Dou Akou was fierce, but the Third Miss was not to be outdone. The two wrestled and fought in the water, turning a calm river into a raging torrent.
Fu Jiuxin wanted to pull Dou Akou back, but the two girls were embracing each other and were completely soaked, so he didn't dare to act rashly and could only anxiously watch the battle in the water.
The Third Miss, being a skilled swimmer, was initially caught off guard when Dou Akou pulled her back in the water. Startled and at a loss for what to do, she quickly regained her composure. Dou Akou, on the other hand, choked on several mouthfuls of water and, after struggling in the water for so long, was somewhat exhausted.
The Third Miss seized an opportunity, feinted a few times, and pushed Dou Akou into the water. While she struggled, she made a face, stuck out her tongue, and mocked Dou Akou with a "plop plop" sound. Then she slipped into the water, grabbed Fu Jiuxin's clothes, and swam away.
"Akou!" Fu Jiuxin pulled Dou Akou out of the water the moment the Third Miss left, tenderly wiping the water from her face, and murmured, "Akou, if you wanted my clothes, you could have gotten them from me. Why did you have to fight with her for them... Did you choke? Did you feel uncomfortable?"
Dou Akou brushed the damp strands of hair clinging to her forehead to one side and muttered, "Sir, this outfit has a different meaning..."
The more she talked, the sadder she became. With a mournful face, she felt utterly useless, realizing that her man's clothes had been stolen right under her nose. She hung her head dejectedly, as if she were about to cry.
Fu Jiuxin coaxed her, "Akou, it's just a piece of clothing. The rules of this festival are just for everyone to have fun, so they don't really count. Besides, let alone a piece of clothing, I am yours."
Dou Akou was stunned for a moment. Thinking about what the gentleman said, it made a lot of sense. The third young lady could only hold the gentleman's clothes, but she could hold the gentleman's whole body. So she became a little happy, but there was still a knot in her heart.
The young master of the fortress had been hiding behind the bushes since earlier, and only now did he slowly emerge, cautiously saying, "Akou, you go ashore first, go ashore, and wait for your senior brother to put his pants on."
"Oh," Dou Akou mumbled a reply, wading towards the shore. As soon as she reached the bank, Tang Xunzhen poked her forehead in exasperation: "Akou! How could you let that third young lady steal the master's clothes! You really are..."
She wanted to continue, but seeing Dou Akou's regretful look, she had no choice but to stop and said, "Alright, alright, let it go. But you'd better be careful of that little vixen in the future, and make sure your master stays away from her."
As they were talking, Gu Huaibi and Fu Jiuxin also came ashore. Fu Jiuxin's undergarment had been snatched away by the Third Miss, leaving him only loosely wearing an outer garment. Gu Huaibi blushed as he took the clothes from Tang Xunzhen's hands. Although the two were already a couple, Tang Xunzhen still wanted to tease him, shaking his clothes and saying with a grin, "Young Master Gu, will you be with me or not? If you don't, I won't give these clothes back to you!"
Gu Huaibi repeatedly said "Yes, yes," took the clothes from Tang Xunzhen, and put them on. The two seemed to have an even better relationship than before.
Dou Akou looked at them with envy. Her first Bathing Festival was a complete failure, which had dampened her spirits and left her with none of the excitement she had before the festival.
After the bathing festival, several more couples formed. But the important business still needed to be done. Starting the next day, everyone resumed the digging work.
The third young master of the Gongsun Mo family searched through all the classic books on mechanics and borrowed local chronicles recording the location of the Siyou Kingdom, and finally settled on a new location. Last time it was around the top of the tower, this time it was digging right down to the top of the tower.
Fu Jiuxin went to check on their digging every day as usual, his expression calm, but Dou Akou knew that he would meet with Su Luoyang and the others every night to discuss some matters.
Back in Longfeng Town, he didn't want Dou Akou to get involved, so he kept it a secret from her. Later, after Dou Akou found out, he simply took her with him. After they finished talking, the two would stroll under the moonlight, or even just have some fun.
The person who came to make contact that night was Su Luoyang. This was the first time Dou Akou had seen Su Luoyang since she was thrown out of that palace. She had heard from her third aunt that Su Luoyang had saved her, so she planned to take this opportunity to thank him properly.
Su Luoyang was also very excited. He waved happily to Dou Akou: "Tangyuan!"
Dou Akou looked much better, unlike when she was dragged out on the verge of death. It seemed that the young master was taking good care of her, and he felt more and more that his decision to risk his life to save her was the right one.
Dou Akou listened to their conversation. Su Luoyang said that Uncle Chen had also arrived at the ruins of Haohui City long ago. He was an old man from Siyou Kingdom and knew the geographical distribution of Haohui City very well. However, he didn't say anything when he saw those martial arts practitioners digging around like this. He just swore that if they dared to take a step closer to the treasure, he would make sure they died without a burial place.
Fu Jiuxin said, "Let them dig it up. Once they've dug it up and cleaned it up, we'll save ourselves a lot of trouble."
Not long after he said that, things took a turn for the better.
This time, Young Master Gongsun Mo, by sheer luck, actually guessed right.
The agency is now
For several days, the group dug along the spire, excavating most of the tower. It was a hexagonal Vajrasana Pagoda, made of brick and stone, with exquisite and delicate brackets and rafters. The tower was covered with large areas of carving and painting. Although some parts were corroded and peeled off because it was buried under sand, the fine craftsmanship and vibrant colors could still be seen.
Each level of the tower features different reliefs. Upon closer inspection, the first level depicts what appears to be the founding of the Siyou Kingdom; the second level praises the diligent rule of successive rulers, offering nothing particularly novel; the third level and above present a narrative scene where a figure, seemingly a leader, directs a group of soldiers in a long procession, carrying boxes containing unknown contents into a palace. This scene occupies the largest portion of the tower's reliefs, indicating the sheer number of boxes; the final level shows the ruler holding a jade tablet and closing the palace gates.
The implication was obvious, and everyone said it must be the location of the Siyou Kingdom's treasure, so they devoted themselves to excavating with great enthusiasm. Dou Akou also circled the tower several times, and even climbed up the ladder to examine it carefully, but the relief did not mention the Chu Shi Sword, and she wondered which box that peerless sword had been put in.
Although everyone believed that the tower was most likely the place where the treasure was hidden, they couldn't find anything else besides digging out the entire tower.
This tower is very strange. It has no openwork, no windows, and even the door at the base is sealed off. There is no entrance at all. It is just a solid block of bricks and stones, and you really can't tell anything about it.
Dou Akou went to check on her every day, hoping that one day she would have a sudden flash of inspiration and discover something. Fu Jiuxin looked up at her on the ladder: "Akou, come down."
Dou Akou hopped down the stairs in two quick steps, and on the last step, she jumped from a great height into Fu Jiuxin's arms. Then, she poked her head out from Fu Jiuxin's shoulder and made a face in a direction behind him.
Fu Jiuxin was taken aback. He was already puzzled by Dou Akou's initiative, and seeing her unusual behavior, he couldn't help but turn his head away.
It turned out that the person Dou Akou was looking at was none other than the Third Miss.
Dou Akou hugged Fu Jiuxin even tighter in a show of defiance, looking at the Third Miss triumphantly: "Give me back the master's clothes!"
The third young lady smiled and said, "Okay. Let me kiss him, and I'll give him back to you."
Dou Akou got angry: "You shameless person!"
"You're even more shameless for hugging him!"
The two engaged in a heated exchange, neither willing to back down.
Fu Jiuxin listened calmly to their childish bickering. This wasn't the first time. Ever since the Third Miss stole his clothes, she seemed genuinely interested in him, popping up whenever he was alone with Dou Akou, or launching surprise attacks when he was by himself.
But she didn't seem to have any ill intentions; it was more like a child's enthusiasm for a toy. Her presence even brought some benefits: Dou Akou felt a sense of crisis and thus actively tried to please Fu Jiuxin. For example… in bed.
Fu Jiuxin appeared calm on the surface, but he was actually savoring Dou Akou's sweetness. Hmm, he wondered how she would please him tonight; he was really looking forward to it!
Dou Akou had no idea what her noble husband was thinking. She glared angrily at the third young lady in front of her, preparing to go back that night and look through some erotic pictures to cultivate the feeling of rolling in the sheets, and to devour her husband completely!
The Third Miss and Dou Akou bickered for a while, then she got bored and left.
Over there, the Third Young Master Gongsun Mo was hammering and tinkering with the tower when he suddenly became serious. He slowed down his movements, explored the relief for a moment, and then carefully pressed down on one of the protrusions.
Dou Akou and Fu Jiuxin were present and naturally noticed the Third Young Master's actions. Dou Akou stared intently at his every move, seeing that he seemed to have found a trigger, and nervously held his breath, waiting for something to happen—perhaps the tower would crack open from the middle?
But she waited for a long time, and nothing unusual happened.
The Third Young Master went around to the other side of the tower, explored it as before, and pressed down on another protrusion.
He replicated the same design for each of the six sides of the tower. After pressing the button six times, there was a click, as if a mechanism had been activated. Then a loud rumble followed, and the entire tower trembled slightly. Fine sand and gravel fell softly from the air, and dust flew up, blinding people.
Fu Jiuxin was worried that triggering the mechanism would result in hidden weapons emerging from its depths, so he quickly retreated several feet while holding Dou Akou. However, he heard the Third Young Master say confidently, "Don't be afraid, everyone! There are no hidden weapons in this mechanism!"
Just as he had predicted, the rumbling gradually subsided, and after all the sand and stones fell, there were no hidden stones or crossbows. However, a door suddenly appeared on the previously perfectly sealed and smooth tower surface. Everyone was stunned, looking at each other in bewilderment, unsure of what to do next.
A few bold individuals, eager to seize the initiative, volunteered to be the first to go in and scout. Just as they were making their noise, Lord Gu and several leaders of martial arts sects rushed over. After inspecting the gate, they immediately selected representatives from each sect to form a small team to go in and investigate.
A total of twelve people were selected: the head of the Li family in Jiangnan and Li San, along with the girl Yin Yan who danced with ribbons; the third young master of the Gongsun Mo family, the third young lady of the twelfth row, Tang Xunzhen of Yiyantang, the Gu family lord and young master Gu Huaibi, Dou Akou and Fu Jiuxin of Qingyong City, a disciple of Qisha Lianhuanwu, and Pi Xiaoli of Pangbomen. However, no one from the Ding family of Baicaojing was selected. This kind of maze trip was full of traps and hidden weapons. Without someone skilled in medicine accompanying them, no one was sure of the outcome.
Lord Gu exhaled from his dantian, his voice booming like a bell, and asked, "Is there anyone from the Ding family who knows the Hundred Herbs Classic present?"
I asked several times, but no one answered.
Just as they were looking around, a woman's voice announced clearly, "The eldest daughter of the Ding family is here."
Tang Xunzhen and Gu Huaibi exchanged a glance, both recognizing the voice as Ding Zisu's.
As expected, the crowd parted to make way for Ding Zisu, who arrived gracefully with two maids from the palace. She finally showed some restraint, not wearing her usual long, flowing dress, but dressed like a woman from the martial arts world, and said to Lord Gu, "I've arrived."
After a brief preparation, the thirteen-person team decided to explore the doorway. Gu Huaibi lit a candle and tossed it inside. Although the light was only momentary, it was enough to reveal what was inside. A winding staircase led downwards, and judging from the sound of the candle tumbling down, it seemed to be quite long, with no end in sight.
Gu Huaibi said, "Third Young Master is shrewd and resourceful. I'll trouble you to lead the way. Xunzhen will follow behind me, and Young Master Fu and his wife will bring up the rear."
No one objected, so they proceeded according to Gu Huaibi's instructions.
The door hadn't been opened for at least fifty years, and a musty smell filled the air. Everyone unconsciously held their breath. Ding Zisu took out several green pills from her pocket and distributed them to everyone: "These are specially made 'Qi-avoiding pills' from the Hundred Herbs Classic. Taking them will ward off poisonous gas, and their effect lasts for one hour."
The group took the medicine as instructed and then carefully examined the tunnel. They had just entered the darkness from the light and couldn't see anything clearly, only a pitch-black expanse. Now, after spending some time in the underground palace and adjusting to the darkness, they could see more clearly. As far as the eye could see, there were lamps on both sides of the tunnel. Gu Huaibi tried to light them, but the oil had run out, so he had to give up.
The group silently continued forward. The tunnel seemed unmarked, and they made their way safely. Descending the stairs to the last step, two paths suddenly appeared before them. Gu Huaibi quickly divided the group into two teams: he and Tang Xunzhen, Fu Jiuxin and Dou Akou, plus Pi Xiaoli and his partner, while the rest formed the other team. They agreed that if anything went wrong, they should not fight alone, but instead use whistles to signal each other and regroup before making further plans.
Dou Akou was embarking on such a novel adventure for the first time, feeling both apprehensive and excited. Fu Jiuxin, on the other hand, was surveying the tunnel, lost in thought.
Everyone was on tenterhooks, but the journey was quite normal. After walking for a short while, the road came to an end, where there was a wall – a dead end.
Dou Akou refused to believe it, so she went up and tapped and pounded on the wall, pressing on every protrusion, but the wall still wouldn't open.
"Could it be that it's turned on instead of pressed?" Dou Akou muttered, changing from pressing to turning, but it still wouldn't turn on.
“Perhaps this wall has no mechanism, it’s just a wall.” Fu Jiuxin stepped forward, wiped the dust off Dou Akou’s palm, and stared at the wall.
“That’s true.” Gu Huaibi nodded. “Let’s go back first and see if they’ve found anything.”
The group returned the way they came and reached the fork in the road. They saw that Ding Zisu's group was also returning from that road. After exchanging words, they realized that both paths were dead ends and they had not found anything.
Gu Huaibi asked, "Third Young Master, are there any mechanisms on either side that can be activated?"
The Third Young Master pondered for a moment, then clasped his hands and shook his head: "I am ashamed. Perhaps it exists, but I have not yet found the method to activate it."
There are only these two paths under the tower. If both paths are blocked, it means that the paths below are just a smokescreen, and the treasure is hidden somewhere else. Everyone has been working for nothing.
Gu Huaibi said, "It's getting late. Let's go up first and think of a solution. We'll have someone guard the entrance here to prevent anyone else from coming in. We'll come back and explore again tomorrow."
Everyone nodded in agreement, except for Ding Zisu, who seemed a little impatient.
The night passed. Early the next morning, Dou Akou shook Fu Jiuxin awake, excitedly exclaiming, "Sir! Get up quickly, we're going to that tower again today!"
Fu Jiuxin remained motionless with his eyes closed, then rolled over and pulled Dou Akou back onto the bed, pinning her beneath him as she continued to sleep.
Suddenly, Tang Xunzhen's voice rang out from outside the door, banging urgently: "Akou! Mr. Fu! Get up quickly, something's happened!"
Old friends return
A large crowd gathered in front of the cleaned-up tower, buzzing around like a swarm of mosquitoes.
As Tang Xunzhen led Dou Akou and Fu Jiuxin toward the crowd, he briefly explained what had happened: "After we left the tower yesterday, Huai Bi sent people to guard it and prevent unauthorized personnel from entering. Around midnight, the guards slacked off and took a nap, allowing several members of the Li family from Jiangnan to sneak into the tower. They weren't discovered until this morning. However... they all died inside the tower."
Dou Akou's eyes widened as she listened to this bizarre and convoluted story. As they spoke, they approached the crowd. Everyone recognized Tang Xunzhen and knew that she was very likely the future young mistress of Xilie Fort, so they all made way for her.
In the open space, three corpses lay, covered with white sheets. Gu Huaibi and several sect leaders stood to one side, their expressions quite solemn. The Ding family, skilled in medicine, only sent Ding Zisu, and she was the only one who could do this job. Wearing gloves, she disgustedly lifted the white sheet, and immediately a stench wafted out.
The weather in June is already quite hot. These three people died last night in the tunnel under the tower. The tunnel was narrow, enclosed, and poorly ventilated. When they were found this morning, it already smelled foul.
Dou Akou stood on tiptoe and craned her neck to take a look. The three people had died in a very gruesome manner. There was a deep, diagonal wound running down their chests, almost splitting them in two, with only a little skin and flesh connecting them.
Ding Zisu pinched her nose and examined the wounds for a while. She stood up and kicked the three corpses with her toe: "There are no other wounds on the body, only a knife wound on the chest. It seems that the other party was a master of the knife. He slashed diagonally from the neck to the waist, killing with one blow."
As she spoke, she made a chopping motion.
Dou Akou felt a chill run down her spine and couldn't help but clench Fu Jiuxin's hand tightly: "Sir, there aren't many kung fu techniques that can kill with a single blow, and judging from the depth of their wounds, that person must be incredibly strong."
The situation is now quite clear. Li San must have entered the tunnel yesterday, found nothing, and after discussing it with the Li family head, decided to send a few disciples to investigate again at night. If they discovered anything, they would gain the upper hand and unknowingly benefit. But they were all killed by someone unknown.
This place was practically a gathering of heroes from the entire martial arts world. That person had managed to kill three people right under their noses without being detected, and his technique was precise and skillful, demonstrating superior martial arts prowess, no less than that of several sect leaders. Everyone was somewhat worried, and began to suspect foul play, with some even suspecting it was one of their own.
However, none of the people who came were skilled with knives, and even if they were, none of them possessed such advanced martial arts skills.
Suddenly someone shouted, "It's him! It must be that person! The mysterious person whose voice we only heard at the last martial arts tournament!"
Upon hearing this, Dou Akou remembered that Uncle Chen had indeed appeared at the martial arts tournament and made some sarcastic remarks. She exclaimed "Ah!" and lowered her voice to ask Fu Jiuxin, "Sir, could it be Uncle Chen?"