Chapter 1802: Chapter 412: Dragon Soaring and Phoenix Singing, A Century of Revival (Part 1)

The old man Mu’s eyebrows furrowed tightly.

"Uncle Chang, this matter ends here. Someone, take the old gentleman to rest and take good care of him."

Cheng Chang pushed the door open and came in, escorting the old man out to rest.

"Uncle Chang, you’ve been busy for so long, it’s time to have a good rest."

Chang Hong pressed his lips together and said, "Miss, about this treasure..."

"There is no treasure, don’t mention it again." Yun Ya was initially just probing, but now it seems that this treasure isn’t that simple. Anyway, Yun Ya had no interest in treasures whatsoever. Even if it’s wealth that could rival a nation, so what?

Chang Hong didn’t say anything more and got up to leave.

Yun Ya sat for a while, drank a few cups of tea, and left the club.

"Miss, where are we heading next?"

"East Alley."

San Qi opened the door to see Yun Ya and gleefully showed a row of white teeth, instinctively looking behind Yun Ya, eyes full of expectation.

Yun Ya ruffled San Qi’s hair and smiled, "What? Not welcoming when it’s just me?"

San Qi shook his head, showing a brilliant smile, and happily made a welcoming gesture.

Yun Ya smiled, "Ya Chun is at home practicing calligraphy. That child is very motivated. I suggested taking her out to play, but she wasn’t willing."

San Qi smiled happily.

Yun Ya walked into the courtyard and saw Doctor Hua squatting there sorting herbs. He had just come back from the mountains, mud covered his cloth shoes and pants. Without turning his head, he said, "I was wondering when you’d come."

Yun Ya waved the basket in front of him, and Doctor Hua immediately jumped up, reaching out to grab it. Yun Ya swiftly stepped back, and Doctor Hua missed it, jumping on the spot: "You rascal, give it to me..., Deyun Building’s lotus leaf chicken, Shaoxing Hua Diao Wine... I’m dying of craving..."

"I’ll give it to you, but you have to promise me one thing." Yun Ya deliberately circled in front of Doctor Hua, letting the aroma waft.

Doctor Hua swallowed hard and said, "Alright, alright, I promise you."

"You said it yourself, your word is gold. Whoever goes back on it is a little dog."

"Alright, alright."

When it comes to food, Doctor Hua has no principles. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Yun Ya handed him the roast chicken and wine, and Doctor Hua immediately couldn’t wait to unwrap it. He tore off a drumstick and started gnawing, taking a sip of wine and feeling as if he were in heaven.

Yun Ya watched with a smile, suddenly asking, "Uncle, do you know my grandmother?"

"Who’s your grandmother...?" Doctor Hua halted his biting of the drumstick, glanced up at Yun Ya, "No, I don’t know her."

Taking big bites.

"Is that so? Would you dare to swear to the heavens? If you’re lying, may you be struck by lightning."

"Hey, you little rascal, do you not understand the respect and hierarchy?"

"Then tell the truth, otherwise how can you eat with a clear conscience?"

Doctor Hua threw the drumstick back, glanced at Yun Ya, "Spill it, what trouble have you run into?"

Yun Ya leisurely poured herself a cup of tea, smiling faintly, "Uncle, have you heard of Prince Harun?"

Doctor Hua’s eyes narrowed slightly, "And so?"

"It’s rumored he exploited the people, extorting their fat and marrow, amassing wealth that rivals nations. With nowhere to spend it while alive, he intended to bring it to the underworld when dead. So, he had a massive tomb constructed to hide all the treasures, to be buried with him once he died."

"What a scoundrel..."

"The clever craftsman who designed the tomb’s mechanisms left a small oversight to save his life. Only a Jade Pendant can open this tomb. Later, the pendant fell into the hands of Harun’s four sons. Each took a piece, and they went into hiding, causing the legend of the treasure to vanish with them."

"Hmm, that’s quite the story you’ve spun...." Doctor Hua listened with keen interest.

"It’s not made up. Not long ago, I gathered all four pieces of the Jade Pendant and found the entrance to the tomb."

Doctor Hua raised an eyebrow and looked Yun Ya up and down, "So now you’re as rich as a nation?"

"Uncle, I’m not interested in treasure. I just want to know what role my grandmother played in this. There’s even another pair of eyes secretly watching this treasure. If I don’t learn more, I don’t know when I’ll become someone else’s prey."

"I’m just an old man. If I knew, who would I ask?"

"Fine, when I’m eventually consumed without a trace, let’s see who’s left to buy you chicken and wine." With that, she got up to leave.

"Hold on." Doctor Hua suddenly said.

Yun Ya paused, the corners of her lips forming a successful smile.

"Come back, come back, come back... An old man like me is bested by my own mouth." With that, he gave his mouth a hard slap.

Yun Ya turned back and sat down.

"Did you open the tomb?" Doctor Hua asked.

Yun Ya shook her head, "Though I assembled all four pieces of the Jade Pendant, the tomb wouldn’t open but instead triggered some mechanisms."

"Exactly, did you think anyone could simply use four pieces of the Jade Pendant to open the tomb?" Doctor Hua snorted lightly, full of disdain.

Yun Ya’s eyes glimmered slightly; it seems he does know the secrets within.

"Everyone says Prince Harun was licentious and cruel, fundamentally misunderstanding him. When Emperor Qin Shi Huang united the nation, building the Great Wall to fend off the Xiongnu, that was a magnificent achievement. Look how posterity curses him! Of course, Prince Harun couldn’t be compared to Emperor Qin Shi Huang, but he was a good king who cared for the people, just a bit weak in character, more suited to peace than chaotic times. Watching the kingdom decline, powerless to reverse it, he intended to preserve his strength, ready to resurge in the future, leaving wealth for his descendants. Thus, he hoarded his life’s savings, sealed within his tomb. Prince Harun had no other interests besides his love for money, so his savings were considerable, enough to rival several state treasuries."

After a sip of wine to moisten his throat, Doctor Hua continued, "Do you think that Jade Pendant was left by accident by some craftsman? Prince Harun wasn’t that foolish."

"So, the Jade Pendant was actually left by Prince Harun?" Yun Ya speculated.

"Right, Prince Harun intended to leave a capital for his descendants to rise again. Unfortunately, none of his four sons amounted to anything. The only promising legitimate son was too much of a romantic, not cut out for great endeavors. So, he sought the divination of a wizard to foresee which of his descendants would excel. The wizard prophesied that a hundred years later, only the purest blood relative could revive the family. Thus, Prince Harun had the wizard cast a curse. After his death, only the blood of his purest descendant, combined with the Jade Pendant, could open the tomb. Otherwise, even the best tomb raider would die under countless traps, leaving the world’s richest treasures forever buried."

Ah, it all makes sense now. Yun Ya suddenly looked at Doctor Hua, "How do you know all this?"

Doctor Hua stroked his beard, "Such heavenly secrets cannot be revealed."

Knowing Doctor Hua’s identity wasn’t simple, Yun Ya didn’t delve deeper, instead changing the topic.

"What about my grandmother? You surely know her. Can you tell me about her?"

"Your grandmother...?" Doctor Hua’s eyes suddenly took on a distant look, "I must start with her background. Since you’ve asked, I will no longer hide it from you."