Chapter 145: If It Were Senior Yi-gang

Chapter 145: If It Were Senior Yi-gang

The last group to enter the Five Elements Tomb was led by Yu Su-rin.

The successors had the opportunity to choose the exploration team they wanted to join.

Despite the pressure of being first, few wanted to be the last to enter.

The number of volunteers for Yu Su-rins team was limited. They were either close to her or didnt mind being last due to their easy-going nature.

Yu Su-rin had no close friends. She braced herself for the possibility that no one would join her team.

Fortunately, that bitter scenario did not happen.

Hmm.

Young Lady Yu, please take a rest.

Diancangs Lightning Flash Yu Tae-jin and Zhongnans Flowing Cloud Flying Dragon Lee Jae-il joined Yu Su-rins team.

They volunteered for Yu Su-rins team almost simultaneously and were surprised to see each other there.

Both had expressions suggesting they hadnt expected the other to apply for this team.

Would you like some water?

Ive had some.

How about food

Yes, Ive eaten. Im quite full.

For some reason, Yu Tae-jin and Lee Jae-il were cold to each other, as if in rivalry.

There was another person who watched Yu Su-rin flanked by those two, looking as if he found the situation amusing.

It was Noh Shik of the Beggars Gang.

Lee Jae-il locked eyes with Noh Shik.

Why are you picking your nose so disgustingly?

A beggar can pick his nose too.

Noh Shik had been picking his nose even when he first volunteered for Yu Su-rins team.

Yu Tae-jin and Lee Jae-il frowned at this, but Yu Su-rin welcomed Noh Shik.

Not all members of the Beggars Gang were exceptional, but the exceptional ones were resourceful.

And, as Yu Su-rin expected, Noh Shik was quick-witted.

Thanks to Noh Shik, weve made it here safely. We are very fortunate.

Dont praise me too much. If Young Lady Yu hadnt identified those things true nature, we would have been in grave danger.

They quickly dealt with the surprise attack of the Hungry Ghost Parasite.

Yu Su-rin identified their nature, and Noh Shik figured out a solution.

It was to stuff their mouths with dry rations on the spot.

The four of them were all elites, so two blocked the narrowest part of the passage, front and back.

The other two stuffed their mouths with food and water, taking turns so that others could eat too.

Eating as much as possible was a hundred times better than wasting it.

Of course, that wasnt all.

Noh Shik was an excellent member of the Beggars Gang, and as much a beggar as one could be.

He didnt have a fragrance pouch like Yi-gangs party, but wore clothes smelly enough to cover the scent of meat.

The reduced bulk of the dry rations went into Noh Shiks possession.

Hehe, come to think of it, I should return these now.

Noh Shik distributed the wrapped bundles of dry rations from his pocket to everyone.

Yu Tae-jin and Lee Jae-il received their share with expressions of deep dislike. It seemed they would have to endure Noh Shiks stench every time they ate.

Wait a moment.

Yu Su-rin interrupted their chatter.

As her expression hardened, the rest of the groups gazes also turned icy.

They cautiously drew their weapons.

Swoosh

Who are you, approaching us so stealthily?

As Yu Tae-jin said this, people emerged from the other end of the passage.

Hwa So-so was at the forefront.

Apologies. Weve also had a tough time.

The group led by Namgung Shin appeared with somber expressions.

There were casualties.

Unlike Yu Su-rins group, they had suffered at the hands of the Hungry Ghost Parasite.

But more shocking than that might have been the disappointment of narrowly missing the Earth Shattering Finger.

You arrived before us.

Yes. We were waiting to see if anyone else would come.

Yu Su-rin responded to Hwa So-sos muttering.

For some reason, Namgung Shins group and Yu Su-rins group had ended up meeting here.

The entrance was blocked.

This is

What awaited Yu Su-rins group, who had just arrived, was a large iron door.

It had no handle, and pushing didnt open it, so they had no choice but to wait.

There was a sign that said The Gate of the Yellow River.

At the tip of Yu Su-rins finger, at the top of the iron door, was an irritating phrase.

The Gate of the Yellow River

Hwa So-so frowned.

What bizarre thing might be waiting for them inside?

Where Earth and Water meet. Is that why they call it the Yellow River, as a play on words?

The Yellow River was a huge river that ran through the northern part of the Central Plains.

True to its name as the muddy river, its waters were a yellowish-brown, mixed with mud.

When it rained heavily, the muddy waters seemed threatening, as if they could cover the earth.

It doesnt seem like just a play on words.

Huh?

Try pressing your ear against the iron door.

Hwa So-so followed Yu Su-rins suggestion with a skeptical look.

She felt the cold touch of the iron door against her cheek, and soon her expression hardened.

Burble-burble.

The sound of water could be heard.

It was rough, like the Yellow River on a rainy day.

Creak

Surprisingly, the iron door smoothly slid open.

The door is open!

That which wouldnt open no matter how much we pushed

Noh Shik and Yu Tae-jin were amazed.

They moved beside Hwa So-so to push the iron door.

As the heavy iron door slowly opened, people flocked towards it.

Inside was a pitch-black cave.

With the opening of the door, the faint sound of water grew louder.

Whoosh

A damp wind blew in, carrying the smell of water.

The lights are turning on.

It seemed that a mechanism had been triggered by the opening of the door.

Oil flowed from the walls on either side of the cave and ignited.

Yi-gang admired the appearance of the moss, which seemed to have snowflakes settled on it.

Since entering this place, a clear fragrance had been noticeable.

Always pleasant to smell, it was the scent of an elixir.

Theres also a moss-shaped elixir Moyong Jin murmured.

As he said, the White Lotus Moss was a rare and valuable elixir.

Although not as precious as the internal elixirs of the Golden Flower Carp, it was still a hard item to give up.

However, Yi-gang spoke decisively, Surely, theres no one petty enough to want to take this moss with them.

Tang Eun-seol, So Woon, Moyong Jin.

None of them raised their hands.

Thats a relief.

Yi-gang thought again.

It was more important for the exploration team to have fewer members, but ones that shared the same spirit.

All of them were in agreement with Yi-gang. It was fortunate they had formed a small group.

However, the problem was that Yi-gang had no intention of just leaving.

But!

He grabbed Moyong Jins shoulder as he was about to proceed through the passage.

But?

A bewildered Moyong Jin.

Yi-gang spoke with a serious expression.

Leaving behind that elixir would be just as foolish.

You say one thing and then another.

Do you have a problem with it?

No, not if we can take it with us.

Moyong Jin hesitated.

Tang Eun-seol also nodded in agreement.

The White Lotus Moss is precious enough to be used in making one of the Tang Clans Eight Great Poisons. How its used is a secret, though.

Using it to make poison is a good thing?

Yes, a very good thing.

Yi-gangs group was fundamentally different from the others.

There were two people knowledgeable about mechanisms and hidden weapons.

Yi-gang and Tang Eun-seol had already analyzed the mechanisms installed here.

Look, the floor of the passage is hollow. It seems to sink if pressed.

Its a weight-sensitive mechanism.

What about the side where the White Lotus Moss is?

Its not weight-sensitive. The mat where the White Lotus Moss is placed has wires wrapped around it. It looks like they will break if touched.

Judging by the marks on the ceiling, it doesnt seem to be a grate but rather a whole iron wall that comes down.

Tang Eun-seol leaped to the ceiling and hammered a metal spike into it.

Its solid metal.

Once it comes down, it cant be opened.

It doesnt seem to be operated by gears, just fixed with a latch.

So, if touched, it falls down with a thud?

While Yi-gang and Tang Eun-seol exchanged this dialogue, So Woon watched blankly. He and Moyong Jin honestly had nothing to do.

Yi-gang approached So Woon, who was lost in thought.

Its thanks to you.

Me?

Yi-gang patted his chest lightly.

The Wood box inside.

Their encounter with the White Lotus Moss in this place was also thanks to So Woon.

So Woon finally smiled.

Its about your short spears.

Mine?

What are they made of?

So Woon carried two short spears. Initially introduced as short staves, but when twisted at the top, spear blades popped out.

Made of ten-thousand-year-old cold iron.

At that, Moyong Jin and Tang Eun-seols eyes widened.

Two short spears made of ten-thousand-year-old cold iron. They were undoubtedly precious items.

So Woon seemed flustered as if he had misspoken, but Yi-gang didnt mind.

Will you help me with something?

H-how can I help?

Yi-gang explained his plan.

Upon hearing that his sword would also be used, So Woon could only nod.

Dont worry.

So Woon picked up one of his short spears and stood by the right wall of the passage.

The other short spear was taken by Yi-gang, who stood on the left side.

Precisely, hammer it into the side of the ceiling.

Got it.

One, two!

Yi-gang and So Woon leaped up and forcefully hammered the short spears into the walls of the passage.

Then they grabbed onto the wall and the short spears, hanging from them.

Yi-gang looked back and said, Young Lady Tang, were ready.

Be careful. Im taking it now.

Tang Eun-seol, standing in front of the White Lotus Moss, issued the warning.

As she ripped off the mat where the White Lotus Moss grew, a snapping sound occurred, and an iron wall fell from the ceiling of the passage.

Koo-woong!

However, the iron wall, which should have blocked the passage, was caught by the short spears hammered into both sides.

Moyong Jin and Tang Eun-seol quickly slipped through the gap that didnt close completely.

Yi-gang and So Woon immediately retrieved the short spears and sprang away.

Uwaaah!

Whoa!

The two rolled on the floor and entered the inside of the passage.

Finally, the iron wall blocked the passage.

Kwaaang!

It was a deafening sound that made their ears ring.

So Woon lay on the ground, catching his breath.

Whew, that was dizzying.

Thanks, it was helpful.

So Woon smiled and received his short spear back. The thick short spear, made of ten-thousand-year-old cold iron, was sturdy enough to support the iron door and didnt even receive a scratch.

Yi-gang quickly stood up and approached Tang Eun-seol.

Lets take a closer look.

Here you go.

Tang Eun-seol held the mat of the White Lotus Moss in her hands.

It was as beautifully pure as freshly made white rice cake.

There was also plenty for the four of them to share.