Listening to Lai Ka’s question, Feng Xiyan thought, ’As expected, the people of the Yuezhi Tribe have no true loyalty to their leaders.’
Feng Xiyan looked at him and replied, "General Lai Ka, this general doesn’t want anything from you. This general simply thinks it’s a shame for a great warrior like you to die in this dark place."
Not believing a word of it, Lai Ka sneered again and asked with a hint of anger in his voice, "Feng Xiyan, do you take me for a fool?"
Hearing this, Feng Xiyan sighed. "Since General Lai Ka didn’t believe my words, then there’s nothing this general can do. This general will open the door for you tonight. Whether you leave or not is your choice."
He paused for a second, then added, "If you choose to stay here, it’s also not a problem. This general can continue feeding you until your dying breath. My Feng Army can afford to feed one more mouth. It’s just... You can only live here for the rest of your life."
After saying that, Feng Xiyan turned around and walked away with Fan Wanming and the guard.
Seeing that Feng Xiyan was really leaving, Lai Ka grew anxious. As the sound of their footsteps faded, he finally couldn’t hold back anymore and shouted, "Wait!"
When Feng Xiyan heard this, the corner of his lips curved up slightly. As he walked back to Lai Ka’s prison cell, he asked, "Have you thought it through, General Lai Ka?"
Gritting his teeth, Lai Ka replied, "This general chooses to leave."
"This general knew that General Lai Ka was smart," Feng Xiyan said with a smile. Then he ordered, "General Fan, prepare food and water for General Lai Ka’s journey, and escort him out of Xiqiang City."
Fan Wanming clasped his fists and responded, "This subordinate accepts the order."
Looking at Lai Ka, Feng Xiyan said, "If fate allows it, we might meet again, General Lai Ka. Farewell."
Leaving those words behind, Feng Xiyan walked away.
After he left, Fan Wanming motioned to the soldier to open the prison cell. Stepping aside, he said, "You can leave now."
Standing up from the dirty ground, Lai Ka walked to the open door. Leaving the prison cell, he was escorted by a soldier, with Fan Wanming walking behind them, his hand resting on his sword.
After walking for a while, Lai Ka felt the wind brushing against his face.
When they arrived at the upper level of the underground prison, Fan Wanming motioned for the soldiers guarding the gate to open it.
As Lai Ka stepped out from the underground prison, he raised his hand to block the sunlight. Squinting his eyes, he looked at the sky, which began to change color.
Taking a deep breath, he savored the fresh air and the taste of freedom.
While he was enjoying the evening sunlight, Fan Wanming ordered a soldier to go to the kitchen and pack some dried food and water for Lai Ka.
Before long, the soldier returned and handed a cloth bag to Fan Wanming.
Seeing that Lai Ka was still basking in the sunlight, Fan Wanming interrupted him, "General Lai Ka, this is for you."
Hearing this, Lai Ka opened his eyes. Looking at the cloth bag in Fan Wanming’s hand, he reached out and took it.
Weighing the bag, Lai Ka thought, ’So heavy. They are so generous. Looks like there is really a lot of food in Xiqiang City.’
With that in mind, he tied the cloth bag onto his back and said, "Thanks."
Fan Wanming didn’t want to continue the conversation, so he turned to a soldier and said, "Cover his eyes."
It was normal for them to be cautious, so Lai Ka didn’t resist when the soldier covered his eyes with a black cloth and then placed a burlap sack over his head.
After the soldier tied up Lai Ka’s hand, Fan Wanming escorted him to the north gate.
When the soldiers guarding the gate saw him approaching with a man covered in a burlap sack, they looked at each other in confusion.
Fan Wanming glanced at them and ordered, "Open the gate."
Once the gate opened, Fan Wanming, the soldier, and Lai Ka left the city.
Stopping about three hundred meters from the north gate, Fan Wanming ordered, "Take off the cover."
Following the instructions, the soldier removed the burlap sack and then untied the black cloth and the rope.
Looking at Lai Ka, Fan Wanming said, "You can go now."
Lai Ka looked around and realized he had truly left Xiqiang City.
Seeing that Feng Xiyan had indeed let him go, he pondered for a moment before saying in the Yuezhi Tribe’s language, "There is a secret passage in the western district of Xiqiang City."
With that, he turned around and walked away, without waiting for Fan Wanming’s response.
Seeing this, the soldier beside him asked, "General Fan, what did he just say?"
Fan Wanming stared at Lai Ka’s retreating figure and thought, ’Was Lai Ka infiltrated Xiqiang City through this secret passage?’
Still harboring doubts, Fan Wanming ordered, "Gather a group of soldiers. We are going to find a secret passage."
Returning to Xiqiang City, Fan Wanming personally led the soldiers to search the entire Xiqiang City.
By the time the sun had disappeared into the western horizon and the moon had risen into the night sky, they finally discovered the secret passage.
Holding a torch, Fan Wanming entered the long stone corridor. As he walked deeper inside, he carefully examined his surroundings.
When he reached the end of the passage, he frowned. It was blocked by a large stone boulder.
Fan Wanming handed his torch to a soldier, then examined the stone boulder. After a while, he activated his internal energy and began pushing it.
A few seconds later, the stone boulder slowly shifted, and gaps began to appear. After a few minutes of effort, Fan Wanming had widened the gap enough for two people to walk side by side.