Chapter 4: The Phantom Ship of Penglai

**East China Sea · Uninhabited Island**

**April 2, 2023, 10:20**

"Is this the endpoint of Xu Fu's eastward voyage?" Lin Shuyue stood on the beach, gazing at the dense jungle in the distance.

Lu Mingyuan walked up beside her, his gaze deep. "Legend has it that Xu Fu, searching for the elixir of immortality for Qin Shi Huang, eventually reached the mythical Penglai Island."

"Penglai Island?" Cheng Xiao scoffed. "Looks like a deserted island to me."

The three of them ventured deep into the jungle and soon discovered a hidden cave. Deep inside the cave was a dark pool, and beneath the water, the faint outline of a sunken ship could be seen.

"It's a Ming Dynasty shipwreck," Lin Shuyue said, putting on her diving goggles. "I'll go down and take a look."

"No, it's too dangerous," Lu Mingyuan grabbed her wrist. "I'll go."

"I'll do it," Cheng Xiao took off his jacket, revealing his muscular frame. "You two wait up here."

He dove into the water and resurfaced a few minutes later, holding a bronze ding in his hands. "Found it in the cabin. There are inscriptions inside."

Lin Shuyue took the bronze ding and carefully examined the inscriptions. "This is... Shang Dynasty script! It points to the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang."

Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps surrounded them. A group of black-clad men emerged from the trees, encircling the three of them.

"Zhulong," Lu Mingyuan said in a low voice, his gaze icy.

A man in a black trench coat stepped out from the crowd, a bronze mask covering his face. "Hand over the remnant scroll, and I might let you live."

"Not a chance!" Lin Shuyue clutched the bronze ding tightly.

"Then don't blame me for being ruthless," Zhulong waved his hand, and the black-clad men surged forward.

Cheng Xiao drew his dagger and engaged the attackers in combat. Lu Mingyuan shielded Lin Shuyue, his eyes blazing. "You two go first. I'll hold them off."

"No!" Lin Shuyue grabbed his arm. "We leave together!"

Zhulong let out a cold laugh. "How touching. But none of you are going anywhere."

With a wave of his hand, Lin Shuyue felt a sharp pain at the back of her neck. Her vision blurred, and she lost consciousness.

Shaanxi · Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang**

**April 5, 2023, 03:17**

Lin Shuyue woke up to the jolting motion, the dull pain in the back of her neck making her groan. Her wrists were raw from the rough ropes, but what truly frightened her was the sight before her—deep within the mausoleum passage, bronze lamp holders stood on either side, their eternal flames casting light on the murals of the Twelve Golden Men, making them appear almost alive.

"Awake?" Lu Mingyuan's voice came from behind. She turned sharply to find him and Cheng Xiao chained to stone pillars in the burial chamber, Zhulong's gun pressed against Lu Mingyuan's temple.

"Let them go!" Lin Shuyue struggled to sit up, a button on her cheongsam collar popping off in the struggle.

Zhulong removed his bronze mask, revealing a refined yet sinister face. "Miss Lin, how about we make a deal? You decipher the I Ching trigram mechanism in the main burial chamber, and I'll spare your beloved's life."

Lu Mingyuan suddenly looked up, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Shuyue, don't listen to him! The secret of the Nine Tripod Cauldrons must never—"

Zhulong slammed the butt of his gun into Lu Mingyuan's stomach. Lin Shuyue heard the sickening thud of bone against metal, as if the blow had struck her own heart. "Stop! I... I agree."

Cheng Xiao spat out a mouthful of blood and sneered, "Old Lu, looks like someone finally cares about you."