After careful consideration, Mo Han decided to take the risk. Although this person might be an accomplice of the shadowy figure, missing this opportunity meant he might wait an unknown time before encountering such a chance again, making the gamble worthwhile.
Mo Han had already planned his move: the instant anything felt wrong, he would strike and kill this man. Judging by the way the person walked, Mo Han was certain his martial skill wasn't high—perhaps not even reaching the level of an Intermediate Swordsman. Dealing with such an opponent, Mo Han was absolutely confident he could secure a killing blow instantly and then vanish quickly.
Just as the young man reached the entrance of a courtyard and was about to open the door, a low voice reached him from nearby. "Are you one of the uninfected humans here? Don't be afraid; I mean no harm. I just need to ask you a few things."
After speaking, Mo Han tightly circulated his Dou Qi, resolved to strike immediately if he detected the slightest sign of deceit.
The young man quickly turned towards the source of the voice, but there was no figure in sight. He momentarily thought he was seeing things again, as he had during the day. Then Mo Han's voice came again. "Stop looking. I am communicating with you using magic; you cannot see me. You still haven't answered my question." Hearing Mo Han's voice, a look of excitement crossed the young man's face, and he murmured softly, "Wait a moment. I need to deliver these liquid medicines inside, or I'll be suspected."
"Wait for me right outside my room. I'll be right there."
With that, he turned and went inside.
Mo Han heard this and, after a moment's thought, decided to trust the young man's words. From the expression on his face just now, Mo Han believed the young man's excitement was genuine, not feigned. Moreover, Mo Han didn't want to give up what might be his only chance, so he resolved to take the gamble.
Indeed, it wasn't long before—
The young man emerged. The contents of the basin he was carrying were gone; they had clearly been poured inside.
As he stepped out, the young man softly called out, "Are you still there? Hero, please follow me."
Mo Han responded with a soft "En," indicating he had heard and signaling the young man to lead the way.
Once inside the room,
The young man quickly shut the door and then exclaimed excitedly, "Have you come to save us? That's wonderful."
Mo Han, catching the implication in his words that others were present, couldn't help but ask, "Are there others alive besides you?" The young man vigorously nodded. "Yes, besides me, the Second Prince and some guards are still alive."
"We just don't know where that old monster has locked them up. I was captured to add medicine to his experiments, which is why I've been staying here."
Mo Han asked curiously, "Since you've seen them, how do you know the Second Prince and the other guards are still alive?" The young man quickly explained, "Because every few days, that old monster commands a guard to bring me some food and potions. I heard the news from that guard. I only know that they and the Second Prince are held in a secret chamber, and the old monster seems to be there as well."
"However, every time he comes out, his eyes are blindfolded. By the time they are removed, he’s already back on the street. So, I have no idea where it is. I only know I sometimes hear the sound of flowing water nearby when he returns, but I can't be certain."
Hearing this, Mo Han felt a surge of happiness. As long as the Second Prince was alive, he would eventually find him. With this lead, he shouldn't need much longer to locate his target.
Thinking this, Mo Han couldn't help but feel pleased.
Seeing Mo Han's lack of response, the young man grew anxious. "Are you still there? Why aren't you speaking?"
"I am here, just thinking about some things," Mo Han replied, then continued his questioning. "By the way, is the old monster you mentioned a man dressed entirely in black, and does his voice sound like a duck quacking?" The young man nodded. "He wears black clothes. Though I’ve only seen him twice, I remember clearly. And yes, his voice is truly unpleasant, but whether it sounds like a duck, I can't say for sure."
Based on the answer, Mo Han was certain this man was the mysterious shadowy figure he was seeking. With this realization, Mo Han continued, "What kind of medicine are you adding for him here? Those drugs just now seemed quite sinister."
At Mo Han's question, the young man’s expression shifted. "That old monster is vicious. He actually puts his test subjects—those living people—in those medicinal baths. I heard him say that people soaked in his solution can rapidly increase their abilities several times over, but they become mindless. He seems to have captured quite a few high-ranking mercenaries for testing, though they haven't succeeded yet."
As the young man spoke, perhaps fearing Mo Han misunderstood him as willingly serving the old monster, he hurriedly explained, "I had no choice. If I didn't help him with the medicine, he would kill the Second Prince. For His Highness's sake, I had no other option. My own death is meaningless, but I must ensure the safety of His Highness the Second Prince at all costs. His Highness is the last hope of our Cardic Duchy, and only he can save its future. This is the only thing I can do for him."
When mentioning the Second Prince, a glimmer of worship flashed in the young man's eyes. He was clearly a loyal supporter of the Prince.
Mo Han couldn't help but feel a touch of admiration for the unseen Second Prince. To command such unwavering loyalty from a subordinate suggested he was no ordinary person. Mo Han instantly grew curious about the Second Prince.
When the young man saw Mo Han remain silent, he worried Mo Han looked down on him. He anxiously pleaded, "Hero, you can look down on my actions and refuse to save me; that's fine. But the Second Prince is truly a good person. You must save him! The people of our Cardic Duchy will be eternally grateful for your great kindness. Please, you must save His Highness the Second Prince, I beg you."
After saying this, the young man knelt toward the direction where Mo Han’s voice originated, his expression sincere as he anxiously awaited Mo Han's reply.
Seeing this, Mo Han felt a measure of respect for the young man's loyalty. A person so devoted to his master was likely not an evil man.
"Get up first."
Mo Han extended his hand, circulating Dou Qi to gently lift the kneeling young man remotely. He spoke softly, "Rest assured, I will rescue your Second Prince. What is your name?" Hearing that Mo Han was willing to save his prince, the young man joyfully replied, "Thank you, great hero. My name is Komos; I am the Second Prince's personal attendant."
Mo Han understood the meaning of 'personal attendant'—essentially, much like the ancient eunuchs who personally served their masters, except these attendants were not castrated.
With this in mind, Mo Han asked, "Do you know anything else? Perhaps the mysterious person's identity, or any other circumstances you are familiar with?"
Komos shook his head at Mo Han's question. "I don't know anything else. I only know that the old monster always covers his face whenever he comes to check on his experiments; I can't see his appearance clearly. Since I was captured, I've been confined here and haven't been anywhere else, so I know nothing about the outside situation."
"Wait a moment," Mo Han said excitedly. "Didn't you just say the old monster comes to check on his test subjects every so often?" If that were true, Mo Han wouldn't have to worry about finding this shadowy figure who kept hiding. This was an opportunity not to be missed!
Komos quickly nodded at Mo Han's inquiry. "That's right. The old monster comes to check on his subjects every few days. I estimate it’s generally once every five days or so."
"When will he come next? Can you guess?" Mo Han asked urgently. "Think carefully before you answer me."
Komos considered for a moment before replying, "He last came four days ago. If my guess is correct, he should be coming again in the next day or two. It should be accurate; he always comes around this interval."
Hearing this, Mo Han seemed to recall something and asked, "Right, if you stay here alone, isn't the old monster afraid of being attacked by your zombies? Or did he teach you some other method? Also, do you know anything about the barrier around the red wall? How does one enter?"
When Mo Han asked, Komos immediately took a small vial containing a pale yellow liquid from his person and explained, "It’s this stuff. The old monster told me that as long as I smear this liquid on my body, the zombies won't attack me. That’s why I’ve been safe until now."