V2C41

Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.

Translator: Anne

Editor: Miqi

Proofreader: Sal

The two approached the small iron door behind the bookshelf,and Qiao Rong positioned the copper keys and said urgently, “Qiao Chu, there are three keys. Which one is it?”

“Try all of them.”

The first two didn’t open the lock.

Qiao Rong’s hands trembled slightly, Qiao Chu stroked her heart, “If you are afraid, give the key to me.”

Qiao Rong gritted her teeth in defiance and fumbled to insert the key.

They were overjoyed when they heard the ‘click’. To prevent the others from noticing, Qiao Rong slowly and carefully opened the door.

Qiao Chu was about to follow her out, but Qiao Rong’s devious laughter resounded through the gap, “Sister Qiao Chu, thank you… Now… You’ll stay behind…”

The pit of her stomach tightened, and Qiao Chu didn’t wait any longer, “Dear sister, why do you think I called you so we could get out together? Do you really think the first round is over? Are you sure you can continue alone?”

Qiao Rong remembered that the ceremonial official had said that there could be two winners for each group in the first round. There was no problem.

Although, perhaps outside this door, the game was over. If she let Qiao Chu come out, she was bound to be a strong opponent in the second round. However, if it was as she said… She gritted her teeth and helped Qiao Chu out.

They shut the door behind them, and outside the dark room the sun was shining brightly.

It turned out the bookshelves had a purpose. When they opened the door, the light was blocked by the bookshelves so someone could unnoticeably exit/leave.

“Qiao Chu, what do we do now?”

Qiao Rong’s voice sounded panicked. When Qiao Chu looked around, she noticed a pavilion surrounded by water in the middle, and dozens of rooms lined around it, separated by an oval corridor. It seemed that all the other rooms besides the one they had come out of had pillow locks on the doors.

Qiao Chu glanced at the keys in Qiao Rong’s hand and said, “Do you remember what the ceremonial official said? They never mentioned what the first round was about, but they repeatedly emphasized the time of the second round and said the emperor would be waiting for the winners in the front courtyard.”

Qiao Rong willow leaf eyebrows tightened, “The beginning of the second round means the end of the first. You mean they had already hinted at the first round? As long as we go to where the emperor is before the beginning of the second round, we win?”

“But the question is— where are we?”

Qiao Chu’s eyes moved slightly, “We are now on the other side of the rooms, isn’t the courtyard right at the front? This is where we came from.”

Qiao Rong was overjoyed, then shook her head with a bitter smile, “Qiao Chu, I understood what you just said. The front of the black room we just came out from is nailed shut, so with the exception of the black room, we can reach the courtyard through any other room.”

“Easier said than done! We can’t use that method because every room is locked and impossible to get into!”