"Let me advise you not to hold on to any illusions that shouldn't exist.
I'm an old acquaintance of Song, and I am definitely going to send you to him.
However, whether you experience the Jinyi Wei dungeon or become part of the Jinyi Wei and get a legitimate job depends on you.
Don't tell me you'd rather risk your life outside and then be silenced than work for the Jinyi Wei due to its bad reputation."
A trace of struggle appeared on the man's face.
As a citizen of Daqian, he was very aware of what the Jinyi Wei was.
Despite its infamous reputation and the disdain it received from everyone,
that was only because the people the Jinyi Wei offended had power.
Ordinary cultivators, without talent or background, and lacking money and resources, would be willing to take the chance to enter the Jinyi Wei if given the opportunity.
Especially those whose own histories were not exactly honorable, joining the Jinyi Wei was akin to a clean start, allowing them to walk openly in the streets.
Moreover, working within the Jinyi Wei came with financial rewards, especially when working directly under the Jinyi Wei Commander, who generously provided resources.
Song carried many negative labels, yet no one could deny that he was generous to those within the Jinyi Wei, never stealing credit from his subordinates.
"For the dishonorable deeds you've committed for years, even now, you are not a core member of those people. You should know better than I what awaits you once things here are done.
I am your only lifeline now, and you have no other choice but to trust me."
Suddenly, the man's tense muscles relaxed, and he exhaled and spoke softly.
"I overheard something earlier. Below that cave, there is not just one seal.
This mountain range is a massive suppression device used to seal something even they dare not touch.
Jumping directly into the cave would place you in the hands of that evil entity, and even a Ninth Tier would have little chance of surviving.
They're trying to break another seal.
I saw several people, including the one who brought me here, go down along the eastern wall of the cave."
"Have you thought about why, when they were talking or going down, they weren't trying to hide anything from you?" Yu Ziqing asked.
"I have. From what I've seen and heard, I knew they might intend to silence me."
Yu Ziqing patted the man's shoulder.
"For all the years you've been roaming outside, you still have some insight. Knowing is good enough. I always keep my word. As long as we complete what we set out to do and leave here alive, I won't kill you."
Saying this, Yu Ziqing took out a Demonic Qi jar, opened it, and injected the demonic energy into the man's body.
Only when Devil Patterns started to appear on the man's skin did Yu Ziqing put the jar away.
"For insurance, don't mind it."
"I understand. If you wanted to kill me, you wouldn't go to so much trouble."
Yu Ziqing glanced at Feng Buju.
"Please, seal him up."
Feng Buju acted, sealing the man entirely before placing him into a Storage Bag, which he handed to Yu Ziqing.
"Do you really plan to keep this person?"
"If all goes well, I naturally won't kill him. But if anything is amiss, I won't hesitate."
Don't blame me for using him as a pathfinder.
Yu Ziqing was not willing to let Lou Huai undertake such perilous work.
"Is there no scent on this person?"
Old Yang reached the cave entrance, leaving several hoofprints at the entrance with a force that imprinted them into the mountain, setting up a sensing array.
Feng Buju immediately set down a seal, sealing the entire mountain.
If someone attempted to break in, they both would be alerted. Even with brute force, it would take time.
They all reached the edge of the cave, and Feng Buju continued his calculations based on the man's account.
Old Yang widened his eyes, looking towards the eastern wall.
His gaze penetrated the darkness, seeing the wall, and following it down he vaguely spotted a rune that possessed an entirely different power.
"It should be correct."
"I also believe it's right," Feng Buju added.
"Then let's go down."
Lou Huai charged forward, taking the lead to explore, with King Xiang, thinking the only thing of value he had was his strength, taking the initiative to go ahead.
They let Yu Ziqing walk at the rear.
The group descended along the wall, and after only a few yards, the light from above nearly vanished completely, leaving them in pitch-black darkness, as if all light was being consumed by some force.
After traveling down about a hundred yards, they arrived at the spot with the hidden rune.
Around the rune, the darkness was dispelled within a radius of several feet. King Xiang left a word, first touched the rune, and instantly disappeared.
"Brother Qing, if there is no trouble, I will break the jade scroll to send a message after half an incense burning."
Half an incense burning later, Yu Ziqing felt a faint sensation as the jade scroll he gave King Xiang shattered.
"It's all right, let's go."
One by one, as they touched the rune and disappeared, Lou Huai transformed into a wisp of black smoke, slipping into Yu Ziqing's boot.
As Yu Ziqing also placed a hand on the rune, he too instantly vanished from the spot.
Below the cave, in a place of utter darkness without a shred of light or sound, a sudden glimmer of light appeared.