boyutpedia Chapter 461 Underwater Escape (2)
Chapter 461 Underwater Escape (2)
The lotus pond under the moonlight is quiet and beautiful. A gentle evening breeze blows by, spreading bursts of subtle fragrance, making people feel relaxed and happy. The koi in the water are still swimming tirelessly, and when they hear people's footsteps, they even jump out of the water to join in the fun.
However, Yu Qingli and the others were not in the mood to appreciate the scenery. After looking around, Xiluo slid into the water first, followed closely by Yu Qingli.
Although the four seasons in Dong Tang are like spring, there is still a distinction between summer and winter. So when Yu Qingli got into the water, she felt the biting cold penetrating through her skin and into her bones. It was as painful as if dense needles were pricking her.
"Miss, are you okay?"
Xiluo was a little worried. She had discovered before that although the weather here at night was roughly the same as during the day, the water was as cold as a real winter. It would be better if she had martial arts skills. Yu Qingli had no internal strength at all, and she didn't know if she could withstand it.
Sure enough, this method was too risky.
Yu Qingli's face was pale from the cold and her teeth were trembling. The feeling of this cold invasion was very uncomfortable and even made her want to sleep. If she hadn't clenched her teeth, she would have almost fainted.
Realizing that something was wrong with Yu Qingli, Xiluo reached out and pulled her, palms facing each other, and transferred his internal energy towards her.
Yu Qingli only felt a warm warmth flowing through her body, allowing her limbs to move again. She gave Xiluo a grateful look, signaling Xiluo to conserve his strength, and then she followed Xiluo to swim towards the bottom of the water.
The cold pool water could not stop Yu Qingli and the others. Yu Qingli followed Xiluo and dived to the bottom of the pool. It was pitch black. Fortunately, Yu Qingli and the others were well prepared. Among the treasures that Tang Yi had sent them these days, only a huge night pearl was kept by Yu Qingli, just for today.
The light of the night pearl appeared very soft under the water. Even the koi in the pond were attracted by the light and gathered towards the position of Yu Qingli and the others.
With the night pearl leading the way, Yu Qingli and the others had a much smoother journey. In addition, Xiluo had already come here to explore the area, so soon, the two of them arrived at the location where light was emitted during the day.
The entrance to the cave was extremely small, and could only accommodate one person at most. Xiluo nimbly went in, and Yu Qingli followed closely behind. They followed the current all the way forward, and unexpectedly discovered that the entrance to the cave was actually the entrance to a secret passage. The further they went in, the shallower the water level became, and the larger the entrance to the cave became. In the end, the narrow entrance had completely turned into a secret passage.
The moment Yu Qingli and Xiluo walked out of the water and breathed the fresh air again, they smiled at each other. It seemed that they had won the bet. This was indeed a secret passage leading out of the palace. Although they didn't know who built it, it made things convenient for them.
The two walked forward. Although the secret passage looked very old, it was still clean. There was a stream winding through the secret passage, which was the water connected to the lotus pond in the palace.
Yu Qingli and Xiluo didn't know how long they had been walking, but they could already vaguely see some light. They excitedly held each other's hands tightly, the joy in their eyes clearly visible.
"Miss, it looks like we can really leave here."
"We can't be too relaxed now. Although we have left the palace, we don't know where this secret passage leads to. Moreover, since this secret passage is inside the palace, it must have been built to deal with some emergency. There is no guarantee that no one in the palace knows about it. So we have to leave here as soon as possible. Once Tang Yi and the others find out that we are missing, I am afraid it will be even more difficult to escape.
"Miss, it's better to be cautious after all."
Xiluo said no more and just carefully explored the way and continued forward with Yu Qingli. The deep and dark corridor was like the belly of a giant python, with no end in sight. If it weren't for the night pearl in their hands to illuminate them, they would probably really despair in this darkness.
Xiluo was already starting to get anxious, her steps quickening as she muttered, "This isn't right. I saw the light before, but why is it getting darker now?"
"Don't worry. It's not that close from the Imperial City to the outside. Be patient, and you will eventually find your way out."
"But we don't know how long this secret passage is. If we just keep walking forward, when will we reach the end?"
Yu Qingli laughed and soothed him, "Xiluo, our current situation is much better than when we were imprisoned in the palace. Although it's dark and gloomy here, it feels more real. And think about it, as long as we can escape successfully, we will have a way to go back."
"Miss, you are right. I was confused. Miss, please be careful. There seems to be something on the road ahead."
Looking over with the light of the night pearl, Yu Qingli's sight collided with a python lurking in the cave. She was immediately startled and broke out in a cold sweat. Pythons were the thing she feared the most. Those smooth and cold scales and those cold eyes made her feel creepy just thinking about them.
Fortunately, Xiluo was by her side at this time.
Xiluo was also startled. How could there be a python coiled in this cave entrance? What a freak thing! Could it be that their guess was wrong? Was this not the exit of the palace at all, but a place where criminals were imprisoned?
Yu Qingli was also at a loss for words, and began to doubt her own judgment. If this was an escape hatch built by someone in the palace to deal with an important matter, how could such a giant snake be lurking here? And judging by the shape of the python, it was obvious that it had been lurking there for years.
"Miss, please stand back and let me see if I can kill this beast."
A cold light flashed in Xiluo's eyes. He pulled out the exquisite dagger he carried with him from his boots, looked at the giant python with sharp eyes, and wondered where to start.
The giant python didn't move, resting its head comfortably on its body. It didn't seem to have any intention of starting a war, and even had a hint of disdain. Yu Qingli was shocked. She had heard in her early years that the reason why the Dong Tang Kingdom was so prosperous was because there was a dragon god who protected the country in the Dong Tang Palace. She had always thought that this was just a rumor. Now it seems that this giant python is the so-called dragon god who protects the country?
Yu Qingli's eyes met the giant python's again. From the python's eyes, she actually saw its doubt and disdain towards them. This time, she was very sure that she was not mistaken. She couldn't help but have a bold guess in her mind. If this giant python was really the legendary beast, then it should at least be able to understand what they wanted to express.
Yu Qingli thought of this and quickly stopped Xiluo's actions, "Xiluo, wait a minute, don't do anything yet!"
Although Xiluo had doubts in her heart, she still suspended her attack. Yu Qingli nodded in satisfaction, suppressed the fear in her heart, and slowly walked to the front of the giant python. The huge python also looked down at her, and its condescending look almost seemed to want to swallow Yu Qingli in one bite.
Yu Qingli clenched her fists, her palms wet with sweat. She looked at the giant python calmly, "Listen, I don't know how many years you've been entrenched here, but we don't mean to hurt you. We just want to pass through here and leave the palace. If you were truly intelligent, you would know that if we continued to stay in Dong Tang, war between the two countries would be inevitable, and the people would suffer. Is this what you want to see?"
After waiting for a long time, the python showed no reaction. Yu Qingli was stunned. Could it be that she was mistaken? Things were not what she thought at all. If someone saw her talking to the python just now, they would definitely think she was crazy.
"Miss, let's just kill this beast. How can it understand what people say?"
As Xiluo finished speaking, the python suddenly moved. First, its head rose high, and then, with a sweep of its tail, it knocked Xiluo to the ground, leaving her no chance to fight back. Surprised, Yu Qingli quickly ran to Xiluo's side and helped her up. She shouted to the python, "If you understand what I'm saying, don't attack me recklessly. Xiluo only treats you as an ordinary python and has no other intentions."
A strange thing happened. The giant python really stopped attacking and looked at Yu Qingli steadily, with a bit of scrutiny in its vertical pupils, but it really did not hurt them again.
Yu Qingli helped Xiluo up, "Xiluo, are you okay?"
Xiluo shook her head. Although the beast was quite strong, it didn't seem to have any intention of hurting her. It just knocked her to the ground, probably as a warning.
At this moment, Xiluo finally believed that perhaps this python really understood human nature and could communicate with humans.
Seeing that the python stopped attacking, Yu Qingli secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She was now more and more certain of one thing: this was not a secret passage leading to the outside at all. It was probably a habitat built by the ancestors of the Emperor of Eastern Tang for the giant python that protected the country. Thinking of this, her heart sank. This was her only chance. If she failed, where would she escape from?
Yu Qingli felt a little disappointed, but when she saw Xiluo beside her, she cheered up again. Perhaps, things were not so bad. Since she couldn't leave here, she might as well stay in Dongtang Palace and think of a solution later.
Yu Qingli sighed softly, helped Xiluo up from the ground, turned around and prepared to go back.
"Miss, what are you doing?" Xiluo was puzzled. They had finally come here, how could they leave without doing anything? Moreover, they had not yet reached the end of the cave.
"Xiluo, it seems that I was wrong before. This place is not an escape route at all. It is just a habitat built by someone for this giant python."
"How is this possible? Who would build something like this just for a giant python? Are they just bored?"
"What if this giant python is the Dragon God who protects the country of Dong Tang?"
"The Dragon God who protects the nation?" Xiluo was a little bit incredulous. "Does Miss also believe in such weird things?"
Yu Qingli did not explain. If it was in her previous life, she would definitely not believe it. However, since she could be reborn, why couldn't the legend of the guardian dragon god be true?