Heavenly Ascension Chronicles Chapter 967: Searching for the Hidden Cache in the Secret Cellar - Novel Cool

Chapter 967: Searching for the Hidden Cache in the Secret Cellar

Chapter 967: Searching for the Hidden Cache in the Secret Cellar

Chen Chuan was well aware that Xu Mutang's words were both a genuine expression of gratitude and a concession to reality.

The ownership of this secret treasury ultimately depended on martial power.

Xu Mutang, sensing the underlying question, decided to be forthright. "I'd like to ask, Inspector Xu, on whose behalf are you here to retrieve these items? Is it for yourself, the Municipal Parliament, or the Government Hall?"

Xu Mutang, after some consideration, inquired, "The techniques Director Chen just demonstrated seemed to be of the Pure Implantation School, am I right?"

Chen Chuan had no reason to hide this, as it was not a secret. "Yes, I am a member of the Pure Implantation School."

Xu Mutang nodded and revealed, "To be honest, Director Chen, I am a member of the Implantation School."

Chen Chuan's heart skipped a beat as he looked at Xu Mutang. The Implantation School was one of the five major schools, primarily composed of proponents of implantation technology.

Among its members were numerous biological engineers and technical experts, but even more so, highly implanted combat personnel. However, judging by Xu Mutang's appearance, he didn't seem to have many implants.

Xu Mutang explained, "Although I don't have any additional implants, I did undergo an Aberration Organization adjustment during my third limit.

This procedure involves extracting and cultivating aberrant organisms from my body, then re-implanting them. It's a way to artificially compensate for certain congenital deficiencies. However, the technology demands extremely high conditions, requiring substantial resources and long-term technical tracking and adjustments, which necessitates state-level investment.

Even now, I'm still part of this research project, but within the country, only state-owned enterprises and the government are permitted to conduct such research.

Personally, I believe that with the advancement of technology, implants are our future. They can help those without natural gifts and talents to embark on this path."

He sighed, "The outside world often perceives us as fanatics of implantation and modification. In reality, many members of the Implantation School don't undergo extreme implantation modifications. The importance of the ideology often surpasses that of physical alterations."

Glancing at Chen Chuan, he earnestly added, "I've heard that Jinbei Province is currently promoting the Horizon Line Initiative. Both personally and on behalf of the Longyou Circuit Government Hall, I believe that the Horizon Line Initiative is an inevitable trend. Only by integrating the resources and technology of all central cities in Daxun can we effectively prepare for the Great Collision. Therefore, we are also awaiting such an opportunity."

Chen Chuan nodded, understanding that Xu Mutang was clarifying his stance.

People like Xu Mutang were more likely to gain the trust of the state, as many of their interests were aligned with those of the nation.

On a global scale, the Implantation School was the most numerous but also the most fragmented, with diverse ideologies. Some members within the company also belonged to the Implantation School, but their beliefs were diametrically opposed to Xu Mutang's. However, within the country, many held clear positions.

"Inspector Xu, we don't know what this so-called secret treasury is or what it contains. So, let's not discuss ownership for now. How about we go in together and see what we find, and then we can talk about the rest?"

Xu Mutang, after hearing this and observing Chen Chuan, confirmed that he was not being polite. "Alright, since Director Chen says so, I'll be bold."

After reaching an agreement, the two headed towards the grand hall.

Chen Chuan asked, "Inspector Xu, how much did the Longyou Circuit know about this secret treasury beforehand? Can you share some details?"

Xu Mutang replied, "These things aren't particularly important. Since Director Chen asked, I'll tell you the truth. As this place is right next to our Longyou Circuit, we've been researching this secret treasury for a long time and have collected many old-era records about this location.

Initially, much attention was focused on imperial records, but with little progress, the focus shifted to the Wu Wei Sect.

After the old era ended, many religious scriptures that had been hidden were unearthed from various corners. This eventually led to a breakthrough.

Through analysis, numerous theories and deductions emerged, too many to mention in a short time. But most believe that the Wu Wei Mystic Scholars were the ones who set up this secret treasury, which I personally agree with."

Chen Chuan recalled the Taoist from earlier and asked, "Did the Ying Emperor trust this Wu Wei Mystic Scholar so much?"

Xu Mutang said, "It's said that the Ying Emperor ascended the throne because of this Wu Wei Mystic Scholar. There are also rumors that the Ying Emperor's actions, which caused much resentment among the people, were influenced by this Wu Wei Mystic Scholar."

However, he didn't seem convinced, "In my opinion, the Ying Emperor's grandiose and boastful nature didn't require any instigation. Blaming the Wu Wei Mystic Scholar is just an attempt to defend him."

We can almost conclude that the Ying Emperor was seeking the path to immortality, possibly due to his own inadequate talents, which led him to follow a different path. In the end, he had no choice but to attach himself to his brother's body. This process was likely guided by the Wu Wei Mystic Scholar, forcing the Ying Emperor to take this route. It is possible that the person in question played a role in the Ying Emperor's ascension, leading to his demise. As for what he was trying to achieve, we still do not know.

The expert team has been searching for the identity of this person in the remaining religious scriptures, but neither the Wu Wei Mystic Sect's own scriptures nor those of other sects provide any description of this individual. It's as if the person appeared out of thin air.

This is quite an incredible situation, especially considering that this person almost single-handedly influenced the rise and fall of dynasties and the world. It is astonishing that there is no substantial record of him, which leads me to believe that these records were intentionally erased. Perhaps later dynasties sought to prevent such events from occurring again, leading to the concentrated destruction of documents related to this person.

Chen Chuan pondered for a moment. If the Wu Wei Mystic Scholar is the person who just appeared, then based on his words, it seems there was more to it than simply killing the Ying Emperor.

As they spoke, the two of them reached the hall and arrived at the spot where Yuwen Yuanqi had been sitting.

Chen Chuan said, "I just checked, and there seems to be a hidden space beneath this seat. If there is a secret treasury, it should be located here."

Xu Mutang agreed, "That's most likely the case. The records mention that the Ying Emperor built an alchemy vault beneath the main hall for his convenience. So, the secret treasury is probably hidden here."

Xu Mutang thought for a moment and said, "Chen Chuan, let me handle this."

Chen Chuan nodded.

Xu Mutang sensed the area and looked downward. Under the influence of his bio-field, the cushions and decorations moved aside, revealing a large stone slab distinct from its surroundings. It was approximately ten feet long and wide, and on its surface was a carving of children offering pills.

He glanced at the carving, depicting pairs of lively and innocent children, and shook his head slightly.

Then, his eyes flashed with light, and the stone slab slowly floated upward, moving aside to reveal a downward staircase with faint light emanating from within.

In the 1619 version of the book, there was no mistake.

The two of them nodded and proceeded into the hall, one after the other. As they descended, they discovered a staircase leading further down, winding and extending deeper into the interior. Faint sounds of water could be heard from within, and at regular intervals along the walls, there were eternal flame lamps hanging.

Uncertain about any potential traps or mechanisms, they avoided taking any shortcuts and carefully descended the staircase.

Chen Chuan looked around and noticed that the walls were engraved with ancient and medieval illustrations of seeking immortality and various legends. The protagonist's appearance in these illustrations was consistent throughout, resembling the face of the Ying Emperor that he had seen earlier. This led him to conclude that the illustrations were likely based on the Ying Emperor's own appearance.

Just from this, one could understand the Ying Emperor's obsession with seeking immortality had reached a certain level of mania.

Chen Chuan pondered for a moment and asked, "Xu Zong Chantou, the historical records only mention that the Ying Emperor died from a lightning strike. Do you know the real cause of his death?"

Xu Mutang also looked at the paintings and said, "It's hard to confirm. In fact, even the most meticulous experts couldn't verify whether the Ying Emperor actually died. Based on the limited descriptions, it seems that the Ying Emperor went missing."

"Missing?"

Xu Mutang replied, "Yes, at that time, the main hall was filled with blood, and apart from Yuwen Yuanqi's body, nothing else remained. All the living beings within the hall had disappeared. So, in the Daye Plain Imperial Mausoleum, the Ying Emperor only had a symbolic tomb, and later tomb raiders found it empty."

Chen Chuan thought for a moment and asked, "What about the Wu Wei Mystic Scholar? After the Ying Emperor went missing, what happened to him?"

Xu Mutang explained, "When the Ying Emperor disappeared, the court officials believed that the Wu Wei Mystic Scholar had bewitched the Emperor, leading to the disaster that befell the nation. However, at the time, the Mystic Scholar also went missing, and it was thought that he had received divine punishment along with the Emperor.

When the young emperor ascended the throne, he firmly denied this view. He believed that the Ying Emperor and the Wu Wei Mystic Scholar had successfully ascended to immortality together. To show filial piety, he followed the Ying Emperor's wishes and sent Yuwen Yuanqi's body to this secret treasury, sealing it according to the prescribed ritual. Less than three years later, the new dynasty was established."

As they spoke, the two of them had descended about a hundred meters, and it felt like they had reached the heart of the mountain. Finally, they arrived at the bottom.

Turning to face forward, they saw tall figures standing or leaning against the cave walls in the lamplight. At a glance, there were over a hundred statues, and upon closer inspection, they were all statues of Taoist deities.

The two of them entered the vast hall and walked around, taking in the magnificent sight.

Xu Mutang walked up to a statue and knocked on it, looking up in surprise. "This is made of gold and silver," he said.

Chen Chuan stood below and scanned the statues, his gaze lingering on a few of them. "Not all of them," he said.

...

...

(End of Chapter)

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