Wu Caiwei showed no surprise upon seeing them. Aside from a lack of freedom, their living conditions were excellent. They slept on beds prepared by Luo Shi herself, covered with clean silk quilts. The table still held remnants of their meal, with clear bone scraps indicating a delicious feast. It was clear they were being well-provided for, as Madam Zhu was wholeheartedly working for her, and her son's safety was paramount.
Wu Caiwei knew this was not the time for conversation. She ignored them and continued to follow Luo Shi. As they ascended the steps again, they realized Luo Shi's words were true; the sound of flowing water below indicated an underground current.
"Let me out, let me out…" Sister Yu cried weakly, her voice hoarse. She felt she couldn't hold on. If no one freed her or rescued her soon, she would die here. She hadn't eaten properly for days, unable to sleep at night and drowsy during the day, her nerves frayed and her body weak.
Although Wu Caiwei had already learned of her condition, seeing her skeletal frame, dark sunken eyes, and listless demeanor startled her.
"What exactly did you do to her?" Wu Caiwei asked Luo Shi with a dark expression, realizing this woman had succeeded in enraging her.
"What did I do? You caused my husband so much suffering, and since I couldn't catch you, I had to get some of it back from your daughter. Isn't it satisfying to see her gasp for air as I repeatedly dunk her head under the river until she's almost suffocating, then pull her up again?" Luo Shi laughed heartily. So they weren't heartless, they did care. But did they know the despair she felt when her husband writhed in agony, and she was powerless to help?
"Madam, don't be too pleased. I've learned that your two sons have gone to your family's home. Your hometown is not far from Lan Cheng. If anything happens to my daughter, your two sons will surely pay the price." Wu Caiwei knew that if this woman dared to bring them here so openly and fearlessly, there must be something else she didn't know. To make her hesitate, she quickly brought up her sons. Although she believed children were innocent, it didn't stop her from using them.
"Since I dared to do this, I've already prepared a retreat. Did you think you could follow me in and leave unscathed? I often dream of my husband, wandering alone in the netherworld. Today, all of us will go down to keep him company." Luo Shi was already tired of living. If she could drag them all down to die with her, she felt no regrets.
Sister Yu had heard her mother's voice and thought she was hallucinating from longing. But after a moment, realizing she truly saw her, a look of surprise flashed across her face, and she gazed at her mother with pleading eyes. "Mother, please save me. I don't want to stay here for another second."
Sweat began to bead on Wu Caiwei's forehead. After hearing Luo Shi's words, she knew things were dire. She quickly ran to the prison door with her knife, but when it struck the iron bars, it only produced a clang, and the bars remained unbroken. Her heart pounded wildly.
"I advise you not to waste your effort. These bars are made of profound iron. Besides, the river will soon flood the entire dungeon. We will all be buried in this mountain together." Luo Shi spoke derisively, leaning against the stone wall without fear, quietly awaiting the inevitable.
Wu Caiwei suddenly lunged forward and grabbed Luo Shi by the throat. Luo Shi felt a suffocating sensation and tried to pry Wu Caiwei's hands off, but couldn't. Wu Caiwei didn't hold back and began searching her for a key.
She soon found something like a needle in a pouch at Luo Shi's waist. An ordinary woman would have overlooked it, but the tip was flattened. Who would use such a thing? Yet, Wu Caiwei recognized its unusual nature.
She shoved Luo Shi aside, took the needle, and fiddled with the lock. Luo Shi touched her throat, watching Wu Caiwei's busy movements and laughing heartily.
"Click." After what felt like an eternity, the lock finally opened. Before Wu Caiwei could rejoice, a thunderous roar echoed. She quickly grabbed the stunned Sister Yu and turned to run up the steps.
Sister Yu's legs were swollen from prolonged submersion in water, making it impossible for her to stand, let alone run. To escape, Wu Caiwei grabbed her by her clothes and dragged her forward.
Gradually, they felt the water rising around their calves, then their thighs. Wu Caiwei remained remarkably calm. They had lived for so long and didn't want to die now, but birth, aging, sickness, and death were inevitable. If they were truly destined to perish here as Luo Shi wished, then it was their fate. Soudan Novel Network
As they passed the prison cells of the two Zhu family sons, Wu Caiwei desperately wanted to save them. But she knew that any further delay would mean not only their demise but hers as well. They still had a sliver of hope and could only run with all their might.
Reaching the exit, they found the stone door wouldn't open. Knowing they were truly finished, Wu Caiwei and Zhang Changhe held hands, resolved to face whatever came together. After waiting for a long time, they didn't feel the water rise above their heads. Instead, they heard the sound of waves. They instinctively looked back. The tunnel, which had been brightly lit moments ago, was now submerged in water, a vast expanse. The water had stopped rising just three steps below them.
Certain that the water would not rise further, the three of them involuntarily relaxed. It had been a close call. This was the first time in their many lives they had encountered such a perilous situation. Though they had diligently honed their martial arts and medical skills, not all problems could be solved. For instance, their opponent had likely blocked the downstream of the underground current in advance.
After an unknown period, they finally regained their strength. They exchanged glances and couldn't help but smile, a smile of those who had escaped death. Returning to land, the entire secret base was deserted.
Just as they left, the well-prepared groom arrived. At first, he thought the other party had hidden very well. He cautiously approached and only realized the place was completely empty after they had entered. Standing in the vast training ground, he felt a sense of foreboding. He ordered a thorough search of the secret base, but they were nowhere to be found.
Upon receiving the news, Madam Zhu hurried to Luo Shi's usual courtyard, only to find it had already been sold. Thinking that Wu Caiwei and her husband were her enemies, and that they wouldn't disappear as long as they were alive, she rushed to the Zhang mansion. Ignoring the doorman, she kicked the door open.