Li Xin neither confirmed nor denied, only offering a faint smile.
Ye Lan’s perversions were something she had long since gotten used to.
“You have the key?” Mu Xi looked up, gazing at Li Xin.
“Of course.” Li Xin replied, a trace of confidence in her tone.
“Don’t worry, I’ll take you out.”
Mu Xi stared at Li Xin’s determined profile, a warm feeling swelling in her chest.
She softly said, “Thank you, Li Xin.”
Deep inside the Underground Tunnel, the musty stench grew heavier, the damp, cold air seeming to seep into every bone.
Mu Xi followed closely behind Li Xin, using the dim light to see the path ahead twist and wind like a python without end, ready to snap open its bloody jaws and swallow them whole at any moment.
The arched ceiling above grew lower and lower, oppressive to the point where breathing felt difficult, barely wide enough for two people to walk side by side.
Cold droplets occasionally dripped from the rough walls, striking the ground with a monotonous “drip, drip” sound that echoed sharply in the silence, making the atmosphere even more chilling.
Mu Xi’s heart beat in time with the dripping.
Finally, they stopped in front of a door.
The door was cold and heavy, made of an unknown material that gleamed with a metallic chill, like a bank vault door—impenetrable.
Mu Xi’s heart sank suddenly, ‘So this was The Exit.’
Li Xin pulled out a bunch of keys from her uniform pocket, the metal keyring clinking sharply, an especially grating noise in the quiet tunnel.
The keys varied in shape and material—some simple, some exquisite, some even engraved with intricate patterns.
It was obvious none were for ordinary locks.
Holding her breath, Mu Xi watched nervously as Li Xin moved.
Li Xin picked up one key and inserted it into the keyhole, turning it gently.
A light “click” sounded—the first lock was opened.
Next, Li Xin switched to another key for a different lock.
This time the unlocking was more complicated: first turn half a circle counterclockwise, then a quarter circle clockwise, then a firm push, before the “click” finally came.
The first door slowly creaked open, revealing another door inside—almost identical to the last, with only the keyhole’s position and shape slightly different.
Mu Xi’s spirits plummeted instantly.
Of course, it would be this troublesome.
Seeming to anticipate Mu Xi’s reaction, Li Xin glanced at her sideways, the corner of her mouth twitching into a barely noticeable smile that seemed to mock her naivety while also soothing her worries.
She said nothing and silently pulled out another key to unlock the second door.
The second door’s unlocking process was even more complicated, requiring three keys in a specific order and angle.
Mu Xi stood aside, watching Li Xin’s practiced and calm handling, emotions swirling within her.
She could imagine how desperate she would have felt if she’d come here alone, blindly searching, only to find a dead end.
That crushing shift from hope to despair was enough to break a person.
At last, the second door opened, revealing a third door inside.
Mu Xi was numb now.
Three doors—Ye Lan truly was twisted to the extreme.
To prevent her escape, such elaborate traps had been set.
She suddenly found it almost laughable that she’d once dreamed of escaping so easily.
How naive she’d been.
Li Xin seemed completely accustomed to all this, her expression unchanged as if unlocking these doors was just routine work.
She pulled out the last few keys and began unlocking the third door.
This lock was the most precise, the keys the most complex, and the procedure the most intricate.
It took nearly five minutes to open all three locks.
“All done.” Li Xin said quietly, her voice still calm as if this were no more than a trivial chore.
Mu Xi stared at the third door slowly opening before her, yet she felt far from excited or relieved—only a deep exhaustion.
Escaping—so what?
Was the outside world any freer, or just another cage?
She didn’t know and dared not think about it.
The only thing she could do now was follow Li Xin and take it one step at a time.
The two moved through the Underground Tunnel, the musty smell and cold dampness enveloping them.
Ahead, a dilapidated staircase appeared, seeming like steps leading to another world.
Li Xin climbed up first, each step resolute and unwavering.
The iron hatch was rusty, scraping with a dull sound as Li Xin pushed it open with all her strength.
Light from outside poured in instantly, dispelling the tunnel’s gloom.
It was already morning.
Mu Xi couldn’t believe how long they’d been in the tunnel; her concentration had made her lose track of time.
Li Xin sprang up nimbly, then turned back and reached out her hand toward Mu Xi.
Her palm was broad and warm, radiating a reassuring strength.
Mu Xi hesitated briefly before placing her hand in hers.
Li Xin’s dry palm gripped hers firmly and pulled her up in one swift motion.
Mu Xi’s feet finally touched solid ground.
The long-missed fresh air rushed into her nose, carrying the scent of earth and plants, easing her heavy heart just a little.
Before her stretched a deep, silent Forest.
Towering trees blocked out the sky, sunlight like scattered gold filtering through the dense leaves to cast dappled light on the ground.
There were no signs of a path, only thick trees and wild grass stretching beyond sight.
After a brief moment of relief, confusion and unease crept back.
Escaped—but then what?
This Forest was like a vast maze.
Which way were they supposed to go?
Li Xin seemed to sense her anxiety and squeezed Mu Xi’s hand tightly, speaking in a steady voice, “Don’t worry. Follow me. There’s a Patrol Supply Hut prepared in advance by Ye Lan in this Forest for the patrol guards. It has clothes and food.”
Her tone was calm and certain, as if everything was under control, giving Mu Xi a small measure of comfort.
Mu Xi had no better choice and nodded silently, whispering, “I’ll listen to you.”
Her voice trembled ever so slightly.
Li Xin said nothing more, holding Mu Xi’s hand firmly and stepping resolutely into the depths of the Forest.
Sunlight danced across their bodies through the canopy.
The quiet was so complete they could only hear the rustle of their footsteps on fallen leaves and the occasional distant birdcall.
Deep in the Forest, shadows loomed.
Unknown plants grew wildly, the air thick with the damp scent of decaying organic matter.
Li Xin seemed very familiar with this environment, skillfully avoiding the densest thickets, her steps light and precise as she led Mu Xi through the woods.
Mu Xi followed close behind, eyes vigilant, scanning all around for any sudden danger.
After about half an hour, a relatively open clearing appeared, and a small cement hut came into view.
The hut was very simple, its outer walls mottled and covered with moss and stains, the windows and door tightly shut, radiating a sense of decay far from what Mu Xi had imagined a “supply hut” to be.
A faint damp moldy smell lingered in the air, somewhat similar to that of the tunnel, instantly making Mu Xi’s recently relaxed nerves tense again.
Li Xin approached the hut and pushed open the slightly ajar wooden door.
The hinges squealed sharply, a harsh sound that cut through the silent Forest.