There is a god in the sky

Chapter 296 Cave

After walking a short distance, the ancient sound of a bell came from the back mountain.

Fu Qingyan said reluctantly, "I should go to the study now. When will you come to see me next, cousin?"

Xiao Ji stepped forward to straighten his belt and collar, and patted him on the shoulder, "Come whenever you have time, don't put too much pressure on yourself."

Fu Qingyan smiled at him, his handsome face shining brightly.

"My cousin probably already knows that I've promised my mother I'll pass the imperial examination with flying colors next time! Then I'll get married, and my mother will be so happy!"

Watching him run away, Xiao Ji and Shen Lan both felt a little melancholy.

That carefree boy seems to have really grown up.

"Fu Xin, take us to that wooden house."

"Yes."

The group left the academy, and Sui Feng brought the hunting dog over, feeding it the braised pork knuckle and roast chicken that had been packed from the canteen.

After it had eaten its fill, everyone walked along the path toward the western mountain peak.

The journey was long, but fortunately, everyone was moving at a fast pace.

Fu Xin was initially worried that Miss Shen wouldn't be able to keep up, but he found that while everyone else was out of breath, this girl was actually the one who was the most relaxed.

"Young Master Xiao, the wooden house is just across the way, separated by a canyon. How do we get there?"

Xiao Ji was clearly well-prepared; they brought climbing grapples and ropes.

Suiying threw the grappling hook towards the other side with all her might, and it took her more than ten attempts to succeed.

Looking down from above, the stream is swift and rapid, making one feel uneasy.

Suiying tugged at the rope and said to Xiao Ji, "My lord, Suifeng and I will go over there. You can stay here and provide backup."

We don't know what's going on over there yet, so we really can't let Xiao Ji take any risks lightly.

Moreover, if they encounter danger, it will be easier for the two of them to escape. The people here can simply wait for them to come over and remove the ropes to stop the pursuers.

"it is good."

Suiying strapped his weapon to his back and was the first to cross the valley.

Once he reached the other side, he waved to signal this way, and Sui Feng prepared to go over.

Shen Lan stopped him and said to Xiao Ji, "Let me go. I'm good at light footwork, and I'm more used to the mountains and forests."

Xiao Ji had witnessed her traversing the mountains and nodded.

Shen Lan wrapped strips of cloth around her hands and climbed over the rope.

The trees opposite were tall and lush, overgrown with weeds, and the wooden house was hidden in the jungle, not very conspicuous.

"It doesn't look like anyone's there," Suiying said in a low voice.

"Go over and have a look."

The two groped their way forward, each holding a rope in their hand so they could quickly evacuate if anything happened.

From a distance, the wooden house doesn't look very big, but when you get closer, you realize that most of it is hidden by trees, and the only part of the roof that is visible is on the side.

"This house doesn't look like it's for living in; it feels more like... a place for raising livestock." Sui Ying estimated that the house was over ten zhang long.

The doors and windows were dilapidated, and not a sound could be heard.

The two went inside and found the house empty, like an abandoned old house.

Could the figures Fu Xin saw have been hunters from the neighborhood who had come here to stay?

Shen Lan looked around the ground and found traces left by someone.

Unburnt firewood, leftover meat and bones, and some worn-out clothes.

Someone has lived here, but it seems there aren't many people.

"Wait, doesn't this road look unusually dark?"

There was a trail that looked like it had been made by many people, stretching from the front door to the back door.

The two walked to the door and saw only dense grass outside, with no other buildings beyond the mountains.

Shen Lan pushed open the door and pointed to a disappearing path: "This used to be a road."

Suiying walked ahead, cutting down the tall weeds along the path while keeping an eye on her surroundings.

When we reached the foot of the mountain, we discovered that the lower half of the mountain wall was all stone, without a single plant.

It was covered by weeds from a distance, so I couldn't see it.

He drew his sword and tapped the mountain wall with the scabbard, then discovered a hollow spot.

The two exchanged a glance, somewhat hesitant.

With just the two of them, if there is danger inside, it would be difficult for them to get out safely.

"Should we go and call someone over?" Suiying asked.

"Let's find the location of the agency first. I'll go in alone and you can meet me outside."

"That's too dangerous."

"Maybe there's nothing inside?" Shen Lan tore off a piece of cloth and covered her face.

The two searched the mountain wall for a long time before finding the mechanism. It was an ordinary stone; when the protruding part was pushed upwards, a stone door opened in the wall.

The cave was pitch black, and a musty, musty smell wafted out.

Shen Lan pressed her ear against the mountain wall and listened for a while, but she did not hear any human activity or voices.

She lit a tinderbox, blew on it gently, and then went into the cave.

The light was limited, and so was her vision; all she knew was that it was a large cave, and her footsteps echoed.

She felt a breeze and slowly walked in the direction the wind was blowing.

There were many scattered items on the ground: firewood, charcoal, weapons, and household items.

This place looks more like an empty warehouse; it was quite messy during the move, with a lot of things left behind.

Who would hide something in these deep mountains?

Moreover, this is the outskirts of Beijing. If someone were to recruit soldiers privately, wouldn't they be discovered?

She picked up a piece of firewood and lit it, which improved the light considerably.

The cave was divided into several small areas, some with beds, some with shelves, and one with traces of weapons.

Reaching the end of the cave, Shen Lan discovered a drafty opening. There was a crack in the top of the cave, through which the wind was blowing in.

I could hear a dripping sound; water was dripping down the walls of the cave and into a small pool.

The pond smelled terrible; it was filled with rotten fish and shrimp, as well as wild grass and branches.

She found a tattered black shirt in a small hut, the same one worn by the assassin who had tried to kill Xiao Ji.

This fabric is not the common cotton, but a silk-cotton fabric that is more expensive than cotton.

Even assassins can wear fabrics that ordinary people can't afford, which shows that the people who keep them here are very rich.

Assuming this is where those assassins were hiding, when did they move away? And why did they move?

Unable to find any other exit, Shen Lan returned along the same route.

As soon as they stepped out of the cave, Suiying grabbed them and pulled them into the tall grass.

"Shh, someone is coming."

Shen Lan noticed that the door she had just entered and exited was still open, and she became anxious, quietly gripping the dagger in her hand.

The man who arrived was dressed in black. He was very tall with strong features and appeared to be around twenty years old.

He stood before the cliff face, looking at the wide-open stone gate, and cautiously surveyed his surroundings.

"Who's there? Come out!"

Shen Lan and Sui Ying remained motionless, even their breathing became soft.

A gentle breeze rustled through the grass. The person listened quietly for a while, then muttered to themselves, "Could it be that I forgot to close the door when I came last time?"