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墨書 Inktalez
Nangong Shuang shook her head. "If it's a trap, going together would only hinder us. If I go alone, at least you can remain free. If anything happens, you can still come to my aid."
Qiao Er wanted to say more, but Nangong Shuang had already begun changing her clothes. "Time is of the essence; there's no need for further discussion. Prepare some food and dry clothes. I'll leave as soon as I’m dressed."
Before long, Nangong Shuang donned a black outfit suitable for night travel, tying her long hair up high and covering her face with a black scarf, leaving only her bright eyes visible. She took several packets of medicinal powder and silver needles from the medicine box and carefully hid them in her sleeves and around her waist.
Qiao Er handed her an oiled paper package. "Here’s some food and a dry piece of clothing. And this..." She produced a small dagger. "For self-defense. I know you don’t like to harm others, but just in case."
Nangong Shuang hesitated for a moment but ultimately accepted the dagger, hiding it in her boot. "Thank you. I’ll try to return before dawn."
"Be careful," Qiao Er urged, handing her an oiled paper umbrella. "The rain is too heavy."
Nangong Shuang smiled slightly, took the umbrella, and quietly climbed over the courtyard wall, disappearing into the rain.
The rain intensified, thunder roared, and lightning occasionally split the night sky. Holding the oiled paper umbrella, Nangong Shuang hurried along the narrow path inside the city walls. The streets were nearly deserted; any night watchmen were huddled under eaves to avoid the rain.
This weather was indeed a good opportunity for stealth, Nangong Shuang thought. She avoided the main streets and chose secluded alleys, soon arriving at the west city gate.
The gate was closed, and guards sat chatting under a shelter from the rain. Nangong Shuang discreetly circled around to a seldom-visited corner of the wall where years of neglect had left many gaps between the bricks. She skillfully climbed up the wall and quietly descended on the other side without alerting anyone.
Once outside the city, Nangong Shuang put away her umbrella and let the heavy rain soak her completely. Water streamed down her cheeks, wetting her eyelashes, but she remained oblivious as she quickened her pace toward the dilapidated temple in the west.
The outskirts on this rainy night were pitch black, illuminated only occasionally by flashes of lightning that revealed her path. Relying on memory and Qiao Er's description, she trudged through the muddy path.
About half an hour later, a crumbling temple faintly appeared in sight. It was an old shrine that had fallen into disrepair; its door was half ajar, and moss covered the steps as if it had been abandoned for years.
Nangong Shuang approached cautiously, glancing around to ensure no one was following before quietly ascending the steps. The door creaked ominously as she pushed it open; she paused to listen intently.
Aside from the sound of rain, there was complete silence.
She stepped inside the temple. It was dark within, with only a faint light filtering through from the entrance illuminating a small patch of ground.
"Chen Bo?" Nangong Shuang called softly, gripping a silver needle in her hand, ready for any potential danger.
There was no response.
A sense of alarm surged within her—had she arrived too late? Or had Qiao Er mistaken someone? Or could this be a trap after all?
Just as she hesitated on whether to proceed further, a flash of lightning illuminated the sky, casting a stark white light through the windows that briefly lit up the entire temple.
In that instant, Nangong Shuang saw a figure curled up behind the statue!
"Who?" She stepped back cautiously, silver needle poised between her fingers.
"It’s... it’s me," an old voice trembled from the darkness. "Who is looking for Old Chen?"
The familiar voice sent a jolt through Nangong Shuang's heart. It was Chen Bo! The old steward who had been bustling about Nangong Mansion since she could remember, the loyal servant who had hidden her in the secret passage during Murder Night!
“Chen Bo, it’s me...” Nangong Shuang's voice trembled, and for a moment, she didn’t know how to address herself.
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