Chapter 230 - 226: 3 Passageways
Chapter 230: Chapter 226: 3 Passageways
As long as the liquid gas inside the lighter wasn’t depleted, the flame could stay lit indefinitely. It could continuously illuminate the surroundings, which made it far superior to flint and steel.
’A flashlight would be even more convenient, but I don’t want to show too many of my cards,’ Ye Xing thought. ’Right now, keeping a low profile is the best strategy.’
"This is called a lighter. It’s cheap and practical. If any of you need one, you can buy it at the Star Grocery Store in Phoenix Town, Sunset City!" Ye Xing casually plugged his shop.
"Enough nonsense. Give that thing to me!"
Liu Family Grand Elder Liu Lihong demanded in a low voice, reaching for the lighter in Ye Xing’s hand.
But a figure flashed past from the side. Cao Family Elder Cao Weifang was faster; he had already snatched the lighter from Ye Xing’s hand. He flicked it on, illuminating the way for his Patriarch, Cao Bohao.
Cao Weifang’s attitude was utterly domineering and discourteous. In fact, it wasn’t just him; several members of the Cao and Liu Families had already grown cold toward Ye Xing. Now that the entrance to the treasure had been found, Ye Xing had naturally lost his value. The two families treated him as if he were invisible. If they weren’t somewhat wary of the poison oath they had sworn, they probably would have killed him on the spot.
Gao Zhisong was clearly displeased to see his master treated this way. His brows furrowed, and a flicker of killing intent flashed in his eyes, but Ye Xing stopped him with a single glance.
In response to the drastic shift in attitude from the Cao and Liu Families, Ye Xing maintained a meek and subservient facade, playing the part of a coward.
CLANK! RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE!
As Cao Family Patriarch Cao Bohao and Liu Family Patriarch Liu Liqun activated the mechanism, the Stone Gate began to slowly open.
The Stone Gate was three meters high and two meters wide, forged entirely from hard Cyan Steel Stone, making it incredibly heavy. Driven by the mechanism, it rose inch by inch. As it vibrated and ascended, dust rained down, and a faint light seeped out from within.
A moment later, the Stone Gate finished its ascent, revealing a cavern passage. The group eagerly hurried inside.
Now that they were inside the treasure’s domain, the atmosphere instantly grew tense. The hostility and vigilance between the Cao and Liu Families sharpened, and both sides stood on guard, clearly wary of a sneak attack. They hadn’t found any artifacts yet, but it was certain that the moment a major treasure was discovered, a bloody struggle between them would be inevitable.
The cavern passage twisted and turned. Luminous Beads were embedded in the walls at regular intervals, each one emitting a faint fluorescent glow that dimly lit the way. Though the light was weak, it was more than enough for Martial Artists to see the path ahead clearly.
After navigating numerous twists and turns, the group of seven walked for another hundred meters before three branching tunnels suddenly appeared before them.
"Huh? Why are there three tunnels? Which way do we go?" The group stopped in their tracks.
"Since there are three tunnels, let’s each choose one," Liu Family Patriarch Liu Liqun said with a slight smile to Cao Bohao. "Brother Cao, why don’t you pick first? With your immense good fortune, I’m sure whichever tunnel you choose will hold the most treasure!"
No one knew what lay at the end of the three tunnels. It could be treasure, or it could be danger. There might be a great hoard or nothing at all. Everything was unknown; it all came down to luck.
Cao Bohao’s brow furrowed. With a thoughtful glint in his eyes, he mused, "No, Younger Brother Liu should choose first."
"Haha, since Brother Cao is being so gracious, very well then!" The Liu Family Patriarch turned to Liu Lihong and Gao Zhisong. "Brother Gao, Uncle Hong, let’s take this one." With that, Liu Liqun pointed to the middle tunnel and started leading the two men toward it.
"Wait!"
Just as the Liu Family members were about to enter the middle tunnel, Cao Bohao suddenly stopped them. He said in a low, commanding voice, "Younger Brother Liu, I’ve suddenly decided I want to take this middle tunnel. You don’t have a problem with that, do you?"
"You... Cao Bohao, what do you think you’re doing? This is going too far!" Liu Family Grand Elder Liu Lihong exclaimed angrily.
"It’s fine," the Liu Family Patriarch said, waving his hand dismissively. "Since Brother Cao wishes to take this tunnel, it is only right that I let him go first!"
"Good to see you’re sensible, Younger Brother Liu!"
Cao Bohao snorted coldly and led Cao Weifang and Cao Weiyuan into the middle tunnel.
Watching the Cao Family group disappear into the middle tunnel, Liu Family Grand Elder Liu Lihong said with growing indignation, "Patriarch, we clearly chose that tunnel first! Why did you let the Cao Family have it?"
"It doesn’t matter. Which tunnel we take is all up to luck anyway. Besides, Cao Bohao is ultimately the strongest among us all. He’s not to be trifled with, and we can’t afford to clash with him head-on." As he spoke, Liu Liqun glanced at Ye Xing and added with a slight smile, "Little Brother Ye, why don’t you pick a tunnel as well?"
Ye Xing froze for a second, then a flicker of understanding crossed his eyes. He smiled. "I wouldn’t dare go first. Please, Patriarch Liu, you choose."
"When our Patriarch tells you to choose, you choose! Cut the nonsense," Liu Family Grand Elder Liu Lihong snapped.
Meanwhile, Patriarch Liu simply watched Ye Xing with a placid smile.
Ye Xing’s eyes flickered. He glanced at Liu Lihong, then at Liu Liqun, before saying, "Since Patriarch Liu insists, then I will choose the tunnel on the right." With that, he started walking toward it.
"Halt!" Liu Family Grand Elder Liu Lihong suddenly barked. "Who said you could go down that tunnel?"
"Uh, didn’t Patriarch Liu ask me to choose first?" Ye Xing said with a nonchalant shrug.
The Liu Family Grand Elder sneered. "He let you choose, he just let you choose. He never said he’d let you *take* it—" The implication was clear: he wanted to pull the same move Cao Bohao had, letting someone else choose a path only for them to claim it.
"Uncle Hong, let Little Brother Ye go first," Patriarch Liu interjected.
Liu Lihong was taken aback.
Ye Xing’s eyes flickered as well. ’I can’t figure out what Liu Liqun is up to.’ Regardless of the man’s intentions, however, it didn’t matter much. He just had to pick one of the two remaining tunnels. Ye Xing cupped his fists in a brief gesture of thanks and proceeded down the right-hand path.
Watching Ye Xing’s departing figure, Liu Family Grand Elder Liu Lihong asked in confusion, "Patriarch, why aren’t we taking the right tunnel?"
"It makes no difference. The three tunnels look identical, and there’s no way to tell which is good or bad. Any choice is the same," Patriarch Liu said in a low voice. "Let’s go. It’s our turn to move."
With that, he led Liu Lihong and Gao Zhisong into the left-hand tunnel.
After they had gone about thirty to fifty meters, Liu Liqun suddenly stopped.
"Patriarch, what is it?" Liu Lihong asked.
Gao Zhisong also looked at Liu Liqun in confusion.
"Uncle Hong, you go to the right tunnel as well," Liu Liqun said suddenly.
"The right tunnel? Why?" Liu Lihong was utterly bewildered, his eyes full of confusion. He had no idea what his Patriarch was thinking.
"Go to the right tunnel and keep an eye on that boy. There’s something strange about him," Liu Liqun ordered.
"Strange?" Liu Lihong scoffed. "Patriarch, you’re overthinking things. The kid’s cultivation is only at the Martial Arts Sixth Realm. He’ll probably get himself killed in here by accident. What could possibly be strange about him?"
"I don’t know. I can’t explain it." Liu Liqun’s brows were knitted tightly. "Call it a gut feeling. I just feel there’s more to that boy than meets the eye. In any case, just follow him. If you find any major treasures, then..."
Liu Lihong’s eyes lit up. "Very well, I’ll head over right now!" With that, he left the left tunnel and turned into the right one, the same one Ye Xing had entered.