If I, a death row inmate, am not to become a demon, am I to become a member of the Imperial Guard?

Qin Shuang's note contained several lines, but only two lines were important.

"The Director of the Construction Department was fond of wine and women."

"He possesses ancient maps."

Zhou Yang folded the paper and tucked it into his sleeve.

As night fell, the streetlights, like dim yellow eyes, stared at the cobblestone road.

He slowed his pace, as if savoring the temperature of each brick.

The next day, in a tavern in the capital, Zhou Yang changed into the clothes of a South China Sea merchant.

The silk robe was damp from the sea breeze, and the cuffs were embroidered with dark red fish patterns.

He carried a wooden box on his back, inside which was a bronze box containing a tiny gunpowder core.

The lights in the tavern flickered, and the laughter of the patrons echoed like waves crashing on the shore.

Zhou Yang walked to the railing and held up the box in his hand.

"I have brought rare treasures from the previous dynasty."

His voice was calm, yet carried a subtle confidence.

The physician sat in the hall of the Construction Bureau, shaking an oil lamp in his hand.

The light from the lamp reflected the greed in his eyes.

He looked up, a lustful glint in his eyes.

"What is this?" he asked.

Zhou Yang gently placed the box on the table.

The bronze box gleamed with a dull light under the lamp.

The doctor reached out and opened the box.

Inside was a thin scroll, with a dragon pattern embroidered in gold thread at the beginning.

The paper of the sutra scroll had turned yellow, but it still exuded a faint scent of ink.

Zhou Yang remained calm, his eyes scanning the back of the scroll.

A small piece of metal was wrapped in silk.

He gently lifted the silk cloth, revealing a round gunpowder core.

The doctor chuckled softly, his voice tinged with alcohol.

"What value can such a dilapidated thing have?"

Before the words were even finished, the gunpowder core ignited instantly.

The flames, like tiny stars, spread out in an instant.

The paper roll crackled, and sparks flew onto the cutting board.

The scriptures were engulfed in flames, and the sleeves of the robes were scorched black.

The doctor collapsed to the ground, his chest pierced by shards of metal.

Blood gushed from his chest, like a curse from the backlash of a treasure.

The last glimmer of light in his eyes was a fleeting moment of fear.

Zhou Yang didn't linger and turned to leave.

His footsteps echoed softly on the damp flagstones.

The remaining light from the lamp reflected on the wall, like the eyes of a trapped beast.

He reached into his robe and pulled out a dark red jade token.

The jade slip is engraved with the word "longevity".

"A little lifespan can buy a path."

He gently pinched off the skewer, and a drop of blood fell onto his sleeve, evaporating instantly.

Back at Qin Shuang's residence, Zhou Yang spread out the broken scriptures and metal fragments.

The paper was covered with several lines of drawings.

The location of the three bronze keys is marked on the drawing.

The first key is hidden in front of the stone gate on the north side of the imperial tomb.

There is a huge stone lion there, its back concave like a pocket.

The second key is buried under the imperial stele on the west side, and there is a bronze bell at the base of the stele.

The third key is hidden on the sacrificial altar on the east side, with star patterns engraved on the pillars.

These three locations are all ancient feng shui nodes.

The lines on the drawing form a triangle.

The center of the triangle is the central altar of the imperial mausoleum.

Zhou Yang rolled up the blueprints and put them into the inner bag.

He looked up at the moonlight outside the window; the moonlight was as clear as water.

"Ready to go."

The next morning, the morning mist over the capital had not yet dissipated.

Zhou Yang donned light black armor, slung a short sword over his shoulder, and moved with light steps.

He entered the imperial mausoleum from the north gate and first walked towards the stone gate on the north side.

The stone lions in front of the stone gate stand silently in watch.

He felt around on the lion's back and found a dented bronze plate.

The bronze plate is engraved with fine lines, resembling the outline of a key.

Zhou Yang put his hand inside and felt a chill.

The sound of metal rubbing against stone echoed in the silence.

He turned it gently, and the bronze key slowly popped out.

The key has faint rust spots on its surface and feels slightly warm in the palm of your hand.

He tucked the key into his sleeve and turned to walk west.

The imperial stele on the west side stands tall, and there is a bronze bell next to its base.

The copper bell swayed gently, producing a clear, ringing sound.

Zhou Yang tapped the bell lightly with his fingertips, the sound echoing through the cemetery.

He dug away the soil below his ankle and found a bronze box.

The box was locked, and could only be opened with a tiny key.

He inserted the bronze key he had just obtained into the lock of the box.

The key turned, and the box made a slight metallic sound.

The lid slowly opened, revealing a second key inside.

The key is the same shape as the first one, but it has an extra thin string on the handle.

Zhou Yang put the key away and continued eastward.

The sacrificial altar on the east side is built on a high platform, and the pillars of the altar are engraved with star patterns.

The star patterns shimmered in the morning light, like some kind of hint.

He walked to the pillar and gently stroked the patterns with his palm.

In the recessed area beneath the textured surface, there is a dark red pebble.

He picked up the pebble and found a small copper key embedded in the bottom of it.

The key was rounded, but felt unusually heavy.

With three keys in hand, the chill of bronze mingled with the heat of blood.

Zhou Yang put the key into his inner pocket and felt a slight fluctuation in his lifespan.

Without much thought, he walked directly to the central altar of the imperial mausoleum.

The altar is located at the deepest part of the cemetery and is surrounded by bronze doors.

There are three grooves on the door, which correspond to the shapes of three keys.

He placed the first key into the groove on the left and turned it gently.

The door made a low, muffled sound, and then the bronze door on the left slowly opened.

He put the second key into the middle slot, and the door jingled again.

When the third key was inserted into the groove on the right, the entire altar slab began to tremble slightly.

The stone slabs slid apart to the sides, revealing a dark passage leading downwards.

The dark passageway smelled damp and musty, like an ancient well that had been sealed for a long time.

Zhou Yang lit a hidden lamp in his sleeve, and the beam of light cast a long, thin shadow on the stone wall.

He stepped down, his footsteps echoing in the hollow.

At the end of the secret passage was a stone chamber, in the center of which sat an ancient mechanism.

The mechanism is surrounded by grooves for three bronze keys, waiting to be activated.

Zhou Yang placed the three keys back into the slots one by one, his fingers lightly touching the texture of the metal.

The mechanism emitted a low, grinding sound, then slowly began to turn.

The walls of the stone chamber opened to the sides, revealing a passageway leading to the underground palace.

There was a faint light at the end of the passage, as if someone was waiting.

Zhou Yang looked back at the now-opened stone gate, his heart unmoved.

He knew that the next deal was already in the works.

He didn't stop walking, heading towards the lights.

Every step we take is steeped in history, the stone slabs beneath our feet bearing witness to the desires of countless people.

He simply used these desires as bargaining chips.

The flame of the ever-burning lamp flickered gently.

That tiny ray of light, in the boundless darkness, resembled a faint star. A peculiar smell filled the air—the earthy stench mixed with the cold, icy scent of stone after centuries of silence. Zhou Yang stood at the end of the passage, his gaze sweeping over the source of the light.

The lamp was embedded in a stone niche in the wall. The oil in the lamp, of unknown origin, had been burning for over a hundred years and was still not exhausted.

He didn't rush into action, but instead pulled out the tattered blueprint from his pocket. The ink on the blueprint had long since yellowed, but the lines were still clear. He compared it to the surrounding environment, his finger lightly tracing the lines on the blueprint.

This is not the main burial chamber.

The area marked on the drawing resembles some kind of outer locking array. Three nodes are written on it in small vermilion characters: Tianheng, Tianshu, and Tianji.

Zhou Yang narrowed his eyes. He vaguely recognized those three names. They seemed to be locations from some ancient star chart. He didn't understand feng shui, but he understood trade. The blueprint was a trade list; he just needed to find the items one by one according to the list.

He put away the blueprints and started walking inside.

The stone path beneath his feet was clean, without the dust he had expected. Perhaps the imperial mausoleum was built so cleverly that it isolated him from everything outside. His footsteps echoed in the empty passageway, sounding exceptionally clear.

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a spacious courtyard appeared ahead. The courtyard contained artificial hills and flowing water, and was filled with plants and trees. However, the flowers and plants all had a jade-like texture, clearly indicating they were not living things. In the center of the courtyard stood a huge, dry well.

The wellhead was made of bluestone, covered with dark green moss. It looked quite ordinary.

Zhou Yang walked to the well and looked inside. It was a bottomless expanse of darkness. He picked up a small pebble and threw it in, waiting for a long time, but heard no echo.

He took out the blueprints again. Next to the characters "Tianheng" on them was a simple drawing of a well.

It really is here.

He didn't look for a rope. In a place like this, tools would only be a burden. He braced himself on the edge of the well with both hands, pushed off with his legs, and slid down. The well wall was rough, covered with protruding stones and pits. Using both hands and feet, like a gecko, he steadily climbed downwards.

A chilling, damp wind blew up from the bottom of the well, stinging his cheeks.

After descending about ten zhang (approximately 33 meters), his fingers suddenly touched something unusual. There was a stone on the well wall, its texture completely different from the others. The other stones were cold and rough, but this one was warm and smooth like jade.

He tapped it with his knuckles.

The voice was hollow.

There's a trick to it.

Zhou Yang remained silent, running his fingers along the edge of the smooth stone. He quickly discovered a thin line almost seamlessly integrated with the crack in the rock. He pressed down firmly.

"Click."

A soft click. The stone caved inward, then slowly slid open, revealing a hidden compartment. Inside lay a palm-sized key. The key was made of bronze, with an antique design and intricate cloud patterns engraved on it.

He picked up the key; it was icy cold to the touch. Having obtained it, he didn't linger, nimbly climbing upwards.

He let out a long breath when he stepped back onto the ground beside the well. This first hurdle was simpler than he had imagined. It seemed to test only his boldness and meticulousness.

He followed the blueprints and headed to the next location.

The "Tian Shu" node is located in an underground forest.

As soon as Zhou Yang entered the area, he smelled a rich, ancient woody fragrance. Before him stood dozens of towering trees, each requiring several people to encircle it. The bark was a deep purplish-black, covered with twisted patterns.

The markings on the blueprint point to the thickest ancient tree in the very center.

He walked to the tree and looked up. The tree was so tall that he couldn't see its top; its branches, like the arms of a dragon, intertwined to form a net, blocking out all the light from above. In the center of the trunk, there was a hole the size of a fist, from which a faint light shone through.

The target is right there.

Zhou Yang reached out and touched the tree bark. It felt incredibly hard, like iron. He thought for a moment and abandoned the idea of ​​using brute force. Making too much noise in the imperial tomb was not a wise move.

He took two steps back, gazing at the ancient tree. He thought of the master mechanic's message. The person who could create such a locking array must have been incredibly meticulous. This third puzzle probably couldn't be solved by brute force alone.

He closed his eyes.

The system's options came to mind.

[Can the combustion lifespan be inferred from the "texture structure of a thousand-year-old tree"?]

He chose "yes" without hesitation.

[Deducing this item will consume thirty days of your lifespan. Confirm?]

Thirty days.

Zhou Yang's heart skipped a beat. The price was considerable. But considering the enormous profits that might be involved, he gritted his teeth.

"confirm."

A burning sensation rose from his chest, quickly spreading throughout his limbs. The image of the ancient tree before his eyes instantly changed. The once static tree began to grow wildly in his mind. He saw how the seed broke through the soil, how the sapling stretched towards the sunlight, and how it endured countless storms, lightning strikes, and thunderbolts.

Everything was transformed into data, into the wood grain before his eyes.

Those twisted patterns were no longer chaotic. They became flowing lines, a living map. He could clearly see the "annual rings" inside the tree, the "veins" of energy flow, and the hidden "lock".

Zhou Yang suddenly opened his eyes.

He strode to the ancient tree, stretched out his finger, and gently tapped seven times on a seemingly ordinary spot on the trunk, following the pattern he remembered.

"Click."

As if it were alive, the tree trunk split open at the point of impact. Inside the crack, a small sandalwood box lay quietly.

He reached out and took out the box. The box was warm to the touch. When he opened it, he found a palm-sized jade plaque inside. The jade plaque was smooth and warm to the touch, and the character "枢" was engraved on it in ancient seal script.

The two tokens have been obtained.

He felt a slight dizziness. The aftereffects of losing thirty days of his lifespan were kicking in. A sense of weakness seeped into his bones. But he didn't stop; he put away the jade token and immediately rushed to the last node.

"Tianji".

The markings on the blueprints indicate a magnificent sacrificial hall.

The main hall was spacious, with a soaring dome. At its very center stood a colossal stone statue of a tomb-guarding general. Clad in heavy armor, his hand rested on a long sword, his face imposing, his stone eyes glaring ahead, radiating a chilling aura. Even as a mere stone statue, it commanded respect.

The markings on the drawing were simple: "The one holding the spear has his eyes hidden."

The one wielding the spear clearly refers to this general.

Hidden in the eyes. Is something hidden in the eyes?

Zhou Yang walked around the stone statue. The general's eyes were carved from black stone, perfectly seamless, without any flaws. He tried to push the statue, but it didn't budge, as if it were one with the earth.

He held the bronze key and the jade tablet in his hand, but didn't know what to do with them.

He remained calm. He retreated to the entrance of the main hall, leaned against a pillar, and pondered the situation with composure.

The one wielding the spear conceals his eyes.

Perhaps, "目" refers to more than just the eyes.

He re-examined the entire hall. He discovered that the dome was not entirely dark. It was inlaid with countless tiny gems, forming a vast star map. The gems were particularly bright at the position of the Big Dipper.

An idea flashed through his mind.

He took out the jade pendant. The strokes of the character "枢" on the pendant seemed to have some vague connection with a certain star in the Big Dipper.

He then remembered the bronze key in the well. The cloud patterns on the key looked like swirling nebulae.

These three nodes do not exist in isolation.

Zhou Yang's eyes lit up. He quickly returned to the general's statue, looked up at the star map on the dome, and then focused his gaze on the statue. He tried to align the jade pendant and key with a certain part of the statue, according to the position of a certain star.

He tried placing the jade pendant on the statue's chest and then inserting the key into the gap in the armor.

No response.

failure.

He didn't give up. He changed his perspective. What if "目" didn't refer to the eyes, but rather to the "goal"?

His gaze fell on the longsword in the general's hand. The sword was also carved from stone, but the tip had a faint metallic sheen.

He stepped forward, grasped the hilt of the sword, and pulled hard.

"Clang!"

The sound of the longsword being drawn was crisp and melodious. The blade was not made of stone, but a genuine heavy sword of black iron. The entire hall trembled slightly the moment the sword was drawn.

The general's stone statue's hand, resting on the sword hilt, is turned upwards. Within its palm is a groove, its shape perfectly matching that of a bronze key.

Zhou Yang was overjoyed. He immediately put the key inside.

"Click."

The key was inserted into the slot. From deep within the hall came the heavy sound of a mechanism turning. A crack appeared in the ground, and a stone platform slowly rose. On the platform sat a complete mechanical beast.

The mechanical beast resembled a Qilin, crafted from bronze, with intricate gears crisscrossing its joints. Its eyes were two rubies, gleaming with an eerie light in the dim light.

This is the true key to the "Tianji" node.

Zhou Yang looked at the mechanical Qilin and a satisfied smile appeared on his face. He stepped forward and gently stroked the Qilin's cold scales.

The transaction is complete.

He felt a wave of intense fatigue wash over him. But looking at the results before him, his heart burned with excitement. This trip to the imperial tombs had yielded far more than he had imagined.

He held the mechanical Qilin in his arms and turned to walk out of the main hall. His steps remained steady, but his shadow stretched long under the lamplight, carrying a hint of barely perceptible weakness.

The secrets of the imperial tomb have only just begun to be revealed. And his deal is far from over.