Chapter 363: Rescuing the Queen

On their way back, Xu Yang also gave Wushuang a relatively simple task. After a brief discussion with Sir Eleven, Xu Yang and Wushuang left the Gloomwood area and returned to the Royal Capital to prepare for a late-night infiltration targeting a high-ranking official.

As this was a secret trial, the Shadow Sect's higher-ups would offer no assistance to the sect members undertaking the mission. Should they fail and their identities be exposed, only death awaited them.

To ensure a flawless execution, Xu Yang and Wushuang subtly disguised themselves, perfectly concealing their identities as Shadow Sect disciples, and began their operation at midnight.

Based on information from Sir Eleven, the Flame Kingdom's Imperial Prison was guarded by a high-ranking minister under the old king, and this authority remained one of the key powers yet to be reclaimed. Consequently, even the Shadow Sect's high-ranking members lacked the authorization to enter the prison freely.

In fact, the old king's loyal ministers used the Imperial Prison as a means to protect the Queen and other prisoners, ensuring their lives would not be threatened there.

As Xu Yang and Wushuang approached the Imperial Prison's outer gate, they noticed from a distance that security around the prison was even stricter than Sir Eleven's intel had suggested. The guard force had doubled from ten to twenty!

"It seems a direct assault won't work," Xu Yang commented. "Although eliminating them all wouldn't be difficult, if we're discovered, it would be hard for us to escape this cage quickly, especially since we're completely unfamiliar with the interior."

Wushuang nodded in agreement.

"If I recall correctly, among those ten tasks, one is an assassination mission targeting the Imperial Prison's warden," Xu Yang mused. "Hopefully, Sir Eleven's patrol tonight will yield something, creating a diversion when those people make their move. Once the warden's residence is attacked, the Imperial Prison will surely dispatch some elite guards as reinforcements, which will be our optimal time to infiltrate."

With this relatively complete plan, Xu Yang and Wushuang began their covert wait.

More than two hours passed, with both of them remaining silently prone on the highest mast of the Imperial Prison. This vantage point allowed them to block all surrounding detection, preventing their exposure, while also providing an excellent view of every direction within the prison courtyard below, making it easy to observe their surroundings.

"Oh no! The warden's residence is under assassin attack! Teams One and Two, follow me immediately for support! Team Three, temporarily guard the Imperial Prison! Move out now!"

"Yes, sir!"

With a command from the white-clad guard leader, more than half of the twenty guards departed instantly. Only six or seven remained, standing anxiously at the gate, too worried to focus on guarding the prison door.

"It's time to act."

At Xu Yang's prompt, Wushuang immediately touched her brow, manifesting a flickering golden phantom that drifted towards the Imperial Prison gate.

"Something's happening!"

By merely making the "angelic light trace" flicker back and forth a few times, the already uneasy guards were immediately drawn away. Xu Yang and Wushuang then calmly landed and confidently stepped through the Imperial Prison's entrance.

"Strange... there's no sound at all? Impossible!"

These poor gate guards were still patrolling outside, utterly bewildered, completely unaware that the phantom had already dissolved into thin air at Wushuang's thought.

The interior of the Imperial Prison was surprisingly luxurious, unlike anything Xu Yang and Wushuang had imagined. Furthermore, all the prisoners held there were top-tier nobles and powerful figures from the Flame Kingdom, indicating that the prison did not classify inmates by the severity of their crimes but by their social status and rank.

Undoubtedly, as the mistress of the entire Flame Kingdom, the Queen was naturally held on the Imperial Prison's topmost floor.

Wushuang employed a clever method, leveraging her partial mastery over the power of light and utilizing Xu Yang's black domain ability. This perfectly shielded them from the sight of the surrounding guards, allowing the two to move almost invisibly all the way to the Imperial Prison's top floor.

With two swift and precise moves, they eliminated the powerful guards at the topmost prison door. Xu Yang and Wushuang then stood before the inner chamber where the Queen was held.

"Are you the Queen?"

The regal woman was startled for a moment before quickly regaining her composure and calm demeanor. It was clear that her dignified aura, cultivated from years in a high position, was not feigned but deeply ingrained in her very being.

"That despicable woman sent you, didn't she?" the Queen asked. "Besides the Shadow Sect, I can't imagine any other force capable of commanding experts of your caliber."

Xu Yang chuckled lightly. "Are you so sure we're here to kill you? Or perhaps you possess other, more important value."

The Queen gave a cold smile. "As the Queen, how could I possibly reveal the Flame Kingdom's most important secret to you? My husband's whereabouts are still unknown, and the only thing I can do for him is to guard the secret of the Hidden Dragon Treasure."

"Hmph, deep marital affection indeed. You have successfully passed my test."

After speaking, Xu Yang slammed a palm onto the prison door, directly shattering the array enchantment outside and releasing the array power shackles that bound the Queen.

"You're..."

Without a word, Xu Yang handed the Third Prince's token to the Queen.

"We are the Third Prince's operatives within the Shadow Sect, here to rescue you. You can trust us completely."

"You're... with the Third Prince?"

Tears suddenly welled up in the Queen's eyes. She had never imagined that her son, who usually seemed the most unreliable, would turn out to be the key to turning the tide.

"This is no place to talk. We'll take you to the Third Prince first, and then we can discuss other matters at length."

To temporarily preserve their identities as Shadow Sect disciples, Xu Yang and Wushuang, after discussion, decided to burn down the Imperial Prison. Their plan was to release all important figures loyal to the old king's faction held there and transfer them to a secure area under the Third Prince's command.

By the time they returned to their lodging, dawn was breaking. The mother and son reunited in tears, while behind them, the rescued officials knelt, overcome with emotion.

"My son, you've finally grown up," the Queen said. "Without you this time, I would never have been able to escape."

The Third Prince smiled and shook his head. "Mother, I'm sorry you've suffered. It wasn't my own ability that rescued you; it's all thanks to these two. They aren't my subordinates but highly skilled individuals I rely on."

As he spoke, the Third Prince bowed deeply to Xu Yang and Wushuang, expressing his gratitude.

"Your Highness, there's no need for formalities," Xu Yang said. "If you trust us, I now need the exact location of the Hidden Dragon Treasure. Otherwise, our identities within the Shadow Sect will be compromised, and all our efforts to infiltrate it will have been in vain."

The Third Prince glanced at the Queen and nodded solemnly.

"Alright," the Queen said. "Since you're one of us, I'll tell you the secret of the treasure!"