When Gu Qinghuan pried open the bluestone slab at the entrance of the secret passage with her Xiuchun Saber, a smell of mold mixed with damp, earthy decay rushed out to meet them.
Pi Yanlin wrinkled his nose. The heat from the System at the back of his neck had yet to subside—just moments ago, while crossing the threshold, he had used the "Lazy Soul Thread" to clearly see the carvings on the inner side of the wooden frame. Now, looking down by the light of the moon, he saw irregular scratches winding along the stone walls of the passage, resembling a string of crumpled, blood-stained tears.
"Constable Gu." He reached out to stop Gu Qinghuan, who was about to jump down, and fished a firestarter from his sleeve to strike a light. "Don't be so hasty."
Chapter 18