Chapter 107: Trapped in the Cage of Crisis — Wisdom and Courage Break the Deadlock, Dawn Approaches

Chapter 107: Trapped in the Cage, Crisis Lurks; Wisdom and Courage Break the Deadlock, Dawn Arrives

The men in black pounced like wolves and tigers. Lin Shiya and Murong Fu stood back to back, vigilantly watching their surroundings.

Lin Shiya drew a dagger hidden in her boot; its cold gleam flashed as it sliced through the sleeve of an approaching assailant.

Murong Fu wielded a folding fan as a weapon, his moves sharp and fierce. The fan’s bones struck a pressure point on a man in black, who let out a muffled grunt and collapsed.

The fierce combat echoed within the secret chamber. The flickering torchlight cast dancing shadows over the three tense faces.

The witness cowered in a corner, clutching his head and sobbing softly.

The villain watched coldly, a cruel smile curling at his lips.

He knew their resistance was futile.

“Don’t waste your efforts,” his chilling voice reverberated through the chamber. “This is my territory; you won’t escape no matter how you try.”

Outnumbered and overwhelmed, Lin Shiya and Murong Fu were subdued by the men in black and confined in an iron cage along with the witness.

The cage was made of thick iron bars, exuding a cold metallic chill. Inside, damp and dark, reeked of nauseating rot. Rats scurried in the corners, their eerie squeaks sending shivers down the spine.

Standing outside, the villain looked down at them with a triumphant grin. “Enjoy your last moments,” he sneered.

Outside the cage, the deceived Official Zhang hurried over. Seeing Lin Shiya imprisoned, he erupted in anger. “Lin Shiya, what do you have to say now? Caught red-handed, what right do you have to deny it?”

Lin Shiya took a deep breath, striving to keep calm. “Official Zhang, listen to me! This is all the villain’s scheme—he’s framing me!”

“Framing? The evidence is clear. What else can you deny?” Zhang pointed to the witness inside the cage. “He saw it all with his own eyes. What do you say to that?”

“You’ve been deceived! He’s the true mastermind!” Lin Shiya’s voice was hoarse, tinged with desperation.

Zhang sneered coldly. “Still stubborn at this point? You won’t see the truth until it’s too late.” He turned to General Ding. “General Ding, take Lin Shiya and Murong Fu to the main prison. Await the emperor’s judgment.”

Murong Fu’s gaze sharpened. Slowly, he spoke, “Wait…”

He pulled a jade pendant from his sleeve and handed it to Zhang.

The royal emblem engraved on the pendant shone brilliantly in the torchlight.

Zhang’s face changed dramatically. His previously resolute expression gave way to hesitation, his eyes clouded with doubt and inner conflict.

“This is… the emperor’s jade pendant?” Zhang’s voice trembled slightly, as if the pendant bore unbearable weight.

Lin Shiya’s heart flickered with hope but she dared not relax. She glanced at Murong Fu, who nodded slightly, signaling her to stay calm.

The villain’s eyes darkened. “Bring the witness here! I want him to recant publicly and confirm Lin Shiya’s guilt!”

Several men in black responded immediately, dragging the trembling witness from his corner.

The witness, already timid and cowardly, was pale with fear, his legs shaking uncontrollably.

He was forced down, a sharp instrument waving before his eyes, chilling him to the bone.

“Tell me, did you see Lin Shiya involved in all this?” the villain sneered, his voice laced with menace and cruelty.

The witness trembled, begging repeatedly, “Sir, I… I…”

“Speak!” the villain roared, raising the instrument and striking the witness’s back with a horrifying sound.

The witness’s screams echoed through the chamber, scattering the rats and deepening the oppressive atmosphere.

Lin Shiya watched in anguish, powerless to help due to her restraints.

She clenched her teeth, tears of anger glistening in her eyes, unable to stop the witness’s torment.

Suddenly, Murong Fu’s body jolted. Breaking free from his bonds, he leapt fiercely toward the ruthless assassin.

The chains around his wrists snapped with a sharp sound; like an arrow released, he surged forward.

Caught off guard, the assassin staggered back after a powerful strike to the chest, eyes wide with disbelief.

The surrounding men in black swiftly swarmed to surround Murong Fu.

Blades flashed and cold air crackled in the confined space. Facing many foes, Murong Fu was locked in a fierce battle.

Agile and fierce, his movements were like a violent storm, each strike thunderous and decisive.

Though outnumbered, the men in black struggled against Murong Fu’s exquisite martial skills.

“Murong Fu!” Lin Shiya called anxiously, her eyes filled with worry.

Trapped in the cage, she could only watch helplessly as he fought, her heart twisted with pain.

Hearing her call, Murong Fu felt warmth flood his heart, a surge of strength coursing through him.

His gaze grew firmer, his strikes fiercer, like a ferocious tiger charging through the crowd.

Every punch and palm carried deep affection for Lin Shiya and burning rage against the villain.

The clash of battle cries and weapons rang through the chamber.

Torchlight flickered, illuminating Murong Fu’s bloodied struggle and Lin Shiya’s anxious face.

Suddenly, Lin Shiya’s eyes caught an inconspicuous device in the corner of the cage…

“Wait!” she shouted.

Her gaze fixed on a slightly protruding stone tile in the cage’s corner, her heart stirred.

She recalled that while searching the cage earlier, she sensed something unusual about that tile.

Could it be…?

Holding her breath, she examined it closely and found a faint carving nearly blending into the stone’s color, invisible unless scrutinized carefully.

“Murong Fu, be careful!” Lin Shiya suddenly called out and pressed the tile firmly.

With a soft click, the cage door slowly opened.

Murong Fu stepped back cautiously, dodging a deadly strike from the men in black.

Without hesitation, Lin Shiya sprang out like a nimble swallow, weaving through the attackers toward the trembling witness.

She shielded him behind her, her eyes blazing as she coldly swept over the men in black.

“Anyone step closer and I’ll take their life!” Her voice was cold and resolute, filled with undeniable authority.

Intimidated by her fierce aura, the men in black hesitated to advance.

Murong Fu seized the chance to break free from their entanglement and joined Lin Shiya’s side.

Back to back, they vigilantly faced the surrounding enemies.

“Run!” Murong Fu whispered.

Lin Shiya nodded, gripping the witness’s hand, and together with Murong Fu dashed toward the exit.

Just as they neared escape, a group of soldiers blocked the secret chamber’s entrance.

At the forefront stood General Ding, clad in armor, sword in hand, his expression stern. Behind him were dozens of fully armed soldiers.

“Lin Shiya, Murong Fu, you are surrounded. Surrender now!” General Ding’s commanding voice echoed in the chamber.

Lin Shiya and Murong Fu exchanged a heavy glance.

They knew a new crisis had arrived.

“General Ding, what is the meaning of this?” Lin Shiya asked, trying to maintain composure.

General Ding snorted coldly. “By the emperor’s order, you are to be arrested as traitors!…”