Chapter 1401 — Should She Say Yes?

"There's poison on this blade." Wei Zhao picked up one of the swords, sniffed it, and said, "A particularly vicious slow-acting poison. At first you feel nothing at all, but as time goes on it takes hold. Without a skilled physician to draw it out, you'll be lucky to escape as a cripple rather than a corpse. This poison destroys the nervous system—at the end of it, you become a vegetable."

"That deadly!" Yu Xiaoke was badly startled and scrambled to her feet, putting distance between herself and the heap of swords on the ground. "This poison doesn't travel through the air, does it? I was standing so close just now—I'll be all right, won't I?"

"You'll be fine. Even if you were poisoned, I could cure it." Wei Zhao spoke lightly. Vicious as the poison was, to a physician of Wei Zhao's skill it was no difficulty at all—and not only Wei Zhao; anyone of the Medicine King's sort could neutralize it.

"Oh..." Yu Xiaoke nodded, and let out a breath of relief.

"Let's keep moving. I'll still take the lead; everyone simply be careful." Wei Zhao feared nothing—for one thing, he was cautious beyond measure; for another, if danger lay ahead, the jade pendant would warn him.

What none of them expected was that past those swords, not far ahead, a faint glimmer of light could actually be seen! And the further they went, the brighter and more dazzling it grew. Another few dozen meters, a turn in the passage—and this time the exit lay plainly within sight!

Only a few hundred meters off was the mouth of the cave. Outside, the sun shone bright, and the gloom that had weighed on them these past days lifted all at once.

"Wonderful—we're finally out, safe and sound!" Yu Xiaoke cheered.

Old Black let out a long breath as well. This tomb raid had truly carried him through life and death; he had come within a hair of never coming back. After an ordeal like this, he likely would not dare rob a tomb again—though of course, Qiu Lingshan would not be giving him the chance.

"In a little while, you two go about your own business. I won't take part." Seeing the exit, Wei Zhao breathed easier too. He lowered his voice and said to Qiu Lingshan.

"All right. Then take good care of yourself!" Qiu Lingshan understood what he meant. Wei Zhao was telling her that once out of the tomb, she and Chen Yutian could set about arresting Old Black. That was a matter he truly could not be part of; and he had his own affairs to attend to. No doubt he was in a hurry to save Feng Xiaoxiao, with no time for hers.

Wei Zhao nodded, and at last the group reached the cave mouth. Outside was all brightness. Beyond the opening lay a small valley, very like the one they had entered the tomb through, and from the outside the cave mouth looked no different from any ordinary mountain cave—nothing to draw anyone's notice.

Elder Rain had long since vanished. The valley was quiet; the mountain bore almost no vegetation, so birds were pitifully scarce, and the whole valley seemed utterly still.

"Let's part company here. You two go on ahead—the heroine Yan and I have a few things to discuss!" Wei Zhao halted and said to Qiu Lingshan.

Qiu Lingshan was briefly taken aback. She glanced at Yu Xiaoke, and more or less understood: Wei Zhao meant to shield the girl. In a moment she and Chen Yutian would reveal their identities to Old Black and take him into custody; if Yu Xiaoke stood by, she would naturally be hauled in with him.

And what Wei Zhao was doing now was, plainly, establishing Yu Xiaoke as a helper rather than a tomb robber. In truth Yu Xiaoke had taken no artifacts at all, so Qiu Lingshan gave Wei Zhao the courtesy.

In fact, she knew that even without the courtesy, Wei Zhao would shield the girl regardless. A man as domineering as Wei Zhao—how could she, Qiu Lingshan, ever bend him to her will?

"Very well, then, we'll be off first!" Qiu Lingshan said no more. She and Chen Yutian took Old Black between them, propping up his body, and sprang from the valley floor to the rim above. With no rope, Old Black had to rely on Qiu Lingshan and Chen Yutian if he was ever to get out!

Once up top, Old Black felt a surge of gratitude. He had not expected the female thief to be so honorable—out of the ancient tomb, she had still carried him out of the valley, never abandoning him, and he was deeply moved. "Female Thief, I thank you for this. Old Black will remember the favor. Rest easy: whatever comes of this raid, whether you want a share or not, I'll set one aside for you!"

"No need." Qiu Lingshan said coolly. "This is simply what we ought to do."

"What we ought to do?" Old Black was startled.

"Old Black, this is my identification. You're under arrest!" At some point Chen Yutian had produced a badge and flashed it in front of Old Black's eyes, while Qiu Lingshan brought out a pair of handcuffs and snapped them onto his wrists.

"Ah?" Old Black was struck dumb by the scene. He could not tell what these two were playing at, and asked in bewilderment, "Female Thief, what are you up to...? If you want my things, take them all—I don't want them. Just leave me a way out, that's all I ask..."

Ever since he learned that the female thief and her sidekick were both Mystic Rank experts, Old Black had not harbored the slightest thought of resistance. Mystic Rank experts were legendary beings; to fight one would be to court his own death.

"Old Black, don't delude yourself. My identity is captain of the criminal investigation division of the Songshan City Police; my name is Qiu Lingshan. I am no female thief." As she spoke, Qiu Lingshan peeled the mask from her face.

And over there, Chen Yutian removed his mask too, and was using GPS to fix their position, preparing to call in helicopter support.

"Ah?" Old Black was dumbfounded on the spot. This could not be—these two were police, not tomb robbers?

Seeing how gravely serious the pair of them looked, Old Black's heart sank; he guessed this was nine parts true. And inwardly he could only smile bitterly: even if it was true, he dared not resist. Two Mystic Rank experts could snuff him out at their leisure; Old Black would not go looking for trouble. He could only hang his head and accept his fate.

Down in the valley, Yu Xiaoke looked at Wei Zhao in puzzlement, not knowing what business he had in keeping her behind.

But then she thought of the way the male thief had behaved toward her in the tomb, and despite herself she blushed. He... surely he wasn't about to bring up the matter of keeping her?

Then should she... say yes? Yu Xiaoke's cheeks were burning. It was the first time she had felt any fondness for a man, and he turned out to be a married one—how was she to bear such a thing?