Liu Dashao took a deep breath and looked at all of us, saying, “Our mission this time has no specific goal other than to stop those Americans from stealing our ancient relics, and also to locate the ruins of Guge to complete our nation’s task. Actually, we’ve already achieved our goal by now—at least that’s how I see it.”
Suddenly, Jia Zhuangyuan threw his head back and let out several loud,狂 laughs. Then, just as abruptly, he stopped. Observing the confused expressions on everyone’s faces, he slowly said, “Little Liu, the ‘Ninety-Nine Heavens’ is a legend. According to the legend, the ‘Ninety-Nine Heavens’ is the ultimate destination where all mysteries are revealed. The map we obtained at the Yellow Spring Naihe also indicates this very fact. My instincts tell me that unless we reach the ‘Ninety-Nine Heavens,’ nothing will come to an end, and we will never be able to return to the surface.”
His eyes looked particularly cold as he spoke, especially when he uttered the last sentence word by word, sending a chill down everyone’s spine.
Liu Dashao pondered Jia Zhuangyuan’s words while recalling the entire journey so far. Suddenly, he began to understand. This strange place wouldn’t easily let them go. Remembering what Ni Ren Zhang had said earlier, Liu Dashao increasingly felt that everything happened for a reason. Their presence here must have been driven by fate, and only by unraveling every mystery and secret of this place could they hope to leave alive.
Thus, he slowly added, “I see now. The road we’ve taken to get here has been fraught with hardship and danger. Even if we tried to turn back now, I doubt we could make it. No one knows if the places we’ve passed through are still the same. Everything must be connected by cause and effect. If we don’t uncover the final mystery, I fear none of us will ever escape this place.”
At that moment, everyone noticed that Fande Biao, who had been facing the group and the temple entrance, was staring oddly at the entrance of the Wujidao Zang.
Liu Dashao immediately sensed something was wrong. He quickly turned around to look at the temple entrance and saw several figures slowly walking in. Leading them was still the American doctor, James, followed by several large men dressed in tactical gear.
As the group entered the temple, James continued to smile his insincere smile and gave a traditional Chinese greeting with clasped hands, saying, “It’s nice to see you all again.”
Jia Zhuangyuan was the first to respond with a cold snort, saying, “Yankee, we spared your lives last time and let you go, but you didn’t leave. Instead, you dared to follow us all the way here. Do you think the feng shui here is so good that you want to end your life here and make this your tomb?”
James didn’t get angry. Still smiling, he waved his hand and said, “Esteemed Senior Jia, you’re mistaken. When we lost to you last time, did you really think it was because we couldn’t defeat you? No, we simply wanted you to act as our advance scouts, clearing the path for us. We even intentionally left the detector for you to find. Our goal was simple: once you found the way, we’d appear. There’s an old Chinese saying about this: the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.”
His words shocked everyone. James was more sinister than they had imagined.
James continued, “Now that the treasures have appeared, there’s an old Chinese saying: ‘Victors become kings; losers become bandits.’ Let’s settle this once and for all. Of course, the treasures should go to those with virtue.”
Jia Zhuangyuan retorted, “Virtue? You mean that useless special agent of yours?”
James laughed heartily and then pointed to two men in tactical gear who had silently approached his side, saying, “Let these two gentlemen introduce themselves to you.”
One large tactical soldier stepped forward, removed his helmet, and a cascade of jet-black long hair poured down his back like a waterfall. He then placed his right hand on his face and gently wiped it. As he slowly lowered his hand, everyone was stunned. His face had transformed into the delicate features of a woman—her face was as delicate as peach blossoms, with almond eyes and willow eyebrows, and a small cherry mouth.
She smiled slightly at the people in front of her, then her body began to twist in a strange, snake-like manner. As she twisted, her body slowly changed, emitting eerie moaning sounds from her crimson lips that chilled everyone to the bone.
When her body finally stopped moving, she had transformed into a slender, graceful woman. The tactical gear that had once fit her now hung loosely on her frame. She slowly unbuttoned her top to reveal a pink, translucent silk garment beneath, through which her body could be vaguely seen. In an instant, she had transformed from a strong, muscular man into a completely feminine figure.
Now she gently opened her red lips, revealing a row of white teeth in a smile, saying, “My name is Xiaocang Youzi, a Japanese national living in America. Please take good care of me.”
Everyone exchanged glances, shocked to find that among these soldiers was a master of Japanese ninja techniques. Who could the other person be?
At this moment, another figure dressed in camouflage and with dark skin stepped forward. With a loud shout, he tore off his outer clothing, revealing skin that looked like jagged rocks. He removed his cap and spoke fluently, “Greetings, my name is Hatton. I’m a native of Zimbabwe of the Shona tribe, what you might call an African. I lived in China for seven years and have a deep love for ancient Chinese culture.”
At this point, James, still wearing his usual smug smile, said to us, “Xiaocang Youzi is the top ninja master of the Koga school in Japan, while Hatton is a native of Zimbabwe and the first disciple of that country’s greatest witch doctor.”
Jia Zhuangyuan sneered, “So it turns out you’ve brought in Japanese and Africans. It seems the Americans don’t have anyone capable enough to challenge the wonders of Chinese Daoist arts, so you shamelessly lure in so-called experts from other countries and races, using all sorts of temptations to serve your own ends. Yanke, let me tell you straight—people like you are just a ragtag bunch. Against Chinese Daoist arts, you’re nothing more than this.” As he spoke, he extended his little finger on his right hand, pointing it mockingly at James. Then, glancing at the others, he saw them immediately catch on and burst into laughter in unison, showing their contempt for James and his companions.
James’s expression darkened slightly, but he was clearly a cunning old fox. Still, he forced a smile and said, “The United States of America respects human rights the most. We welcome talents of all races and nationalities to come to America, to join in our development. Therefore, I don’t think this means America lacks talent. The current international situation proves everything—America is the strongest, while China is merely a developing country.”
Before Jia Zhuangyuan could speak, Liu Dashao coldly snorted, “America only became a hegemon by profiting from the unjust gains of war during World War II. Unfortunately, every American city is a stark contrast between wealth and poverty, a coexistence of heaven and hell. Take a look at those slums—that’s your so-called American human rights.”
James smiled coldly and said with a sinister tone, “I don’t have time to waste words with you. Xiaocang Youzi and Hatton will send you straight to heaven to meet Jesus.”
Fande Biao raised his gun and shouted, “Go to hell, you damn American! Jesus is your god. If you’re so eager to meet him, let us help you get there faster!”
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