Chapter 176
Chapter 176
The cave was not deep. When Shengsheng Zhou jumped, someone caught her in a full embrace. Smelling the familiar scent, she mischievously squeezed his bottom.
The body beneath her hand stiffened.
“Just you wait.” The deliberately lowered voice beside her ear made goose bumps rise all over her.
“Sheng’er?”
Weiqing Song called in confusion, his outstretched hands having caught no one.
It was far too dark inside. Although a large opening gaped above, not a ray of light entered, as though even sunlight avoided this place.
At the thought, Weiqing pulled over Shengsheng, who quietly announced her presence, and said sternly, “Stay behind Imperial Brother. Do not run around.”
An inexplicable warmth filled Shengsheng’s heart. It had been a very long time since she felt protected by family.
Come to think of it, in some exceedingly distant memory, there had also been someone who bickered with her normally but shielded her whenever trouble came.
“I understand, Brother,” Shengsheng answered with rare obedience.
The form of address stunned Weiqing. He quickly recovered and called to Fusheng Duan, “Did you bring a fire striker?”
The distinctive male voice sounded nearby. “Qingbai, did you bring a fire striker?”
Shengsheng and Weiqing: “…”
This was their first time seeing someone rely on a bird.
But beyond their wildest expectations–
Qingbai had actually brought one, as if by some miracle.
Orange flames rose from the man’s jade-like fingers, and a small pool of light quickly spread around him.
Their vision remained unclear, but at least everyone could now make out the cave’s layout.
Four tunnels stood before the three people and two birds. Imitating television dramas, Shengsheng tried sensing the airflow in each or listening for running water.
Regrettably, even after pricking up her ears for ages, she detected nothing.
Weiqing hauled her back. She had just promised not to run off, yet the moment he looked away, she darted ahead.
Shengsheng stuck out her tongue sheepishly.
“Which one?” Weiqing turned toward Fusheng.
Fusheng pointed to the third tunnel. “This one.”
Watching him lead the way with a frown while enduring the dust, Shengsheng found it amusing.
What had Qing Kingdom left him that could make him tolerate such an assault on his cleanliness?
Shengsheng let her imagination wander, then abruptly stopped.
Holy fucking hell.
She had not listened carefully that day, but what could Qing Kingdom possibly have left?
Wasn’t it that legendary mountain of treasure no one could spend in several lifetimes?!
Feeling the scorching gaze against his back, Weiqing turned. “What is it? Did you step on a trap?”
Shengsheng poked his waist and whispered, “Imperial Brother, is there treasure inside?”
Weiqing gave her a meaningful look and smiled without smiling. “Yes. This is probably a small treasure vault. If you run around again, I’ll hide you–my great treasure–in here when I leave.”
Shengsheng: “…I’ll behave. Truly.”
The brief warmth from earlier instantly vanished.
The tunnel was barely tall enough for two long-limbed men like Fusheng and Weiqing to walk upright.
Qingbai and Xiaosui perched on Shengsheng’s left and right shoulders.
Stroking the parrot with one hand and the bird with the other, Shengsheng smiled until her eyes narrowed, delighted beyond words.
After walking for an unknown time, Weiqing suddenly stopped ahead. Shengsheng nearly cracked his back with her forehead.
“You truly don’t want Imperial Brother to survive.” Weiqing hissed and gave her a mirthless smile.
Shengsheng stuck out her tongue and simpered affectedly, “Oh my~ This silly little fool didn’t mean to~~”
Before Weiqing Song could answer, Fusheng Duan suddenly said, “We’ve arrived.”
The narrow, cramped passage abruptly opened into a vast space.
Shengsheng Zhou looked up. She had no idea how deep underground they were, but she could not see the ceiling.
Ignoring the intricately patterned door towering five men high, Fusheng instead pointed with interest at an incongruous pile of rubble. “Look. This is where the Yong emperor, renowned as a god of war, landed.”
Shengsheng looked at the rubble, then at him.
*You really look like a tour guide right now.*
Shengsheng could hardly bear to watch.
Weiqing noticed something strange and pointed upward in surprise. “That fall didn’t kill him?”
Fusheng shook his head, then pointed beside Weiqing’s line of sight, allowing them to see the enormous human-shaped crater in the wall.
Shengsheng: “…That wasn’t easy either.”
*If someone discovers this thousands of years from now, it will be an archaeological miracle.*
Fusheng removed the little bottle from Qingbai’s leg and pulled out the stopper while suppressing his disgust.
Shengsheng glanced at it. *That must be Beauty’s blood. I wonder whether it can open the door. Fusheng won’t mind if I pocket a few valuable things, will he?*
Weiqing’s brow twitched.
How did she know?
Thinking of the strange atmosphere between those two in recent days, Weiqing narrowed his eyes.
Well, well. They had recognized each other behind his back.
Shengsheng clutched her reddened forehead after Weiqing suddenly flicked it. “Imperial Brother?”
*I’m telling Fusheng on you.*
Weiqing blew on his finger and smiled gently at her.
Go ahead. Whoever came, he would flick them too.
The two ungrateful wolves.
Perhaps Shengsheng’s devout longing for treasure moved the heavens.
The blood had barely splashed against the door when the airtight slab, seemingly grown into the cave itself, slowly opened.
Weiqing shielded Shengsheng behind him, fully alert.
But nothing lay beyond the door.
Weiqing relaxed and was about to enter when Fusheng barred his chest with one arm.
He glanced at Fusheng and found him frowning, staring inside with deep wariness.
Qingbai stood on Fusheng’s shoulder with every feather raised, flapping its wings and looking as vigilant as its master.
“What is it?”
Weiqing asked.
The moment his voice sounded, a human face suddenly appeared before him, missing both eyes and bearing two bloody cavities.
Weiqing: “…”
Though eyeless, the monster seemed to lock its empty sockets on Weiqing and swung a gleaming ax at him.
Fusheng reacted instantly, yanking him aside just in time.
Weiqing’s expression darkened.
Shengsheng’s heart nearly leaped out of her chest. Seeing Weiqing unharmed, she started running over, only for Fusheng to bark, “Don’t come closer!”
Pulling Weiqing back two steps, Fusheng glared at the “man” in ragged armor wielding an ax.
The creature seemed unable to leave the doorway. When it tried to pursue them, its foot touched the threshold and recoiled as though fearing something. Unwilling to give up, it paced along the boundary.
Shengsheng noticed the oddity too. “Can he not come out?”
“Something is trapping him inside,” Weiqing mused, patting Fusheng in thanks.