Contrary to the outside world’s perception of a barren, dangerous place, inside the Black Fortress, there were mountains, valleys, streams, fields, roads, and houses, with a variety of livestock. Today was the day when the chief would return with his workers, and Shang Bieye’s group, including Yan Xinmeng, disguised themselves and infiltrated the fortress. Upon entering, they were all subjected to tests and assigned to different areas based on their abilities.
Shang Bieye was good at reading financial records, so he was assigned to help in the accounting room with minor transactions. Wu Yangfeng had medical skills, so he was sent to the pharmacy to assist the old doctor. Bu Yuchen was knowledgeable in classics, history, philosophy, and literature, and thus was tasked to teach the children in the study. As for Yan Xinmeng, being small in stature and not strong enough for heavy lifting, the people at Hei Zhaimen were initially puzzled by her arrival, suspecting some mistake, especially since she seemed to have no particular skills. However, it turned out that the plump cook had initially under-reported a vacancy, and upon inquiry, Yan Xinmeng had some cooking skills, so she was assigned to the kitchen. Originally, the four could have gone unnoticed, quietly investigating the whereabouts of the Time Mirror, but fate had other plans.
“Bad news! Bad news!” A small servant dressed in black rushed in, looking flustered.
“What’s happened? Hei Tou, why are you so alarmed?” Duan Shiyun put down the ledger he was working on, focusing on the person who had just burst in.
“Second-in-command, it’s the boss, the boss has been bitten by a snake!” Hei Tou, panting heavily, reported.
Startled, Duan Shiyun quickly walked up to Hei Tou. “Where is the boss now?”
“Bai Wei has taken the boss to Dr. Sun’s pharmacy! I came straight here to inform you.” Duan Shiyun turned and hurried towards the pharmacy, with Hei Tou following closely.
“You were supposed to be collecting debts with the boss today, how did he get bitten by a snake for no reason?” Duan Shiyun asked as they walked.
“It happened when we were counting the money at Old Chen’s. The snake was about to bite Old Chen’s granddaughter, but the boss got bitten while trying to save her.”
