Chapter 112: Revisiting the Secret Chamber

At the entrance of the tomb passage.

Ren Ye gazed at the hazy figure shrouded in mist, trying to make out his face. No matter how he changed angles, he could only see a vague silhouette.

Judging by the voice and outline, the person appeared to be a middle-aged man.

“Heavenly Pardoned One—Zhu Zigui pays respects to the immortal master.” Ren Ye cupped his fists respectfully, his attitude obedient and deferential.

It didn’t matter who this person was—anyone who could appear on the ninth level had to be extremely powerful. A little flattery couldn’t hurt.

His voice echoed through the passage. The figure standing on the steps fell silent for a moment before responding, “Not enough.”

The three of them stiffened, momentarily baffled.

Ren Ye cupped his fists again and asked, “May the immortal master enlighten me—what is not enough?”

“You are missing half a flask of fortune. You cannot enter like this,” the figure spoke slowly but clearly. “Find that missing half-flask of fortune and return.”

Ren Ye blinked, feeling a deep sense of unwillingness. He tried to bargain, “Immortal master, since I’ve already come all this way, could you grant me a small favor and let me have a look inside? I even prepared a little gift for you…!”

Imperial Inspector Liu, overheard this and whispered to Tang Feng, “Damn, you can bribe your way in?”

The figure on the steps remained resolute. “Go back.”

Whoosh!

As soon as he spoke, the mist in the passage thickened, and the outline of the figure gradually faded into nothingness.

“Damn it! We made it all the way here, only to be stopped at the door again?” Imperial Inspector Liu, stepped forward in frustration. “I swear, that guy looked like a poser. He didn’t seem all that strong. Maybe I should test my abilities against him—I think I can use my supernatural powers now.”

Tang Feng frowned. “Over two hundred people have died already. What the hell are you thinking? Are you insane?”

Ren Ye stared at the tomb passage, deep in thought.

“We must be missing something,” Tang Feng scratched his nose. “Could we have overlooked a hidden quest in the previous levels? And that person…!”

Ren Ye shook his head. “I don’t think we missed anything. I have a good idea where that half-flask of fortune is.”

Tang Feng’s eyes lit up. “I get it now—it’s in that secret chamber, isn’t it?”

“It should be,” Ren Ye replied softly. “Since we can’t go in now, let’s return to the Prince Huai Manor first. Based on the timeline, we should be returning to the real world soon. Opening the final level will probably happen in the next battle—the grand finale.”

“Alright, let’s go then.”

“Try reaching out to the Star Gate with your mind—see if we can exit,” Ren Ye reminded Imperial Inspector Liu, who looked a bit lost.

“Do you think I wouldn’t have thought of that myself?” Imperial Inspector Liu, snapped, clearly annoyed at being treated like a child.

After confirming there were no more hidden secrets in the eighth level, the three of them used their perception to connect with the Star Gate.

“Can I leave Princess Anping’s tomb now?”

[Mission complete. Do you wish to leave?]

“Confirm,” Ren Ye nodded.

A flash of white light enveloped them, and their figures blurred before vanishing.

…

A moment later, Ren Ye and Tang Feng found themselves back at the entrance where they had first entered Princess Anping’s tomb.

The entire mission had taken over four days, and by the time they returned, the sun had just risen over the horizon.

Walking side by side, they headed toward the Prince Huai Manor.

“Who do you think that person who told you to leave was?” Tang Feng asked with a peculiar expression.

“Hah, you’re guessing it’s him too?” Ren Ye replied with a question of his own.

“I think it’s likely,” Tang Feng said thoughtfully. “The Star Gate mentioned that the ‘visitor from beyond’ killed those tomb raiders not by acting personally, but by imbuing power into a body. That detail… perfectly matches his story.”

“That makes sense. You’re quite sharp,” Ren Ye praised, unconsciously beginning to regard Tang Feng as his strategic advisor.

They continued walking, while Tang Feng, hands behind his back, furrowed his brows. “And your beloved consort… In the sacrificial trial, she was alone. And on the Path of Reincarnation, the Opportunist Faction didn’t participate at all… Do you think she might have…?”

“I don’t think so,” Ren Ye interrupted firmly. “The challenge of that sacrificial trial was whether players dared to jump into the pool. As long as they jumped, they wouldn’t die—only those who hesitated would. My consort has always struck me as both determined and intelligent. She made it that far—I don’t believe she would back down so easily.”

“Then where is she? Did she also finish her mission by now?” Tang Feng asked.

“I don’t know,” Ren Ye shook his head. “But I trust that she has found her own opportunity.”

“‘Beloved consort’?” Tang Feng suddenly fixated on the way Ren Ye addressed Xu Qingzhao. His expression turned sour. “You’ve never called me that before.”

Hearing this, Ren Ye felt a wave of disgust. “If you really want, I can ask Li Yan to take you to a little garden, where you can lie down in a vegetable patch and roleplay.”

“You’re awful!”

They quickly reviewed their findings before descending the mountain, finally laying eyes on the majestic Prince Huai Manor.

Just before entering the estate, they noticed Imperial Inspector Liu, walking down the mountain—completely naked. He looked utterly dejected, as if something had deeply troubled him.

“What happened?” Tang Feng asked.

“I feel like a goddamn idiot,” Imperial Inspector Liu muttered bitterly. “I just realized… why the hell didn’t I grab some sturdy scraps of cloth from the corpses on the eighth floor to cover myself? Walking all the way down like this… It’s so embarrassing.”

“Sigh.”

Ren Ye had no choice but to take off his outer robe and hand it over. “I can’t give you my underwear. Just go commando.”

Imperial Inspector Liu was moved to tears. “Good brother.”

A quarter of an hour later, the three of them returned to Prince Huai’s residence and went straight to the sleeping quarters.

Lian’er and Second Fool rushed over upon hearing the news. Seeing the trio’s disheveled appearance, they were utterly shocked, their mouths agape with outrage.

“Who dared to put His Highness in such a miserable state? I’ll cut them down!” Second Fool declared.

“Your Highness, why are you in such a state? It pains me so much,” Lian’er said, her eyes brimming with tears.

Ren Ye waved his hand. “No need for pleasantries. Two urgent matters. Lian’er, quickly go to the consort’s chambers and the Secretariat Office to check if Li Yan is still on duty and whether the princess has returned.”

“Lian’er obeys!”

“Second Fool, gather some trusted men,” Ren Ye instructed, his expression serious. “Investigate in secret—find out who disappeared from the residence on the day I left and who still hasn’t returned after several days. Focus on those holding official positions. The Secret Intelligence Division, Qingzhou Guard, and Qingliang Prefecture’s yamen are key targets.”

Though Second Fool didn’t fully understand the reasoning, he still cupped his hands and replied, “Understood. I will go immediately.”

Ren Ye nodded and then ordered the servants to bring three sets of clothes for them to change into.

Once everything was in order, he turned to Tang Feng and Imperial Inspector Liu. “We’re about to leave the Star Gate soon. We need to move fast—let’s head to the secret chamber now.”

“Got it!” Tang Feng nodded.

With that, the group hurried towards the Hall of Tranquility.

…

Inside the main hall, Ren Ye stationed a few trusted subordinates to stand guard before leading Tang Feng and Imperial Inspector Liu into the secret chamber.

“Damn,” Imperial Inspector Liu muttered as he took in the chamber’s setting. “Prince Huai really had some high status—he even had his own secret chamber.”

“Quiet,” Ren Ye hushed him with a gesture, then approached the iron door.

The door, covered in rust and ancient talismans, had an aged appearance.

Adjusting his breath, Ren Ye turned to the others. “Second Fool and I came here before and saw a ghost. Get ready for a fight.”

“Is it a man?” Tang Feng asked.

“A male ghost,” Ren Ye confirmed.

“As long as it has something down there, we should be fine.” Tang Feng was full of confidence. “I’ll handle him.”

“Good.”

Ren Ye nodded, then squared himself before the iron door. “Alright, I’m opening it.”

Tang Feng and Imperial Inspector Liu took a step back while Ren Ye steadied his breath and focused on the Human Emperor Sword.

Swish!

A bright light flickered as Ren Ye leaned forward, his forehead nearly touching the iron door.

Whoosh…!

The Human Emperor Sword, glowing brilliantly, shot out from his forehead, its tip stabbing directly into the door.

Boom!

The moment the sword made contact, the entire secret chamber and the Hall of Tranquility shook violently.

The talismans on the iron door flared with an eerie light before quickly dimming.

Bang!

Ren Ye kicked the door open.

A gust of chilling air rushed out, sending shivers down their spines.

Imperial Inspector Liu swallowed nervously. “Why… does this place feel even creepier than the princess’s tomb?!”

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a ghostly figure shot out at extreme speed.

“Unfilial descendant! Return my life! Return my life…!”

A piercing wail echoed through the corridor.

“He’s coming!”

Recognizing the voice, Ren Ye turned back and shouted, “Get ready!”

Hearing this, Tang Feng stepped forward, his eyes glowing red. “Charm!”

The ghostly figure was too fast to make out its features.

“Freeze! Call me master!” Tang Feng bellowed.

His voice echoed, but the ghost didn’t even slow down. Instead, it raised an arm and slapped Tang Feng hard on the left side of his chest, instantly flattening a very distinct “hill” into a basin.

Thud!

Tang Feng was sent flying, crashing heavily against the chamber wall. His eyes turned dazed. “That… that’s not a man!”

Buzz!

Imperial Inspector Liu activated his ability, summoning a dust-covered jade seal into his hand.

The ghost suddenly halted in front of Ren Ye, seemingly wary of the Human Emperor Sword. “Unfilial descendant! Return my life! Return my dynasty’s fortune!”

Upon hearing this, the three of them lifted their heads. Under the dim glow of the Human Emperor Sword, they finally got a clear look at the ghost’s attire—

It was wearing a yellow dragon robe.

“Damn… maybe I shouldn’t get involved in this family drama?” Imperial Inspector Liu blurted, his scalp tingling with fear.