His entire family perished in battle; he rose from the ashes to conquer the world.

"Just tell me what I'm told, stop talking nonsense!" Mu Yuan exuded a fierce aura.

Zhang Dongjia was so frightened by Mu Yuan's imposing manner that he almost wet himself.

Even so, he dared not reveal the contact information of the person he was in contact with.

If Mu Yuan really has a grudge against Black Cloud Village, and if he fails, Black Cloud Village will definitely hold him accountable afterwards, and he will die without a burial place.

"What? You won't talk?" A hint of murderous intent flashed in Mu Yuan's eyes.

"Great hero, if I tell them, and Black Cloud Stronghold comes knocking on my door afterward, my life will be in danger just the same." Zhang Dongjia wasn't stupid. How could Mu Yuan's group be compared to Black Cloud Stronghold?

Black Cloud Stronghold has several hundred members, each with considerable strength. No matter how skilled Mu Yuan and his group are, they have no chance of defeating the bandits of Black Cloud Stronghold.

Mu Yuan pulled a dagger from his sleeve, unsheathed it, and waved the sharp blade in front of Zhang Dongjia.

"You really won't tell?"

Watching the gleaming blade dart before his eyes, Zhang Dongjia was caught in a dilemma.

However, just as he was struggling with whether or not to speak up...

Mu Yuan stabbed him in the thigh with a knife.

Zhang Dongjia let out a pig-like scream. The intense pain made his eyes roll back and his body tremble uncontrollably.

Mu Yuan did not stop what he was doing. Instead, he exerted force in his hand, rotating the handle of the knife and moving the blade.

The blade rotated inside the thigh flesh.

Zhang Dongjia, who was already on the verge of fainting from the pain, felt an excruciating pain in his thigh, as if something was repeatedly churning his thigh muscles, making him feel like he was dying.

"I'll talk, I'll talk, stop messing around."

Zhang Dongjia quickly backed down, realizing for the first time that living was such a painful thing.

Upon hearing this, Mu Yuan stopped.

"There's a shop on West Street in the city called Shili Shop, and the owner is Wang Mazi. He's the contact person for Black Cloud Village," Zhang Dongjia said weakly.

Having gotten the answer he wanted, Mu Yuan pulled out the dagger and said, "Don't worry, I didn't stab you very deep, you won't die."

After saying this, Mu Yuan left without looking back.

The next day.

Mu Yuan knocked on Lin Xueshang's door.

"Come in."

A familiar voice came from inside the house.

Her tone was calm, as if she knew Mu Yuan would come.

Mu Yuan reached out and pushed open the door.

Lin Xueshang was dressed in a black outfit, looking heroic and dashing!

"Please sit down."

Lin Xueshang took the initiative to invite Mu Yuan to sit down, a faint smile appearing on her face, no longer keeping him at arm's length.

Upon noticing her change, Mu Yuan was slightly surprised, but he didn't show it on his face. He nodded and sat down.

As soon as Mu Yuan sat down, Lin Xueshang took the initiative to ask:

"How did you know I had a grudge against Black Cloud Stronghold?"

Mu Yuan explained:

"I sensed something was off about everyone in this inn the moment I walked in last night. Sixth Sister-in-law, you're just as experienced as I am, can't you tell? Since you've come here, it means you've found what you're looking for!"

After a pause, Mu Yuan continued:

"When I interrogated the owner of this inn, he revealed that he was going to sell you to Black Cloud Stronghold as a concubine to the leader of Black Cloud Stronghold. So I think, Sixth Sister-in-law, you deliberately allowed yourself to be captured so that you could infiltrate Black Cloud Stronghold by being sold!"

After listening to Mu Yuan's story, Lin Xueshang's expression became complicated. She sighed and said:

"You really can't hide anything from me."

"Sixth Sister-in-law, this journey is dangerous. We are family, so please don't keep us at arm's length!" Mu Yuan said softly.

Upon hearing Mu Yuan's words, tears welled up in Lin Xueshang's eyes.

Seven days ago, she had secretly asked someone to inquire about Black Cloud Village and had made some progress.

At that time, Mu Yuan was framed and she couldn't leave at all. Fortunately, Mu Yuan was cleared of suspicion, so she had time to come alone. She originally wanted to infiltrate Black Cloud Village through the innkeeper Zhang and kill the bandits to avenge her dead family.

Unexpectedly, Mu Yuan also caught up with them, bringing Qin Hongxiu and the Shadow Squad with him.

This allowed Lin Xueshang's heart, which had been frozen for many years, to gradually feel the warmth from Mu Yuan.

"Those bandits from Black Cloud Village killed thirteen members of my family back then. I will make them pay for this blood debt!" Lin Xueshang took the initiative to talk about the past.

Mu Yuan listened silently without interrupting.

Only after Lin Xueshang finished speaking did he slowly say:

"I got some crucial clues from the innkeeper. The owner of the shop on West Street in the city is named Wang Mazi. He's the contact person for Black Cloud Village. We can try our luck there!"

"Mu Yuan, thank you." Lin Xueshang's eyes were filled with tears, her expression moved, and she sincerely thanked Mu Yuan.

To this, Mu Yuan simply replied:

"We are family!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Xueshang abandoned her aloof demeanor and opened her heart to Mu Yuan from the bottom of her heart.

West Street.

Shilipu.

Mu Yuan stood at the shop entrance with Lin Xueshang.

Several black coffins were placed at the entrance of the shop, and on the bench to the left lay a bald old man dressed in simple clothes.

Mu Yuan and Lin Xueshang recognized each other at a glance and immediately realized that the other person was probably Wang Mazi, the shop owner.

The two walked toward the sleeping bald old man.

As soon as we got close.

With his eyes closed, Wang Mazi said lazily:

"Go to the shop to choose a coffin. Each coffin costs ten taels of silver, no bargaining. Go in and choose for yourself, don't bother me!"

It turns out he was faking sleep.

Mu Yuan saw through Wang Mazi's trick at a glance and replied:

"We're not buying coffins on this trip!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Mazi slowly opened his eyes. His eyes were covered with a white substance, making them look cloudy and his eyeballs were not visible.

"This is a coffin shop. What are you here for if you're not buying coffins? Are you trying to fool this old man?"

"We're not buying a coffin, we're buying a coffin for the deceased!" Mu Yuan said.

Upon hearing the words "coffin," Wang Mazi's expression changed.

Both coffins and burial coffins are coffins, but they have different meanings. A burial coffin is used for an elderly person who dies peacefully in their sleep, symbolizing joy and celebration. On the other hand, a coffin is used for someone who dies violently or from illness.

"How old was the elderly person in your family when they died?" Wang Mazi asked earnestly.

"Ninety-six," Mu Yuan replied.

"When did you die?" Wang Mazi asked hurriedly.

"Midnight!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Mazi suddenly stood up and said to Mu Yuan and Lin Xueshang, "Come in with me."

After saying that, he walked ahead and entered the shop.

"I didn't expect you to be so familiar with the code words," Lin Xueshang said with a light smile.

Mu Yuan smiled but remained silent.

His conversation with Wang Mazi just now, on the surface, was about choosing a coffin, but in reality, it was a secret code.

These coded messages were all obtained by Mu Yuan from Zhang, the owner of the inn.

After all, without a secret code, it's impossible to get close to Wang Mazi.

Enter the store.

The room was dark and without light.

As soon as Mu Yuan entered, the door behind him suddenly closed.

The room was now completely dark, so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.

Just then...