The iron gate creaked open by a third, and dim, yellowish light spilled out from within, revealing an old and grotesque face in the gap between the door.
A frail old man stood before him, dressed in a thick fur vest. A menacing, long-healed scar coiled like a centipede across the left side of his face. A white film clouded his left eye—it was clearly blind.
Anyone suddenly confronted with such a face would be startled. Dou Jie's heart raced, and before he could react, the iron gate was completely opened. The old man took a step back, making way, his voice low and hoarse, "Come in."
At this point, turning back was no longer an option. Dou Jie steeled himself and stepped into the room. The old man promptly slammed the iron gate shut with a heavy "clang."
