Exploring the Illusory Tomb Part 1 [Ancient Times Version] - Chapter 6: Red Night

Chapter 6: Red Night

From a distance, Xie Long’s room glowed with candlelight. But Qing Songzi’s room was pitch black. Luo Shen and I exchanged glances. We then headed toward the inn’s main hall.

The inn’s hall was brightly lit. Many rooms were lit as well. They belonged to guests who had been startled awake by the horse’s neighing. However, the eerie atmosphere of the night had frightened them. It was so much that none dared step outside.

At this moment, Xiao Jian was sitting with Cheng Yun and Xie Long around a table. They were chatting. There were some dishes and wine laid out. And Xiao Jian kept laughing loudly. He was slapping Xie Long’s shoulder now and then.

I frowned. At a time like this, Xiao Jian still had the mood to drink and laugh? It made me question whether he truly had the skills for tomb raiding.

“Miss Shishi, Miss Luo, you’ve come at a good time. Now… it is what it is. Who cares about those zongzi or whatever… the horses are spooked, and we can’t sleep anyway. So why not drink and be merry?” 

Xiao Jian waved at us drunkenly. He was extremely drunk and even his speech was slurred.

I was quite irritated by this scoundrel. But Luo Shen said nothing and sat down casually. She poured herself a cup of wine and drank it quietly. Xiao Jian laughed heartily beside her. He said, 

“Miss Luo is so bold! I like that!”

Luo Shen didn’t even glance at him. After finishing her drink, she took a clean cup, filled it with wine, and placed it beside her without a word. I was dazed for a moment. I then realized what she meant. I sat beside her and drank from the wine she had poured.

I glanced sideways at her. She drank with her head lowered. She was calmly staring at the faint candlelight ahead. It was as if there was no one else present.

A strange feeling stirred within me. I couldn’t help but think of that fragrant wine I’d had a few days ago.

Across from me, Xiao Jian, Cheng Yun, and Xie Long had already started playing drinking games. I drank slowly. I was pretending to be casual while observing Xie Long, whose face was flushed from the wine.

He looked like a typical northern man—rugged, with stubble on his chin. Remembering what Luo Shen had said earlier, I couldn’t help but think: He seemed honest. Could there really be anything suspicious about him?

After a while, Xie Long suddenly stood up in a hurry and rushed out of the hall. Xiao Jian laughed so hard he collapsed on the table. Cheng Yun also joined in.

Confused, I asked the flushed men, 

“Where is Brother Xie going?”

Cheng Yun’s eyes were hazy from alcohol. He said, 

“Since d-dinner… our leader keeps… having stomach trouble. Still hasn’t cleared up. Tsk tsk… now he’s gone… to relieve himself again!”

I suddenly understood. I glanced at Luo Shen—she still showed no reaction and seemed completely at ease.

These two were making a drunken mess. While one sat there like a statue. It left me feeling bored. I picked up my wine and walked out the door.

Outside, the thick fog still lingered. The red glow of lanterns spread eerily through it. The world before me felt endless. It was as if I were standing in the ghost city of Fengdu.

To the east, faint mountain ridges were visible. One section dipped down sharply. It had a solitary peak rising behind it. I thought I could faintly hear the roars of beasts coming from within the mountain shadows.

Was that the place where the monster hid—Whistle Ridge and Mount Qihua?

Suddenly, the mist before me seemed to split apart. And an old man with a lean frame strode toward me. Looking closely—it was Qing Songzi.

So late at night—where had he come from? If Xie Long had a legitimate excuse for not being at the stable during the commotion due to stomach trouble, then what about Qing Songzi?

Why hadn’t he shown up, and why was he returning from outside? Was there really something suspicious, just like Luo Shen had said?

“Senior,” 

I bowed to Qing Songzi respectfully. He looked surprised.

“So late—Miss Shi, why are you still awake?” 

Then, noticing the bright lights and noise from the inn, he was even more surprised.

“What happened? Why is the inn still so lively?”

“You don’t know, Senior?”

Qing Songzi still looked blank. I glanced down and noticed there was dark mud on the side of his boots.

“I had personal matters to attend to and was delayed. Truly, I know nothing,” 

He said sincerely. His wrinkled face looked old and weary.

Thinking there was no point in pressing him, I told him what had happened that night. He reacted with predictable surprise.

“This trip will be very dangerous. In fact, I once cast a divination for this tomb raid—nine deaths, one life. But some things we have no choice in. In this trade, it’s not unlike licking bl00d from the blade’s edge. Miss Shi, you should rest early so you’ll have energy tomorrow.”

Then he added, 

“Actually, it’s best for women to avoid this kind of work. Tombs are full of filth. You and Lady Luo must be extra cautious.”

I couldn’t read his tone or meaning. So I calmly asked, 

“Then why did you choose this path, Taoist?”

He paused, then laughed heartily.

“These are chaotic times. People die for wealth, birds die for food.”

With that, he nodded to me and walked back toward the inn.

People die for wealth, birds die for food.

The words weighed on me. How I wished my reason were that simple. But Kunlun was still trapped by the Prince. And everything I did felt restricted. If one careless move caused my death in some ancient tomb, what would become of Kunlun?

I didn’t know how long I stood there. Eventually, sleepiness overcame me. I turned back to the inn—most of the lights were out and the drinkers had dispersed. The hall was cold and empty. It was as if nothing had happened that night.

Only a sleepy attendant remained at the counter, dozing. Probably exhausted from waiting for Xiao Jian and his companions. He seemed to want to lock up but was unable to wait any longer.

I quietly locked the door and returned to my room.

Outside, the world was still painted in red. I tilted my ear, hearing nothing from Luo Shen’s room next door. Everything was eerily quiet. Before long, I fell into a light sleep.

I dreamed of when I was eight years old. I was running to Lingyun Pavilion barefoot without even socks on. The palace gardens bloomed in splendor. But it always felt oppressive.

I tripped and fell hard. I cried loudly on the ground. Palace servants gathered around like a tide. They were whispering and murmuring. I could tell they were mocking me—disgusted, scornful.

“Did you know? Princess Qingping is a cursed child. Not only did she kill her birth mother, but even the maid looking after her died mysteriously just a few days ago. I heard… she was scared to death.”

“Exactly! I don’t get why His Majesty doesn’t just throw her out. She’s filthy—keeping her in the palace taints the place.”

“They say her mother was just a commoner. His Majesty brought her into the palace out of mercy. Who would’ve thought she’d die so soon? Truly a cursed fate. Look at her—she thinks she’s a real princess, but she’s just a stray from outside.”

The insults grew louder. My head pounded as faces blurred past me like rippling water. I tried to identify each one. But the shadows scattered—so maddening.

Then, I faintly heard Kunlun’s voice:

“Yi’er, come with me.”

“Yi’er, come with me…”

Kunlun appeared before me. She was in her usual elegant green robe. I reached for her hand like it was my lifeline and burst into tears.

“Kunlun… Kunlun…”

The hand I held felt real and warm. Through my tears, I smiled. Only Kunlun was good to me. Even if the world abandoned me, she would still be with me.

Then I heard another cold voice:

“Miss Shi… Miss Shi…”

Miss Shi? I was confused. Why would Kunlun call me that? I suddenly opened my eyes—bright light flooded in. And I saw the ever-cold white jade mask before me.

My hand was tightly gripping the wrist of the masked woman.

Luo Shen stood beside my bed in white clothes. Her deep eyes were showing no emotion. It was as if nothing had happened. Her voice was calm:

“It’s time. Everyone’s waiting for you downstairs.”

Then she silently pulled her hand back and turned to leave.

“Wait! Did… did you hear anything?”

I was embarrassed—completely exposed before her. I hadn’t had a nightmare like that in so long. What was happening to me lately?

“I didn’t hear anything,” 

She replied simply and closed the door with a soft creak.

When I came downstairs, my eyes were swollen. Xiao Jian saw me and handed me a plate of steamed buns with a smile.

“What’s wrong? Such a beauty turned into this?”

I ignored him and casually ate my breakfast.

Cheng Yun and Xie Long had already brought out the horse and were waiting at the door. Qing Songzi sat nearby. But Luo Shen was nowhere to be seen.

After breakfast, we waited by the inn for her. It was market time, and people were starting to gather. Xiao Jian was growing impatient. He was about to go look for her. But then we saw a woman dressed entirely in white gracefully parting the crowd.

It was Luo Shen.

She came over and whispered to us:

“I just saw Third Brother Xie from Apricot Blossom Alley. He said the cave on Mount Qihua has collapsed on the east side. To get there, we must pass through Whistle Ridge. There’s a long tunnel there. But with the recent rains, it’s flooded. We’ll need to hire a small boat to get through.”