"Yes, Miss."
Nan Hua looked at Hou Lin for a moment before looking to the front once more. She didn't say anything and merely nodded. Even before this, she knew that Hou Lin was someone who was loyal to her grandfather.
Since that was the case, she wanted to make use of his loyalty to achieve her goal.
"We're entering the labyrinth." Nan Hua pushed the rocks and looked into the path before her. It was located lower than this path, which meant that the ceiling was much thicker. At the same time, she noticed the pavement that was made out of rocks.
This was much newer than the other one.
"Young Miss, we don't have a map." Hou Lin felt a bit awkward. If they got lost in this place, how should he answer Old Master Nan?
"It's fine."
Nan Hua jumped to the pavement and glanced upwards. One of the traits of these hidden labyrinth was that they must have been made in accordance to the maker. However, to make such a long passageway, it was impossible for them to only spend one day.
They would need to spend a long time and in order to do that, they must build temporary airflow.
Since the labyrinth was still being used, the main pathway would have the airway remained unblocked while the rest had long been forgotten. After all, it was not like they were cleaning regularly. The easiest way to find the method out from this passageway was to simply follow the freshest airway.
As an assassin, Nan Hua was sensitive to the airflow and naturally could sense them.
"Follow me."
Hou Lin was stunned but when he saw Nan Hua had already departed, he had no other choice but to follow her. Internally, he was wondering whether this would have been fine or not.
But seeing how Nan Hua took the lead, he had the thought that it would have been fine to follow her.
'Am I already crazy?'
But seeing how capable Nan Hua was, Hou Lin felt that the capabilities Nan Hua showed to him and Old Master Nan on daily basis was clearly not her real ability. The fact that her physical ability was still lower was true but her knowledge clearly had far surpassed what he ever taught her.
For some reason, Hou Lin felt that he was seeing the shadow of Old Master Nan when the man was still young back then.
It was a strange feeling, indeed.
Swish!
"They're at the front." Nan Hua slowed her pace and inched closer to the intersection. Her dark obsidian eyes were carefully examining the people whom she could see. The lighting in the passageway was extremely bad as it was hard for her to even see properly.
However, there were more lanterns at the front, which was used to light up the passageway.
"It's so boring. First brother must be having the blast of having an intruder now." one of them spoke in annoyed tone.
"Master, it's not going to do anything good if they're here."
"But I wouldn't be so bored as to do nothing here." The man yawned and leaned back. He hadn't slept at all ever since they decided to do this because anyone could possibly break in and disrupt their plan.
"Please be patient…."
The group at the front was not vigilant at all. This made Nan Hua wondered just what they were doing in this place if they were not being careful.
"Is he the second commander?" Nan Hua asked.
"No, he's the firsts commander's adjutant. The fact that he's here shows that the first commander is in the other passage." Hou Lin felt a bit worried now. He knew that Commander Hai was not Old Master Nan's opponent, but that was only if Old Master Nan was at his usual condition.
Right now, it would be hard for Old Master Nan to make a move on his own.
"I'll deal with him."
"It'll not be as easy as before. The soldiers are more experienced."
"Mhm, I know."
Hou Lin was speechless. Did she really know? Looking at the girl's expression, he felt that Nan Hua was always exceedingly calm. Then again, the young girl rarely showed any other expression beside indifference and calm that far surpassed her age.
"Now."
Swish!
The soldiers swiftly reacted when they sensed something was wrong. Even the adjutant also moved from his position.
"What's that?" The adjutant swung his sword as he felt that there was someone coming.
"Assassins?"
Clang! Swish!
Half of the candle was off but the rest failed. Nan Hua stayed calm as she knew that this trick would not always worked. Not to mention, her control of her current strength was a bit lacking.
Thankfully, she was not lacking in needles at all.
Several more needles appeared between her fingers. Nan Hua gazed calmly at the group before her and swiftly moved between them. All they could see was a black figure bypassing them.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
"Gah!"
"Who…?"
The adjutant was stunned but he was also very experienced. He charged to the front, heading straight towards the shadow in front of him. "You dare!"
Nan Hua stopped abruptly and her left hand stretched to the side with several needles ready. In the next moment, all needles flicked towards the remaining candles.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
"As if I'll…."
Clang!
This time, a sword blocked the adjutant. He gritted his teeth and pushed forward as his hand began to brandish his sword in the way that would provide him advantage. The opponent attacked from below.
Was the assassin short?
He had no time to think as the last candle was out with the needle that Nan Hua sent. As the darkness loomed over them, their eyes were not used to it. The adjutant gritted his teeth and focused his senses on the opponent before him.
He shall not falter and fought until the very end.
"Gah!"
"Be careful of needles and the likes.. The assassins are very cunning!" The adjutant warned.