Chapter 5, The Collapse of the Earth and the Sky

A massive shadow gradually emerged under the reflection of the flames, vaguely resembling a rolling stone, yet constantly changing direction while maintaining a serpentine movement. The shadow pressed forward against the light, which seemed to illuminate a wall that could move. Yang Jin suspected that he might have inadvertently triggered a mechanism of a hidden trap, but he dismissed this thought. Traps do not need to be confined within a cage; this enormous shadow is the prisoner within the cage. The shadow pressed forward against the light, which seemed to illuminate a wall that could move. Yang Jin suspected that he might have inadvertently triggered a mechanism of a hidden trap, but he dismissed this thought. Traps do not need to be confined within a cage; this enormous shadow is the prisoner within the cage.

Regarding the matter of the monsters, Meng Tian pondered and said, I have reported it to Emperor Shi

The natural caves are interconnected, and after leaving the monster's prison, signs of human life are everywhere, such as earthen stoves, stone-crafted pots and bowls, and so on. It is evident that the people who once lived here did not consume raw flesh and blood like the monsters. Other stone beds and stone chairs are also quite common.

Finally arriving at the end of the river, the incessant waters flow out from beneath a rugged and mottled stone wall, leaving no further path along the river. Yang Jin led the team to seek an alternative route, and as the peaks turned and the paths twisted, they discovered another realm.

As they moved forward, extraordinary sights emerged one after another, with caves within caves, though most were not spacious enough to accommodate a person. The water, rippling with scales bearing spines, sank beneath the surface, making it difficult to discern the full picture, and there were even colossal creatures resembling the dugong resting on the shore. Yang Jin instructed Tao Su to meticulously record the possible routes and to leave markers in areas where one might easily lose their way

"The general has overpraised me," Yang Jin said, waving his hand. "Although my elder brother is steady, he lacks adaptability. Gu Yong possesses mere reckless courage without strategy, and although Tao Su is clever, he unfortunately lacks a grand vision."

With the stars and moon shining brightly in the sky, reuniting with my brothers, Yang Jin recalled the extraordinary experiences in the cave, feeling as if it were a lifetime ago

Yang Jin sent off Wu Zhuo and ordered the soldiers to gather materials on the spot to fashion a barricade from crowbars, which could seal the entrance and prevent the emergence of demonic creatures. After making the necessary arrangements, Yang Jin, accompanied by Gu Yong and Tao Su, selected one hundred soldiers, tore off their cuffs to cover their mouths and noses, and armed with torches, entered the cave one by one.

Beneath the circular hole, a long crack opened above the shadow, and a red core of electric light, as thick as a bowl, shot out like lightning, pulling the nearest four or five soldiers into the dark space of the crack, their screams instantly vanishing within the closing fissure. After this successful strike, the shadow quickly rose, like a crossbow bolt shooting into a wall that seemed to rise from the ground, falling to the ground.

This terrifying monster is a primordial beast that cannot be subdued by human strength. Some speculate that the corpse found before the stone door of the secret chamber may belong to the Southern Barbarian Daoist. Yang Jin is unaware of the celestial arts or demonic techniques used by those who once resided underground to imprison the monster in the cave. However, it is evident that for ordinary mortals like them, escaping the cage is the only path to survival

Yang Jin cautiously brought the bronze artifact closer to the bronze ding, believing that the combination of the two might lead him to clues about the magical creature and the mysteries of the underground palace. Of course, it could also trigger unimaginable consequences. However, he could not suppress his intense curiosity, which has driven human progress but is also a source of disaster and misfortune.

As a disciple of the Mohist school, Yang Jin found it difficult to accept such slaughter

The bright moon hung high in the night sky, and the snow-covered grassland resembled a blanket of silver sand. Wu Zhuo arranged for the soldiers to take turns guarding the cave entrance, while he himself remained steadfastly on duty without leaving his post. His mind was made up; if by dawn Yang Jin had not returned, he would request permission from Meng Tian to lead a large force into the underground. Wu Zhuo, feeling anxious and powerless, suddenly saw a dirty, disheveled head emerge from the cave entrance, almost ordering the archers to shoot. However, upon hearing human voices from within the cave rather than those of monsters, Wu Zhuo realized it was Yang Jin returning. He hurriedly ordered his men to assist in pulling the exhausted soldiers out of the cave.

What exactly happened just now? Take your time to explain it," Yang Jin urged Gu Yong.

After the onset of autumn, the Hu people have migrated far away, and the calamities caused by monsters have been incessant. Although not as devastating as the initial night raid, it has significantly delayed the construction schedule of the city. With winter approaching, more refugees will arrive in succession. As long as the monsters remain, they will always pose a grave threat. Yang Jin had previously discussed this matter with Tao Su. Since the reign of King Zhao Wuling, who established Yuncheng, there have been no reports of monster disturbances. However, with the expansion into the Hetao region, monsters have frequently appeared.

However, Yang Jin finally understood why the people who once lived here had to carve out a passageway; it was to allow the chains on the back of the monster to pass through the passageway and connect to the platform beneath the bronze cauldron in the cave. Although the operation principle of the bronze cauldron was unknown, this monster must be the source of the mysterious power of the cauldron.

You, a disciple of the Mohist school, always have thoughts that are different from others! Meng Tian could not hide his feelings of regret as he returned the crossbow to Yang Jin and said with an open mind, "It is not the act of a gentleman to force someone against their will; I will not compel you either"

Giants? Such towering giants? Although there have been numerous legends about giants in human folklore, no one has ever truly witnessed their existence. There have been claims that some people, while digging the earth, have unearthed the bones of giants, but those are merely hearsay; they have never seen them with their own eyes

"This entrance is so well concealed that there must be danger inside," someone said with concern

The water surface was dimly lit, and even a torch brought close could only illuminate five steps from the shore. The white fish were slippery and agile, and without any fishing equipment, some attempted to shoot with a crossbow, but the arrows lost their force as soon as they hit the water. Those who entered the water quickly succumbed to the knife-like cold and returned empty-handed

They were not retreating towards their original path, but rather being forced deeper into the unknown void by the frenzied attacks of the monsters. The void resembled an inverted water ladle, with the depths gradually narrowing. Even though the monsters had a numerical advantage, they found it difficult to unleash their full potential under the pressure of the rock walls on both sides. The Qin army protected their formation with shields and blades, counterattacking while retreating, leaving a trail of monster blood behind them. However, the monsters' sluggish state was gradually fading. Once they regained their swift agility, the situation for the Qin army in this cave would clearly become precarious.

The crowd jostled and pushed through the gap; if this scene were to be witnessed by Meng Tian, he would surely be at a loss whether to laugh or cry. A group of soldiers from the Great Qin, having discarded their armor, with broken weapons, and some even bare-chested and exposed, appeared disheveled and fled in a sorry state. However, if they were to see the monsters in the cage, it would be hard to say whether they could even muster the strength to run away, let alone mock them.

This is a creature that can no longer be described as a monster; it is more aptly referred to as a demon beast. If this colossal being were to crawl up the Great Wall, its body would completely fill the pathway. What the onlookers can see is merely the part illuminated by the firelight, while the body extends into an immeasurable length, unknown to what depths of darkness it reaches. If it resembles a python, its raised body is flanked by short limbs resembling centipedes, and its head is comparable in size to the beacon towers on the Great Wall. Its broad mouth and nose protrude like that of a wolf, and above its nostrils, there are no eyes, yet it possesses a forehead that bulges like that of a domestic goose.

"General, I seek an audience today to report a matter of importance." Yang Jin refrained from further idle chatter

Yet the Third Brother is resourceful, luring the monsters into an ambush filled with iron thorns, and then capturing them with a hook net. Tao Su, feeling pleased, dismounted and approached, provocatively poking the monster in the net with the tip of his knife. Curiously, he squatted down and said, "But the problem is, this monster cannot speak human language; what use is it to capture it alive?"

On the bank where the river water surges, a colorful frog emerges from the gravel, splashing about. This little creature, similar in size to a normal frog but with a rare skin color, seems weary of the restless waters and moves towards the shore. However, it does not leap; instead, it crawls like a toad. Following the lead of this colorful frog, a considerable number of colorful frogs subsequently emerge from the water in groups.

I will go down first. In order to stabilize the morale of the troops, Yang Jin decided to take the lead himself, so he took the freshly lit torch from the soldier's hand and boldly descended into the passageway.

Everyone heard the news, and it turned out to be a false alarm, so they all sheathed their weapons. The long cave finally came to an end, with a waist-high drop to the ground ahead. Yang Jin jumped out of the cave entrance and found the space suddenly opened up, raising the torch high to cautiously observe the surrounding environment

"Fire!" Yang Jin's shout awakened the soldiers who were still in shock

There seems to be a strange magnetism between the bronze artifact and the bronze ding; the closer they come, the more the bronze artifact begins to slip from Yang Jin's grasp, as if it is eager to return to its rightful place. With a sound of "clang," the bronze artifact fits into the groove, squeezing out a faint glow along the edges of the seam.

Just when the soldiers were at their wits' end, believing that they would inevitably meet their fate in the belly of the monster today, Gu Yong let out a loud shout, raised his leg, and kicked at the log. The soldiers beside him immediately understood and followed suit. Gu Yong's continuous shouts quickly stirred up a powerful chant, and amidst the collective cries of several people, the log, which had already been severed halfway, finally broke apart with a resounding crack, creating a gap in the fence through which a person could pass.

The strange and wondrous phenomena drew people in the cave closer to Yang Jin, as they curiously gathered around the bronze cauldron, tapping and knocking on it. They even began to discuss and speculate about the purpose and origin of the cauldron, filled with an indescribable curiosity. There was much debate about what exactly was burning inside the cauldron that emitted a rainbow-like glow, and how the blue veins appeared on the otherwise flat surface of the cauldron. Everyone had their own opinions, yet no conclusion was reached.

It seems that too many of us live here, constantly clearing and expanding the land, which has led to conflicts with them. They... should not have appeared suddenly, but have been living deep in the wilderness all along. " Yang Jin concluded at last

Yang Jin held the short crossbow in his hand, yet had not fired a single arrow. Seeing that the demonic creatures no longer pursued him, he finally relaxed his taut nerves slightly. Reflecting on his earlier careless mistake, he silently reminded himself that in this unknown cave, which concealed countless secrets, he must not act recklessly again; otherwise, the only outcome awaiting him would be the complete annihilation of his forces.

"The sky is falling!" Gu Yong's shout echoed across the snowy expanse. From the direction still shrouded in white mist, a lone rider galloped forth. It was only when the warhorse approached that everyone saw Tao Su, unconscious, slung across its hindquarters.

Yang Jinjing waited for a long time, yet no demonic creatures appeared. She then ordered her men to pour thick smoke into the cave, but there was still no movement within the dark hole. After dispersing the smoke, Yang Jin lit a torch and threw it into the cave. The flame rolled down the slope of the dark hole and stopped several zhang away. The firelight was enveloped in a mass of darkness, making it impossible to see the situation inside the cave.

The path they came from was blocked by monsters, and Yang Jin had no choice but to lead the team along the stone steps into the unknown areas of the cave. Since the monsters had clearly halted out of fear, no one dared to imagine what dangers lay deeper within the stone steps that even the monsters feared.

The sudden death of the soldier cast a shadow over people's hearts, and the white smoke that caused his death mysteriously emerged from within the bronze cauldron, while they were now walking in the corridor beneath the cauldron

"Third Brother, what exactly are you asking us to find?" Gu Yong asked Yang Jin irritably

"Xu Er, do not listen to his nonsense," Tao Su ran over, deliberately raising his voice, "The place where we fought back then was several dozen miles from here. Fourth Brother was so frightened by the Hu people that he nearly wet his pants, which is why he even remembered the location incorrectly. If it weren't for my leadership and the success of our clever strategy, Fourth Brother would probably have been hugging the Hu people's thighs, calling them 'father'"

However, nothing unusual occurred. The soldier, curious, pressed the beast's head on the other side, and everything in the cave remained normal, still and silent. He then tried pressing both sides simultaneously, but still, everything remained unchanged. Seeing the crowd of people around the high platform, all focused intently, he decided to sit on the stone chair and randomly pressed the beast's head. Sometimes left, sometimes right, left, left, right, right, or right, left, right, left; in short, there was no pattern to his actions. At the same time, he kept a close watch on the dark corners of the cave to see if any changes occurred. Suddenly, a locking sound came from the beast's mouth, and he could no longer press it down. Following that, the high platform directly opposite began to move on its own.

The stout crowbar nearly broke as the massive stone was slowly moved aside, and a foul odor surged forth unabated, especially as the laborers, shouting in unison, gasped for breath, almost choking and letting go of the ropes in their hands. With the stone shifted to the side, a deep hole, barely wide enough for a single person to pass through, was fully revealed beneath the waterlogged pit, from which waves of putrid stench emanated.

The rare tranquility did not last long; suddenly, a dazzling white stretched from the ground to the sky, and a ring of gray smoke suddenly rose into the air. The smoke spread out like ripples, layer upon layer expanding in all directions, as if the sky had been corroded to form a circular hole.

Upon reaching this point, Yang Jin felt a renewed spark of hope in her heart and shouted, "Quickly search around the high platform to see if there are any mechanisms or pivots!"

Yang Jin remained on the high platform, and the vibrations caused by Tao Su's fist striking the platform reached his feet, initially not drawing his attention. ... However, upon further reflection, he realized that not to mention Tao Su, even if Gu Yong were to throw a full-force punch after a hearty meal, it would be impossible to shake the stone platform, unless this stone platform ... ! ... was empty

The smile instantly vanished from Gu Yong's face, and all the wild boasts he had just made were cast aside. He turned and ran, with soldiers following closely behind him in a frantic escape. Before he had run more than a hundred steps, he was blocked by someone in front of him. Looking up, he discovered that Yang Jin was actually coming towards him. After careful recollection, he realized that after escaping from the cage, he had indeed not seen Yang Jin's figure.

No more monsters or other terrifying beasts were encountered ahead, and the torches were running low. Fortunately, there were lighting recesses along the way that still contained residual lamp oil, allowing for both travel and fuel replenishment.

In an instant, blades flashed everywhere, crossbow bolts flew across the air, and humans and monsters engaged in a chaotic battle.

On the armrests of that stone chair, there are carvings of a beast's head on both sides, the craftsmanship is exceedingly crude, lacking both majesty and symmetry. Due to the disarray of the stone chair and stone table within the cave, initially, no one paid attention to this stone chair. When Yang Jin ordered a second search, a soldier inadvertently pressed the beast's head during the search and was astonished to discover that the beast's mouth could actually close, indicating that there was an internal mechanism. Although it was not near the high platform, he still pressed down forcefully on the upper jaw of the beast's head.

"Elder brother," Yang Jin called Wu Zhuo to his side, "You should report this matter to General Meng"

Tao Su would never surrender easily; he was already prepared. As Gu Yong's arm came down, he had already burst into laughter and escaped. Gu Yong shouted curses and pursued closely. The two riders on their swift horses kicked up waves of snow, advancing side by side in a cloud of white dust, seemingly racing towards the distant sky

Behind the door lies a natural cave, clearly showing signs of past human habitation. Upset stone tables and chairs silently lie scattered throughout the cave, and the ground is littered with jagged white bones, which bear evident signs of severe impact fractures, indicating that the victims met a tragic end on the spot. It is difficult to imagine what transpired at that time. Additionally, some have discovered bizarre, crisscrossing grooves etched into the rock walls; these grooves are straight and their cause remains unknown. Besides the grooves, there are also artificially carved depressions, within which remnants of lamp oil and wicks still exist. When ignited with torches, the light gradually fills the entire cave.

The tall and thick logs intersected, forming a fence that blocked Yang Jin's path, making it unclear whether they had arrived in front of a cage or if they were already within one. Yang Jin ordered everyone to spread out in search of an exit, but it did not take long for them to despondently realize that this cage had no door at all

The stone steps meandered and twisted, and after a long journey, the soldier at the front discovered a pile of white bones on the steps. Judging solely from the tattered and decayed clothing on the corpses, it was clear that these remains were not of monsters, but of humans. Yang Jin was puzzled by the reason behind this, but the evidence that the cave had been artificially constructed and was not the work of monsters somewhat alleviated his confusion.

"Haha, why don't you first ask about its place of origin and how many people are in the family?" Before Gu Yong had the chance to laugh out loud, his voice suddenly twisted with fear, "Old Five, watch out behind you!"

Laughter faded away, just as all eyes were still focused on the sky, the ground responded with intense tremors. With a deafening roar, Yang Rui held Yang Xu tightly, her eyes shut firmly, letting out a silent scream. When she realized everything had returned to normal and reopened her eyes, the echoes still lingered in her ears

Once everything was ready, Yang Jin pressed the mechanism of the round stone, and the stone door, which had been sealed for an unknown duration, slowly opened. As a heavy rumbling sound echoed, the ten guards surrounding Yang Jin immediately became alert to any changes in their surroundings. Dust and smoke billowed forth, and the stagnant air accumulated behind the door surged out through the gradually widening gap. Although no danger occurred during the opening of the stone door, the dark interior concealed unknown dangers or secrets that had caused numerous corpses to lie lifeless on the stone steps, deterring even the most fearsome creatures from approaching the stairs.

Despite everyone being soldiers, witnessing this bizarre scene inevitably instilled fear and trepidation, filling them with concern about the unknown ahead, shrouded in mystery

Although the monsters relied on the dark environment and had an overwhelming number, the soldiers who followed Yang Jin into the cave all had rich experience in fighting monsters. Moreover, the monsters that had just awakened were still relatively slow in their movements. Therefore, Yang Jin and the others fought while retreating. Although the situation was fraught with danger, they protected each other, and for the time being, no casualties occurred

As the crowd escaped from danger, they came to a halt in front of Gu Yong, regardless of whether there were unknown dangers ahead, and they all joined in a wild laughter. The laughter was complex in flavor, containing a release of fear, a sense of relief from having narrowly escaped death, and an attempt to mask the lingering terror.

"It is simply like living two lives," Gu Yong's tense body relaxed as he saw a soldier holding wet clothes walk past Yang Jin, and he couldn't help but ask, "What is this for?"

Without waiting for Yang Jin's orders, Gu Yong quietly led more than thirty people to approach the demon. After several encounters with the demon, it displayed agility and strength beyond that of ordinary beings. However, until Gu Yong silently drove his battle knife into the demon's throat, the demon merely let out a choked whimper, its body convulsing twice before falling still

Yang Jin instructed several accompanying guards to escort Tao Su, Yang Xu, and Yang Rui back to the city, with Gu Yong leading the way. He and Wu Zhuo took the remaining troops to the site where the celestial object had fallen to investigate the matter.

Yang Jin, holding a short crossbow, approached calmly on horseback, with his troops arranged in a wing formation behind him. Since returning from that battle, Yang Jin had been greatly valued by Meng Tian and promoted to the position of military protector. Meng Tian generously imparted various strategies for marching and formation to him, all of which Yang Jin absorbed. Originally a disciple of the Mo School, skilled in manufacturing and civil engineering, Yang Jin was entrusted by Meng Tian with the important task of pioneering and building cities.

Burn the fence with fire! Tao Su was inspired by Yang Jin's words

"Third Brother, this unpleasant odor, I always feel it resembles the smell emitted by a monster." Gu Yong leaned in closer, took a careful sniff, and immediately stepped back, covering his nose.

"What kind of order is this, with soldiers speaking nonsense?" Wu Zhuo frowned in dissatisfaction, raising his hand to point at the sky, "If the sky were to fall, could we remain unscathed?"

Empty? This is quite simple, why need any mechanism?" Gu Yong looked up and down at the high platform, as if assessing a challenger who provoked him. He waved to Yang Jin and said, "Third brother, step aside, let me break through this platform.

Amidst the resounding laughter echoing through the cave, the monster ceased its restless agitation and gradually quieted down. Everyone thought the monster would retreat in the face of difficulty, but unexpectedly, it thrust its nostrils toward the flames, as if suddenly becoming clever, recalling how its breath had inadvertently extinguished the torch. It once again unleashed a strong gust of air toward the roaring fire. Although the flames were fiercer than those of the torch, they were consuming only the light and soft clothing, as if confronted by a sudden gust of wind. While not completely extinguished, the fire was instantly scattered in disarray.

The battle knife is ultimately not an axe for felling trees; even though wood shavings fly amidst the rise and fall of the blade, and despite Gu Yong's powerful strikes, he can only inflict minor wounds on a log of about the thickness of a bowl. Unfortunately, before he could swing a few more times, half of the blade flew into the air, disappearing into the darkness, leaving him with only a pitiful short blade the length of a dagger. Upon seeing this, Tao Su quickly stopped everyone from wildly swinging their knives, instructing the chaotic crowd to form groups. With five blades brought close together, they pressed the edges against the log and pulled to cut, which not only reduced damage to the battle knives but also accelerated the process of severing the log.

The First Emperor of Qin conquered the world and unified the eight directions, revered for his virtue like the Three Sovereigns and recognized for his achievements and failures like the Five Emperors. How could he possibly regard mere demons with any seriousness? The First Emperor declared, 'I sweep across the vast lands, my might extends to all corners of the world. Any monsters or spirits that dare to appear before me must bow down and submit!' The First Emperor has sent a sorcerer to Yunzhong, and he should be arriving soon. Perhaps this sorcerer will unravel the mystery of this demon.' Meng Tian said with great concern.

Ever since escaping from the monster's prison, Yang Jin has thought that since the monster is bound by copper chains and there are additional wooden barriers to ensure absolute security, it must be because there are living beings outside the barriers. Unlike monsters, ordinary people cannot see in the dark and require fire for illumination, so there must be lighting niches nearby, similar to those found in the cave where the bronze cauldron is placed. Yang Jin made a decisive decision and took Tao Su and the soldiers to investigate. Not far from there, they indeed discovered a large number of niches on the rock wall and returned with clothing soaked in lamp oil.

After this meeting, Yang Jin intensified efforts to eliminate the disturbances caused by the monsters. As the weather turned colder, the appearances of the monsters gradually decreased. However, Yang Jin felt more anxious than pleased; the monsters were elusive, and their lairs were difficult to locate. If they were to breed and thrive throughout the winter, by the time spring arrived, they would surely become a disaster, the consequences of which could be as severe as a river bursting its banks

Yang Jin rapidly fired the crossbow, but the monster's skin was as tough as armor. The seemingly vulnerable human face was beyond the range of the crossbow. In a moment of desperation, Yang Jin waved the torch and shouted loudly, attempting to divert the monster's attention away from the wooden fence.

A small, thin head emerged from under the monster's armpit, letting out a weak yet hateful roar towards Gu Yong. Gu Yong changed his thrust into a slash, bringing his blade down, and the head of the monster's offspring flew off horizontally with the force of the strike, blood splattering onto its mother. Gu Yong said with relief: "Damn it, I thought it had come back to life, but it turns out there was still a young one..."

The monstrous head retreated into the darkness, charging out three times like a fierce dragon emerging from the sea. The originally indestructible wooden fence had already been breached at one corner by Gu Yong and others. Even an ant's nest could topple towers and palaces; the monster's head and the broken logs, mixed with rubble, burst forth from the cave entrance.

The crowd scattered throughout the cave, frantically searching for any exit other than the stone door. It had been approximately half a day since they entered the cave from the surface, and it must have been deep into the night above. Yang Jin had not anticipated such a lengthy delay, nor did he expect to be trapped in a desperate situation. Although he had prepared thoroughly before descending, he had forgotten to bring provisions and a water pouch. The gnawing hunger was less unbearable than the parched throat, prompting everyone to involuntarily quicken their search.

"One cannot catch a tiger cub without entering the tiger's den," Yang Jin said with a smile

Damn it," Gu Yong spat out foul language, "What are you afraid of? The number of monsters that have died at my hands is countless. I will go out and kill one right now to satisfy my hunger.

On the vast grassland, a solitary monster runs in panic, its fierce demeanor no longer present

Such a fine weapon," Meng Tian was greatly pleased, examining the short crossbow in his hands, "Why not produce it in large quantities?"

"Attention to your feet behind," the shout of the fallen soldier echoed back, "there is a depression here, I just accidentally fell down."

Is it... could it be me?" Facing the high platform, at the other end of the cave, a soldier sitting on a stone chair slowly raised his hands, looking at everyone with an innocent expression

"Where is it cool?" Another person reached in, boldly touching the white smoke, and immediately retorted, "It is clearly warm."

Indeed, today my subordinate has captured a magical creature," Yang Jin furrowed her brow and analyzed, "Upon careful observation, this creature does not differ much in shape from an ordinary person, being completely hairless. One can only imagine how it withstands the harsh cold of the grasslands in winter without any fur. Moreover, they can see at night, but during the day, they resemble the blind, relying solely on their sense of smell and hearing to navigate. My subordinate speculates that they likely dwell underground.

Yang Jin felt a chill run down his spine. He was uncertain whether he should stop Gu Yong and Tao Su. He also understood that this was an excellent opportunity to kill the monsters. However, tracing back to the root cause, the reason the monsters attacked them was that they sensed the pioneers encroaching on their territory. If the Qin army did not come, the monsters and humans would naturally coexist peacefully, and perhaps humanity would never know that another form of life existed so close at hand.

"The sky is falling, the sky is falling," Gu Yong was drenched in sweat, the warhorse restlessly pawing the ground, emitting weary snorts, "The sun has even fallen down."

Finally, we have caught a live one! Gu Yong exclaimed excitedly, and the accompanying soldiers cheered with joy

The river flowed across the front, and even Yang Jin could not care much, rushing to the riverbank with the other soldiers to drink their fill. The river water was icy cold, alleviating their unbearable thirst, but everyone was without food and poorly clothed, and a chill naturally arose. Suddenly, they noticed white fish and colorful frogs swimming by the water's edge. The colorful frogs were likely poisonous, but the plump white fish were tantalizingly appetizing. However, due to the coldness of the river water, only a few dared to take the risk and entered the river to catch fish, while the others could only drool and lament as they watched the fish.

Yang Xu was tickled by Gu Yong and Tao Su, bursting into peals of innocent laughter that rose into the sky, chasing after the two galloping warhorses as they sped away. This laughter also resonated with everyone else's emotions, and the shared laughter echoed across the snowy expanse.

If one were to say that there is indeed a person present who has seen giants, that person would be Yang Jin. He once witnessed the towering figure of Xing Tian on the battlefield of Zhuolu, thousands of years ago, within that strange dream. However, the giant skeleton before him, in comparison to Xing Tian, could hardly be considered even a child.

The stone door appeared plain and unadorned, lacking any signs or patterns. Yang Jin carefully observed the surroundings of the stone door and discovered that the mechanism was not concealed. Embedded in the wall next to the stone door was a protruding round stone. Due to the presence of a corpse in front of the stone door, Yang Jin did not dare to touch the round stone recklessly. He instructed the team to pull back, leaving only ten individuals with shields to protect him, in order to prevent triggering any other hidden chain mechanisms.

No one expected that amidst the deathly silence surrounding them, there lurked so many living creatures, each more bizarre and ugly than the last, inevitably causing a sense of dread. Yang Jin signaled for everyone not to be influenced by their surroundings. Since entering the cave, they had yet to encounter a single demon, but Yang Jin was certain that there would be discoveries deep within the cave, urging the team to quicken their pace.

"Third brother! What are you waiting for? If we wait any longer, we will starve to death here!" Gu Yong pointed at the white bones in the cave.

"Third brother, look." Tao Su opened the deceased's palm.

"Indeed, Third Brother, fighting our way out may still offer a chance for survival; staying here is nothing but a dead end." Tao Su weighed the pros and cons and felt that he could only take the risk, striking a punch on the high platform where the bronze cauldron was placed

Tao Su, perplexed, turned his head and discovered seven or eight larger monstrous creatures emerging from behind a nearby hill, drooling and eyeing him menacingly as they approached. Gu Yong and Wu Zhuo were at a distance, and the crossbowmen had no time to string their bows and shoot. Tao Su's life hung by a thread.

"Everyone, stop arguing and listen to Third Brother!" Gu Yong sternly admonished the crowd, directing his gaze towards Yang Jin. "If Third Brother tells me to go down, I will go down; if he tells me to charge through the horde of monsters, I will charge!"

I was not mistaken, Meng Tian said with relief, "You four brothers, Wu Zhuo is steady and calm, Gu Yong is valiant and powerful, Tao Su is quick-witted and agile, but unfortunately, Tian Ruihe passed away early. It is said that Tian Ruihe's bravery was not inferior to that of Gu Yong."

The faint glow of the torch could not reach far, and the surroundings were engulfed in profound darkness. This vast expanse of darkness was immeasurable, and the sound of footsteps echoed hollowly in the void, causing no one to dare breathe loudly. Yang Jin could not discern the environment, only leading the group along the rock wall. After walking for several hundred steps, a strange sound of chains dragging on the ground suddenly echoed in the cave. Although the sound was faint, it was distinctly audible in the silent darkness. Yang Jin sensed the approach of danger once more and quickened his pace, but soon found that there was no way forward.

Meng Tian, having gained Yang Jin, felt as if he had been given wings like a tiger, and he cherished him greatly. Upon seeing Yang Jin enter the central military tent, he unceremoniously invited him to sit down.

The river grew increasingly wide, and the water flow became turbulent. The sound of the Qin army's armor clashing produced a continuous ethereal echo in the expansive space. A fish, startled by the footsteps of the troops, leaped out of the water. This was the first creature seen by Yang Jin and his team after entering the cave, causing everyone to instinctively become alert once more. Those with keen eyesight noticed the fish was plump, covered in pearly white scales, with two unusually long antennae swaying gracefully. The white fish fell back into the water, splashing as if the slumbering river surface had been awakened. Fish of various shapes and sizes followed suit, leaping out of the water one after another, creating a series of ripples as the river gradually stirred into waves.

Indeed, if the sun were to truly fall, the sky would turn dark. Gu Yong looked up at the sky in confusion, as the gentle sunlight continued to shine on his face

Therefore, you complement each other perfectly. Meng Tian laughed heartily.

Just when everyone was feeling despair, a clear rumbling sound came from beneath the platform, and the platform slowly retreated on its own, revealing a hidden door in the ground where it had originally stood. No one understood why the platform, which was as stable as a mountain, suddenly moved on its own; it certainly could not have been the result of Gu Yong's brute force impact. The crowd exchanged puzzled glances, but no one could provide an answer to one another.

The flame barrier was breached, and the monsters surged in recklessly, ramming their heads against the wooden fence. The cave trembled, and earth and stones fell; the wooden fence remained unmoved under the first impact of the beast.

The monstrous head howled as it charged downwards, and the crowd had long since scattered in panic. The head struck the wooden fence like a giant log attacking the city gate, causing the entire cave to tremble. Several soldiers who were unable to escape had their bodies shattered, their flesh and bones splattering out through the gaps in the fence.

Tao Su, come help me divert this creature! Gu Yong and the others continue to cut the wood!" Yang Jin shouted anxiously at the chaotic crowd

The elevated platform, measuring less than ten zhang in circumference, could not accommodate nearly a hundred people searching simultaneously. However, everyone knew that Yang Jinsuo was always resourceful and would never issue meaningless instructions. Upon hearing his command, the crowd immediately became enthusiastic and began searching within the cave. Half an hour later, their excitement was once again extinguished by the cruel disappointment.

A massive stone, large enough for two people to embrace, is embedded in the white earth, its surface entirely black. In the sunlight, one can see the stone glimmering with specks of colorful phosphorescence. Although it lies beneath the icy snow, it feels scorching hot to the touch, as if it were molten iron that has yet to cool. The surrounding snow has melted, rising in delicate steam. The soil around the stone is heaped and turned outward, and from the crevices between the soil and the stone, a pungent odor of something burnt wafts out.

Gu Yong took a deep breath, held his breath to gather strength, and the taut muscles on his body bulged with veins. Suddenly, he roared, his voice resonating like a bell in the court, and like a wild bull, he exerted all his strength, charging his shoulder against the high platform. The sound of the collision between Gu Yong's body and the high platform further confirmed Yang Jin's speculation; anyone who was not deaf could hear that the inside of the high platform was empty. Unfortunately, despite Gu Yong's full-force impact, the high platform remained completely unmoved, instead rebounding Gu Yong back.

Yang Jin realized that the deceased was the soldier whose fingers had been injured by the copper cauldron's decorative objects. A cluster of grotesque, repulsive crimson appeared in his palm, as if twisted blood vessels were bursting through the skin, the red seeping into the deceased's sleeve. Tao Su used the tip of his knife to cut open the deceased's sleeve and discovered that the red had already spread along his arm, covering the entirety of his chest skin. Yang Jin ordered the summoning of two other soldiers who had reached into the cauldron. Upon seeing the horrifying state of the deceased, both were filled with dread, yet upon careful examination, their palms remained unchanged, showing no signs of any strange alterations. Tao Su used the tip of his knife to cut open the deceased's sleeve and discovered that the red had already spread along his arm, covering the entirety of his chest skin. Yang Jin ordered the summoning of two other soldiers who had reached into the cauldron. Upon seeing the horrifying state of the deceased, both were filled with dread, yet upon careful examination, their palms remained unchanged, showing no signs of any strange alterations

The interior of the cave is filled with damp, soft soil, with narrow passages and sloping inclines, initially requiring one to crouch down to move forward. As one ventures deeper, the cave gradually widens, allowing three people to walk side by side, while the soil and rocks beneath become drier and harder. However, the path continues to extend downward, and looking back, the light from the cave entrance is no longer visible. A long line of firelight silently moves through the narrow cave, with only the sound of armored bodies clashing echoing in the darkness.

After enduring great difficulty, the largest "candle" of the phrase "Throughout history, above and below, I alone am supreme, with no other title" was finally burned to death, its entire body of fat consumed by the flames, gradually extinguishing, allowing everyone to finally catch their breath

Yang Jin also felt the same way, suspecting that the lair of the elusive monster they had been searching for might be right beneath the giant rock. He quickly called over Wu Zhuo: "Elder brother, go back to the city to fetch some tools and bring more people with you."

"What did the First Emperor say?" Yang Jin asked with concern

Having experienced encounters with monsters and chaotic battles, and being trapped for an extended period in a secret underground cave, everyone found it difficult to maintain their composure. Some were overly sensitive, while others lacked mental fortitude. Ultimately, these experiences were not comparable to the challenges of pioneering new frontiers or engaging in combat.

Upon reaching the end of the stone steps in the corridor, the space suddenly opens up once again. It is evident that the previous corridor was not constructed on a natural foundation, but was entirely hewn by human effort, intended to connect to the cave where the bronze tripod is located. However, why did the people who once lived here expend such great human resources to carve out this corridor? Without some necessary reason, no one would undertake such seemingly foolish actions.

Eighteen is not an ugly girl; Yang Rui has a delicate appearance. Originally, she was slender and had a pale complexion, but after arriving at the Yang family, her living conditions improved, gradually revealing the charm of a young woman. Gu Yong and others, being in their prime, naturally wanted to show off in the presence of a lady, rolling and tumbling in the snow, each displaying their prowess.

What surprised Yang Jin the most was that there were several bamboo slips remaining in a cave. He stepped forward to reach for them, but unfortunately, the ropes binding the slips had already rotted, causing them to fall apart into a chaotic pile of bamboo pieces in his hands. Over the years, half of the bamboo slips had turned to dust. Yang Jin carefully picked up a bamboo slip and examined it closely; each slip was inscribed with characters, the forms of which were strange and difficult to discern. Some parts were worn or incomplete, making it hard to view the entire text today. Yang Jin was overjoyed, feeling as if he had found a treasure, and ordered his men to carefully wrap the bamboo slips and take them all away.

Although it is already winter outside, the underground cave is not particularly cold. However, the damp air that has accumulated throughout the year forms a nauseating stench that can still be clearly smelled even through the fabric covering the nose and mouth. The ground is covered with slippery rocks, and sharp stalactites of varying lengths hang from the ceiling, with water droplets falling from them, producing a tinkling sound. An underground river flows across in front, its width making it difficult for the firelight to illuminate the scene on the opposite bank. The ground is covered with slippery rocks, and sharp stalactites of varying lengths hang from the ceiling, with water droplets falling from them, producing a tinkling sound. An underground river flows across in front, its width making it difficult for the firelight to illuminate the scene on the opposite bank. Exclamations of wonder continue to arise, and the soldiers who emerge one after another are all awed by the craftsmanship of nature.

Everyone... please don't act yet! Yang Jin said bitterly, but to his surprise, the cave was so empty that even this small sound was amplified by the echo

Yang Rui looked at Yang Jin for help, as if waiting for her to tell what had happened, but Yang Jin had never seen such a spectacle either and gazed in astonishment at the distance

Wu Zhuo received the order to return to the city. Before long, he led five hundred men, bringing ropes and crowbars back with him. After Tao Su awakened, he was not seriously injured and insisted on following along.

Tao Su walked along the giant's skeleton, as if admiring a display piece that evoked a profound sense of awe. With a heart full of reverence, he made his way to the giant's skull, where the empty eye sockets resembled open windows on a thatched cottage, inviting easy entry. However, the shape of the skull, along with the massive tusks growing from the lower jaw, suggested that if flesh were to be restored, it would clearly resemble an enlarged monster. Tao Su, astonished, looked down along the giant's shoulder and indeed found that on the enormous hand bones at the end of the arm, there were thick, sharp claws growing. The shape of the skull, along with the massive tusks growing from the lower jaw, suggested that if flesh were to be restored, it would clearly resemble an enlarged monster. Tao Su, astonished, looked down along the giant's shoulder and indeed found that on the enormous hand bones at the end of the arm, there were thick, sharp claws growing.

The terrain continued to slope downward, the air began to feel stuffy and humid, and repulsive reptiles crawled everywhere. Dense moisture gathered on the ground, forming puddles. Yang Jin speculated that the current location was even deeper underground than the square where they encountered the magical creatures.

This crossbow is different from the general's brush, as the general's brush writes timeless works, which are achievements of the ages," Yang Jin hesitated and said, "My martial skills are mediocre, and I developed this crossbow solely for self-defense. If mass-produced and spread, this crossbow would become an ominous weapon.

A ball of burning red light emerged from the circular opening, as if another sun had appeared out of nowhere. The red light gathered and did not disperse, expanding at a rapid pace, and in an instant, the red clouds filled the sky. The expansion of the red light lasted for a very short time before it began to shrink at an even faster speed, gradually disappearing like charred firewood.

The sound of hooves closely following the tracks of the monsters was urgent yet not chaotic, as the orderly formation advanced in a serpentine manner under Tao Su's command, continuously shooting crossbow bolts at the feet of the monsters without aiming to take their lives. The monsters, driven solely by instinct, were chaotic and ignorant; in the face of the dire situation, they turned in a disheveled manner and continued to flee.

Unfortunately, the logs that form the cage remain damp underground throughout the year, making them difficult to ignite. Those who attempt to set them on fire quickly abandon their futile efforts and join the ranks of the broken wood. However, when the battle knife cuts into the center of the log, the spine of the knife is pressed against the cross-section of the log, making further progress nearly impossible

On a morning two months later, fine snowflakes fell gently, while outside the city the sun shone brightly, the wilderness was calm, and the world was draped in a silver coat. The distant mountains and rivers flowed like a white python, and a layer of soft, fluffy snow covered the vast expanse. Yang Jin, witnessing this magnificent scene, felt a sense of ease in his heart. Seizing a moment of leisure amidst the busyness, he took his brothers along with Yang Xu and the maid Yang Rui to the snowy plains to chase and play, creating a harmonious atmosphere that dispelled the chill of winter

Yang Jin felt a sense of déjà vu in this place. He called for everyone to stop and ordered Tao Su and Gu Yong to each take a few people to investigate separately. They indeed discovered the marks left at the fork in the road when they entered the cave. Yang Jin did not dare to recklessly enter an area he had not been to before, and moreover, everyone's physical strength did not allow for further exploration. Therefore, he led the group to follow the river downstream and finally found the entrance of the cave they had come from. Everyone exerted their last bit of strength, using both hands and feet, to climb out of the cave.

"Fangshi..." Yang Jin muttered these two characters. Due to his background in the Mo family, and especially because his father was Yang Mao, he was filled with suspicion and rejection towards figures like Fangshi.

Gu Yong drew his knife to protect Yang Jin, and seeing that there was no unusual activity inside the door, he lifted his leg to step in, but was quickly pulled back by the vigilant Tao Su. Tao Su threw the torch in her hand into the doorway; the torch collided with a rock and rolled to the ground. Seeing that the fire still burned and showed no signs of extinguishing, it was evident that the air inside the cave was sufficient and free of toxic mists. Only then did Tao Su signal to Yang Jin that it was safe to enter.

Yang Rui knew that he was deliberately speaking for her benefit, so she just smiled without answering. Yang Xu, feeling excited, clapped his little hands and said: "Brother is invincible in the world! Brother Yong is also invincible in the world!"

First, investigate upstream. After Yang Jin looked around, he decided on the direction

The monsters have been eliminated, and there is no energy source. Even if the bronze artifacts return to the bronze cauldron, such strange transformations should not occur again. Therefore, although the monsters still exist, at least no one can create more monsters. Yang Jin's journey can be considered a great success, as he reorganizes the team and sets out to find a way out.

Gu Yong spoke in a disjointed manner, yet it did not hinder Yang Jin from grasping the general situation. It seemed that something had fallen from the sky and struck the ground, and the earlier tremors and loud noises were caused by the impact. Tao Su happened to be very close to the object that fell from the sky and was severely affected, resulting in her fainting from the shock

Only a few pieces of gray plaster and dust fell from the high platform. Yang Jin sensed something unusual and, puzzled, called for someone to bring over a torch. Approaching the high platform, they all worked together to peel off the cracked plaster. The soil fell away in a cascade, and the feelings of frustration were vividly reflected in everyone's eyes: beneath the soil lay a metal of the same quality as the bronze tripod, revealing that the entire high platform was actually cast from bronze. The four legs of the tripod were firmly cast on the high platform, making the platform and the tripod one and the same. The soil fell away in a cascade, and the feelings of frustration were vividly reflected in everyone's eyes: beneath the soil lay a metal of the same quality as the bronze tripod, revealing that the entire high platform was actually cast from bronze. The four legs of the tripod were firmly cast on the high platform, making the platform and the tripod one and the same.

"If one is to escape, why should it be far from the mechanism, instead of close to the stone chair?" the person retorted defiantly

It is afraid of fire! Yang Jin immediately understood the situation, removed the warm cloak, ignited it with a torch, and charged towards the monster with the belt in hand

Regardless of the purpose, since the monsters dare not approach this place, there must be no monsters inside. It's worth going in to take a look. Another voice with a different opinion also appeared.

Tao Su looked up at the grooves on the wall. With limited imagination, he vaguely outlined the historical scene that had happened here - a group of Southern Barbarian Taoists, for some unknown purpose, used shocking and outrageous secret techniques to create this giant monster in the secret cave underground. However, this monster was not under their control and, in a completely irrational state, went on a killing spree of these Southern Barbarian Taoists. Many of them died on the spot, and those who escaped the monster's clutches also died on the steps outside the secret room with serious injuries. Only one person, with the last bit of strength before dying, closed the stone door. Unfortunately, this giant creature, despite its incredible power, could not break free from the rock-constructed secret room, leaving behind grooves on the wall in an attempt to find a way out.

Yang Jin ordered the archers to surround the giant stone for defense. As soon as any magical creature appeared, they would immediately shoot it down. Only then would they select the strongest among them to begin prying the giant stone. Based on its volume, the giant stone should not be heavy; however, when everyone tried to lever it, they found that its weight far exceeded that of the stones used to build the Great Wall. Even with the collective wisdom of the crowd, they could not deduce what this celestial giant stone was made of

These are clearly traces of artificial construction, which is nothing short of a bolt from the blue for Yang Jin. He has long harbored a fearful suspicion, and as his research on the monsters deepens, he has a vague feeling: these monsters are also human! At least they were once human! And the scene before him is evidently proving this point.

The attack of the crossbow arrows, combined with the sound of Yang Jin's hoarse cries, finally caused the monster's head to turn. That strange human face confronted Yang Jin for a moment before shifting its attention to the fleeing crowd, searching for other targets. Yang Jin did not understand why the monster chose to pursue distant prey instead of closer ones. He examined himself from head to toe and looked towards the direction from which the monster was approaching, where shadows flickered in the darkness and firelight.

The hidden door beneath the high platform was secured with a large lock, which had rusted over the years. Without waiting for Yang Jin's command, Gu Yong quickly destroyed the lock with a few strikes and pulled open the door panel. What lay beneath the door panel was a deep, dark passage, with a staircase sloping down into the unseen depths. Upon seeing yet another passage leading further underground, the group hesitated, engaging in a heated debate, each holding their own opinion.

One hundred people entered the cave, and about seventy to eighty percent returned. The losses cannot be considered severe, but everyone appeared disheveled and in tattered clothing, looking even more miserable than refugees

After walking down the cave for about an hour, a faint sound of flowing water could be heard in the darkness. Suddenly, the soldier at the front, who was scouting ahead, let out a terrible scream, followed by the sound of armor clattering against the ground, indicating that someone had fallen. The soldiers in the rear immediately drew their swords and vigilantly observed their surroundings.

On the forehead of the monster, there was a human face prominently displayed. The face had complete features, with wide-open eyes looking down disdainfully at Yang Jin and the others. It emitted a series of incomprehensible strange cries, but in comparison to its alarming gigantic body, the normal volume of the voice was indeed mismatched.

This was conceived by me during my recovery period when I had nothing to do. Yang Jin presented the short crossbow from his waist to Meng Tian, stating, "I have modified the body of the crossbow to be deeper and shorter, with a hollow interior. It features a liftable wooden platform at the bottom, and the mechanism can be adjusted forward and backward. It can hold ten bolts of any size simultaneously within the crossbow body. When firing, one only needs to pull the string to activate the mechanism, and the bolts will automatically rise into the arrow slot, allowing for rapid and continuous firing. The drawback is its limited range, with thirty paces being the maximum."

Is it about the monsters? Meng Tian guessed roughly from Yang Jin's expression. Meng Tian had always concealed the existence of monsters from the outside world, but those living on the fringes could not be kept in the dark. Moreover, Yang Jin was already aware of the existence of monsters, so Meng Tian secretly authorized him to delve deeper into understanding the origins and movements of these monsters

Tao Su was the first to discover that there was indeed a ventilation opening in the cave, but it was suspended at the top of an inaccessible rock wall, making it difficult to reach. Even if a human ladder were built, it would still be impossible to climb in. From the current situation, it is clear that the stone door is indeed the only entrance and exit of the cave. One can imagine that if there were truly another passageway, the giant monster would have long since used its monstrous strength and sharp claws to break through the confinement, and the ravines on the rock wall would serve as irrefutable evidence of its failure.

General Tu Meng's might is commendable, and things have gone relatively smoothly

Yang Rui glanced with a faint smile, wholeheartedly protecting the young master by her side. From time to time, she stole glances at Yang Jin in the distance, only to realize that Yang Jin was also looking her way. She immediately blushed and hurriedly withdrew her flustered gaze, unaware that Yang Jin was merely watching his younger brother joyfully running around.

After Gu Yong ran out of the fence, he turned back to look at the monster still trapped behind the flames in the cage and laughed heartily: "You still want to treat me as food? Just wait until I return with a mighty army and iron cavalry to chop off your flesh and taste what it is like!"

"You scoundrel, you haven't even seen the appearance of the Hu people, yet you dare to speak carelessly and mock me. Let's see if I won't teach you a lesson!" Gu Yong knew that Tao Su had deliberately come to stir up trouble and reached out to grab him.

Considering the possibility of returning along the original path, one would inevitably encounter groups of monsters. Everyone is utterly exhausted, and their fighting spirit is nearly shattered. Engaging in direct confrontation with the monsters is tantamount to seeking one's own demise. Even if one could break through, the casualties would surely be severe, leading to a sense of despondency and discouragement.

Upon seeing this, the crowd hurriedly removed their armor and loosened their clothing, borrowing sources of fire from one another. Soon, they established a line of flames in front of the monster, with people continuously throwing their outer garments into the fire to intensify the blaze. Some even removed their trousers to use as fuel in order to save their lives. The monster indeed feared the flames, lurking at the other end of the fire line, eyeing the crowd with a menacing gaze. Although the monster had a large mouth, it could not produce sound; only its human-like face roared in a furious manner, which was somewhat comical given its massive body.

The soldiers wrapped their clothes around the broken logs, igniting them with torches, instantly illuminating the cave in a fiery red glow. The monsters, already fearful of fire, hurriedly fled into the darkness of the cave upon seeing the towering flames. At Yang Jin's command, burning logs rolled one after another into the cave, with flames roaring and thick smoke billowing, creating a magnificent scene. All the logs were pushed into the cave, the firelight spreading, yet the depths remained eerily silent. After waiting quietly for a long time outside, Yang Jin and the others began to suspect that the monsters had narrowly escaped. Regretfully, they planned to temporarily leave and return another day with more troops to exterminate this terrifying creature.

Yang Jin achieved military merit, and according to the military merit decree of the Great Qin, houses, servants, and land were granted to him. The girl servant who attended to Yang Xu was given the surname of her master, and Yang Jin named her Yang Rui. Yang Xu was clever and lovable; usually, Yang Jin was busy with military affairs, leaving only Yang Xu and Yang Rui at home, and the two of them got along like siblings.

The monster's head retracted and then charged out with full force once again, its momentum surpassing that of the previous attempt. The sound of splitting erupted from the wooden fence, yet it still held its ground with its remaining body.

It was only after the cave illuminated that Tao Su realized the torch he had just thrown did not strike a rock, but rather collided with a petrified skeleton. Following the line of this bone, he discovered that it was merely the femur of an entire skeleton, yet this single femur was already of a length comparable to that of an average person.

Having distanced themselves from the monsters, the surroundings returned to silence, with disordered and heavy footsteps echoing on the stone steps. After winding through several turns, the steps suddenly ascended steeply, and in the distance, a tightly shut stone door faintly appeared at the end of the steps. The crowd expressed their astonishment and quickened their pace to the door, only to discover a corpse lying against the wall beside it. Compared to what they had seen before, this was finally a complete body; the flesh had long since decayed into dust, leaving only a set of dry bones. Some speculated from the remnants of clothing on the bones that the deceased seemed to belong to the category of Southern Barbarians, which is a type of practitioner known as a Fangshi, engaged in alchemical cultivation, said to possess mysterious techniques unknown to ordinary people, and sometimes referred to as a wizard. Compared to what they had seen before, this was finally a complete body; the flesh had long since decayed into dust, leaving only a set of dry bones. Some speculated from the remnants of clothing on the bones that the deceased seemed to belong to the category of Southern Barbarians, which is a type of practitioner known as a Fangshi, engaged in alchemical cultivation, said to possess mysterious techniques unknown to ordinary people, and sometimes referred to as a wizard.

This stretch of road resembled a long corridor, with the ground gradually rising beneath one's feet, and stone steps beginning to appear. The monsters suddenly seemed to encounter an invisible barrier, halting at the front of the stone steps, allowing the group to protect Yang Jin as he ascended the steps and fled further away. They merely stood in place, continuously emitting provocative roars, yet dared not advance any further, as if there was something ahead that they were wary of.

Yang Jin raised her chin to signal everyone to look back, and they turned around in fear and trepidation. They saw the monster struggling and twisting its head at the cave entrance, but its body could not advance even an inch. The length of the bronze chains had reached its limit, firmly trapping the monster in place.

As the veins on the cauldron glided under the blue light, white smoke swirled within, flowing and settling, becoming increasingly dense. Before Yang Jin took out the bronze artifact, he had examined the interior of the cauldron, finding the inner wall to be seamless and without any holes or gaps, leaving him puzzled as to where the white smoke was emanating from. Gradually, the bottom of the white smoke revealed a spectrum of colors, illuminating the smoke with a dreamlike brilliance. At this moment, the cauldron no longer bore the rough and inferior quality it had moments ago; it appeared as if a celestial object had been inadvertently left behind in the mortal realm.

The north wind blows in gusts, and the fields outside the city, shrouded in clouds, are covered with withered grass, presenting a desolate grayish-yellow landscape. The water level of the river has lowered, resembling an elderly man entering his twilight years, having lost the grand and majestic spirit. The banks of the river are also exposed, revealing dry and cracked mud, and the Wolf Mountain no longer shows its verdant greenery; in the blink of an eye, winter has arrived.

The vast underground space reaches high above, capable of accommodating thousands of cavalry for simultaneous drills. The rock walls within sight are filled with honeycomb-like caves, where dozens of monsters lie sprawled along the edges of the cave, completely oblivious to the arrival of Yang Jin and his troops. Looking ahead along the damp, muddy ground, rough rectangular stones gradually come into view, bearing the marks of countless years and covered in spiderweb-like cracks. Continuing forward, there is a circular pool surrounded by rocks, still holding half a pool of dirty water, covered with black algae. In the center of the pool, there should have originally stood a statue, but now the statue is nowhere to be found, leaving only the pedestal standing lonely above the water's surface. Looking ahead along the damp, muddy ground, rough rectangular stones gradually come into view, bearing the marks of countless years and covered in spiderweb-like cracks. Continuing forward, there is a circular pool surrounded by rocks, still holding half a pool of dirty water, covered with black algae. In the center of the pool, there should have originally stood a statue, but now the statue is nowhere to be found, leaving only the pedestal standing lonely above the water's surface

Tao Suzheng wanted to share his speculation with Yang Jin, but he noticed that Yang Jin's attention was not on the giant's bones. When the lights were lit, his focus shifted to a bronze cauldron standing on a high platform deep within the cave. He casually walked up to the platform and examined the bronze cauldron intently. The cauldron's body was plain and unadorned, with rough edges that were abrasive to the touch. Even someone unfamiliar with casting could determine that this bronze cauldron was made under inadequate conditions. He casually walked up to the platform and examined the bronze cauldron intently. The cauldron's body was plain and unadorned, with rough edges that were abrasive to the touch. Even someone unfamiliar with casting could determine that this bronze cauldron was made under inadequate conditions.

"You naturally have to go with me." Yang Jin patted Gu Yong on the shoulder

The river meanders ruggedly, with the remains of corpses and monsters gradually increasing along the way, all showing signs of having been gnawed upon, clearly the traces left by the predation of magical creatures. Yang Jin finally understood why the bodies of these creatures emitted such a pungent and foul odor. Having resided for years in the damp and dark underground, they were unable to clean their living environment or themselves like humans do, spending their days in the company of raw meat and decaying corpses. It is likely that only ancient corpses dug up from graves could rival the stench emanating from these magical beings.

Before his words had finished, Gu Yong's smile quickly froze, for he saw shadows emerging from the cave in the rock wall. The shadows were stirring restlessly, and the sounds they made had finally awakened the hibernating monsters. One by one, they crawled out from their lairs, glaring down at the intruders with anger, letting out roars of fury. Their warning or enraged roars awakened even more hibernating monsters.

"Third brother, I will go with you!" Gu Yong was reckless, but not foolish; he immediately understood what Yang Jin intended to do

If these monsters are indeed as he speculated, having once been human...

Some bold individuals reached their hands into the smoke of the bronze cauldron and exclaimed, "How cool it is"

The flickering light cast shadows on the mottled, rugged, and uneven surface, resembling an ancient earthen wall. The two high circular openings expelled gusts of air that extinguished several torches below.

"Are you ... ... ?" Wu Zhuo was taken aback

Yang Jin's undeniable voice drove away several curious onlookers who still wanted to try. Yang Jin parted the crowd, urging everyone to quickly find an exit. Since the cave allowed for unobstructed breathing, there must be a ventilation shaft connecting to the outside. Although he ultimately could not determine the purpose of this strange bronze cauldron or its connection to the demonic creatures, Yang Jin felt it was best to keep the bronze artifact close for now. He forcefully pried the bronze artifact away. The artifact and the cauldron were bound by a reluctant gravitational pull, emitting a buzzing sound akin to a frustrated sigh. As the ancient bronze key was removed, the light patterns on the cauldron gradually shrank and faded, the colorful hues within dissipated, leaving only the swirling white smoke that lingered in the cauldron, proving that the cauldron had experienced a brief awakening.

"Third Brother, it seems that this is indeed the lair of the monsters," Gu Yong said with delight

Two individuals each hold their own opinion, while another person looks on in confusion as the two argue incessantly. This third person tentatively reaches into the bronze cauldron, only to immediately withdraw their hand, grimacing and hopping in place, exclaiming, "It hurts so much!"

How is the progress of the pioneering work?" Meng Tian said with a beaming smile

The sound of chains became clearer, sometimes distant and sometimes near, at times strong and at times weak, as if numerous prisoners, shackled and in chains, were wandering and pacing in the darkness. Although aware that any sound would quickly reveal their location, Yang Jin, left with no choice, could only order the soldiers to cut the logs, while he led dozens of men, armed with crossbows, to stand guard and provide cover

I rode on horseback with Lao Wu, running continuously, running non-stop! Gu Yong waved his hands, reminiscing as he said: "With a loud bang, suddenly the sky collapsed and the earth shattered. No, it felt like a piece of the sky fell down and crashed to the ground, sending snow flying high into the air. Lao Wu ran faster than I did, and in an instant, he was thrown into the air by the shock. The horse was startled and ran away. I dug Lao Wu out from the snowdrift; he hasn't woken up until now.

The corridor was dark and narrow, with the stone walls on both sides covered in droplets of moisture. Yang Jin cautiously extended the torch ahead, proceeding with care. Suddenly, a scream echoed from behind the group. Uncertain of the situation, Yang Jin hurried towards the sound and saw several soldiers gathered together, among whom one person lay dead on the ground, while Tao Su was crouched nearby examining the scene.

The team ascended the river against the current, and the underground cavern grew increasingly spacious, making it difficult to see the ceiling. Only the stalactites, resembling strands descending from the heavens, were visible, varying in thickness, smooth and glistening, illuminated by the firelight with an orange hue, as if traversing through a mysterious and fantastical forest. If it were not for Yang Jin's firm belief that demonic creatures resided underground, one might be led to feel as though they had stepped into an ancient, uninhabited primeval world in this space that was otherwise eerily silent except for the sound of water.

Tao Su has always been meticulous. Considering that after the onset of winter, the traces of monsters have gradually diminished, although there are signs of predation along the way, there are no sightings of the monsters. It is possible that the monsters, similar to bears, are gathering here to hibernate, with their bodily functions nearly coming to a halt. Tao Su immediately emulated Gu Yong, dispatching another team of soldiers to silently eliminate all the monsters while they are asleep.

Xu Er, I remember that it was there that Third Brother beheaded the Hu people!" Gu Yong pretended to be casual as he rode his horse to Yang Xu's side, raising his voice to say, "At that time, it was fraught with danger; although the Hu people numbered in the thousands, with this knife in my hand, I protected Third Brother, charging left and right as if traversing flat ground.

In this underground chamber, which is devoid of light, the bronze cauldron is clearly not intended for cooking food; if it were meant for sacrificial purposes, it would be excessively crude. Yang Jin found it difficult to discern the purpose of the bronze cauldron, which is why he curiously circled around it to observe.

Just as Yang Jin was regretfully preparing to lead the team away, a burst of flames suddenly erupted from deep within the cave. The size of this monster's body was difficult for Yang Jin to fully comprehend. It was likely that some part of the monster's body had come into contact with the log, causing the flames to rapidly engulf the creature, forming a massive fire dragon that raced wildly through the depths of the cave. The burning monster emitted a pungent stench, and the dying struggles of the creature caused the copper chains on its back to clank loudly, creating a sound that was enough to make one feel nauseous. The size of this monster's body was difficult for Yang Jin to fully comprehend. It was likely that some part of the monster's body had come into contact with the log, causing the flames to rapidly engulf the creature, forming a massive fire dragon that raced wildly through the depths of the cave. The burning monster emitted a pungent stench, and the dying struggles of the creature caused the copper chains on its back to clank loudly, creating a sound that was enough to make one feel nauseous.

"Third brother, how do we get there?" Tao Su was responsible for recording the terrain along the way

This is a giant skeleton, lying across the cave, pressing down the stone tiles on the ground. The obviously sealed stone door is meant to confine this strange giant, but now this giant, reduced to bones, poses no threat to anyone.

The engineering of dripping water piercing stone made Yang Jin anxious and restless, as the sound of chains was slowly approaching, and sweat had already soaked his back. What exactly was imprisoned in this pitch-black space? For the first time, Yang Jin realized that his hand gripping the crossbow was trembling. Although he could not imagine the specific form of the opponent, he was certain that the danger imprisoned in this darkness was only more terrifying than the dead giant monsters.

This is clearly a secret passage used for escape

Fortunately, the massive body of the monster is not very agile in its movements, and the underground lair is too narrow for it. As long as the soldiers can observe the signs of its head attacks, they can still manage to contend with the monster. However, the soldiers themselves are already suffering from extreme hunger and thirst, and their strength will soon reach the limit of exhaustion.

On the front of the bronze ding, there is a depression, and the interior is covered with irregular vertical stripes. Upon seeing the depression and the stripes, Yang Jin was very surprised, as these were all too familiar to him. He took out the bronze artifact that he never parted with from his bosom and finally understood the meaning of the stripes on the back of the artifact; they were not some kind of difficult-to-interpret script, but rather similar to the teeth of a key.

Just as people were marveling, an even stranger sight occurred: a towering rock began to move under the erosion of the river water. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be an old turtle covered in moss, slowly moving a few inches with its sluggish pace before lazily lying down again. Suddenly, a sticky, slender tentacle shot out from the rock face, ensnaring a frog and snapping back to its original position with lightning speed. In one corner of the rock wall, a swallowing-like writhing motion appeared; upon careful observation, it could be seen that it was a bizarre lizard that had almost merged with the rock face. A sticky, slender tentacle shot out from the rock face, ensnaring a frog and snapping back to its original position with lightning speed. In one corner of the rock wall, a swallowing-like writhing motion appeared; upon careful observation, it could be seen that it was a bizarre lizard that had almost merged with the rock face.

The leading monster suddenly trembled, a short arrow with a quivering arrowhead appeared between its brows. Before the other monsters could react, a series of short arrows followed, each aimed directly at their vital points. Taking advantage of the moment, Wu Zhuo stepped forward to rescue Tao Su, while Gu Yong and his men pursued the monsters. Only three of the monsters sustained minor injuries and leaped into the shadows of a small hill, using the terrain to escape without a trace

The body of the cauldron began to tremble continuously, and the plain surface gradually revealed a network-like texture, with sharp angles and straight lines. A blue light point lit up, swiftly traversing along the network, leaving behind a tail of blue light that faded from deep to light, resembling the flow of blood, as the network of the cauldron was rapidly illuminated by this blue light.

Gu Yong led his team from behind, and the four cavalrymen beside him pulled a large net that had been spread out, aiming to cover the monster head-on. The monster did not have time to turn over and get up, and was caught by the net, akin to a fish being hauled ashore by a fisherman, only able to roar and struggle incessantly, inadvertently wrapping the net tightly around itself in the process. The net glimmered with a cold light, and the barbs naturally hooked into the monster's skin, causing drops of blood to seep through. The monster was in excruciating pain all over, afraid to use brute force any longer, it collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily, still glaring fiercely, but left with no other option than to bare its teeth in a show of defiance.

You continue to supervise the construction of the city. Dealing with monsters and barbarians is not something that can be resolved overnight. Meng Tian said, looking at the waist of Yang Jin, "This crossbow is quite unique."

Wu Zhuo caught up with the team from the other side and sealed off the demon's whereabouts in the same way. Although the demon was unwilling to be manipulated, it was helpless in the face of human wisdom and could only run non-stop in the direction guided by the two Qin armies. Suddenly, its steps became sluggish, its momentum unstoppable, and it stumbled forward, taking two steps and then fell to the ground with a scream, with several sharp thorns piercing its feet.

According to the strategy of the fifth brother, prevent fire from burning the wood. Yang Jin smiled faintly.

When the monster's body was plunging downward, Yang Jin discovered that at regular intervals on the monster's back, there would be a hanging thick bronze chain. It was unclear how the chain was fixed to the monster's back, and the other end extended upwards into an invisible cave ceiling.

The disaster of extermination has come, but the demons are still unaware. Yang Jin watched helplessly as Gu Yong's movements became more skilled and swift, his every strike sealing throats and taking lives. Suddenly, a word appeared in her mind - massacre. In the past, battles with demons were fought to protect the safety of the city's residents, but now it was clearly a bloody massacre.

In fact, even without Yang Jin's crossbow, the Qin army is not lacking in strong bows and iron crossbows. However, Yang Jin does not wish to see the weapons he designed become instruments of slaughter. It is precisely because the weapons of the Qin army are already extremely sharp that this quick crossbow has too short a range and is of little use in large-scale battles; rather, it is more suitable for close-range encounters among a few individuals, which is why Meng Tian did not pay much attention to it.

Leaving this "study", Yang Jin and the others passed through a narrow and long cave. There were no more oil pits here, so they lit the remaining torches and proceeded cautiously. Before long, the sound of flowing water came from ahead, which ignited their already parched throats. Regardless of whether it was safe ahead, everyone hurried towards the sound of water at full speed.

Three people put their hands into the smoke, with different reactions. Gu Yong couldn't help but be curious and wanted to try it out, but was immediately stopped by Yang Jin: "Don't touch it randomly! The smoke is strange and there may be something suspicious about it. Let's not put our hands into the cauldron anymore."

Yang Jin still did not give up, lingering in front of the high platform, searching for clues, murmuring: "The high platform is hollow; there must be another mystery within. I must find the mechanism to unlock it."

Only a few people pulled out their swords, following Gu Yong's aggressive posture, while the rest looked dim and worried. Yang Jin couldn't let the soldiers in this state confront the demons head-on, as it would be no different from sending them to their deaths. Anxiously, she pondered strategies in her mind.

At that moment, a monster that had just been killed by Gu Yong suddenly began to move strangely, startling Gu Yong. Coupled with a sudden remark from Yang Jin, Gu Yong couldn't help but exclaim "Ah".