Chapter 654: Chapter 653: Open and Aboveboard

Mu Hong faced so many bundles of things, looking a bit confused, and stood quietly aside.

The talisman briefly sorted out the things on the ground, divided them into several piles, and started moving them underground batch by batch. Mu Hong was still in a daze during the first two trips, but later he finally snapped out of it and ran over to help.

Probably thanks to years of hiding, climbing up and down, in and out, he exerted quite an effort on the stone sarcophagus. Although he was very thin, he possessed a bundle of strength, and managed to carry a handful of things into the tunnel.

Zhu Yu also helped carry some, and the group managed to transfer everything into the underground tomb chamber.

By the time they descended, the originally dark tomb chamber was now illuminated.

After the talisman came down first, he swiftly made several torches with the supplies he had bought, and found several slots on the walls where the torches could be fixed.

Now with a few torches inserted into the surrounding walls, the flickering flames cast a layer of warm, orange light over the tomb chamber.

Other than the stone sarcophagus in the center, reminding everyone that this was indeed a tomb chamber, it could almost be mistaken for an ordinary underground secret chamber.

"Let’s not rush for anything else, let’s eat first." Lu Qing called out to the others.

Mu Hong, tempted by the aroma, had been drooling for a long time, but since no one had spoken, he dared not say anything. Now that Lu Qing called out, he was the first to run over, sit beside them, and when Lu Qing tore off a piece of chicken to give him, he gobbled it up ravenously.

Zhu Yu found the meal quite delicious as well, having not eaten so much meat for a long time. Although she wasn’t a meat-loving "carnivore", the journey indeed made her taste buds quite bland.

The inn they stayed at before was merely a post-developed small town, and ultimately, the people there lived quite frugally. The food was only slightly tastier than the dry pancakes they had carried in their bags for so long.

This meal made her feel very satisfied.

With their stomachs full, the talisman and Fu Lu got back to work. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

The places on the wall where torches could be inserted were originally meant for oil lamps, to illuminate during the tomb digging.

After the tomb was completed, those oil lamps would have been taken away.

For them now, having a place to put oil lamps was great. After eating, the brothers swiftly set up the oil lamps Fu Lu had bought around the walls, filled them with lamp oil, and then extinguished the torches, neatly stacking them in the corner.

"Everyone... this... what is this for?" Mu Hong, feeling full, likely hadn’t eaten anything so flavorful and greasy for a long time, was caught off guard by the hearty meal, and feeling somewhat sluggish, he couldn’t help but ask, curious.

"We can’t help you return to living among people for now, and you can’t keep living in the dark underground." Lu Qing looked around at the few oil lamps. Although the light was far from bright, it was definitely much better than before when it was pitch dark. "Someone will provide you with the materials needed to concoct the antidote soon, and someone will help you transform this underground tomb chamber into a safer and more comfortable secret room.

We’ll ensure everything is secure here before leaving, you don’t need to worry.

Afterwards, you just need to live here peacefully and help us prepare the antidote. Whether it’s your safety or the food and supplies you need, someone will be specifically responsible for it.

The spices forced to be prepared by your Mu Family Manor have been used for sinister and vicious purposes. To capture the mastermind behind it, we need enough antidote first to thwart the opponent’s plot.

When the time is right, I will surely find you a safe place, allowing your days to be filled with sunlight and stability."

Mu Hong looked at Lu Qing dumbfoundedly, as if he had heard something unbelievable from his mouth.

"I... will I really have a chance this lifetime to openly... live outside?" he probed, cautiously asking.

Lu Qing nodded calmly and firmly: "As long as you do what I need, I will certainly fulfill my promise.

I know you feel uneasy, so the wooden building above is still the same, the oil lamps and the supplies for eating and drinking are placed in this tomb chamber for you, also eliminating the risk of going up and down.

Everything will improve once our people arrive."

Mu Hong’s eyes reddened slightly, looking around at this originally dark and stuffy underground tomb chamber, the warm glow of the oil lamps somehow made the space seem warmer.

"Hey! This is also for you!" Fu Lu took a blanket from the side and handed it to him, "Second Master specifically instructed, suggesting you lay it under you while sleeping in the sarcophagus, as it’s uncomfortable and hard even if it’s not cold."

Mu Hong’s tears couldn’t be controlled, instantly streaming from his eyes, and he knelt on the ground with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly, unable to utter a word.

Lu Qing instructed the talisman and Fu Lu to pull him up, and the four of them tidied up the things here briefly, telling Mu Hong where the lamp oil was stored, and hurriedly headed back while it wasn’t too late.

Given the previous arrangements, returning late this time to the inn, the owner and his wife weren’t suspicious, assuming they had gone out to handle affairs related to the cenotaph.

Having busied themselves all day, everyone was indeed tired, and each went to their rooms for rest.

For the next few days, this routine continued. Under Lu Qing’s orders, the talisman and Fu Lu began making feasible modifications to the tomb chamber.

The four returned dust-laden each night they stayed at the inn, coupled with the talisman and Fu Lu’s dusty appearance, the innkeeper couple grew even more convinced of their previous narrative.

Just after three more days, there were sudden rustling sounds in the woods.

Even with the few days they had spent together, Mu Hong’s courage had increased significantly from before, yet he was still startled, quickly scurrying back into the tunnel and only poking his head out slightly.

Lu Qing signaled, and the talisman swiftly slipped out the door, returning after a while looking much more energized.

"Sir, they are our people." He exclaimed joyfully to Lu Qing.

Lu Qing nodded: "You two go greet them, instruct them to disperse quietly, creating no unnecessary commotion."