Suddenly, his foot struck something, causing a slight metallic clatter. He crouched down to feel around and realized it was a rusted flashlight. With a "why not" attitude, he pressed the switch, and to his surprise, it actually turned on.
The dim, yellow light illuminated his surroundings. Only then did Cheng Xin notice that both sides of the passageway were piled high with debris, some of which looked as if it hadn't been touched in ages. Relying on the faint light, he picked up his pace. Just then, a subtle sound came from behind him. He initially thought it was a trick of the ear, but soon realized it was footsteps—and they were getting closer.
Had the person tracking him discovered the secret passage? Or had that old man betrayed him? Cheng Xin felt his heart sink. He clicked off the flashlight, hurried forward in the darkness, and struggled to control the sound of his breathing. The footsteps drew nearer; he could almost feel the pursuer’s breath behind him.
Chapter 229