Chapter 88: Treasure Hunt
The joy of a treasure hunt lies in following a map, overcoming obstacles, slaying dragons, and finally, claiming the prize.
The treasure is a must, of course, but what’s more important is the journey and the sense of accomplishment that comes from claiming it with your own two hands.
The key part was doing it yourself.
Having someone else do it for you would render the whole thing meaningless.
And so, Xiao Yang was now leading her treasure-hunting team on a thrilling adventure.
In reality, it wasn’t all that thrilling. The treasure’s location had already been scouted, and guards were positioned in the surrounding area. All they had to do was follow the route.
Soon, they arrived at the first location: a secluded farmstead.
It was surrounded by farmhouses, their target a relatively large courtyard among them. From the outside, it looked like an ordinary farm, complete with chickens and ducks.
As the sun set, the group stood on a hillside, silently observing the courtyard across from them.
Xiao Yang’s illusions were shattered. "Are you sure the treasure is hidden in this courtyard?"
Xiao Lan replied, "I’m sure of it. I saw them move it in with my own eyes. The wheel ruts haven’t even faded completely."
Xiao Yang was speechless. ’This isn’t the kind of treasure hunt I wanted!’
She wanted a hunt for a secret mountain fortress, one filled with traps and perilous trials, where she’d have to endure countless hardships before finding the treasure.
This ordinary farmstead seemed far too... pedestrian.
Seeing Xiao Yang’s disappointment, Xiao Lv said, "Well, since we’re already here, shall we go take a look?"
No one could argue with that logic.
A family of three lived in the courtyard. It was a simple matter to subdue them with a bit of Enchanting Fragrance.
They pushed open the courtyard gate and went inside. The house was simple, showing no signs of hidden treasure.
"Over here."
Following the faintest of traces, Xu Xingchen quickly found a secret passage hidden behind a cabinet.
It was a pitch-black passage, just tall enough for a person to stand upright and about an arm’s span in width.
Leaving someone to stand guard, the rest of them entered together.
The torch illuminated the narrow passage. It was surprisingly dry inside. The air was a mixture of earth and the scent of unknown roots—not pleasant, but bearable.
The two young women, Xie Liuzheng and Xiao Jinsu, walked in the middle holding hands, both nervous and filled with curiosity.
After about thirty meters, they came upon a locked iron door.
Xiao Lv stepped forward, took out a piece of wire he had prepared, and after a few moments of fiddling, the lock clicked open.
Xiao Jinsu was surprised. "Ah Lu, you know how to do this?"
Xiao Lv replied, "My father studies these things. I just learned it for fun."
Xie Liuzheng gazed at him with pure admiration. "A true hidden master."
Beyond the door, the passage grew more spacious, but it split into two paths.
Unhurried, they took the path to the left together.
"There’s a breeze."
The group hurried forward, and before long, they heard the sound of flowing water.
It was a natural grotto, with a small waterfall cascading down from above.
The mouth of the cave was choked with weeds, though they could faintly discern steps leading down. The grass was thriving, clearly showing no signs of recent passage.
Xiao Yang said, "This must be a secondary route. We should head back."
The group headed back. This time, they were met with a stone wall.
Xu Xingchen, at the head of the group, felt along the wall for a moment before pressing an inconspicuous mark near the corner.
It was a simple mechanism, and the door immediately opened.
The stone door swung open to reveal a dry, dark, natural cavern as high as a two-story building and roughly a hundred feet square.
As the torchlight swept inside, they saw no treasure. Instead, the cavern was filled with more than a dozen coffins, their black lacquer gleaming in the firelight.
"AHHH!!!"
Terrified, Xie Liuzheng grabbed the person beside her and hugged them for dear life.
Xiao Jinsu, her face deathly pale, nervously clutched Xiao Cheng’s sleeve.
’So many coffins in such a dark place! It’s terrifying!!’
It wasn’t just them; the others were startled as well.
While Xiao Yang was still hesitating, Xu Xingchen walked over to one of the coffins, his face impassive. He tried to push the lid, but it didn’t budge.
"It’s nailed shut."
A chill ran down Xiao Yang’s spine. "This... don’t tell me we found the wrong treasure?"
Xu Xingchen looked at Xiao Yang. "There’s no smell of decay here, and the coffins themselves smell new. Whatever is hidden inside, it’s definitely not bodies. Your Majesty, trust me."
Xiao Yang believed him. Rolling up her sleeves, she ordered, "Pry them open!"