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"Yuan-hue, you were the first to exclaim 'it will work,' and now you harbor doubts?" Zheng-tai's voice was low and rough, her whiskers twitching with impatience.

She-ying whispered, her hand resting on the wall, "What is she doing, venturing ahead alone? We've only just scaled the walls."

Yuan-hue's voice was laced with concern, "She often flees to our residence, but this is different."

As they hesitated, a faint cracking sound echoed through the night air. Zheng-tai's voice called out, "What are you both doing? Remain still, I'll take a photograph." The sound of a camera snapping followed.

Yuan-hue's eyes widened, "You were right, there is a secret passage, hidden beneath a rock. And we've stumbled upon it."

Zheng-tai's phone light illuminated the dark passage, casting eerie shadows on her face. "How dare you invade my territory?" she intoned, her voice chilling.

Yuan-hue and She-ying let out a simultaneous cry, "Ahhh, ghosts!!" as they hugged themselves tightly.

Zheng-tai's demeanor remained cold, "I didn't know you both were afraid of ghosts. Compose yourselves, or we'll be discovered."

She-ying's voice trembled, "Zheng-tai, how could you frighten us so? My heart nearly leapt from my chest."

Yuan-hue nodded in agreement, "Yes, not good. I thought it was a real ghost. Don't stifle your laughter, laugh out loud if you must."

Zheng-tai's expression remained nonchalant, "You both just...hehehaha...hugged yourselves."

She-ying winced, "Ouch! I've hit my foot on something sharp-edged."

Zheng-tai examined the object, "A gold box, how intriguing. This might be the box the game instructor spoke of."

As they pondered, She-ying's phone rang. "Hello? Who's this? What!! 'Game Instructor'?"

After a brief conversation, She-ying relayed the message, "He confirmed it's the box, and we must leave immediately, as the prince approaches."

Zheng-tai's eyes widened, "What!! Put on your masks and veils, we must flee! The box contains a glowing pearl with a colorful spiral, come quickly!"

As they ran, Zheng-tai panted, "Huf huf huf...this is exhausting."

She-ying wheezed, "I haven't run like that before. Good thing we closed the passage."

Yuan-hue coughed, "Thank goodness the game instructor warned us. I still can't believe he said there are more to find."

Hours later, She-ying yawned, "Let's sleep before we wake up late."

The next morning, they strolled through the market, enjoying chicken and wine. Yuan-hue noticed a commotion, "Don't you see something's amiss up front? What if the prince is searching for us?"

She-ying dismissed the concern, "Pfft, he couldn't have seen our faces...could he?"

Zheng-tai cautioned, "Stop acting suspiciously. If he did see our faces, he'll be sure it was us."

As they approached the crowd, a woman cried out, "Leave me alone! I won't let my only daughter go!"

A teenager shouted, "Let us go! Let us go!"

Zheng-tai inquired, "Excuse me, sir, what's happening?"

A man explained, "It's the people allied with the king. The king demands young girls and boys as sacrifices to the last born of the allies family. They say he's ugly, cruel, and kills every girl sent to his chambers."

She-ying was perplexed, "Why did the game instructor say he'd help us? I don't see any help."

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