That afternoon, the Qi Yun team arrived in full force in Beijing, except for the group under Gao Min and A Ming, who stayed back.

Additionally, two Feng Shui experts found by Xiao Hanguang also arrived at the hotel.

"Boss, the people have arrived." Brother Quan led the two individuals into the room.

One was older, about the same age as Yao Yuzhong, although he had no white hair and looked robust, similar to the elderly men who do morning exercises and tree-hitting in the neighborhood.

He was wearing a Tang suit and fiddling with a string of rosewood Buddha beads in his left hand, exuding quite an air.

The younger one was in his forties, with a rather cold appearance, a tall and upright figure, and a demeanor somewhat similar to Xiao Wu, indicating he might also be a martial artist.

Qi Yun initially thought that the people Xiao Hanguang found would be experts and scholars from the bureau, but looking at these two, they didn't seem to fit that impression.

He put down his work and got up to greet them: "Haha, are you the experts recommended by Director Xiao? I am Qi Yun. Our journey to the Ai Lao mountains will require your expertise."

The elder gentleman cupped his hands towards Qi Yun: "Mr. Qi, you're too kind. I am no expert; everyone calls me Qin Sizhi, you can also call me Old Qin."

"This is my apprentice, Jin Bao."

The middle-aged man named Jin Bao also cupped his fists toward Qi Yun: "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Qi."

Qi Yun smiled and nodded, his gaze instinctively falling on the old man's hands, noticing that his right hand was missing a little finger, only four fingers remaining!

No wonder he's called Qin Sizhi, the name fits quite well...

Xiao Hanguang only mentioned that these two were quite capable and met his requirements, without detailing much else, so Qi Yun was still unsure of their backgrounds.

Qi Yun withdrew his gaze and gestured them over: "Old Qin, Brother Jin, please have a seat here."

The three of them sat on the sofa, and Qi Yun handed over the list of equipment, supplemented by Yao Yuzhong: "Please take a look to see if we need to add anything for our trip to the mountains."

Qin Sizhi took the list, glanced at it, and his gaze paused on the large quantity of realgar powder, asking Qi Yun in confusion: "May I ask, Mr. Qi, why so much realgar powder...?"

There are snakes, insects, and rats in the Ai Lao mountains, but isn't ten kilograms a bit overboard?

Qi Yun thought for a moment, then called to Brother Quan at the door: "Brother Quan, please bring Old Yao over."

"Please wait a moment, I'll have someone else explain the specifics to you."

Brother Quan acknowledged and soon returned with Old Yao.

As soon as Yao Yuzhong entered, his gaze landed on Qin Sizhi, showing a look of astonishment.

Qin Sizhi glanced back at him, his hand holding the teacup paused in mid-air.

Qi Yun was about to introduce them but noticed their strange reaction.

His gaze shifted between Yao Yuzhong and Qin Sizhi, forming a suspicion, and he chuckled lightly: "It seems you two know each other? What a coincidence."

Yao Yuzhong snapped back, with a somewhat complex expression on his face.

Qin Sizhi put down his teacup, a trace of wistfulness flashing in his eyes: "Old Yao, I thought we'd never cross paths again in this lifetime, and here we are today."

Yao Yuzhong sat beside them, explaining: "Mr. Qi asked me to guide the way for him."

Qin Sizhi nodded slightly, sighing: "As long as we're still alive, it's good."

After just a few words, neither of them spoke further, as if they weren't very familiar.

Qi Yun addressed Yao Yuzhong: "Old Yao, Old Qin is here to assist us, he'll be traveling with us, give him a detailed introduction of the situation."

Yao Yuzhong nodded and began narrating.

However, he did not mention the treasure, only saying they were searching for something there.

At first, Qin Sizhi had no reaction, but upon hearing about the large number of snakes in the cave, his expression turned uneasy.

"Old Qin, is there an issue?" Qi Yun asked, noticing his demeanor.

Qin Sizhi pondered slightly, then countered: "Do you know why that place is called Ai Lao mountains?"

Qi Yun shook his head; he hadn't researched this.

But from Yao Yuzhong's demeanor, it seemed he knew something, yet he stayed silent.

Qin Sizhi fiddled with the Buddha beads and began to speak slowly: "Before the Qin dynasty, an ancient kingdom settled in the mountains, known as Ailao Kingdom."

"Legend has it that the ancestors of Ailao Kingdom descended from Jiulong, born to a mother named Shayi who conceived after touching a fallen log, and among their nine sons, Jiulong, the most virtuous, became the king, thus establishing the Ailao Kingdom."

"The Ailao Kingdom resided in the Ai Lao mountain range for generations, the mountains were rampant with miasma and snakes and insects, so the ancestors figured out a way to co-exist with the snakes for survival."

"They would deliberately leave resting spots in dark places, allowing the snake groups to prey on other pests; over time, the snake's sloughs and gallbladders became medicinal, and snakes turned into a totem for the Ailao Kingdom."

"If what you mentioned about that cave is true, the person who hid things there is definitely aware of the cave's situation, doing it on purpose."

"He might even be a descendant of the Ailao Kingdom or someone knowledgeable about its history, likely possessing methods to manipulate the snake groups."

Yao Yuzhong showed no change in expression, but Qi Yun felt a shock in his heart, unprepared for this piece of history being involved.

It seemed that back then, the profit-seeker or someone around him was capable of controlling those snake groups, enabling five hundred porters to move the treasure deep into the cave.

With this thought, Qi Yun cast a glance at Yao Yuzhong.

Was this guy really unaware of these circumstances, or was he hiding something all along?

"So... with this sulfur powder, can we drive the snakes out of the cave?" Jin Bao, who had been silent, asked Qin Sizhi, with rare hesitation on his otherwise unyielding face.