Su Rong and Ye Guixue had their men meticulously sweep the bottom of the cliff three times but found no trace of any mechanisms or secret passages besides that cave.
Su Rong watched as the snow progressively fell heavier. What was previously a light dusting was now heavy flurries. In half a day, these snowflakes were about to blanket the entire ground below Yingzui Cliff. She said to Ye Guixue, "I still believe in the fourth prince’s words."
Ye Guixue had met Yan Shen but had never deeply interacted with him. However, if Su Rong said so, he would trust that she wouldn’t be wrong. Looking up from the snowy bottom of Yingzui Cliff, he asked, "Could it be that it’s been too long, and they have moved it? Or maybe we looked in the wrong direction. Could it be above?"
"As a treasure hiding place, Yingzui Cliff is indeed a good spot. Nestled among these mountains behind the Buddha Temple, who would think of such a place if not intentionally?" Su Rong agreed with the latter half of Ye Guixue’s statement. "Perhaps we went in the wrong direction. This time, we’ll search from the bottom up."
While Yingzui Cliff wasn’t a towering giant, it was still several thousand feet high. Some parts of the cliff were as smooth as a mirror while others were covered with vines.
Su Rong took out her wall-climbing gear and asked Ye Guixue, "Do you have this?"
Ye Guixue hesitated a moment, then shook his head.
Su Rong smiled at him, "Then you can wait at the bottom of the cliff!"
Ye Guixue shook his head, laughing, "I have a dagger on me, it could help. I can climb cliffs too."
"Can it cut through iron like mud?"
"Yes, it can cut through iron like mud!"
Su Rong said, "I have one too. I got it as a thank-you gift when I saved the Crown Prince."
Ye Guixue nodded with a smile.
Therefore, without further delay, the two of them gave their command to the shadow guards who spread out to their positions. They started inch by inch to search up the cliff from the bottom.
The shadow guards, all proficient in martial arts, found climbing the cliff a simple task.
As Su Rong painstakingly climbed and explored, she thought to herself that after a whole night and half a day’s toil, her hands were almost freezing. If they didn’t find anything, she would harshly question the master of the Buddha Temple once she left Yingzui Cliff. Regardless of his religious status or importance, she would make him confess the truth. She refused to believe that the secret Yan Shen spoke of had nothing to do with the Buddha Temple.
About halfway up the cliff, Su Rong and Ye Guixue didn’t find anything. However, Yin Yue, who was at their side, noticed something amiss. He shouted, "Young Master, Miss Seven, something seems off here." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
Upon hearing this, Su Rong quickly turned her head. Yin Yue was roughly thirty feet away from her and Ye Guixue, and there were many vines winding around that area.
She pulled her gaze back, and after sharing a glance with Ye Guixue, said, "Let’s go."
Ye Guixue nodded.
The two advanced together, traversing the cliff.
Yin Yue moved to the side, clearing the space for them to see. "These vines don’t seem to have grown naturally; it appears to be artificial. But there are too many of them. I dared not cut them arbitrarily lest I cut the wrong one."
"Let me do it," Su Rong immediately said.
After observing for a while and then clearing away the unnecessary vines, Su Rong used her dagger to roughly cut through the rest. She must have checked dozens of vines when suddenly, she pulled on one extremely thin vine. A "click" echoed from the stone wall.
Su Rong immediately halted her hand, looking up to find the source of the sound. Releasing the vine, she moved to the sound’s origin and studied it for a bit. She then waved Ye Guixue over, "Guixue, there really is a mechanism here. Come and help me."
"Understood," Ye Guixue responded, joining her side.
Pointing to the smooth stone wall in front of them, Su Rong said, "This mechanism is truly sophisticated. Apart from that, it also requires a lot of force to operate. I’m afraid I can’t open it alone. Let’s push it together."
Yin Yue was eager to assist, "Young Master, Miss Seven, let me help!"
Su Rong replied, "The Young Master and I will try first. If we aren’t strong enough, you can join us."
After Su Rong spoke, she shared a glance with Ye Guixue, who nodded. Both of them placed a hand on the stone wall and pushed together. With a couple of clicks, the stone wall moved in three inches.
Seeing the wall move, Su Rong gathered her strength once more, "Again."
Ye Guixue nodded.
As such, the two mobilized their strength twice more, pushing the stone wall another half a foot inward.
Sweating from the exertion, Su Rong said to Ye Guixue, "I can’t go on. Let Yin Yue and the shadow guards take turns."
Smiling, Ye Guixue praised her, "You’re already very strong."
Noticing Ye Guixue was also lightly perspiring, Su Rong motioned for Yin Yue.
Immediately, Yin Yue ushered over the other shadow guards who were nearby. They took turns pushing, periodically resting and resuming. Finally, they pushed the massive stone slab that was taller than a person and twice as wide into the stone wall behind them, revealing a platform on the smooth cliff.
Jumping onto the platform, Su Rong scanned the surroundings. On top of the platform, she saw a design and stopped Yin Yue, "Don’t push anymore. There’s another mechanism."
Yin Yue and the others immediately halted.
Without hesitation, Su Rong drew her dagger and forcefully stabbed into the center of design. Instantaneously, several "clicks" could be heard. On one side of the wall where the stone slab was pushed back, a door appeared, leading into what looked like another cave.
Su Rong retracted her dagger and said to Ye Guixue, "Let’s go!"
Ye Guixue blocked her path, "I’ll go first."
The cave only allowed one person to pass at a time. Even though it was illuminated by luminous pearls, it was not particularly bright, creating a slightly gloomy atmosphere.
Shaking her head, Su Rong said, "You’re not very familiar with mechanisms and secret paths, so I’ll go first."
Helpless, Ye Guixue responded, "Though I’m not as good as you, I’m not far behind."
Su Rong blinked her eyes before asking him, "Do you ever think I’m too dominant and headstrong, always insisting on having the last say?"
He shook his head. "No."
"Then let me go first." She shot him a reassuring smile. Her gaze lingered on his face. At this moment, she took the time to remind him in a sincere tone, "Guixue, protect your face."
Ye Guixue was taken aback.
Su Rong moved past him, ending the sentence just as she left, "If my face gets hurt, it’s no big deal. After all, I don’t depend on my looks for a living. But if your face gets hurt, that’s a problem. I.d lose my appetite."
Ye Guixue: "..."
After a pause, seeing Su Rong had already walked ahead, he regained his senses. A bit annoyed but also amused, he quickly caught up with her.
Secretly tailing the two from behind, Yin Yue thought to himself that the Young Master was overthinking. The mechanism was already halfway up the cliff. It took so much effort to find, pushing away the massive stone was like moving mountains. Opening this cave was not going to be an easy feat. Would someone waste their hidden weapons and techniques here? There shouldn’t be any danger ahead.
As expected, Su Rong led the way without encountering any danger. They proceeded smoothly, and after about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the cave opened up. They found themselves in a stone chamber about the size of three rooms, filled with boxes – a few hundred of them.
With the tip of her foot, Su Rong kicked open one of the box lids. As the box opened, a dazzling gold light filled her vision, almost blinding her.
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