Chapter 122

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Protagonist:

Shaowei

Liu Qi

Shaowei groped her way forward, and finally, at the outermost tomb wall, discovered a clue.

She exerted all her strength to move aside a stone statue of Fangxiangshi.

Fangxiangshi, according to legend, was a descendant of the ancient Nüwa; its stone statue has a human body and beast feet, resembling a bear yet not a bear, naked, in a posture of running and seizing, often used to guard tomb chambers. It is also the most commonly seen divine image in the Nuo Ritual, symbolizing the expulsion of pestilence and evil.

When Shaowei practiced the Wu Dance for the Third Day of the Third Month Great Sacrifice, the mask she wore was that of Fangxiangshi; this is a Divine Mask that only a Grand Wu is qualified to wear.

And now, with this divine statue moved aside, a concealed cave entrance appeared.

The wind came precisely from here.

Shaowei bent over, holding the fire stick to peer inside, and saw that this cave entrance seemed to have no end at first glance, extending diagonally upward.

This is a robber's cave.

Someone secretly dug this path and once explored inside Changling!

Although it is unknown which band of thieves and heroes did this, Shaowei thanked them in her heart at this moment; she observed cautiously for a moment, then hesitated no longer, bowed her body, and crawled inside.

This robber's cave has existed for at least several years; there are occasional blockages, first cleared with the iron sword, then cleaned by hand, very exhausting, and often a pile of crawling insects could be dug up; Shaowei held the fire stick in her mouth, unable to keep from wrinkling her face.

However, she also felt much more at ease; with earth to dig, insects to disdain, it was better by ten thousand times than being trapped in dead silence unable to do anything.

Thinking thus, Shaowei no longer complained; while digging, her hand touched a round, smooth object different from mud clumps and sand stones.

Shaowei lowered her head, brought the fire stick in her mouth close to the object, brushed off the dust, examined it carefully, and determined it was an incense pill; she pinched it with slight force, and the incense pill, its exterior already moldy, crumbled open, yet still released fragrance.

This fragrance was even familiar.

Jiang Fu once boasted that the incense pills she uniquely crafted each had their own efficacy, a small box worth a hundred gold and hard to obtain, and incense pills of this fragrance Jiang Fu often burned, having the wondrous effect of clearing the orifices and calming the spirit.

Shaowei still bit the fire stick, but her expression in the firelight suddenly turned somewhat dazed.

How would Jiang Fu's incense pills appear in this robber's cave? Could it be this robber's cave was dug by Jiang Fu? No, this person is lazy of limb; even if she wanted to dig, she would surely make others do the digging.

Who she ordered doesn't matter; what matters is, did Jiang Fu long ago calculate she would face this calamity today? Was this robber's cave a Life Gate Jiang Fu opened early for her?

This thought was utterly fanciful; Shaowei subconsciously raised her head, her crown touching the cave wall, just as if someone were stroking her head; this subtle illusion suddenly made Shaowei's eyes turn hot with tears.

In the tomb chamber she repeatedly recalled her mistake of trusting that Wu Nu, regret and hatred to the extreme, she had already resolved to forge a cold, ruthless heart of revenge, though she did not know specifically who she would revenge — perhaps that Wu Nu, perhaps herself, perhaps this world.

Now her hands stained with blood and mud pinching these incense pill crumbs, that heart which had not yet fully hardened and blackened seemed also to have been kneaded half apart.

Fragrance assaulted the nose; the five senses recovered some clarity.

Shaowei held back her tears; in a trance she felt this incense pill seemed like encouragement from Jiang Fu, as if she could hear Jiang Fu say: "Not bad, little ghost."

But this person would surely not simply praise; most likely she would add a mocking line: "Just that the posture looks a bit bedraggled, really damaging to your former imposing manner."

Even in imagination, she had to retort: "Getting out alive is what's called imposing manner."

Shaowei had already returned the fire stick to her left hand; her will to survive grew ever more active and vigorous.

This robber's cave was even longer than imagined; it likely led at least one li outside Changling; also unknown how long the people of that year took to dig it.

Crawling diagonally upward bent over the whole way, muscles and bones easily fatigued, plus with injuries on her body, Shaowei often needed to rest; each time, she would straighten her legs, stretch her arms forward, lie her whole body very flat, letting her bones get sufficient relaxation.

While her body rested, her mind repeatedly pondered, and so she slowly realized a possibility.

Although this robber's cave is still fairly concealed, those craftsmen responsible for repairs all gathered at the collapse site and inside the main imperial tomb body; temporarily not discovering this robber's cave is understandable, but... Chiyang?

Shaowei's entire body's fine hairs suddenly stood on end; she stared fixedly ahead.

Chiyang laid such a murderous trap for her; would he really leave such a flaw?

But if Chiyang truly discovered this robber's cave, why not directly fill and block it, trapping her to death inside completely?

No... this proves nothing; Shaowei quickly thought of a miscellaneous book she once read.

Books sent by family slaves in the past were of all kinds; leaving aside strange tales and ghost stories, there were also some on water control craftsmanship and such.

Shaowei remembered reading a classic on tomb construction, which mentioned that materials used in tomb building are of many kinds, and even with the finest materials and workmanship, using lime mixed with mortar that increases porosity, its hardening process is also very long, at minimum several months; coupled with heavy rains and accumulated water in the second month, this place is even more damp; even if blocked in time, it is very easily dug open again.

Moreover, if the whole thing were completely filled and blocked, it would require manpower to first clean the robber's cave, then large amounts of mortar; craftsmen all have urgent duties, the critical spots are still rushing work, materials would also be tight; there is no reason to run over first to handle the outermost robber's cave. If Chiyang insisted on doing so, it would instead appear unusual, afterwards merely adding handles against himself.

Therefore, this robber's cave not being blocked cannot prove Chiyang didn't know of its existence.

And once he is aware...

Shaowei pressed tight her still-bleeding mouth corner; a moment later, she still crawled forward.

Until the flame above the fire stick trembled ever more violently, and by her ear she could already hear faint wind sounds.

Shaowei's heart pounded like a drum; her movements gradually slowed.

The exit should be right ahead, not far.

If it is truly as she thought, outside there would most likely be a trap of waiting by a tree stump for a rabbit, lying in ambush in wait.

Chiyang took out that old shoe; what he plotted was probably not merely to disturb her mind, but also to lure away the assistance by her side.

The Immortal Master's Mansion guards have almost all mobilized; Chiyang's manpower at this moment is mostly spies and hidden stakes... what would he use to lay an ambush with enough killing power?

Shaowei's hands clenched tight before her body, thinking of Jiang Fu's situation when she met with mishap.

Chiyang is very skilled at borrowing others' power to clean up troubles for himself.

And since Chiyang has already suspected her identity to the final step, he must also know Zhu Zhi hates her to the bone; such hatred is very suitable to be utilized.

So if there truly is an ambush outside, the most likely is Zhu Zhi's manpower...

Thinking thus, Chiyang leaving this robber's cave is even more reasonable. First, he would not leave any possible handle of making a blunder in the open; second, he has confidence he can use Zhu Zhi's hand to eliminate her; and she is now the Wu Nu Huali who has shown her face before the Emperor representing auspiciousness; if Zhu Zhi killed her before the Great Sacrifice, it would be equivalent to provoking imperial authority and state rites, likewise a capital crime; Chiyang could thereby also remove a former accomplice, truly killing two birds with one stone, a once-and-for-all solution.

Shaowei cursed in her heart "black-robed dog thief," only feeling the other's schemes truly vicious.

Shaowei vented by crawling a few more steps forward, but her movement suddenly stalled.

A flash of insight struck her mind, and she murmured in a low voice: "Wrong……"

Killing the Great Wu officiant near the Imperial Tomb during the Great Sacrifice would inevitably invite severe investigation; she knew it was a capital crime — would Zhu Zhi not know?

To the outside world Zhu Zhi is an evil creature, but before the Emperor he must be more obedient than anyone; moreover, he has just been dismissed from office, so how could he act without scruples?

He could not possibly be willing to stake everything just to kill her; he is still thinking of curing his arm, which shows his ambition has not been severed — a person with ambition who has not yet reached a true dead end would never lightly give up his own life and future.

Even the people of the Taiyi Shu know that the Emperor may still be preparing to employ him again; he should be at the very juncture where he has the most scruples.

And yet, if he still appeared despite having scruples, there could be only one possibility…… he knows only one side, not the other!

All manner of thoughts flashed through her mind, and the young girl's eyes gradually grew still; within them cold light flickered, as if it were the icy ghost-fire brought out from the tomb.

Retreating now is absolutely impossible; if she cannot appear at the Great Sacrifice, the Emperor's favor can vanish in an instant, and even if she gets out later she will only be a defeated subordinate at others' mercy. Even if she escapes the capital, all her previous efforts will have been wasted, and she will have no chance to walk the same road again.

The current deduction holds seven parts out of ten; she may yet be able to exploit the gaps in people's hearts and find life in a death trap.

As for the remaining few parts, this place is not too far from the Imperial Tomb, so the other side cannot have deployed too many men; she has a sword in hand, and holding the robber's cave — easy to defend, hard to attack — she might first kill two, then lure the rest into the narrow robber's cave and kill them there; she is very skilled at killing in this kind of environment.

Pros and cons have been weighed repeatedly; with a decision made there is no need to hesitate. Shaowei's gaze turned cold and sharp, and she advanced slowly.

Reaching the cave mouth, she could already half-straighten her body. She pressed her back against the cave wall, blew out the fire striker, raised her sword and pierced the last, not-very-tight covering at the cave mouth.

Mud and sand crumbled, dirt clods tumbled down, daylight suddenly appeared, and the young girl was already holding her breath, waiting to strike.

Yet another unforeseen change occurred.

What appeared at the cave mouth was not a blade, sword, or long spear, but a youth's face pressed against the opening, his neck pinned and mouth gagged, forcibly shoved there by someone.

Shaowei, who had nearly thrust her sword, was shocked and greatly startled.

The pair of eyes above instantly reddened; he struggled and shook his head, as if saying don't mind me, run quickly!

Shan Gu was violently hauled up, a long knife braced against his neck; the knife-wielder shouted: "If you don't want him dead, then come along quietly with us!"

Shaowei calmed down in that instant, and an answer formed in her heart.

Dozens of people outside the cave mouth closed in all at once.

Before long they saw a girl covered in blood and filth emerge from the robber's cave with sword in hand, like an asura crawling out from the depths of hell.

Though daylight had already fully broken, they unconsciously retreated several steps, every one of them on the highest alert.

Fortunately the girl was already exhausted; she walked a few steps, then knelt and fell to the ground, the iron sword dropping from her hand.

The crowd closed in together.

Less than half an hour later, Shaowei fell prone in a dark chamber in the same posture, her hands already bound.

This dark chamber was like a prison cell; oil lamps hung on the walls, various instruments of torture were arranged inside, and a stale, bloody stench permeated the air.

A shadow flung aside its cloak and half-knelt before Shaowei, reached out to clamp her jaw, and scrutinized her face: "It really is you!"

Zhu Zhi's fingers trembled, his eyes filled with surprise and delight, carrying an excited killing intent.

Shan Gu, his hands likewise bound, desperately lunged at Zhu Zhi; the cloth gag in his mouth had already come loose on the way, and the youth said hatefully: "Get lost! Don't you dare hurt my A Jie!"

Several guards pinned him down fast and dragged him into a large iron cage off to the side, locking it up.

"You really did come to the capital; when Chi Yang had me identify you, I still didn't dare believe……" Zhu Zhi's voice was strangely excited and trembling: "What nerve, what skill — worthy of being Baili Youyi's Disciple! Even Chi Yang couldn't kill you! In the end it still falls to me to do it!"

The numb-expressioned Shaowei felt a sudden surge of shock and bewilderment in her heart.

Baili Youyi?

That Feather Shedding National Preceptor?

What does this mean?!

"So you're not a ghost or a monster after all, you're just a human!" Zhu Zhi gritted his teeth, still inexplicably excited: "You're a person who values sentiment deeply, that's why you came to the capital for revenge…… so with a slight threat using this spawn, you surrendered without a fight!"

He laughed mockingly: "Truly, gained without the slightest effort!"

Then he suddenly released the hand clamping the young girl, stood up abruptly, looked at the youth in the iron cage, and said: "No wonder they wouldn't let me create killing karma — this spawn is indeed more useful alive; now even capturing someone doesn't require creating killing karma! This is the guidance of ghosts and spirits…… wonderful! Wonderful beyond words!"

Shaowei, lying flat on the ground, closed her eyes, lest she leak any emotion.

Yes, wonderful beyond words.

Zhu Zhi truly knows only one side.

Chi Yang used him, and also concealed things from him.

They each have their own selfish motives; because Hua Li already had some reputation and status, she could not be killed arbitrarily, so Chi Yang concealed from Zhu Zhi that his enemy and Hua Li were the same person.

And because of Chi Yang's concealment, Zhu Zhi still does not know he was deceived by Hua Li, and remains willing to try Hua Li's proposal; therefore, before the Third Day of the Third Month ends, he dares not rashly create killing karma.

Zhu Zhi, because of that line "matters of ghosts and spirits must not be leaked," naturally would not take the initiative to discuss with Chi Yang the secret matter he is currently observing.

This is Chi Yang's only flaw — over-calculating, he was misled by his own scheming.

Chi Yang determined that even if she luckily escaped from the tomb, Zhu Zhi would surely strike her down on the spot, but Zhu Zhi did not.

Her ruse remains in effect.

A strange feeling welled up in Shaowei's heart; she had warned Zhu Zhi not to create more killing karma, her motive being to protect innocent people, yet unexpectedly in the dark it left a thread of survival for herself and also protected Shan Gu.

And because Hua Li already had some foundation, Chi Yang, in order to let Zhu Zhi kill without scruples, chose to conceal the truth from Zhu Zhi…… so every step she has walked was not in vain; yesterday's she, the day before's she, have all been striving to save today's she.

Zhu Zhi is still immersed in the illusion of feeling the ghosts and spirits' summons, muttering to himself incessantly.

Shaowei knows deeply that his current excited state is not accidental.

She has also built a cage for this evil creature; now only the final step remains.

As Shaowei's emotions surged, fresh blood spilled from the corner of her mouth once more.

That is the residual poisonous blood left after Qi Deviation, but in Zhu Zhi's eyes it was exceptionally glaring; he seemed like a wild beast desperately suppressing a brutal murderous heart, and at the sight of blood he felt insatiably thirsty. He began pacing back and forth to divert his attention, saying: "Cannot let her die today…… I want to wait until the matter succeeds and then properly enjoy her! Someone, find that Wu Nu who knows how to use needles!"

Shaowei curled up and rolled over, looking utterly agonized, on the verge of death, but in reality she took the opportunity to face outward.

The Wu Nu Zhu Zhi summoned could only be the Spider Woman.

Lately he has relied entirely on the Spider Woman's needling to relieve his pain; he can no longer do without that Wu Nu's needling technique, and recently has kept her by his side in constant attendance.

The Spider Woman did not know what had happened; when brought over, she suddenly saw Hua Li lying on the ground, and her expression could not help but tremble.

"You recognize her?" Zhu Zhi looked between the two, and quickly realized: "Right, you're both Wu Nu, so you must have met!"

He pointed at the girl on the Ground and suddenly asked the Spider Woman: "What is her name?"

The Spider Woman lowered her eyes, Zhen Sheng saying: "I, I don't know... Although we are Wu Nu who came to the capital together, she Rarely spoke along the way, and I later went to the Taiyi Shu, so we are not familiar..."

Shaowei closed her eyes, Lowering her heart.

The Spider Woman Grab Jin her hands.

Although she did not know why Huali was captured by Zhu Zhi, Huali had once instructed her not to leak anything related to Huali in front of Zhu Zhi... Since it was so, she must abide by it at all times.

Her answer was virtual and real, very clever; Zhu Zhi did not notice anything Abnormal, but instead said: "She naturally dares not speak much, dares not attract attention! Because she Fears Exposed!"

Zhu Zhi laughed: "But still Exposed!"

Chiyang told him that his Enemy had come to the capital, mixed into the Shen Ci, disguised as an utterly inconspicuous little Wu.

Chiyang also said that although mechanisms had been laid, they might not be able to take her life; she was After All no ordinary object, still needed to make two-handed preparations, so let him send people to Guard at the only Exit.

An inconspicuous little Wu, discarded if discarded, dead if dead, no one would Care.

Only because he tonight had to go see that Huali Great Wu, so still needed to first keep her life.

The Spider Woman knelt down, according to Zhu Zhi's orders, examined the girl's Injury and Pulse.