After a simple rest, everyone had adjusted their state and were ready to enter the Jian Wang Tomb to investigate.
During this time, Yan Shouyi also pondered for a while.
Seeing Yan Shouyi lost in thought, Lin Zitong wanted to share his worries. She held his hand and said,
"Don't put pressure on yourself. Perhaps our entering the Jian Wang Tomb is already destined?"
Yan Shouyi clasped Lin Zitong's hand back. "Once we enter the Jian Wang Tomb, your safety will be the top priority."
"What else are you worried about?" Lin Zitong asked.
"Many things."
"Do you suspect Boss Zhou?"
"I never trusted him in the first place," Yan Shouyi glanced covertly at Boss Zhou not far away.
Yan Shouyi still had a degree of trust in the Ma siblings, but he was constantly vigilant of Boss Zhou.
Even if Boss Zhou provided a very reasonable explanation, Yan Shouyi wouldn't completely believe his words.
"However, what Boss Zhou said does have a certain logic," Lin Zitong analyzed. "Dad and Grandpa entered the Jian Wang Tomb back then, and they should have used the escape tunnel left by Boss Zhou's ancestors. But later, they awakened the Jian Wang and released the tomb-guarding snake ghosts, which forced him to use snake gall to open the Jian Wang Tomb's gate."
Yan Shouyi nodded. "You're right, but I still feel something is off."
"Did you call Dad?" Lin Zitong asked again.
"I did, but I couldn't get through," Yan Shouyi said in a deep voice. "Dad entered the Jian Wang Tomb before, so he could have given us a lot of hints. But now that I can't reach him, there's nothing I can do. You don't have time to delay."
Lin Zitong also felt helpless and even a bit guilty about this matter.
If it weren't for saving her, Yan Shouyi wouldn't have had to risk entering the Jian Wang Tomb.
But Yan Shouyi knew that he couldn't blame Lin Zitong for this. The people to blame were the peculiar Jian Wang and Jiang Wusheng, whom Lian He had mentioned.
"Besides Boss Zhou, that missing Yang Li is also a potential threat," Yan Shouyi stated.
"You don't need to worry about Yang Li," Lin Zitong said softly. "The first time I saw him, I knew he had malicious intentions. Worried that he might jeopardize our safety, I secretly dispatched a few small ghosts skilled in concealing their aura to keep an eye on him."
"Oh? You were actually prepared?" Yan Shouyi was surprised. "Where is he now?"
"He's hiding to our southeast," Lin Zitong smiled.
Yan Shouyi gave her a thumbs-up.
This counter-strategy completely relieved Yan Shouyi of any worry about Yang Li causing trouble. In fact, it could be used to deal with Yang Li or others.
At this moment, Ma Xingping began to gather everyone.
It seemed they were about to enter the Jian Wang Tomb.
Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong exchanged glances, called Long Feicheng, and then brought Sanyuan and the Kiao San Shi to meet with the others at the cave entrance.
In the group, besides Yan Shouyi's party and the Ma siblings, there were five other extraordinary individuals.
These five individuals did not have high cultivation levels, only knowing some superficial tricks common in the traveling merchant world, and they had no prior experience in tomb raiding.
However, they were still much more capable than ordinary people.
Boss Zhou, putting on the air of a leader, stood on a higher ground, puffed out his belly, and said,
"Once we enter the Jian Wang Tomb, everyone must obey my command. Anyone who disobeys, and gets into trouble, no one will save them!"
Yan Shouyi sneered disdainfully. He would not blindly obey Boss Zhou. What if this guy used the terrain advantage to lead them into a trap inside the Jian Wang Tomb?
Ma Xingping had the same idea. He and Yan Shouyi exchanged glances, and they understood each other's intentions.
Boss Zhou swept his gaze over everyone, his eyes lingering on Yan Shouyi for a moment, as if warning him.
But Yan Shouyi was not deterred, and Boss Zhou could do nothing about it.
So, Boss Zhou pointed at Yan Shouyi and said, "You go first!"
Yan Shouyi smiled, "Are you sure?"
Boss Zhou faltered a bit, "Can't I?"
"It's no problem for me to go first, but you have to follow behind me and guide the way for me."
Boss Zhou would rather be at the back. He wouldn't dare to walk in front of Yan Shouyi. If anything happened, Yan Shouyi would surely use him as a shield.
As the two sides were at a stalemate, Ma Xingping stepped forward and said, "I am a Mojin school尉, and I have a better understanding of the underground situation. I should go first."
This time, everyone had no objections, and the team quickly lined up.
Due to the narrowness of the cave, which could only accommodate two people walking side by side, Ma Xingping led the way. Behind Ma Xingping were Yan Shouyi and his group, Boss Zhou was in the middle, Ma Jinxuan was behind Boss Zhou, and the other five extraordinary individuals were at the rear.
Before entering the cave, Yan Shouyi glanced at the sky.
It was already early morning. The tomb would be filled with heavy yin energy at this time, making it even more dangerous.
But he had no choice. The longer he delayed outside, the longer Lin Zitong would be in danger.
He stared into the darkness, his gaze lingering for three seconds.
He was signaling his "shadow," Xue Kai, that he was entering the Jian Wang Tomb.
Xue Kai did not appear, which was just as Yan Shouyi intended. He hoped Xue Kai could contact his father from outside and also keep watch on the exit. If Boss Zhou managed to escape alone, Xue Kai would catch him immediately.
Everyone organized their equipment, packed enough food and drinking water, and followed Ma Xingping into the cave.
As soon as they entered the cave, a gust of cold wind blew out, making people shiver involuntarily.
The cave seemed like the gaping mouth of an abyss, filled with countless dead and wronged souls, and more importantly, unknown dangers.
Ma Xingping sniffed and said softly to Yan Shouyi,
"Brother Yan, did you feel that cold wind?"
"What is it?"
"Do you know what that means?"
Yan Shouyi pondered for a moment and suddenly realized.
Air circulation meant there was an inflow and outflow, indicating that the Jian Wang Tomb definitely had more than one entrance.
Ma Xingping was reminding him that if they encountered a desperate situation, they shouldn't just focus on running back. There must be other ways out.
As soon as they stepped into the cave, Ma Xingping had already perceived some crucial information, which highlighted his experience and meticulousness.
"Thank you, Brother Ma," Yan Shouyi said gratefully.
Ma Xingping turned back, using his flashlight to light the way, and said, "Once we enter the Jian Wang Tomb, I will not hide anything from you. I only have one request... if we truly encounter great trouble, I hope you will help ensure that Jinxuan can survive at least."
"Don't be so pessimistic."
"It's not pessimism. Our line of work is not like yours; the risk factor is too high, and we have to make some psychological preparations," Ma Xingping said helplessly.
Yan Shouyi sighed and agreed, "I promise you, if anything unexpected happens, I will not abandon Ma Jinxuan."
"Thank you."
With his worries eased, Ma Xingping's pace into the cave quickened.
As everyone entered the cave, the Yanqian Mountain in the night fell back into deathly silence...