Chapter 32: Zhangye
January 2nd, early morning, 7:15 AM.
"Time to get up." Lu Xiu gently nudged Jiang Hong, who, still groggy, pulled Lu Xiu over, sprawling himself on top of Lu Xiu. The hotel room was fully heated, and both were dressed only in short-sleeved T-shirts and shorts.
Jiang Hong turned over, his fair long legs entwining Lu Xiu, and continued sleeping.
Lu Xiu: "..."
At eight o'clock sharp, Jiang Hong glanced at his phone.
"Ah—!" Jiang Hong screamed, "We're going to miss our flight!"
"I called you at seven."
Jiang Hong hurried to wash up and rushed to the airport.
"What time is your flight?" Jiang Hong asked Lu Xiu as they passed through security.
Lu Xiu: "In five minutes. Aren't you going to run?"
Jiang Hong grabbed his bag and dashed to the boarding gate, while Lu Xiu maintained a steady pace. When Jiang Hong boarded the plane, panting, he found Lu Xiu sitting beside him.
Jiang Hong: "You're coming with me?"
Lu Xiu: "Anyway, you would have summoned me later. Didn't feel like flying again."
Jiang Hong: "That's great! But I might not necessarily have summoned you..."
Lu Xiu: "Then, I'm leaving."
Jiang Hong: "Don't go! Ahahaha, that's great!"
Jiang Hong turned to hug Lu Xiu, aiming to kiss him on the head, but Lu Xiu pushed his head back against the airplane window.
And so, with Lu Xiu accompanying him, Jiang Hong began his final project of exploring the inner world.
When they reached Lanzhou Airport, their teammates had already gathered. Seeing Lu Xiu, He Jian and the others seemed even happier than when seeing Jiang Hong.
"That's fantastic!" Xiao Pi was nearly in tears of joy.
Lu Xiu said, "I won't take the initiative to help you guys, so don't think about cheating on the project."
"Of course not!"
"No way!" Everyone quickly assured unanimously, promising to complete the final project earnestly and seriously.
"Can you carry my bag for me?" asked Jiang Hong.
"Sure." So Lu Xiu helped Jiang Hong with his bag.
Jiang Hong then said, "Actually, this time I was determined not to ask for your help."
"Oh?" Lu Xiu was utterly unmoved.
Jiang Hong said, "We can definitely do it."
Everyone nodded in agreement, and Lu Xiu said, "Then, it's settled."
Lu Xiu extended his pinky finger, and after a moment's hesitation, Jiang Hong linked his pinky with it, deciding that this time, unless it was a matter of life and death, he would not seek Lu Xiu's help.
From Lanzhou to Zhangye, they had to take an eight-hour train ride. After gathering, they bought tickets and boarded the train at 10 pm.
He Jian, Lian Jiang, Lu Xiu, and Jiang Hong all bought soft sleeper tickets, while Xiao Pi only bought a hard seat. They first crowded into the soft sleeper compartment for a meeting.
Jiang Hong: "Why did you..."
"That's all the money my dad gave me," Xiao Pi said gloomily.
Director He Zhi of Xuang was renowned for his thriftiness. Jiang Hong had only heard of it before, but now he witnessed He Zhi's skill first-hand. To prevent his son from feeling too different, He Zhi had already been generous, not making Xiao Pi buy a standing ticket.
"Let's first take a look at this 'Mo' Ding," Lian Jiang said, "The information has already been sent to everyone."
After reviewing the information several times, Jiang Hong said, "Once we reach Zhangye, we still have to travel to this place 160 kilometers away."
"Yes," Lian Jiang replied, "There's a bus once a day, or we could call a Didi."
Jiang Hong said, "Let's rent a car; I can drive."
Lian Jiang: "That would be great."
Lu Xiu lay on the upper bunk reading a book, staying true to his word by not joining their conversation and not offering any suggestions like flying there on a dragon.
He Jian asked, "Is the closest place Shandan County?"
Lian Jiang: "Yes, there's a Shandan Horse Farm there."
"The map shows a large pasture area at the foot of the Qilian Mountains," Lian Jiang added. "There's an ancient ruins complex there, and the Mo Ding was unearthed in one of those areas. After excavating some ancient tombs in 1974, due to inadequate digging conditions, the rest were sealed off."
"It's not an ancient tomb?" He Jian asked curiously.
"No," Lian Jiang, who had done thorough research, said, "It seems to be a palace complex, dating back to the Warring States period."
Jiang Hong suddenly felt that Lian Jiang, as the team leader, was very reliable, handling the project like a leader pulling triple duty.
"Okay," said Jiang Hong, "Let's go with that. It must be very cold there."
"Extremely cold," Lian Jiang replied, "It's colder in the wilderness than in the city. Be mentally prepared."
After their initial meeting post-gathering, Lian Jiang curiously asked, "Have you finished your project on identifying magical artifacts?"
"We've got them." He Jian showed Lian Jiang his cloak and demonstrated on the spot. With a flick towards the air, all the light disappeared, and when flicked back, the light returned to normal.
"Wow, you got it," Jiang Hong, who hadn't returned to submit his Xuan Guang Jin Dou, exclaimed upon seeing He Jian's cloak, assuming Jin and Zhang Xiting must have also received their artifacts.
Xiao Pi said, "I made one myself. What about you, Jiang Hong?"
"Uh." Jiang Hong thought it better not to reveal his just yet.
Lian Jiang asked, "What did you buy? Let us see."
Jiang Hong: "Just a very ordinary bronze lamp."
Urged repeatedly by Xiao Pi, "Let's see it!"
Jiang Hong reluctantly brought out the lamp.
Lu Xiu: "?"
Lu Xiu turned his head from the upper bunk, looking down.
"Wow—" Xiao Pi and Lian Jiang said, "What's this?"
"This is a talking lamp," Jiang Hong said.
Lu Xiu: "..."
Jiang Hong: "As soon as you peel off this talisman paper, it'll start shouting and screaming."
Jiang Hong removed the talisman paper, but the compartment remained quiet, with only the sound of the train's 'click-clack.' Nothing happened.
Jiang Hong tapped the lamp a few times, but there was no response.
"What else can it do besides talk?" Xiao Pi asked.
Jiang Hong: "Haven't discovered any other functions so far..."
Everyone: "..."
Jiang Hong: "Hey, buddy, talk."
Lu Xiu: "Just smash it, I'll get you another one."
As Lu Xiu pretended to climb down, the lamp suddenly shouted, "Don't!"
"Oh—" Everyone was relieved to see that the lamp could talk.
Jiang Hong, who had almost forgotten about his magical artifact, asked, "Besides talking, what else can you do?"
The lamp said, "Kid, don't underestimate me! This lamp is just my prison. Just give me some time to absorb the spiritual essence of the sun, moon, and earth. In due course, once my powers are fully developed and I break free, there will be no match for me under the heavens!"
Everyone looked at the bronze lamp. After waiting a while and seeing it remain silent, Jiang Hong explained to everyone, "That's how it is."
Xiao Pi asked, "If I rub it, will it grant wishes?"
"Maybe... I guess?" Jiang Hong said, "It says it needs to achieve 'great spiritual power', which obviously won't happen so soon."
"If you have a wish, it's better to ask the father in the upper bunk," He Jian said.
The lamp then said, "Just place me in a place abundant in spiritual energy..."
Jiang Hong didn't let it finish, pasted a talisman on it, and then the lamp fell silent.
After everyone enjoyed the show, the episode came to an end.
"Xiao Pi, why don't you..." Jiang Hong said, "come sleep in our cabin?"
Hard seats were too uncomfortable, so Jiang took the initiative and said, "Come squeeze in my bed."
Jiang Hong said, "I can sleep with the senior."
Although the beds in the soft sleeper cabin were cramped, it was still better than letting Xiao Pi sprawl in a hard seat. Xiao Pi kept refusing, but Jiang Hong climbed to the upper bunk and forcefully squeezed Lu Xiu in, saying, "See, it's fine."
Lu Xiu: "..."
In the cramped bunk, Lu Xiu, being tall, was squeezed by Jiang Hong and couldn't turn over. He could only free one arm to embrace him, while still playing with his phone with the other hand.
Lian Jiang said, "Come to my place, the lower bunk is more comfortable."
Eventually, Xiao Pi and Lian Jiang slept in the lower bunk, Jiang Hong still climbed down, and everyone spent the night on the train. For Jiang Hong, this life was full of novelty and excitement, akin to the thrill of traveling with classmates.
They arrived at Zhangye Railway Station at seven in the morning. Jiang Hong went to rent a car while it was still dawn. The rest yawned, and Jiang Hong rented a Jeep Liberty, with Lu Xiu sitting in the passenger seat, just enough to fit five people.
"Let's go have breakfast," Jiang Hong said, "and then head straight to Shandan County?"
Lian Jiang said, "The area closest to the Ganzhou ruins has a Shandan Horse Farm, where we can stop for a rest and resupply."
Ancient Zhangye was known as Ganzhou, and Jiuquan as Suzhou, hence the name Gansu. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, this area was still part of Qin territory. The urban area of Zhangye was relatively prosperous, comparable to an ordinary third- or fourth-tier city. However, outside the city, most areas were deserted. In winter, mornings are late to dawn. While having breakfast at a roadside diner, it was still pitch dark outside.
"It's quite desolate," He Jian remarked, his first time in the vast Northwest. Leaving Zhangye city, the landscape outside was dotted with large stretches of wilderness, with water sources and trees, yet extending for tens of kilometers, uncultivated.
"You've never been to these places before, have you?" Lian Jiang teased He Jian. "Quite the young master, aren't you?"
"Why is our 'car god' so quiet?" Lu Xiu glanced at Jiang Hong, who was driving with serious focus.
"The road is too dark," Jiang Hong said, "a bit nervous. Where are you from, He Jian?"
"Macau," He Jian replied.
Jiang Hong said, "Indeed, a bustling place."
Not just He Jian, it was also Jiang Hong's first time here. Worried about taking a wrong turn and wasting time, he was constantly watching the navigation. Lian Jiang, Xiao Pi, and He Jian chatted idly in the back seat. Lian Jiang, from Fujian, had seen much in his youth.
"Many places in the Central Plains are like this," Lu Xiu commented.
"All so barren?" Jiang Hong asked curiously. He knew Lu Xiu had traveled extensively and must have a different perspective when viewing the land from the sky.
Lu Xiu: "Not barren, but in recent decades, people are moving towards bustling cities. With no one to cultivate the land, your human race is also slowly migrating."
Lian Jiang responded, "Places like Zhangye and Wuwei rely on the meltwater from the Qilian Mountains for irrigation. There's not much land suitable for farming to begin with, and farming at home isn't as profitable as working in cities, so people leave. For the demon race, it's actually a good thing, as the land is returned to them."
As dawn broke, fields and the continuous Qilian Mountains became visible. Jiang Hong played a song, exited the highway, and began to relax as he took the national road.
"I'm not sure about this car's off-road capabilities," Jiang Hong said, "but I hope it holds up."
At 10:30 in the morning, following the navigation, Jiang Hong took an exit off the national highway and stopped by the road. Everyone began to scrutinize the map, as the ancient Ganzhou ruins were not marked on satellite navigation; they had to rely on visual recognition.
"There's a path at the foot of the mountain," Lian Jiang suggested, "let's try driving there. Everyone, fasten your seat belts."
Xiao Pi took out a stack of gold-foil paper in the back seat and began folding.
"Hey, are you folding paper money?" Jiang Hong glanced in the rearview mirror and immediately said, "That's quite inauspicious!"
Xiao Pi: "This is a talisman, given to me by my dad."
Xiao Pi folded several origami cranes, opened the car window, and the cranes flew out, leading the way for them.
The rugged mountain road ahead tested Jiang Hong's skills to the limit, including but not limited to climbing a slope filled with loose stones, making a U-turn on a narrow path less than three meters wide, and driving on the edge of a cliff at a precarious fifteen-degree angle.
"Xiao Pi! Are you sure it's that way?" Jiang Hong asked.
Xiao Pi replied, "Just follow the origami cranes."
"I'm getting carsick!" He Jian exclaimed, "Slow down!"
"I can't help it, there are potholes everywhere," Jiang Hong said, "This road is too difficult."
Eventually, the jeep bumped and jostled forward another three kilometers on a dry riverbed.
Lian Jiang asked, "How are we going to get out later?"
Jiang Hong replied, "Let's not think about that right now."
Everyone: "..."
Jiang Hong added, "If all else fails, I'll ask the senior to help us lift the car out when we leave."
Lu Xiu: "..."
"We're here," Jiang Hong said with relief, unfastening his seatbelt, "This should be the place."
At the end of the ancient riverbed was a deep cave. As soon as they got out of the car, a fierce wind arose, turning the canyon into a wind tunnel, and sand and stones were blown towards them.
"Parking here is really inappropriate!" He Jian shouted against the wind.
Jiang Hong retorted, "At least it's free, be content with that!"
Lu Xiu stood expressionless against the wind, while the others instinctively took shelter behind him. Lian Jiang said, "Let's head to the cave! That's the entrance to the ruins... Ugh! My mouth is full of sand! Find a solution, quick!"
He Jian flicked his hand, and a fan appeared in it.
"Damn it!" He Jian yelled at the raging wind and then snapped the fan open, instantly reversing the gusting wind back.
"Hurry up!" Lian Jiang urged.
Everyone rushed into the cave. In less than ten minutes after getting out of the car, Jiang Hong's nose was red from the cold, and he stood inside the cave rubbing his hands to warm them.
"Follow this cave inward," Lian Jiang suggested, looking at archaeological data on an iPad. In 1974, someone had excavated here, leaving many precious old photos in the database.
Xiao Pi cautioned, "Be careful not to damage any artifacts. My dad specifically reminded us."
Jiang Hong reassured, "I won't touch anything; I'm just here to observe."
Just as Jiang Hong was about to dig out a flashlight from his bag, Lian Jiang snapped his fingers, and a ball of white light rose in his hand. With a wave, the light flew into the dark depths of the cave.
"This seems to be a natural cavern formed by an ancient river," Jiang Hong observed, looking around. "It used to be an underground river."
"Yes," Lian Jiang agreed, examining the gravel underfoot, "it seems to have dried up quite a while ago."
The snowmelt from the Qilian Mountains formed an underground river, flowing beneath the earth before emerging from this river outlet. It was unclear whether it was a seasonal river or had been dry for many years.
Xiao Pi asked, "Could the ruins be inside the river channel?"
Lian Jiang replied, "The ruins are halfway up the hillside, and this river channel is the only way in. Walk slowly, did everyone bring enough food?"
"Enough," He Jian patted his backpack.
Only then did Jiang Hong slowly realize that this expedition might not be easy. Once they entered, they would have to spend at least ten hours inside. Ignoring whether they could find the clues they wanted in that time, in the cold of winter, even if they left the cave before dusk, they would have nowhere to go.
In other words, they would have to spend the night in this cave.
But with his companions being exorcists and Lu Xiu there, there shouldn't be any danger.
Lu Xiu, without interfering with the others, carried Jiang Hong's backpack and walked at the back.
Jiang Hong looked back at Lu Xiu a few times, and each time Lu Xiu raised his eyebrows, making an inquiring expression.
"Let's talk about something," Jiang Hong said, "just walking is so boring."
Lu Xiu said, "Talk to yourself."
When alone with Jiang Hong, Lu Xiu was the most talkative. However, whenever others were around, Lu Xiu spoke very little.
"The ruins from the Warring States period are over two thousand years old," Xiao Pi said, "can they still be preserved?"
"Stones might be," Jiang Hong said, "wall paintings can last for tens of thousands of years. But I'm wondering, what was the purpose of these ruins? In such a harsh environment, would there have been large-scale human habitation?"
Lian Jiang explained, "According to the archaeological findings from 1974, they were mainly used for rituals."
That made more sense, but Jiang Hong's curiosity was piqued again.
"Worshipping immortals?" Jiang Hong speculated.
"What do you think was worshipped?" Lu Xiu finally spoke.
Jiang Hong scratched his head, pondering for a moment before noticing something peculiar.
"Over two thousand years ago," Jiang Hong said, "Christianity hadn't emerged yet, Buddhism hadn't spread to China, and Taoism wasn't fully established. Could it be natural deities?"
Lu Xiu replied, "Perhaps."
The path narrowed, allowing only single-file passage, so everyone ducked and crawled through. Jiang Hong asked, "Is there a way forward?"
"Yes!" Lian Jiang shouted from the front, "Come slowly, there's more space here!"
Crawling out of the cave, they arrived in a massive pit. Lian Jiang said, "This seems to be the bottom of a dried-up underground lake."
Lian Jiang took out a climbing hook from his backpack, threw it onto the edge of the pit, and climbed up first. Once everyone reached the top, He Jian cast a flash spell, illuminating the area.
In the depths of the cave, discarded blue backpacks, liberation army uniforms, aluminum pots, charcoal, and other items were strewn about.
"We've reached the site of the original excavation," Lian Jiang announced.
Exhausted upon arrival, everyone took a rest on the spot. He Jian took out a small lamp from his bag, hung it up high, and its light illuminated the entire cave. Jiang Hong spread a plastic sheet, preparing to set up camp.
Lian Jiang then took out a red bead. Xiao Pi gathered some stones to make a circle and placed the bead in the center. Lian Jiang chanted a few spells, and the bead burst into flames, creating a campfire.
"Traveling with exorcists is really convenient," Jiang Hong couldn't help but marvel.
"You're also an exorcist," Lu Xiu reminded him.
Jiang Hong replied, "Oh right... I forgot, need to remember that all the time."
Jiang Hong checked his watch; it was 8:40 PM. As he had guessed, they were indeed going to spend the night here.
Xiao Pi said, "I'll cook for everyone! I brought instant-heating rice."
Lu Xiu stood in front of another tunnel, gazing at the markings inside the pit.
"What are you looking at?" Jiang Hong asked curiously, "It's time to eat."
Lu Xiu gestured for Jiang Hong to look at the tunnel, which had a numerical marking, 07195 - the exact spot where a certain cauldron was unearthed.
Jiang Hong exclaimed, "Huh?"
At the bottom of the pit, there was a faint glow. They blocked the light from afar, allowing Jiang Hong to barely discern the subtle illumination emanating from the earth's ley lines in the darkness.
"There's something deeper inside," Lu Xiu said, "We'll explore further tomorrow."
Xiao Pi took out five self-heating rice packs from his bag, and after preparing them, everyone shared the meal, complete with cola.
Before setting off, they had divided responsibilities: Lian Jiang was in charge of warmth, energy, and navigation; He Jian handled sleeping arrangements and medical needs; Xiao Pi was responsible for food; and Jiang Hong took care of travel logistics like booking and renting vehicles.
He Jian announced, "Alright, time to sleep."
Then, He Jian took out a box and threw it on the ground. With a "bang," it transformed into a two-by-three-meter bed.
"Is this really necessary?!" Jiang Hong was speechless, finding it bizarre to sleep on a luxurious royal bed in such a place.
He Jian clarified, "Yours are sleeping bags, don't worry."
Jiang Hong said, "Oh, okay, as long as I don't have to sleep on that."
He Jian explained, "But I only brought three sleeping bags. I didn't expect Senior Lu to join us, and you, Jiang Hong, didn't mention it earlier, so you can't blame me."
Lian Jiang kindly suggested, "You could sleep in a sleeping bag and let Jiang Hong and Senior Lu sleep on the big bed..."
Jiang Hong said, "No need, don't be generous on behalf of others."
Eventually, Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu squeezed into one sleeping bag, while He Jian changed into pajamas and slept on the large bed.
Jiang Hong, with his back to Lu Xiu, felt somewhat awkward and shifted a few times.
Lu Xiu asked, "Do you want to change positions?"
Jiang Hong turned around to lie on Lu Xiu's arm, feeling even more strange, but at least it was better than being embraced from behind.
Just six months ago, he would never have imagined that one day he would be sleeping in the depths of the Qilian Mountains, at a two-thousand-year-old ruins site, in a narrow sleeping bag, embraced by a dragon...
In the middle of the night, a sudden piercing scream came from the depths of the cave.
Lu Xiu's eyes snapped open, He Jian also woke up, and Lian Jiang hurriedly crawled out of his sleeping bag, hastily putting on his pants.
"What was that sound?" Lian Jiang asked.
Xiao Pi, now awake, said, "Was it the cry of a demon? So scary."
Lian Jiang retorted, "You're a demon yourself, and you're scared of demons?"
Xiao Pi argued, "Just like how you humans say 'what's that person' when you're scared, right?!"
He Jian wondered, "The wind?"
The sound appeared only once and then there was silence. Everyone stood listening for a while, and Lian Jiang checked the time - it was nearly 5 AM.
Lian Jiang suggested, "Shall we get up and go check it out? Where's Jiang Hong?"
Lu Xiu gestured towards the side — Jiang Hong was still soundly asleep in the sleeping bag.
Everyone: "..."
"Ah, we're starting work this early?" Jiang Hong mumbled sleepily.
Lian Jiang and the others quickly gathered their supplies and continued deeper into the archaeological site.
"There's a path here we can enter," Lian Jiang said, "the sound came from inside."
Jiang Hong asked, "What sound?"
Lu Xiu replied, "There was no sound."
At this, Jiang Hong became instantly suspicious: "I thought I heard a whining noise, was that it?"
"That's just your imagination," He Jian stated.
Lian Jiang carefully navigated through the narrow, rugged stone walls, where there was just a slim gap for them to pass one by one.
Xiao Pi remarked, "I think this project is really too difficult and dangerous for a freshman."
Lian Jiang said, "Maybe Professor Zhu Jinling didn't have much hope either, thinking we would just survey the ruins and be done... Here we are, this is where the archaeological team entered back then."
In front of them was a collapsed cave. After walking for a day and a night, they had reached the middle of the mountain. Decades ago, the archaeological team had blasted an opening here, and when they retreated, they sealed it with rocks.
"Has... has anyone died here?" Jiang Hong felt an eerie sensation.
"Probably," Lian Jiang said.
Jiang Hong tightly grasped Lu Xiu's wrist as they walked downwards, passing many pits left from previous excavations, each marked with numerical tags.
After nearly three hours, they found a brick and stone path. Following it, they arrived at the deepest point of the excavation from years ago.
There was a massive stone wall, and nothing else.
The stone wall appeared to have been artificially smoothed, with signs of explosion in the corners. The brick and stone path ended here, clearly indicating another space behind the wall.
"What does this look like?" Lian Jiang shone a light on the five-meter-high stone wall and asked.
"A door," He Jian said.
"Ah!" Jiang Hong noticed something unusual and said, "Wait! Shine the light in the middle?"
Lian Jiang maneuvered a floating orb of light, illuminating the center of the stone wall, where a rune carved into the stone, the bronze script character for "Ink," was exactly what they were investigating!
Everyone quickly took out their phones to snap photos of the character as a clue for their project.
"Should we try to find a way inside?" Lian Jiang asked them.
Xiao Pi stepped forward, pressing his ear against the wall and listening. "There's no opening to pass through," he noted.
He Jian looked around but didn't see any entrance either.
Jiang Hong suggested, "This might be a door that requires magical power to open. What are these two circles for?"
On the wall, at about human height, were two circles resembling places to fix door handles.
Lian Jiang concentrated his magical power in his hands and pressed them against the two circles on the wall. The light seeped into the stone, making Jiang Hong wonder if this was related to the faint ley line glow they had seen earlier.
Xiao Pi exclaimed, "There's a reaction!"
After Lian Jiang infused the wall with magical power, the "Ink" character in the middle faintly lit up, but nothing else happened.
"Let me try," He Jian stepped forward, placing his hands on the door. The "Ink" character lit up again, yet the stone wall remained still.
"Hmm..." The group stood in front of the wall, pondering. Lian Jiang looked questioningly at Jiang Hong, then turned to Lu Xiu.
Lu Xiu remained aloof, standing aside as if the matter didn’t concern him.
Jiang Hong, understanding Lian Jiang's implication, said, "Let's not resort to brute force; it might damage the relic."
He Jian wondered, "Could it be that our magical power isn't strong enough?"
Jiang Hong proposed, "Maybe it's a matter of technique? Or there's some kind of mechanism? Let's spread out and search around?"
So, everyone started investigating the entrance separately, but after half an hour, they found nothing.
Jiang Hong scratched his head for a while, then looked at Lu Xiu, who was sitting aside watching them. Lu Xiu looked up at him, signaling that he would help if asked.
Jiang Hong said, "I still want to try handling it ourselves... unless it becomes unmanageable. Don't intervene unless necessary... okay?"
Lu Xiu replied, "Fine." And he continued not to interfere.
"That's right," Lian Jiang agreed, "We shouldn't resort to cheats unless absolutely necessary."
"You mean not using a mod," Xiao Pi corrected.
Lu Xiu added, "This is my first time here too. If you want me to step in, I can only blast it open."
Jiang Hong signaled that it wasn't necessary, then suddenly had an idea, "What if it requires two people using magic simultaneously?"
"Oh?" Xiao Pi said, "That's worth a try."
So, He Jian and Lian Jiang each pressed one of the circles, infusing their magic. With a "hum", the light on the "Ink" character started to flow, but still, nothing happened. Jiang Hong had a brainwave and suggested, "Try one using Yin energy and the other using Yang energy!"
He Jian and Lian Jiang withdrew their hands. He Jian summoned Yin energy while Lian Jiang channeled Yang energy, and they pressed the circles again.
This time, the "Ink" character emitted light and began to rotate, and the door made a rumbling sound as it started to slide open inward.
Jiang Hong exclaimed, "Fantastic!"
Xiao Pi complimented, "So smart!"
Jiang Hong wondered, "But... isn't this mechanism a bit too simple?"
Lian Jiang retorted, "Simple? It required magic!"
Jiang Hong realized that he was right; not many people in this world could use magic, and ordinary archaeologists wouldn't have been able to open this door.
However, almost at the same moment, the sound of guns being cocked echoed from all directions.
"Don't move!" a man's voice commanded, "And don't go inside! Raise your hands!"
Unbeknownst to them, at the top of the cave, on the archaeological scaffolding, numerous figures that had been hidden in the darkness began to emerge.
The four of them halted their movements, with Lu Xiu putting away his phone and looking up towards the heights.
Lian Jiang signaled to Jiang Hong to raise their hands.
"No tricks," the voice from above warned, "or you'll get your head blown off."
All four of them raised their hands.
The man's voice ordered again, "Step away from the door, raise your hands, and walk to the center. Quickly!"
Chapter 32: Zhangye
January 2nd, early morning, 7:15 AM.
"Time to get up." Lu Xiu gently nudged Jiang Hong, who, still groggy, pulled Lu Xiu over, sprawling himself on top of Lu Xiu. The hotel room was fully heated, and both were dressed only in short-sleeved T-shirts and shorts.
Jiang Hong turned over, his fair long legs entwining Lu Xiu, and continued sleeping.
Lu Xiu: "..."
At eight o'clock sharp, Jiang Hong glanced at his phone.
"Ah—!" Jiang Hong screamed, "We're going to miss our flight!"
"I called you at seven."
Jiang Hong hurried to wash up and rushed to the airport.
"What time is your flight?" Jiang Hong asked Lu Xiu as they passed through security.
Lu Xiu: "In five minutes. Aren't you going to run?"
Jiang Hong grabbed his bag and dashed to the boarding gate, while Lu Xiu maintained a steady pace. When Jiang Hong boarded the plane, panting, he found Lu Xiu sitting beside him.
Jiang Hong: "You're coming with me?"
Lu Xiu: "Anyway, you would have summoned me later. Didn't feel like flying again."
Jiang Hong: "That's great! But I might not necessarily have summoned you..."
Lu Xiu: "Then, I'm leaving."
Jiang Hong: "Don't go! Ahahaha, that's great!"
Jiang Hong turned to hug Lu Xiu, aiming to kiss him on the head, but Lu Xiu pushed his head back against the airplane window.
And so, with Lu Xiu accompanying him, Jiang Hong began his final project of exploring the inner world.
When they reached Lanzhou Airport, their teammates had already gathered. Seeing Lu Xiu, He Jian and the others seemed even happier than when seeing Jiang Hong.
"That's fantastic!" Xiao Pi was nearly in tears of joy.
Lu Xiu said, "I won't take the initiative to help you guys, so don't think about cheating on the project."
"Of course not!"
"No way!" Everyone quickly assured unanimously, promising to complete the final project earnestly and seriously.
"Can you carry my bag for me?" asked Jiang Hong.
"Sure." So Lu Xiu helped Jiang Hong with his bag.
Jiang Hong then said, "Actually, this time I was determined not to ask for your help."
"Oh?" Lu Xiu was utterly unmoved.
Jiang Hong said, "We can definitely do it."
Everyone nodded in agreement, and Lu Xiu said, "Then, it's settled."
Lu Xiu extended his pinky finger, and after a moment's hesitation, Jiang Hong linked his pinky with it, deciding that this time, unless it was a matter of life and death, he would not seek Lu Xiu's help.
From Lanzhou to Zhangye, they had to take an eight-hour train ride. After gathering, they bought tickets and boarded the train at 10 pm.
He Jian, Lian Jiang, Lu Xiu, and Jiang Hong all bought soft sleeper tickets, while Xiao Pi only bought a hard seat. They first crowded into the soft sleeper compartment for a meeting.
Jiang Hong: "Why did you..."
"That's all the money my dad gave me," Xiao Pi said gloomily.
Director He Zhi of Xuang was renowned for his thriftiness. Jiang Hong had only heard of it before, but now he witnessed He Zhi's skill first-hand. To prevent his son from feeling too different, He Zhi had already been generous, not making Xiao Pi buy a standing ticket.
"Let's first take a look at this 'Mo' Ding," Lian Jiang said, "The information has already been sent to everyone."
After reviewing the information several times, Jiang Hong said, "Once we reach Zhangye, we still have to travel to this place 160 kilometers away."
"Yes," Lian Jiang replied, "There's a bus once a day, or we could call a Didi."
Jiang Hong said, "Let's rent a car; I can drive."
Lian Jiang: "That would be great."
Lu Xiu lay on the upper bunk reading a book, staying true to his word by not joining their conversation and not offering any suggestions like flying there on a dragon.
He Jian asked, "Is the closest place Shandan County?"
Lian Jiang: "Yes, there's a Shandan Horse Farm there."
"The map shows a large pasture area at the foot of the Qilian Mountains," Lian Jiang added. "There's an ancient ruins complex there, and the Mo Ding was unearthed in one of those areas. After excavating some ancient tombs in 1974, due to inadequate digging conditions, the rest were sealed off."
"It's not an ancient tomb?" He Jian asked curiously.
"No," Lian Jiang, who had done thorough research, said, "It seems to be a palace complex, dating back to the Warring States period."
Jiang Hong suddenly felt that Lian Jiang, as the team leader, was very reliable, handling the project like a leader pulling triple duty.
"Okay," said Jiang Hong, "Let's go with that. It must be very cold there."
"Extremely cold," Lian Jiang replied, "It's colder in the wilderness than in the city. Be mentally prepared."
After their initial meeting post-gathering, Lian Jiang curiously asked, "Have you finished your project on identifying magical artifacts?"
"We've got them." He Jian showed Lian Jiang his cloak and demonstrated on the spot. With a flick towards the air, all the light disappeared, and when flicked back, the light returned to normal.
"Wow, you got it," Jiang Hong, who hadn't returned to submit his Xuan Guang Jin Dou, exclaimed upon seeing He Jian's cloak, assuming Jin and Zhang Xiting must have also received their artifacts.
Xiao Pi said, "I made one myself. What about you, Jiang Hong?"
"Uh." Jiang Hong thought it better not to reveal his just yet.
Lian Jiang asked, "What did you buy? Let us see."
Jiang Hong: "Just a very ordinary bronze lamp."
Urged repeatedly by Xiao Pi, "Let's see it!"
Jiang Hong reluctantly brought out the lamp.
Lu Xiu: "?"
Lu Xiu turned his head from the upper bunk, looking down.
"Wow—" Xiao Pi and Lian Jiang said, "What's this?"
"This is a talking lamp," Jiang Hong said.
Lu Xiu: "..."
Jiang Hong: "As soon as you peel off this talisman paper, it'll start shouting and screaming."
Jiang Hong removed the talisman paper, but the compartment remained quiet, with only the sound of the train's 'click-clack.' Nothing happened.
Jiang Hong tapped the lamp a few times, but there was no response.
"What else can it do besides talk?" Xiao Pi asked.
Jiang Hong: "Haven't discovered any other functions so far..."
Everyone: "..."
Jiang Hong: "Hey, buddy, talk."
Lu Xiu: "Just smash it, I'll get you another one."
As Lu Xiu pretended to climb down, the lamp suddenly shouted, "Don't!"
"Oh—" Everyone was relieved to see that the lamp could talk.
Jiang Hong, who had almost forgotten about his magical artifact, asked, "Besides talking, what else can you do?"
The lamp said, "Kid, don't underestimate me! This lamp is just my prison. Just give me some time to absorb the spiritual essence of the sun, moon, and earth. In due course, once my powers are fully developed and I break free, there will be no match for me under the heavens!"
Everyone looked at the bronze lamp. After waiting a while and seeing it remain silent, Jiang Hong explained to everyone, "That's how it is."
Xiao Pi asked, "If I rub it, will it grant wishes?"
"Maybe... I guess?" Jiang Hong said, "It says it needs to achieve 'great spiritual power', which obviously won't happen so soon."
"If you have a wish, it's better to ask the father in the upper bunk," He Jian said.
The lamp then said, "Just place me in a place abundant in spiritual energy..."
Jiang Hong didn't let it finish, pasted a talisman on it, and then the lamp fell silent.
After everyone enjoyed the show, the episode came to an end.
"Xiao Pi, why don't you..." Jiang Hong said, "come sleep in our cabin?"
Hard seats were too uncomfortable, so Jiang took the initiative and said, "Come squeeze in my bed."
Jiang Hong said, "I can sleep with the senior."
Although the beds in the soft sleeper cabin were cramped, it was still better than letting Xiao Pi sprawl in a hard seat. Xiao Pi kept refusing, but Jiang Hong climbed to the upper bunk and forcefully squeezed Lu Xiu in, saying, "See, it's fine."
Lu Xiu: "..."
In the cramped bunk, Lu Xiu, being tall, was squeezed by Jiang Hong and couldn't turn over. He could only free one arm to embrace him, while still playing with his phone with the other hand.
Lian Jiang said, "Come to my place, the lower bunk is more comfortable."
Eventually, Xiao Pi and Lian Jiang slept in the lower bunk, Jiang Hong still climbed down, and everyone spent the night on the train. For Jiang Hong, this life was full of novelty and excitement, akin to the thrill of traveling with classmates.
They arrived at Zhangye Railway Station at seven in the morning. Jiang Hong went to rent a car while it was still dawn. The rest yawned, and Jiang Hong rented a Jeep Liberty, with Lu Xiu sitting in the passenger seat, just enough to fit five people.
"Let's go have breakfast," Jiang Hong said, "and then head straight to Shandan County?"
Lian Jiang said, "The area closest to the Ganzhou ruins has a Shandan Horse Farm, where we can stop for a rest and resupply."
Ancient Zhangye was known as Ganzhou, and Jiuquan as Suzhou, hence the name Gansu. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, this area was still part of Qin territory. The urban area of Zhangye was relatively prosperous, comparable to an ordinary third- or fourth-tier city. However, outside the city, most areas were deserted. In winter, mornings are late to dawn. While having breakfast at a roadside diner, it was still pitch dark outside.
"It's quite desolate," He Jian remarked, his first time in the vast Northwest. Leaving Zhangye city, the landscape outside was dotted with large stretches of wilderness, with water sources and trees, yet extending for tens of kilometers, uncultivated.
"You've never been to these places before, have you?" Lian Jiang teased He Jian. "Quite the young master, aren't you?"
"Why is our 'car god' so quiet?" Lu Xiu glanced at Jiang Hong, who was driving with serious focus.
"The road is too dark," Jiang Hong said, "a bit nervous. Where are you from, He Jian?"
"Macau," He Jian replied.
Jiang Hong said, "Indeed, a bustling place."
Not just He Jian, it was also Jiang Hong's first time here. Worried about taking a wrong turn and wasting time, he was constantly watching the navigation. Lian Jiang, Xiao Pi, and He Jian chatted idly in the back seat. Lian Jiang, from Fujian, had seen much in his youth.
"Many places in the Central Plains are like this," Lu Xiu commented.
"All so barren?" Jiang Hong asked curiously. He knew Lu Xiu had traveled extensively and must have a different perspective when viewing the land from the sky.
Lu Xiu: "Not barren, but in recent decades, people are moving towards bustling cities. With no one to cultivate the land, your human race is also slowly migrating."
Lian Jiang responded, "Places like Zhangye and Wuwei rely on the meltwater from the Qilian Mountains for irrigation. There's not much land suitable for farming to begin with, and farming at home isn't as profitable as working in cities, so people leave. For the demon race, it's actually a good thing, as the land is returned to them."
As dawn broke, fields and the continuous Qilian Mountains became visible. Jiang Hong played a song, exited the highway, and began to relax as he took the national road.
"I'm not sure about this car's off-road capabilities," Jiang Hong said, "but I hope it holds up."
At 10:30 in the morning, following the navigation, Jiang Hong took an exit off the national highway and stopped by the road. Everyone began to scrutinize the map, as the ancient Ganzhou ruins were not marked on satellite navigation; they had to rely on visual recognition.
"There's a path at the foot of the mountain," Lian Jiang suggested, "let's try driving there. Everyone, fasten your seat belts."
Xiao Pi took out a stack of gold-foil paper in the back seat and began folding.
"Hey, are you folding paper money?" Jiang Hong glanced in the rearview mirror and immediately said, "That's quite inauspicious!"
Xiao Pi: "This is a talisman, given to me by my dad."
Xiao Pi folded several origami cranes, opened the car window, and the cranes flew out, leading the way for them.
The rugged mountain road ahead tested Jiang Hong's skills to the limit, including but not limited to climbing a slope filled with loose stones, making a U-turn on a narrow path less than three meters wide, and driving on the edge of a cliff at a precarious fifteen-degree angle.
"Xiao Pi! Are you sure it's that way?" Jiang Hong asked.
Xiao Pi replied, "Just follow the origami cranes."
"I'm getting carsick!" He Jian exclaimed, "Slow down!"
"I can't help it, there are potholes everywhere," Jiang Hong said, "This road is too difficult."
Eventually, the jeep bumped and jostled forward another three kilometers on a dry riverbed.
Lian Jiang asked, "How are we going to get out later?"
Jiang Hong replied, "Let's not think about that right now."
Everyone: "..."
Jiang Hong added, "If all else fails, I'll ask the senior to help us lift the car out when we leave."
Lu Xiu: "..."
"We're here," Jiang Hong said with relief, unfastening his seatbelt, "This should be the place."
At the end of the ancient riverbed was a deep cave. As soon as they got out of the car, a fierce wind arose, turning the canyon into a wind tunnel, and sand and stones were blown towards them.
"Parking here is really inappropriate!" He Jian shouted against the wind.
Jiang Hong retorted, "At least it's free, be content with that!"
Lu Xiu stood expressionless against the wind, while the others instinctively took shelter behind him. Lian Jiang said, "Let's head to the cave! That's the entrance to the ruins... Ugh! My mouth is full of sand! Find a solution, quick!"
He Jian flicked his hand, and a fan appeared in it.
"Damn it!" He Jian yelled at the raging wind and then snapped the fan open, instantly reversing the gusting wind back.
"Hurry up!" Lian Jiang urged.
Everyone rushed into the cave. In less than ten minutes after getting out of the car, Jiang Hong's nose was red from the cold, and he stood inside the cave rubbing his hands to warm them.
"Follow this cave inward," Lian Jiang suggested, looking at archaeological data on an iPad. In 1974, someone had excavated here, leaving many precious old photos in the database.
Xiao Pi cautioned, "Be careful not to damage any artifacts. My dad specifically reminded us."
Jiang Hong reassured, "I won't touch anything; I'm just here to observe."
Just as Jiang Hong was about to dig out a flashlight from his bag, Lian Jiang snapped his fingers, and a ball of white light rose in his hand. With a wave, the light flew into the dark depths of the cave.
"This seems to be a natural cavern formed by an ancient river," Jiang Hong observed, looking around. "It used to be an underground river."
"Yes," Lian Jiang agreed, examining the gravel underfoot, "it seems to have dried up quite a while ago."
The snowmelt from the Qilian Mountains formed an underground river, flowing beneath the earth before emerging from this river outlet. It was unclear whether it was a seasonal river or had been dry for many years.
Xiao Pi asked, "Could the ruins be inside the river channel?"
Lian Jiang replied, "The ruins are halfway up the hillside, and this river channel is the only way in. Walk slowly, did everyone bring enough food?"
"Enough," He Jian patted his backpack.
Only then did Jiang Hong slowly realize that this expedition might not be easy. Once they entered, they would have to spend at least ten hours inside. Ignoring whether they could find the clues they wanted in that time, in the cold of winter, even if they left the cave before dusk, they would have nowhere to go.
In other words, they would have to spend the night in this cave.
But with his companions being exorcists and Lu Xiu there, there shouldn't be any danger.
Lu Xiu, without interfering with the others, carried Jiang Hong's backpack and walked at the back.
Jiang Hong looked back at Lu Xiu a few times, and each time Lu Xiu raised his eyebrows, making an inquiring expression.
"Let's talk about something," Jiang Hong said, "just walking is so boring."
Lu Xiu said, "Talk to yourself."
When alone with Jiang Hong, Lu Xiu was the most talkative. However, whenever others were around, Lu Xiu spoke very little.
"The ruins from the Warring States period are over two thousand years old," Xiao Pi said, "can they still be preserved?"
"Stones might be," Jiang Hong said, "wall paintings can last for tens of thousands of years. But I'm wondering, what was the purpose of these ruins? In such a harsh environment, would there have been large-scale human habitation?"
Lian Jiang explained, "According to the archaeological findings from 1974, they were mainly used for rituals."
That made more sense, but Jiang Hong's curiosity was piqued again.
"Worshipping immortals?" Jiang Hong speculated.
"What do you think was worshipped?" Lu Xiu finally spoke.
Jiang Hong scratched his head, pondering for a moment before noticing something peculiar.
"Over two thousand years ago," Jiang Hong said, "Christianity hadn't emerged yet, Buddhism hadn't spread to China, and Taoism wasn't fully established. Could it be natural deities?"
Lu Xiu replied, "Perhaps."
The path narrowed, allowing only single-file passage, so everyone ducked and crawled through. Jiang Hong asked, "Is there a way forward?"
"Yes!" Lian Jiang shouted from the front, "Come slowly, there's more space here!"
Crawling out of the cave, they arrived in a massive pit. Lian Jiang said, "This seems to be the bottom of a dried-up underground lake."
Lian Jiang took out a climbing hook from his backpack, threw it onto the edge of the pit, and climbed up first. Once everyone reached the top, He Jian cast a flash spell, illuminating the area.
In the depths of the cave, discarded blue backpacks, liberation army uniforms, aluminum pots, charcoal, and other items were strewn about.
"We've reached the site of the original excavation," Lian Jiang announced.
Exhausted upon arrival, everyone took a rest on the spot. He Jian took out a small lamp from his bag, hung it up high, and its light illuminated the entire cave. Jiang Hong spread a plastic sheet, preparing to set up camp.
Lian Jiang then took out a red bead. Xiao Pi gathered some stones to make a circle and placed the bead in the center. Lian Jiang chanted a few spells, and the bead burst into flames, creating a campfire.
"Traveling with exorcists is really convenient," Jiang Hong couldn't help but marvel.
"You're also an exorcist," Lu Xiu reminded him.
Jiang Hong replied, "Oh right... I forgot, need to remember that all the time."
Jiang Hong checked his watch; it was 8:40 PM. As he had guessed, they were indeed going to spend the night here.
Xiao Pi said, "I'll cook for everyone! I brought instant-heating rice."
Lu Xiu stood in front of another tunnel, gazing at the markings inside the pit.
"What are you looking at?" Jiang Hong asked curiously, "It's time to eat."
Lu Xiu gestured for Jiang Hong to look at the tunnel, which had a numerical marking, 07195 - the exact spot where a certain cauldron was unearthed.
Jiang Hong exclaimed, "Huh?"
At the bottom of the pit, there was a faint glow. They blocked the light from afar, allowing Jiang Hong to barely discern the subtle illumination emanating from the earth's ley lines in the darkness.
"There's something deeper inside," Lu Xiu said, "We'll explore further tomorrow."
Xiao Pi took out five self-heating rice packs from his bag, and after preparing them, everyone shared the meal, complete with cola.
Before setting off, they had divided responsibilities: Lian Jiang was in charge of warmth, energy, and navigation; He Jian handled sleeping arrangements and medical needs; Xiao Pi was responsible for food; and Jiang Hong took care of travel logistics like booking and renting vehicles.
He Jian announced, "Alright, time to sleep."
Then, He Jian took out a box and threw it on the ground. With a "bang," it transformed into a two-by-three-meter bed.
"Is this really necessary?!" Jiang Hong was speechless, finding it bizarre to sleep on a luxurious royal bed in such a place.
He Jian clarified, "Yours are sleeping bags, don't worry."
Jiang Hong said, "Oh, okay, as long as I don't have to sleep on that."
He Jian explained, "But I only brought three sleeping bags. I didn't expect Senior Lu to join us, and you, Jiang Hong, didn't mention it earlier, so you can't blame me."
Lian Jiang kindly suggested, "You could sleep in a sleeping bag and let Jiang Hong and Senior Lu sleep on the big bed..."
Jiang Hong said, "No need, don't be generous on behalf of others."
Eventually, Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu squeezed into one sleeping bag, while He Jian changed into pajamas and slept on the large bed.
Jiang Hong, with his back to Lu Xiu, felt somewhat awkward and shifted a few times.
Lu Xiu asked, "Do you want to change positions?"
Jiang Hong turned around to lie on Lu Xiu's arm, feeling even more strange, but at least it was better than being embraced from behind.
Just six months ago, he would never have imagined that one day he would be sleeping in the depths of the Qilian Mountains, at a two-thousand-year-old ruins site, in a narrow sleeping bag, embraced by a dragon...
In the middle of the night, a sudden piercing scream came from the depths of the cave.
Lu Xiu's eyes snapped open, He Jian also woke up, and Lian Jiang hurriedly crawled out of his sleeping bag, hastily putting on his pants.
"What was that sound?" Lian Jiang asked.
Xiao Pi, now awake, said, "Was it the cry of a demon? So scary."
Lian Jiang retorted, "You're a demon yourself, and you're scared of demons?"
Xiao Pi argued, "Just like how you humans say 'what's that person' when you're scared, right?!"
He Jian wondered, "The wind?"
The sound appeared only once and then there was silence. Everyone stood listening for a while, and Lian Jiang checked the time - it was nearly 5 AM.
Lian Jiang suggested, "Shall we get up and go check it out? Where's Jiang Hong?"
Lu Xiu gestured towards the side — Jiang Hong was still soundly asleep in the sleeping bag.
Everyone: "..."
"Ah, we're starting work this early?" Jiang Hong mumbled sleepily.
Lian Jiang and the others quickly gathered their supplies and continued deeper into the archaeological site.
"There's a path here we can enter," Lian Jiang said, "the sound came from inside."
Jiang Hong asked, "What sound?"
Lu Xiu replied, "There was no sound."
At this, Jiang Hong became instantly suspicious: "I thought I heard a whining noise, was that it?"
"That's just your imagination," He Jian stated.
Lian Jiang carefully navigated through the narrow, rugged stone walls, where there was just a slim gap for them to pass one by one.
Xiao Pi remarked, "I think this project is really too difficult and dangerous for a freshman."
Lian Jiang said, "Maybe Professor Zhu Jinling didn't have much hope either, thinking we would just survey the ruins and be done... Here we are, this is where the archaeological team entered back then."
In front of them was a collapsed cave. After walking for a day and a night, they had reached the middle of the mountain. Decades ago, the archaeological team had blasted an opening here, and when they retreated, they sealed it with rocks.
"Has... has anyone died here?" Jiang Hong felt an eerie sensation.
"Probably," Lian Jiang said.
Jiang Hong tightly grasped Lu Xiu's wrist as they walked downwards, passing many pits left from previous excavations, each marked with numerical tags.
After nearly three hours, they found a brick and stone path. Following it, they arrived at the deepest point of the excavation from years ago.
There was a massive stone wall, and nothing else.
The stone wall appeared to have been artificially smoothed, with signs of explosion in the corners. The brick and stone path ended here, clearly indicating another space behind the wall.
"What does this look like?" Lian Jiang shone a light on the five-meter-high stone wall and asked.
"A door," He Jian said.
"Ah!" Jiang Hong noticed something unusual and said, "Wait! Shine the light in the middle?"
Lian Jiang maneuvered a floating orb of light, illuminating the center of the stone wall, where a rune carved into the stone, the bronze script character for "Ink," was exactly what they were investigating!
Everyone quickly took out their phones to snap photos of the character as a clue for their project.
"Should we try to find a way inside?" Lian Jiang asked them.
Xiao Pi stepped forward, pressing his ear against the wall and listening. "There's no opening to pass through," he noted.
He Jian looked around but didn't see any entrance either.
Jiang Hong suggested, "This might be a door that requires magical power to open. What are these two circles for?"
On the wall, at about human height, were two circles resembling places to fix door handles.
Lian Jiang concentrated his magical power in his hands and pressed them against the two circles on the wall. The light seeped into the stone, making Jiang Hong wonder if this was related to the faint ley line glow they had seen earlier.
Xiao Pi exclaimed, "There's a reaction!"
After Lian Jiang infused the wall with magical power, the "Ink" character in the middle faintly lit up, but nothing else happened.
"Let me try," He Jian stepped forward, placing his hands on the door. The "Ink" character lit up again, yet the stone wall remained still.
"Hmm..." The group stood in front of the wall, pondering. Lian Jiang looked questioningly at Jiang Hong, then turned to Lu Xiu.
Lu Xiu remained aloof, standing aside as if the matter didn’t concern him.
Jiang Hong, understanding Lian Jiang's implication, said, "Let's not resort to brute force; it might damage the relic."
He Jian wondered, "Could it be that our magical power isn't strong enough?"
Jiang Hong proposed, "Maybe it's a matter of technique? Or there's some kind of mechanism? Let's spread out and search around?"
So, everyone started investigating the entrance separately, but after half an hour, they found nothing.
Jiang Hong scratched his head for a while, then looked at Lu Xiu, who was sitting aside watching them. Lu Xiu looked up at him, signaling that he would help if asked.
Jiang Hong said, "I still want to try handling it ourselves... unless it becomes unmanageable. Don't intervene unless necessary... okay?"
Lu Xiu replied, "Fine." And he continued not to interfere.
"That's right," Lian Jiang agreed, "We shouldn't resort to cheats unless absolutely necessary."
"You mean not using a mod," Xiao Pi corrected.
Lu Xiu added, "This is my first time here too. If you want me to step in, I can only blast it open."
Jiang Hong signaled that it wasn't necessary, then suddenly had an idea, "What if it requires two people using magic simultaneously?"
"Oh?" Xiao Pi said, "That's worth a try."
So, He Jian and Lian Jiang each pressed one of the circles, infusing their magic. With a "hum", the light on the "Ink" character started to flow, but still, nothing happened. Jiang Hong had a brainwave and suggested, "Try one using Yin energy and the other using Yang energy!"
He Jian and Lian Jiang withdrew their hands. He Jian summoned Yin energy while Lian Jiang channeled Yang energy, and they pressed the circles again.
This time, the "Ink" character emitted light and began to rotate, and the door made a rumbling sound as it started to slide open inward.
Jiang Hong exclaimed, "Fantastic!"
Xiao Pi complimented, "So smart!"
Jiang Hong wondered, "But... isn't this mechanism a bit too simple?"
Lian Jiang retorted, "Simple? It required magic!"
Jiang Hong realized that he was right; not many people in this world could use magic, and ordinary archaeologists wouldn't have been able to open this door.
However, almost at the same moment, the sound of guns being cocked echoed from all directions.
"Don't move!" a man's voice commanded, "And don't go inside! Raise your hands!"
Unbeknownst to them, at the top of the cave, on the archaeological scaffolding, numerous figures that had been hidden in the darkness began to emerge.
The four of them halted their movements, with Lu Xiu putting away his phone and looking up towards the heights.
Lian Jiang signaled to Jiang Hong to raise their hands.
"No tricks," the voice from above warned, "or you'll get your head blown off."
All four of them raised their hands.
The man's voice ordered again, "Step away from the door, raise your hands, and walk to the center. Quickly!"
