My family has been wielding knives for generations, but now it's my turn to wield a pen!

"How...how did you know?"

Upon hearing Jiang Xiaobai mention the iron box, Helian Zhaoyue's expression visibly changed.

"Heh, looks like I guessed right!"

Jiang Xiaobai had only tried it casually, but he didn't expect it to actually work.

Jiang Xiaobai immediately looked at Helian Zhaoyue and continued, "Who told you about the iron box?"

This matter should, in principle, be kept extremely secret.

But the Northern Yu delegation somehow found out.

This means... the person who relayed the message must be of high status!

The current emperor?

No, if the current emperor wanted something, he wouldn't go through the Northern Yu.

Therefore, there is someone else behind this!

Helian Zhaoyue and Jiang Xiaobai exchanged glances for a moment, then Helian Zhaoyue turned her head and shook her head slightly: "No comment!"

"Fine, then forget it!"

Jiang Xiaobai smiled and didn't press the matter further.

That's right. Even if Helian Zhaoyue is unwilling to talk about it now, he will find out sooner or later.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai withdrew his gaze and looked at the open stone door in front of him.

Jiang Xiaobai took a deep breath and went inside.

"Brother Jiang, I'll stay with you!"

Upon seeing this, Chen Jian immediately wanted to follow.

But he had only taken two steps when Feng Jitong stepped in front of Chen Jian, blocking his way: "Outsiders are not allowed to enter the Xuanlong Gate!"

"outsider?"

Chen Jian frowned and sneered, "I am Brother Jiang's closest friend, how can I be considered an outsider!"

After saying that, Chen Jian shifted his feet and walked directly past Feng Jitong.

Feng Jitong was stunned for a moment, and just as he was about to reach out to stop him, another figure walked over.

"I am Jiang Xiaobai's bodyguard!"

Tang Ningshuang left him with a remark, walked past him, and followed him into the Xuanlong Gate.

"Hey, you guys..."

Feng Jitong's expression changed, and he turned to chase after her, only to see Xiao Yunshu also walking up.

"Vice Sect Master, please don't get involved!"

Feng Jitong quickly stopped him again, his face full of wry smiles, "Let's leave those two aside, but you are a member of our sect!"

"According to the rules, you can't just enter anywhere!"

"What, a deputy sect leader?"

Xiao Yunshu glanced at Feng Jitong, then raised her hand to straighten her sleeves: "You've mistaken me for someone else!"

"I...I'm just my young master's little maid, hmph!"

After Xiao Yunshu finished speaking, she walked past Feng Jitong and headed into the Xuanlong Gate.

"..."

Feng Jitong stood there, opened his mouth, but ultimately couldn't utter a single word.

Seeing the martial arts practitioners behind him also eager to join in, Feng Jitong's face darkened, and he simply stood in front of the entrance: "Stop looking, none of you are allowed to enter!"

Those who were about to move forward suddenly stopped in their tracks.

Jiang Xiaobai, who had already entered the Xuanlong Gate, could not see what was happening outside.

It was darker inside than I had imagined.

Although the moonlight outside was bright, it was difficult to penetrate deep into the narrow entrance.

Jiang Xiaobai could only barely make out the outlines of the surrounding stone walls by the faint light behind him.

"This is way too dark!"

Jiang Xiaobai slowed down and reached out to touch the ground in front of him.

"Wait a minute!"

Xiao Yunshu suddenly remembered something, walked to the stone wall next to her, and began to feel around.

A moment later, Xiao Yunshu's hand stopped on a groove.

boom!

As Xiao Yunshu pressed down, a clicking sound rang out, and a few sparks burst forth from within the stone wall.

Immediately afterwards, with a whoosh, the lanterns hanging on the stone walls on both sides burst into flames.

The once dark cave suddenly became bright.

"There's this too!"

Jiang Xiaobai looked up at the lanterns on both sides, his face full of curiosity.

Outside the Xuanlong Gate, the martial arts practitioners, seeing the firelight inside, couldn't contain themselves and craned their necks, desperately peering through the crack in the door.

Unfortunately, the stone gate was only wide enough for one person, and they were blocked by Feng Jitong, so they couldn't see much at all.

Jiang Xiaobai was unaware of the situation outside. At this moment, his gaze fell on the depths of the cave, his expression full of surprise.

There was no mountain of gold and silver in this place as he had imagined; instead, a heavy coffin was placed directly in front of him.

Outside the coffin, there was a long table.

Several books, a rolled-up scroll, and a palm-sized tin box were neatly placed on the table.

There was a row of wooden shelves next to it, on which were displayed some porcelain and jade items.

Although the items looked exquisite, they were clearly all intended for burial.

"here……"

Jiang Xiaobai glanced around, then, as if struck by a thought, his gaze involuntarily fell upon Xiao Yunshu beside him.

"Yes, inside the coffin is... the late Emperor!!"

Xiao Yunshu looked ahead and lowered her voice.

After speaking, Xiao Yunshu walked to the prayer mat outside the coffin, straightened her clothes, and slowly knelt down.

Jiang Xiaobai was stunned after hearing this.

The late emperor?

Buried within the Xuanlong Gate is none other than the late Emperor of the Great Hua Dynasty!

Seeing Xiao Yunshu bow down, Jiang Xiaobai's expression also became more serious, and he then bowed to the coffin.

Tang Ningshuang and Chen Jian exchanged a glance and then bowed as well.

After Jiang Xiaobai raised his head, he still couldn't help but look around.

He had previously thought that there was some amazing treasure hidden behind the Xuanlong Gate.

Now it looks like a cemetery.

No wonder the Hidden Edge Sect has established a rule that outsiders are not allowed to enter at will.

After a moment, Xiao Yunshu stood up again, looked at the coffin in front of her, and remained silent for a long time.

Jiang Xiaobai didn't disturb her; his gaze quickly fell on the table.

"This should be the iron box that Bei Yu and my second brother both wanted, right?"

Jiang Xiaobai stepped forward and picked up the iron box on the table.

The box is only the size of a palm, but it feels quite heavy when you hold it.

The surface was free of any rust and was engraved with an exquisite dragon pattern, making it clearly no ordinary item.

Jiang Xiaobai took it in his hand and looked at it for a while, becoming curious as well.

The Northern Yu delegation traveled a long way to Great Hua, making their way to the Hidden Peak Sect.

He even went so far as to accept the Xuanlong Sect's assessment, all for the sake of... this thing?

Could there be some kind of national treasure like the Imperial Seal inside?

Thinking this, Jiang Xiaobai's fingers landed on the lock and gently lifted it.

click!

The tin box then opened.

But when he saw what was inside, he froze, exclaiming, "Huh? That's it?"

Tang Ningshuang also took a closer look, her face showing the same surprise.

Chen Jian leaned over and glanced at it as well.

Jiang Xiaobai didn't say anything, but reached in and slowly took out the contents.

It was a neatly folded yellow silk.

There was nothing else besides that.

Jiang Xiaobai refused to believe it and turned the iron box upside down again, then tapped the bottom of the box twice.

Unfortunately, it was completely empty.

Forget about the organization, there wasn't even a single extra piece of paper.

"strangeness!"

Jiang Xiaobai held the yellow silk, looking at Xiao Yunshu with a face full of curiosity: "The Northern Yu delegation, and my second brother, want to take it..."

"Are you sure this is the thing?"

"Um!"

Xiao Yunshu glanced at the yellow silk in Jiang Xiaobai's hand and nodded gently.

"Would you... like to see what's written inside?"