The Devil’s Cage

The night breeze whistled over Horlaika’s long hair.

Compared to the time taken by the convoy to arrive, Horlaika took twice as less time for he was travelling alone, having arrived back at Edatine Castle a day before.

He did not enter the city through the city gate but through a secret tunnel at the side of the gate.

The secret tunnel did not lead straight inside the castle, leading downwards instead.

It was natural that the secret tunnel belonging to Silent Night Secret Society was heavily guarded.

When Horlaika walked down the stairs…

“Who goes there?!”

A loud shout came from the shadow.

Horlaika did not reply verbally, instead tossing a token into the shadow.

A while later, the token was brought back to him respectfully.

“Please continue on carefully, Sir Undying,” said the guard respectfully.

Among the Silent Night Secret Society, other than the councilmen of the higher ranks, the name Horlaika the Undying was definitely polished, and from a certain aspect, he was even more well-known than the councilmen.

After all, the 17 councilmen were very high up, the lower ranks barely had a chance to come across them. On the contrary, the lower ranks had more contact with the field agents like Horlaika and Luncar.

Horlaika maintained his usual countenance when he was greeted respectfully.

His high cheekbones were filled with arrogance but those long and thin eyes shimmered sharply.

He did not forget his identity as a member of Snake Sect.

If it wasn’t for his teacher’s repeated reminders and telling him not to do anything rash, he would have burned this place to the ground and avenge the dead Demon Hunters.

Wolf Sect on the bright side, Snake Sect on the dark side.

For the sake of safety, both sides barely communicated but it did not mean a stale relationship.

Based on what Horlaika knew, Snake Sect had helped Wolf Sect from the dark countless times and the past leader of Wolf Sect also provided countless help to Snake Sect in return.

Unfortunately… After that cataclysmic disaster and following Wolf Sect leader’s death, the relationship was cut off all of a sudden.

Of course, it wasn’t just that.

‘Some with ulterior motives are hiding in Wolf Sect.’

Horlaika’s heart throbbed when he recalled what his teacher said.

It was obvious that Silent Night Secret Society was doing exactly what Snake Sect was doing.

His mission for this trip was to find the potential spy, which wouldn’t be easy, especially when he had to ensure his own safety. Though Horlaika did not step down from the mission.

‘Snake, hides in the Mist.

Snake, moves with the shadow.

Infiltrating and investigation is my profession, so let us see who is the better one at the job!’

Horlaika said in his heart as he strode forward.

He was walking along a corridor and after this corridor, there was another flight of stairs leading downward.

After the same scene had repeated itself multiple times and when he was almost a hundred meters underground, depth-wise, a town appeared in his sight.

Standard-sized houses, a tarven, a stable, a blacksmith, everything was there.

Silent Night Town!

This was one of the biggest bases of Silent Night Secret Society that Horlaika knew of. The members of the society and their family members lived here.

The members who lived here weren’t those of the outer ring, the outer ring members didn’t even know of this town’s existence.

Those who lived in Silent Night Town were all recognized members who had been through tests, the backbone of the lower ranks of Silent Night Secret Society.

Of course, Horlaika did not live here before. He had a much better, more suitable place to stay.

He came all the way here to submit his mission.

The person in charge of this town, Mieren, was the manager of the field agents. Rumour had it that he would be running for the councilmen seat at the next election.

Horlaika bought nothing of that rumour because he knew what the ‘councilmen’ of Silent Night Secret Society represented—they had transcended above human limits and were moving towards God status.

It was obvious that this rumour was a smokescreen released by the person in charge for him to better manage the town.

Horlaika had no intentions of exposing the lies.

Everyone bowed respectfully at him as he walked past the people.

Horlaika in his cold face walked into Mieren office.

Mieren was a scrawny middle-aged man who wore a long robe with golden thread woven on it, like hanging a robe on a stick, and as he stood up, the robe on him waved.

“Welcome back, Horlaika. How’s Sicar for you? Did you see that rumoured worm hiding in the shadow? He wouldn’t be as pitiful and helpless like the little doggies we hunted and killed, right?”

He sounded very passionate when he mentioned Snake Sect, disdain also appearing on his face at a perfect timing.

“I saw them. They are powerful,” Horlaika said coldly.

The cold reaction wasn’t because of the rage at Mieren mocking Snake and Wolf Sect, it was because Horlaika always treated everyone else in Silent Night Secret Society with this cold attitude.

“Don’t be so cold, we are familiar acquaintances right? Then what about that Mist religious sect? What did you hear about them?” Mieren asked with a smile, not at all upset by Horlaika’s attitude.

“Mieren, we barely know each other. The Mist is already a demi-god. He and Snake Sect are heavily connected.”

Horlaika emphasized on their relationship before he reported honestly.

This information couldn’t remain hidden even if he wanted it to.

Even if he kept it to himself, someone else would discover some inkling with some investigation. Rather than keeping it to himself, he might as well reveal it honestly so that he could save himself some trouble.

Horlaika knew exactly where Silent Night Secret Society’s power ranked.

“Is that so? Okay then, I got it. This is your reward for this mission. If you need any kind of special service, I can also help you with that,” Mieren nodded and then handed a bag of Gold Purton to Horlaika.

“I don’t need anything else” Horlaika received the bag then left.

Looking at Horlaika’s back, Mieren put away his smile.

“Hmph! Ungrateful bastard! You will regret it sooner or later!”

Mieren clenched his teeth hard and muttered to himself viciously. He then switched back to a smiling face and walked to the back of his office.

Behind his office were two hawks.

Mieren tied the letter that he had just finished writing onto one of the hawk’s legs, then freed it from the shackles. The hawk then dived into the tunnel and disappeared.

There were other quicker ways to send a message but they weren’t as safe!

Using communication spells in Edatine Castle’s proximity could very well attract attention from War God Temple and Mieren had no way to cover it up.

Therefore, a communication hawk became necessary.

Then, he tied another letter on the other hawk’s lead and also freed it.

The two hawks weren’t going to the same destination and the receiver would not just be a single person.

Listening to the hawks’ sounds gradually going into the tunnel, Mieren returned to his office and sat down on his chair, trying to cover his expression with a smile, but that excitement in his heart was brazen.

“This is a rare chance! I must seize it!” Mieren screamed in his heart.

…

Luncar, in a body of comfortable robes, was sitting in the chair.

In front of him was a round tea table with several white-as-milk ceramic teapots and teacups.

The tea set was imported from the east, highly valuable and was one of Luncar’s favourite tea sets. Likewise the tea that he was drinking, its value was comparable to gold.

The tea cake was cut with a silver tea knife into a small block, cut squarely and placed on the white ceramic saucer. The dark green tea block and the white ceramic saucer formed an appealing scene.

Luncar purposely learned how to make tea in order to welcome the upcoming important figure.

Similar to the ceramic tea set, he wouldn’t take it out during other times but since he was expecting a guest, he thought it would be better for him to go all out.

Seconds turned into minutes.

When the knocks came from his door, Luncar flew over like an arrow and opened it.

“Good evening, Councilman Colipo,” Luncar respectfully greeted the man in a hood over his head, which covered most of his face.

The man nodded slightly and then walked into the room before he removed the hood to smile.

An old face was behind the hood and with a smile on his face, the wrinkles on his face got deeper, though a pair of bright eyes made him look a lot younger than his real age.

“Good evening, Luncar. Is this tea from Auspicious Tree? I am eager to have a taste.”

Colipo saw the tea set and tea leaves on the table and reacted eagerly.

“Please hold on a moment.”

Luncar really wanted to flatter this councilman and express how humble and low he was but he remembered what the tea master taught him: be neither supercilicous nor obsequious

Though that waist of his could barely stand straight.

All he did was push his shoulders backward to make himself look like he was standing straight, yet he looked more like an ostrich.

His ways around the tea set and preparation of the tea were very precise and standard though.

Luncar learned the skills through resilient practice.

‘If you can’t cover up your shortcomings, attract people with what you are good at.’

He remembered what the tea master taught him.

From boiling water to making tea, every step was performed with the utmost precision.

When the hot water was poured from the top and into the tea cup, the fragrance of the tea spread into the air. Luncar picked up the tea with both his hands, bent his body, and offered it to Colipo.

“Please.”

According to the tea master, this ‘please’ should be firm and clear yet when it was spoken by Luncar, it sounded more flattering than firm.

Colipo received the tea, not caring about how hot the tea was, and finished it with a single gulp. He then squinted his eyes as if he was savouring the aftertaste. Seconds later, he smiled and said, “Not bad.”

Luncar wasrelieved when he heard this little compliment.

It seemed like the investigation from the Undying shared a great resemblance to his own report.

It might differ in some parts but so what?

It was obvious that Luncar the Instigator did not research the matter as detailed as the Undying.

If the investigation results were the same, how could the Undying become the ace among the field agents?

“Sir councilman, another? People say the tea of Auspicious Tree only tastes better as you drink on,” said Luncar.

“You’ve never drank it before?” Colipo returned the tea cup and asked.

“Of course not. The tea of Auspicious Tree is very hard to come by. It has a market in Edatine Castle but no one could afford the price. Those who want to have a taste of the tea have to order it from Qitar Bay of the south and a round trip to the east via boat would need at least 5 months, which is too long. Thankfully for you, I was able to drink it.”

While Luncar explained how hard it was to get the tea leaves, his face showed a rather exaggerated fortunate smile.

In fact, Luncar wished that he could exaggerate the way of obtaining 10 times more.

The harder for him to get the tea, the more he would look humble and low which would also set off how prestigious Colipo was.

But Luncar dare not act recklessly, he knew who Colipo really was.

Overextending was as bad as falling short, Luncar new the saying very well.

If there were lies in what he just said?

He would then welcome his death.

Councilman Colipo seemed to be quite satisfied with the honesty coupled with some nice exaggeration, nodding in satisfaction.

His cup was filled with tea again and he finished it in a gulp before he said, “Clairehore is back.”

Although he already knew, Luncar still stood straight and was all ears at what Colipo had to say.

“He has confirmed the existence of Snake Sect and also confirmed the connection between Snake Sect and the Mist religious sect, but… that’s all he got.”

Colipo paused for a moment and looked at Luncar.

Luncar got the hint right away, he knew what Councilman Colipo wanted to do.

The power of Silent Night Secret Society was undoubted, especially after the Black Cataclysm, when the power had reached its zenith.

Things always went downhill when they reached the highest point!

After the society was at its zenith, a downhill path ought to come—the 17 councilmen who fought together seemed to have encountered some problems because of the Black Cataclysm.

Luncar did not know what it was but he knew Councilman Colipo in front of him was opposing another councilman of the same rank, Councilman Kurtzargert.

Coincidentally, the Undying was considered a field agent under Councilman Kurtzargert, just like how Luncar was for Colipo.

Their positions weren’t something that a mere field manager, Mieren, could control anymore.

Likewise, the height of their positions was also closely related to the councilman they pledged loyalty to.

So Luncar sucked in a deep breath.

“Given the Undying’s abilities, investigations would be done better by him than me. It’s hard for me to beat him in this particular field, but we have our advantages as well. Do you remember those captives we held in the cells?”

Bending over, Luncar moved closer to Colipo inorder to whisper softly.

When Luncar mentioned the captives, Councilman Colipo instantly knew what his man was trying to do, quickly showing a smile.

“Do as you wish. I don’t want Kurtzargert to take all the credits on the next council meeting, understand?” said Colipo.

“I understand!” The reply from Luncar was firm and decisive.

“Very well.”

Colipo stood up then tapped on Luncar’s shoulder. While Luncar was overwhelmed, Colipo slowly left the house, which was located at the Center Second Ring.

The door slowly closed and out of respect, Luncar stood behind the window and saw the councilman off.

When the councilman merged with the darkness, Luncar grabbed his coat and put on a mantle before he strode to another secretive location.

This secretive location was along the way to the prison and it was handpicked by Luncar himself.

Striding along the shadow, Luncar did not leave any traces behind and when he strode past a back window of a building, he knocked three times on it, one long and two short.

He then continued forward as if he had done nothing.

After more than 10 seconds, a person appeared in the shadow in front of him.

Looking at the person that appear, Luncar showed a smile and greeted him casually, “Good evening, Undying.”