Tiger Gang maintain connections within the Great Wall, pass on information, and dispose of stolen goods. In return, the Fierce Tiger Gang regularly provides them with tributes and even helps them deal with some 'unpleasant' people—like you."

He paused, looking at Lin Chen: "You guessed right, Chen Hong does indeed have someone in the capital directing him. But those low-level thugs only know one code name—'Black Bird.' All orders are issued by 'Black Bird' via encrypted carrier pigeons. Chen Hong only has a one-way communication with 'Black Bird' and has never seen him in person."

"Black Bird..." Lin Chen repeated softly. It was that codename again.

"The instructions are clear: before you reach the Northern Border, make you die 'accidentally' on the road. If that doesn't work, make you disappear silently within the borders. The reason..." Zhang Heng's eyes became somewhat strange. "According to the confession of one of Chen Hong's confidants, Chen Hong once mentioned in a drunken stupor that 'Seventh Prince has something on him that a nobleman specifically requested, along with his life.'"

thing.

It really was that piece of jade.

Lin Chen's eyes grew even colder.

"Is there anything else?"

"Yes." Zhang Heng leaned forward, lowering his voice, "About the Fierce Tiger Gang. Their main base isn't in Black Stone Manor; that's just a transit point. Their real base is further north at 'Black Tiger Manor,' a stronghold that's easy to defend and difficult to attack. Lei Hu spends most of his time there. Most of the ore mined in Black Stone Manor is transported to Black Tiger Manor for further refining or storage. And..."

His voice deepened: "Black Tiger Manor may be holding even more abducted civilians, as well as... some artisans with special skills who are under their control. According to the prisoners, the place is heavily guarded, with not only the elite of the Fierce Tiger Gang, but also possibly some... 'strange people'."

"A strange person?"

"The description is unclear. They only said that occasionally they would see people in black robes with their faces covered and a cold aura coming and going. They didn't seem to be from the Fierce Tiger Gang, nor did they seem to be from the demon race. Lei Hu was very respectful to those people." Zhang Heng frowned. "I suspect that it might be the force you mentioned before that is related to the 'Magic Iron Ore'."

A man in black robes. The Abyss Token.

The clues in Lin Chen's mind gradually connected.

"Is it possible that Chen Hong went to Black Tiger Manor before he fled?" he asked.

"Possibly." Zhang Heng nodded. "Black Stone Manor was raided, the deal failed, he messed up his mission, and returning to the pass is too risky. Black Tiger Manor is relatively safe with Lei Hu's protection. Moreover, he may need to report the situation to Lei Hu or the 'Mysterious Bird' behind him."

He stood up and paced around the small room: "The interrogation confessions and the seized stolen goods are irrefutable evidence. I plan to compile them and submit them directly to General Liu, while also sending a copy to the Northern Border Military Government. Chen Hong's crimes of colluding with foreign tribes and trafficking people are confirmed. Even if he hides to the ends of the earth, once the arrest warrant is issued, he's finished!"

He looked at Lin Chen, his tone softening slightly: "This time, we owe you a lot. Not only did you take down Black Stone Manor, cutting off one of their important sources of income, but you also obtained evidence of Chen Hong's crimes. I will report your contributions truthfully."

Lin Chen nodded: "Thank you, Captain."

The crushing defeat at Wolf Valley was like a blunt object that struck Lei Hu hard on the head.

The news was relayed back to Black Tiger Manor in the early hours of the morning.