While Ye Chen and Lu Shixun had just barely escaped from the corpses into the hidden passage, the group of pursuers chasing after them finally reached the tomb entrance.

The valley no longer felt quiet. Eight armed men moved through the area, scanning every direction. Their boots pressed into the soil as they checked positions one by one. A drone hovered above, covering the blind spots.

Near the uprooted tree, one of the men stopped and called out, "Mr Zhu, we’ve found something."

Zhu Shan walked over at a calm pace.

He wore a simple white robe, the emblem of the White Moon Sect faintly visible on his back. Compared to the others, he looked most out of place, but no one questioned his presence.

From the previous display of strength, they could guess one or two things about this seemingly ordinary old man, who was anything but ordinary.

"Have you checked the rest of the valley?" Zhu Shan asked.

"Yes," the man replied without delay. "The perimeter is sealed. No movements were detected. The drones didn’t find anything either. This cave is the only place left."

Zhu Shan looked at the opening beneath the fallen tree.

It was well hidden. Without careful inspection, it would have been easy to miss.

"They went inside, hmm?" he murmured. There was a hint of understanding in his tone.

"Then we move in," he added. "No need to waste more time."

The man lowered his head slightly. "Sorry, Mr Zhu. We could have caught them earlier."

Zhu Shan waved it off. "You did your job well. For ordinary people, your team is already capable. Gu Liming didn’t send the wrong group."

At first, Zhu Shan had not thought he needed assistance. The target was weak, at least to him. But after seeing Ye Chen escape right under his hands more than once, he was speechless and had adjusted his mindset.

Strength alone was not everything. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Luck and reaction could delay the outcome.

Still, delay was all it would be. Without strength, one could only wait to be crushed by the strong. As will be the end of that evil young man.

"Let’s go," Zhu Shan said.

His eyes turned cold as he looked into the cave.

"For someone evil like him, death is the only salvation."

"Fate... let this old man be the one to end this sin."

The group entered the cave.

The moment they stepped inside, the light dropped. Air felt heavier, and the tunnel narrowed. The gunmen moved carefully, scanning ahead while keeping formation.

Zhu Shan walked in the middle, his pace steady.

After a short distance, his expression shifted slightly.

He slowed down.

"...This isn’t natural," he said.

The man beside him looked over. "What do you mean, Mr Zhu?"

Zhu Shan placed his hand against the wall.

"This tunnel was manually excavated by someone," he said. "It’s not just a naturally formed cave."

The others grew more alert. Could it be a trap?

However, when they thought of Mr Zhu’s strength. They were relieved.

In front of that kind of monstrous strength, all traps and tricks are meaningless.

They continued moving forward. Soon, the narrow path opened into a wider space.

Then they saw it. A large metallic gate stood ahead, already open.

The carvings on it were old but clear enough to explain that this place is of huge historical relevance.

The group slowed down. No one spoke for a moment. They all turned to look at their mission leader.

Zhu Shan stepped closer and observed it carefully. His eyes showed a hint of surprise, but he remained calm.

"...A tomb," he said. "Interesting..."

The gunmen exchanged brief glances.

They never expected to unearth a tomb hidden in such a seemingly ordinary cave. Since this door was open, it also means that Ye Chen and Lu Shixun have gone deeper inside.

"Stay alert and follow me," Zhu Shan said. "They won’t get far."

He stepped through the gate. The others followed without hesitation.

The hunt was not over yet.

***

Deeper inside the tomb.

Ye Chen and Lu Shixun had barely steadied themselves after escaping the corpses when the path brought them to an underground river. The space opened wide, and the sound of slow-moving water echoed softly in the chamber. But they never knew the danger lurking in that river,

Between the two sides stood an old wooden bridge. It looked unstable. Several planks were cracked, and the ropes holding them together had loosened over time. The entire structure swayed slightly even without weight on it.

Lu Shixun hesitated for a brief moment, but there was no real choice.

"Let’s move," Ye Chen said.

They stepped onto the bridge.

The wood creaked under their weight.

Each step had to be placed carefully. The planks shifted slightly beneath their feet, and the ropes groaned as if they might snap at any moment.

They had only taken a few steps when—

Splash!

A sharp burst of water shot upward like a projectile.

"Watch out!"

Ye Chen reacted instantly. He grabbed Lu Shixun by the shoulder and pushed him down while twisting his own body to the side.

The water burst passed right where Lu Shixun’s head had been.

It struck the edge of one of the wooden beams behind them.

*Crack.*

The impact left a visible mark.

Lu Shixun’s face turned pale. "That... was close."

Ye Chen didn’t relax. His gaze dropped to the river below, his expression turning serious.

"The force behind that attack... " It’s almost comparable to a small cannon," he said quietly.

"What attacked us?" Lu Shixun asked, still trying to process what had just happened.

"A fish."

Lu Shixun froze. "A fish? Brother Ye, are you serious?"

"Look down."

Lu Shixun followed his gaze.

The moment he did, his body stiffened.

"...S-so many."

Dozens of large shapes moved beneath the surface. Their eyes were fixed upward, locked onto the two figures standing on the bridge.

Observing their prey with ferocity and hunger.

***

[A.N: Read Author’s Thoughts!]