vrcanaries Chapter 27 Joining forces and taking risks
Chapter 27 Joining forces and taking risks
"If Lady Anle has any request, how could my Mu family refuse!"
Mu Cundao's expression changed several times, forcing a smile:
"Madam, you may not know this, but the place where the Mu family's ancestor hid the treasure is extremely dangerous. Over the decades, more than a dozen powerful families have come seeking the treasure with this scroll in hand, but all of them have been trapped in the place where the treasure is hidden, and their fate is unknown!"
Madam Su frowned upon hearing this:
"Even if you are a descendant of the Mu family, are you not allowed to enter the treasure trove to retrieve it? The Anle Duke's Mansion only requests a single elixir formula, and will repay you with a generous gift!"
Mu Cundao pointed to the sky and swore an oath, stating that according to the ancestral instructions, no member of the Mu family had entered this treasure-hiding place in the past hundred years, and that his Mu family had no convenient way to steal the treasures.
Although Madam Su's expression was displeased, she was almost entirely convinced. The Mu family's reputation for possessing treasures was not well-known in the world, though it was quite common among aristocratic families. The stories she had heard about the treasure hunt had all gone unnoticed, indicating that they had clearly suffered a great loss.
The hall fell silent. Madam Su frowned, fidgeting with her fingers, torn between two difficult choices. Either way, she would offend someone. Mu Cundao's face darkened further, and he silently cursed those who had inexplicably circulated the Mu family's scrolls.
Luo Sifan sat quietly to the side, lost in thought, a slight ripple stirring in his heart.
"Madam! This matter is of great importance... I dare to ask, I am willing to test it myself!"
From the Anle Duke's side, a middle-aged man in a gray robe stepped forward, bowed to Madam Su, and spoke calmly and composedly.
"Uncle Xiaoyu!"
Xu Huanzhen, who had been keeping her eyes half-closed, opened them wide and sighed in a low voice, sounding somewhat anxious.
The middle-aged man in the gray robe smiled slightly at Xu Huanzhen:
"Young Master, there is no need to worry. I, Du Xiaoyu, have honed my sword skills for a long time, and I am eager to test them out!"
Having said that, he turned to Mu Cundao and extended his hand in invitation:
"Patriarch Mu, how do we enter this treasure trove?"
Seeing that Madam Su showed no sign of resistance, Mu Cundao formed a plan in his mind and chuckled:
"Brother Du, please come with me!"
The two walked one after the other around the tables and chairs in the hall, under the watchful eyes of everyone, and stopped in front of Luo Sifan's jade statue.
Mu Cundao pointed to the incense table and prayer cushion in front of the jade statue, his expression somewhat embarrassed:
"Brother Du, I will make you kneel down on this prayer mat and kowtow three times. Then the place where the treasure is hidden can be opened."
Everyone in the Anle Duke's Mansion, including Du Xiaoyu, showed anger upon hearing this.
Luo Sifan gazed at his jade statue, his emotions complex and difficult to discern.
Mu Cundao explained to Madam Su with a wry smile that this was a rule set by the ancestor, and there was no other way.
Du Xiaoyu swallowed her anger, stared at Luo Sifan's jade statue with a hostile expression, and reluctantly did as she was told. She knelt on the prayer mat and kowtowed three times with a firm and measured tone.
Everyone looked tense, watching Du Xiaoyu's every move in front of the jade statue.
Several beams of light gradually rose from the feet of the jade statue, the light like veins, instantly enveloping the entire jade statue, and then suddenly bursting into a bright light.
A blinding flash of light momentarily plunged everyone into darkness. When the light returned, Du Xiaoyu was no longer on the prayer mat.
Only a sliver of light remained within the jade statue, as faint as a flickering candle, fading away on its last moments.
Mu Cundao, who had been keeping his eyes closed and knew what was going on, opened them and his expression turned even uglier upon seeing the scene.
Inside the Duke of Anle's mansion, another middle-aged man, similar in age to Du Xiaoyu, suddenly changed his expression, approached Xu Huanzhen, and whispered a few words in her ear.
Xu Huanzhen took a pill from her bosom and swallowed it. After resting with her eyes closed, she removed her cloak, revealing a flushed face and a vibrant energy that made her seem like a completely different person.
"Patriarch Mu, is Du Xiaoyu already in danger?"
Xu Huanzhen stood up and slowly approached Luo Sifan's jade statue, her tone remaining calm as she asked Mu Cundao.
Mu Cundao's heart pounded like a drum, and he dared not look closely at Xu Huanzhen's expression. He lowered his eyes and nodded.
“Your Highness, if what the Mu family ancestors said is true, the success or failure of opening the treasure trove will be decided in the blink of an eye. I’m afraid Brother Du’s situation is more likely to be dire.”
Xu Huanzhen looked up at the jade statue, where Luo Sifan stared straight ahead, his handsome face free and unrestrained, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes.
"Illusion! This place is unpredictable; you must not risk your life!"
Madam Su stood up abruptly and gave Xu Huanzhen a low shout.
"Sir!"
Several people standing by in the Duke of Anle's residence also spoke up to dissuade him.
Xu Huanzhen waved his hand, and everyone was speechless as they were swept over by his cold gaze.
Staring into Madam Su's glistening eyes, Xu Huanzhen uttered her words with unwavering resolve:
"Mother, you know this is my last chance! Stopping me will do no good!"
"Moreover, how could the Xu family of Hidden Sword Mountain abandon their subordinates and retreat from this treacherous place when faced with life and death!"
Madam Su's face was cold and desolate. Her delicate body swayed a few times before Xu Huanzhen's calm eyes. She barely managed to stand up, her jade hands clenched tightly. She wanted to say something to stop him, but she had nothing to say.
Luo Sifan, unable to bear watching from the side, stood up abruptly and, amidst the surprised gazes of the crowd, swayed lightly a few steps to stand beside Xu Huanzhen.
"Miss Lin, what are you trying to do?"
Xu Huanzhen was flustered by the tall, graceful beauty so close to her, and complained to Luo Sifan in a low voice.
Luo Sifan curled his lip, glancing at Xu Huanzhen's slightly embarrassed face:
"What else could I do but go and see the Mu family's treasures? It'll be perfect to have you with me!"
Madam Su, who was listening nearby, suddenly felt a touch of emotion on her sorrowful face.
Mu Cundao was startled upon hearing this and quickly gave Luo Sifan several meaningful glances:
"Miss Lin! This matter is far too dangerous. You are too young to know, and you must not take such risks!"
Luo Sifan pretended not to hear or see, and knelt down on the prayer mat, beckoning to the stunned Xu Huanzhen:
"Young Master Xu, come here!"
Xu Huanzhen shook her head as if half-asleep, walked closer, stood beside Luo Sifan, and pointed to the empty space next to the futon:
"Patriarch Mu, is it alright to kowtow here?"
Mu Cundao pondered the ancestral rules and nodded blankly.
"It should be fine, right..."
Seeing Xu Huanzhen kneel down obediently, Luo Sifan had an idea. He reached out and grabbed Xu Huanzhen's right hand tightly, thus linking the two together.
Xu Huanzhen blushed and for a moment forgot to break free, bowing her head in accordance with Luo Sifan's movements.
Surrounded by the two families with their differing expressions, Luo Sifan and Xu Huanzhen kowtowed one after another. After the jade statue flashed with light, they disappeared completely, just like Du Xiaoyu.
Mu Cundao's face turned ashen. Helplessly, he opened his eyes a crack and saw that the veins around the jade statue were still radiant. His eyes widened instantly, and he cried out in disbelief:
"Lady Anle! The treasure trove of my Mu family has been successfully opened!"
Madam Su, who was already looking at the dazzling jade statue with a puzzled expression, showed more joy and hope after hearing Mu Cundao's call.
"Lin Xiaozhi, Lin Xiaozhi..."
Silently recalling Luo Sifan's serene and handsome figure in white robes and skirt, Madam Su was filled with mixed emotions of worry and joy, making her even more beautiful.