Chapter 1346 - 1022: Thin-Walled Coffin

"What is this?!"

The crowd instinctively uttered a low exclamation, and the sound echoed throughout the wide and large stone chamber, immediately creating countless gloomy echoes. In the narrow passageway, it felt as if many unseen people were simultaneously gasping in surprise.

This eerie sensation sent chills down one’s spine.

Yet, Ashina Zhuxie’s eyes lit up with excitement. He was tall, taller by half a head than the average Western Turkic soldier, so while the soldier walking in front of him was still cautiously checking for any danger with a raised torch, he had already caught a glimpse, using the flickering and faint torchlight, of a natural stone platform at the center of the chamber—about the height of a person’s knee. On the stone platform sat a huge, square object, its dark surface vaguely noticeable in the dim light.

Even without a clear view, two words flashed across his mind—

Coffin!

Something so large and square seemed to be nothing other than a coffin, especially since the long corridor they had just traversed resembled a tomb passage, and this stone chamber indeed appeared to be a burial chamber.

But was it really Zuo Chen An’s coffin? Was this truly the Left General’s Tomb?

Accompanied by such joy and doubt, Ashina Zhuxie pushed aside the people ahead of him and was about to walk directly forward. With his movements, others also began to clearly see what was exposed under the torchlight—a large stone chamber, nearly the size of a palace room, half natural and half carved, as two of its stone walls were noticeably smooth and natural with traces of water flow, while the other two bore marks of axes and chisels, akin to the corridor they had just passed.

Of course, these details were not the most important—the most crucial thing was the object in the center of the chamber!

Upon seeing the chamber, overcoming initial surprise and realizing there seemed to be no danger inside, the group quickly entered the chamber. The firelight drew near and immediately illuminated the square massif on the stone platform.

It turned out to be a real coffin!

The group was overjoyed, even Lu Xiao’s face showed an uncontrollable smile. Originally, they thought finding the Left General’s Tomb would be fraught with troubles, but unexpectedly they found it so quickly—this was truly amazing!

In their excitement, she involuntarily walked forward, eager to examine the coffin’s details. However, she wasn’t the only one with this thought; other Turkic soldiers were already surrounding it without concern. Two even impatiently climbed onto the stone platform, approaching the coffin and waving their hands toward those behind them: "Torch, hurry over!"

In no time, everyone crowded onto the stone platform, studying the coffin closely.

But upon closer inspection, while others’ eyes still brimmed with joy, Wang Shaoqiu’s sharp eyes slowly filled with concern. He shook his head and softly remarked, "Something’s wrong."

The surrounding people were too caught up in merriment to notice his murmur, but Lu Xiao and Lei Yu, standing beside him, vaguely heard his words. Lu Xiao turned to glance at him, wanting to speak but hesitated. Instead, Lei Yu asked, "What’s wrong?"

Wang Shaoqiu glanced at her as well. Though he didn’t wish to converse with the Turkic Queen, who clearly disliked him, it seemed she was the only one willing to heed his words. He said, "This coffin is too thin. Zuo Chen An, being a Commandery Prince, couldn’t possibly be buried in such a simple coffin. Moreover—"

Finished speaking, he looked up again at the surroundings. Though it seemed like a burial chamber, it was also too simple, not befitting the burial of a Commandery Prince.

Of course, it might be Zuo Chen An intentionally employing a simple chamber to mislead those seeking him since he offended many during his lifetime and feared someone might seek revenge, or covet his wealth. However, such a simple coffin was unjustified. Wang Shaoqiu gently tapped the coffin lid, hearing a hollow sound; it was indeed just thin wooden boards.

But someone nearby had already spoken, "Ha, once someone’s dead, what does it matter?"

"Exactly, maybe this Zuo Chen or whoever built such a flimsy coffin just to fool people looking for his burial."

"Anyway, we worked hard to find it, we can’t just pass over it."

"Let’s pry it open and see what’s inside!"

As they spoke, someone had already drawn a dagger from their waist, impatient to pry open the coffin lid. But Wang Shaoqiu immediately stopped them, "Don’t move yet!"

His interception drew some displeased expressions from several people, and Ashina Zhuxie frowned, looking at him. Before he could question, Wang Shaoqiu had already said, "If this truly is Zuo Chen An’s coffin, he managed to set up a tomb as a decoy for protection; the coffin may not be simple either, there could be traps or hidden mechanisms."

"What traps or mechanisms,"

A Turkic person, already salivating over potential treasures inside the coffin, was annoyed by the obstruction, kicked the flimsy coffin, and said, "With such a thin coffin, what could it possibly have?"

Despite his words, several people had already taken Wang Shaoqiu’s warning to heart, including Li Miao and Gao Chen. They were originally palace guards; though they hadn’t seen royal tombs firsthand, they were familiar with legends. Knowing if this truly was Zuo Chen An’s coffin, there’d likely be mechanisms inside, they opted for caution and pulled Lu Xiao’s sleeve discreetly. However, Lu Xiao was fixated on the coffin, eager to pry it open to see inside. Meanwhile, other Turkic soldiers remained incredulous, determinedly using daggers to pry open the lid.

Soon, a few iron nails were loosened, and everyone crowded together, forcefully lifting the coffin lid to the side—

With a "clang," the coffin was completely opened!

"Careful!"

Wang Shaoqiu exclaimed in alarm, sweeping aside those around him with an extended arm, almost toppling off the stone platform himself. Hearing his voice, Ashina Zhuxie also protectively retreated with Lei Yu as others widened their eyes, nervously watching the coffin.

A faint golden light suddenly flickered before everyone’s eyes.

It was swiftly followed by a foul stench; once the lid was opened, it instantly filled the chamber, making everyone nauseous, with some even retching. A few soldiers’ torches inexplicably fluttered, flames revealing a weak white light.

This unexpected turn of events left everyone’s hearts pounding.

What lay inside that coffin?

But aside from the flash of golden light and the mind-dizzying stench, there was no movement. Everyone cautiously approached, peering into the coffin, and once more, someone let out a startled gasp.

"This, this is—!"