Exploring the Illusory Tomb Part 1 [Ancient Times Version] - Chapter 25: Is Only the Beginning

Chapter 25: Is Only the Beginning

The Chu Consort took a few steps forward to the side of the lotus platform. She then casually moved a little. Immediately, a continuous *ka-cha ka-cha* grinding sound came from the stone wall behind the lotus platform. This sound—I couldn’t be more familiar with—it was the sound of a mechanism moving.

The stone wall suddenly opened like a door. It revealed a stone gate taller than a person. The Chu Consort slipped inside the pitch-black hidden door. I suppressed my curiosity and, together with Luo Shen and Yu Linxing, stepped forward and followed her in.

As soon as both my feet stepped in, a musty, dusty smell rushed into my nose. It was stinging my eyes and making tears fall. At that moment, the surroundings suddenly lit up. Several ancient Yaksha lamps were neatly placed on the walls. They were glowing faintly. They emitted an ancient, mysterious light.

This secret chamber was filled with dust that hadn’t been disturbed for a thousand years. Mist filled the air. It was dreamlike and illusory. I felt as though I was a startled swan passing by. Like I had drifted with time to the era of the Chu Consort—an era where she and her shadow still vividly existed.

At the far end of the room stood a stone table. Upon it was a small jade box of glowing green. It had patterns and characters I had never seen before on top—like totems of an ancient tribe. The moment I saw those patterns, my heart suddenly trembled. It was as if a very tiny corner within me had been uncovered. And something inside was poking its head out.

Cold sweat poured from me. My footsteps grew unsteady, and I stumbled back a step.

Luo Shen, without a word, supported me from behind. Her hand was much warmer than before. She lowered her head to look at me. In her half-lidded eyes appeared a glimmer of light. It was as if she were trying to peer into my soul.

“What’s wrong?”

“This totem… I feel like I’ve seen it before, somewhere.”

“Really?” 

In front of me, only Luo Shen’s ink-colored eyes. Her expression was always hidden under a white jade mask. So, her eyes were the only window showing emotion—and at that moment, I saw a faint sorrow in them.

“Maybe you saw it in a book,” 

She said softly. She seemingly tried to comfort me. Then she stepped forward to the stone table and silently studied the mysterious jade box.

Seen it in a book? I clearly remembered every book I had read. And never had I seen such patterns or script. The characters seemed to slowly arrange themselves before my eyes. They were forming in a strange way—but unfortunately, I couldn’t understand their meaning.

As I was pondering the writing, the Chu Consort looked toward Luo Shen. She pointed at the jade box, then spoke softly: 

“It’s right here. Just take it.” 

Her delicate brows furrowed. And then she took out from her chest a carp-shaped jade pendant. It matched the one in Luo Shen’s hand. It turned out the crimson glass pieces were a pair of carps.

Crimson twin carps, swimming together in water, never parting.

“She… how did she die?” 

Luo Shen’s tone drifted as she accepted the two crimson carps. I listened carefully. I realized the “she” she spoke of was that shadow.

“She died in my place,” 

The Chu Consort said with a bitter smile.

“Though I was the noble Chu Consort, I was merely a sacrifice offered by the Wuyi Clan to strengthen ties with Chu—in other words, a tribute. But after I married, Fei Jun treated me very well. I thought I could be his wife for eternity. But then, I met her—my shadow. A wandering traveler. I took her in… and fell in love with her. Eventually, our relationship was exposed. People submitted memorials. They claimed the Princess of Chu had violated morality and incited public anger. Fei Jun was heartbroken. Unable to bear the pressure, he ordered me to drink poisoned wine.”

“How could that be…” 

I covered my mouth when I heard this.

“In the palace, things are like this. Shadow was skilled in disguise. On the day of the execution, she drugged me unconscious, drank the poison herself, and disguised herself as me to be buried in my place. I don’t know how long I slept. When I woke, I was crazed and ran to the tomb Fei Jun had built for me. There, I found her.” 

The Chu Consort smiled faintly and continued: 

“After that, as you saw, I remained here. Just like a wandering ghost. I just hoped that with me by her side, she wouldn’t feel cold or lonely while she slept.”

The entire dark room fell into silence. I lowered my head and began to meditate. I had never loved anyone, let alone a woman. But as a bystander, I silently pondered what kind of power love had to drive so many affectionate people mad. A sorrowful tale was spoken so plainly by this beautiful woman. It felt so light. Maybe because too many years had passed, she no longer wanted to chew over it. Those painful memories had been buried beneath layers of historical dust.

After all, all she had to do now—was to continue staying by her side.

Just as she had once given her life for her,

She, in return, gave her all her time.

Luo Shen stood in a daze, motionless. I looked at her and noticed that, at some point, the cold frost in her eyes had softened. The dim ancient light fell on her like a yellow veil. Suddenly, I wondered—someone as cold as her, had she ever loved someone? And if she did, what would she be like?

At this moment, Yu Linxing’s expression was serious. She bit her lip and said, 

“Why talk about such sad things? Love and feelings only bring sorrow—I’d rather not have any!”

She wiped her eyes. She then went to the stone table and took the jade box. Facing Luo Shen, she said, 

“Here, you got your thing. Time to go. Or are you planning to stay here and have tea?”

Hearing her words, I quietly chuckled. Demoness, you’re about to cry and still pretending? But thinking that the golden foil was in hand, my journey was nearing its end. Still, I worried about Xiao Jian and the others. We had been in the tomb for so long and hadn’t even seen their shadows. So I asked the Chu Consort, 

“Consort, have you seen a tall young man, a strong man, and an older Taoist?”

The Consort replied, 

“I haven’t. But my little beasts love collecting bodies to stash away. I’ll take you to see if we can find the corpses.”

Cold sweat broke out on me. So those snakes were her pets? Talking about corpses as if they’re all dead. I thought—even if we find their remains, we can’t leave them buried here. I quickly said, 

“Could you take us there now?”

The Consort said, 

“Follow me.” 

She then turned to leave the dark room.

We all followed her. We walked through the winding tomb passages. And we arrived at a cold cavern filled with a stench of death and decay. The giant snakes had all been sent away by the Consort. Everywhere we looked, there were piles of white bones—human and beast alike. I held up a torch and searched through the piles. I finally spotted Xiao Jian and Cheng Yun lying in a corner. They were covered in bl00d and completely still.

I rushed over to check if they were breathing—thankfully, they were. Yu Linxing then called over people from Mo Yin Valley to treat and bandage their wounds.

But I looked everywhere and couldn’t find Qing Songzi. I told Luo Shen, and she fell into deep thought. Suspicion flickered in her eyes.

Could it be… Qing Songzi was already gnawed to bones by those giant snakes? I wondered. My heart sank. People who entered this tomb were constantly worrying about their fate. Now, Qing Songzi and Xie Long had gained nothing—only to become the ghosts of the underground.

The Chu Consort said, 

“You’ve found what you need and who you’re looking for. Now go. I’m going to lower the Dragon-Slaying Stone and seal this tomb forever.” 

Then she led us to another chamber. There, I was surprised to see an ancient well in the corner.

“This well leads to an outside tunnel. It was left behind by the builders. Take what you have and leave quickly.” 

The Consort spoke plainly. She then turned away without looking back.

The disciples of Mo Yin Valley were overjoyed to find such an easy exit. They helped the unconscious Xiao Jian and Cheng Yun into the water one after another. Luo Shen and Yu Linxing also descended into the well.

Before I left, I looked back and saw the smoke-like white figure in the distance. She turned. Like a ghost, she was drifting farther and farther away. It was until she disappeared completely into the darkness.

“What are you thinking about? Not going?” 

Luo Shen had already gone down. She suddenly popped up like a ghost, and grabbed my hand.  I was caught off guard. I yelped and was pulled down.

Pulled by Luo Shen, I swam for a while before seeing faint light ahead. The light gently shone. It appeared like another world. This journey—dreamlike and illusory—I hurried to gather all my doubts and sorrows. I then swam toward the light at the exit.