Chapter 183: Secret Box

Chapter 183: Secret Box

Earlier, Fu Bo had mentioned that Su Tianyang's room had been remodeled.

However, neither Su Mo nor Yang Xiaoyun had investigated the specifics until now.

The main reason was the performance of "Yang Yizhi’s tragic death in East City." It needed to be executed perfectly. The more realistic the performance here, the safer Yang Yizhi would be on his end.

Therefore, for some time, Su Mo had not returned to the Ziyang Escort Agency.

He had planned to come back and see what kind of schemes Su Tianyang had been up to in this room only after the performance was finished.

However, he didn’t expect that Duan Song would behave suspiciously and come here in the middle of the night...

He furtively picked the lock on Su Tianyang’s door and gently pushed it open.

Glancing cautiously around, he stepped inside.

He then closed the door behind him.

At this moment, Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun floated down gracefully, lightly touching the ground to steady themselves.

Approaching the window, Su Mo gently poked a hole in it with his finger.

Peering through the hole, he saw Duan Song glance briefly around the room before heading straight toward the southeast corner.

Su Mo's mouth twitched. If Duan Song lit a candle in this southeast corner, he would forget about hiding and burst in to slap him.

Fortunately, Duan Song didn’t do that...

He simply knocked on the wall between the two paintings in the southeast corner a few times.

The rhythm was three short knocks followed by one long knock, repeated three times.

Seeing this, Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun exchanged puzzled glances.

It was true that there were ingenious craftsmen in the martial world who could create many marvelous mechanisms.

Mechanisms triggered by sound rhythms existed... but they were exceedingly rare.

Since Su Tianyang had remodeled this room himself, it was unlikely that such a sophisticated mechanism would be inside.

And indeed, it seemed to be the case.

After knocking a few times, Duan Song waited quietly... but as time passed, nothing happened.

He paused, then returned to the wall, measured the dimensions with his fingers to ensure accuracy, and performed another series of actions.

...Still, nothing happened.

"This doesn't seem right," Duan Song muttered, more confused than Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun outside.

He began to ramble, "Su Tianyang clearly mentioned in the letter that between the two paintings, there is a three and a half inch space. By tapping with your fingers in the rhythm of three short knocks and one long knock, repeated three times, the mechanism should activate automatically.

"If it doesn't activate, you have to perform a ritual of three kneels and nine kowtows in front of the bed, only then will the mechanism appear.

"But how could such a mechanism exist?"

Duan Song looked at the bed with a puzzled expression. "Su Tianyang appears honest on the outside but is actually cunning by nature. He claims to be a great hero, full of bravery, but his schemes and tricks are unparalleled."

"Talk of three kneelings and nine kowtows is likely just a deception."

"But when I looked at this room from outside, it didn’t seem like the kind of place that could hide a secret room..."

He stood in front of the bed for a good while, seemingly unable to figure it out.

After hesitating for a while, he suddenly went to the door, opened it, and cautiously peeked outside.

The moment he poked his head out, Su Mo had already taken Yang Xiaoyun onto the roof. They lifted a tile and peered in.

Duan Song, seeing that no one was there, closed the door again.

He stood in the center in front of the window and said, "Since the two of you have been long gone, even if I perform the three kneelings and nine kowtows, it’s not truly shameful."

He straightened his clothes and then remembered he was still wearing Yang Yizhi’s appearance. A mischievous smile appeared on his lips.

"Consider it a tribute from the wooden-headed Yang," he said with a smirk.

On the roof, Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun watched, dumbfounded.

They hadn’t expected Duan Song to be so straightforward...

If performing the three kneelings and nine kowtows could trigger the mechanism, wouldn’t it be natural to suspect that something was amiss about that spot on the floor?

Who in their right mind would actually kowtow there?

But Duan Song did exactly that...

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sounds were quite loud, and he didn’t skimp.

After the three resounding kowtows, he stood up, rubbed his forehead, and then knelt to kowtow again...

This time, after the second set of three kowtows, he remained kneeling, staring intently at the floor.

Moments later, he began to tremble all over.

His fists clenched as he gritted his teeth and said, "Su Tianyang… you scoundrel, you’re dead and yet you still play tricks on me!"

After the second set of kowtows, he finally realized that the floor beneath him was hollow.

There was no need for the three kneelings and nine kowtows.

A few taps would have made it clear!

Duan Song took a deep breath, placed his hand on the stone slab, and with a surge of inner energy, he gently lifted it.

An entire slab of bluestone brick came off in his hand.

Below was a neat entrance, with a rope hanging by the side.

With a frustrated sigh, Duan Song grabbed the rope and jumped down.

Only then did Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun descend into the courtyard, casually pushed the door open, and stood in front of the entrance, looking down.

The space below shouldn't be too deep. After all, this place was dug out by Su Tianyang himself.

It wouldn't be too deep...

However, Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun did not expect that Su Tianyang had shared the entry method with Duan Song.

Moreover, they hadn't anticipated the numerous tricks inside.

Yet these little tricks were laughably simple. Yet, Duan Song fell for all of them.

This was either due to Duan Song's gullible nature.

Or perhaps he had been thoroughly deceived by Su Tianyang since childhood, making him more inclined to err on the side of caution...

Su Mo felt that it was likely a combination of the two.

Without hesitation, he said to Yang Xiaoyun:

"Sister Xiaoyun, please stand guard outside."

"Alright."

Yang Xiaoyun nodded in agreement. Su Mo then grabbed the rope and jumped down.

The space below was much smaller than expected.

As soon as Su Mo's feet touched the ground, he saw a small room with a stone table. On the table, there was a box and a candle that was already lit.

The candle was already lit, and Duan Song was standing in front of the table, hesitating in the firelight, unsure whether to pick up the box and open it... as if there might be hidden traps inside.

After watching for a while, Su Mo grew impatient. Finally, he couldn't help but say:

"Shall I open it for you?"

"We can't be careless," Duan Song replied without looking back. "Su Tianyang is cunning by nature, his methods are elusive and ever-changing. What seems false often conceals the truth. What seems true might just be a feint. This box here is too... Hmm?"

Lost in thought, he didn't realize the voice wasn't his own inner voice.

It came from behind him.

After a moment, he suddenly turned his head, eyes wide with shock:

"You..."

Su Mo clasped his fists and bowed, saying: "Greetings, Senior."

Duan Song still wore the face of Yang Yizhi, and he looked as if his entire body was festering.

At that moment, he was frozen in place, unable to move.

After a long while, a cold, sinister light flickered in his eyes, and a faint chill wind began to stir around them...

Su Mo's lips twitched. "Senior, please calm down and stop pretending to be a ghost."

"Again..."

Duan Song's shoulders slumped at the word. "When did you start spying on me in secret?"

"Since Senior emerged from the coffin."

Su Mo smiled. "Senior hid on the roof beam, then took advantage of the night to come to this Ziyang Escort Agency, and even performed the three kneels and nine kowtows in the room..."

"Shut up!"

Duan Song quickly shouted, realizing that all his embarrassing actions tonight had been seen by Su Mo?

He touched his face, feeling slightly relieved. At least when he was doing those shameful things, he was wearing Yang Yizhi's face.

This thought brought him some comfort, but then he realized something was off:

"Wait... If you saw everything, why didn't you come out?

"Instead, you spied in secret and followed me...

"Were you not curious about what was going on with me?"

"..."

Su Mo thought for a moment and said, "On the night at Haoran Academy when Senior took the Seven-Day Dust-Cutting Pill, I was also spying from outside the window."

"...Why are you so much like your father?"

"Do you enjoy watching from behind?

"You returned to Haoran Academy that night, right?

"Didn't you quarrel with Yang Yizhi and storm off in anger?"

Duan Song was shocked and suddenly realized, "You did this intentionally, didn't you? You had already noticed something strange about Yang Yizhi's actions, right?"

"That's right."

Su Mo felt that since the conversation had reached this point, there was really no need to be surprised.

"No wonder you are Su Tianyang's son."

Duan Song nodded, "Yang Yizhi played tricks in front of you but put on a show for the Fang family."

Su Mo's eyebrows twitched slightly; it was clear from their conversation that Duan Song was extremely wary of Su Tianyang.

Duan Song was about to ask another question, but before he could speak, Su Mo had already spoken first:

"Senior, aren't you going to open the box?"

Duan Song was momentarily taken aback, then glanced back at the box and then at Su Mo, nodding slightly. "Then you open it!"

"Senior, are you trying to pin this on me?"

Su Mo's lips twitched slightly, the intent all too clear.

"You and your father are both sly and treacherous individuals.

"Growing up, I've suffered losses due to your father no fewer than eight hundred times, if not a thousand..."

He paused here and continued, "This is not something worth bragging about, but in short, this man always has a habit of plotting conspiracies in the most ordinary situations.

"To deal with such a person, it’s only fitting to have another cunning individual handle it.

"Being your father's son, you are the perfect candidate for this task, and it is your duty to undertake it.

"Go ahead, go ahead, since I don't dare to open this box, why don't you give it a try?"

"……”

Given the situation, it would be improper for Su Mo to refuse.

He stepped forward, gently pressing and shaking the object on the stone table.

His brow furrowed slightly, and he looked at Duan Song. "What's inside this box?"

"I don't know."

Duan Song shook his head slowly.

Su Mo remained silent, just looking at him quietly.

"……I really don't know."

Seeing Su Mo’s skeptical look, Duan Song realized he wasn’t being believed, but he could only explain:

"This mission was undertaken on the sect leader’s orders.

"Yang Yizhi planned to fake his death to escape and plot something significant. The sect leader asked me to lend him a hand and, using this opportunity, retrieve an item from the Ziyang Escort Agency in Sunset City.

"Here, take a look at this."

He took out a letter from his sleeve and, without hesitation, handed it to Su Mo.

Su Mo took the letter, opened it, and glanced through it. "Recently written, did my father write this to you?"

"Of course not!"

Duan Song gave Su Mo a sideways glance. "That letter is quite old and wasn’t addressed to me, but to our Ziyang Sect’s leader.

"The sect leader couldn’t give me the original letter, so he rewrote it from memory, detailing the method to open it."

This explanation seemed reasonable.

Su Mo looked around the stone chamber again and then down at the letter.

"Respected Master,

The item has been stored in the hidden chamber. As long as Master Su Tianyang lives, it will remain safe.

However, the future is uncertain, and misfortune can strike at any moment. If Master Su Tianyang were to pass away, it would be unwise to leave the item here indefinitely.

His young son is too weak and unlikely to bear such a burden. Therefore, if any changes occur, the sect’s brothers must go to the Ziyang Escort Agency to retrieve the item."

"I humbly beseech the master's compassion...

The method to open it is as follows:……

Unworthy disciple Su Tianyang pays respects."

Su Mo read the letter twice. Apart from the method to open it, these few brief sentences seemed to hold countless unspoken words.

However, upon closer inspection, they seemed rather ordinary and unremarkable.

He gently shook his head and looked back at the box, reaching out to bring it closer.

Seeing this, Duan Song suddenly retreated several steps, observing from afar. Only when he saw no hidden weapons or arrows did he breathe a sigh of relief.

Su Mo ignored him.

At this point, he understood Duan Song a bit better.

Growing up with Su Tianyang, he had been sabotaged countless times, both openly and covertly.

In one phrase, Duan Song was like a frightened bird.

Therefore, regardless of his wisdom, in matters involving Su Tianyang, he always struggled to make accurate judgments.

On second thought, it made sense. When Su Tianyang wrote this letter, he likely guessed that Duan Song would eventually come to retrieve this item from the Ziyang Escort Agency...

That’s why he included some small tricks in the method to open it.

However, it was more like playing a prank on his lifelong friend.

If there were still tricks after entering the secret chamber and retrieving the item, it would indicate ill intentions.

Su Mo held the box in his hand, examining it for a moment before casually opening it.

Inside was an item.

It was square and four-cornered, seemingly assembled from many tiny fragments.

Each small fragment bore characters that, at first glance, seemed incoherent.

Su Mo took it out, turning it over and examining it for a while before gently shaking his head and glancing at Duan Song and asked:

"Do you recognize this item, senior?"

"This..."

Duan Song, wearing Yang Yizhi's face, approached, took it, and after examining it for a moment, couldn't help but be surprised:

"This is actually a puzzle box."

"Puzzle box?"

Su Mo, having never heard of it, was curious for a moment:

"What exactly is a puzzle box?"

"Well..."

Duan Song smiled slightly: "Do you know about the Western Lands?"

"I’ve naturally heard about the four corners of the world. However, regarding the specifics... I, your junior, lack experience."

"That’s understandable."

Duan Song nodded. "The southwestern region is indeed the gateway to the Eastern Wilderness, but the Western Continent is simply too distant. In the past, there were predecessors in our Purple Sun Sect who traveled the four corners of the world and visited the Western Continent. They gained some insights and experiences, which were recorded in the sect's scriptures.

"It is rumored that the Western Continent is home to skilled artisans.

"Many of their martial arts are integrated with these techniques.

"They create small devices, like mechanical puppets, controlled by threads, reaching everywhere and constantly transforming.

"This is somewhat similar to the skin manipulation techniques of Evernight Valley, or shadow puppetry, where external objects are manipulated through techniques.

"However, the methods of Evernight Valley are cruel and mysterious, not part of the path of righteousness and integrity.

"The techniques of the Western Continent are indeed quite interesting...

"Among them, it is said that the most skilled artisan once crafted three Secret Boxes.

"These boxes are made of neither metal, jade, iron, nor stone. They are impervious to weapons, water, and fire. If someone tries to force them open, the internal mechanisms will activate, and the fire god oil hidden in the compartment will turn everything inside to ash.

"Even metal would melt into molten iron.

"Thus, they are among the best secret storage items in the world."

"…In short, it’s essentially a puzzle box?"

Su Mo twitched his mouth.

"Puzzle box? That’s quite fitting."

Duan Song nodded. "Look at the characters on this box; they appear disorganized, but each one is arranged differently. The four sides and six faces each have different combinations.

"There are a total of six hundred characters, and they must be arranged in a specific order.

"If you make a mistake, you'll have to start over from the beginning."

"…"

Su Mo twitched his mouth, finding this small Secret Box to be rather excessive:

"Is it possible for anyone to open this thing?"

"It’s precisely because it's difficult to open that it's impressive."

Duan Song said with a smile. "The first Secret Box was reportedly abandoned because its creator forgot the method to open it.

"For the next two Secret Boxes, the methods to open them were documented after completion.

"However, the contents of these papers are also disorganized, and an ordinary person, even if they saw it, wouldn’t understand its purpose...

"Unless you have a Secret Box and a set of opening instructions, this item will just stare back at you, neither of you able to do anything to the other."

"…"

Hearing this, Su Mo suddenly remembered something.

Lowering his head, he rummaged through his sleeve and took out a carefully folded slip of paper. After unfolding it, it was filled with tiny characters.

However, no matter whether he read from left to right or top to bottom, it was difficult to make any sense of it.

Comparing the two, Su Mo found one particularly interesting point.

Both the text on the Secret Box and the paper slip had ten characters per line.