Chapter 53 - 51: First Meeting the Monarch, Attack on the Return Journey
Chapter 53: Chapter 51: First Meeting the Monarch, Attack on the Return Journey
An City.
The owner of this private antique shop, Boss Liang, had received a call from Professor Song earlier and made a special trip to wait for Wan Ze and the other three.
Under the dim yellow light, the sixty-square-meter antique shop was filled with many fine items. While Zhai Yu led the group and exchanged pleasantries with Boss Liang, Wan Ze had already slipped away to look for an opportunity to use Stealing Celestial Secret.
Just as he had guessed.
Only specific items could trigger Stealing Celestial Secret; not even genuine antiques would work otherwise.
This fact, paradoxically, made him even more convinced that profound Martial Arts might truly exist within Emperor Ying’s mausoleum!
Seeing Wan Ze return, Lei Ming discreetly gave him a look. "See anything you like?"
Wan Ze smiled. "Just browsing. By the way, did we get the items?"
"Someone’s already been sent to get them... Here they are," Lei Ming called out.
Over on the other side, Boss Liang had opened two boxes and began to introduce them one by one. "This first piece is a Copper Warrior Statue. It’s currently the only bronze statue from the Ying Period that has survived to this day..."
"A warrior?" Zhai Jia and the others stepped forward to inspect it.
After they finished their examination, Wan Ze finally reached for it. He was a little excited, but he calmly extended his hand and touched it, showing no emotion.
’Wait a minute.’
’There’s nothing?’
Wan Ze froze.
He calmed himself and began to think.
’It seems not just any old artifact from the Ying Kingdom can trigger it...’
’There must be other conditions...’
’Could it be related to Emperor Ying?’
’The Tiger Talisman came from him, which is why Stealing Celestial Secret worked.’
’But this Copper Warrior Statue is just an artifact passed down from that era...’
Just then, Boss Liang started introducing the second item. "...This sword is said to have been used by Emperor Ying in his youth. After ascending the throne, he used it as a model to forge the legendary... Ta’e Sword."
"This is actually a sword used by Emperor Ying?" Lei Ming exclaimed. Even Zhai Yu couldn’t help but lean in for a closer look.
Wan Ze reached out and brushed his fingers against it.
A vast, cool sensation shot from his fingertips into his body.
’It worked!’
In an instant, Wan Ze’s vision seemed to twist with time, plunging into darkness before suddenly flaring with light.
...
"The Six Eastern Guandong States exist in name only. In less than ten years, my great Ying will devour the world!"
In the vast and desolate hall, upon a grand and majestic throne, sat a figure whose face was obscured, yet whose presence alone was enough to make one’s heart surge.
"Wherever I tread is the will of heaven!"
...
"Ah Ze? Ah Ze?"
Lei Ming called his name several times before he snapped out of it. The astonishment in his eyes faded as he said apologetically, "I was lost in thought. Sorry, where were we?"
"We’ve all looked at both items, but we haven’t found any clues... Did you discover anything?" Lei Ming asked, looking at him.
Wan Ze took the sword, examining it closely. He ran his fingers along the blade, feeling a cool sensation at his fingertips. "It’s a fine sword."
He recalled what he had just seen.
"Boss Liang, could you please turn off the lights?"
Boss Liang didn’t understand why, but he did as he was asked.
The lights went out.
Only the natural light from the doorway remained in the showroom. Wan Ze continuously adjusted the sword. When sunlight hit the center of the blade, he tilted it slightly, and the mottled light on the wall gradually took shape.
The two Zhai brothers watched, mesmerized.
Everyone jumped when Lei Ming suddenly roared.
"Damn it, what are you yelling for?" Zhai Jia looked like he wanted to smack him.
Lei Ming pointed at the light and shadow on the wall. "It’s a map! We’ve found a similar projection before... Ah Ze, you’re a fucking genius! If Professor Song were here, he’d probably be begging you to study archeology at National University again."
Wan Ze: "..."
He stared at the projection on the wall. "I’ll hold the sword. You guys record this. Maybe it connects to the address on the Tiger Talisman... The more addresses we get, the better our chances."
Lei Ming hurriedly complied.
Nearby, Boss Liang was completely dumbfounded. The sword had been in his possession for at least five years, yet he had never discovered this secret.
He suddenly thought of the endeavor Professor Song had always spoken to him about and couldn’t help but ask, "Are you looking for the Imperial Mausoleum?"
"We are. Is Boss Liang interested too?" Lei Ming asked with a smile.
"Me..." Boss Liang gave a wry smile. "Twenty years ago, Old Song and I searched like madmen. Now, I’m old... Just take the sword. Consider it my contribution to the dream I couldn’t finish back then."
"Boss Liang, you..." Lei Ming was stunned.
Boss Liang then recounted how he and Professor Song had met in college. Both of their families were dirt poor, and back then, they were the only two who resolutely chose to study archeology. Unfortunately, he later fell gravely ill and had no choice but to withdraw from their research group, leaving Old Song to fight on alone.
His heartfelt words were full of genuine emotion.
"I hope you succeed. I’ll also help you keep an eye out for old artifacts from the Ying Kingdom... If I find anything, I’ll notify you immediately."
"Thank you so much, Boss Liang."
Taking the sword with them, the group found a nearby place to eat. Boss Liang treated them, and during the meal, he made a point of calling Professor Song.
Upon hearing they had made a discovery, Professor Song got so excited he wanted to grab his IV drip and take a car to the Holy City right away. It took a lot of persuasion from Boss Liang to calm him down.
After hanging up the phone, Boss Liang mused, "If you’re only relying on this bit of map information, I’m afraid it will still be very difficult to find the Imperial Mausoleum... Moreover, it’s hard to say if the location this address ultimately points to is the Imperial Mausoleum at all. You need to be mentally prepared."
"We will be..."
「After the meal.」
The two parties said their goodbyes.
Zhai Jia also understood the gravity of the situation, so he didn’t insist that the group hang around An City for some fun before heading back.
But unexpectedly, not long after leaving the restaurant, their path was blocked.
Leading the way were three luxury SUVs, equipped with bulletproof glass. Their opponents had arrived with menacing intent.
"Is it the Secret Palace?"
Lei Ming’s heart tightened, but Zhai Yu placed a hand on his shoulder. "It’s not the Secret Palace. It’s an old rival of Xiaojia’s... This is trouble. Can you handle it?"
"I can. You guys go on ahead. Don’t let this delay our real business."
Zhai Jia pushed open the car door and got out by himself.
Wan Ze and Lei Ming exchanged a look. "Brother Yu, what’s the situation?"
"It’s people from the Tong Family. They’ve always been at odds with Xiaojia. It seems he was recognized after all..." Zhai Yu said in a low voice.
Lei Ming couldn’t help but say, "They’ve got more people. It doesn’t look like we have the advantage."
But just as he finished speaking, more than a dozen burly men in black suits piled out of the three opposing vehicles. Each wielded a machete, and they charged forward with a great CLATTER.
SLAM!
Wan Ze shoved the car door open. "I can’t stand for this. Let’s get ’em!"
Lei Ming was right behind him. "I can’t fucking stand it either! Wait for me!"
Zhai Yu was taken aback, but then he considered it. "Forget it. It’s been a while since I’ve had a good fight anyway."
He undid a button, pushed the door open, and leaped out of the car, charging into the crowd.
Zhai Jia noticed Wan Ze and the other two and laughed heartily. "Tong Run, all you can do is hide in your car and pull these dirty, underhanded tricks!"
The four of them were like tigers pouncing on a flock of sheep.
Just as Wan Ze was about to reach Zhai Jia’s side, a figure suddenly shot out from behind a car. Using the nearby terrain to their absolute advantage, they lunged forward, extending a hand with fingers spread like a fork, stabbing straight for Wan Ze’s eyes.