https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1022-Unbinding-and-Seizing-the-Initiative/13110033/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1024-Unlocking-the-Secret-Repository/13110036/
Chapter 1023: The Secret Chamber's Shocking Discovery
Chapter 1023: The Secret Chamber's Shocking Discovery
The group of outsiders spent an entire day excavating the passage on the western corner, eventually reaching the final section, only to find a stone wall with a human-shaped statue lying against it.
Beyond this wall lay the entrance to the secret chamber. However, without the key or the correct unlocking method, even if they smashed the stone wall, they would still be unable to enter. If they succeeded, they would either find nothing or end up at the other end of the Macca Temple.
The middle-aged man instructed the group to step back. He approached the wall, taking out several branch-like long rods with intricate patterns, and inserted them into various positions on the wall. After completing the task, he left two people to guard the area and gave them some brief instructions before quickly retreating.
When he reached the outside, he checked his pocket watch and saw that it was already 9 p.m.
One of his companions spoke up, "Young Master, it's getting late, and the villagers are also... tired. Should we continue tomorrow?"
The middle-aged man paused for a moment and replied coldly, "We're not stopping tonight. I'll rest for an hour, and after that, you'll follow me and finish digging through this corner."
The others exchanged glances, unsure of his urgency. But since the higher-ups had given the order, they had no choice but to obey. They bowed respectfully and agreed.
The middle-aged man hummed in annoyance. Previously, when the higher-ups sent people to the Cao family, he had strongly opposed the decision. Even without the other half of the key, he was confident in his ability to break through the ritual and enter the secret chamber alone. The only concern was creating a slightly bigger disturbance, but what was there to fear? They were at Jiao Mountain, far away from the Three Mountains region.
However, the higher-ups insisted on sending people to the Cao family, leaving him with no choice. The higher-ups didn't consider that if they showed up at the Cao family, it might expose the entire operation.
Although the higher-ups had interacted with the Cao family numerous times in the past without any apparent leaks, he still couldn't shake the feeling of unease. So, he decided to speed up the process.
He moved to the side, took out some medicine, consumed it, and stood there, using his breathing technique to slowly regulate and restore his energy.
He possessed a unique spiritual power that, with a little enchantment and the aid of medicine, could enslave others to his will. However, he had exhausted much of his power and needed to recover.
After two hours, his spirit recovered, and a strange light flashed in his eyes before disappearing. With a wave of his hand, he efficiently led the group to the final southern corner.
There was a village nearby, and as soon as the villagers heard the commotion, they grabbed their bows, homemade guns, and grenades. However, these were useless against the fighters in protective gear, and they couldn't even see their silhouettes.
Only a few villagers with second-hand implants posed a minor challenge.
Once the remaining villagers were subdued, the middle-aged man took out a bag of incense and lit it, releasing its scent. The villagers instantly became dazed and confused as he channeled his spiritual power. They numbly picked up hoes and shovels and followed his instructions, digging at the side.
Under his relentless command, which endangered the villagers' lives, the final corner of the secret chamber was finally breached by the next morning. Another half-carved statue appeared, and a ghostly figure slowly crawled out from behind it, as if something was chasing it from within. Its face wore a mix of smiles, anger, and fear, creating a terrifying sight.
After setting up the ritual rods, the middle-aged man checked his pocket watch and instructed his subordinates, "Go and inform the others immediately. Tell them to activate the instruments at the hour of the rabbit."
His subordinates were startled, asking, "Young Master, isn't this a bit rushed?" They had been working tirelessly for several days, with hardly any rest, and their conditions were not ideal. Now, they were about to enter the secret chamber, and even with half the key, they couldn't predict what they might encounter.
The middle-aged man's voice turned cold. "The sooner, the better. Hurry." His subordinates had no choice but to rush off and inform the others.
Over an hour later, at the appointed time, everyone at the corners activated the instruments as instructed.
Soon, they witnessed faint rays of light seeping out from the stone walls they faced, and the secret chamber gradually opened. The disturbance was still minor at this point, but if the gap within was fully exposed, the entire Jiao Mountain might be severely affected, drawing significant attention.
Meanwhile, Ren Xiaotian and Lu Ke had just buried the last ceramic pillar.
Lu Ke asked, "Big Brother Ren, is this the last place?"
Ren Xiaotian replied, "The last one."
Lu Ke felt relieved. After a moment's thought, he said, "Big Brother Ren, this task seems very important. What if we fail?"
Ren Xiaotian answered simply, "We won't fail." He paused before adding, "Even if we can't complete it, there are others who will."
"What do we do now?"
"Go back and wait."
"Okay."
Just as the two were about to leave, they had barely taken two steps when Ren Xiaotian felt something in his pocket start to vibrate gently. He stopped in his tracks, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a silver ball with a hollow center.
This was the instrument previously given to him by the Secret Teaching Inspection Bureau, and now it was trembling.
He pondered for a moment, picked up the object, and examined it from all sides. As he turned it towards a particular direction, the vibrations suddenly intensified.
Lu Ke asked, "Brother Ren, what is this?"
Ren Xiaotian knew that this situation likely meant a ceremony had been initiated, and they needed to notify the rear immediately. Due to the mysterious interference with telegraph transmissions from Jiaoshan, he had to return to the vehicle to do this. "Let's go now," he said.
On the other side, as the secret treasure gradually opened, the middle-aged man was about to enter when he suddenly sensed something amiss. He furrowed his brows and listened carefully for a moment before pulling out a Jin Si Xiao Long Qiu from his sleeve.
He let the object hang naturally, and after a while, it began to spin on its own.
His eyes narrowed in intensity, and he said, "Someone is spying on the secret ceremony."
Everyone around him was startled.
The middle-aged man said, "The resonance has just appeared, so the spy must be on Jiaoshan. Go and find them immediately."
"Sir, Jiaoshan is so vast. Where should we start looking?"
The middle-aged man gave a cold laugh. "Communication from Jiaoshan is difficult, so if someone has discovered the news, they won't stay in the same place. It's dawn, and anyone leaving the mountain at this time is likely the culprit. Hurry to the mountain path entrance and stop everyone trying to leave, not a single one!"
Upon hearing this, two people rushed out of the tunnel at top speed and quickly reached the mountain path outside Jiaoshan.
After waiting for a while, they indeed spotted two figures hurrying down the mountain.
One of them took out a long-range rifle, aimed briefly, and fired. A loud bang echoed, and the person at the back fell instantly. The person in front seemed startled and paused for a moment before resuming their escape, but it was too late. Another gunshot rang out, and they met the same fate on the road.
Meanwhile, behind a boulder on the mountain, Ren Xiaotian and Lu Ke were hiding. Lu Ke watched as the two men they had paid to run towards the outside of Jiaoshan were shot. If they had left as planned, they might have been the ones killed.
"Brother Ren, how did you know someone would target us?"
Ren Xiaotian said, "It's always better to be cautious."
Lu Ke nodded. He didn't feel any sympathy for the two men; they were the cruelest oppressors in the village and deserved their fate.
"Should we leave now?" Lu Ke asked.
"No, let's wait a bit longer," Ren Xiaotian replied.
"But how will we send the message back?"
Ren Xiaotian glanced outside and said, "We'll take a detour."
There were other paths down the mountain, but taking an alternative route would mean a longer journey, possibly delaying them by a day or two. Still, it was better than being trapped here, especially with the enemy's situation unclear. It was best to avoid direct conflict.
At that moment, outside Jiaoshan, an observation agent hurriedly approached He Fen and saluted, reporting, "Sir, there's a situation."
After hearing the report, He Fen used a telescope to examine the two bodies lying on the ground, as directed by the observation agent.
He Fen thought for a moment. The headquarters had informed him that two people had entered Jiaoshan to investigate, so could these be the same individuals? He considered this and said, "Send two people to search those two bodies and verify their identities, but be careful."
"Yes, sir."
Two members of the agency quickly ran out, carefully searched the two corpses, and returned with their findings, which they handed to He Fen.
"Sir, they are villagers from Jiaoshan, but they have two Jin Piao from Wan Sheng Cai Xing."
He Fen took the Jin Piao and examined them. The names on the tickets were 'Ren Xiaotian', matching the names he had been informed of earlier. He immediately made a judgment.
He quickly looked up and instructed, "Send a telegraph to the rear, reporting that the advance scouts have discovered someone on Jiaoshan initiating a secret ritual."
His deputy, standing beside him, was surprised and asked, "Sir, shouldn't we confirm this information again?"
Was it too hasty to confirm this matter based solely on a Jin Piao and a name? What if these were just two people who had stolen the tickets and were trying to escape? This was no trivial matter, with so many eyes from the central city watching, and they were using secret communication channels. It was clearly important, and transmitting incorrect information could cost He Fen his position.
However, He Fen said, "There's no need for confirmation. These two Jin Piao are a message from the other side. Deputy Yang, I'll teach you something today."
He pointed to his hat, "Wearing this hat comes with risks. If you can't bear the risks, don't wear it. In this matter, I'd rather be wrong in my judgment than do nothing out of caution. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir!"
Deputy Yang saluted respectfully and quickly left. Upon reaching the rear, he instructed the telegraph operator to send out the message immediately.
...
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(End of Chapter)
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