"Hey, can you peel that face off before talking? It’s seriously freaking me out," I murmured.

"Not really. This human-skin mask is a pain to put on—you get what I mean?" Wei Qiuying shrugged helplessly.

I handed the night-vision goggles back and scanned the shadows for any wandering Whispering Maidens.

"Is Pulao returning home *really* your only clue someone came through here? What if… it just has a daily routine? I mean—what’s your actual basis for insisting we push through that hellhole up ahead? Is it even reliable?"

I laid out my doubts. Wei Qiuying stood, swept her gaze around, and fell silent for a beat.

...

"Your mom walked me through the map before. First time I’m here too, but I’ve got a mental layout," Wei Qiuying said, sitting down and taking a gulp from her water pouch.

"Our plans split into A, B, and O. Plan A: you and your mom together. Plan B: you and me. Plan O…" She paused.

"We only trigger Plan O if you… don’t make it. Down here? Anything can happen. We *have* to prep for emergencies."

She glanced at me—like she was trying to soothe me with logic.

Truth was, I barely flinched.

I never believed Mom could shield me perfectly. Not after we tumbled into that trap. I knew this place was beyond her control.

So I just gave a faint nod. "Right. So we’re on Plan B now. What *is* Plan B?"

Wei Qiuying blinked, surprised by my calm. She jerked her chin toward the stairwell’s peak.

"There’s a mechanism there leading behind the Royal Citadel—to the heart of this underground complex: the Palace of the Corrupted Heart, ancestral seat of the Dragon-Taming Civilization’s leaders. Rumor says it’s where all Pulao are born."

"Plan B: I get you there. Your mom meets us. There’s an exit tunnel waiting."

I narrowed my eyes. Her tone felt… off. Like she didn’t fully buy it herself.

"And Plan O? What’s *actually* in it?" I pressed, seizing her openness.

Wei Qiuying scratched her head. "Plan O… um… If you go missing, or if death’s confirmed… If I find your remains, I bring them to your mom. If there’s nothing left… I fall back alone. She stays to finish her mission."

I frowned.

Piecing it together, the pattern hit me hard:

Plans A, B, O—all revolved around *me*. Switching between them depended solely on my status.

The end goal? Getting *me*—or my corpse—to that Palace of the Corrupted Heart.

I hated where my thoughts drifted… Was Mom really just trying to protect me?

*[She knew the danger yet insisted I come]* and *[all three plans orbit me]*—was there a link?

I still couldn’t guess her game.

"So… what’s our *real* purpose down here?"

Wei Qiuying adjusted her gear, glancing up.

"Yan An’s here for cash. Your mom? Not sure. I’m just assisting her." She muttered, irritation flickering.

"*Paid* assistance, mind you. I’m not her lackey. If it weren’t for your dad and my grandpa being friends despite the age gap? Hell, no amount of money would drag me into a place like this!"

*My dad’s unlikely friend?*

I mentally scrolled through his old drinking buddies. None matched.

...

"Friends across generations? I know all Dad’s close ones."

"Who *is* your grandfather?" I lowered my voice, pressing her.

Everything she’d said was her word alone. But naming herself as the granddaughter of Dad’s old ally? That was a thread I could pull.

Dad treasured me. Every true friend? He’d parade me proudly at dinners. I’d remember the name.

...

"You might not know—my grandpa and your dad were tight *before* he retired from the underworld. After he stepped back, contact faded. But Grandpa’s told me plenty about you."

"Yan Yinchen. My grandfather. Ring any bells?"

Wei Qiuying practically volunteered the name, eager.

*Yan Yinchen…*

Nothing.

...

Ahead, the Whispering Maidens hissed and shrieked in restless waves.

The Pulao stilled after a few shudders, only occasionally shifting its massive frame. Those twin red lights stayed locked forward—never glancing back.

...

"I really don’t know…"

I searched my memory. Blank.

"Normal. After retiring, your dad cut ties with all his old-circle friends. Grandpa included."

"But he *must’ve* mentioned us. He’s a storyteller—rambles for hours. All the wild stuff he and Grandpa lived through? No way he stayed quiet. Even *Grandpa*—quiet as stone—told me stories…"

"He even shared dirty jokes with Grandpa back then. Those became legend among the men in our family."

Wei Qiuying giggled, eyes lighting up.

I shrank back, shooting her a disgusted look. "Keep your damn voice down!"

"Ah—sorry, got carried away. Happy memory," she whispered, covering her mouth.

"You’ve got nerve," I hissed, "getting nostalgic *here*?"

...

...

...

"So… what were the jokes?"

...

...