Chapter 376: The Way Out Left by That
Translator: 549690339
Where did the treasure go?
Where did the treasure go!
Looking at the layer of dust in this secret tunnel, it’s clear no one has entered in years.
So, was this batch of treasure taken away many years ago?
The Bailu Academy was established here twenty years ago. If the treasure was moved after the academy was established, such a big movement wouldn’t have gone unnoticed by the headmaster!
So, was this batch of treasure moved twenty years ago?
It was transferred to another place twenty years ago, but the treasure map wasn’t updated accordingly, so he’s wasted his efforts.
Yang Ye frowned and cursed inwardly, realizing all his efforts had been in vain.
He had originally planned to present this batch of treasure as a birthday gift for the Emperor Emeritus’s ninetieth birthday, but now it was clear this couldn’t be done.
While Yang Ye was cursing in his heart, Tong Sanlang and Tong Tiehu felt a complex mixture of emotions.
This secret tunnel hasn’t been opened for ten years, yet now the treasure inside has disappeared without a trace.
The most likely suspect was Qiao Xiaomai.
But the items in Qiao Xiaomai’s possession couldn’t possibly accommodate all these treasures!
What on earth happened here?
As the grandfather and grandson were carefully examining their surroundings feigning ignorance, Yang Wang, who had a frown on his face, spoke up, “What is this place?”
“Who knows,” replied Yang Ye, managing to hide his disappointment and irritation.
Seeing how the treasure was now gone, he thought he should minimise the seriousness of the situation.
Without concrete evidence, Tong Sanlang couldn’t be implicated.
He might as well pretend he hadn’t discovered anything.
“Village Chief Tong, do you know anything?” Yang Wang asked again.
“To answer your question, I’ve lived in Anping Village for the better part of my life and never knew there was a secret tunnel here,” repeated Tong Tiehu, repeating the statement he’d already made several times.
He continued to insist he was completely ignorant, leaving Yang Ye, Yang Wang, and Cen Hong at a loss.
The tunnel split into two paths upon entering the village. One led to the hiding place in the tunnel, and the other to his, Tong’s, residence.
However, there was a mechanism that could block the entrance to the path leading to his home. This was a contingency plan left to him by a particular woman.
Neither Tong Sanlang nor his sixth brother knew about this.
This hid for decades and it finally came into use today.
That’s why when Qiao Xiaomai said he wanted to collect the treasure, he was able to calmly analyze the situation and then send a message to Tong Liu.
Even if the treasure was found, his family would be safe.
“This clearly seems to be something constructed deliberately. What on earth was the intention of building such a huge storage vault?” Yang Wang wondered aloud, his brow furrowed.
“Who knows,” Yang Ye repeated.
He was finding it difficult to breathe, covering his mouth with a handkerchief compounded with the lack of air deep underground.
Frowning, he waved away the floating dust and said, “Enough, let’s get out of here. The air is too stuffy.”
With that, he was the first to turn and leave along the same way they came.
“Hey, are we just leaving like that?” Yang Wang looked surprised.
“If you want to stay, then stay. I’m going up for air.” Yang Ye replied.
“Yeah, you’re right.” After contemplating, Yang Wang followed suit. “I’ll get some people to come with me.”
The tunnel hadn’t seen any human activity for years, and the ground was covered in dust. The space was dark and, even with a torch, the atmosphere was gloomy.
More people needed to be gathered, the entire tunnel cleaned, and then thoroughly investigated. Not a single corner could be overlooked. Fresh chapters posted on novel⁂fire.net
With both princes leaving, Tong Sanlang and Tong Tiehu exchanged a glance and followed them out.