Chapter Seventy-One: The Serpent's Formation

With a loud bang, half of a globe flew out from the library doorway, crashed into the wall, and splinters scattered everywhere.

Immediately after, Kalle staggered out, clutching the white bronze cylinder in his arms, stumbling toward them.

Gu Qingcheng stepped out of the restroom at once, hands clasped behind her back, standing in the corridor to block Kalle’s path.

I’ve spent... all that time and still can't open the lock. No, I won’t accept it. I’ll take it to Kathmandu right away, find the best locksmith... I must open it, I have to open it... Kalle mumbled as he approached, his drunken eyes lifting to glance at Gu Qingcheng.

You’re drunk. Go back, get some sleep, and we’ll talk tomorrow, Gu Qingcheng said coldly.

I’m not sleeping, I’m not... I have to go to Kathmandu. Move, move... Kalle continued forward, his right hand reaching to push Gu Qingcheng’s shoulder.

The moment his hand touched her, her left arm swung fluidly, boneless, and with a deft twist of her golden-threaded wrist, she caught his right arm, stirred it three times, and with a gentle push, sent Kalle staggering back and falling flat on his back.

Gu Qingcheng reacted swiftly, her hand darting out to catch the white bronze cylinder before it hit the ground.

You’re drunk. She patted the cylinder, then turned and handed it to Guan Wen.

I’m not drunk, I’m not... drunk... Kalle rolled over, his head pillowed on his left arm, and within a minute, his loud snoring filled the air. The saying that drink ruins affairs truly never fails; had he not been drunk, their skirmish would have lasted several more rounds, not ended in a single encounter.

The two stood close, watching Kalle. The young man's abnormal behavior only deepened their suspicions. At such close range, if Gu Qingcheng wished, she could have taken his life at any moment; her finger was already secretly curled around the trigger of her pistol. Finally, she slowly stepped back, exhaled a long breath, and let go of the killing intent that had just gathered.

What about him—should we...? Guan Wen tentatively asked.

Put it away, and forget everything else. We’ll give it to Baoling tomorrow, Gu Qingcheng instructed calmly.

Guan Wen entered the guest room, closed the door behind him, and carefully locked it. He had to take every precaution himself, not relying on others.

On the bed, Baoling was still sound asleep, her posture unchanged.

He placed the white bronze cylinder under the bed, then lay down on the sofa, fully clothed, and drifted into a deep sleep. His dreams were short and came one after another, all involving venomous snakes. In the final dream, the Summer Palace became a giant snake pit, even Kalle transformed into a ferocious king cobra, slithering back and forth across the withered grass, commanding the serpents to attack.

Snakes? Baoling? Guan Wen woke with a start and found the door wide open, the night wind howling in. Baoling was not on the bed, nor was the white bronze cylinder under it. He was alone in the room.

He jumped up, barefoot, not even stopping to put on his shoes.

This time, he saw Baoling. She was holding the white bronze cylinder, step by step making her way toward the meditation chamber at the end of the corridor.

Guan Wen dared not call out again, for from her back she seemed to be sleepwalking. If he tried to wake her with a shout, it might bring disaster.

Just as he was about to follow, a figure darted out beside him, swiftly covered his mouth, pushed him back into the room, and flicked off the light.

Hush—don't shout or move, it's me. It was Little Huo’s voice.

Baoling is sleepwalking. We have to bring her back, Guan Wen whispered anxiously as soon as Little Huo let go.

Let’s wait a bit. It’s not just sleepwalking; someone has used soul-shifting magic on her—an advanced sort. I know it’s Kalle. In the darkness, Little Huo’s eyes shone, like a falcon poised to strike from above.

Guan Wen listened intently; Baoling’s shuffling footsteps echoed in the distance.

Soul-shifting magic? Why would Kalle do that? Guan Wen was confused.

Little Huo shook his head. I don't know. We’ll only understand when the final moment comes. Luckily, Sister Gu and I anticipated this and made preparations. Right now, she’s lying in wait on the eaves outside the library window. If anything happens, she’ll give a signal. We’ll close in from both sides.

Guan Wen sniffed the air; the poisonous, fishy smell seemed to grow stronger.

Mr. Guan, since you can draw other people’s dreams, can you control them? Little Huo suddenly asked.

This was something Guan Wen had never considered before. He forced a smile and shook his head. No, that’s the highest level of psychology. I’m just an ordinary painter—how could I possibly do that?

Little Huo chuckled softly. Mr. Guan, you’re too modest. Sister Gu holds you in high regard; anyone can tell from her words and demeanor. I’ve always wondered, how could a talent like you stay in a remote temple, painting your days away, instead of shining on a grander stage? If you wish, when this is over, I can recommend you to Nepal’s National Advanced Talent Reserve Center. You’ll find your talents truly recognized there.

Guan Wen sighed. Thank you, Little Huo, but I’m Chinese. I’ve never considered serving another country. Besides, demon-banishing is extremely dangerous. Let’s talk about it if I’m lucky enough to escape alive.

Though Master Tianjiu, Master Shu, Tsering Dajie, Master Sangche, and others all had high hopes for him, believing he could save Tibet and banish evil, at this very moment, he felt only fear and self-doubt. He felt unworthy of such a task. For instance, the thought that he had to rely on Gu Qingcheng’s protection in moments of crisis filled him with shame; after all, the ancients only spoke of heroes rescuing beauties, rarely of beauties saving heroes.

Hiss, hiss, hiss—a strange sound came from the right side of the room. Startled, Guan Wen realized it could only be the sound of a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

With a click, Little Huo switched on his flashlight, the beam slicing toward the source, only to reveal an old-fashioned set of brass radiator pipes. Then the light went out, the beam vanished, but the sinister, evil hissing only grew louder.

The heating pipes ran through all the rooms of the main building. Unlike those in mainland cities, their diameter was at least three inches, with no valves in between. That meant if a snake entered, it could easily reach any room in the building.

It’s snakes—venomous ones. Guan Wen sniffed again; the poisonous stench now made him slightly dizzy.

Sister Gu was right. Kalle has raised a large number of poisonous snakes in the main building, which explains why there are no other creatures around, and the lawn is completely dead. Before we arrived, he had everyone clean inside and out just to erase all traces of the snakes. All right, don’t move from here. Wait for my signal—Little Huo hunched low, slid along the door, and vanished into the corridor.

Guan Wen waited for a while, then couldn’t help himself. He poked his head out and looked to the end of the corridor.

Baoling had stopped in front of the library door, turned, and walked inside.

No hesitation now, Guan Wen left the room, stuck close to the corridor wall, and moved swiftly toward the library.

Open it. I’m sure you can. It was Kalle’s voice, clear and calm, with not a trace of drunkenness.

Guan Wen was puzzled. If even the tomb-raider Kalle couldn’t open it, how could Baoling?

Suddenly, the corridor lights overhead went out, plunging everything into darkness. He crouched low, listening intently.

Moments later, a dim, yellowish light glowed in the library—Kalle must have lit candles. The flickering light cast Baoling’s thin shadow on the opposite wall, looming and shrinking like a ghost.

This is your dream. It has nothing to do with reality. Trust me, you can do it, you can open it, because the Summer Palace was left for you by the ancestors of the Karnar family. I went to great lengths to find you, bring you back, and arrange all this just to have you open it now. Don’t delay; I know you can hear me. I also know you’re eager to open it—to see what lies inside...

Kalle’s voice grew lower and lower, until it was impossible to make out his words.

Guan Wen, anxious, edged forward. His throat, tense with nerves, involuntarily made a guttural sound, which immediately alerted Kalle.

A flash of shadow—Kalle rushed out, seized Guan Wen by the collar, and pressed an icy cold dagger to his throat.

You? My soul-shifting magic covers the entire estate, yet it doesn’t work on you? No matter, you’re just in time. If Miss Baoling can’t open the white bronze cylinder, perhaps you can help. Kalle grinned viciously, dragging Guan Wen into the library.

Baoling stood before the globe stand. The split globe had been reassembled and placed back on its pedestal. On the wall niche nearby, a pewter candelabrum cast limited light, illuminating only the area around the globe.

Don’t hurt her. She’s sleepwalking—if something happens, nothing else can go forward. Kalle, all you care about is the treasure of Mount Nisari—don't let this end in tragedy! Guan Wen pleaded softly.

He was certain Baoling was in a strange sleepwalking state, haunted for years by nightmares, and now she must be reliving some terror from another era.

Yet reality was more dreadful than any nightmare. Kalle had gone to extraordinary lengths, luring them into the Summer Palace with trap after trap—his scheming was truly chilling.

Kalle had changed into a wide, black robe, the stiff high collar jutting upward. Around his waist was something Guan Wen at first took for a black-and-white sash, but then realized was actually a living snake over a meter long.

Don’t worry. I won’t kill her before this thing is opened. Kalle flicked his red tongue silently, mimicking the movement of a snake, and in the candlelight, his pupils shone faint green—just like a serpent’s eyes.

Of course, if she dies, you get nothing. All your schemes will be for nothing. If you’re willing to give up, we can talk things through—resolve everything peacefully. Guan Wen glanced at the library window, hoping Gu Qingcheng, if she was truly waiting on the eaves, would hear his words.