Chapter 48: The Serpent of the Ancient Tomb (Part One)

After the thunder and lightning had passed, raindrops the size of beans dripped from the dense leaves, landing cool and refreshing on the foreheads of the group.

“Master, I found it—ah! So many snakes!” Fiery Blaze shouted excitedly, immediately followed by a startled cry. Without shovels, relying solely on their weapons to dig out this secret entrance was truly strenuous.

Blazing Sun leapt out of the pit, reporting respectfully to Jun Moli, his actions proper and meticulous. Anran, observing this, shook her head.

“Miss Anran, look…” Fiery Blaze thought they had found something, but Jun Moli wasn’t yet sure what exactly they had uncovered.

“Don’t kill those snakes. Hurry up here, I’ll open the door!” Without sparing Jun Moli a glance, Anran called down to Fiery Blaze, then jumped into the pit herself.

Open the door? Jun Moli hurried forward a few steps, and only then could he clearly see the structure below. A stone door, covered in soil, its bronze ring mottled with rust, lay before them—and where Anran landed, a dozen or so small green snakes slithered about.

So, there was an ancient tomb here!

He had never heard of this place.

Yet she not only knew of it, but knew its exact location!

What was their purpose here—tomb robbing?

While Jun Moli pondered, Anran had already used her inner strength to push open the stone door. She sprinkled some prepared realgar at the entrance, then leapt out to let the tomb passage air out.

The small snakes in the pit, smelling the realgar, darted swiftly into the tomb chamber.

Anran completed this series of actions with practiced ease. Snowball squeaked twice, leaping joyfully into her arms.

“Miss Anran, how did you know…” that a tomb was here?

“Don’t speak!” Anran shot Jun Moli a glare and fell silent, waiting patiently for the air to circulate through the tomb.

Fiery Blaze, seeing Jun Moli ignored, was instantly indignant. He was about to speak, but Blazing Sun grabbed his arm and shook his head, signaling him not to act rashly.

If the master didn’t mind, they had no place to speak.

The rain above grew heavier, the thick foliage unable to block the downpour. The fat raindrops fell like strings of pearls.

“You three, wait for me here!” Anran glanced at the trio, her tone unprecedentedly serious and clear.

“Girl, the rain is getting worse!” Fiery Blaze, disgruntled, spoke before Jun Moli could—were the three of them to wait in the rain?

“The tomb is dangerous. You’re not suited to go in, and you’d only be a burden to me!” Anran replied bluntly, glaring at Fiery Blaze before, holding Snowball, she jumped into the pit and entered the tomb.

“Master—” Blazing Sun glanced at Anran’s vanishing figure, calling out coldly. He found himself admiring Anran; arrogance aside, she truly had skill—enough to warrant her pride.

“You two stay here, be careful.”

“Master—” Jun Moli’s words trailed off as his figure disappeared into the tomb entrance, quickly following after Anran.

Anran had repeatedly asked them to leave or refused their protection; danger was certain ahead—he could not let her face it alone.

In less than half a cup of tea’s time, Jun Moli caught up with Anran. Seeing she was unharmed, he was quietly relieved.

Luminous pearls were embedded along both sides of the passage, one every three meters, their glow illuminating the darkness. The passage was clean and intact, without any sign of collapse or subsidence, making their walk unusually smooth.

“Still daring to use your inner strength; you really aren’t afraid of death,” Anran remarked, continuing forward without pause, her pace unhurried.

“Life and death are fated; fortune is granted by the heavens.” Jun Moli replied calmly, these words making Anran stop and look at him in silence.

ps: From now on, there will be two updates every day! They’ll be posted separately!