Qi Yanzhou had long studied the terrain of the Nether Mountain.
He led Ye Chutang down a smooth, narrow path toward the direction of the fire.
After a quarter of an hour, the two arrived at the entrance of the "Nightshade" organization.
"Nightshade" was built amidst an orderly bamboo forest.
The traps and formations had already been destroyed, with broken bamboo scattered everywhere and traces of blood faintly visible.
Ye Chutang and Qi Yanzhou tied their horses to the bamboo and ventured further inside.
The bloodstains grew more frequent, and occasionally, corpses could be seen—all members of "Nightshade."
Beyond the bamboo forest lay a maze of stone formations, disorienting to anyone who entered.
Heat radiated from behind the stones, carrying the scent of charred wood.
The two passed through the stone maze and arrived before a burning wooden tower.
Nan Xiao stood there, holding the severed head of the "Nightshade" leader.
The thick stench of blood made Ye Chutang frown.
Noticing this, Qi Yanzhou kicked the bloody head away and shielded her behind him.
"Stop. Report the situation."
Nan Xiao immediately took two steps back and knelt on one knee.
"Your Highness, we have captured twenty-six, killed seventeen, two escaped, and the number of those out on missions is still being counted."
Then, he glanced at the burning tower behind him.
"The fire started where the wooden plaques were stored. I only managed to salvage some of them. We are still searching to see if the one Your Highness seeks is among them."
As soon as Nan Xiao finished speaking, a voice called out, "Found it!"
A wooden plaque bearing the Kong family's bounty was then placed in Qi Yanzhou’s hand.
With this, they now had the evidence to convict the Kong family.
Qi Yanzhou turned his gaze to the twenty-six kneeling captives.
They neither struggled nor resisted, their faces lifeless, as if they had already accepted their fate.
"Though your master is dead and the antidote that kept you alive is gone, you still have a chance to live."
These words elicited no reaction from the "Nightshade" members.
They had been sold to the organization as children, enduring brutal training and life-or-death battles just to survive.
Later, they took on missions to earn money, but upon learning that none of them would live past thirty, they sought to break free.
Yet, no physician could cure their poison.
Some even risked stealing the antidote, only to fail and suffer unbearable torture from their master.
"I am the only one who has the antidote now. If any of you wish to die early, I won’t stop you."
These words struck deep into their hearts.
When Nan Xiao beheaded the "Nightshade" leader, they had given up, believing death was inevitable.
Qi Yanzhou looked at Ye Chutang. "Ah-Tang, the rest is up to you."
Ye Chutang nodded and turned to the twenty-six kneeling figures.
She pointed at one of them. "Bring her forward."
Qi Yanzhou’s men immediately dragged the woman before Ye Chutang.
She lifted her foot, tilting the woman’s chin up, and coldly stared at her deathly pale face.
"If you find life so meaningless, why not just die?"
The woman’s vacant eyes suddenly focused as she looked at Ye Chutang.
She was momentarily stunned by Ye Chutang’s beauty.
"So, you’re Ye Chutang—the one who brought ruin upon 'Nightshade' and cut off our last hope?"
"Wrong. I’m the one giving you a chance to live."
With that, Ye Chutang kicked the woman squarely in the chest.
The woman collapsed, coughing up black blood, her face turning ashen, her gaze unfocused.
The poison had flared.
"Everyone, look here!" Ye Chutang commanded.
She then retrieved a temporary antidote from her space and fed it to the woman.
Almost instantly, the woman’s complexion returned to normal, and her eyes regained clarity.
"Tell me—can you feel the poison being suppressed?"
The woman had suffered countless poison flares and taken just as many antidotes. She didn’t need to think to know the answer.
Stunned, she stared at Ye Chutang. "How do you have the antidote?"
Under the eager gazes of the twenty-six, Ye Chutang’s lips curved slightly.
"My medical skills are decent. Not only did I create a temporary antidote, but I can also cure your poison completely."
The woman’s eyes lit up, her voice trembling with excitement.
"Really?"
"You’d know better than me whether it’s true."
"What must I do to get the cure and be free?"
The woman understood—Ye Chutang had spared them for a reason.
Ye Chutang swept her gaze over the "Nightshade" members.
"Work for me, and I’ll ensure you live. If a mission is too dangerous, you may refuse. But those who complete ten tasks will earn their freedom."
To the "Nightshade" members, this was an offer they couldn’t refuse.
Immediately, all twenty-six dropped to one knee.
"We greet our new master!"
"If you wish to pledge loyalty, you must first disclose everything—your past, your comrades’ backgrounds, the missions you’ve taken, and their outcomes. Afterward, I’ll assign tasks based on your skills."
Ye Chutang was no saint, but she wouldn’t spare the truly wicked either.
Use them, then dispose of those who deserved it and release the rest.
Her terms were fair, and the "Nightshade" members agreed without hesitation.
She handed the temporary antidote to Nan Xiao.
"They’re yours to manage for now. Investigate their backgrounds thoroughly. If anyone lies, execute them on the spot."
"As you command."
"Leave clues so those who fled or are on missions can find you."
"Yes, Lady Ye."
Ye Chutang turned to Qi Yanzhou. "It’s time to return to the city."
Qi Yanzhou nodded and ordered Nan Xiao, "Destroy this place completely."
Then, he took Ye Chutang’s hand, and they retraced their steps, mounting their horses and riding off.
They galloped back to the capital, entering through a secret tunnel outside the city that led to one of Qi Yanzhou’s hidden properties—a tea warehouse.
As the rich aroma of tea filled the air, Ye Chutang asked, "Prince Chen's Mansion’s public assets will be seized after the exile. Can we save any of them?"
"The Emperor watches Prince Chen's Mansion too closely. We can’t move assets recklessly, or it’ll raise suspicion. I’ll send some gold and jewels to the northwest first, but we’ll have to leave some for the Emperor to confiscate."
Qi Yanzhou gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind Ye Chutang’s ear.
"Let him seize what he wants. In the end, none of it will stay with him."
Ye Chutang understood his meaning and nodded. "I’ll inform the 'Ghost Thief.'"
"Ah-Tang, about your connection with the 'Ghost Thief'—"
"That’s not something I can discuss."
She had no intention of revealing her spatial abilities or other secrets to anyone.
Some things were best kept buried.
Qi Yanzhou quickly assured her, "I won’t ask again."
Then, with concern, he asked, "Ah-Tang, was the ride too much for you?"
Ye Chutang yawned drowsily.
"We didn’t ride far tonight, and the pace wasn’t fast. The saddle had a soft cushion, so it wasn’t tiring."
Seeing how exhausted she was, Qi Yanzhou said, "It’s very late. Let me escort you back."
"No need. There’s no curfew yet. I’ll return on my own."
Since it wouldn’t be proper for them to be seen together before marriage, he didn’t insist.
"Alright, I’ll walk you to the gate."
As they stepped out of the warehouse, the cool night breeze brushed against them, refreshing Ye Chutang slightly.
It also reminded her of something.
"Ah-Zhou, once we’re married, our fates will be tied. Can you tell me who your enemies are—and who our allies are?"
Before being exiled, she vowed to empty the treasuries of all her enemies!
