He gestured for Alex and Qiao Daiyu to follow him, leaving the paralyzed man behind. They entered the secret passage, their footsteps echoing in the narrow, dimly lit corridor. The air was heavy with the scent of dust and decay, hinting at the passage's long disuse.
The passage led them deeper into the castle's depths, twisting and turning until they reached a hidden chamber. The room was small and sparsely furnished, its only source of light a single, flickering candle on a dusty table.
Zhin cautiously stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of danger. He noticed a large, locked chest in the corner, its metal surface covered in intricate carvings. Beside it, a stack of parchment scrolls lay scattered on the floor.
