"I'm fine. I need to go down the mountain with Mu Rong to find out where my father is being held! You must rest and recover."
Wan Wan knew her master was going down the mountain with Mu Rong, and she felt much more at ease. "Go ahead. I'm fine."
After they parted ways, Yun Xiao and Mu Rong descended the mountain. Their goals were to gather information and to see her father. The thought of his suffering at the moment made Yun Xiao feel heartbroken and heavy, leaving her without the strength to speak.
Mu Rong pulled her down the mountain, comforting her softly. "It's alright. Don't worry. We have people in the Ministry of War, and we'll know where he's being held soon."
Indeed, Lan Qing Lun, the Minister of War, was one of their people, so there was no need to worry about matters of the Ministry. If he were indeed imprisoned there, it would be much easier. However, things might not go as planned.
The group descended the mountain and entered the city. It was late, so it was the perfect time to visit the Lan residence.
Since Lan Qing Lun became the Minister of War, he had been exceptionally prominent. The tall mansion gates also appeared remarkably imposing.
Crimson iron ring doors, stone lions guarding the entrance, several guards standing before the gate – a grand and luxurious abode.
But all of this was merely an exterior. Lan Qing Lun was actually someone Mu Rong had rescued. He possessed exceptional talent and martial arts skills, and was a man of great integrity.
Ever since Mu Rong saved him, he vowed to repay the kindness and became the Shadow Play Young Master, one of the four guardians of the Divine Dragon Palace.
Young Master Shadow Play was his private identity. Officially, Mu Rong had spent a considerable sum to secure a minor official position for him in the capital.
Through bribery and connections, he slowly climbed the ranks to become the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, and now, he had finally achieved his wish of becoming the Minister.
The Lan residence was very quiet.
Mu Rong led Yun Xiao through the back courtyard, passing pavilions and halls. The familiarity of the route was striking as they headed directly for Lan Qing Lun's study.
Faint lamplight emanated from the study, and a slender, upright figure was cast on the windowpane. Lan Qing Lun was bent over his desk, reading. Hearing a soft knock at the door, he called out, "Come in."
Upon seeing Mu Rong and Yun Xiao appear, he was startled and quickly stood up to greet them.
"What has happened?"
Lan Qing Lun asked respectfully, leading them to a corner of the study to sit. If nothing were wrong, his master wouldn't have come in person.
Yun Xiao surveyed the Lan residence's study. Unlike the front entrance, this room was very simple. Besides the essential bookshelves and books, there was nothing else.
As they had walked, she noticed there were few servants in the Lan residence, indicating that Lan Qing Lun was not a person who indulged in luxury or sought pleasure.
"Are there any high-security prisoners held in the Ministry of War?"
Lan Qing Lun immediately shook his head. His eyes were deep as a pool. Upon hearing his master's words, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, his black pupils gleaming with vibrant light.
"Yesterday, the Emperor issued a decree ordering the Ministry of War to dispatch heavy troops to cooperate with the Ministry of Justice and ensure strict security. I dispatched my men to carry out this task, believing the Emperor feared the escaped Ye Wu Yun would rescue Ye Si Yuan and others, hence the imperial decree."
Mu Rong and Yun Xiao exchanged a glance, then turned to speak in a deep voice. "Prince Yun, who is stationed far away at the border, has been secretly escorted into the capital."
"What?"
Lan Qing Lun was clearly taken aback. A cold, deep, and indifferent expression immediately spread across his face.
He paced back and forth in the room, his light blue brocade robe gracefully sweeping the floor.
"Then the dispatch of troops by the Ministry of War is not solely due to the Ye family, but because there is an additional high-security prisoner."
Yun Xiao nodded affirmatively. Thinking that her father was indeed imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice's dungeon, she longed to fly there immediately to see how he was. He must have endured much suffering.
"I wish to see my father. Does Lord Lan have a way?"
Yun Xiao spoke clearly, her eyes flashing with a cold, proud, and fierce light.
Shangguan Yao, you wait. I will settle this score with you.
"This?" Lan Qing Lun raised an eyebrow. Such a matter was rather difficult, as a single misstep could expose his identity. He couldn't help but turn to look at his master.
His four years of effort and meticulous planning could not be sacrificed for a mere Yun Mo.
Unexpectedly, Mu Rong nodded at him, a hint of a cold, enchanting smile playing on his lips.
"Make the arrangements."
As soon as he spoke, Lan Qing Lun fell silent. However, Yun Xiao understood Lan Qing Lun's concerns – he feared their plans would be disrupted.
Indeed, no one would have expected her father to be arrested at this time. Any rash action would affect the entire scheme.
Now that Mu Rong was asking Lan Qing Lun for help, Yun Xiao felt she might endanger them. Thus, she spoke in a deep voice.
"You can request a night interrogation of the Ye family members. We will disguise ourselves as your subordinates and blend in behind you. Once you escort the prisoner away, we will stay behind, and I will handle the rest. We won't reveal ourselves easily."
Yun Xiao laid out the plan, and Lan Qing Lun agreed with a nod. "Alright."
The group quickly left the Lan residence and headed towards the Ministry of Justice.
The sky was dark, without a single star visible. A layer of mist enveloped the air, with trees swaying and leaves dappled.
It seemed as though the heavens were also aiding them, Yun Xiao sighed softly.
She, Mu Rong, and Liu Xing, among others, donned ordinary soldier uniforms and followed behind Lan Qing Lun towards the Ministry of Justice.
Mu Rong removed his mask and disguised himself as a very ordinary person, someone who would be lost in a crowd and difficult to spot.
Yun Xiao was surprised that he could disguise himself so effectively, and that he looked quite convincing.
In the dungeons of the Ministry of Justice, there was a guard post every ten steps. People moved about constantly, and the security was extremely tight. There were many layers of soldiers guarding both inside and out. However, the soldiers in the innermost section were significantly fewer.
Lan Qing Lun, along with officials from the Ministry of Justice, brought Ye Si Yuan out of the dungeon. The man's continuous curses provided them with considerable convenience.
Mu Rong, Yun Xiao, Liu Xing, and the others gradually retreated to the rear. Once everyone in front had left, they suddenly leaped up and clung to the dungeon's roof, like crawling geckos, adhering motionlessly to the walls.
Even from afar, they could still hear Ye Si Yuan's shouting, mostly directed at Lan Qing Lun.
He hurled insults like "bastard," "son of a bitch," "disgraceful," and "shameless fellow," using whatever foul language he could.
The few jailers guarding the cells cautiously scanned the dungeon, ensuring no one remained before locking the door and leaving.
Mu Rong and Yun Xiao and the others landed silently, standing in the long corridor. They surveyed the Ministry of Justice's dungeons – dark and boundless. Torches stuck in the walls cast flickering light on the walls, illuminating the mottled bloodstains, which appeared exceptionally dark purple, along with various torture devices, giving them a sinister and terrifying appearance.
The group walked softly further inside. The Ye family members were imprisoned in the outermost section. They had already checked there and found no trace of Yun Mo. This meant he was imprisoned further within.
The Ministry of Justice's dungeons had many layers, both inside and out. The deeper they went, the more eerie and terrifying it became, with the smell of blood growing stronger.
Yun Xiao looked at the dim and eerie prison cells. Her footsteps felt heavy, as if she couldn't take a single step. Finally, Mu Rong reached out and embraced her, carrying her further inside.