Chang’an.

Under Qi Yun’s direction, Qin Sizhi conducted various experiments on the Jade Pendant, including soaking it in specially concocted solutions and observing it under different lighting conditions. The results, however, were perplexing.

The Jade Pendant showed no changes, remaining cool and smooth, without any anomalies.

Besides this, Qin Sizhi also used his connections to invite someone reputedly descended from a palace-appointed appraisal master. The result was the same; under conventional methods, it was just a top-tier Western Zhou ancient jade, with no anomalies.

"Could it be that Old Yao’s experiences in the ancient tomb were really just illusions in a specific environment?" Qi Yun pondered to himself.

He put away the Jade Pendant, intending to hand it over to Xiao Hanguang for appropriate handling.

"Master Qin, thank you for your hard work, and also extend my thanks to your friend."

Qi Yun solemnly instructed, "Regarding the matter of this Jade Pendant, please ensure it remains strictly confidential and do not mention it to anyone else."

"Rest assured, Mr. Qi, we understand the rules." Qin Sizhi promptly assured.

"Hmm." Qi Yun nodded, then shifted the topic, "Besides dealing with Old Yao’s affairs, I wanted to ask you about that cave you mentioned last time in Qinling."

Upon mentioning "Qinling," Qin Sizhi immediately tensed up, seeming somewhat restless.

Qi Yun took out another brocade box from his pocket and slid it in front of Qin Sizhi after opening it. "Take a look at this first."

"This... what is..." Qin Sizhi’s eyes flicked over the box, and they widened instantly as if seeing something terrifying.

Inside the box was that scale brought back by Brother Quan and his team from Kunlun, oval-shaped, crystal clear, about the size of a baby’s palm, with a special silver sheen on its surface.

"Is it the same as the scale you saw back then?"

Qin Sizhi’s hand trembled slightly as he carefully picked up the shimmering scale from the brocade box, examining it closely in front of his eyes.

His breath became slightly heavy, his eyes filled with incredulous shock, and a hint of deeply concealed fear.

The actual object was evidently more impactful than any photos he had seen before.

"It’s so similar... too similar..." Qin Sizhi’s voice was dry, "The patterns and material... are identical to what I saw in that cave in Qinling!"

"However... the luster of this one is purer, and the texture seems even... ’newer’?" He used a rather unusual word to describe it.

"I didn’t tell you the origin of this scale before; actually, it came out of a space somewhere in Kunlun. I have consulted experts from the field of biology, and this scale is likely from some life form not in the known genetic database."

Qi Yun disclosed part of the information to Qin Sizhi.

"Kunlun..." he repeated the word with difficulty, looking at Qi Yun with a gaze that was not just stunned but also filled with a mix of awe and inexplicable dread.

"Mr. Qi, you... you actually went to such a place? And brought back this thing?"

Qi Yun frowned, observing his reaction, "What’s the matter?"

Qin Sizhi swallowed, and spoke with difficulty, "In our trade, there’s an unwritten rule... Kunlun is a forbidden zone!"

"Forbidden zone!?"

"Yes, forbidden zone! Not a single tomb raider dares to venture there lightly..."

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions, then spoke slowly, "During the early years of the Republic of China, the warlords divided and ruled, there was a warlord leader named Yang Zengxin, whose reach was extremely far in order to raise military funds, even touching on our marginal trade."

"He somehow obtained a treasure map, claiming that there was a golden tomb in Kunlun, with endless gold and jewels buried inside. Yang Zengxin believed this deeply, offering high rewards, and recruited over thirty of the top tomb raiders in the industry, while also dispatching his deputy with over a thousand elite soldiers, embarking grandiosely into Kunlun."

"But these people never came out... not a single one..."

"Among those thirty plus tomb raiders, was my master..."

"Since then, anyone in our trade who hears the name Kunlun will immediately turn away."

After hearing Qin Sizhi’s story, Qi Yun remained silent for a long time.

He did not doubt what the other said, as Kunlun has always been an enigmatic and mystical mountain in Huaxia culture, closely tied to various myths and legends.

The fate of Qin Sizhi’s master’s group is probably just the tip of the iceberg, as he himself had set foot on that mysterious land.

"Master Qin, let’s not talk about Kunlun for now; I plan to visit the cave you mentioned." Qi Yun brought the conversation back to the matter they discussed previously at Ai Lao Shan.

Qin Sizhi nodded slowly, "Alright, if Mr. Qi insists on going, I can accompany you once."

"However, the difficulty of getting there is not any lesser than the caves we’ve been to before; it requires thorough preparation and might take some time."

"Alright, let me know when you’re prepared."

Qi Yun took out his phone and sent a number to Qin Sizhi, "Contact him directly if you need anything." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Qin Sizhi noted down the number, "Understood, Mr. Qi, I’ll promptly list the necessary items."

"Alright, let’s leave it at that for now." Qi Yun took his leave.

...

The group did not linger long in Chang’an, returning to Guo An’s base, picking up Yao Yuzhong, and then heading to Beijing.

On the plane, Qi Yun was contemplating how to deal with Yao Yuzhong, whether to throw this old guy back into the hard labor camp or hand him over to the Government Office for processing.

After all, this guy was dishonest, having escaped twice, which legally amounted to the same as prison break, and also added a charge of tomb raiding...