Li Xi drove the carriage at breakneck speed, the wheels rolling forward and kicking up a cloud of dust.
Finally, before sunset, we successfully caught up with the group heading back to Beijing.
The team stopped on the outskirts of Mu City and began setting up a temporary camp.
After eating some dry rations, Deputy General Dong arranged for people to take turns guarding the treasure to ensure its safety.
Night slowly fell, and the stars in the sky twinkled with brilliant light.
The camp was brightly lit, but the bright lights did not dispel the tense and serious atmosphere.
Li Xi sat quietly by the campfire, her gaze fixed on the leaping flames, her mind churning with thoughts.
She never imagined that she would suddenly become incredibly wealthy!
The treasures appeared before her like a dream, leaving her both excited and overwhelmed.
Her eyes gleamed with an unusual light as she pondered how to utilize this wealth.
With these treasures, she can realize many dreams that were once out of reach and do things she never dared to imagine before.
However, figuring out how to use this wealth to create greater value is a difficult task.
Just as she was lost in thought, Qin Xiaolin's sudden voice interrupted her: "What are you thinking about?"
"It's nothing, I'm just thinking about having a good meal when I get back to Beijing, haha." She laughed to cover it up.
Although she was preoccupied with how to use this wealth, she knew that she couldn't do it openly, otherwise it would be troublesome if the emperor found out.
Qin Xiaolin didn't delve into it, but merely smiled slightly.
He gave a faint smile and said softly, "We certainly need to celebrate properly after returning to the capital, but before that, we must ensure that these precious treasures are transported back safely."
Upon hearing this, Li Xi smiled smugly and replied confidently, "Of course, that's no problem! Right now, those guys are probably still dizzy and disoriented in the secluded forest."
By the time they finally found the entrance, they had already safely arrived in Kyoto.
This not only successfully tricked those people, but also allowed her to obtain the treasure, and she even secretly hid some of it for herself.
I wonder if my master will be so excited that he won't be able to sleep all night after he finds out about this?
Thinking of this, Li Xi couldn't help but laugh out loud.
The old man, whom everyone was concerned about, was currently hiding in a secluded private residence.
He had just experienced a thrilling adventure—faking his death within the Red Lotus Cult and being abandoned in a mass grave.
Fortunately, he managed to escape and quietly returned to the safe place.
This private residence was a carefully chosen refuge for him, and its existence was known to only a very few people.
Upon receiving the order from above, Old Sun did not hesitate to fake his death and flee the scene.
He was fully aware of the dangers of this mission, but in order to complete it, he joined forces with his inside contact.
Having spent more than half a year within the Red Lotus Sect, I still couldn't figure out who the sect leader was; I only knew that he later went to the capital.
Just then, someone knocked on the door three times, neither too loud nor too soft; this was their secret signal.
Old Sun quickly composed himself, walked to the door, and asked softly, "Who is it?"
"It's me," the person outside the door replied, their voice deep and familiar.
Old Sun breathed a sigh of relief, opened the door, and saw a middle-aged man dressed in black with a resolute face standing outside.
He was a confidant of the retired emperor.
"You've arrived," Old Sun said with a smile, gesturing for him to come inside.
The two entered the house, and Old Sun immediately closed the door, turning to Li Si and asking, "How's the situation? Any new instructions from above?"
Li Si nodded, took out a letter from his pocket, and handed it to Old Sun, saying, "This is a secret letter that just came from above. Please take a look."
Old Sun took the letter and quickly opened it to read.
After reading the letter, he pondered for a moment, then said to the person, "I understand. You can go back now."
I haven't seen my apprentices for more than half a year, and I wonder how they are doing.
With that thought in mind, he hurriedly packed his things and prepared to set off immediately.
As night fell, Old Sun hurried along, his figure gradually disappearing into the distance...
Before dawn, Li Xi led the team to set off.
We were not far from Kyoto, and the group moved quietly forward under the morning mist.
After several days and nights of searching and tracking, Black Wolf and his crew finally found the legendary mysterious cave where the treasure was said to be hidden at dawn.
Full of anticipation, they struggled to push open the heavy door.
But when they stepped into the cave, they were stunned by what they saw—the cave was completely empty.
There was no overflowing treasure of gold and silver as I had imagined; there was only a solitary gold ingot lying on the ground, with a thin piece of paper underneath it.
The group looked at each other, their faces filled with confusion and disappointment.
They originally thought they could make a good impression on their master this time, but they never expected to be tricked.
Black Wolf picked up the piece of paper. The words on it were simple and clear, yet carried a hint of mockery: "Thanks for your hard work. Here, have some tea!"
The middle-aged man was even more incredulous, searching everywhere.
But no matter how carefully he searched, the entire cave seemed to have been emptied out, with nothing but a lone gold ingot and a provocative note.
Black Wolf clutched the note tightly, filled with resentment.
His hands trembled slightly, as if he were about to crush the note. He exhaled sharply and decisively commanded, "Let's go!"
His heart raced, and the images of Xiao Ze and Meng Zelan in the thatched hut flashed through his mind.
As he eagerly recalled the scene of them still in the thatched hut, an indescribable anxiety welled up in his heart.
Black Wolf quickened his pace, his anxiety making him almost want to teleport to their side instantly.
When the black wolf galloped back to the location of the thatched hut, the scene before him shocked him.
Chaos erupted around them, shattering the previous tranquility.
But the people in the thatched hut had vanished without a trace, as if they had disappeared into thin air.
His heart sank, and he immediately thought of the army stationed nearby.
Without hesitation, he sped off towards the camp where Li Xi had previously been stationed.
However, when he arrived at the camp, he found it deserted, with only traces of past inhabitants remaining.
They've fallen for their trap! These soldiers are also here to dig for treasure.
Unexpectedly, they also found a way to combat the miasma, and were able to move these treasures silently. There must be a master among them.
They were already struggling to deal with the black bears and wolves in the forest. How did they find out where the treasure was?
Could there be a traitor among them?
With this in mind, he hurriedly led his men back to Kyoto.
Regardless, we still need to report to our master.
Xiao Ze has also disappeared without a trace, likely kidnapped by Meng Zelan's accomplices.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com