Chapter 46

"Senior Xiao, you are right. However... sigh~" Kou Zhong sighed and said, "Although Sister Fan has tricked us a few times, we are still fine, aren't we? Since that's the case, it doesn't matter. And... and... sigh~ I can't really explain it. In short, I just can't bear to see them die like this."

"Zhong Shao's words are also what I wanted to say." Xu Ziling scratched his head and said, "Senior Xiao, we are boldly asking for your favor to let them off for now?"

"Hmm, I understand." Xiao Sheng laughed again and said, "After all, one of them is your little wife, and the other is your mother-in-law. Since Ziling has spoken up for them, I'm happy to not be the bad guy. However, Ziling, if anything happens in the future, you need to be mentally prepared."

Kou Zhong interjected, "No worries, Senior Xiao. We're not fools. Before we set off, we sealed eighteen points on their bodies and tied them up tightly with thick hemp ropes. This way, no matter what tricks they have, they can't use them, and there won't be any trouble. Oh, and let Xibai stay to watch over them. This way, it will be foolproof, right?"

"Hmph, hahaha~" Xiao Sheng sneered a few times, clearly not convinced by Kou Zhong's words. However, it didn't matter. With him here to suppress the situation, the Yin Empress and her disciple wouldn't be able to cause much trouble. After all, Xiao Sheng was invincible in this world. With absolute power, what was there to fear from any plots? No, rather, Xiao Sheng welcomed plots. This way, he could take the opportunity to eliminate all potential enemies in one fell swoop.

——

Two hours later, it was completely dark.

Xiao Sheng and the Twin Dragons left the residence in Xuanping Fang and took a roundabout route to a small dock by Yong'an Canal. They rented a small boat at the dock and rowed downstream. After turning two river bends, they arrived at Yuemabridge.

After the heavy snow, Chang'an was covered in a thick layer of new snow. The cold weather and the late hour meant that even the soldiers on patrol were hiding in their posts to slack off. Thus, the bridge was deserted, a stark contrast to the bustling daytime.

The small boat stopped under Yuemabridge. Just as the Twin Dragons were about to leap onto the bridge, Xiao Sheng held them back and said, "Wait. The key to opening the treasure vault lies in those six dragon-headed pillars, but the mechanism is not on the bridge, but under it. Look."

The Twin Dragons were solemn and, following Xiao Sheng's guidance, focused their energy to observe the part of the dragon-headed pillars under the bridge. Indeed, they could faintly see a circle of faint marks at the connection between the pillars and the bridge. If Xiao Sheng hadn't pointed it out, they would have definitely ignored it as ordinary stone patterns.

Kou Zhong, excited, said, "My goodness, I see it!" He freed his right hand, activated his inner energy, and pressed his thumb on the center of the circle, pushing upward. A "click" sound was heard, and the pillar sank, forming a two-inch deep depression.

Xu Ziling's body trembled, and he said, "It worked. But there should be five more locks." Without finishing his sentence, he began to search the bridge bottom quickly, finding the other five locks and activating them in the same way.

The three of them leaped onto the bridge. Xiao Sheng said, "Good. Now, Zhong Shao, pull out the six dragon-headed pillars and turn them to the right once."

Kou Zhong nodded vigorously and rushed over, following the instructions. One, two, three, four, five, and when he finished turning the sixth dragon, the entire Yuemabridge began to tremble. Immediately, strange ripples appeared on the river surface, and bubbles kept emerging, making a "plop" sound.

Xiao Sheng said, "It's done. The mechanism is activated, and water holes will appear in the riverbed to draw in the river water. Using this force, the mechanism will open the secret passage leading to the treasure vault. We shouldn't delay. Let's go to Xijiyuan now."

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling both nodded in agreement. They immediately used their lightness skills to dash toward Xijiyuan.

On the ground, the distance between Yuemabridge and Xijiyuan was considerable. However, if they used their lightness skills to move in a straight line, they would find the distance much shorter. Soon, the three of them arrived at the back of Xijiyuan, climbed over the wall, and entered. Xiao Sheng identified the direction and headed straight for the northern well among the four wells in the courtyard. Without hesitation, he leaped into the well, followed by Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling.

They held their breath and sank to the bottom of the well. Suddenly, they felt the surroundings become spacious, as the well bottom was connected to an underground river. However, Xiao Sheng stopped the Twin Dragons from swimming along the river and kicked a square stone in the well bottom mud twice.

Kou Zhong's eyes sparkled, and he pressed the stone forcefully, immediately triggering the mechanism. About three feet above the water surface, the well wall slowly indented, revealing a narrow entrance. Everyone floated to the surface. Kou Zhong, in high spirits, said, "Senior, Ziling, I'll go first." He took the lead and entered the passage. Xiao Sheng and Xu Ziling followed closely behind.

The secret passage was filled with traps and dangers. A single misstep could lead to certain death. However, Xiao Sheng, with his "foreknowledge," knew exactly what was inside the passage. He gave a few warnings, and the Twin Dragons managed to avoid numerous pitfalls and traps, saving them from taking many detours.

Soon, the three of them entered a corridor wide enough for adults to walk upright. At the end of the corridor was a steel door. On either side of the door, six night pearls were embedded. On the wall beside the door, a line of characters was carved with a dagger: "The Goguryeo Demoness has been here."

Kou Zhong shed tears and said, "It's Mother's writing!"

Xu Ziling's eyes shone with intense emotion as he gently touched the carved words, saying, "If Mother knew that we finally saw her writing, she would be very pleased."

Recalling the appearance and laughter of Fu Juncuo from years ago and thinking about the experiences of the two brothers over the years, the Twin Dragons felt an overwhelming sense of nostalgia.

Xiao Sheng, who had never met the Demoness, naturally had nothing to be moved by. He stepped forward, grabbed the door ring, and turned it left and right.

A crisp "click" sound came from behind the steel door. The Twin Dragons immediately stopped and raised their alertness. Xiao Sheng, however, laughed and pushed the door open. He didn't enter but instead tapped the floor with his right foot.

In a flash, the mechanism was activated, and a loud sound was heard. It turned out that dozens of specially made steel arrows, like spears, shot out from the darkness behind the door!

These super-strong crossbows, activated by the mechanism, were a hundred times more powerful than ordinary crossbows. Even Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, who were among the best in the world, dared not face them directly. The Twin Dragons changed their expressions and shouted, "Senior, be careful!" They reached out to pull Xiao Sheng back.

Xiao Sheng laughed and waved his hand, saying, "Quickly retreat behind me." He not only didn't dodge but walked forward.

"Armed Color Haki—Steel!"

In a split second, the dozens of arrows hit Xiao Sheng almost simultaneously. Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling screamed, their faces turning pale, and they closed their eyes in horror.

But the next moment, only the sound of metal clashing was heard. The Twin Dragons opened their eyes and saw that the arrows, upon hitting Xiao Sheng, not only failed to penetrate but also sparked and fell to the ground.

The Twin Dragons were amazed. Kou Zhong couldn't resist stepping forward, bending down to pick up one of the arrows, and weighing it in his hand. He was shocked and said, "This arrow could pierce through stone, and you... you... Senior, are you even human?"

"Ha ha, I am human, just a human who has practiced some skills." Xiao Sheng waved and patted the dust off his clothes, saying, "The mechanism can only be activated once, so there won't be any more arrows. Let's go." He took the lead and walked forward.

The three of them lit a fire and illuminated the surroundings, moving forward along the corridor. At the end, they saw a wall full of small holes, and to the left was a narrow passage. The Twin Dragons naturally thought this passage led to the treasure vault and turned to enter it.

"Wait. This is not the right way." Xiao Sheng waved his hand to stop them, saying, "The treasure vault has both real and fake sections. This passage leads to a fake vault. To open the passage to the real vault, you need to do this and that..." He then explained the method to open the real vault to the Twin Dragons.

The Twin Dragons were delighted. Kou Zhong, eager and unwilling to delay, immediately called Xu Ziling, and the two of them worked together to activate the mechanism and open the real passage. The three of them entered and reached another door at the end.

This door had no steel ring but a round button with forty-nine notches and a red dot on the wall above it. It was the "Heaven and Earth Lock" invented by Lu Miaozhi.

When the Twin Dragons met Lu Miaozhi, they had learned how to crack the Heaven and Earth Lock from the master craftsman. They followed the method and successfully unlocked the door, pushing it open. Inside was a stone room about ten steps in diameter. In the center was a well, and beside it was a winch and chain. This was the core of the Yanggong Treasure Vault, the control room for all the mechanisms.

Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong turned the winch, successfully activating the mechanism. They then retreated to the arrow wall. The two interlocking walls separating the southwest and northeast axes had opened, revealing the secret passage to the eastern treasure vault.

The three of them crossed the long corridor and arrived at a circular stone room with a stone table in the center and stone chairs around it. The table was engraved with a detailed map of the treasure vault. There were four doors in the room, each leading to a treasure chamber.

Xiao Sheng sat down at the stone table, patted the table, and said, "Here we are, the real Yanggong Treasure Vault. Now you can count your wealth."

Kou Zhong let out a cheer, and Xu Ziling lit an oil lamp. They rushed to open the treasure vault door. Instantly, a dazzling golden light shone in their faces, almost blinding them. Xu Ziling, standing behind, was stunned by the sight of the treasure.

In the enormous stone room, mountains of gold were piled up, the value of which was incalculable.

In that moment, the Twin Dragons' minds were almost blank. The only thing left was three words: "We're rich!"