We evil gods must hide.

Chapter 54 The Horror of the Forgotten Mask

Lin Qi looked at his terrified appearance, but his eyes remained completely calm.

The [Forgotten Mask] was even more effective than he had anticipated. The cognitive shackles imprinted deep within his soul made Gao De believe, to the core, that he was the reclusive uncle.

Even if there are slight flaws in his words and actions, Gaode's subconscious will automatically fill in the logical gaps and will never have the slightest doubt.

He looked up at Gao De, his tone still icy.

"Take me to see the people you arrested."

Gao De was taken aback for a moment, then immediately realized: "Uncle, are you talking about those scapegoats?"

"I'll take you there right away!"

"They're all locked up in a makeshift prison converted from the guild warehouse. It's heavily guarded, there's absolutely no way they can escape."

He quickly stepped forward, making a gesture of leading the way, and respectfully led Lin Qi out. Old Morgan also hurriedly followed behind. The two of them, one old and one young, really didn't dare to raise their heads in front of Lin Qi.

He was no longer the arrogant person he used to be.

The guards around the warehouse were secretly curious when they saw Gao De respectfully accompanying a strange masked man as he walked over, but none of them dared to look at him for long.

The person who can command such respect from Young Master Gao must be of the highest rank.

[The Veil of Oblivion] activated!

[Faith Power -1000]

Lin Qi felt as if a domain was spreading out around him, causing everyone to subconsciously ignore his appearance and aura. No one looked at him anymore, let alone doubted his identity.

"Open the door."

Gao De said coldly.

"yes!"

The guard quickly took out the key and opened the heavy iron gate.

The moment the door was pushed open, a damp, musty smell rushed out, along with the clanging of chains, suppressed coughs, and curses.

The prison was partitioned off from a warehouse, divided into more than a dozen iron cages, holding forty or fifty people, all of whom were gray-market adventurers from Silverleaf Town.

Most of them had their hands and feet chained, and their faces were full of confusion and fear.

When the door was pushed open, everyone looked up, their eyes filled with panic. But when they saw Gaode Maps, they immediately began to plead.

"Please, sir, let us go."

"Let us go!"

The sounds rose and fell, and Gao De's face instantly darkened. He was about to lash out when Lin Qi stopped him with a look.

He immediately calmed down and stood respectfully beside Lin Qi, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Lin Qi's gaze slowly swept over the iron cages, finally settling on the innermost one.

There was a person locked in the iron cage, Ella.

The little girl was huddled in a corner, her mage robe torn in several places, her face covered in dust, and her wrists chafed with deep bloodstains from the iron chains. Her once bright eyes were now filled with exhaustion, and the area around them was red and swollen, clearly from crying.

When she noticed the commotion outside and looked up to see Lin Qi at the door, she paused, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

The masked man seemed somewhat familiar.

But she immediately looked away, staring at the ground, seemingly lost in thought.

The old archer and Neil were not found, so it seems they are safe for the time being.

That's good. Lin Qi breathed a sigh of relief, but looking at Ella's appearance, his heart tightened slightly, and his fingertips unconsciously curled up.

The young and clumsy female mage usually couldn't even bear to eat more than a few black breads.

The money I saved was either sent home or used to buy secondhand magic books to study.

She has never even been angry, let alone hurt others.

But now, Ella is locked up in a cold iron cage like an animal, because these so-called big shots need a few scapegoats.

"Lin Qi, you're angry."

The little black cat's voice echoed in his mind, bringing Lin Qi back to his senses.

No, I'm not angry.

"..."

Lin Qi suppressed the turmoil in his heart, his face remaining cold and expressionless. His gaze swept indifferently over Ella in the iron cage, then he looked at Gao De, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger: "Why is there another spellcaster?"

Gao De quickly bowed and replied, "She is an apprentice mage in this town who frequently participates in gray-area missions. According to guild rules, it is reasonable to arrest her."

He paused, then added, "Moreover, these guys have lived in the Misty Forest year-round and know the terrain inside like the back of their hand, making them perfect guides and scouts for us."

Lin Qi nodded slightly and didn't ask any more questions.

"Get ready, take your men and these adventurers, and set off at noon."

Lin Qi withdrew his gaze, turned around, and walked out of the prison.

Gao De quickly followed and cautiously asked, "Uncle, look at these people, they're all unruly fellows. It might not be wise to take them out so hastily; they'll be hard to control... Should we take the ringleaders out and execute them now to intimidate the others?"

"No need."

Lin Qi waved his hand, walked slowly to the open space outside the prison, looked up at the direction of the Misty Forest, and said in a calm tone, but with an undeniable determination, "The family just sent a secret report that the people of the Abyss Whispering Cult have already set their sights on this blue dragon."

"They want to use the blue dragon as a sacrifice to open the abyssal rift in the Misty Forest."

"Now, their vanguard has entered the Misty Forest."

Gao De's expression changed instantly.

The Whispers of the Abyss!

That was the most rampant cult on the entire continent, ruthless and insane, even the temples were troubled by it. If they also set their sights on the Blue Dragon, then my plans would be in jeopardy!

"Uncle, then...then what about us?"

"What's the panic?"

Lin Qi gave him a cold glance. "Once the news spreads, the Dragon Island pursuers and people from the various temples will also come to join in the fun. We don't have time to wait."

"So...so what do you mean?"

Gao De asked cautiously.

"These guys you caught have other uses."

Lin Qi's voice slowly rang out, "Have them put on the black robes of cultists, disguise themselves as a team from the Abyss Cult, and go into the mountains to find the Blue Dragon. Even if they really encounter a team of cultists, they can use their identities to maneuver and avoid tearing off the mask right away."

Gao De's eyes lit up instantly.

Yup!

Why didn't he think of this method!

Acting under the guise of an adventurers' guild patrol team and disguising themselves as cultists was a brilliant tactic.

"Uncle is wise!"

Gao De, his face full of flattery, bowed deeply to Lin Qi.

"I'll get on it right away. Have them change into the cultists' black robes immediately, and be ready to depart before noon!"

"Um."

Lin Qi spoke calmly.

"Tell those captured adventurers to obey orders and complete our 'Adventurers' Guild's' mission. Not only will they be pardoned, but they will also receive a generous bounty."

"Of course, warnings are also necessary. If they disobey or dare to run away, they will be executed on the spot."

"yes!"

Gao De quickly replied, "I will definitely handle things perfectly, and there will be absolutely no mistakes!"

Lin Qi nodded slightly, and under Gao De's respectful gaze, turned and walked towards the small building.

Back in the small building, the old master Morgan respectfully arranged the best master bedroom for Lynch, provided him with the finest food, and served him with utmost care, afraid of doing anything to displease his great-uncle.

Lin Qi chased everyone out, closed the door, and his consciousness sank into the system panel.

[Skill: Mask of Oblivion]

[Status: Activated, Target: God Lane, Expiry Time Remaining: 7 days]

"That's an amazing skill."

"My dear grand-nephew Gaode, this trip depends on you."

A cold smile appeared on Lin Qi's lips.