Only Qin Sizhi and his apprentice stayed still.

"Why aren’t you going to take some?" Qi Yun asked Qin Sizhi.

Qin Sizhi smiled awkwardly, "Mr. Qi, is this... might not be appropriate..."

Their identities were indeed special, with many concerns, and they dared not take casually.

Qi Yun was initially wary of the two, but as they hadn’t displayed any abnormal behavior, he didn’t mind letting them make some small gains.

He waved his hand and said, "Go ahead, as long as you don’t say anything, it’ll be fine."

"Even if questions come from above later, I’ll explain."

Qin Sizhi’s eyes darted around, and then he nodded with a smile, "Alright, thank you, Mr. Qi."

"Jin Bao, since Mr. Qi is so kind, go grab some, just enough for our travel expenses, hahaha..."

Qi Yun found it amusing; the old guy feared a trap from him and worried that not taking some might make him suspicious.

However, he didn’t point it out; after all, the opportunity was given, whether you take it or not is up to you.

The weight of these small gold bricks was considerable, each estimated to be one or two kilograms.

Jin Bao took just one symbolically and stepped back, while An Zai and the others weren’t so reserved, packing as much as they could carry.

They knew their boss’s temperament well; once Qi Yun gave the go-ahead, they could rest easy.

Once everyone was loaded, they prepared to leave.

Exiting the stone chamber, Qi Yun shone a flashlight deeper into the cave, looking thoughtful.

"Should I go and take a look up ahead?" Brother Quan noticed Qi Yun’s intention and asked quietly.

Qi Yun shook his head; what they sought was already obtained, no need to risk further.

This mountain range stretched for dozens of kilometers; no one knew how long the cave was or if hidden dangers lay ahead.

If another giant snake appeared, they’d truly be courting death.

Anyway, after exiting, he would inform Xiao Hanguang; whether to explore further would be decided from above.

"Let’s return the way we came."

Seeing Qi Yun’s decision, everyone maintained formation and began retreating.

....

When they reached outside, it was nearly dark.

An Zai looked around and suddenly exclaimed, "Eh, why is there one person missing?"

Qi Yun took out a cigarette and lit it, without answering.

Five minutes later, Xiao Wu emerged from the cave entrance, shaking his head at Qi Yun.

Qi Yun cursed inwardly, damn, they really let him escape.

With nightfall, traveling through the mountains was impossible, so they found a flat spot to camp overnight.

Dinner was simply instant noodles with canned beef; after eating, Qi Yun sought out Qin Sizhi to inquire about the cave.

"Master Qin, in your opinion, where does the deep end of the cave lead?"

Previously, Qin Sizhi had mentioned Ailao Kingdom clues, and Qi Yun thought he might know more.

However, hearing this, Qin Sizhi fell into prolonged silence, finally sighing and shaking his head, "I can’t guess, but your decision not to venture further was correct."

"Oh?" Qi Yun raised an eyebrow, waiting for more.

"Let me tell you a story. Years ago, my master and I visited Qinling, inside a long passage within the mountain, ending at a vast underground hollow."

"Just entering, you could smell a pungent stench, ten times stronger than today’s giant snake."

"We proceeded with torches, feeling increasingly uneasy; large scales began appearing on the floor, and further ahead, irregular scratches emerged on the cave walls, as if caused by something massive rubbing over years.

The most terrifying part was hearing... breathing from the cave’s depths, slow and heavy, a sound unforgettable for me."

"It felt like... like something enormous was breathing in slumber... even the ground trembled slightly..."

At this point, Qin Sizhi’s voice lowered involuntarily, his eyes reflecting fear.

"Eventually, we dared not proceed and retreated. Afterwards, my master warned me never to return there; it seemed to be a creature’s lair."

"In this world, there are many things beyond our comprehension, requiring a respectful heart..."

Hearing this, Qi Yun suddenly recalled something; he pulled out his phone, found a photo, and showed it to Qin Sizhi.

"Is this the kind of scale?"

Qin Sizhi leaned closer to the screen for a careful look, his face turning pale.

"Yes... that’s the kind of scale! Silver sheen, with unique markings on the back..."

He looked up at Qi Yun, voice trembling, "Mr. Qi, where... where did you get this?"

Qi Yun couldn’t answer that question, nor was it appropriate to; he simply shook his head, saying, "Found it by chance."

Qin Sizhi understood he didn’t want to say, so he didn’t pursue further.

"What do you think these scales could belong to?"

"I can’t say." Qin Sizhi’s voice was dry, "I wanted to bring some scales out, but my master forbade it..."

Qi Yun squinted, feeling increasingly mystified by Kunlun Mountain’s secrets.

"Back then, in which part of Qinling was the cave?"

"Taibai Mountain... Black Cloud Valley."

"But that place is no longer found on maps; within half a year of our exit, the entire valley was buried by a landslide."

Qi Yun frowned, "Are there other entrances?"

Qin Sizhi noticed Qi Yun’s keen interest and hesitated before replying, "There might be; the passage is large, likely with more than one entrance."

"Alright, I’ll further consider it; accompany me on another visit when I contact you." Qi Yun patted his arm with reassurance, "Rest assured, I’ll fully prepare before going."

Qin Sizhi showed a bitter expression but ultimately nodded in agreement.

Nothing more was said aloud; the next day, before dawn, they began their return journey, with familiarity making it quicker than their arrival.

Trailing the group was Eagle, who constantly wrote and sketched in his notebook, recording the route from the mountain; upon exiting, Qi Yun planned to pass it to Xiao Hanguang.

By dawn, the group finally appeared at the checkpoint.

Qi Yun immediately called the local police and the Jade Seal branch, asking them to monitor major exits for the chance of capturing Yao Yuzhong.

Though he held only a tryout attitude, not relying too much on it; given the old man’s cunning nature, capture seemed unlikely.

The main hope was on Yao Fengjuan’s side, as he didn’t believe Yao Yuzhong could escape without contacting his daughter, even if just a message, with current technology, they could quickly pinpoint his location.

...

The next day, National Cultural Heritage Administration.

In the office, Xiao Hanguang, upon hearing the Ailao Mountain account, didn’t display the shock Qi Yun anticipated, instead remaining calm, leisurely sipping tea.

"I said there was a giant snake in the cave! Nearly twenty meters long!" Qi Yun emphasized again.

"I heard, just a snake, isn’t it?" Xiao Hanguang glanced at him, a mischievous air suddenly about him, speaking elderly teasingly, "Little Qi, you’ve heard of the Yellow River drying in the ’90s, and what was dug up from the riverbed?"

Qi Yun blinked, "What was unearthed?"

"Haha, those are secrets; your level isn’t enough to know such things yet."

"Now you’re considered part of the system; why not come and be my secretary? That way, you’ll have a chance to see those files." Xiao Hanguang lightly chuckled.

Qi Yun had no interest in serving others, promptly declined.

Before leaving, he inquired about Qin Sizhi’s background, receiving results closely aligning with what Yao Yuzhong had said.

With matters settled there, Qi Yun didn’t return to Shanghai, heading straight back to J Province.

It was because Qin Minghui sent word, Zhang Dayong was in trouble, and even trouble Qin Minghui couldn’t mediate...

On the plane, Qi Yun frowned at the phone, asking, "Does Li the Eighth have such influence? Even you can’t save it?"

On the other end, Qin Minghui explained, "It’s a bit complicated... seems like he’s been set up."

"Evidence has already been exposed by out-of-town media; I can’t strongly intervene..."