They suspected the female corpse in the crystal coffin was causing the trouble.
“Originally, there were twelve of us who went down into the tomb. Now six of them have fallen ill, and I could become like them at any moment.”
Professor Zhang said regretfully, “I had already reported it to the relevant authorities. Once they sent people down, we could have gone back into the tomb to investigate further. But I never expected someone would beat us to it late last night.”
My mind was struggling to process it all: “Relevant authorities? Beat us to it?”
Professor Zhang explained, “The national security department—they specialize in handling unusual incidents. They have a group of talented and extraordinary individuals, though of course, this department isn’t publicly known.”
“That’s not important right now. I’ll introduce you to them when the opportunity arises. What worries me most is the tomb itself. Last night, two groups went down into the tomb, and both were well-prepared.”
“Two groups?” I asked curiously. “Could they also be from an archaeological team? Or… tomb raiders?”
Professor Zhang opened his computer and pulled up a dark, blurry video for me to see. “Before our team withdrew, we installed some cameras around the tomb. Most were destroyed, but we managed to capture this bit of footage.”
From the footage alone, you could only vaguely make out two groups entering the tomb one after the other, but it was impossible to identify any specific individuals.
Yet, I immediately recognized familiar figures in both groups. In the first group that went down was Lu, and the second group was clearly Chang Di and the others!
Shen Li had mentioned today that Liu Xuanyi and the others were out on a mission. I never imagined their mission would involve going down into a tomb.
Why would Liu Xuanyi go into the tomb?
Had someone come to the Yin Escort Bureau to request an escort mission? Or…
Was it to help me retrieve the Plum Blossom Coffin Nail?
I didn’t dare think further.
Lu’s group went down first, followed by Liu Xuanyi and his team. If the two groups encountered each other, would they fight?
They went down late last night, and now it was midnight again. Had they emerged from the tomb yet?
Just then, someone called Professor Zhang, and he hurriedly left.
As soon as I stepped out, I began searching everywhere for Hu Jinzhao. He must have known something, which was why he brought me here.
“Stop wandering around aimlessly. I’m right here.”
I looked up and saw White Fox, eyes half-closed, dozing on the magnolia tree. He even stretched lazily.
Anxious, I asked, “Hu Jinzhao, you knew about Liu Xuanyi going into the tomb, didn’t you?”
White Fox leaped down, transforming into human form upon landing. He brushed the dust off his long robe and nodded. “Yes, I did.”
“Then why did you bring me to the school? Why not take me directly to the tomb?”
“I don’tt want to die just yet,” Hu Jinzhao raised an eyebrow. “Your Immortal Family would rather risk himself than let you face even the slightest danger. If I took you there and something happened to you, how could I ever hope to get Suisui’s Inner Elixir?”
“You should be grateful you’re not a fool!”
A cold voice suddenly rang out, startling both Hu Jinzhao and me.
Liu Xuanyi stood not far away, still wearing his dark blue robe, its hem stained with blood.
I rushed over to check if he was injured, but he grabbed the back of my neck, forcing me to meet his gaze.
Anger flickered in his eyes. “Why weren’t you staying safely in the courtyard? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is out here?”
“You knew it was dangerous, yet you still went into the tomb?” I retorted. “Don’t tell me you went to retrieve the Plum Blossom Coffin Nail.”
Liu Xuanyi’s thin lips tightened, clearly caught by my words.
For a moment, my heart was a whirlwind of emotions. “If it weren’t for me, would you still have gone?”
Liu Xuanyi remained silent.
Hu Jinzhao, standing nearby, sneered, “There really are some great romantics in this world, willing to risk their lives just to win a beauty’s smile.”
“Shut up! No one thinks you’re mute!”
A cold Vertical Pupil shot toward him. Hu Jinzhao shrugged and turned away, refusing to look at us.
I was both furious and heartbroken. Clutching his collar, I hissed, “Liu Xuanyi, wake up! I’m not your Zhenzhen. I’m not worth you risking your life for me.”
Earlier, I had clearly misunderstood him as controlling and even argued with him. Looking back now, I truly deserved to die!
Liu Xuanyi said gravely, “I know the difference.”
He scooped me up and was about to leave when Hu Jinzhao hurriedly followed. “Hey, Brother Liu, my sister’s Inner Elixir…”
“We’ll talk after this matter is settled.”
Liu Xuanyi tried to leave him behind, but Hu Jinzhao kept pace. “In that case, I can stay and help.”
Liu Xuanyi paused, his tone icy. “I’m warning you, stay away from Huai Yan.”
I quickly signaled to Hu Jinzhao with my eyes, urging him to leave and not confront Liu Xuanyi at a time like this.
But Hu Jinzhao was just as stubborn and showed no fear. “The mighty Fifth Master Chang, are you afraid I’ll steal your wife? Although I, Third Master Hu, am dashing and handsome, once…”
“Get lost!”
With that single word, Liu Xuanyi carried me away in long strides.
Liu Songyu’s jeep was waiting at the school gate. He took me into the car, and we sped off.
The whole way, I held back from asking too many questions, but my eyes kept darting toward Liu Xuanyi, trying to determine if he was injured.
Finally, Liu Songyu couldn’t hold back. “The blood on his clothes belongs to others. That old Taoist Lu from last time is truly relentless. He hid in the tomb to ambush us and nearly caught us off guard.”
I quickly asked, “What about Taoist Lu? Did you catch him?”
“That guy is as cunning as a thief; he’s not so easy to catch! He’s not much of a threat himself, but the person behind him is formidable.”
I nodded. Last time in Sun Mingyue’s hometown, even ‘Shen’ almost got him, but he was rescued by the person behind him.
That person didn’t even show their face—just a single Black Talisman from afar was enough to save him, proving their profound skill.
What worried me more was the tomb itself. “Taoist Lu went into the tomb first. Did he succeed?”
Liu Songyu gritted his teeth in frustration. “We were too busy fighting to worry about the crystal coffin. The tomb nearly collapsed from our battle, but I’m certain Taoist Lu didn’t succeed either.”
“That old man is definitely connected to the crystal coffin,” Liu Xuanyi suddenly spoke up. “He entered the tomb nearly an hour before us but didn’t rush to open the coffin. Instead, he set up formations around it, as if suppressing something.”
I hurriedly added, “There’s something wrong with the female corpse in the crystal coffin. The archaeologists who entered the tomb earlier all fell ill with strange diseases.”
I recounted the entire incident to them. Liu Songyu slammed on the brakes and turned to look at Liu Xuanyi. “Fifth Brother, should we intervene?”
Liu Xuanyi hesitated for a moment before asking me, “Earlier, you mentioned that professor had seen another Plum Blossom Coffin Nail?”
I nodded emphatically. “Yes, he saw the Pillow Character Nail ten years ago.”
Liu Xuanyi leaned back in the chair with his eyes closed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Contact him then. Ask him to come to the courtyard house when it’s convenient.”