Chapter 588 - 333 Chasing Rat Pills_2

"Oh?"

From Xiangzhou, Old Wang the skinny couldn’t help but inquire, "Elder Bai, I came to assist because I was entrusted by others. If it weren’t for that, I would never deal with someone as secretive as you."

"Our line of work has rules: since you’ve come, you need to speak clearly, otherwise, let’s call off this business!"

On the other side, Chen San picked up his teacup, drank two sips with an expressionless face; although he did not speak, it was clear he felt the same way.

"Don’t be anxious, both of you."

Bai Wenghai hurriedly spoke up in a soothing tone, "It’s not that I intended to hide anything; it’s just that this tomb is no ordinary one."

"Both of you, try combining the two halves of the copper plate."

Old Wang and Chen San, naturally already knew what to do, but still pretended to merge the Token for the first time and then exclaimed in surprise,

"Wu Youxu, a noble’s tomb?"

"You both indeed have extensive knowledge."

Bai Wenghai complimented them, then shook his head and said, "But if it were just a noble’s tomb, we wouldn’t have gone by aliases and searched for generations."

Saying this, he gestured with his hand, and a servant immediately brought forward a black rosewood box; upon opening it, inside was a copper ball.

Old Wang frowned and asked, "What is this?"

Bai Wenghai did not rush to answer but instead inquired, "Both of you are well-versed in history, have you ever heard of the name Wang Su from the Tang Dynasty?"

Chen San glanced indifferently, "At the end of the Han, there was a Wang Su, son of Situ Wang Lang; I’ve never heard of any famous Wang Su from the Tang Dynasty."

Bai Wenghai stroked his beard and said, "It’s no wonder you haven’t, as this man’s identity was a secret, and even during the Tang Dynasty, very few knew of him."

"The only record of him is a single line in ’Youyang Zazu’: ’Wang Su created Chasing Rat Pills, made of copper, spinning day and night.’"

As soon as these words were spoken, Old Wang and Chen San were both startled.

’Youyang Zazu’ is full of extraordinary and bizarre tales, most of which are taken as jokes when read by ordinary people, with few believers.

Yet, as lifelong Tomb Robbers, they naturally knew of the Mystical Sect’s matters, and understood that this world has many secrets unknown to ordinary folks.

"Could this be the ’Chasing Rat Pill’?"

Chen San’s interest was clearly piqued.

Bai Wenghai smiled and remained silent, then took out a Yin Yang-shaped copper key from the box, inserted it into the copper ball, and turned it thrice with a creaking noise.

He nodded, and a servant came over with a cage, took out a rat, and threw it on the ground.

"Squeak!"

The rat hit the floor and immediately tried to flee.

Bai Wenghai also casually tossed out the copper ball.

Thunk, thunk!

The copper ball hit the ground, and with a snap, gears-like mechanisms appeared on both sides, buzzing and spinning like wheels, propelling the copper ball forward at high speed.

What was even stranger was that the copper ball seemed to possess spirituality, heading straight for the rat with alarming speed.

The panicked rat was close to a chair when it made a sharp turn.

And the "Chasing Rat Pill" also spun around rapidly, extending a steel spike from the front once it caught up with the rat, and piercing it straight through.

"Squeak, squeak!"

The rat let out two miserable squeals and then went silent.

This sight left the two groups of Tomb Robbers dumbfounded.

Old Wang and Chen San stood up at the same time, exclaiming, "Mo Family Mechanical Techniques!"

"That’s correct."

Bai Wenghai calmly picked up the now still "Chasing Rat Pill", carefully wiped off the dust and blood with a white cloth, and placed it back into the wooden box.

After doing this, he spoke, "The Mo Family rose during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods and gradually went into hiding after Qin unified the land."

"However, the Mo Family’s lineage was not broken, and it had made several appearances in the world, with descendants even serving in court now."

"Regrettably, the true Mo Family Mechanical Techniques have long been lost."

"Another identity of this Wang Su was a significant figure in the Mo Family during the Tang Dynasty—known to Wu Youxu. They met at Songshan and became close friends."

"It is said that the two had meticulously studied secret techniques and had revived the Mo Family Mechanical Techniques; however, they deeply felt that the court was in turmoil at the time, and releasing these techniques would bring disaster rather than fortune. Thus, they constructed a mausoleum near Liangzi Lake, concealing the Mechanical Techniques within, waiting for the destined."

Saying this, Bai Wenghai’s eyes revealed a hint of excitement and greed, "Both of you must understand the importance of this artifact."

"What’s the worth of mere gold and treasure?"

"With this legacy, what can’t be obtained?"

The talk sounded nice, but the two Tomb Robbers became increasingly wary.

Wang the Lisp sneered coldly, his tone neither here nor there, "The items are naturally good, but Elder Bai, how should we divide them if we find them?"

Bai Wenghai laughed, "Easy to say, we only want the Mechanical Techniques, whatever treasures are in the tomb, they all belong to you two."

"If you two also want the inheritance, then we’ll split everything inside evenly."

Chen San narrowed his eyes and after a moment of silence, he said, "Good!"

"Where is the tomb located?"

Bai Wenghai shook his head, "Haven’t found it yet."

Upon hearing this, Wang the Lisp instantly became enraged, his eyes filled with sinister ferocity, "Are you fucking playing us?"

"Please, calm down."

Bai Wenghai quickly explained, "There’s another reason for this. Liangzi Lake used to be a hilly plain with a Gaochang County, but during the Tang Dynasty, a mountain flood broke out, the earth dragon turned over, creating Liangzi Lake, and the whole county also sank below."

"With the changed terrain, the tomb’s location has also shifted, and we can only search near Liangzi Lake. Fortunately, we now have some clues."

"To be honest, quite a few of our Bai Family’s disciples have died, killed by the escaped Tomb Guardian Beast. It should be certain it’s somewhere on the north shore of Liangzi Lake."

"Wang, you’re adept at choosing burial sites, finding the exact location still depends on your skills..."

Listening to his explanation, Wang the Lisp’s expression softened slightly, "Alright, tell me the location. Once found, I will notify you."

Bai Wenghai’s expression stiffened, "Aren’t you staying in the village, Brother Wang?"

Wang the Lisp shook his head, "Used to living in the mountains, I’m not comfortable staying in a village."

Beside them, Chen San immediately sneered, "Who knows if you’re planning to find it and keep it for yourself, I will have to follow you."

"Hmph!"

Wang the Lisp said indifferently, "Suit yourself."

Bai Wenghai hesitated for a moment before speaking, "That’s fine, but I also need to send someone to guide you."

Wang the Lisp nodded, "Of course."

After the plan was set, Bai Wenghai immediately took out a map of the area around Liangzi Lake with annotations, which was exactly the same as the Shen Family’s map.

Wang the Lisp and Chen San didn’t waste time talking. Once they got the map, they immediately took their people and left the village.

After they had gone, Bai Wenghai took a sip of tea, a hint of mockery in his eyes, "These two fools, they must have already allied, still putting on a show here, simply ridiculous."

"How are things over there?"

"Reporting to Hall Master, we’re instigating that kid to drag the Shen Family into this as well, with Elder Wu’s cooperation, that kid will definitely fall for it."

"Very good, let that kid leave once Wang the Lisp is far enough away, now is not the time for them to meet."

"Hmph, that place, without filling it with a few lives, I’m afraid we might not even find it, hoping this time we succeed..."

...

Meanwhile, at the east end of the village, inside the blacksmith’s house.

"Should I call my father and the others?"

Shen Jingcan hesitated, somewhat reluctant.

Blacksmith Bai shook his head, "I’ve checked those few places, and we’ll need to dig. Just the three of us, I’m afraid it will be quite laborious."

"Young brother, after all, they are your own family, and besides, they already know. It’s not like we can just hog it all to ourselves."

"This..."

Shen Jingcan couldn’t help but glance to the side.

Elder Wu also fell silent for a moment before nodding, "Call them. They’re already aware, and I don’t want you to earn a bad reputation. If it comes to that, we’ll just give them a share at the time."

"Alright then."

Shen Jingcan nodded.

At this moment, he had completely dropped any suspicions. Although their second and third branches were not as skilled as the Black Cloud Guards, they knew some martial arts, and there was strength in numbers.

When the time came, he wouldn’t be afraid of this opportunistic master turning on him.

After discussing a bit more, Shen Jingcan immediately left Baihe Bay. To not waste time, he even borrowed Blacksmith Bai’s boat to return to the Shen Family compound via Liangzi Lake.

And all this was witnessed by Lv San.

"Interesting."

Li Yan didn’t know about the happenings in the village, but he sensed something was amiss from experience, "Someone is setting a trap..."

"Let’s not show ourselves just yet, and see what these people are up to!"