The place I want to go is the Soul Snatcher's Lair.

  In the Tangmen, where the cuckoo appears, except for the nine stone tablets in the forbidden land, it is the neck of the Soul Snatcher's brother. He naturally goes to the Soul Snatcher at night to find answers.

  The night wind was cool and refreshing. I, longing for you, made my way through the bamboo forest to the vicinity of the Soul-Taking House, only to discover that the nighttime Soul-Taking House was not as lax in its guard as the Trap House. Not only were the lights shining brightly here, but there were also guards stationed every three steps and sentries posted every five steps, with strict vigilance.

  This momentum is comparable to the Forbidden City.

  I frowned and retreated a little, hiding behind a large tree not far away, quietly waiting for the opportunity to change shifts and sneak in.

  Who would have thought that this wait would last until dawn, and yet no disciple came to take over.

  I was surprised by your words, but it also made me certain that the Soul Snatcher's lair must have something special about it, otherwise it wouldn't be like this. Instead, I'm even more eager to investigate thoroughly now.

  ……

  The stone gate of the ancestral hall's secret chamber opened, and Grandma, dressed up neatly, walked in calmly. She washed her hands, took incense sticks, lit them, and performed her daily worship in front of the memorial tablet.

  "Tang Xiang respectfully invites Tangmen's ancestors to bless and protect Tangmen from chaos and panic, and to safely pass through the difficulties."

  Incense entered the furnace, she lifted her skirt to prepare for worship when her eyes inadvertently swept over the plaque above, saw that crooked oil lamp, and suddenly froze.

  Her grandmother's face suddenly looked unwell, and she didn't kowtow either, but instead reached out to pull a humble cord from the secret room.

  With a half cup of tea's worth of effort, the stone gate opened again. Tang Xiao burst in with a whoosh: "Grandma!"

  "Someone has entered the forbidden area of the back mountain, Xiao Er you quickly go and check!"

  "I understand." Táng Xiāo responded immediately and ran out. Grandma clenched her fists tightly, looking worried.

  Tang Xiao's expression was solemn and he rushed towards Yao Shan at full speed, passing by the martial arts arena without noticing Tang Fei Yan and Chang Jin, A Luo were exchanging blows.

  "Brother Xiao!" Tang Feiyan's sharp eyes saw that not only did Tang Xiao immediately withdraw his attack, but he also waved his hand to signal, however, with a worried heart, he rushed towards the Medicine Mountain without noticing anything around him.

  Tang Feiyan was taken aback and immediately chased after him. Chang Jin and A Luo exchanged a glance and also hastily followed behind.

  "Today I finally woke up early for once."

  Hua Rou arrived early at the forbidden land, for the first time she didn't see Mu Junwu, so she picked up a branch and started practicing her moves.

  The style had just been launched for a few moves, and Hua Rou felt much lighter than yesterday. Moreover, when the move was made, there was an indescribable comfort in her body. She carefully felt this change, and the branch in her hand danced more vigorously.

  "What's wrong?" The astonished words interrupted Huā Róu's intoxicating and refreshing conversation.

  "Tang Xiao Shixiong?" Compared to Tang Xiao's astonishment, Hua Rou was even more surprised: "How are you here?"

  Tang Xiao swept a glance at the stone gate behind Hua Rou's body, his face sinking: "This is something I should be asking you."

  Hua Rouyi suddenly shrunk her neck, somewhat nervously: "I... I'm practicing my skills here!"

  "Why here? The Tang's mansion is so big, yet you insist on coming here?"

  "I have no choice either, it's just that this place is quiet and deserted, there won't be any trouble."

  Tang Xiao was taken aback: "Trouble? What trouble?"

  Hua shrunk her neck and lowered her head: "Nothing."

  Tang Xiao took a step forward: "Someone's been bothering you? Tell me who it is! In the Tang household, I absolutely won't allow any ugly behavior to occur."

  Hua Rou frowned and scratched her head: "Actually, it's nothing, all in the past..."

  "You must tell me!" Tang Xiao's expression was serious and solemn, making his attitude clear.

  "This is... maybe it's just a misunderstanding by Fei Yan Shifu... But, it really has passed already, no big deal, and I want to thank Tang Xiao Shifu, you helped me out back then, taught me to recognize characters, taught me..."

  "I said why you suddenly don't use me and don't talk to me!" Tang Xiao interrupted angrily: "It turns out it's because of her!"

  "Hua Rong hastily waved her hand: "Tang Xiao Shixiong, it's not like that... Ah, there are some things I don't want to say, in short, I don't want to trouble you again, nor do I want Fei Yan Shijie to misunderstand..."

  "Hua Rou, listen clearly, I'm teaching you of my own accord, and it's not like there was any trouble to begin with."

  Tang Xiao seemed to be fed up and explained seriously to Hua Rou: "Although I have discussed marriage with Tang Fei Yan, first of all, her parents did not agree, secondly, this engagement was arranged by my grandmother's order, and I don't like her at all."

  "What? You don't like her?" Hua Rou looked at Tang Xiao in surprise: "Then why are you still getting married?"

  Tang Xiao was stunned by the words, while at this time Tang Fei Yan suddenly rushed to Hua Rou's side and slapped her with a loud slap!

  This slap was extremely ruthless, and the unsuspecting Huā Róu directly fell to the ground. At this time, Táng Xiāo grabbed Táng Fēi Yàn's arm: "Fēi Yàn? Why did you hit her?"

  Tang Feiyan glared at Hua Rou with a face full of anger: "What's going on?" Her eyes swept past the warning stone tablet, and then she gritted her teeth and said: "Hua Rou has broken the rules of the sect, privately entering the forbidden land. I will take her to the Punishment Hall to be executed!"

  ……

  Mujunwu, who had been keeping watch until dawn, finally waited for the shift change when he was about to give up.

  He hastily touched the wall of the courtyard and took advantage of a momentary distraction during the shift change to climb over the wall into the backyard of the Soul Snatcher's residence.

  Just as he went in, Hong Jie hastily stepped into the front yard of the Soul Snatching Room.

  He carefully avoided the moving disciples and patrolling guards, advancing with difficulty. He found that the layout of the Soul Snatching Room was not much different from the Mechanism Room and the Poison Room, the only difference being that the azalea pattern could be seen everywhere here.

  From the ridge of the roof to the carvings on the beams, from the colorful paintings on the corridor railings to the hinges on the windows, all are azaleas.

  I followed the predetermined layout and arrived smoothly near the main hall. Unexpectedly, unlike the heavily guarded surroundings, there was not a single person around the main hall.

  Loose inside and tight outside?

  I think it's not quite right, but after hesitating for a few seconds, he still quickly approached the main hall, observed for a moment at the door to make sure there were no traps, and slipped in.

  The interior of the main hall was very simple, Mu Junwu looked around and noticed a bookshelf on the right side, he immediately went forward to search for some clues.

  He first flipped through a book of disciple records from the Soul Snatching Room, quickly scanning it before putting it down, then found another book called "Record of External Missions".

  He had just pulled it out and was about to open it when he heard a noise outside, so he quickly put the book away and tried to slip out, but realized it was too late, and could only swiftly dodge behind the curtain of the adjacent compartment, holding his breath.

  At this time, Grandma brought Hong Gu and Tang Min in.

  "Tang Min, for this period of time, you take care of the people outside for me. I don't know when there will be waves inside the door, and when I need you, you must support me."

  "Yes."

  "Although the Soul Snatching Room hasn't had anyone enter in years, as a teacher you can't be lazy. The first two months of people sent out on tasks haven't returned, have they?"

  Tang Min bowed his head: "It was I who failed in my guidance."

  "Knowing there's a mistake is good enough, just correct it and move on!"

  After Tang Min retreated respectfully, Grandma turned her head to look at Hong Gu: "What's going on?"

  Hong Gu handed a note to Grandma: "News from over there."

  Grandma stretched out her hand to open it, took a look, and said with a gloomy face: "Go back and tell them that I will pay attention."

  Hongyu also retreated and went out at the sound of her voice.

  She walked away, and Grandma lowered her head, staring at the paper in her hand with increasing anger. Finally, she crumpled up the paper and threw it aside. The ball of paper rolled on the ground and stopped in front of the curtain where Mu Junwu was hiding.