An eight-year-old kid emptied his scumbag father's warehouse and followed his grandparents into

The torches reflected in the water, and the ripples bounced off the cave walls, shimmering with golden light all around. Jing Chunxi suddenly felt a sense of calm, no longer afraid.

She looked up at the top of the cave. The firelight, reflected by the waves, looked like countless stars twinkling above her head. The moss on the cave wall was also glowing, as if covered with a layer of golden gauze.

She exhaled softly, the tension in her heart gradually dissipating, replaced by a wonderful tranquility. She could even hear her own heartbeat, slow and powerful, as if blending with the rhythm of the cave.

Xu Zize consoled him, saying, "The bats should have mostly left after the water's impact. Bats and poisonous insects are all afraid of light." His voice was low and gentle, with a touch of soothing power. Jing Chunxi turned to look at him. The light from the torch he was holding shone on his profile, outlining his sharp features, which looked quite handsome.

The surroundings of the ship were as bright as day, so there was nothing to be afraid of.

Jing Chunxi looked down at the water surface. The water was not particularly turbid. The rocks and mud at the bottom of the water were clearly visible, and occasionally some tiny bubbles could be seen rising from the bottom of the water.

The walls on both sides of the river were still covered with moss. Looking into the water, Jing Chunxi suddenly exclaimed: "Brother Xiaokang, look, there are fish." By the boat, small fish were swimming in the water from time to time, and occasionally empty shells could be seen sticking to the stone walls.

The fish were slender, their scales gleaming silver in the firelight, like water spirits. Jing Chunxi couldn't help but lean forward and reach out to touch them, but they always nimbly dodged, leaving only ripples on the water.

"Don't touch it, be careful." Xu Zize warned softly, his voice gentle, not wanting to scare her. Jing Chunxi immediately withdrew her hand, but still leaned forward, looking sideways into the water.

"The water comes from the Minjiang River. Even if the water level drops, there are reservoirs supplying water here." Xu Zize's voice rang out again, his gaze still fixed on Jing Chunxi in front of him, but his tone held a hint of explanation. Jing Chunxi nodded, impressed by the Cui family's willingness to invest so much time and gold and silver in building this underground river.

The girl's veil was lifted up, and she looked into the water with curiosity and excitement on her face, her eyes sparkling. The more she lowered her head to look into the water, the more her body leaned forward, with her shoulders almost touching him.

Xu Zize couldn't help but feel a surge of tenderness in his heart, wishing time would stay here forever. He looked at her focused expression, and suddenly a trace of reluctance arose in his heart, as if this brief moment of tranquility would be broken at any time.

He sighed softly and looked back to the front, but the tenderness in his heart could not dissipate for a long time.

Probably to shorten the distance, the secret passage was built straight. The boat hadn't traveled very far in the water when Jing Chunxi, facing forward, suddenly exclaimed, "We should be almost there."

Her voice was very excited, as if she had already seen the exit ahead.

Xu Zize slowly turned sideways and looked forward. Just like at the entrance, the river began to widen, and the cave entrance also became wider. The water flow formed a small figure eight shape and slowly expanded, and the sky above his head became higher and higher.

There seemed to be a faint glow ahead. The two of them stared intently at that faint light, their hearts filled with anticipation. She couldn't help but take off her own veil, and took off the veil of the person opposite her as well, stuffing it into the space.

The dark river reached its end. A little higher up, a large, self-contained iron gate stood before them. Its metallic brilliance shone in the light of the fire and the reflections of the water. It was evident that the gate was thick and solid, like an insurmountable barrier.

At this time, Xu Zize had already loosened the iron ring on his head and dipped the torch in his hand into the water. The torch went out immediately. After the sparks disappeared, he put it back at his feet.

"Your Majesty, we're here."

Just as Jing Chunxi finished speaking, a voice called out from the front, and then he saw a man dressed exactly like him in black. He was squatting beside the stone slab, a dark mass, and hadn't stood up yet. But his hands were shaking something vigorously.

The man in black moved quickly and powerfully, he must be another martial artist.

Xu Zize whispered to Jing Chunxi, "That wheel is used to reel in the rope, and the big iron gate is the sluice gate." His voice was low and gentle, with a hint of explanation. Jing Chunxi understood; it was pretty much what she'd thought, but she could only guess; Xu Zize's tone was affirmative.

This design is really good. Jing Chunxi couldn't help but praise it: "It's really smart. The wheel should save a lot of effort. The sluice gate should be opened in this way, right?" Although she thought so, she didn't know where the switch of the sluice gate was at a glance.

She scanned the surroundings, trying to find the hidden mechanism, but ultimately gave up. If it were that easy to find, it wouldn't be called a mechanism.

The two stood up. The waterway widened and the boat wobbled a bit. Xu Zize supported her and said, "Don't be afraid. The boat will stop. Brother Xiaokang will help you."

The two men quickly got off the boat, and the ropes were quickly tightened and tied up by the men in black.

The man in black came over and simply greeted them, then led them forward about ten steps, then up a dozen steps; then they walked another ten steps flat, then up a dozen steps again, and entered a room full of firewood with a lantern lit in the room.

The man in black opened the door and the two men walked out of the woodshed. Suddenly, the view in front of them opened up. They looked up and saw the moon and stars in the sky again. They couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

They took a deep breath, thinking that the air would be fresh and sweet, but it made them all frown, and Jing Chunxi even covered his nose.

The man in black didn't follow him out of the woodshed. He just whispered to Xu Zize, "I'll rest here for a while. There's a light in the yard, so no one will disturb me. If you have any instructions, just call me."

"It stinks." Jing Chunxi, still holding her nose, finally couldn't help but complain. Why is there such a strong smell of manure in the yard? She glanced around, trying to find the source of the stench, but eventually gave up.

"There is a big manure pit next to the woodshed to hide it from people and prevent them from getting close. Sorry, young master and young lady, please take a few quick steps. You won't be able to smell the smell after you pass the middle of the yard." The man in black said apologetically in the house.

Before Jing Chunxi could finish her words, Xu Zize grabbed her waist and lifted her up. A familiar scene reappeared. She was lifted into the air and leaped forward quickly, not until they were almost near the thatched house on the other side did Xu Zize land lightly on his heels.

They both sniffed and found that there was indeed no stench. Looking around, they came to a small farmyard. Xu Zize was afraid that Jing Chunxi would not understand, so he explained, "It's a small farmyard. No one would come to steal vegetables if it stinks."

How could Jing Chunxi be such a stingy person? It was not like she had never smelled the manure smell in Qingshan Villa before.

A lantern hung in front of the thatched house in the center of the courtyard, and two lanterns were hung on either side of the wall. After accustoming myself to the strong light from the dark river, the courtyard seemed a bit dark when I emerged, but I could still see the basic situation inside.

The square courtyard had a few thatched huts in the center, and two smaller thatched huts on either side. Aside from a walking path, the remaining open space was mostly planted with seasonal vegetables. The courtyard was peaceful, and no one else was around.

The courtyard is surrounded by a wall, but it is not an ordinary bamboo fence, but a wooden wall made of wood and wooden boards. It looks a bit old, but it is very solid and high.

The wooden door was located in an inconspicuous corner on the left, now ajar but not locked. It was quite large, and a carriage could pass through it when fully opened.

Through the gaps in the wooden wall, you can see the river surface not far away. The river water is shimmering and trembling slightly in the moonlight.

Pushing the wooden door halfway open, the two walked out.