Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The water cave was quite spacious, capable of accommodating two Liberation trucks passing through simultaneously. The ceiling was high but uneven, filled with large boulders and expansive caverns, showing no signs of human excavation. The stone walls on either side appeared dark, as if they had been scorched by fire.
A Chen jumped up to take a closer look and confirmed our suspicions. "It's Sulfur! It seems this place has experienced a great fire; the ashes have already dried up, which must have happened a long time ago."
Outside, the water flowed slowly into this underground river, and the deeper we went, the deeper the water became. However, this alone was not enough to determine whether this was a water cave used for transporting goods until we discovered a wooden boat among the stone piles in the corner.
A Chen called for two others to help lift one of the boats down. We found that the design of this wooden boat was quite peculiar; its bottom was nearly flat and rectangular, about five meters long, one meter wide, and seventeen centimeters thick. In the center was a keel as thick as a detonator, surrounded by planks that were not very high—about fifteen centimeters—slanting outward at a sixty-degree angle, seemingly intended to widen the deck's cargo space. Additionally, we found two paddles and a bundle of hemp rope at the stern; the rope was almost rotten and unusable, but the paddles were still functional.
I never expected to find traces of human activity here. I had thought this was merely an odd natural cave; even if someone had been here before, they would have been ensnared like us by the Bloodsucking Tree. Could there be other secrets hidden in this place?
Suddenly, I recalled the tomb raider's hole discovered by Old Qiao. Since this place had been graced by Tomb Raiders, it wasn't surprising to find these chaotic creatures and boats here. Who knows what more dangerous things lay further ahead? In any case, it certainly wasn't a good place.
So why were Third Granduncle Master and his group here? Surely they weren't drawn in by the Bloodsucking Tree as well? And with so many people and weapons? Most importantly, there was also that mysterious Witch—Huang Fuzi? If they hadn't come prepared, who would believe them?
While I was lost in thought, A Chen had already called for people to bring down the other two boats; it seemed he was preparing to launch them.
At that moment, Third Granduncle Master approached me and asked, "So what do you think, Master Nephew? Have you made up your mind? Are you going to come with us or stay here?"
We were never on the same path to begin with; initially, they had insisted on following us. Now that the crisis had passed, it was only natural for us to part ways. I felt uneasy staying with them even for a moment; I couldn't shake off the feeling that I might be outmaneuvered by that old fox at any time.
Thus, I replied, "You go ahead first. Coming to this place was never our intention; it wouldn't be appropriate to venture deeper."
“Oh?” Third Granduncle Master said, “I thought you were here to intercept me again?”
This old fox had indeed kept the matter of the Bagua Underground Palace in mind, and now he was turning the tables on me. I chuckled and replied, “ Third Granduncle Master, it seems you’ve misunderstood. The last incident was just a misunderstanding. We’ve come to know each other without any conflict. I’ll go back and tell my master about our encounter; he asked me to send his regards to you! Besides, your methods are so profound and elusive that with my dull mind, I can’t even begin to guess what you’re here for. How could I possibly intercept you?”
Third Granduncle Master narrowed his eyes and smiled, looking even more like a fox: “Are you probing for information?”
Not wanting to offend, I smiled back and said, “How could I dare? I’m just here to acknowledge your presence and ease my mind. It’s purely a coincidence that we met here! You should attend to your business while I return to my own place. Let’s just consider this a brief greeting. Safe travels!”
Third Granduncle Master clearly didn’t believe me: “Return? Where are you going back to? Aren’t you supposed to be honoring your master in Luoyang? What brings you all the way to Sichuan?”
I thought to myself, this old fellow is sharp; I haven’t even inquired about his purpose here, yet he’s directly questioning me. If I were to spill everything now, wouldn’t that be losing too much?
I casually replied, “Naturally, I’m here for work! Are you here on vacation?” As I spoke, I glanced around; surprisingly, the scenery here was quite unique.
At that moment, A Chen approached Third Granduncle Master, ready for departure.
Third Granduncle Master instructed A Chen, “Let them board the ship first.” Then he turned his gaze back to me: “You slippery one, it’s been months since we last met, and you’ve become quite the chatterbox! Don’t try to be clever with me; your master isn’t my match, and neither are you! Let’s not beat around the bush. If you want to leave, hand over the map you have with Qiao Qi; otherwise, you know what the consequences will be…”
I was taken aback: “What map?”
Third Granduncle Master seemed to have reached his limit with our banter: “Hmph! Don’t play dumb with me! You traveled all the way from Luoyang to Sichuan carrying a Tu Fuzi—was that just by chance? Do you really think I’m easily fooled like your master?” Suddenly stepping closer with a menacing glare, he continued, “You already got the map at the Bagua Underground Palace, didn’t you? I heard last time you brought along a skilled fighter? What a clever tactic—dividing forces and drawing the tiger away from its den! How could I have let you slip away?! This time, will you let it go?”
The intensity of Third Granduncle Master ’s stare sent chills down my spine, and instinctively I took two steps back. Realizing there was no way out but honesty, I confessed: “It’s all a misunderstanding… it really was by chance! You know my Yue Master… I came back specifically to handle this matter. But on the way here, there was an accident—I fell near a cliff and somehow got sucked in! Truly, I swear by Mao Zedong’s name that I’m not lying! The last time… well, that was even more of a misunderstanding! There really was work involved! Who knew that my junior brother and I would get separated as soon as we entered the underground palace? When you found me, I was just playing in the water with some blue ducks… oh no no, I meant fighting for my life! If it weren’t for your kind rescue back then, I would have long been taking a seat next to Mao Zedong by now. What division of forces or maps—I had no idea!”
Third Granduncle Master suddenly lifted one corner of his mouth in a smile, his voice low yet filled with an undeniable power: “Do you really think you have any other options right now?”
I jolted in surprise, instinctively glancing behind me. The lifeless face blocking the explosion site suddenly entered my line of sight, sending chills down my spine: “You… you’re going to throw me out to that Meteor Monster?” As I spoke, my tongue trembled uncontrollably, and I lost count of how many times I swallowed. The wound on my backside still throbbed painfully; if one kiss felt like this, a few more would surely send me to meet Mao Zedong.
Third Granduncle Master chuckled again, seemingly mocking my intelligence. He suddenly raised a hand and patted my shoulder: “Master Nephew, you’ve reminded me that I still need to report back to your master. How could I dare to harm you so easily? Look over there.”
With that, Third Granduncle Master squeezed my shoulder and pushed me forward. Their group had already split into three teams and boarded the ship. I was feeling frustrated about what was so interesting to see.
Suddenly, on the middle boat, Liuzi waved at me, while his other hand rested on A Li's shoulder.
Comment 0 Comment Count