Shen Li didn't spare another glance at the black - clothed man. With a cold face, she walked ahead. Han Yue and the other two were pushed by those black - clothed men and followed behind.
The place those black - clothed men took Shen Li and the others to wasn't some secluded location. It was just an ordinary - looking small courtyard.
However, this small courtyard was located in a remote area. There seemed to be no one living around. Even on a lively day like the Qixi Festival, there was no hustle and bustle around.
After entering the courtyard, those black - clothed men took Han Yue, Jiao Yue, and Ming Yue away and disappeared, leaving only Shen Li standing in the yard.
Shen Li stood still, observing the surrounding environment with her eyes.
Suddenly, a man's voice came from the room opposite the center of the yard, saying, "The door is unlocked. Come in!"
Hearing this, Shen Li didn't hesitate. She walked over in a few steps and pushed open the door of the room.
There were no candles lit in the room. On such a night, it was pitch - black. As Shen Li opened the door, a ray of moonlight came in from outside and cast a long shadow of her on the ground.
With this faint light, Shen Li could only vaguely see the layout of the room.
It looked like a study. There was a desk at the back of the room. Shen Li could see that there was a person standing with their back to her behind the desk.
Without hesitation, Shen Li walked in, then turned around and closed the door.
After that, Shen Li found a stool near the door and sat down. She began to study her fingers. A quarter of an hour passed, and she still sat there motionless, looking extremely patient.
Just as Shen Li finished studying her fingers and started to pick at the embroidery on her clothes, the man standing behind the desk suddenly said, "Miss Shen, you indeed have great self - control!"
"Wasn't it you who wanted to see me? I assume your matter should be more urgent. Since you didn't say anything just now, I had no choice but to wait patiently. Well, sir, do you want to say something now?"
The man standing with his back to Shen Li didn't answer her question. Instead, he said in a deep and steady voice, "I've long heard that Miss Shen has a silver tongue and is good at arguing. Seeing you today, the rumor is indeed true!"
By now, Shen Li's eyes had adapted to the darkness. She could slightly make out the man. She only knew that he should be thin and tall. She couldn't see much more.
Hearing the man's words, Shen Li couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. The room was extremely quiet. Although her laugh was very soft, it still sounded like it had been magnified several times here.
"Sir, you've heard of me, but I've never heard of you. May I ask your name? Have we met before?"
After asking this question, Shen Li stared intently at the man, hoping to find some clues from his subtle movements. But obviously, she was wrong. The man maintained the same posture throughout - standing with his hands behind his back behind the desk.
"Miss Shen should know that many people have lost their lives because of curiosity. The things you're curious about may also cost you your life!"
Hearing this, Shen Li showed an expression of sudden realization. "Since you said so, according to your meaning, we have met before!"
This time, the man was a bit stunned, surprised by Shen Li's intelligence and extraordinary attentiveness.
"Hehe! Miss Shen is truly as gentle and intelligent as rumored!" As the man spoke, he turned around, revealing a face covered with a silver mask.
"It's you!" Shen Li stared at the mask that reflected a faint glow in the darkness, and her face quickly darkened. "It was you who saved someone outside Pufa Temple last time, right?"
"Since Miss Shen has guessed it now, I won't beat around the bush. It was indeed me last time!"
Then the man quickly explained, "But please rest assured, Miss Shen. I wasn't involved in the abduction of you all at Pufa Temple last time. I only intervened to save someone due to the situation. Fundamentally speaking, Miss Shen, we're not enemies. On the contrary, we can become good partners!"
Hearing this, Shen Li stood up from the chair. Standing a few meters away from the man, her face still looked unpleasant. She stared coldly at the man and said, "Partners? Do you really think we can be partners?"
"Why not? In this world, there are no people who are completely on opposite sides. As long as the terms are good enough, we can cooperate happily!"
"I wonder what attractive terms you've brought today?"
"I heard that recently, there has been unrest in the Night Phantom Division. Wu Sixi was somehow silenced. To be honest with Miss Shen, I do know some clues that can help you!"
After hearing this, Shen Li nodded slightly, then looked up at the man. "Anything else?"
"Hehe! I know that won't impress Miss Shen. The clue just now can be regarded as a small greeting gift from me to Miss Shen. The real condition I'm offering is that within three years, I'll help the Night Phantom Division clear all obstacles and become the real power - holder in the Dongling Kingdom!"
As soon as the silver - masked man finished speaking, Shen Li, who had been deep in thought, was taken aback. Standing there in the darkness, she stared directly into the man's eyes.
"The terms you're offering are really attractive! I wonder what you want in return?" Now that she knew the silver - masked man's conditions, Shen Li wasn't in a hurry. She casually sat down on a chair beside her and looked at the man.
"It's very simple! As long as Miss Shen can ensure that the Night Phantom Division won't hinder my actions in the next three years!"
"Hinder? If you want fifteen cities in the Dongling Kingdom, the Night Phantom Division can't hinder you either, right?" There was a bit of sarcasm on Shen Li's face. Without waiting for the silver - masked man to speak, she continued, "Sir, your ambitions are really great!"
Hearing this, the silver - masked man shook his head. His eyes didn't look at Shen Li but stared through the dim light at the open window in the room. As if lost in thought, he said in a somewhat absent - minded tone, "All along, all I've wanted is a place to live in peace. But they just won't let me live in peace. So I have no choice but to..."
Realizing that he had said too much, the man stopped. He looked at Shen Li and said, "So, Miss Shen, what do you think of this deal?"
Shen Li pretended to be in deep thought. She was silent for a while and didn't say a word.