With reluctance, Jiang Xicheng and Wei Liuxian both had to agree on opening the box. It had to be done. Taking one deep breath to prepare their minds, Jiang Xicheng and Wei Liuxian braced themselves against the wall and opened the box.
An invisible force tugged at the lid until it flew open revealing a black mass of dark energy that flickered from the box. A chill crept into the very souls of the two men as they watched the eerie lights dance around the room. It seemed as though all of their troubles, fears, and secrets were suddenly illuminated for all to see.
This was no ordinary box. It contained something truly sinister.
Coldly, Jiang Xicheng swallowed hard, ''We need to close the box quickly before it corrupts us.''
Wei Liuxian nodded grimly in agreement, ''We will open the last box at a later time, it is too dangerous right now.''
Jiang Xudong quickly ran to grab a cloth from the other side of the room, which Wei Liuxian used to veil the black box. Its malevolence seeped through the fabric but was thankfully held back.
The two men shivered, the evil energy taking its toll on them.
''Let's open the last box again and see what lies within,'' Jiang Xicheng's voice resonated in the room.
Wei Liuxian nodded in agreement as they both opened the third box.
Deep within the box, they discovered chess pieces, ornately crafted with red dragon pieces. As they stared at the chess pieces, one of the men noticed the other item in the box; a smaller box, this time made of black ebony. Its lid was inscribed with ancient runes that neither of the men could identify.
They took out the chess pieces and the small box, placed rocks back in the box and closed the lid.
''Master Xicheng, the enchantments on the key are fading''. Wei Liuxian stated, holding the golden key in his hand, its colour slowly simmering away.
"We must act quickly!" Master Xicheng declared, his face grim. ''The evil energy in the other chest is from the dragon chess set. These chess pieces belong to it''.
Placing the key inside the wooden box, Jiang Xicheng opened the lid swiftly. Placing his hand inside the box, he grabbed hold of a wooden board and pulled it out.
Jiang Xicheng and Wei Liuxian stared at the Chessboard.
''Dragon Chessboard,'' Wei Liuxian exclaimed with shock. ''Master Xicheng, this is the most sinister object in all the realms of cultivation!''
The dragon chess was said to be filled with demonic energy. This set was imbued with supernatural and magical powers. It was made out of a black aged ebony and adorned with silver and jade inlays.
Each piece was lifelike, carved in the form of a variety of demonic creatures. The King and Queen pieces were dragons, their bodies wound in an entwined dance.
The Knights were cloaked in shadow, while the Bishops took the shape of gargoyles or other winged creatures. The Rooks were fierce beasts watched over by a sentinel statue.
The Pawns were small demons' backs curved as they bow. The game was played between two players, each in control of the pieces associated with the symbol or colour of the Dragon of their piece.
The goal for each player was to strategically move their pieces on the board to capture their opponent's pieces and ultimately claim victory. The pieces each represented different parts of the Dragon, with the head being the most powerful and often the most sought-after piece.
The pieces started in their original positions: the head, the wings, the legs, the tail, and the centre circle. Each player took their turn by making a move, either by moving their pieces forward, backwards, or diagonally across the board.
The dragon chess set had a unique power and could be used in magical rituals and mystical combat.
Some said that if the game was won, the victor could summon a powerful and terrifying entity from the depths of the unknown void. No one knew what would happen if the pieces were moved, as it was said to grant untold demonic power.
''It shouldn't be here right?'' Jiang Xicheng looked at Wei Liuxian. ''The Windswept Willow sect of North district is no more a cultivation sect. So they are not authorized to keep such a harmful object in their sect!''
''Indeed,'' Wei Liuxian agreed gravely. ''This has no place here. We must act swiftly and decisively to ensure that it does not stay in the Windswept Willow sect for long.''
Jiang Xicheng's gaze narrowed, a determined glint flashing in his eyes. ''Something is amiss here; a chess set should have 32 chess pieces, yet there are only two bishops!''
"Retrieve the dragon chess set now!" Wei Liuxian commanded. "We have limited time. You have access to Jiang's inner residence. Leave Jiang Xudong in his quarters; I will meet you at the tavern on the front road''.
Jiang Xicheng grabbed the dragon chess set and started walking towards the exit while Wei Liuxian supported Jiang Xudong's half-unconscious body with him.
Near the exit, Jiang Xicheng was stopped by a sudden barrier.
''Seems like the protective enchantment has not yet been weakened,'' Wei Liuxian grimly noted, blocking the demonic energy from leering at them.
Jiang Xicheng turned around to look at him- dumbfounded, ''What!?''
''The second reason I had to bring Jiang Xudong'', Wei Liuxian bellowed firmly as he gripped Jiang Xudong's arm and thrust it forward, displaying the black thread bound around his wrist. ''This is the key to all the vaults, libraries and important chambers of the Jiang Family.''
Jiang Xicheng raised his eyebrow, ''Young master Wei Liuxian, are you a spy?''
''What!?''
Jiang Xicheng declared, "Despite the limited information I know of you, the young master of Kunlun mountains stepped out of his homeland after six years--but you have spies everywhere, you're always well-informed."
Wei Liuxian grinned confidently, ''Master Xicheng, I had to spend my days within Kunlun mountains. I had the run of every tavern and tea house, so getting information was a cinch.''
Wei Liuxian scarcely stifled back his irritation as he loaded the boxes with rocks and pebbles.
With an understated nod in Lady Jiaxin Xu's direction, he quickly took the chess set and departed.
Jiang Xicheng wordlessly ushered Jiang Xudong to his chambers, before turning to Lady Jiaxin Xu with a curt bow to show his gratitude. Bearing the unmistakable air of simmering rage, he quickly and silently withdrew.