"Of course, wherever you go, I will be by your side," Qi Guze replied without hesitation.
A few days later, one night, Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze took advantage of the darkness to arrive at a secluded corner of the palace's back garden. Following the coordinates they remembered, they found an inconspicuous stone cave.
The cave was surrounded by moss and vines, as if nature had deliberately concealed the entrance for them.
Xu Yuehuai took a deep breath and bravely stepped into the stone cave.
The cave was dark and damp, filled with a mysterious atmosphere. They walked along the cave, their hearts filled with unease.
I don't know where this stone cave leads, nor do I know if I will be able to find the legendary secret passage.
Finally, after navigating a winding stone cave, Xu Yuehuai's eyes lit up. They arrived at a spacious and brightly lit hall.
A massive stone door stood in the center of the hall, its surface engraved with intricate patterns and characters. These patterns and characters were identical to those Xu Yuehuai had seen in ancient books and on slips of paper.
Xu Yuehuai stepped forward and carefully studied the patterns and characters on the stone gate. She discovered that these patterns and characters were actually an ancient code, and only by mastering a specific solution could the stone gate be opened.
A thought struck her, and she began to try to decipher these codes using her own methods.
Xu Yuehuai stood before the ancient stone gate, her heart pounding like thunder. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then, following the code in her memory, slowly pressed the corresponding patterns and words onto the stone gate.
Her fingers slid across the cold stone surface, as if touching the texture of time.
Suddenly, a deafening rumble resounded, as if the earth itself trembled. The stone door slowly opened, revealing a deep, dark passage. Xu Yuehuai's heart pounded instantly; a surge of intense excitement welled up within her. She knew she had finally found the legendary secret passage!
The passageway emitted a faint light, as if guiding them to another mysterious world.
Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze exchanged a smile and walked into the passage with firm steps.
She thought that if she could really go back to the world she once knew, she would definitely return the way she came and bring her relatives and friends with her.
Bright torches flickered gracefully along the passageway, casting a warm glow. Xu Yuehuai and her companions walked step by step along the passage, her heart filled with anticipation and curiosity.
She didn't know where the passage would lead, but deep down she had a strong premonition that this might truly be her path to returning to the modern world.
Finally, the end of the passage came into view. It was a huge circular doorway, and on the other side of the doorway was a pitch-black space.
Xu Yuehuai took a deep breath, held Qi Guze's hand tightly, and bravely walked into the doorway.
However, just as they were about to step into that dark space, a group of people dressed in strange clothes suddenly appeared in front of them.
Their eyes revealed an indescribable eeriness and indifference.
Xu Yuehuai stared at these people in astonishment, a strong sense of unease rising in her heart.
"Could all of this have been a setup by you?" Xu Yuehuai's voice trembled slightly.
One of the men in black robes smiled coldly and said, "That's right, we've been waiting here for you to take the bait for a long time."
Xu Yuehuai's heart skipped a beat when she heard the voice. She recognized the man—it was the same guy who had locked her in the cage before!
It turns out he was actually a member of the transmigrator organization!
Xu Yuehuai was filled with anger and disappointment. She had thought she had found her way home, but she never imagined it was all a trap!
However, she knew that the most important thing now was to stay calm and figure out how to deal with the current predicament.
She gripped Qi Guze's hand tightly, her eyes shining with unwavering determination. No matter how many difficulties and challenges lay ahead, she would face them bravely until she found her way home!
Suddenly, the man in black robes sneered, "Actually, the map you found is real, but the place isn't here."
The man in the black robe's words instantly made the atmosphere in the secret room tense.
Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze exchanged a glance, their hearts filled with doubt and wariness. They didn't know what the purpose of this mysterious organization was, nor what would happen next.
"What exactly do you want to do?" Xu Yuehuai asked coldly.
As soon as he finished speaking, the man in the black robe sneered. Their laughter echoed in the secret room, sending chills down everyone's spine.
Qi Guze quickly shielded Xu Yuehuai, gripping the dagger tightly in his hand, ready to deal with any unexpected situation.
The man in black robes, however, paid no attention to their tension and instead laughed. He clapped his hands, and immediately the candles around the secret room lit up, illuminating the entire room.
He then had someone retrieve some drinks, braised beef, and other items from a hidden compartment. He gestured to Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze, inviting them to sit down.
Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze exchanged a glance, feeling somewhat hesitant. They didn't know the organization's true purpose, nor whether these people were trustworthy. However, they also understood that the current situation didn't allow them to refuse.
So they sat down and began to enjoy the fine wine and food.
The man in black robes and the others sat around the table, laughing and chatting. However, Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze remained vigilant, ready to deal with any unexpected situations.
The man in black robes seemed to sense their nervousness, so he spoke up: "Actually, we are an organization of time travelers. Our purpose in coming here is to find our way home."
Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze were struck by a realization; they finally understood the organization's true purpose.
The man in the black robe continued, "We've found a clue to getting home, but we need more people to help. So, we hope you can join us and help us find our way home."
Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze exchanged a glance, having already made their decision. They decided to temporarily join this organization, knowing themselves and their enemy to ensure victory in every battle.
However, they also made their bottom line clear: "We can join you, but we will not help you do evil."
The man in black nodded in agreement: "No problem, we only need your strength, not your morality. Let's all celebrate, we've gained two more members!"
Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze also lowered their guard and began to truly enjoy the celebratory atmosphere.
They enjoyed the fine wine and food while exchanging their experiences with the man in black robes and others.
"I was a lowly palace maid in the Empress Dowager's palace, and during this time I successfully gained the Empress Dowager's trust..." Xu Yuehuai recounted her life in the palace.
Qi Guze then shared his fabricated time-travel adventures: "I was originally a wanderer, but then I happened to meet Xiaoyue, so I secretly followed her and kept her company..."
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