Lang Clan

The morning inside the cave was not as frightening as the night before. Sunlight seeped through small cracks in the stone walls, providing a little light, though the atmosphere remained dim and damp.

Ruo Chen stood up with some difficulty. Her wounds had not fully healed, but she didn't want to stay in this cave any longer.

Before leaving, Ruo Chen took Lang Huan's dagger and slipped it into her boot—just in case something unexpected happened. Her movements did not escape Lang Huan's eyes.

Noticing Ruo Chen's unsteady steps, Lang Huan hesitated for a moment before crouching down in front of her. "Get on my back. I'll carry you," she offered casually.

Ruo Chen stiffened and took a step back. "That's unnecessary. I can walk on my own."

Lang Huan shook her head, seeing how stubborn Ruo Chen was, but didn't press further. She stood up and dusted herself off.

Lang Huan knew that Ruo Chen was still wary of her. Perhaps Ruo Chen didn't believe that she had truly lost her memory of what happened last night. Or maybe... it was because Ruo Chen had discovered the truth—that she was actually a woman.

They began exploring the cave, searching for a way out. Lang Huan moved carefully along the narrow path, stepping slowly on the stone stairs, which were slippery with mud. The only light came from the faint glow filtering through cracks in the cave walls. Water dripped from the ceiling, making the ground even more dangerous.

Lin Ruochen nearly slipped several times, and each time, Lang Huan quickly caught her.

Lin Ruochen couldn't help but recall how different Lang Huan seemed now. Her bright smile was nothing like the ruthless way she fought—fierce and relentless, like a wild beast craving blood. She remembered how merciless Lang Huan had been, her cold gaze and deadly movements showing no hesitation.

Does she have two personalities? The more she observed, the harder it became to understand who Lang Huan truly was.

Lang Huan ran her fingers along the cracked wall, tracing the rough surface of the stone. She tapped it gently, hoping to find something hidden beneath. Her eyes lit up when she felt a deeper groove in one section. Carefully, she pressed against it.

A click echoed through the cave, followed by a deep rumbling sound. The cracked wall slowly shifted, revealing a dark passage beyond. Dust fell from the crevices, filling the air with the damp scent of earth and old stone.

With cautious steps, Lang Huan entered, Lin Ruochen following closely behind. As they moved forward, the narrow passage gradually widened until it opened into a vast hall.

Lang Huan walked along the walls, using her torch to light the oil lamps hanging there. One by one, the flames flickered to life, slowly pushing away the darkness that filled the hall.

At the center of the hall stood a grand altar, made of gold and intricately carved with the image of a wolf. Its piercing blue eyes gleamed under the dim light. Upon closer look, the eyes were not just simple carvings—they were made from deep blue sapphire, polished to perfection.

As the room grew brighter, the murals on the walls became clearer. Lang Huan stepped closer, her eyes widening in shock as she read the writing—Lang Clan. Her heart pounded. The history of the Lang family wasn't just a myth after all.

Could this be connected to how she had ended up in Great Qi? Was this place the key to unlocking the truth?

Her gaze fell upon the murals, which depicted the men of the Lang Clan marching to war, never to return. Left behind, the women were blessed by the Wolf Deity, who granted them spiritual pills and the ability to continue their bloodline without men. This not only saved the Lang Clan from perishing but also transformed the women into powerful warriors.

Lang Huan reread that part again and again, her brows furrowing. The idea was absurd—how could a bloodline be passed down without men? She let out a quiet chuckle.

Just then, Lin Ruochen's voice broke the silence.

"That night… your eyes turned blue, just like these," she said softly, her voice laced with suspicion.

Lang Huan turned, but the sharp look in Lin Ruochen's eyes made her freeze.

"Who are you?"

Before Lang Huan could answer, Lin Ruochen drew the dagger from her boot.

"Wait… can we talk about this calmly?" Lang Huan asked.

Before Lang Huan could say more, Lin Ruochen's foot accidentally stepped on something near the altar.

Click!

A faint rumbling echoed from within the walls.

"It's a trap!" Lang Huan shouted.

Suddenly, a barrage of arrows shot out from hidden gaps in the walls, flying straight toward them.

"Watch out!" Lang Huan yelled, her body moving faster than her thoughts.

In an instant, she pulled Ruo Chen aside with all her strength. They tumbled to the ground, just inches away from the deadly rain of arrows.

One of the arrows grazed Lang Huan's arm, leaving a red gash on her skin.

"Ruo Chen, are you okay?"

"I... I'm fine," Lin Ruochen replied, still shaken.

Lang Huan took a deep breath and met her gaze with sincerity. "Please believe me. I have no intention of hurting anyone, and honestly… I have no idea what happened to me that night."

Lin Ruochen gave a small nod. Lang Huan had saved her more than once—she had no reason not to trust her.

After what had just happened, Lang Huan and Lin Ruochen slowly got up, still on high alert for more hidden traps.

Lang Huan touched the wound on her arm, ignoring the stinging pain.

"We need to be more careful," she said, scanning the floor and walls around them. "If there's one trap, there must be more."

Just as she said that, Lin Ruochen accidentally brushed against a golden candle holder on the altar while trying to steady herself.

Click!

From the ceiling, several spears began lowering, ready to impale anyone who stood in place for too long.

Lang Huan reacted instantly, kicking and deflecting the spears as best as she could.

Lin Ruochen quickly pushed the candle holder back into place.

Click!

A hidden panel in the floor slowly slid open, revealing a secret passage leading downward. Without wasting any time, they jumped inside, barely avoiding the falling spears.

Inside the narrow passage, their breaths were still heavy, and the dim light from their torches barely illuminated the path ahead.

Lang Huan felt a growing sense of despair. It seemed like they were only going deeper and deeper, with no idea where they were headed. She turned to Lin Ruochen, her voice unsteady.

"Are we going to die here?" Her eyes were red, filled with frustration and exhaustion.

Seeing Lang Huan like this, Lin Ruochen felt her heart soften. She wasn't good with words, but she couldn't bear to see Lang Huan lose hope.

"We won't," Lin Ruochen said firmly. "We've made it this far—we'll find a way out."

Lin Ruochen held Lang Huan's hand trying to encourage her. The warmth of the grip offered her a small comfort.

They kept walking through the dark passage, their only light coming from the flickering flame of the torch, which was slowly dying out. But as they moved forward, the darkness began to fade. A faint light appeared in the distance, growing brighter with every step they took.

Lang Huan and Lin Ruochen exchanged glances before quickening their pace. Finally, they emerged from the narrow corridor into a grand space—its high ceiling supported by massive pillars carved with intricate designs.

In front of them stood a towering gate, its surface adorned with interwoven carvings of wolves. Above it, large engraved letters read:

"Ling Xiao Palace."