Hou Lin felt that his knowledge was challenged over and over again just now. Staying with Nan Hua allowed him to know that it was actually possible for them to break into the secret passage with this method.
Was it because this secret passage was older that the structure was mostly made out of wood?
Entering the pitch black passage, Hou Lin swore that he would have long been scared sh*tless if not because of his martial arts. He still could sense his surroundings and knew that he was inside a tunnel. The tunnel was heading back to the gate and also to the palace.
In fact, he could still faintly smell that horrible smell from behind him.
He sensed Nan Hua began to move and soon disappeared. Hou Lin had to stay close to Nan Hua if he didn't want to miss her. In this darkness, it was hard for him to even see his hand, much less Nan Hua. Coupled with Nan Hua's skill to erase her presence, it was a deadly combination.
'Did she know the way?'
The secret passage was always built like a maze. If one didn't know the way, they would never be able to reach the end and probably lost their lives in this maze like passageway.
Tep!
Nan Hua stopped and looked at the front. There were several soldiers at the front with one person being the leader. With the candles around them, it was not hard to guess that they were the guards who was tasked to guard this entrance.
But to use candles… were they afraid of darkness?
It was not like they were afraid of darkness, but this method would make it harder for assassins to get close to them. With the light from the candle, it would allow them to see if there was anyone who came closer in their direction.
"Who's that?" Nan Hua asked Hou Lin since she was unfamiliar with their faces.
Hou Lin narrowed his eyes. "Commander Hai."
"Which one?"
Hai Family had several members who become soldiers and ended up as Imperial Guards. With the influence of Concubine Hai, who was the mother of the second prince, there were several people in Hai Family who had smooth sailing career.
The terms Commander Hai… actually referred to 4 people.
"The third one." Hou Lin sneered.
The third one meant that he was one of the newly appointed one. However, Nan Hua recalled that the novel mentioned that the person who was stationed here was quite powerful. It must be the one who had quite talent in Hai Family.
"Young Miss, let me deal with him…"
"No need. You deal with the rest."
Hou Lin was stunned but he noticed that Nan Hua had swiftly moved towards the group in front of them. Her hand had taken out several knives that she must have taken from their training time.
Swish!
The soldiers were all busy chatting with each other, unaware of the danger that was lurking not far from there.
"Are we going to stay here until sunrise?"
"As long as His Highness managed to convince the officials to support him, His Majesty will have no words to say. And overthrowing all of the officials are not possible unless he wants to run the kingdom by himself." Commander Hai sneered.
The plan would have been perfect if only the second prince was a bit smarter. They didn't have to rack their brains to create this chance for him and could just stay behind as the second prince deal with all the matters by himself. Unfortunately, things were not as easy as they imagined as the second prince was lacking.
Imperial Concubine Hai had to work hard by herself in order to make sure this scheme worked.
"That sounds reassuring."
"Yes, of course." Commander Hai sneered. "After His Highness the second prince ascend to the throne, Hai Family will be unstoppable. There wouldn't be anyone who dare to go against us anymore."
It was the dream Hai Family had ever since a long time ago. If not for the appearance of Prince Yang Zhou, their dream would have come true ever since a long time ago. Unfortunately, they just had to see that annoying b*stard brat becoming the Emperor without being able to do anything.
Now, the only method for them to obtain the throne was by taking it forcefully.
It was fine for them either way.
Swish!
The faint sound of something cutting through the air alarmed them. Before they managed to take a clear look of what it was, the light turned off.
Pssh!
"Who…"
Dzing!
A knife went straight to Commander Hai's neck.
Clang!
Barely blocking the attack, Commander Hai was now alert. He brandished his sword as he wanted to kill anyone who dared to get close to him when he sensed a sting on his hand.
'I can't move my arm?'
Commander Hai was stunned. Before he could do anything else, another needle had struck his forehead.
Thud!
Even until the end, Commander Hai didn't manage to see the person who killed him. He only knew that there was someone inside.
"Kill him!" the soldiers around him panicked.
They didn't know who their enemy was but they could sense some movement from their front. As long as they knew it was not their comrades, they swung their sword blindly.
Swish! Swish!
Nan Hua evaded to the side and furrowed her brows. When these soldiers were blindly attacking, there was always a chance for her to get hurt. With her small body, she wouldn't be able to deal with these burly soldiers all by herself.
Clang! Slash!
Hou Lin quickly took charge. He could guess that Nan Hua had killed the one in charge and the rest were just lackeys. However, it was these lackeys that would drain Nan Hua's stamina the most.
Thus, he dealt with them.
Thud!
"It's done, Young Miss…"
Hou Lin stopped talking when Nan Hua motioned for him to shut up.. The door that was connecting the passage to the hall was slowly being opened.