Chapter 7: Opening the Coffin

Just now, Bai Yi had inspected these two stone coffins and found nothing. This Tang San seemed like a ghost; with a mere random grab, he pulled out this jade sword ornament! It is quite sinister!

Ding Dali was taken aback, exclaiming and releasing his grip, then squatting down on the ground. This seemingly rugged man was, in fact, extremely fragile inside. Looking at Bai Yi, he remained calm and proceeded to lift another stone coffin. Similarly, it was empty inside as well. He sighed and suddenly began to pace around like an ant on a hot pan: "This is not good, we need to find an exit, or we won't be able to get out."

With hands as strong as an ox, Ding Dali tightly gripped Tang Sancheng's neck, making it difficult for him to breathe. Tang Sancheng heard the sound of bones creaking, and Bai Yi's cold voice echoed: "Enough, Dali!"

Upon hearing this, Bai Yi fell silent and focused on dealing with the coffin lid. He forcefully lifted it, revealing... Tang San Cheng was stunned; it was an empty coffin, devoid of any remains. The hollow stone coffin drove Ding Dali into a rage, and he grabbed Tang San Cheng by the neck, exclaiming, "What kind of grave did you choose? My brothers have all lost their lives, and this is an empty coffin! Today, I must kill you to avenge my brothers!"

The two individuals verified the stone coffin on the other side using the same method. Similarly, six arrows were shot out. Tang San Cheng was very curious about what the potion was, but he also knew that this was not the time to ask questions. Ding and Tu Shu Dali, along with Bai Yi, exerted their strength together, attempting to open the coffin lid. Tang San Cheng stepped forward to assist, and the three of them combined their efforts. They heard a creaking sound as the stone coffin was shifted slightly, and a wave of putrid odor immediately assaulted their nostrils. Ding Dali turned his head to the side and exclaimed, "Ugh, the stench of corpses!"

If a person were standing there, what need is there for six branches? One branch is sufficient to pierce through the intestines and take his life. Tang Sancheng broke out in a cold sweat, and upon looking at Bai Yi and Ding Dali, it was evident that they had been through countless battles and were already accustomed to it.

Tang San also walked to the side of the stone coffin. With his keen eyes, he reached down to explore and surprisingly took out an object, to which Bai Yi exclaimed: "A jade sword ornament?"

Tang San sensibly placed the jade sword ornament in Bai Yi's hand. Bai Yi sighed, "After losing so many brothers, to only obtain this is truly a colossal joke"

Tang San felt very uneasy. Ever since leaving the San Ya Village, he had been experiencing a strange sensation. He decided to go with the flow of fate. Upon arriving here, he understood that this was all predestined, and there was no escaping it. He walked towards the stone coffin, and his hands instinctively reached out to touch it.

This issue made the three individuals aware of their current predicament; the path they had taken was already cut off, and there were quicksands flowing like waterfalls, making it utterly impossible to proceed. If there were no alternative exit, the three would be left to perish here. At present, all they had on them were two flasks of water and a few flatbreads

Tang San, being quite young, was immediately intimidated by Bai Yi's shout. Coupled with the desire to preserve his own life, he obediently retreated to the edge of the table, crouching down with his head in his arms. Bai Yi then pulled out a piece of bluish-white stone from his bosom and forcefully smashed it against the coffin lid. With a dull thud, six arrows shot out from the center of the stone coffin, piercing directly into the stone wall. The shafts of the arrows disappeared into the wall, leaving only the fletchings exposed, showcasing tremendous force

"Don't move!" Bai Yi firmly grasped his wrist and flung him aside. Then, he took out a vial of potion from his pocket and sprinkled it over the stone coffin. After waiting for a moment without any response, he finally breathed a sigh of relief: "Dali, prepare to open the coffin."

I can smell it; how could I possibly not notice such a foul odor

These are two pieces of dragon-shaped jade, placed together, resembling a sword, one serving as the hilt and the other as the guard. The sword tip is presented in an inverted trapezoidal shape, with a rectangular obtuse angle cross-section. At the top and on both sides, there are three grooves, and at the bottom, there is a non-penetrating circular hole for the hilt. The entire surface is adorned with patterns of coiling serpents and swirling clouds. The guard is elliptical, featuring a diamond-shaped perforation for the bronze hilt and blade to be inserted, surrounded by eight grooves intricately carved with swirling cloud patterns.

Opening the coffin is merely a matter of lifting the lid, which, in Tang San Cheng's mind, is just a physical task. However, Bai Yi and Ding Da Li exchanged a cautious glance, and the two retreated to either side of the stone coffin, keeping their distance. Seeing that Tang San Cheng was still standing in place, Bai Yi shouted, "If you want to keep your life, get out of the way!"

"Did you not smell it?" Bai Yi's expression changed.

Bai Yi and Tang San Cheng, however, caught a whiff of a fragrant scent afterward. The two exchanged glances, then looked at Ding Dali, who felt a chill run down his spine as he stared at him: "What’s wrong, Brother Bai?"