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墨書 Inktalez
After breaking through the Stone Gate, they entered a long Passageway. It was hard to believe that Li Zheng had excavated the entire underground of the city lord's mansion; the scale was so large that it clearly served a purpose beyond merely storing treasures.
The Passageway was brightly lit, with numerous Nightlight Stones embedded in the ceiling to ensure ample illumination. The floor was covered with square blue stone slabs, and there were countless small holes in the walls on either side, clearly indicating traps.
"This is a typical Passageway mechanism. To pass through here, one must step on these stone slabs in a specific order. If even one slab is stepped on incorrectly, the mechanism will activate, and a large number of hidden weapons will be instantly shot out from both walls, covering all angles with no chance of evasion," A Qi explained as he observed the long Passageway.
"How do we solve it?"
"Very simple!" A Qi said proudly. "Footprints and traces. Although these blue stone slabs are very sturdy and wear-resistant, due to years of foot traffic, the slabs that are frequently stepped on will always have different marks compared to others. As long as we find these slabs, we can pass without triggering the mechanism."
As he spoke, A Qi took out a bag and sprinkled a white powder over several stone slabs in front of him. After observing for a moment, he pointed to one slab and said, "Look, this slab is clearly different from the others."
Lufan focused his gaze and indeed saw that after the white powder was sprinkled on it, tiny traces appeared—footprints.
"Not bad! I didn't expect you to have some skills," Lufan praised. "So once we find these slabs, what do we do next?"
"What do you mean what do we do next?" A Qi was taken aback. "Of course we walk!"
"But you just said we need to step in a specific order to pass correctly. How do we know their correct sequence?"
"Just start from this slab and keep going," A Qi replied, feeling confused about what Lufan was getting at.
"But what if the order isn't like that? What if we need to step on a few slabs in front first and then go back to step on those behind? What then?"
"That’s impossible! Do you think Li Zheng, the dignified lord of Qingyang City, would tolerate jumping around like a monkey every time he passes through this Passageway? That would be too undignified!" A Qi said incredulously.
"That does seem unlikely," Lufan thought for a moment about that scenario but then considered another possibility. "But it doesn't necessarily have to be like that from the start. Perhaps the order of the slabs at the beginning is correct, but at some point in the middle, one or two slabs might have their order swapped. That wouldn't be too obvious and could add an element of confusion. Plus, if the mechanism activates in the middle, it would be more effective at targeting intruders."
A Qi was left speechless by these words, having to admit the logic behind them, but he still felt it was unlikely. He imagined a normally imposing lord having to hop like a rabbit every time he entered this place, and it just felt too out of place.
So he said, "I still don't think it would be like that; after all, it's too degrading."
Lufan also found this a bit absurd, but for some reason, he suddenly recalled how Li Hao had chased him, exhibiting a nervousness that made him return to the pool three times in succession. This made him reconsider the possibility.
After thinking for a moment, Lufan suggested, "Why don't you try it your way? I'll wait here."
"What the hell! You're clearly selling out your teammate; that's not cool, young man!" In fact, A Qi was feeling a bit less confident now. Hearing Lufan's words, he immediately criticized him with righteous indignation.
"How is that selling out? Didn't you say that you would be the one to solve the mechanisms afterward? You also mentioned that treasure hunting is about the process of deciphering. Isn't this uncertain danger exactly what you want?" Lufan replied innocently.
"You've got some nerve!" Hearing Lufan use his own words against him, A Qi found himself unable to retort. Gritting his teeth, he decided to take the risk himself; even if it meant putting on a brave face while holding back tears, he would see it through!
With that said, as if bravely sacrificing himself for a cause, he cautiously stepped onto the first stone slab.
Lufan took several steps back, staying alert and on guard. As for the butler in his hand, his face had already turned pale; he was frightened by Lufan's words.
Until A Qi's foot landed firmly on the stone slab, which sank slightly under his weight, startling all three of them. However, nothing happened; he had stepped correctly on the first slab.
Yet A Qi did not relax. He scattered white powder again and found the next stone slab. Stepping onto it once more, still nothing occurred.
Following the method he had devised, A Qi quickly crossed dozens of stone slabs and reached the middle of the Passageway. If things were indeed as Lufan had said and the order of the slabs could go wrong, then this was likely where it would happen.
Because at this position, once the mechanism was activated, it would be hardest for intruders to evade—whether moving forward or backward would cover the same distance.
A Qi now felt somewhat anxious. He blamed Lufan for this; if it weren't for his reckless talk, he wouldn't be so paranoid. But now there was no turning back; he had to push forward. Resolute in his decision, he stepped onto the central stone slab.
Then, nothing happened!
"Haha, I knew Li Zheng wouldn't lose his value that easily," A Qi laughed heartily, appearing a bit more relaxed as he stepped onto the stone slab.
However, just as his foot touched the slab, Lufan heard a series of mechanical sounds coming from the walls on either side. His expression changed instantly, and before he could shout a warning, A Qi let out a strange cry and vanished from his spot, retreating at high speed!
At the same time, without any warning, countless sharp arrows and steel needles shot out from both walls, densely covering the space of the Passageway!
Lufan barely had time to blink before A Qi burst out of the Passageway, narrowly avoiding the barrage of hidden weapons. He gasped for breath and then shouted angrily, "That old rascal Li Zheng, how shameless can he be! I actually thought he had some dignity as a city lord!"
Lufan looked at A Qi, narrowing his eyes. He knew this guy had always been hiding something, but just now his speed was quite extraordinary.
To think that just moments ago, A Qi was at least thirty yards away from him, yet he managed to dash out in less than a breath's time. His speed was even faster than Lufan's full-out effort; it was impressive.
"Why are you looking at me like that? As an assassin, I have to have one or two life-saving skills, right? Otherwise, how would I survive? So, what do you think of that move? Pretty cool, right? It’s not worse than your Secret Technique that turns you into a golden figure!" A Qi boasted upon seeing Lufan's expression.
"Very cool!" Lufan nodded in agreement without probing further. Everyone has their secrets; that's normal. He turned to look at the Passageway and said, "So what do we do now, master of traps?"
"I’m at a loss too," A Qi admitted with some frustration. "I didn’t expect Li Zheng to be so ruthless; I’m impressed!"
Lufan glanced at the stone slabs and suddenly asked, "Is this mechanism very sensitive? I saw you only touch the slab slightly before it activated."
"Yeah, such a precise mechanism can only be crafted by someone above the level of a Mechanic Master. Why do you ask?"
"Actually, from the very beginning, I had an idea that we might be able to disable this mechanism."
"What? Why didn't you say so earlier! What’s your plan?" A Qi nearly jumped up; he had just escaped being turned into a pincushion!
"It's simple, just wait and see how many rounds of hidden weapons this mechanism can fire."
"It depends on the situation, but it should be at least a dozen rounds," A Qi replied instinctively, then realized, "Don't keep me in suspense, just tell me the method!"
"I already said it's very simple." Lufan set down the butler and returned to the Stone Gate, picking up some stones. "Have you ever heard of throwing stones to find the way?"
As he spoke, he suddenly hurled the stone in his hand at the first stone slab. Then there was another loud explosion, and countless hidden weapons shot out from both walls again.
Next, A Qi watched in astonishment as Lufan used just a dozen stones to exhaust all the hidden weapons in the mechanism, so simple that he could hardly believe it.
After smashing a few more stones and confirming that there were really no more hidden weapons, Lufan turned back and said, "See? Just like that."
A Qi looked at Lufan's feigned innocent face and felt a deep malice; this guy must be deliberately trying to undermine him! Absolutely!
"Don't be disheartened." Seeing A Qi looking greatly affected, Lufan comforted him, "You were just misled by your usual way of thinking. As assassins, you focus on stealthy infiltration and assassination, so you're used to solving mechanisms without alarming the enemy. It's normal that you didn't think of such a bold method."
"That's true," A Qi glared at Lufan and gritted his teeth. "But seeing you so pleased with yourself makes me feel so annoyed!"
"That's just your illusion!" Lufan shrugged, looking exasperated. He picked up the double hammers from the ground, swept away the hidden weapons on the floor, and moved forward. A Qi followed behind, looking displeased.
At this moment, the butler that Lufan was holding made A Qi even more fearful of him. A person with great power isn't necessarily scary, but someone who is powerful and also very clever—that kind of person is truly terrifying.
After passing through the Passageway and turning a corner, they entered a spacious area. But before Lufan could assess the situation clearly, a sudden whoosh of wind sounded as a copper roller as thick as a bowl swept horizontally toward him with immense force!
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