Here is the translation:
In a dark corner of a small tavern, the group sat under their heavy cloaks, trying to eavesdrop on the spreading conversations.
Mercenary:
"Did you hear? Ling Shao from the Silver Cloud Sect is coming to the city. It's said that he's the first genius of the sect and doesn't let anyone escape from him."
Nervous Merchant:
"What makes it even more dangerous is that he reached the stage of establishing his foundation at just twenty years old. He's a genius who can't be offended, not even by accident."
Zan (whispering):
"Things are getting complicated. If Ling Shao really comes, we'll be in serious danger."
Jian (with annoyance):
"Why didn't we leave right after finishing the mission? We knew this was going to happen."
Mei (with a firm voice):
"Talking now won't help. We need to leave here immediately."
Lian, who had been silent the whole time, spoke hesitantly:
"But... if Ling Shao is here, maybe he's already closed the city. What if there's no way out?"
Chen (with a sarcastic smile):
"Well, that's a possibility. But we won't know unless we try."
As they began to plan their departure, their thoughts were interrupted by the sound of loud horns coming from the northern gate. People rushed outside, and the group cautiously looked through the tavern window.
In the sky, Ling Shao appeared, standing on a flying sword, his silver cloak fluttering behind him, and his cold gaze struck fear into the hearts of everyone.
His voice, calm but penetrating, echoed throughout the city:
"I know the enemies of the Silver Cloud Sect are here. The city is now closed. Anyone who tries to help them or hide them will be considered a traitor."
Lian looked at his friends with clear tension and whispered:
"He knows they're here... Do you think he's referring to us?"
Zan (in a low voice):
"Quiet. If we want to stay alive, we must stay in the shadows and observe."
In an abandoned house far from view, the group gathered to discuss what had happened.
Zan (in a low voice):
"The city is closed. That means escaping now is impossible, unless we find a clever way out."
Jian (with anger):
"This is a very bad situation. If we stay here, we'll be easy prey."
Mei (calmly):
"We need to be careful. Any wrong move could reveal our location."
Lian (with visible worry):
"But if we stay hidden here too long, they will find us eventually. We can't wait forever."
Chen (with a soft laugh):
"It looks like you're starting to think practically, Lian. That's a positive development."
Fai, who had been quiet as usual, said:
"We won't be able to hold out much longer. We need to find an alternative exit."
The next morning, the old doctor, who had treated the group earlier, went to Ling Shao's residence. The man was extremely nervous, but he appeared determined to ask for help.
The doctor entered the hall and bowed respectfully before Ling Shao, saying:
"Lord Ling... I seek your help. The young master of the Wang family wants to force my daughter to marry him. Of course, I'm not asking for your help for free. A few days ago, a group of mercenaries came to me, all of them injured, and I believe they are the ones you are looking for. If you agree, I can describe them to you."
Ling Shao replied with a faint smile:
"That's a simple request. If you cooperate with me and provide accurate information, I will ensure the protection you seek."
The doctor swallowed nervously and spoke hesitantly:
"Well, they are a group of five men and an old woman. The one who acted like the leader appeared to be in his twenties, tall with a muscular build. There was also a boy with them who seemed weak and scared. There was a young man in his late twenties who seemed normal but made many sarcastic comments. There was a man in his early twenties who was very quiet and didn't make a sound even when I was treating him. Then there was a man in his forties with a scar on his right hand. Finally, the old woman seemed pale with long white hair."
Ling Shao raised his hand, signaling one of his disciples to take the doctor away:
"Your daughter will receive the protection she needs. Thank you for your cooperation."
After the doctor left, Ling Shao looked at one of his disciples and said confidently:
"Thanks to this information, we will speed up the process."
The disciple named Xiao Yu, puzzled, asked:
"What do you mean, Brother Ling?"
Ling Shao, with a cold smile:
"With this information, the pressure on them will increase, and they will feel an urgent need to escape. They will rush, and that will make our task much easier."
Later that day, descriptions of the group were posted all over the city. They weren't precise, but they were enough to stir up concern and fear in the group's hearts.
Zan (looking out the window at the notice):
"He's pushing us to act. He wants us to make a mistake."
Mei (with a firm voice):
"We have to think fast. Every hour that passes increases the risk of being discovered."
Lian, who seemed extremely worried, said:
"But what if all the paths are being monitored? What if the tunnels themselves are a trap?"
Zan (calmly):
"We have no other choice, Lian. We either take the risk, or we stay here and get caught."
Chen (with sarcasm): "Either you die sleeping, or you die fighting. Well, I think I choose fighting."
Fai nodded, remaining silent throughout the conversation.
At Ling Shao's residence, he stood with his disciples discussing the situation.
Xiao Yu:
"Brother Ling, why didn't we secure the tunnels? It's the only way out for them."
Ling Shao, with a confident smile:
"Because I wanted to give them false hope. They'll think they have a chance to escape, and if they don't see that they have no chance, they won't dare to try. But what they don't know is that every tunnel exit is surrounded by guards, and every entrance is monitored. Even if they suspect a trap, they will try to escape anyway, because it's their only hope. And once they enter, they will be like mice in a closed cage."
While Ling Shao was saying this, a guard hurriedly entered and bowed before Ling Shao:
"Master, we saw a small group heading towards the tunnels. It seems they are the ones."
Ling Shao smiled calmly and said:
"Exactly as I expected. Close the trap. This is the end."