"Boss, how do we navigate this huge labyrinth? Fatty is already getting scared," said Fatty, feigning fear and hiding behind Zhang Qilin. He looked just like a timid woman.
Zhang Tian's forehead creased. What was up with Fatty? Couldn't he control his instincts once they entered a tomb?
"Fatty, we're the good guys. Can we be a bit more positive?" Zhang Tian said speechlessly.
"I don't think I'm being negative," Fatty mumbled as he chattered away.
Zhang Tian couldn't be bothered with him and looked towards the tomb passage ahead.
"Overall, it should be constructed in a labyrinthine form, but it's merely in a labyrinthine form," Zhang Tian said, and Hu Bayi nodded.
"Hmm, this looks like a simple maze mechanism. The paths we've already walked might change, causing us to go in circles."
"However, this kind of mechanism is far from the legendary Mohist mechanisms," Hu Bayi said as they followed Zhang Qilin forward.
"Brother Hu, are Mohist mechanisms very powerful? I've only heard of Mozi, who supposedly lived during the Spring and Autumn period. Do these mechanisms also go into tombs?" Wu Tianzhen asked curiously. They didn't know much about tomb mechanisms.
Zhang Tian recalled that in the tombs he had encountered, there weren't many large mechanisms. Most were guarded by monstrous beasts used as tomb guardians. However, as he delved deeper, Zhang Tian felt he would definitely encounter large mechanisms. It was only a matter of time.
Hu Bayi nodded, his expression serious. "Mohist mechanisms can be considered one of the most famous mechanisms of ancient times."
"Moreover, these mechanisms were not only widely used in cities but also for sieges or to aid underground kings in their escape."
"Of course, their most widespread use was in tombs," Hu Bayi said, a spark in his eyes. He was quite interested in tombs. Honestly, Hu Bayi looked forward to encountering a large ancient tomb entirely composed of mechanisms. However, Hu Bayi knew that such tombs were extremely difficult to find. China was a vast country, but there weren't many places with excellent feng shui, let alone suitable for constructing large ancient tombs.
"Holy cow, that sounds exciting, Fatty is all pumped up! Do you think this is a mechanism tomb? It sounds so cool," Wang Banyue exclaimed excitedly, his face beaming. The grand tomb, the massive gear mechanisms—just thinking about it was impressive.
Hu Bayi shook his head, unimpressed. "This is, at best, child's play."
As Hu Bayi spoke, Wang Banyue's excitement faded. "Tsk, as expected of something from the West, it lacks technical content."
"Never mind, Fatty will just put his hope in our own China." Wang Banyue grumbled. Suddenly, Zhang Qilin's hand trembled. In the next moment, a metallic clanging sound echoed through the otherwise silent tomb. Following the sound, everyone's gaze turned towards its source. Zhang Tian also felt it, but before he could speak, Zhang Qilin stepped in front.
Zhang Tian picked up something from the ground. It was a small throwing knife, likely a ku ruo or ban ruo.
"Damn it, they're ambushing us?"
"Boss, can we stand for this?" Fatty looked at the small throwing dart in Zhang Tian's hand, his face burning with anger. Dare to hurt their Nine Gates' beloved young master Zhang Qilin? An uncle can tolerate it, but Fatty cannot!
"We cannot tolerate it." Zhang Tian said directly. They had dared to step on him, and Zhang Tian's temper flared. So, they wanted to play this game?
"Let's first determine their location, and then we'll have a good time with them," Zhang Tian said, and Hu Bayi and the others nodded, their expressions grim.
In the darkness, the faces of several men in black were indistinguishable, but they all froze. Their attack had been easily blocked by the person in front. Who was this? And who wears armor when tomb raiding?
"Kaka." The shadows exchanged glances, and then several black throwing knives were shot out. They moved with incredible speed, so fast that a slight whistling sound could be heard.
"Dang dang dang." The next moment, the throwing knives were blocked by Fatty's turtle shell armor. The knives didn't even scratch the surface of the armor. Zhang Tian and the others also spotted the source of the attack.
"In the wall?" Zhang Tian murmured, and Hu Bayi frowned.
"Could it be some vengeful spirits or generals causing trouble?" Hu Bayi said. Zhang Tian immediately shook his head, dismissing the idea. How could there be vengeful spirits or generals in this ghost place?
"That place should be connected, or those are not humans. Let's go and see," Zhang Tian said as they moved towards the direction where the throwing knives had been fired. In the darkness, the men in black performed hand seals and vanished into thin air like wisps of black smoke. By the time Zhang Tian and the others arrived, the men in black had already disappeared.
"Sniff~" Zhang Qilin stood in place, sniffing the air around him. His sword-like eyebrows twitched.
"There's a scent," he said calmly. The hand clad in armor slowly rested on the wall.
"A scent? Boss, it must be that little fox's stench!" Fatty said, picturing the little fox in his mind. It had been a long time since he petted a fox; Fatty missed it quite a bit.
"You, be careful that Tuan Tuan doesn't bite you," Zhang Tian gave Fatty a sideways glance, then looked at Zhang Qilin.
"Little Brother Zhang, what is Mute Gourd doing?" Wu Tianzhen asked from the side. Because Zhang Qilin rarely spoke, Wu Tianzhen naturally gave him the nickname Mute Gourd. Zhang Tian looked at Zhang Qilin. Zhang Qilin's hand was on the stone wall, his eyes slightly closed.
"Looking at Brother Xiao's posture, he's probably contemplating life. It's hard not to doubt when encountering such a situation." Wang Banyue said. Before he finished speaking, Zhang Qilin's fingers flicked, and two fingers, like steel nails, dug into the stone wall.
"Holy cow, rich woman's happy hands!" Fatty exclaimed, full of envy.
Zhang Tian: ???
Zhang Qilin: ?
Wu Tianzhen... The group was stunned by Wang Banyue's words. What kind of suggestive remark was that? In the next moment, Zhang Qilin pulled his hand away, and a piece of stone was dislodged. Then, Zhang Qilin kicked out forcefully. The wall in front of them collapsed. And a new tomb passage appeared before them.
A labyrinth is made of walls and countless passages. If an outsider could overlook the entire maze map or possess the power to break the rules of the game, the maze would cease to be a maze. It would merely be a wall waiting to be breached.
Seeing Zhang Qilin's action, Zhang Tian understood his intention. This maze could be destroyed with a single blow! There was no need to waste time deciphering it; they would just force their way through! Thinking of Zhang Qilin's dominance, Zhang Tian reflected on himself. Indeed, he sometimes overthought things. Having figured it out, Zhang Tian nodded at Zhang Qilin. The two were in perfect sync.
Meanwhile, the men in black secretly observing Zhang Tian and his group were dumbfounded. Good heavens, you can pass through a maze like this?