Big Gold Tooth stopped in his tracks, looking at Ying Caihong with confusion. As someone without any skills and who talked too much to be likable, he couldn't understand why this sister valued him.
"The contract isn't fulfilled yet; you can't leave," Ying Caihong said flatly, looking at Big Gold Tooth.
Their gazes clashed in the air: one was timid, flinching and evasive; the other was indifferent, cold, and fierce.
After a few seconds of standoff, Big Gold Tooth, worried about angering Ying Caihong and missing out on payment, obediently walked back.
As Ying Caihong turned around, she casually glanced at Wang Kaixuan standing nearby.
Cao Yi, who had been paying attention to Ying Caihong, naturally noticed this scene and understood it after a moment's thought. Ying Caihong, wary of Wang Kaixuan's intentions towards the other side, intended to use Big Gold Tooth to keep him in check.
This method was undeniably effective. Given Wang Kaixuan's loyalty, even if he obtained the treasure, he would likely give it up for the sake of his friends.
It was impressive how calculating she was; truly a master of cult practices.
"Daoist Priest, please lead the way," Ying Caihong said, adopting a gentle and respectful demeanor towards Cao Yi.
Cao Yi, accustomed to such treatment, nodded indifferently and led the way.
The cave with the dog statues wasn't large enough for more than two people to pass at the same time, and cobwebs frequently obstructed the path. After navigating through the dark cave adorned with dog statues, the group emerged at a narrow cliff area, with an abyss on one side that seemed bottomless. The chasm was narrow, and the stone walls bore no signs of human excavation.
Cao Yi speculated that this situation was related to an earthquake.
They walked along the cliff edge for over a hundred meters, and the path grew increasingly narrow and difficult to traverse. Ying Caihong, whose physical condition was extremely poor, might have fallen if Yoko hadn't been supporting her from behind.
After another seven or eight minutes, a relatively spacious platform appeared ahead, connected by several suspension bridges leading to different areas.
Cao Yi was about to inspect the bridges when he suddenly heard faint footsteps behind him and quickly turned around. In the distance, he spotted two blurry figures.
"Daoist Priest, what's wrong?" Ying Caihong asked, following Cao Yi's gaze but seeing nothing, her expression puzzled.
"Two people are coming," Cao Yi replied calmly.
People? Ying Caihong's first reaction was that it was her subordinates.
"Not your subordinates," Cao Yi shook his head.
If they weren't her subordinates, who could they be? Ying Caihong's gaze swept through the dark and cold ancient tomb, and she suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.
After a while, the two figures came within a few dozen meters.
Cao Yi recognized them, his lips twitching slightly. The two were none other than Hu Bayi and Shirley Yang, treasure hunters known for their exploits. They wore dark leather jackets and tight jeans, each carrying a bulging backpack and holding something in their hands, looking quite impressive. Their pace was quick, seemingly unbothered by the risk of falling into the abyss.
"I see them too," Ying Caihong said suddenly.
Cao Yi looked at her in surprise; given the poor lighting in the tomb and the distance, it seemed impossible for her to see them. Could she really have clairvoyance?
"It looks like a man and a woman," Ying Caihong said uncertainly.
"They're Hu Bayi and Shirley Yang," Cao Yi stated straightforwardly.
"Hu Bayi and Shirley Yang?" Ying Caihong paused, then remembered these were the two treasure hunters she had initially wanted to invite.
Nearby, Big Gold Tooth's face lit up with joy. With the three treasure hunters present, as their manager, he could earn a larger commission.
Wang Kaixuan shouted, "Old Hu, Yang, is that you?"
From the darkness came Hu Bayi's voice: "It's me. How did you see me in this darkness?"
"That's really Old Hu!" Wang Kaixuan exclaimed excitedly.
Before long, Hu Bayi and Shirley Yang approached.
Both looked weary and had clearly rushed over without much rest.
"Why leave capitalism behind to come here?" Wang Kaixuan feigned anger.
Previously, Hu Bayi had been swayed by Shirley Yang, giving up his treasure hunting pursuits, which had annoyed him greatly.
"Look, they didn't even need you. You're the one foolish enough to come all this way just to be scolded," Shirley Yang teased, resembling a star with her seven-point likeness to Shu Qi.
"Enough banter; let's discuss this outside," Hu Bayi, who bore a seven-point resemblance to Chen Kun, said solemnly.
Wang Kaixuan was focused on finding the treasure and reviving Ding Sitian, so he shook his head, saying, "I'm not going out. I've already signed a contract with Boss Ying."
Shirley Yang scoffed, mocking, "You're just blinded by money, unable to resist temptation."
Wang Kaixuan already held a grudge against Shirley Yang; her words irritated him, and he retorted, "It's Old Hu who can't resist temptation, lured by your sweet words to America to sell trinkets, and then talks about turning over a new leaf."
Shirley Yang had never lost a verbal duel with Wang Kaixuan and was about to retort again when a round of applause interrupted.
Ying Caihong clapped while smiling, saying, "The treasure hunters are here. This must be fate. Let's all join forces to assist me."
Earlier, seeing Cao Yi's uncertainty about subduing the thousand-year-old corpse had made her anxious. Now, with help arriving at her doorstep, she wouldn't let it slip away.
"Wait a minute, sister, this has to be discussed," Big Gold Tooth interjected.
"I'm sure you've heard of these two—famous Hu Bayi and Miss Shirley Yang," he continued. "They're top-notch experts in the field. Hiring just one of them, like Kai, would cost a fortune."
"This trio of treasure hunters is quite rare in the industry, and your fortune has just increased significantly," he added. "The cost will multiply several times over."
Big Gold Tooth's smile was greed-filled.
Ying Caihong smiled slightly, her demeanor resembling a benevolent saint, her face full of compassion: "People commit too many evils; a calamity for humanity is approaching. As long as you assist me, you will be saved for life."
Big Gold Tooth: "…"
"The bodies at the entrance also count as saving lives," Shirley Yang, unable to tolerate Ying Caihong's pretense, retorted.
"They died for a higher cause, for you all, for everyone. They are great awakeners," Ying Caihong said, placing her hands on her chest and closing her eyes, adopting a preacher-like demeanor.
Shirley Yang ignored Ying Caihong's theatrics and bluntly refused, "We've turned over a new leaf; we can't take this job."
"Just tell us how much you want. Stop pretending; you're just a bunch of tomb raiders!" Yoko stepped forward, disdain evident on her face.
That was going too far!
Shirley Yang's expression instantly turned cold. "What are you talking about? Tomb raiders? We're above that. We're delivering a ruthless blow against feudal rule, while you... you're brutalizing your own people. What are you?"
Seeing Yoko insult the treasure hunters, Wang Kaixuan jumped in to retort. The two, who had just been bickering fiercely, found themselves on the same side.
Yoko's harsh words lacked substance, and after being countered by Wang Kaixuan, she was left speechless.
"This is the revered Master Ying Caihong, born in a rural area of Sichuan, China," Shirley Yang directly exposed her background.
"Oh, a fake overseas Chinese!" Wang Kaixuan added with a sharp comment.