"The dark energy within you is too concentrated. You mustn't let anyone see it, otherwise, you'll be doomed!" After teaching the Demonization skill, Montu suddenly said.

"Who is that person?" Xiao Hua sensed that Montu was getting to the point.

"The City Guardian of Snowfall City, the Great Mage Leiter!" Montu said emphatically.

"It's him? Impossible!" Xiao Hua was somewhat surprised.

"There's nothing impossible about it! He was the Mage who adventured with me back then!

Many years ago, after deciding to stop adventuring, we settled down in this remote town of Snowfall City. Back then, I wasn't like I am now; I was a passionate young man who fell in love with a young woman, married her, and had a lovely daughter. Over time, however, I found that the dark energy within me was gradually becoming uncontrollable, and my temper became increasingly irritable. Despite this, my wife and daughter never complained. One day, there was something I needed to do outside, but due to my temper, my wife volunteered to go instead. She was attacked and killed by monsters on the way. My daughter, who had long been suppressing her anger, finally snapped and left me a letter before disappearing.

After my wife and daughter were gone, my temperament worsened even further. Feeling that no one in the city would tolerate me anymore, I moved to this desolate wilderness.

My temperament changed drastically, and the same was true for Leiter. However, long after I moved to the wilderness, I discovered that Leiter's personality had not become as irritable as mine; instead, he had become increasingly calm!

I was puzzled and continuously investigated him, eventually discovering that Leiter had found some manuals on dark magic. With his exceptional magical talent, he learned dark magic and could control the dark energy freely! Not only that, but I also found out that Leiter had become obsessed with dark magic and was researching some evil spells.

Snowfall City has always been a peaceful and quiet place. Several years ago, when several citizens went missing, I suspected it was due to him because I knew from following him that his dark magic research required live subjects. But I didn't meddle in it, nor did I think of helping those citizens. Leiter and I were teammates who had faced life and death together numerous times, far more significant than those whose names I could hardly remember. For me, who had nothing, Leiter was one of the few people I still had a connection with in the world, and I didn't want to lose him too.

But you stole the letter my daughter left for me. If they see this letter, the Guild will know something is amiss because my daughter mentioned the dark aura around me in the letter. Rather than letting the letter fall into their hands, I'd rather tell you the truth. Nothing is more important to me than my daughter's letter, including Leiter!

As for why someone spotted the missing citizens here, I don't know the reason."

Montu exhaled deeply after saying all this. Perhaps due to the aftereffects of the dark energy, his face seemed to age significantly.

To think that the City Guardian Leiter was a dark mage? Xiao Hua was taken aback. Leiter's incredible water magic had left a deep impression on him.

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At this moment, the big rat kept by Montu in the house woke up from its semi-sleeping state. Hearing voices outside, it lazily crawled out.

Abooli, standing on Xiao Hua's shoulder, saw the big rat and paused, then his eyes narrowed, and he shouted loudly, "He's not a rat; he's a person!"

Upon hearing Abooli's shout, both Xiao Hua and the big rat were stunned. Fear flashed in the rat's eyes, and it suddenly jumped down and ran into the snowy bushes!

Seeing this, Xiao Hua ignored Montu and summoned his mount, riding it at full speed to chase the rat.

The big rat was fast, but Xiao Hua's all-agility points weren't for show. Though he couldn't catch up right away, he kept the rat in sight. As he chased, Xiao Hua sent a message to Piaoling and the others to check if Montu had any more information and reminded Piaoling to learn the Demonization skill.

Man and rat raced through the snowy forest. However, in the uneven terrain, the small and agile rat had a distinct advantage. Soon, Xiao Hua found himself falling behind. Just when he thought he would lose the rat, something strange happened. The rat stopped, looking back at him with small, intelligent eyes. When he got close, it started running again!

This happened several times. Whenever he lagged too far behind, the rat would wait. Was the rat playing with him?

However, after seeing the rat's eyes several times, Xiao Hua doubted it. It seemed the rat wanted to lead him somewhere.

"Abooli, are you sure this rat is a person transformed?" Xiao Hua asked while chasing.

"Absolutely. He's like me, transformed by dark magic into an animal!" Abooli confirmed.

So, this rat must be connected to Leiter. But why was it in Montu's house? It didn't make sense.

Perhaps Leiter didn't trust Montu and sent a rat with human consciousness to spy on him? This thought occurred to Xiao Hua, and it made sense. Since Montu could track Leiter, it was logical for Leiter to monitor Montu. If Montu did anything dangerous, Leiter would undoubtedly silence him. For a dark mage, nothing was off-limits!

The rat, now leading him, wanted Leiter's secrets exposed?

Seeing the rat's expectant eyes repeatedly, Xiao Hua confirmed this. Then he wondered.

Half an hour later, Xiao Hua arrived at a place he had never been before.

Before him was a small slope, and at the bottom was a river with ice chunks on its surface. Next to the river was a large, wide drainage pipe spewing out black sewage.

The big rat had already jumped down to the entrance of the drainage pipe and turned to wait for Xiao Hua. When Xiao Hua appeared on the slope, the rat darted into the pipe.

A drainage pipe? Could Leiter's lair be inside?

Curious, Xiao Hua followed closely.

Fortunately, this wasn't reality. Although the water in the drainage pipe looked murky, it didn't smell. Xiao Hua breathed a sigh of relief. The main issue was the lack of light. He could only see a faint magical lamp after walking a considerable distance. However, after ten minutes, his eyes adjusted, and the darkness seemed less impenetrable.

In the party channel, Piaoling's voice echoed, "Montu didn't provide any additional information, just what you said."

"Go to the Guild and relay Montu's words. See how the NPCs react. If there's any unusual action, report it back. Otherwise, I might return to the city sooner than you. This drainage pipe leads to Snowfall City. Once I reach the point the rat wants to show me, I can return via the pipe entrance."

For the rat, accustomed to darkness, the dim light was no obstacle. It waited for Xiao Hua periodically.

Sitting on his mount, Xiao Hua cautiously followed, wary of traps.

The drainage pipe was long and several meters high, preventing the sewage from freezing despite the cold. Every fifty to sixty meters, a faint magical lamp illuminated the walls covered with a thin layer of moss and aged stones.

After half an hour, the drainage pipe split into multiple paths. Xiao Hua's spirits lifted, knowing he was near Snowfall City. What awaited him inside?

The rat turned into one of the new branches, and Xiao Hua followed.

Turning the corner, the rat stopped a dozen meters ahead. This time, it didn't flee but circled in place.

The lighting was poor, and Xiao Hua struggled to see clearly, vowing to bring a torch next time.

Straining his eyes, he could barely make out the rat circling a pattern on the ground. Unable to see clearly, he asked Abooli for help.

"A miniature magic array!" Abooli's eyes glowed red, confirming it!