The next morning, the Hei Long private airstrip was bustling with activity.

Around 150 people had gathered—scientists, archaeologists, epigraphers, and a mix of rugged explorers who had likely seen their fair share of danger. The energy in the air was palpable, an odd blend of excitement and apprehension. No one knew what awaited them inside the cave, but the promise of discovery—and wealth—was more than enough to bring them here.

As the massive Hei Long aircraft roared to life, Juwon couldn't help but be intrigued. The technology they were using was beyond anything he had seen before. The real shock, however, came when they arrived above their landing site in the middle of the Daba Mountain Range. Instead of seeking a clearing or deploying parachutes, the aircraft descended vertically, its massive structure balancing effortlessly as it touched down in a hollowed-out space within the dense forest.

Juwon let out a low whistle. "Now that is impressive."

How the hell is this even possible? He had seen cutting-edge technology before, but vertical landings of this magnitude were unheard of outside of military prototypes. Just how deep did Hei Long's resources go?

Dr. Elias Harding chuckled beside him. "Advanced aerodynamics, my friend. Hei Long's been pouring billions into experimental tech, but this… this is next level."

Juwon glanced around at the heavily armed security teams moving with precise efficiency. "They certainly don't skimp on security either."

"Of course not," Elias said. "When you're throwing around five million dollars per head, you make damn sure none of those heads roll."

The rear hatch of the aircraft lowered, and as soon as their boots hit the earth, a fresh wave of untamed wilderness greeted them. The air was crisp and damp, filled with the scent of moss and ancient wood. Towering trees stretched toward the sky, their thick canopy allowing only fragmented rays of sunlight to pierce through. The hum of insects, distant calls of unseen creatures, and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze surrounded them.

Their journey to the caves would not be easy. Two days on foot. Despite the armed guards escorting them, there were others among the group—men and women with no visible weapons, yet their mere presence exuded an unmistakable aura of danger. Fighters, mercenaries, or perhaps something else entirely.

Juwon fell into step beside Liang Rui, his curiosity getting the better of him. "So, Miss Liang, care to tell me why Hei Long is so interested in Zhang Sanfeng's legacy?"

She didn't even look at him. "You already know why."

Juwon smirked. "Do I? You're putting millions on the line for what? An old book? A few scrolls?"

Liang Rui exhaled sharply, her golden eyes flicking toward him for the briefest moment. "You're an archaeologist. Do you not believe history holds power?"

Juwon chuckled. "History holds knowledge. Power is just how you use it."

She didn't respond. Instead, she picked up her pace, moving ahead with the kind of calculated grace that made it clear she was more than just a company representative.

Elias sidled up beside Juwon, amused. "Smooth, kid."

Juwon sighed. "She's hiding something."

And I hate not knowing. Every instinct told him that Hei Long was playing a much larger game than simple archaeology. But what exactly were they after?

Elias smirked. "Of course she is. Welcome to the world of billion-dollar secrets."

As the expedition moved deeper into the mountain range, the dense forest began to close around them. The path ahead was long, but Juwon knew one thing for certain—they were walking straight into the unknown.

That night, they set up camp beneath the vast, star-filled sky. The forest was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustle in the undergrowth. Small fires flickered throughout the campsite as people huddled together, exchanging theories and expectations about the cave they would reach the next day.

Juwon absently touched the pendant tucked beneath his shirt.

Why am I even keeping this? He had dismissed it as a meaningless trinket, yet the further they traveled, the heavier it seemed to feel against his chest. It was irrational, but something about it gnawed at the edges of his mind. The old man's parting gift. He hadn't given it much thought before, but as he stared into the firelight, he couldn't shake the strange sensation that it was guiding him—pulling him toward something unseen.

By midday on the second day, they finally arrived at the entrance to the cave system.

A gaping maw in the mountainside, its darkness seemed to swallow the light. Only a select few were granted entry at a time, while the rest set up another camp outside. Juwon waited his turn, wandering around the perimeter, when he spotted Liang Rui sitting cross-legged near a rock formation, her eyes closed in deep meditation.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

His breath caught as he noticed something impossible—a red aura swirling around her lower abdomen.

Okay… either I'm exhausted, or I'm losing my mind. Qi, auras—those were just myths, right? Then why did he feel an unmistakable pull, like something deep within him recognized what he was seeing? It pulsed gently, flickering like embers

in the dim light. Juwon blinked rapidly. Was he hallucinating? Before he could think further, Liang's eyes snapped open.

"Who's there?" Her voice was sharp.

Juwon's instincts screamed at him to leave. Without a word, he turned and hurried away, but not before noticing the slight narrowing of her golden eyes as she watched him retreat. She knew he had seen something.

When his turn finally came, Juwon entered the cave with a team of experts—geologists, numerologists, and epigraphers. The tunnels twisted like a labyrinth, the air thick with the scent of damp stone. They moved cautiously, avoiding traps until they arrived at a massive stone door covered in inscriptions.

The scholars debated intensely, analyzing the symbols and puzzling over their meaning.

"There are twelve symbols here, arranged in a circular pattern," a numerologist pointed out, adjusting his glasses. "That suggests some sort of cyclical activation—possibly something related to time or elements."

A geologist crouched down, brushing dust away from a deep groove in the stone. "Look here—these indentations aren't just for decoration. Something needs to be placed or pressed into them to trigger the mechanism. But with this kind of weight behind it, brute force won't work."

"It's a combination lock," an epigrapher speculated. "See these inscriptions? Some of these characters relate to the Five Elements theory. Earth, Fire, Water, Wood, and Metal. If we can figure out the right sequence, we might be able to activate the door."

Liang Rui, who had been silently observing, finally stepped forward. "If that's the case, then we should focus on solving it logically. Everyone, go over your notes and cross-reference any similar scripts. This door is meant to be opened—there has to be a solution."

Over the next several hours, the scholars worked tirelessly, cross-referencing texts, debating theories, and testing combinations. Blocks were pressed, symbols aligned, and even the guards watched with quiet anticipation. After several failed attempts, a resounding click echoed through the chamber as the final stone was moved into place.

Everyone held their breath as the mechanisms inside the door groaned to life—only for silence to follow. The door remained shut.

A heavy sense of disappointment settled over the group.

"That should have worked," a historian muttered in disbelief. "We followed every logical step."

Juwon, standing at the back, exhaled slowly. His fingers brushed over the pendant beneath his shirt. The puzzle had been solved—but something was still missing.

"These markings resemble ancient Taoist numerology," a numerologist mused, adjusting his glasses. "The sequence here suggests a cycle—perhaps an indication of how the door operates?"

A geologist ran his hand along the stone. "This isn't just any ordinary rock formation. This structure has withstood centuries without erosion. If there's a mechanism inside, it must be incredibly sophisticated."

"And these inscriptions..." an epigrapher muttered, running his fingers over the carvings. "They bear similarities to early Wudang sect texts, but some of these symbols predate even those records. This could be a lost script entirely."

Elias folded his arms, looking at Juwon. "What do you think?"

Juwon hesitated, feeling the pendant press against his chest beneath his shirt. He knew something no one else did, but revealing it now could change everything. "It's definitely a puzzle," he said finally. "One that's going to take more than just guesswork to solve." Yet Juwon's attention was drawn to something oddly familiar—a carving on the door that matched the shape of his pendant.

Heart pounding, he traced his fingers over the indentation.

No way... His breath hitched. This pendant—is it a key? Who was that old man, and how is this happening? A dozen questions stormed his mind, but he forced his expression to remain neutral. If Hei Long knew he had this piece of the puzzle, what would they do? He knew, without a doubt, that the pendant was the key. But for now, he said nothing, choosing instead to observe.

That night, as the team set up camp inside the tunnels, Juwon lay awake, staring at the stone ceiling above him. His mind was restless, haunted by unanswered questions. What was that red aura? Was I really seeing things? No… something's going on. And why, when I concentrate, can I feel a blue aura within me? What is wrong with me? I should have brought my medicine with me.** Juwon let out a slow breath and raised an arm over his eyes, blocking out the dim glow of the campfire. And why do I feel like this pendant is leading me straight into more trouble than I could think of? Ahhh, curse that old man.**

Frustrated, Juwon pushed himself up and sat there for a moment, staring at the darkened tunnel ahead. His fingers absently brushed the pendant under his shirt.

Enough of this. If this thing is the real deal, I need to know.

With a quiet exhale, he got to his feet, careful not to disturb the others who were fast asleep. Moving with deliberate steps, he navigated the dimly lit cavern, his eyes locked onto the massive stone door.

The pendant pulsed against his chest as if it had been waiting for this moment.