Yu Duoduo rushed out of the castle along the eaves without being discovered, seemingly due to the large number of attendants being redirected, making the guards inside the castle rather sparse.

However, moving further out, they could be discovered at any time, as the streets were filled with patrolling attendants.

Po Lai pointed at a blue clock tower not far away and said, "In the sewers of that building ahead, there is a secret passage leading to the back mountain. We’ll go from there."

Yu Duoduo nodded, not hesitating, and ran in the direction Po Lai indicated, moving quite fast even with someone on his back.

This place just so happened to be a blind spot for several patrolling teams of attendants, so they were not discovered.

Yu Duoduo first threw Po Lai down and then jumped down himself, landing on the mud-covered ground.

Po Lai was already covered in mud but didn’t mind at all. He looked around and pointed at a stone in the corner of the wall, saying, "That’s it, move that stone."

He seemed very familiar with the place and quickly found the entrance to the secret passage.

Yu Duoduo moved the stone and indeed found a narrow secret passage, just wide enough for two people.

"Master Po Lai, you’re quite familiar with this place." He carried Po Lai on his back again, walked into the secret passage, and covered the entrance with the stone.

Po Lai hesitated a little before explaining:

"This place is nominally Viscount Anthony’s estate, but it is actually where my father stayed temporarily. I spent some time here when I was a child, so I know it well; I often sneaked out to play through the secret passage."

Yu Duoduo was a bit stunned and said, "So this is the Duke’s estate."

Po Lai nodded, "Yes, but I haven’t been here since then. For some reason, it later became the Viscount’s estate, at least in name."

The terrain inside the secret passage was complex, with holes above casting dim light and a faint sewer stench in the air.

About ten minutes later, they pushed open a hidden door and continued forward, winding for dozens of minutes before reaching the exit, covered by a brick slab, with dense shrubs outside.

Po Lai breathed a slight sigh of relief:

"This is it, this is the back mountain, and there shouldn’t be many guards. Just be careful of those monsters lurking in the shadows."

The lush trees brought a serene night atmosphere, and faint lights could be seen in the estate.

Yu Duoduo also breathed a sigh of relief, feeling the pressure ease considerably; success was now within reach. Once they got out, everything could be solved.

Suddenly, a shout came from the side.

"Don’t go over there!"

The two of them were startled by the sudden shout, turning their heads to see a woman dressed as a detective.

Yu Duoduo recognized her as another player and asked, "What’s going on? Why are you here?"

Lu Mengyao pointed outside and said, "The space here is isolated; crossing over will kill you."

"Isolated space?"

Yu Duoduo looked puzzled but somewhat believed her; it seemed she had no reason to lie.

Lu Yao glanced at Po Lai, who was tied up, and reminded them:

"Something has happened here. The Duke’s son, Po Lai, has initiated some kind of ritual. If we die here, it’s for real, so be careful and don’t go over there."

She was very candid, revealing everything mainly because the other person was also a player, and she thought they were on the same side, so a warning seemed harmless.

Po Lai had a strange look on his face and looked at the undead, saying, "I am Po Lai, and this has nothing to do with me."

Lu Mengyao carefully examined Po Lai and said incredulously, "You’re the Duke’s son, Po Lai?"

"Yes, I am."

Po Lai nodded affirmatively.

Lu Mengyao turned to Yu Duoduo and said, "So you’re also an assassin and tied up Po Lai to get him out... that’s a bit extreme."

Yu Duoduo was a bit exasperated and explained:

"I’m not an assassin... Huo Jia, the steward, betrayed Young Master Po Lai. He bribed everyone to make Po Lai’s death appear real. But afterward, I helped Young Master Po Lai escape."

Lu Mengyao squinted her eyes, thought for a moment, and seriously said, "So what?"

So?

Yu Duoduo paused and said:

"So, none of this is Young Master Po Lai’s doing, and I’m not an assassin. That treacherous steward was the instigator."

Po Lai added, "But I really don’t know what he’s trying to do... If you can help me escape, I promise I’ll fulfill any request you have."

Someone on the brink of life and death would clutch at any straw to save themselves, just like him. Lu Mengyao didn’t seem to have any combat capabilities, but he was still willing to make that promise. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Lu Mengyao ignored the quest prompt and didn’t care about what Po Lai said, "We can’t get out now; the space here is isolated, so just wait here or try somewhere else."

Elsewhere?

But where else could they go? This was already the safest place.

Yu Duoduo thought for a moment and said, "We’ll stay here too... No wonder we didn’t make much noise even if we escaped; they knew we couldn’t get away!"

Po Lai’s expression was relatively calm. Even facing such a change, he was pondering why Steward Huo Jia would do this.

There was no reason.

The steward had been with his father since he was young, always loyal and very capable.

At least before his father died, the steward shouldn’t have had any ulterior motives.

What could it be for?

...

"Huh? Why is it like this?"

Su Changxing’s expression shifted when he received the surprising news from Lu Mengyao, who had encountered the fleeing Duke’s son, Po Lai, in the back mountain.

He thought about his unfinished mission and wondered if killing Po Lai now would complete it.

It seemed that simple.

However, assassinating Po Lai to complete the mission wouldn’t resolve the problem of the isolated estate space, nor uncover the ongoing mysterious ritual.

It was a non-fixed ritual with very harsh conditions, generally difficult to carry on and would naturally be interrupted.

"Kill first, discuss later."

He cleared his thoughts and realized there was no need to overcomplicate things. Sometimes a swift solution could be better.

At this moment.

With the sunset fading, his strength fully returned.

Su Changxing entered the guest room on the second floor, locked the door, lit an oil lamp, took off his yellow straw hat and hung it on the coat rack, then jumped out the window, disappearing into the shadows of the night.

He easily evaded all the attendants and patrol teams, once again reaching the back mountains, moving unhurriedly toward Lu Mengyao’s location.

"Who’s there?"

Yu Duoduo sensed the commotion, becoming alert, raising his short knife in a combat stance.

At such a time, he had no choice but to fight desperately.

"Your killer."

A Joker, holding a gun, stepped out of the darkness with an exaggerated smile, making them feel creepy and instinctively fearful.

Yu Duoduo stiffened, recognizing the words "Bloody Hand Butcher," naturally aware of the boss who slaughtered the first knight’s guild battle regiment.

But why was he in this estate?

Under the gaze of the three, Su Changxing steadily walked towards the tied-up Po Lai, getting closer, raised the gun, pointing the muzzle at his forehead, and calmly said:

"Duke’s son, do you have any last words?"