"The exact location is unknown, but it's highly likely hidden somewhere extremely dangerous in the North. As for King Lin," Feng Ming sneered, "he's nothing more than a pathetic wretch trying to seize the throne by using the power of 'Crimson Abyss.' 'Earth Fire' is an envoy sent by the 'Holy Lord' to King Lin's side to monitor and guide his actions."

Feng Ming took out a token engraved with cloud patterns and handed it to Lin Feng. "This is the 'Wind and Rain Token.' With this token, you can send an emergency message or request help once at any of the branches of 'Wind and Rain Tower.' I hope the Grand Commander will make good use of it."

Lin Feng accepted the token. "Thank you. The matter of Jishuitan will be arranged immediately by this council. If there are any new developments regarding 'Chiyuan' and 'Holy Lord,' please inform us promptly, Lord Feng."

"Of course." Feng Ming stood up. "It's getting late, so I'll take my leave first. Take care."

"No need to see me out."

The wind and the sea departed silently.

Upon returning to the Grand Commander's Mansion, Lin Feng immediately summoned Chen Heng and Bai Xiaohe.

"We'll make our move at midnight tonight in the abandoned Jishuitan Garden." Lin Feng unfolded the thin silk map.

"Chen Heng, select thirty of the most elite members of the 'Falcon Battalion,' deploy them according to this map, and have them infiltrate the area. They must capture 'Gray Falcon' and 'Ghost Hand' alive!"

"Don't worry about the defense!" Chen Heng said, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

"Xiao He, coordinate with the Prefect of the Capital and the Five Cities Garrison to set up a second line of defense around Jishuitan tonight, in case any escapees or outside reinforcements get through. At the same time, keep a close watch on all the places that may be connected to 'Chiyuan'. If there is any unusual activity, report to me immediately."

"yes!"

Night fell again, and the chill was biting.

As midnight approached, the officials of the Prefect of the Capital and the soldiers of the Military Command had quietly taken their positions outside the abandoned garden, blocking all the entrances. Inside the garden, Chen Heng led thirty elite "Falcon Battalion" soldiers, like ghosts in the night, silently infiltrating according to the blueprints, avoiding or disarming several ingenious traps, and gradually approaching the entrance to the secret chamber behind the artificial hill.

The entrance was a seemingly ordinary artificial rock. Following the map, Chen Heng pressed three times in a certain spot in the crevice of the rock, and then rotated a protrusion in the opposite direction.

"Click... Boom!"

A slight mechanical click sounded, and the artificial rock slowly slid aside, revealing a downward, dark stone staircase. A stench mixed with the smells of medicine, blood, and dampness wafted out.

Chen Heng made a gesture, and two scouts skilled in night vision and sound detection went down first. After confirming there were no ambushes, the group filed in. The stone steps were short, ending at a heavy iron door. The door was unlocked, but there was only a complex Bagua (Eight Trigrams) plate on it.

Chen Heng quickly manipulated the Bagua compass by referring to the blueprint.

"Click." The iron gate popped open a crack inward.

Inside the door was a short passageway with two stone chambers on each side, leading to a larger hall at the end. Dim lighting and suppressed conversations emanated from the hall.

"Attack!" Chen Heng shouted, and the crowd, like tigers released from their cages, split into three groups and pounced on the stone chambers on both sides and the hall in front!

"Who goes there?!"

"Enemy attack!"

Exclamations, roars, and the clash of weapons shattered the silence underground! Four black-clad guards rushed out from the stone chambers on either side, fearlessly attacking the "Falcon Battalion" soldiers, but were instantly overwhelmed by their superior numbers and coordination.

Inside the hall, the still-wounded and pale-faced "Grey Falcon" sat facing "Ghost Hand," whose arm was wrapped in bandages. Upon seeing this, "Grey Falcon" was horrified. "Ghost Hand" reacted quickly, raising his hand and shooting several beams of dark light towards the door! At the same time, "Grey Falcon" struggled to press a mechanism under the table!

However, Chen Heng was faster! He had already set his sights on "Grey Falcon," and a specially made lasso in his hand shot out like a venomous snake, precisely aiming for "Grey Falcon's" neck! At the same time, he dodged the poison needles, closed in on "Ghost Hand," and slashed at its injured arm with a knife!

"Grey Falcon" was caught in the noose, his breath caught in his throat, and his hand slowed slightly as he pressed the mechanism. "Ghost Hand" was injured in the arm and moved slowly. He was struck by Chen Heng's slash, screamed in pain, and the dagger slipped from his hand.

The other four guards in the hall had also been swiftly dealt with by the skilled members of the "Falcon Battalion." The entire battle, from start to finish, lasted only a dozen or so breaths. Gray Falcon and Ghost Hand were firmly restrained, bound tightly, and had paralyzing seeds stuffed into their mouths.

"Search! Search thoroughly! Take away all papers, objects, and suspicious items!" Chen Heng ordered.

The secret chamber was quickly and thoroughly searched. Besides finding some "Crimson Abyss" tokens, secret letters, gold and silver, and tools and materials for concocting poisons and disguises, they also discovered a leather-bound book written in strange script and accompanied by eerie illustrations in a hidden compartment of Gray Falcon's bed, along with several pieces of bright red "Crimson Flame Crystal" raw stones and a more detailed survey sketch of a mineral vein in Fulong Ridge!

"Take them away!" Chen Heng roared excitedly. This haul far exceeded expectations!

The group, escorting the prisoners and carrying the spoils, quickly evacuated the abandoned garden and disappeared into the night.

The Grand General's Mansion, at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM).

Lin Feng looked at the ashen-faced "Grey Falcon" and "Ghost Hand" who were brought before him, and then flipped through the strange leather book and mineral vein sketch, his eyes flashing with cold light.

"Grey Falcon, Ghost Hand," Lin Feng's voice was icy, "I'm giving you one last chance. Tell me the locations of 'Crimson Abyss' in various places, the true identity and whereabouts of 'Holy Lord,' the specific location and mining status of the 'Crimson Flame Crystal' mine, and all your plans. Otherwise, I have plenty of ways to make you wish you were dead."

"Gray Falcon" gave a bitter laugh, his voice hoarse: "Lin Feng, you won this time, but what? The great cause of the 'Holy Lord' is beyond your ability to stop. The 'Holy Flame' of Fulong Ridge is about to erupt, and the 'Crimson Flame' will purify all decay! You, and this entire filthy world, will all turn to ashes! Haha... Ugh!"

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Heng punched him hard in the stomach, choking him back from his maniacal laughter.

"Ghost Hand" Mo Qi's eyes flickered as he looked at the leather book in Lin Feng's hand, then at Chen Heng and the others who were eyeing him menacingly. A struggle flashed across his face, and he finally said dejectedly, "I...I'll talk. I beg the Grand Commander to spare my life..."

"That depends on your information, whether it's worth your life," Lin Feng said coldly.

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