Exploring the Illusory Tomb Part 1 [Ancient Times Version] - Chapter 7: Whistle Ridge

Chapter 7: Whistle Ridge

None of us expected that even after arriving at the mountain gate, we would still need to take a water route. We had no choice but to rent a small boat from the county. But that boat was extremely heavy and clumsy. So we also had to spend some silver to arrange for a few porters to help transport our goods.

At first, those men turned pale when they heard we were going to Whistle Ridge. Their heads shook like rattles. But in front of the silvery, shining silver ingot from Luo Shen, their eyes immediately widened. And they hurriedly agreed.

Xiao Jian stood to the side watching large amounts of silver flow out like water. He was feeling the pain deep in his flesh. He muttered softly, 

“With this kind of spending, why would anyone bother turning over broken bowls? Might as well just marry this rich lady home.”

Luckily, Luo Shen didn’t hear that. Otherwise, even if she didn’t tear him limb from limb, she’d at least peel off a layer of skin.

The mountain path up Whistle Ridge had become potholed due to days of heavy rain. In the past, many people passed through. And you could vaguely see traces of repair. But the surrounding weeds had grown wildly. Our team was carrying heavy loads, and we progressed with some difficulty.

Because one horse was lost, Luo Shen and I had to share one. I sat in front, wrapped by her arms. Occasionally, the horse jolted and I fell against her. I didn’t know if it was the mountain wind, but her body was icy cold. Even on horseback, I got goosebumps all over and felt extremely uneasy.

The porter responsible for the boat transport was named Pan Hei. He was a burly man, but very fond of chattering. He kept chatting with us all the way. Luckily, we had the smooth talker Xiao Jian to banter with him. So the journey wasn’t boring.

“This big brother, why are you all rushing to Qihua Mountain? Nothing much happened before, but now that place is a mess,” 

Pan Hei said loudly.

Xiao Jian then asked in surprise, 

“Nothing much? So you’re saying something did happen?” 

I was interested too. I quickly perked up my ears to listen.

“Qihua Mountain has always been a bit eerie. But before, it was just a matter of luck—sometimes you’d encounter something, sometimes not. But now, you go in, you’ll either die or come out missing an arm or a leg. I, Old Hei, used to go to Qihua Mountain often. Once on the road, I encountered something so strange, I almost pissed my pants just thinking about it now.”

At this point, Pan Hei deliberately paused to drink some water. He was teasing us. Xiao Jian grew impatient and said, 

“My good man, stop beating around the bush. What happened?”

Pan Hei chuckled darkly and said, 

“Back then I was helping my boss transport tea. Our group was walking at the back. It was getting late, and the wind was whistling all around. The tunnel at Whistle Ridge was really deep and didn’t have as much water as it does now. I was lowering the tea bundles down. And as soon as I landed, I saw something light up on the left wall of the tunnel—glowing green.”

I laughed and said, 

“Probably just some ghost fire from the valley. Nothing serious.”

“Young lady, if it was ghost fire, I wouldn’t have been scared. A few of us were carrying the bundles. While holding lanterns, we hurried forward. We’d never passed through the tunnel this late before. So we were scared. We stuck to the right, avoiding that green light. We just walked as fast as we could. After passing the light, I got curious and took a closer look. That one look nearly scared the soul out of me.”

At this point, Pan Hei’s face darkened noticeably. And his voice trembled. 

“I saw that ghost fire glowing green. And though it was hard to see clearly, I spotted a pale white female figure standing there with long hair. She was not moving at all. I ran for my life. I didn’t even care about the tea bundles.”

As soon as he said that, I clearly felt the icy arms around me tighten suddenly. The reins were also pulled back. But since my back faced Luo Shen, I didn’t know what was going on behind me. Was she frightened by Pan Hei’s story? Seemed unlikely. Luo Shen was far stronger than me. I had taken it just as a regular ghost story—she certainly had no reason to be afraid.

Just as I thought this, the road suddenly widened. Around us were piles of disordered rocks. And not far ahead was a pitch-black cave entrance. It was crouching there like a beast’s gaping bloody mouth, waiting for its prey.

At this moment, Pan Hei and the other porters’ expressions became unnatural—probably because they were near the tunnel. A deep fear seemed to arise in them. Luo Shen handed them some scattered silver and instructed them to lead the horses back to the inn. The men didn’t dare linger. Each took a horse and hurried down the mountain like the wind.

Curious about the legendary tunnel, I stepped closer to look. Inside was endless darkness. Thanks to the outside light, the nearby area could still be seen clearly. The water level was high. It was probably mixed with silt from the mountain. And the surface looked strangely murky. Once the boat entered the water, Cheng Yun and Xie Long each grabbed a paddle and jumped aboard.

The others carried the bundles from the horses onto the boat. I sat at the stern. I then opened the rations and water to distribute to everyone.

Inside the tunnel was eerily silent, with only the sound of paddles stirring the water. The darkness gradually thickened. We lit two torches at the bow of the boat to barely make out the surroundings.

I felt a suppression I had never experienced before. It was like a dream. I even wondered if I was floating on the River of Forgetfulness in the underworld. Then I remembered that our journey into the ancient tomb had truly begun here. I couldn’t say if I felt terror or hesitation.

Maybe the atmosphere was too heavy. Even Xiao Jian uncharacteristically shut his mouth. He was fiddling with his throwing knives. He was skilled with small weapons and hidden tools. Around his waist was a leather case full of small needles and projectiles. Cheng Yun and Xie Long focused on rowing. They were paddling in unison. The boat moved steadily. Qing Songzi remained quiet as usual. His aged face showed exhaustion as he leaned on the edge of the boat to rest.

I was used to Luo Shen’s silence. At that moment, she was wiping a long sword. I finally got a good look at the weapon. The hilt was engraved with ancient bronze rust. It showed the wear of time. The blade gleamed with chilling light. It exuded an ominous cold aura—it must have been soaked in the bl00d of many.

“Stop… Stop!” 

Suddenly, a voice exploded by my ear. It shattered the long silence. I flinched. Xiao Jian had stood up, pointing at the stone wall on the right. 

“There’s something strange! Brother Yun, steer the boat over there!”

Cheng Yun and Xie Long quickly worked together to steer the boat closer to the right. As we approached, I saw that the stone wall was damp and cold. It was covered with moss-like plants. From the cracks, long vines stretched out. They were tangled together. Looking closer, I saw a hideous, green-faced monster hidden behind the plants!

“What is that!” 

I backed away in shock, making the boat wobble. Xiao Jian’s face also paled. But Qing Songzi, who had been resting, observed it calmly and said, 

“It’s just a lamp.”

“A lamp?”

Qing Songzi nodded, leaned forward, and lit a fire-starter. As soon as he touched the spot above the face, a ghostly green flame burst out. It cast an eerie green glow.

I took a deep breath and looked carefully. It really *was* an old lantern. The base was carved into the terrifying face of a Yaksha demon, baring its fangs. Two horns protruded from the sides. Inside the lamp dish, the oil hadn’t dried up and supported the flickering green flame. It was like a ghost fire from hell.

Xiao Jian shouted, 

“Is this damn thing the ghost fire Old Pan Hei saw? Then does that ghost beauty in white with long hair still linger nearby?”

My heart suddenly skipped a beat. I instinctively looked around. The water rippled in expanding circles. Then I heard Xiao Jian snickering, hands covering his mouth. I got mad. Damned guy, spouting nonsense in broad daylight just to scare me.

Qing Songzi studied the lamp for a while and said, 

“This lamp is very old. I reckon the tunnel dates back just as long. But such a deep tunnel—what was it built for? If I’m right, there must be more hidden lamps inside. If the water weren’t so high, ordinary people walking through here would never notice them.”

Staring at the lamp, I suddenly felt uneasy. That green light swayed in front of me. And in my nose I faintly smelled something odd. I turned to see Luo Shen sniffing lightly. Her lips were pale. She unconsciously tightened her grip on the sword in her hand.

Just then, something banged into the bottom of our boat. It shook violently. Ripples spread across the water in widening circles.