Chapter 146: A Lantern In The Darkness (1)

White Lotus Moss looked just like a rice cake covered in white snow.

At least, thats what Yi-gang thought.

It looks like a snow-covered field, but smaller.

So Woon, admiring it, seemed to have a similar thought.

If the Five Elements Divine Lord had enough to scatter something this precious, he must have been quite wealthy.

This must be at least 200 years old.

The Five Elements Tomb was created even before that, wasnt it?

Tang Eun-seol nodded in response to Moyong Jins question.

When it was first made, it probably wasnt such a precious elixir. It was made into one over time, borrowing the power of time. Designed to gather the energy of the earth here.

Ah

Yi-gang, hearing Tang Eun-seols words, recalled the Spirit Spring Valley of the Azure Forest. The Azure Forest used the Spirit Spring Valley to grow elixirs.

The designer of the Five Elements Tomb used a similar method.

First, lets divide it into four parts.

Yi-gang carefully took a small blade and divided the White Lotus Moss into four pieces.

It was a smooth, white moss, but not every part was uniform.

Some parts shone a particularly bright white, while others were slightly faded, as if withered.

The issue was who would take which piece.

They looked at each other. Surprisingly, two of them quickly came to an agreement.

Since Brother devised this, shouldnt he take the clearest, most vibrant piece?

Especially since hes not in good health.

So Woon and Moyong Jin said this.

Yi-gang looked at them with an expression of admiration.

However, Yi-gang shook his head.

It seems right to give it to Young Lady Tang.

Me?

Tang Eun-seol tilted her head in confusion.

Its not quite an equal exchange for the fragrance pouch. But we did benefit from your help.

Ah, that.

Moyong Jin and So Woon did not object.

They looked surprised that Yi-gang was willing to give away the best part of the elixir.

Tang Eun-seol remained silent with an indecipherable expression.

Then, she nodded her head.

Okay. But before that

She took out a red medicine bottle from her pocket.

Then, she sprinkled something inside it onto the White Lotus Moss using a small silver spoon.

Its poison.

What?

Just kidding, its the Silver Serenity Herb I obtained before.

It was a rather humorless joke, something only a person from the Tang Clan could make.

Silver Serenity Herb. Thats a precious herb, isnt it.

Like most moss-type elixirs, White Lotus Moss also has a yin nature. Eating them together neutralizes the Yin energy, which should be helpful.

Tang Eun-seol was adding her own precious herbs to it.

Yi-gang smiled and picked up a piece of the moss.

Lets absorb the elixir while circulating our energy for a while.

Yes!

The group each took a piece of the White Lotus Moss.

Yi-gang also tore off a palm-sized piece of White Lotus Moss and put it in his mouth.

It had a fascinating texture. As soon as he put it in his mouth, it melted smoothly, feeling like eating clouds.

A clear fragrance burst in his nose, making his esophagus feel hot and cold, like having a very strong chilled drink.

Most excellent elixirs were like this.

Umm!

The power of the elixir writhing in his stomach was more intense than he had expected.

Yi-gang realized that White Lotus Moss was more remarkable than he had anticipated.

He quickly leaned against the wall and sat in a cross-legged position. To convert the elixir into Qi, he had to practice energy circulation.

So Woon and Moyong Jin also hurriedly found places to sit.

However, Tang Eun-seol was not in a rush and still held the White Lotus Moss.

She came between Yi-gang and Moyong Jin and crouched down.

Why is she doing that?

Who knows.

As Tang Eun-seol stared at Yi-gang, the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon exclaimed in surprise.

Wasnt it true that she poisoned it earlier? To harm you and the kids all at once.

Why would she poison it?

Indeed, the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon was known for her distrust of people, even more than Dam Hyun.

Finally, Tang Eun-seol bit into the White Lotus Moss and said, When White Lotus Mosss efficacy peaks, its color fades to yellow.

You knew that and still said it wasnt so, right?

The part Yi-gang ate was the piece that had turned yellow.

Although it wasnt intentional, Tang Eun-seol looked at Yi-gang suspiciously.

Yi-gang wanted to explain, but he couldnt as he was in the middle of performing the energy circulation posture.

In fact, I was so annoyed that I added poison.

Of course, thats a joke.

Tang Eun-seol stuffed the White Lotus Moss she was holding into her mouth in one go.

I sprinkled the precious Silver Serenity Herb on it because I thought you guys werent all that bad.

After saying this, Tang Eun-seol sat down in the corner of the room and assumed a cross-legged position to absorb the effects of the White Lotus Moss.

Were you a bit scared?

No.

Really?

Yes.

He was a little tense, admittedly.

But Yi-gang, regardless of his trust in Tang Eun-seol, was not someone to be easily fooled.

Among the many things Yu Jeong-shin had taught him was also knowledge about poisons.

He was confident he wouldnt be affected unless Tang Eun-seol really turned hostile and used one of the Eight Extreme Poisons.

Above all, he felt no hostility from her.

It was just a little, a very slight tension.

Ugh

Sigh!

But then, those strange sounds came from beside him.

So Woon and Moyong Jin were much more startled than Yi-gang.

Hey, those guys almost got themselves into Qi deviation.

So Woon and Moyong Jin were sweating and trying to control their Qi.

Although some people were holding torches, night luminous pearls were embedded in the room.

Such precious pearls wouldnt be placed just anywhere, so this must be a space of significance.

If there was a unique feature to note, it might be that the ceiling was lower than expected.

Then, Tang Eun-seol approached Yi-gang.

Look over there.

Is that a mechanism?

On the ceiling, there were lines that one could easily miss if not observed closely.

Before they could figure out the nature of the mechanism, something happened.

Grrr-grrr

Th-the ceiling is opening! someone shouted out.

At the same time, the passages through which the martial artists had entered also began to close with a thud.

Could it be that hidden weapons or traps were about to pour down from the ceiling?

The martial artists, tense and looking up, were all frozen in shock.

Surprisingly, the opened ceiling was so high that its end was not visible.

What astonished the people was not the height of the ceiling.

It was the spikes protruding from the walls and the objects placed on them.

Those are

Secret manuals, jewels Whoa!

The items, shining under the light of the night luminous pearls, were obviously treasures.

The Cats Eye Jewel, said to be valuable enough to buy a whole mansion with just one.

Bundles of bamboo slips, possibly containing unknown martial arts techniques.

Mysterious wooden boxes and treasures, including gold and ornate jewelry.

It seemed like a space where all the treasures of the world were gathered.

Wow!

Lets go up!

The martial artists cheered.

Was this the unveiling of the treasures of the Five Elements Tomb?

However, some people still maintained their composure.

Yi-gang was one of them.

He was still examining the night luminous pearls.

Are these really night luminous pearls?

Night luminous pearls were a type of crystal that emitted light on their own.

However, their light was usually not very bright, but the pearls embedded in the walls here were unusually bright and had a reddish hue.

Thud.

A cold droplet of water touched Yi-gangs cheek.

Upon touching it, it was just ordinary water.

The droplet had fallen from the ceiling.

Whoosh

It was like a downpour of rain, with water pouring down from above.

Those who thought it might be drops of poison sighed in relief.

There was no harm done. The torches went out all at once, but the room remained bright.

However, Yi-gang felt a sharp sense of unease at that moment.

Yi-gang looked around.

The group that had been gathered until a moment ago had dispersed when the ceiling opened.

Wait

Just as Yi-gang was about to call them together.

The night luminous pearls suddenly went out, and darkness enveloped the room.

It was as if everyone had closed their eyes tightly, in this place devoid of even a speck of light, even the martial artists became as blind as bats.

A chilling silence passed in an instant.

Flicker

The night luminous pearls lit up again. The darkness had lasted only long enough to count to three.

What on earth

Get the fire starters out!

But the fire starters had also gotten wet from the water that had poured down.

Just as people felt relieved by the return of light, darkness descended once again.

Flicker

This time, the darkness lasted until the count of five.

When it brightened again, people started to become wary of each other.

Someone with keen eyesight noticed a change.

The Cats Eye Jewel is gone!

The Cats Eye Jewel, which had been at the very bottom and close by, had disappeared.

The martial artists expressed their annoyance.

I dont know who did it, but stealing items in such a cowardly way!

Damn, I should also grab something for myself.

Dont touch the items! Lets distribute them fairly

Who are you to say that!

Tension built up among the martial artists, their nerves on edge.

The problem was, the darkness returned.

Flicker

This time, a scream erupted.

Aaaah!

It was a bone-chilling scream.

Someone felt hot blood splatter on their face.

Wh-what madman did this!

Clang!

Swords clashed, sending sparks flying.

That brief light illuminated the bloodshot eyes of the people around.

Despite counting to five this time, the lights did not come back on.

Aaaaah!

Ack!

Screams and shouts erupted one after another.

In the darkness, Yi-gang too drew his meteorite sword.

Clang!

He deflected a blade that came flying from somewhere.

He felt a sinking feeling in his heart.

Could the conversation he had just had with the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon be coming true?

Aaaah!

Yu Su-rins scream could be heard from afar.

Ha-juns battle cry. The sound of Moyong Jin steadying his breath.

Flicker.

In the underground, where darkness and light alternated, blood began to flow.