129: Shadow Assassins' stronghold is deserted.

South City of the Royal Capital, Locust Tree Alley.

It was an old and narrow alley. The bluestone-paved road had been worn smooth by the years, and most of the houses on either side also seemed to have seen better days.

The air was a jumble of various smells: the aroma of food, the vulgar scent of cheap cosmetics, and a stubborn, damp mustiness that refused to dissipate.

The Chen Family Dye Works was situated in the middle section of this alley.

The shop's facade was not large. A faded signboard hung askew, the four characters for 'Chen Family Dye Works' already somewhat indistinct.

A few bolts of dyed fabric hung at the entrance. The colors were quite bright, but the pungent smell of dye made passersby instinctively hold their breath and quicken their pace.

Li Qing stood at the mouth of the alley, looking at that inconspicuous dye shop, his expression calm.

If not for Poison Scorpion's confession before his death, who would have thought that a transfer stronghold of the notorious killer organization 'Shadow Kill' in the Royal Capital would be hidden in a place like this?

Truly, the greatest concealment is within the bustling city.

He adjusted his clothes, restrained his aura, and then, like an ordinary customer, walked over at a leisurely pace.

"Creeeak~"

Pushing open that dilapidated wooden door, an even stronger, more pungent smell of dye assailed his senses.

The interior of the shop was dimly lit. Several large dye vats were placed in the corners, filled with fabric soaking in various colors.

A shop assistant who looked drowsy was dozing with his head on the counter. Hearing the noise, he lazily raised his head.

"Customer, need some dyeing done?"

The assistant asked listlessly.

Li Qing did not answer him, merely sweeping his calm gaze over the small shop.

His 【Earth Pulse】 talent had already been silently activated the moment he stepped into Locust Tree Alley.

At this moment, in his perception, the entire underground structure of the dye works was clearly presented in his mind.

There was a large space one level underground.

But, within that space... it was deathly still.

No one.

Not a single person.

Ran away?

Li Qing was not surprised in his heart.

"Shadow Kill," as a top-tier killer organization, must act with caution.

With such a big commotion on Vermilion Bird Avenue, the total annihilation of three Meridian Opening Realm assassins along with dozens of peripheral members—it was impossible for them not to have received the news.

This much time was more than enough for them to react and abandon this already exposed stronghold.

"Customer?"

Seeing Li Qing remain silent and only look around, the assistant couldn't help but become somewhat alert.

Li Qing withdrew his gaze and walked up to the counter.

Looking at the assistant, he spoke faintly, uttering a sentence that instantly caused the assistant's face to change dramatically.

"The wind is fierce tonight, suitable for returning home."

The sleepiness on the assistant's face vanished instantly, replaced by extreme terror and horror.

He abruptly jumped up from behind the counter, turned without a second thought, and tried to run towards the backyard.

However, the moment he turned, he felt a chill on his neck.

A hand had somehow already clamped onto the back of his neck, like a cold iron vise, immobilizing him.

"Don't be nervous."

Li Qing's voice remained flat.

"I'm just here to collect something."

"Y-you, who are you?" the assistant's voice trembled.

This passphrase was one of the highest-level contact methods within the organization, known only to those of Silver-Medal Assassin rank or above!

But this youth before him looked no more than fifteen or sixteen years old, how could he possibly... "Who I am is not important." Li Qing's hand exerted a slight pressure.

"What's important is, take me down."

"Y-yes, yes!"

Not daring to resist, the assistant hurriedly nodded.

Led by the assistant, Li Qing passed through the backyard and arrived at a woodshed piled high with miscellaneous items.

Trembling, the assistant moved aside a huge water vat, revealing a tightly fitted stone slab beneath it.

Following a specific sequence, he tapped on the stone slab a few times. With a light "click," the slab slowly slid to one side, revealing a pitch-black opening.

A stale air, tinged with the scent of blood, surged up from the opening.

"Sir, please..." the assistant said, his voice quivering.

Li Qing released his grip and kicked the man down.

"Ah—!"

After a short, sharp scream, a heavy "thud" of something hitting the ground came from below, followed by silence.

Towards enemies, Li Qing never showed mercy.

He stepped down the stairs and entered this underground chamber.

The chamber was quite large, easily over a hundred square meters, reinforced with special Materials that could block most forms of detection.

But just as he had sensed, this place was now abandoned and empty.

A faint smell of blood and medicine still lingered in the air.

On several torture instruments in the corner, dried dark red bloodstains still hung.

Clearly, this place was not only a stronghold but also where they interrogated and dealt with "targets."

Li Qing's gaze swept over the ordinary weapons scattered on the floor and some supplies that had been left behind in haste. His brow furrowed slightly.

It seemed they had evacuated in a hurry, but also in an orderly manner. All important items had likely been taken.

He walked over to an overturned table. There was a burning brazier there, containing the ashes of a large number of documents that had not been completely incinerated.

"Shadow Kill" had attempted to destroy all evidence before evacuating.

Li Qing crouched down and carefully extracted a half-burned dossier from the brazier.

The dossier was made of a special material, impervious to water and fire, only its edges charred black.

He blew away the ashes on it, and his pupils contracted slightly.

On the dossier, there was a strikingly lifelike portrait.

The person depicted was none other than himself!

And beside the portrait were several lines of characters written in blood. Though incomplete, several key words were still clearly visible.

"...Grand Princess..."

"...at any cost..."

"...bounty..."

So it really was her!

Xia Qingyue!

Li Qing pinched the half-burned dossier, and with a slight exertion of force, it instantly crumbled into dust.

Although he had long guessed it, seeing this evidence firsthand still caused the killing intent in his heart to surge uncontrollably.

This woman, repeatedly provoking him, and now directly hiring killers to murder him!

Does she really think I, Li Qing, am a soft persimmon to be squeezed?

He searched the chamber carefully once more, hoping to find more valuable clues.

"Shadow Kill" worked cleanly, leaving behind almost nothing.

But, even the most meticulous plan has a flaw.

Just as Li Qing was about to leave, his gaze fell upon an inconspicuous weapon rack in the corner.

That weapon rack looked utterly ordinary, with a few common swords and knives hanging on it.

But in the perception of his 【Earth Pulse】, the wall behind that weapon rack seemed somewhat different.

The earth and stone structure there was newer than in other places.

Li Qing walked over, reached out, and gently knocked on that wall.

"Thud, thud."

The sound was slightly hollow.

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. Yuan force circulated in his hand, and he gave a gentle push.

"Crack."