Chapter 338 The Qi Refiners have been studying the layout of this place for many years, and Fang Yin, in addition to her own research, has also taken the Qi Refiners as her research subjects.
Therefore, Fang Yin knew all the places they frequented.
Just like a fisherman who knows where the lobsters and abalone are hidden under the rocks, she knows the way.
"If you want to travel underground, water, light, and food are all dangerous if any of these three things are missing. You must remember this, Yin Xiu."
After hearing Fang Yin's warning, Yin Xiu glanced at her lightly, "Why, are you teaching me how to do things?"
"I don't dare. I just said that. If you are willing to listen, just listen. If you don't want to, just think that I am talking too much."
Yin Xiu spread her hands, saying that she had nothing to say, and then lay down on the bamboo raft.
Yes, another bamboo raft sailed out from a secret passage under Fang Yin's residence and floated along the river towards the dark waters.
Fang Yin stood at the back, skillfully maneuvering the boat around the stalactite pillars and reefs, almost grazing the moss on the shore, and getting into some gaps.
Yin Xiu opened the wine bottle and took a sip.
"You are so good at punting, why don't you consider becoming a boatman? Maybe you can get more information."
Fang Yin smiled slightly, "Under the ground, the only requirement for a boatman is that he has no curiosity.
It's as if they are really just a part of the ship. They just go wherever others tell them. They don't ask more questions and are never curious. "
"Do you think they have succumbed to [fate] by doing this?" Yin Xiu asked.
"Then what do you think? Doing everything and obeying everything is not the so-called resignation."
As he spoke, Fang Yin put away the smile on his lips, "Besides, I am tired of the days of rocking on the water. Having solid ground under my feet is actually a rare blessing, and it can also be said to be a kind of luck."
Yin Xiu glanced at her but didn't answer.
Maybe Fang Yin was a boat owner before, or maybe he was the daughter of a fisherman. People in this world have all kinds of strange and different backgrounds, and Yin Xiu didn't want to ask more questions.
The two of them drifted forward for a while in this silence. After taking advantage of the rapids and rounding a corner that looked like a huge cliff, they finally saw their target.
The outline of a Taoist temple can be seen in the distance, with two ever-burning lamps reflecting its antiquity.
"Why, aren't you surprised to see such a magnificent building underground?" Fang Yin asked doubtfully.
"Surprised? If it's the first time I've seen it, it's really surprising. Unfortunately, it's not the first time for me."
Fang Yin laughed, "So you have a lot of experience?"
Yin Xiu shook his head, "If it refers to the experience of seeing wonders underground, not much."
"What if I ask something else?"
Yin Xiu glanced at her and said, "No comment."
Fang Yin chuckled again, and it seemed that as she got closer to the Taoist temple, her mood became more and more excited.
Although there was impatient expression on his brows, Fang Yin still appeared to be cautious in his actions.
She did not go straight forward. When she was still halfway away from the Taoist temple, the bamboo raft made a big turn on the waterway and got into a cave that was almost invisible from the outside.
"I only discovered this a few times ago. From here, there is a small fault. You can crawl through it and reach the Taoist temple."
"Then how did you get by before you found out?"
Fang Yin glanced at him and grabbed his clothes, "I took off my clothes and swam there before, how about I show you?"
"No, I'm tired of seeing it."
Yin Xiu ignored her and looked at the top of the cave. As expected, there was a small hole that could only allow one person to pass through, and an inconspicuous string hung down from there.
"Should I come first?" he asked.
"Please." Fang Yin extended his hand.
Since she said so, Yin Xiu was not polite, grabbed the rope, and climbed up in just a few clicks.
Just as soon as he went up, Yin Xiu discovered that the place where he had to bow his head was actually the most spacious place in the entire fault.
In the next place, just as Fang Yin said, you need to crawl forward.
"I'll lead the way."
Fang Yin said, getting in first and twisting his body.
Seeing this, Yin Xiu could only follow behind her. The two of them climbed silently, one behind the other, as if they were conducting some kind of military training.
After crawling a certain distance and eating a few mouthfuls of dirt, Yin Xiucai discovered that Fang Yin's physical strength was obviously very human.
If you are an ordinary person, after such a distance, your hands and feet will be sore and weak, and you will be out of breath.
But nothing happened to her. Her breath and movements were still so natural, with a certain stable rhythm.
Maybe she is an obsessive martial arts master?
Thinking of this, Yin Xiu put away her previous carelessness and crawled, being careful that she would suddenly have a seizure and attack herself in turn.
However, in such a small tunnel, it was difficult to even turn around, let alone turn around.
Yin Xiu's doubts seemed a bit unnecessary.
After the two crawled for a while, the front suddenly became clear.
In fact, it's not that bright, but compared to this cramped and narrow tunnel, it obviously looks "luxurious".
Fang Yin climbed up first, then Yin soon as they stood up, the two of them didn't look at the Taoist temple for the first time. They just kept patting their clothes and shaking off nearly a pound of dust from their bodies.
"Underground, do you still love beauty so much?" Yin Xiu asked.
"Aren't you too?"
As Fang Yin said this, he kept beating the clothes on his body, raising yellow dust and smoke.
Yin Xiu lowered his head and said, "I'm different. I just thought that for people like us who come out to hang out, wouldn't it be rude to come to visit in disgrace?"
"We are infiltrators, or thieves, do we have to be so aboveboard?"
Fang Yin finally finished arranging his clothes and walked out first.
Yin Xiu looked at the Taoist temple in the distance. It was antique and the style did not seem to be local.
As if sensing his doubts, Fang Yin said: "This Taoist temple was moved from Jiaozhi. Every brick and every piece of wood is original."
Yin Xiu glanced at her and said, "Do you know how difficult it is to transport a Taoist temple from Jiaozhi to Hong Kong Island so deep underground?"
"Of course I know, that's why I said those Qi Refiners are not simple to a certain extent."
Although the two of them were sneaking in, they acted like thieves.
But when they walked and talked like this, it seemed like they were taking a walk rather than conducting some kind of secret operation.
After reaching the corner, the two of them looked at each other, and almost at the same time, they turned over and crossed the low wall.
As soon as they entered the courtyard, their eyes were attracted by a locust tree with a broad canopy.
It was probably hidden by the gatehouse and low wall, and the tree was in a sunken flower bed, so they didn't see it from the outside.
Yin Xiu took a look and felt that there was nothing strange. She was about to leave, but was pulled back by Fang Yin.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Fang Yin put his fingers to his lips and murmured: "I have been to this Taoist temple several times before, but I have never seen such a big locust tree."
"Maybe it's night and you didn't see clearly?"
Fang Yin shook his head, "Impossible, do you think I just took a quick look? I have been here many times, and when the Qi Refiners were not around, I walked around here inside and outside.
Otherwise, how would I know the origin of this Taoist temple?Notice this tree that's never been there before? I ask you, what could such a tree be used for in this sunless underground?To decorate the facade, or just a decoration? Or is it some kind of spiritual sustenance, representing the underground hermit’s last attachment to the surface? "
Yin Xiu walked straight to the courtyard.
He had no intention of discussing it with Fang Yin. It was just a tree. It didn't seem to matter whether those people wanted to create a forest or leave a giant potted plant.
"Is it possible that it is just an execution rack used to hang oneself?" Yin Xiu said suddenly.
"Perhaps you don't know that even those emperors would find it difficult to find a suitable place to commit suicide when their country was overthrown. This tree is at least straight and lush, and very decent."
Fang Yin looked at him, "But how can there be a tree under this earth worthy of the word [luxuriant]?"
Yin Xiu had no intention of delving further, "Why don't we go inside first and take a look, maybe we can know the answer."
As he walked inside, Fang Yin glanced at the locust tree again and followed closely.
Yin Xiu was right, it was just a tree. Even if it didn't exist here originally, or if it bloomed or produced fruits, it wasn't what they needed to care about right now.
Right now, the only ones they are looking for are the Qi Refiners. If they can't find any trace of them here, they will have to go to another place without any delay.
Fang Yin knew that there was no clear time point, and they would not say that they would get things done at a certain time, on the first or fifteenth day of next month.
But she also vaguely felt in her heart that maybe this matter should be completed as soon as possible to avoid any mishaps.
Yin Xiu walked very fast, and soon passed the steps and came to the main hall with the door closed.
He stayed for a while, and a translucent blood-colored butterfly flew from the right side and turned into an invisible blood mist on Yin Xiu's shoulder.
Even though Fang Yin was very close, there was no trace of it.
Except for this main hall, Yin Xiu had already inspected the other places with blood butterflies. There was no one there, not even a fly.
There is no one everywhere, and the main hall is not open. Presumably those Qi Refiners are no longer here, or are not here today?
But could it be that there was no one there originally, but as soon as Yin Xiu pushed it away, everyone stood inside? You must know that the door is originally something that separates two places. If you are outside or inside the door, you will never know what exists on the other side.
If you open the door, you don't know if there will be changes inside because of this action.
Thinking of this, Yin Xiu turned to her and asked, "How is your luck?"
Fang Yin was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said: "Anyone who can survive underground for such a long time will have good luck."
"Then you drive." Yin Xiu signaled.
Fang Yin didn't know what his plan was, so he went up and pushed the door open without thinking too much.
Squeak, squeak...
The door let out a heart-wrenching groan, and then the fire in Fang Yin's hand illuminated a part of the hall.
Yin Xiu's sudden prediction was indeed correct. Fortunately, he didn't push the door open by himself.
Otherwise, there must be people standing inside right now.
Thanks to Fang Yin who opened the door, everyone inside was lying motionless.
(End of this chapter)