After the stone door opened, a blaze of light greeted them.
The third tomb chamber was vast.
The surrounding walls were adorned with ever-burning lamps.
No one knew how long these lamps had been burning, yet they blazed brightly.
“This looks a bit like a memorial hall,” Uncle Mountain Guard said.
“Be confident, remove the ‘like’, this is a memorial hall,” Master Long Eyebrows declared, “Let’s go in and have a look.”
With that, the group ventured inside.
Soon, they noticed a long altar placed before the eastern wall.
On the altar rested a spirit tablet.
From a distance, Ye Qiu saw four characters inscribed on it, Dragon Ao’s Tomb!
Ye Qiu asked, “Old man, who’s Dragon Ao? Do you know him?”
Master Long Eyebrows shook his head, “Never heard of him.”
Uncle Mountain Guard asked, “Could it be a code name?”
Master Long Eyebrows raised his hand, about to strike Uncle Mountain Guard, but this time, Uncle Mountain Guard was prepared and quickly hid behind Tang Fei.
Master Long Eyebrows said coldly, “Have you ever seen a spirit tablet with a code name?”
Uncle Mountain Guard retorted, “I haven’t, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”
Master Long Eyebrows glared, “What’s that supposed to mean? You dare question me? Tired of living?”
Uncle Mountain Guard muttered, “I’m not questioning you, just sharing my opinion…”
“Shut up!” Master Long Eyebrows threatened, “Speak again, and I’ll tear your mouth apart.”
Ye Qiu suddenly said, “Old man, do you think the owner of this tomb could be connected to the people in the Forbidden City?”
Master Long Eyebrows paused, taken aback.
Ye Qiu continued, “I remember the people in the Forbidden City also have the surname Dragon.”
Master Long Eyebrows shook his head, “Unlikely, their territory is in the capital.”
At that moment, Tang Fei’s voice rang out, “Ye Qiu, look over there.”
Ye Qiu followed Tang Fei’s pointing finger and saw, in the shadowy corner, a figure sitting cross-legged.
The figure’s head was bowed, long hair draped messily over their shoulders, obscuring their face. They wore a black robe, their gaunt hands resting on their knees, as if meditating.
Beside them was an ancient longsword.
The sword was three feet long.
Its hilt and scabbard were encrusted with gems.
Uncle Mountain Guard stepped closer, peered at it, and asked in shock, “Why is there a person here? Are they dead or alive?”
Smack!
Master Long Eyebrows slapped Uncle Mountain Guard on the forehead.
“Master, why’d you hit me again?” Uncle Mountain Guard asked, annoyed.
Master Long Eyebrows replied, “I meant to hit you earlier, but you dodged, so I’m making up for it.”
Uncle Mountain Guard, “…”
“Ye Qiu, is this person dead?” Tang Fei asked.
Before Ye Qiu could respond, Master Long Eyebrows said, “Long dead.”
“Oh?” Tang Fei looked puzzled, “If they’re dead, why hasn’t their body decayed?”
Master Long Eyebrows snapped, “Why so many questions? I’m not an encyclopaedia, how would I know everything?”
Ye Qiu chimed in, “They’re likely dead. I can’t sense any life from them.”
“As for why the body hasn’t decayed, I can’t explain that either.”
“But that sword, it looks impressive.”
Uncle Mountain Guard’s eyes gleamed. He stepped forward and gripped the sword’s hilt.
“Clang!”
He drew the sword, and instantly, a chilling aura emanated.
The blade radiated a sharp, murderous intent.
“What a sword!” Master Long Eyebrows’ eyes lit up, unable to hide his admiration.
Uncle Mountain Guard flicked the blade lightly with his finger, and a clear, resonant sword hum echoed.
Clang!
The sound lingered like an echo in a valley, unceasing.
“Little brat, this sword may not match your Emperor’s Sword, but it’s absolutely top-tier. The owner must have been someone important,” Master Long Eyebrows said.
Ye Qiu nodded, “This sword is indeed remarkable.”
Uncle Mountain Guard held the sword reluctantly, hesitating before saying to Tang Fei, “Chief Tang, could I…”
“No way!” Tang Fei, knowing his intent, said sternly, “Breaking the law knowingly makes the crime worse.”
Uncle Mountain Guard’s face fell, clutching the sword with reluctance.
“Put the sword back,” Tang Fei ordered.
Reluctantly, Uncle Mountain Guard slid the sword back into its scabbard. Just as he was about to let go, a bony hand clamped onto his.
“Touch my sword, you’re asking for death!”
A cold voice spoke, and then Uncle Mountain Guard’s throat was seized.
The seated figure spoke, “You’ve got some nerve, intruding here. You deserve death!”
This guy wasn’t dead?
Ye Qiu was stunned.
He’d sensed no life from him earlier, so how was he alive now?
How did he do it?
“Master, you said he was dead! Save me!” Uncle Mountain Guard shouted in panic.
“Hmph, no one can save you if I want you dead. None of you will leave alive today.”
The figure raised his head sharply.
In an instant, an aged face appeared in their view.
Ye Qiu and Tang Fei, preparing to rescue Uncle Mountain Guard, were unfazed, but Master Long Eyebrows, upon seeing the face, was shaken and blurted out, “Dragon Three!”
Dragon Three?
Ye Qiu’s expression shifted, instantly on guard, whispering, “Old man, you sure you didn’t mistake him?”
“I’m not mistaken. He’s Dragon Three from the Forbidden City,” Master Long Eyebrows said with certainty.
The old man, hearing his name, narrowed his eyes and asked, “You know me?”
Master Long Eyebrows quickly bowed, “Immeasurable Heavenly Venerable, I am from Dragon Tiger Mountain, Taoist name Long Eyebrows, greetings to Third Master.”
“Long Eyebrows, I’ve heard of you before, but I stay in the Forbidden City, rarely venturing out, and have no ties with Dragon Tiger Mountain,” Dragon Three said, frowning, “Since when did Dragon Tiger Mountain folk start tomb-robbing?”
“You misunderstand, Third Master. We’re not here to rob tombs,” Master Long Eyebrows replied.
Dragon Three snorted, “Don’t try to fool me!”
“Third Master, we truly aren’t here to rob. This tomb had an issue, people died, it alarmed the Nether King Hall, and they asked us to investigate, which is why we’re here,” Master Long Eyebrows explained briefly about the seven century-old pines bleeding.
“It seems I misunderstood you.”
Dragon Three finally released Uncle Mountain Guard.
Master Long Eyebrows shot Ye Qiu a look, signalling caution, then asked, “Third Master, as far as I know, you’ve been in seclusion in the Forbidden City. Why are you here?”
Dragon Three replied, “Because this Dragon Mausoleum is the tomb of our Dragon Clan’s ancestor!”
