Ascending in broad daylight?!

Looking at this couplet, Zheng Yi suddenly had a bad feeling.

Could it be that the Grand Ancestor was also a cultivator?

Moreover, was he hiding in this mausoleum to plot something?

Become a zombie?

Or rely on some method to slumber?

Could there be some powerful restrictions, traps, or cultivator techniques inside?

For a moment, Zheng Yi was somewhat hesitant.

“Your Majesty?”

Chen Liancang came over, his tone also a bit excited.

He had a spirit root!

Just a few months ago, when Zheng Yi had Noble Consort Cui test the spirit roots of the five princesses of appropriate age, he also checked Chen Liancang.

Four attributes, lower-grade spirit root.

Metal, earth, wood, water.

Missing fire from the Five Elements.

Although it’s only a lower grade, it is undoubtedly a spirit root, qualifying him to step onto the path of cultivation.

Therefore, he was even more concerned about the contents of the Grand Ancestor’s Mausoleum than Zheng Yi at this moment.

After all, Zheng Yi already had the “Spirit Eating Technique.”

Although it’s only a Qi Cultivation Stage technique, it’s better than nothing.

Zheng Yi suddenly patted Chen Liancang’s shoulder and said, “Elder Chen, the Grand Ancestor’s Mausoleum must be opened, but I am an emperor; the imperial court cannot do without me.”

“In this way, the Celestial Longevity Mountain will be entirely under your command, and you will manage the excavation of the Grand Ancestor’s Mausoleum completely, understood?”

“All tomb raider captains, Embroidered Uniform Guards, and Imperial Guards in the Celestial Longevity Mountain are under your command.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your trust!”

Chen Liancang immediately puffed his chest and earnestly said, “This old servant will definitely open the Grand Ancestor’s Mausoleum and find the cultivation secret techniques for Your Majesty!”

“Good!”

Zheng Yi patted Chen Liancang’s shoulder again and said, “I’ll leave this place to Elder Chen; I will return to the Imperial Palace.”

“Yes!”

Was Zheng Yi curious about the Grand Ancestor’s Mausoleum? Of course, he was curious.

But…

Zheng Yi valued his own life more.

Who knows what’s in that Grand Ancestor’s Mausoleum, it’s better to let Chen Liancang take the lead.

After leaving the Celestial Longevity Mountain, Zheng Yi immediately called for Tang City.

“Your Majesty?”

“Go take my edict and gather twenty thousand… no, fifty thousand imperial guards to guard the Celestial Longevity Mountain; no one is allowed to approach.”

“Additionally, gather two artillery regiments to guard with the imperial guards.”

“Yes!”

Tang City hastily went to relay the orders, while Zheng Yi left the area.

Looking at the distant Celestial Longevity Mountain through the carriage window, Zheng Yi was also speculating what might be in the Grand Ancestor’s Mausoleum?

Techniques?

Treasures?

Or… some living things?

At this time, within the Celestial Longevity Mountain.

After Zheng Yi left, Liu Cheng’en looked at the gloomy and dark, yet somewhat majestic mausoleum entrance and immediately said, “Where is the Tomb Raider Captain?”

“At your command!”

“Open the burial chamber!”

“Yes!”

Several tomb raiders immediately stepped forward, directing their subordinates to begin exploring the main gate.

Only after a full incense stick time did they find a way to open the gate.

Hu Bafeng came up and said, “Eunuch, this tomb has been sealed for over three hundred years, and being a royal mausoleum, it must contain numerous mechanisms…”

“Oh? Do you have any good ideas?”

Hu Bafeng gritted his teeth and said, “In the past, when we opened burial chambers, we would use live creatures for exploration, like chickens, ducks, or pigs.”

“But this is a royal mausoleum, the area must be vast, and we don’t know if ordinary creatures would be effective…”

“I understand your point.”

Chen Liancang waved his hand, and a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard quickly came over.

“Greetings, Eunuch.”

“You, go to the Imperial Prison and bring ten death row prisoners, some with martial arts backgrounds.”

“Yes!”

After the Embroidered Uniform Guard left, Chen Liancang said, “You all look at this tomb carefully; make sure nothing goes wrong.”

“At your command!”

A group of tomb raiders began exploring the mausoleum again, occasionally gathering together.

Meanwhile, Chen Liancang, served by a little eunuch, sat on the side drinking tea.

However, his slightly trembling hands indicated that his heart was not as calm as he seemed.

By late day, almost by the early hours of the next morning, the Embroidered Uniform Guard brought over a dozen prisoners still shackled and chained, one by one.

These dozen prisoners were all disheveled and dirty, with quite a bit of fresh blood seeping from their bodies, but their essence, qi, and spirit were still full as they looked around with surprise.

The leading Embroidered Uniform Guard ran up to Chen Liancang in small steps and said, “Eunuch, the prisoners have been brought!”

“A total of twelve prisoners, all sentenced to death and awaiting execution.”

“Among them, seven are Third-grade Martial Artists, four are Second-grade Martial Artists, and one is a First-grade Martial Artist.”

“Oh? To think there’s even a First-grade Martial Artist?”

Chen Liancang said in surprise, “A First-grade Martial Artist, if willing to join my Martial Arts Department, could obtain the position of Assistant General.”

“What crime did this First-grade Martial Artist commit?”

The leading Embroidered Uniform Guard’s mouth twitched as he said, “Murder in broad daylight, and the victim was a relative of the current Minister of War, Li Changfeng.”

“The Li Mansion sent people to investigate and sentenced him to death, to be executed in a few days.”

“Li Changfeng’s nephew? Quite daring, who is it?”

A tall figure, though shackled, still carried an extraordinary aura, said, “I do not change my name while walking or sitting; I am Linghu Cang of the Canglong Sword Sect!”

Chen Liancang sized up this man, about thirty years old, and nodded slightly, “Quite imposing, but it’s a pity you committed a capital crime.”

“However, I am giving you all a chance; complete the task I set, and I can pardon you from one death sentence, how about it?”

Linghu Cang frowned and said, “I killed Li Changfeng’s nephew; aren’t you afraid of Li Changfeng’s blame if you release me?”

“Heh, Li Changfeng?”

Chen Liancang sneered, “In my eyes, let alone Li Changfeng, even if Lu Xiangqing were before me, I could pardon whoever I wish!”

Among the twelve prisoners, several eyes lit up slightly.

Linghu Cang hesitated and said, “What does the eunuch want us to do?”

Those present were not ordinary people; they naturally knew that a task that could pardon a death sentence must be more terrifying than the death penalty itself.

But, as long as there’s a glimmer of hope for life, who wouldn’t strive for it?

As long as they can survive, they must explore any dangerous place!

“It’s very simple, you just need to walk through it once.”

Chen Liancang pointed to the grand entrance of the Grand Ancestor’s Mausoleum behind him and said, “As long as you can come out alive with me, I will pardon you from your death sentences, understand?”

“Mausoleum?”

“Tomb raiding?”

“This place is Celestial Longevity Mountain, and this eunuch is actually plundering the Royal Mausoleum!”

“No…! No! It should be the current Emperor’s command!”

“Hiss… Emperor Zhengyong is really bold, actually excavating his own ancestors’ mausoleum?!”

Twelve death row prisoners began to whisper. Some were excited, some were surprised, and some admired.

Leading them, Linghu Cang frowned and said, “Eunuch, please forgive me for being unable to agree. Please take me back to the Imperial Prison.”

“Oh? Why is that?”

Linghu Cang said, “Eunuch, whether this tomb raiding is your idea or the current Emperor’s idea, this matter must not be leaked, otherwise the Emperor’s prestige will be greatly damaged.”

“If we die in the mausoleum, it’s fine. But if we somehow survive, will the eunuch really let us go, knowing the Emperor’s secret of tomb raiding?”

“I think… neither the Emperor nor you would dare to gamble on that.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the other death row prisoners began to discuss excitedly.

“Yeah! Whether we die in the mausoleum or not, the Emperor will never let us go!”

“Brother Linghu thinks more deeply!”

“We know the Emperor’s orders…”

Faced with these discussions, Chen Liancang looked at Linghu Cang and smiled with satisfaction.

This young man, not bad.

What a pity…

“You… truly underestimate the current Emperor.”

Chen Liancang cupped his hands to the south and said, “The current Emperor, with great talent and strategy, implemented reforms for the sake of the common people, offending many noble families and sects, which led to rebellion in ten out of the thirteen provinces!”

“By now, under the oppression of many dukes and rebels, hundreds of thousands of common people have died.”

“Now, who would care about the Emperor raiding the former Emperor’s mausoleum?”

“After all… the world has already rebelled, so why care about such a crime?”

“Besides.”

Chen Liancang continued, “As long as you can come out of the mausoleum alive, I will personally allow you to join the Martial Arts Department.”

“By then, we will all be on the same side, and how could I inexplicably kill you?”

“Moreover, whether you survive or not, I will give your families one thousand taels of silver as a reward.”

“Once you come out alive, I will grant you to join the Martial Arts Department!”

His words made the twelve death row prisoners think carefully.

Yeah.

The world has rebelled, and the crimes attributed to the current Emperor are countless.

Raiding the Royal Mausoleum, what does it even count as?

“Eunuch! I’m in!”

“I’m in too! Losing a head leaves just a scar, we might as well risk it!”

“In twenty years, we can be heroes again, hahaha…”

“One thousand taels of silver, let’s go for it!”

The twelve death row prisoners agreed one after another, leaving only Linghu Cang, still considering.

“Linghu Cang, what do you plan to do?”

“Alright! I agree too, but I have a condition!”

Chen Liancang became interested, “Oh? What condition?”

“We have been severely beaten in the Imperial Prison for days. We need ample food and time to meditate and recover for half a day.”

Linghu Cang immediately said, “Also, we need weapons for self-defense. Give them to us when we enter the mausoleum.”

Chen Liancang did not hesitate, “Alright, I agree to your terms!”

“Someone, prepare accordingly!”

Chen Xiao, who had a naturally childlike face, approached respectfully, “Yes!”

On Celestial Longevity Mountain, there must be thousands of men stationed, with their own kitchen.

Soon, plates of sumptuous food were served.

Gourd chicken, roasted fish, pork knuckles, pig trotters, meat buns, all meat dishes, most favored by martial artists.

In addition, there were twelve jars of fine wine.

Chen Liancang said, “Gentlemen, don’t drink too much before the action lest you ruin the Emperor’s grand plans.”

“After you return from the mausoleum, I will celebrate with you all.”

“Thank you, eunuch!”

The twelve men immediately began to eat heartily, not worrying about poison, eating and drinking as if it were their last meal.

But Linghu Cang only silently drank the fine wine and occasionally tore off a chicken leg to enjoy.

Before the massive mausoleum entrance, over a hundred Imperial Guards and Tomb Raider Captains watched the twelve death row prisoners feast, not knowing what to think.

“Godfather~”

Chen Xiao approached and said quietly, “Do you really trust these death row prisoners so much? Giving them food and weapons, what if they rebel later…”

“Heh heh…”

Chen Liancang sneered, “Even emperors don’t starve their soldiers, let alone death row prisoners?”

“Even if these twelve men were in their prime, with your strength, you could wipe them all out. What are you worried about?”

“What’s most important to me now is fulfilling the Emperor’s orders.”

“Such trivial matters, I don’t care about.”

His subordinate was convinced, “Understood, father.”

In the distance, Linghu Cang’s ears twitched, and he secretly let out a sigh of relief.

It seems today he won’t die.

After eating, several death row prisoners skilled in Inner Family True Qi hurriedly gathered their inner strength to recover their power.

The remaining ones exercised their bodies, preparing to fight with all their might in the mausoleum.

More than half a day later, the over ten men finally finished meditating and came to the mausoleum’s entrance.

Each of them held a steel blade as a weapon.

Meanwhile, as a member of the Canglong Sword Sect, Linghu Cang wielded a long sword.

“Open the tomb!”

“Crack…!”

“Rumble…!”

As a loud rumble echoed, the dragon-shaped door before them slowly opened.

The harsh grinding sound made many frown slightly.

“Awoo…!”

As the door swung open, a deep moan echoed from within.

The twelve death row prisoners exchanged glances. Finally, Linghu Cang took a deep breath and stepped forward.

Suddenly, a massive black dragon burst out from the door, fiercely lunging toward the group!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep