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墨書 Inktalez
The crowd quickly stripped away the yellow sand and stones surrounding the "☰" shaped shadow. In a moment, a solid stone door appeared before them. Lin Ning swiftly used his sharp black-gold dagger to cut a hole nearly two meters long and eighty centimeters wide in the stone door. Sunlight instantly poured into the cave. Before them lay a long, narrow passage that seemed to stretch endlessly. Lin Ning knew that the treasure must be hidden within this cave, but he was also aware that Nurhaci would not allow anyone to easily obtain it; the cave was surely filled with traps. To prevent any accidents, Lin Ning ordered a disciple named Luo Xin to stand guard at the entrance and observe the surroundings. If anything changed, he was to enter the cave and notify everyone immediately. Lin Ning also instructed Luo Xin to mark the appropriate spot when he saw the "☰" shaped shadow transform into a "☷" shaped shadow. After assigning these two important tasks to Luo Xin, Lin Ning prepared to lead the others into the cave.
Cong Jiang suddenly spoke up, "This cave will definitely be pitch dark; without torches for lighting, we will be in great danger. But there are no branches on this bare mountain. I will go down and fetch some branches to make torches." Lin Ning praised, "Uncle is indeed thoughtful. We will wait for you here; please remember to cover your tracks on your way back!" Cong Jiang accepted the order and descended the mountain to gather branches. After a short while, Lin Ning saw him rushing back with a bundle of branches on his back. Cong Jiang's expression was tense as he said, "Leader, there's been a change in circumstances! I saw Later Jin soldiers heading towards Nanshan!" Lin Ning replied, "They must be patrolling to check if anyone has come here. We should not enter the cave for now; everyone quickly use mud and sand to seal the entrance." The crowd sprang into action; with many hands working together, they quickly sealed the cave entrance with yellow mud and sand. Lin Ning waved his arms vigorously, using his powerful strength to blow away the surrounding mud and sand, making it appear as if this place had never been disturbed.
Once they finished, they retreated down the mountain in the opposite direction of the approaching soldiers. Lin Ning walked at the back, brushing away their chaotic footprints with his sleeves. After descending into a grove of trees, they hid themselves. An hour later, the patrolling Later Jin soldiers passed by the edge of the grove and continued southward. Once they saw that the soldiers had moved far away, Lin Ning led everyone back up to Nanshan and reopened the cave entrance.
According to their original plan, Lin Ning held a torch and led nine disciples from Sun Moon Gang into the narrow passage, leaving only Luo Xin to guard outside. The passage extended downward, allowing only one person to walk through at a time. The uneven stone walls reflected flickering light from Lin Ning's torch. After walking for half an hour in the passage, they felt that the path no longer sloped downward but gradually leveled out; the walls on either side became smooth as well. Eventually, they emerged from the passage into a vast cavern. In this enormous cave, one torch's light was insufficient to illuminate its entirety. Lin Ning lit eight more torches and handed them out to others. The sudden increase in brightness finally allowed everyone to see that this cavern was even larger than the mountaintop square, measuring approximately forty or fifty zhang in length, width, and height.
However, due to the distance from one side of the cavern to another, they could not see what lay at its far end. As Lin Ning cautiously advanced deeper into the cavern with his torch raised high, he suddenly triggered a mechanism when his left foot touched what seemed like flat ground; countless gleaming sword tips shot up from beneath him in an instant. The sudden change startled everyone. Yuan Yueming and Cong Rong turned pale with fear and screamed loudly. Without time for thought, Lin Ning leaped into action, performing a backflip towards the entrance of the cave.
Yuan Yueming and Cong Rong rushed over to Lin Ning's side and breathed sighs of relief upon seeing he was unharmed. In the dimly lit cavern, flickering torches illuminated those sharp weapons that sent chills down their spines! Lin Ning carefully observed this cavern; upon seeing countless swords standing upright within such a large space, he realized that even someone skilled in lightness techniques would find it impossible to leap over this Sword Formation in one go. He noticed that although each sword was closely spaced with others, inserting a dagger or long sword into these gaps could still be accomplished.
After some initial calculations, Lin Ning estimated that if he wanted to use lightness techniques to leap over this Sword Formation, he would need to insert his Sunlight Blade twice into its gaps; using its support would allow him to easily reach the other side of the Sword Formation.
Lin Ning sprang into action and leaped over ten zhang towards Sword Formation; he aimed his Sunlight Blade downwards into one of its gaps but unexpectedly triggered another mechanism as soon as it slid in place. Countless arrows shot out from all directions of stone walls towards him; at this moment, danger surrounded Lin Ning on all sides—below him lay the deadly Sword Formation which would turn him into a pincushion if he fell! The arrows were rapidly closing in.
Yuan Yueming and Cong Rong turned pale with fright; their bodies went limp as they lost even their strength to scream. Remaining calm under pressure, Lin Ning used his Sunlight Blade as temporary support while swiftly drawing out his black-gold dagger and wielding it defensively around himself; he managed to deflect all arrows that had already reached him. However, arrows continued flying like locusts toward him; realizing it was nearly impossible to leap over Sword Formation now without being hit by arrows made it clear that retreating was his only option.
As soon as he jumped back using Sunlight Blade's support power, all arrows immediately ceased fire. After thinking for a moment, Lin Ning picked up an arrow from the ground and casually tossed it into one of Sword Formation's gaps; unexpectedly this probe also activated another switch—countless arrows were released again towards Sword Formation! He repeated this process several times with different arrows—each time triggering hidden mechanisms without fail.
Everyone understood very well that if someone as skilled as Lin Ning couldn't pass through Sword Formation easily then neither could anyone else among them! They realized conventional methods using weapons wouldn’t work against Sword Formation—they needed another way through!
Lin Ning gazed at both sides of smooth stone walls knowing stepping onto them wouldn’t help him cross Sword Formation either! Then he looked again at those glimmering sword tips within Sword Formation—and suddenly an audacious idea struck him: he would aim Sunlight Blade’s tip directly at one of those sword tips within Sword Formation leveraging their rebound force for his leap! Although this idea excited him greatly—he knew executing it would prove extremely difficult! Any slight misalignment could cause Sunlight Blade’s tip slip off leading him straight onto activating traps below!
But now there seemed no better alternative available! Lin Ning shared his thoughts with others who all felt it was nearly impossible! Cong Rong exclaimed: “Master Brother! This is too dangerous!” Yet determinedly resolved—Lin Ning decided he’d take this gamble since nothing else came readily available!
Taking deep breaths calming himself down—he held up torch in left hand while gripping Sunlight Blade tightly in right leaping upwards—the torch’s glow illuminated Sword Formation below making it appear even more menacing! Timing perfectly—he aimed Sunlight Blade’s tip directly against one sword tip within Sword Formation—the two tips collided just as anticipated generating enough force propelling him forward!
As his body began descending towards Sword Formation again—Lin Ning executed similar tactics once more—the rebound force finally allowed him safely clear over Sword Formation! Everyone released breaths they didn’t realize they were holding!
Yuan Yueming shouted loudly: “Brother! You’ve crossed over Sword Formation—but your method is far too difficult for us!” Suddenly Cong Jiang interjected: “I’ll try following Leader’s approach crossing through Sword Formation!” Yuan Yueming scoffed dismissively indicating disbelief in Cong Jiang’s ability replicating what Lin Ning achieved.
Though Cong Jiang lacked both internal strength & skills compared with either Lin Ning or himself—he nonetheless managed mimic their techniques successfully reaching safely across!
The remaining members possessing far lesser abilities than either Lin Ning or Cong Jiang found themselves unable replicate their methods crossing through Sword Formation no matter how hard they tried!
Yuan Yueming anxiously called out: “Brother! What about us remaining few?” After pondering briefly—Lin Ning replied: “Don’t worry everyone—I’ll return bringing you across!”
Having learned from previous experiences—Lin Ning effortlessly traversed back through Sword Formation returning safely once more where others awaited anxiously!
He handed off torch another disciple from Sun Moon Gang then lifted one person underarm before soaring upwards aiming directly towards center position within Sword Formation! Although burdened now weighing over hundred jin—his agility & precision remained unaffected whatsoever!
Cong Jiang couldn’t help but marvel internally: “Leader’s martial arts truly are extraordinary—it’d take me another decade just reach such heights!” Following suit—Lin Ning proceeded carry remaining six individuals safely across Sword Formation!
Yuan Yueming & Cong Rong had never been so close physically before any man—in those fleeting moments when Lin Ning embraced each girl tightly—they distinctly caught whiffs emanating strong masculine scent radiating off him! This unique fragrance swept over them like tempest causing ripples within hearts previously calm—their tranquil emotions stirred uncontrollably leaving them utterly spellbound!
At that instant—all potential dangers surrounding them faded completely from consciousness—all focus centered solely upon this captivating young man standing before them! Each second felt infinitely precious—they wished time could freeze allowing beloved person hold them just one more second longer!
Such blissful sensations transported them high above clouds feeling weightless yet cozy—a state intoxicatingly delightful rendering them unable resist falling deeper into reverie! Yet time itself wouldn’t halt merely because two souls yearned desperately for it cease passing by…
Though Yuan Yueming & Cong Rong remained lost within brief yet immensely sweet embrace—they remained blissfully unaware that Lin Ning had already succeeded placing them safely on ground below!
Eventually jolted back reality when Cong Jiang loudly called urging both girls continue onward—they snapped back awareness realizing cheeks flushed bright red resembling ripe apples overflowing embarrassment evident throughout expressions!
The group continued onward holding torches advancing roughly hundred meters before blocked by solid stone wall halting progress entirely! Gathering torches together focusing brightness illuminating wall better revealing central area carved stone door featuring enormous crow emblem etched prominently upon surface!
Legend spoke how Nurhaci once evaded pursuit during battle against Ming army thanks assistance from flock crows shielding him allowing escape—a tale known famously as “Crow Saves Master”! After founding nation—Nurhaci honored crows’ life-saving act establishing grain provisions specifically feed them henceforth revered by Jurchens as sacred birds!
Lin Ning examined crow emblem closely noting intricately carved details depicting lifelike features—it appeared poised ready take flight wings slightly raised feathers glistening under torchlight revealing subtle textures shimmering beautifully reflecting flames’ glow creating mesmerizing effect mimicking gentle breezes brushing past causing slight movements amongst feathers…
Crows’ talons firmly grasped base stone appearing sharp & powerful seemingly prepared respond swiftly should danger arise nearby! As crowd drew nearer observing closely—they discovered even minute details perfectly sculpted including slight opening/closing motions crow’s beak giving impression it might emit signature “caw” sound any moment now…
Not only showcasing crow’s gracefulness & spirit—it encapsulated latent energy waiting unleash itself dynamically within static sculpture form… Its head slightly turned fierce eyes embedded resembling deep black gems radiating alertness watching every individual present intently…
Lin Ning’s mind raced wondering whether perhaps crow’s eyes served purpose unlocking stone door? Instinctively reaching out touching crow’s eye—but door remained immovable indicating clearly eyes weren’t mechanism triggering access point…
Using right hand carefully caressing crow emblem further—upon reaching specific feather discovered distinct texture differing from others… While other feathers felt smooth under touch—this particular feather appeared unnoticeable visually yet protruded slightly outward when touched…
Pressing finger against feather caused soft clicking sound followed by gradual shifting motion rightwards revealing large square-shaped opening approximately four zhang wide exposing neatly arranged dozens redwood chests inside cavern beyond sight…
Entering newly revealed chamber—Lin Ning opened one redwood chest instantly dazzling brilliance flooded vision illuminating entire area filled treasures glimmering magnificently captivating all present attention instantly drawn forth…
Everyone eagerly opened remaining chests revealing overwhelming sight gold/silver jewels sparkling vibrantly filling cavern atmosphere radiating opulence beyond imagination…
Yuan Yueming having grown amidst Min royal household encountered countless rare treasures throughout life—but never witnessed such abundance firsthand until now overwhelming sheer volume left her speechless…
Excitedly plunging hands deep inside treasure chest scooping handfuls exclaimed joyfully: “We’ve struck gold—we’re rich now!”
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