The heavy iron-bound doors creaked open.
A group of masked men dressed in black entered the dungeon.
Leading them was a tall, imposing man.
Although his face was partially concealed by a black silk mask, the authority and nobility in his bearing could not be hidden. His sharp eyes were cold and dangerous, radiating a chilling sense of power.
He stepped into the cell and slowly surveyed the captured women.
Since the abductors had removed their outer garments during the kidnapping, all six women sat with their faces exposed.
The moment his gaze landed on Murong Xue, a flash of interest appeared in his eyes.
Among the noble ladies present, Murong Xue was undoubtedly the most beautiful.
He raised a finger and pointed directly at her.
“You. State your name.”
Murong Xue stiffened.
The pressure emanating from him was overwhelming.
Fear constricted her throat so tightly that she could not utter a single word.
“Your Excellency, I highly doubt you belong to the Nantang Kingdom.”
Qin Man’s calm voice suddenly broke the silence.
The masked man immediately shifted his attention toward her.
He had been focused entirely on Murong Xue, but now he turned to examine the speaker.
The instant he saw Qin Man’s face, his body visibly recoiled.
“What fool brought this woman here?”
His voice was filled with disgust as he glared at his subordinates.
One of the guards hurriedly bowed.
“Master, she is actually our primary target.”
“The plague on the mountain failed because of her. She discovered our scheme involving the grain stores and created the medicine that ruined our plans.”
“Oh?”
The man’s disgust vanished, replaced by curiosity.
He walked directly over to Qin Man and crouched down.
Their faces were only inches apart.
“You aren’t afraid of me?”
He observed her carefully.
Her expression remained calm.
Even her eyes showed no signs of panic.
“I am merely a weak and disfigured woman,” Qin Man replied with a faint smile.
“You command a large force of armed men. Of course I am afraid.”
She paused.
“But fear won’t change our situation. Since we’re already prisoners, why not tell me your true purpose for capturing us?”
The man laughed coldly.
“These noble ladies will be rewarded to my soldiers.”
Then he glanced at Qin Man.
“As for you, I am curious to discover how useful your famous intelligence truly is.”
Qin Man met his gaze without hesitation.
“Do you really believe the authorities won’t find you?”
Her voice was calm but carried undeniable force.
“This may be a remote county, but Nantang Kingdom still possesses enough military strength to wipe out your entire organization.”
She continued deliberately.
“If I were in your position, I would retreat to the Yayao Kingdom immediately.”
A meaningful smile appeared on her lips.
“Tell me, does the Emperor of Yayao know about this operation?”
“Does your First Imperial Brother know?”
“If news of this unauthorized raid reaches the court, aren’t you worried that your father might transfer the succession to the First Prince?”
She tilted her head slightly.
“Or perhaps you haven’t realized that you’re being used by someone else.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“What do you think, Third Prince of Yayao?”
The entire dungeon fell silent.
The masked man’s eyes widened.
For the first time, genuine shock appeared on his face.
“You…”
His voice turned sharp.
“How did you know I was the Third Prince of Yayao?”
In truth, Qin Man had never been certain.
She only remembered discussions between Xiao Ruochen and Mo Xuan regarding the fierce succession struggle within the Yayao royal family.
Combined with his accent and commanding presence, she had taken a calculated gamble.
And she had been correct.
The man stared at her for a long moment.
Then he suddenly laughed.
“What a remarkable woman.”
He removed his mask.
A handsome but dangerous face appeared beneath it.
His nose was sharp and proud, and a confident smile curved across his lips.
“I am Vajaza.”
Since everyone present was expected to die eventually, he saw no reason to conceal his identity.
More importantly, he had another reason for wanting Qin Man.
“I’ve heard much about your medical abilities.”
His tone shifted.
“There is someone important to me who suffers from a chronic illness.”
“We have consulted the finest physicians in every kingdom, yet no one can cure it.”
He stared at her.
“Can you?”
Qin Man remained composed.
“A disease that has defeated the greatest doctors in the world is unlikely to be cured easily.”
Her answer was cautious.
Inside, however, her curiosity was already awakened.
“What kind of illness could challenge every renowned physician on the continent?”
Still, she could not reveal too much eagerness.
Otherwise, she would lose her bargaining position.
After a brief pause, she spoke again.
“I am willing to examine the patient.”
“But I have conditions.”
Vajaza folded his arms.
“Speak.”
Before launching this operation, he had already received extensive reports regarding Qin Man’s medical achievements.
In truth, half his motivation for participating personally was to obtain her help.
Qin Man met his gaze steadily.
“First, you will guarantee the safety of these women.”
“None of your men may harm them.”
“Second, if I successfully treat your patient, every one of us must be released unharmed.”
The noble ladies stared at her in disbelief.
Their eyes gradually filled with tears.
At this moment, they finally understood what kind of person Qin Man truly was.
Despite being imprisoned alongside them, she was using her own safety as leverage to protect theirs.
Memories of their previous mockery and prejudice filled them with shame.
Murong Xue felt especially guilty.
Watching Qin Man negotiate calmly with a foreign prince while protecting everyone present, she could only admire her.
Unfortunately, she possessed neither the courage nor the ability to help.
Vajaza considered the proposal.
Finally, he nodded.
“Whether your conditions are fulfilled depends on the outcome of your treatment.”
Then he turned toward his men.
His voice became icy.
“Hear my order.”
“Until I say otherwise, no one is permitted to touch these women.”
“Anyone who violates this command will be executed immediately.”
The guards lowered their heads.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
A black cloth was then tied over Qin Man’s eyes.
She was escorted out of the dungeon.
None of the guards noticed that every few steps, she secretly released a tiny amount of tracking powder from her spatial dimension.
After roughly fifteen minutes, the blindfold was removed.
Qin Man slowly opened her eyes.
She found herself seated inside a luxurious reception hall.
The estate was lavishly decorated.
Servants moved about silently, and elite foreign guards stood watch throughout the compound.
Qin Man quickly analyzed the situation.
Had they already crossed into the Yayao Kingdom?
Impossible.
The journey had been far too short.
They were still somewhere within Nantang Kingdom territory.
This was merely a hidden stronghold established by Yayao agents.
Since there was nothing more she could learn at the moment, Qin Man closed her eyes and rested.
She needed to conserve her strength before meeting the mysterious patient.
Meanwhile, back at the courier station, the atmosphere had become extremely tense.
After the emergency meeting, Xiao Ruochen returned to Qin Man’s room.
Despite the panic raging within him, he forced himself to search every corner methodically.
There were no signs of a struggle.
No clues.
Nothing.
His jaw tightened.
Just then, Mo Xuan entered the room.
The carefree smile that usually adorned his face was gone.
Only worry remained.
The two men stood silently in the chamber.
Neither had discovered anything useful.
Seeing the oppressive mood, Xiao Ya walked toward the window.
She remembered how much Qin Man valued fresh air.
The young lady often insisted that proper ventilation was essential for good health.
So she pushed the window open.
A gust of sea breeze rushed inside.
At the same time, a lingering scent that had been trapped within the room suddenly became more noticeable.
Mo Xuan froze.
His senses were exceptionally sharp.
Slowly, he followed the scent through the room.
Step by step, he moved away from the doorway.
Finally, he stopped beneath the ceiling beams.
His eyes narrowed.
“The strongest concentration of the drug isn’t near the door.”
His voice turned cold.
He looked upward.
“It’s coming from above.”
A dangerous light flashed in his eyes.
“They didn’t enter through the doorway.”
His gaze fixed on the roof.
“They came through the ceiling.”