Huanzhu Time Travel: Yan Luo's Unbreakable Love in the Yong Dynasty

The night in the capital was as deep as ink, broken only occasionally by the barking of dogs. The dilapidated temple in the west of the city appeared particularly eerie in the darkness, its crumbling walls casting dappled shadows in the moonlight. Lin Yuhang, Zhao Xuan, and Fucha Fuheng had arrived early, awaiting the arrival of the mysterious monk.

Lin Yuhang was dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit, with a long sword at his waist, the patterns on the scabbard faintly visible in the moonlight. His brow was furrowed, and he frequently glanced towards the entrance of the dilapidated temple, a hint of anxiety in his eyes. "Why hasn't that mysterious master arrived yet? Could something have happened to him?" Lin Yuhang murmured, his voice tinged with worry.

Zhao Xuan, also dressed in black night clothes and holding a short knife, frowned slightly and said, "Brother Lin, don't be too anxious. Since the master asked us to wait here, he must have his own arrangements. Perhaps we were delayed on the way."

Fucha Fuheng stood to one side, dressed in a dark blue official robe. Despite being in such a humble place as a dilapidated temple, his noble air was still undeniable. He nodded slightly and said, "Brother Zhao is right. Let's wait patiently. That ancient book on mechanical arts is crucial. With it, our chances of entering the treasure vault will be much greater."

Just then, a soft footstep sound came from afar, and the three immediately became alert, gripping their weapons tightly. A figure dressed in a gray monk's robe slowly entered the dilapidated temple; it was the mysterious monk. He clasped his hands together, a calm smile on his face, and said, "Amitabha, I apologize for keeping you three waiting."

Upon seeing the mysterious monk, Lin Yuhang's anxious expression vanished instantly. He breathed a slight sigh of relief and said, "Master, you've finally arrived. We were worried something had happened to you."

The mysterious monk nodded, took out an ancient book from his robes, handed it to Lin Yuhang, and said, "This is the ancient book on mechanical arts. I went through some trouble to borrow it. I hope it will be of some help to us."

Lin Yuhang took the ancient book with both hands and carefully opened it. The text inside was obscure and difficult to understand, but the diagrams of the mechanisms were very detailed. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he said, "Great! With this ancient book, our chances of entering the treasure vault have increased even more."

Zhao Xuan and Fucha Fuheng also came over to examine the contents of the ancient book together. Zhao Xuan pointed to one of the diagrams of a mechanism and said, "Brother Lin, look at this mechanism. It seems to be a trap. Once triggered, a hidden arrow will be shot out. We must be careful."

Fucha Fuheng frowned slightly and said, "These mechanisms are indeed very complex. We must study them carefully and find a way to break them. Otherwise, we will be in great danger after entering the treasure vault."

The mysterious monk put his hands together and said, "Three benefactors, time is of the essence. Why don't we study this ancient book here and try to master the method to solve the mechanism as soon as possible?"

Everyone nodded in agreement, and then sat down together to carefully study the contents of the ancient book.

Inside the Kunning Palace of the Imperial Palace, Xiao Yanzi anxiously awaited the results of her interrogation of Li Dequan. Dressed in her magnificent empress's robes, she paced back and forth in her bedchamber, her face filled with anxiety. Rong Momo stood beside her, watching Xiao Yanzi's expression, feeling a pang of worry herself. She whispered, "Your Majesty, please don't be anxious. Consort Ling is a prudent woman; we should have news soon."

Xiao Yanzi frowned slightly, stopped in her tracks, and said, "Granny Rong, what should we do if Li Dequan really knows the inside story of the collusion between the Imperial Household Department officials and the mysterious forces, but refuses to tell the truth?"

Rong Momo was slightly taken aback. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Your Majesty, Li Dequan is just a servant. I doubt he would dare to disobey your orders. If he doesn't tell the truth, we have plenty of ways to make him talk."

Xiao Yanzi nodded, a resolute glint in her eyes: "That's right. As the Empress, I cannot allow those who collude with the mysterious forces to go unpunished. No matter what means we use, we must make Li Dequan tell the truth."

Just then, Consort Ling hurriedly entered the bedchamber. Her face showed signs of fatigue, but her eyes revealed a hint of excitement. After bowing, she said, "Your Majesty, Li Dequan has confessed."

A hint of surprise flashed in Xiao Yanzi's eyes, and she quickly said, "Tell me quickly, what did he confess to?"

Consort Ling stepped forward slightly and said, "Your Majesty, Li Dequan confessed that the officials of the Imperial Household Department colluded with a mysterious force to obtain a huge fortune. They planned to use the mysterious treasury to acquire its treasures and then use them to overthrow the court. Moreover, he also mentioned that the Western Regions sorcerer Ulihak is the mastermind behind all of this. He has a secret base in the capital and is plotting an even bigger conspiracy."

Xiao Yanzi's face instantly turned extremely ugly. She clenched her fists and said, "It really is this Ulihak. I never expected his conspiracy to be so huge. Consort Ling, immediately send people to investigate the location of that secret stronghold. We must wipe them out in one fell swoop."

Consort Ling bowed slightly and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, I have already sent people to investigate. I believe we will have news soon."

Little Swallow nodded and said, "Okay, you can go now. Report back immediately if there's any news."

After bowing, Consort Ling turned and left the palace. Little Swallow watched Consort Ling's departing figure, her brows furrowing slightly. She pondered silently; the mysterious force's conspiracy was becoming increasingly clear, and she had to act quickly, or the consequences would be unimaginable.

Meanwhile, in that mysterious valley, Lin Yuhang and the others had been studying the ancient manual on mechanisms all night. Their faces showed fatigue, but their eyes revealed a determined spirit. Lin Yuhang closed the manual and said, "Has everyone memorized the methods to break these mechanisms?"

Zhao Xuan and Fucha Fuheng nodded in agreement. Zhao Xuan said, "Brother Lin, I have memorized it. Although these mechanisms are complex, as long as we handle them carefully, they should not be a problem."

Fucha Fuheng frowned slightly and said, "That's true, but the treasure vault is full of traps, so we still need to be careful. Especially that Western Region wizard Ulihak, he will definitely set up many traps in the treasure vault, waiting for us to take the bait."

The mysterious monk clasped his hands together and said, “Amitabha, you are right. Our journey is fraught with danger, but in order to uncover the conspiracy of the mysterious forces and save all living beings, we must forge ahead.”

Lin Yuhang nodded and said, "Okay, let's go then."

The four packed their belongings and headed towards the treasure vault deep in the valley. A thin layer of mist hung in the valley, visibility was very low, and the surroundings were eerily quiet, with only the sound of their footsteps echoing through the valley.

Suddenly, Lin Yuhang, who was walking in front, stopped. He frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "Everyone be careful, there seems to be a trap ahead."

Everyone immediately became alert, gripping their weapons tightly. Lin Yuhang carefully examined the ground and noticed some subtle traces. He pointed to a stone on the ground and said, "Look, everyone, this stone is a different color from the surrounding stones. It's very likely a mechanism that triggers a trap."

Zhao Xuan bent down slightly, examined it carefully, and said, "Brother Lin, you're right. So how do we solve this mechanism?"

After pondering for a moment, Lin Yuhang said, "According to the records in ancient books, this kind of mechanism requires stepping on the surrounding stones in a specific order to deactivate it. Everyone, follow me."

As he spoke, Lin Yuhang carefully stepped on the surrounding stones in the order recorded in the ancient book. When he stepped on the last stone, the stones on the ground suddenly trembled slightly before returning to calm.

Lin Yuhang breathed a slight sigh of relief and said, "Alright, the trap has been disarmed. Let's continue."

The group continued towards the treasure vault, encountering many traps and mechanisms along the way, but they overcame them all. Finally, deep in the valley, they saw an ancient building—the legendary treasure vault.

The treasure vault's doors were tightly shut, inscribed with mysterious runes. Lin Yuhang stepped forward, carefully examining the runes, trying to find a way to open the doors.

Just then, a group of men in black suddenly appeared around the treasure vault, wielding weapons and surrounding Lin Yuhang and the others. The leader of the men in black sneered, "Hmph, you really came. Today, none of you will leave here alive."

Lin Yuhang frowned slightly as he looked at the leader of the men in black and said, "Who are you? Why are you blocking our way?"

The leader of the men in black sneered and said, "Who I am is not important. What is important is that you dare to ruin our plans. Today is your death day."

As he spoke, the leader of the men in black waved his hand, and the others rushed towards Lin Yuhang and the others. Lin Yuhang, Zhao Xuan, Fucha Fuheng, and the mysterious monk immediately drew their weapons and engaged in fierce combat with the men in black.

Lin Yuhang brandished his longsword, the wind from it sharp and fierce, frequently striking the vital points of the men in black. Zhao Xuan nimbly weaved through the group of men in black, his short knife gleaming coldly. Fucha Fuheng, a high-ranking official of the court, was also highly skilled in martial arts; he fought the men in black with agility and fearlessness. The mysterious monk used some mysterious magic to slow down the movements of the men in black.

After a fierce battle, they finally defeated the men in black. Seeing the situation was dire, the leader of the men in black turned to flee. Lin Yuhang reacted swiftly, giving chase and stabbing him in the back with his sword.

The leader of the men in black fell to the ground, struggling to say, "Do you think this will stop us? Lord Ulihak's plan will not fail, and you will all die without a burial place."

Lin Yuhang looked at the leader of the men in black and said coldly, "Tell me quickly, where is Ulihak's secret base? Otherwise, I'll kill you right now."

The leader of the men in black sneered and said, "Do you think I'm afraid of you? Go ahead and kill me if you dare."

Lin Yuhang frowned slightly, just as he was about to take action, the mysterious monk stepped forward and said, "Amitabha, benefactor, spare his life for now. Perhaps he is still of use."

Lin Yuhang was slightly taken aback. After thinking for a moment, he nodded and said, "Alright, let's spare his life for now. Tie him up and we'll go into the treasure vault."

The group tied up the leader of the men in black and then began to figure out how to open the treasure vault.

Meanwhile, in the palace, Xiao Yanzi anxiously awaited news from Consort Ling. She sat on her phoenix throne, a cup of tea in her hand, but no longer wanted to drink it. Rong Momo stood beside her, watching Xiao Yanzi's state, feeling a pang of sympathy. She softly said, "Your Highness, please don't be too anxious. Consort Ling will definitely find the location of that secret hideout."

Xiao Yanzi frowned slightly and said, "Granny Rong, I won't have a moment's peace until this mysterious force is eliminated. I'm really worried that the Emperor and Young Master Lin will be in danger."

Just then, Xiao Tao hurriedly entered the hall, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Ling has sent word that she has located the secret stronghold of the Western Region sorcerer Ulihak."

A hint of surprise flashed in Xiao Yanzi's eyes, and she quickly said, "Tell me, where is it?"

Xiao Tao stepped forward slightly and said, "Your Majesty, the secret base is located in an abandoned manor on the outskirts of the capital."

Xiao Yanzi nodded and said, "Okay, go and inform Su Peisheng immediately, and have him gather the palace guards to accompany me to that abandoned manor."

Xiao Tao was slightly taken aback and said, "Your Majesty, it is too dangerous for you to go in person. Let the Emperor send someone instead."

Xiao Yanzi frowned slightly and said, "No, this matter is of great importance, I must go in person. Go and inform Su Peisheng quickly, there must be no mistakes."

Xiao Tao bowed slightly and said, "Yes, Your Majesty the Empress."

After Xiao Tao turned and left, Xiao Yanzi stood up, a resolute look in her eyes. She knew that this trip to the abandoned manor would be fraught with danger, but in order to uncover the truth and eliminate the mysterious force, she had to forge ahead.

Before that mysterious treasure vault, will Lin Yuhang and his companions be able to successfully open its doors? What secrets will they discover within? What dangers will Xiao Yanzi encounter as she personally ventures into the abandoned manor? Everything remains unknown, waiting for them to uncover the mysteries…