Chapter 38: with translation of chapter title

At the center of the altar, a piece of ancient-style jade pendant emitted a faint green light, and a strange pattern was carved on the jade pendant.

Jiang Xiaomu, relying on the faint light, examined the jade pendant closely, his brows furrowed.

This jade pendant…

His pupils suddenly contracted, a chill shot up from his feet to the top of his head.

This jade pendant is exactly the same as the one Shapozi wore around her neck!

Shapozi, whom he personally beheaded, had her head hung high on the city gate as a warning.

The old beggar, likewise killed by him with a single blow, had his corpse devoured almost entirely by wild dogs.

Could they still be alive?

Impossible!

Jiang Xiaomu shook his head hard, trying to dispel the absurd thought in his mind.

Unless… unless there is another jade pendant exactly like this one in the world.

But the strange bird pattern on this jade pendant is so peculiar, the carving so exquisite, it is certainly not an ordinary item—how could there be two?

"Thud… thud… thud…"

A faint footstep sound came from far to near, interrupting Jiang Xiaomu's thoughts.

"Damn it! Someone's coming!"

He quickly slipped the jade pendant into his bosom, then darted into the shadow of a large stone statue behind the altar.

The footsteps grew closer, finally stopping in front of the altar.

"Strange, I clearly saw a light here just now…"

A gruff voice sounded.

A shrill voice chimed in:

"Yeah, could it be that we're seeing things?"

"Impossible! My eyes are fine—there must be something!"

The gruff voice carried a hint of impatience,

"Search carefully!"

"Yes!"

The two voices responded, and they began to rummage around the altar.

Jiang Xiaomu's heartbeat pounded like a drum, and he gripped the dagger in his hand tightly.

He silently estimated the enemies' positions, and several countermeasures flashed through his mind.

He was not familiar with the martial arts style of these two; they did not seem to be from the Imperial Court.

Could they be outlaws from the jianghu? Or… could they be after this jade pendant?

"Big brother, look! There's a hidden compartment here!"

The shrill voice suddenly exclaimed.

"Open it!" the gruff voice said with a hint of excitement.

"Yes!"

Jiang Xiaomu's heart tightened—what could be in the hidden compartment?

Could it be… another jade pendant?

"Empty?"

"Nothing at all!"

"How odd—what was that light just now?"

"Forget it, don't worry about it—go report back first!" the gruff voice said,

"If the leader finds out we delayed the mission, neither of us will get off easy!"

"Yes!"

The two hurried away.

Only then did Jiang Xiaomu slowly relax his breath.

"Just who are these two guys?"

He walked to the altar and carefully examined the hidden compartment.

The hidden compartment was completely empty, with nothing inside.

Could it be… that the light just now was really just their eyes playing tricks?

Jiang Xiaomu's doubts grew stronger; he took out the jade pendant again and examined it closely.

The jade pendant felt warm and smooth to the touch, emitting a faint green light that looked especially eerie in the darkness.

He always felt that behind this jade pendant lay a huge secret.

Just after the two Ghost-Faced Army scouts who had been scouting the path walked away, Jiang Xiaomu silently followed behind.

Passing through a narrow, cramped path, the sight before him made Jiang Xiaomu's pupils contract sharply.

Where he had expected a cliff, a vast open space suddenly appeared, large enough to hold thousands!

The torchlight illuminated the open area brightly; countless soldiers in black uniforms of the Ghost-Faced Army patrolled back and forth, the clashing of swords and spears echoing through the valley.

This is no bandit lair—it is clearly a heavily guarded military camp!

Jiang Xiaomu almost exclaimed aloud; he never imagined the Ghost-Faced Army had hollowed out the entire mountain to build such a secret stronghold.

This damned place has no entrance shown on any map!

"Interesting!" Jiang Xiaomu cursed under his breath, yet a feeling of excitement welled up in his heart.

He quickly scanned his surroundings and saw a crude wooden hut not far away, with some Ghost-Faced Army uniforms piled at its door.

Jiang Xiaomu quickly changed into a black uniform of the Ghost-faced Army and put on a ghost-faced mask.

Leaving the wooden hut, Jiang Xiaomu blended silently into the patrol squad, no one noticing this "new recruit" appearing.

While pretending to patrol, he covertly observed the surroundings.

The Ghost-faced Army's camp was even more complicated than he imagined, with roads crisscrossing like a labyrinth.

What startled him further was that deadly traps were set on some inconspicuous small paths; a moment's carelessness would trigger the mechanism, sending one to the Yellow Springs.

"A post every three steps, a sentry every five steps—this defensive level, even the Imperial Court's regular troops are no better."

Jiang Xiaomu silently sighed.

Continuing deeper into the camp, he found besides patrolling soldiers, many artisans busily forging weapons, chilling to behold.

"It seems the Ghost-faced Army not only numbers many but is also well-equipped; this is beyond what ordinary bandits could achieve," Jiang Xiaomu thought to himself.

He arrived at a more open area and discovered a tall platform erected there, upon which stood a black throne carved with a ferocious ghost face.

"Could this be the seat of the Ghost-faced Army's leader?"

"Just who is the leader of the Ghost-faced Army?" Jiang Xiaomu frowned tightly.

The interior is crisscrossing, like a labyrinth.

At intervals, Ghost-faced Army soldiers in black tight-fitting uniforms patrol.

He observed the surroundings without changing expression, secretly marveling.

The builder of this stronghold is no ordinary person, having hollowed out the entire mountain, skillfully using the terrain's advantage, deploying troops and arranging traps seamlessly.

Even more astonishing, the air inside the stronghold flows smoothly, with no feeling of stuffiness, evidently employing some esoteric art.

"It seems the leader of the Ghost-faced Army is versed not only in military strategy but also in esoteric arts."

Jiang Xiaomu secretly thought,

"Such talent, why hide in these deep mountains and forests to do this shady business?"

"Jiang Xiaomu, you've finally come."

That voice echoed in the spacious cavern, like thunder ringing in Jiang Xiaomu's ears.

His heart jolted, he silently thought 'Not good,' exposed!

A flash of cold light, a short dagger was already in his hand.

The surrounding Ghost-faced Army quickly closed in!

Only then did he see the speaker clearly.

That person wore a large black robe, the hood covering the whole face, hidden in darkness, features indiscernible.

The robed figure slightly raised a hand, and the Ghost-faced Army soldiers immediately halted their steps, retreating like a tide, well-trained, shocking.

"The leader has been waiting for you, let's go."

The robed person's voice was low and hoarse, devoid of any emotion.

Jiang Xiaomu gripped the short dagger, his thoughts racing.

It seems the other side already knew he was coming, yet deliberately let him wander in this cavern, to display strength and give him a setback?

In an instant, Jiang Xiaomu felt like an idiot, being played in the palm of someone's hand.

A surge of anger burned in his heart.

He sheathed the short dagger and followed.

The robed figure led Jiang Xiaomu through the winding, twisting cavern.

This cavern was far deeper than he imagined, its walls carved with strange symbols emitting an eerie aura.