Even a copper lamp

When several individuals found themselves in a dilemma, my father and the leading figures of the Cao family came over. After personally inspecting the situation, they confirmed that it was indeed the legendary "isolated tomb," a crypt with no apparent entrance, leaving the skilled tomb raiders of the Cao family perplexed.

One person, with a determined expression, suggested forcefully opening it. An elderly member of the Cao family nearby snorted, remarking that risking one's life in such a manner might trigger mechanisms beyond one's capacity to comprehend.

Undeterred, the first person argued that after overcoming numerous challenges to reach this point, returning empty-handed was not an option. He proposed taking the risk, considering the wealth and prosperity accumulated by generations of the Cao family.

His words created a wavering effect among the others. In hushed tones, they discussed the possibility of trying to blast it open.

Just as the impasse persisted, my father intervened, urging them to wait. He had a plan.

Duo Jie observed as my father walked along the indentations, measuring each step meticulously. Calculating in his mind, my father marked a spot, stepped back, assessed the surroundings, and finally, with a firm stomp, created a soil pit. He declared that this was the spot from which they should start digging downward.

The elder leader of the Cao family nodded in agreement. The Cao family members promptly grabbed whirlwind shovels and began excavation. In less than half an hour, they unearthed a secret passage wide enough for two people to pass through simultaneously. They even fortified the entrance, showcasing the expertise of these seasoned individuals.

My father descended into the opening, touched the top bricks, marked them with a cross using a stone pen, and instructed the team above to carefully remove only those specific bricks, avoiding the rest.

The Cao family members, experts in their field, efficiently opened a skylight in no time. My father used a flashlight to peer inside, nodded in approval, and directed the team to prepare ropes for descent.

Excitement surged among the team members. My father approached Duo Jie, instructing him to get ready to descend together. This puzzled Duo Jie, unsure of his role, but recalling my father's previous warnings, he nodded, acknowledging his trust in my father.

An iron frame was set up above the pit, and two agile individuals emerged from the team. Duo Jie noticed them securing reverse-buckle knots on each other, ready to unravel for a quick escape in case of danger.

With no heavy burdens, the two men took a deep breath, gripping flashlights, and descended cautiously along the ropes.

Duo Jie, standing outside, struggled to discern the interior. After a while, he heard a few whistles from below. The Cao family members exchanged handshakes, signaling my father that it was safe to proceed.

Given the remote location in the old forest, minimal cover was necessary. Thus, only a few people stayed aboveground, while the rest prepared to go below.

Zhao Sanshui secured a rope knot for Duo Jie, seizing the opportunity to advise him to stick close to my father after going down. Duo Jie, sensing an impending mystery, nodded without probing further, signaling his understanding.

As he approached the entrance of the secret passage, Duo Jie could already see the faint glow of flashlights below. It was his first encounter with an ancient palace buried underground for thousands of years, and even with his considerable skills, he couldn't help but feel a sense of nervousness. Under the flashlight's illumination, the darkened halls seemed to exude a mysterious aura, as if ancient incantations were slowly coming to life. The feeling at that moment was indescribable but permanently etched in Duo Jie's memory.

The ceiling of the chambers appeared to have inscriptions and carvings, portraying serpent-headed humanoid creatures and other enigmatic figures. The blackened halls, illuminated by flashlights, seemed to be enveloped in a mystical halo.

Suddenly, the excitement below intensified as someone discovered a coffin in the center of a grand hall. It was a black coffin with faded golden lacquer, surrounded by seven rows of fifteen connected bronze lamps. Although the lamp oil had long dried up, the expressions of those around hinted at the significance of this discovery.

Duo Jie joined my father and Zhao Sanshui to get a closer look. The bronze lamps, each as tall as a person, resembled flourishing trees. Intricately designed with mythical creatures such as the proud Kylin, swimming fish, double-headed sacred deer, and cranes with outstretched necks, below were barefooted people, attentively gazing at the hanging ornaments. The seven lamps shared a common theme: divine creatures and celestial fruits, captivating the onlookers.

Curious, Duo Jie asked Zhao Sanshui for an explanation. After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Sanshui, scratching his goatee, shook his head, admitting difficulty in understanding the meaning accurately. The imagery, he suggested, seemed akin to building wood, but the analogy wasn't precise.

Unable to find a suitable explanation, the group facing the lamps was also perplexed. My father glanced at Zhao Sanshui, who responded with a shrug. Unable to make a decision, my father decided to leave the lamps untouched, emphasizing that the main discovery lay ahead.

However, some team members were not pleased. Setting aside the items accompanying the coffin, the seven bronze lamps were extraordinary treasures seemingly within easy reach. How could they simply let go of such an opportunity?

The one who initially proposed forcefully opening the grand hall suggested that the rest proceed while he and a few others stayed behind to haul up the treasures later. The coffin could be opened later.

This proposition faced resistance from other Cao family members. Despite being a united force this time, each family had its own agenda. Trying to take advantage individually was not viable, as in the harsh world of tomb raiding, those with bloodstained hands were rarely amicable.

My father, facing a dilemma, reluctantly agreed to open the coffin on the spot. In hindsight, although unsure about the necessity of breaking the dragon stone, my father's decision at that moment aimed to prevent the Cao family members from dispersing, ensuring they all remained outside the tomb.

The young head of the Cao family waved off the objections. Those behind him immediately prepared tools such as black donkey hooves and corpse-catching nets. Meanwhile, a few individuals went to lift the bronze lamps. As the lamps were moved, the copper-green pendants hanging from them swayed, producing a faint, ethereal sound. Initially, no one paid much attention, but as several lamps were simultaneously moved, the noise gradually intensified, converging into a harmonious symphony.

Some team members found the sound annoying. Attempting to stop the swaying, they grabbed the copper pieces to prevent them from jingling. However, these pieces seemed to awaken, each behaving like a wild monkey caught by the neck, suddenly erupting into hysterical screams.

Before Duo Jie could comprehend the situation, Zhao Sanshui next to him muttered, and my father shouted, urging them to quickly shatter those copper pieces.

Several Cao family members hesitated at first, but as the copper pieces continued their shrill noises, resembling a collective cry, everyone was roused from their trance. Mimicking Duo Jie's actions, they smashed the screaming copper pieces.

With each piece shattered, the hall gradually quieted down. The elders in the Cao family, including the one who broke the last copper piece free from the lantern, extended their bony left hand, displaying the remnants to my father.

Zhao Sanshui nudged Duo Jie, expressing surprise and questioning why he was unaffected. Duo Jie, slightly puzzled, inquired about the matter.

Zhao Sanshui mentioned the strange sound earlier. Despite realizing that something was amiss, his mind got completely drawn into it. He was full of the screaming sound, rendering him momentarily immobile.

Duo Jie, although not as affected, felt a tightness in his chest. However, he was not incapacitated to the extent described by Zhao Sanshui.

Frowning, Zhao Sanshui lifted the collar of Duo Jie's clothing, revealing a silver-white tower pendant hanging from a red string. Duo Jie glanced at it, explaining that his father gave it to him after saving a Lama from a wolf attack in his youth. Passed down by his father, it was meant to bring good fortune and protect him from harm. Duo Jie questioned whether it was the reason he was not affected.

Zhao Sanshui nodded and adjusted Duo Jie's collar, advising him to cherish it and be cautious in the future.

Unfamiliar with the significance of such pendants in the Western regions, Duo Jie remained unaware that tower pendants were usually used to hold the remains of a high-ranking monk who had passed away. Zhao Sanshui, having recognized it, deduced the source of the object immediately.

Meanwhile, my father, still in the grand hall with the elder Cao family member, examined the cut copper piece, revealing a more intricate, smaller bronze piece within. Approximately the size of two thumbs, it consisted of interconnected copper rings, with an unevenly distributed hollow sphere in the middle. When gently shaken, the sphere rolled within the rings, emitting the previously heard shrill sound.

Amazement filled the faces of those present as they tried to comprehend how the sound persisted endlessly. My father, turning the cut copper piece around, revealed the part that connected to the lantern, now shattered. Surprisingly, it was hollow.

My father pointed towards the bronze lamps, asserting that the secret lay within them.

As soon as he said this, a soft but distinct "plop" sound came from behind. Before Duo Jie could identify the noise, another "plop" followed. Turning with the others, he saw several Cao family members kneeling on the ground, wearing sly smiles.