Midnight.
The iron gate of the inner prison creaked open, sounding like a withered claw scratching deep into one's heart, sending shivers down the spine.
Jin Zhu was the first to step out, followed by over twenty black-clad spies standing solemnly with their hands on their swords.
Dressed in a tight black outfit, Jin Zhu stood at the front of the group, his face expressionless as he spoke, "The battle at Peony Bridge cost us dearly. But this is the life we chose—hunting the most dangerous criminals and enjoying the finest pleasures in Red Dress Lane. Tonight, keep your heads on your shoulders and follow me to glory."
With that, he turned to Xifeng and said, "Bring out Manager Yuan."
Manager Yuan stumbled out of the inner prison, his hands and feet shackled in iron chains.
As he walked, blood seeped from the wound on his thigh where he had been shot by a heavenly horse.
He stopped outside the gate, his disheveled hair and dirty face tilted upward as he greedily inhaled the fresh air, exclaiming, "How refreshing!"
Jin Zhu, with his hands behind his back, smiled and said, "If we capture the Whale tonight, you'll never have to return to this prison."
Manager Yuan chuckled, raising his shackled hands in a gesture of respect, "Thank you for your kind words, sir!"
Jin Zhu escorted him into a carriage.