Chapter 65
Li Zhuiyuan was about to speak out a warning, but as soon as the voice reached his throat, before he could shout out, a detector suddenly rose into the sky.
Everyone was shocked and looked up one after another. Many flashlights were shining upwards. In the panic, they only saw a thick body standing high and swinging.
This scene caused the scene to collapse directly.
The raised body fell rapidly, and the lantern-like eyes drew two red light shadows in the night sky, and then rushed straight towards the cave.
Everything happened too fast and too urgently. Some of the detectors outside were frightened and stood there, while some fell down and pulled with their hands, but their knees were too weak and they couldn't get up. There were also many purely spontaneous comments mixed in. Screaming and yelling instinctively.
If they encounter other sudden unexpected situations, this group of detectors who work outside all year round and have a certain degree of organization will really not be so panicked. But the problem is, facing such a thing that suddenly appears in the darkness late at night, they will be frightened. Stupid is the reaction of normal people.
Comparatively speaking, Li Zhuiyuan and the other four, who had experienced many strange incidents, were more tolerant. While the others were still at a loss, Runsheng had already reached out and grabbed Li Zhuiyuan's arm and was about to pull him away. The boy was carried on his back, and Xue Liangliang and Tan Wenbin stood up using each other as support.
From a purely rational point of view, they should have more opportunities to avoid and move than others now, but unfortunately, the "two big lanterns" ignored the other people on the river beach and rushed straight towards them.
This is its hole and now it's coming home.
The four people in the cave suddenly had no way out. If they continued to stand there, they would either be swallowed by the thing or be crushed to death by it in the cave.
Runsheng picked up Li Zhuiyuan and turned around and ran into the cave. Tan Wenbin and Xue Liangliang followed closely behind. The four of them came to the cave in the cave and jumped down collectively without hesitation.
The moment he jumped down, Runsheng pulled Li Zhuiyuan in front of him, protected him with his arms, and used his body as a pad.
Perhaps because that thing often came in and out of here, the rocks on the tunnel wall were polished so smooth that it could even be called smooth. After the four people jumped in, they quickly slid down diagonally like on a slide.
From behind, the harsh friction sound like truck tires constantly slipping on a smooth road kept coming, and the tunnel began to tremble violently.
Because Li Zhuiyuan was protected by Runsheng, he could look behind him. The pair of huge red lanterns were following closely behind him. He could vaguely see the two legs shaking constantly under the red lanterns. They were the ones who were captured at the beginning. Biting detector.
At this time, Li Zhuiyuan heard a sound from below, like a huge wind.
This means that the tunnel is almost at its end, it should be empty below, and the four of them will probably fall to their death!
But at this time, there are no other feasible measures at all. Not to mention that it can't be done, even if it can be done, trying to stabilize the body shape and slow down at this moment will result in being swallowed by the thing behind.
Second, if you insist on choosing an ending for yourself, it seems that instead of being eaten by that thing, it is better to fall to death and have a good time.
Soon, the feeling of weightlessness appeared, and the four people slid out of the tunnel, and then fell quickly.
Even when he was falling, Li Zhuiyuan still looked up, where the four of him had slipped out. The pair of red lanterns stopped at the tunnel exit and did not follow them down.
In this way, the red lantern became smaller and smaller and blurred in his field of vision.
"Plop! Plop! Plop!"
Continuous sound of falling water.
Li Zhuiyuan felt the stinging pain when the water hit his back, but at the same time he felt relieved. He knew that the big guy's life was temporarily saved because there were two people in the team who were very good at water.
Without moving, just cooperating, Runsheng quickly grabbed himself and swam to one side. The undercurrent was deep, but not wide. Soon, the two of them landed on the shore.
"Xiaoyuan, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Brother Runsheng, how about you?"
"I have rough skin and thick flesh."
Li Zhuiyuan took out his flashlight, knocked it, and turned it on again.
Everyone in the exploration team has a waterproof flashlight like this, which is hung on the body and will never be left behind except under special circumstances. The only problem is that this thing is a bit stupid and bulky, and it often suffers from poor contact, but the repair method is also very simple. Find a stone and knock it.
"Pah! Pah! Pah!"
Li Zhuiyuan kept turning his flashlight on and off.
After a while, the same response came from the other side.
The underground river was very noisy and reverberated so severely that long-distance calls could not be transmitted.
The boy pressed the light twice at long intervals, which meant that there were two of them here. The other side quickly did the same operation. It seemed that Xue Liangliang and Tan Wenbin came ashore from that side.
Li Zhuiyuan held up his flashlight and waved it with the light beam, indicating that they should not rush to join together, and each could check the situation on their own shore to see where it would be more suitable.
Xue Liangliang also shook the lamppost, indicating that he understood.
This is not lantern language. The basis of communication is the understanding ability of both parties.
Next, Li Zhuiyuan began to use a flashlight to observe his surroundings. In order to save power, Runsheng's flashlight was temporarily disabled. The same was true for the other side, with only a ray of light.
Not only is the coast on my side not narrow, but it is also very spacious. There is generally a distance of more than ten meters between the rock wall and the undercurrent.
But the problem was that the rock wall was a little too smooth, like a large mirror. Runsheng tried to climb it with his bare hands, but had to give up in the end and couldn't get up at all.
Li Zhuiyuan was not disappointed by this. After all, that thing was at the top. Even if he could climb up like this, he might still encounter it.
At this time, the lights on the other side lit up, first flashing rapidly and frequently, and then shaking vertically.
"Brother Runsheng, Brother Liangliang found something over there, let's go over there."
"Okay."
But just when Li Zhuiyuan was about to hang the flashlight back on himself, the light of the flashlight caught a figure.
At first, the boy thought he was dazzled, because in an environment dominated by darkness, he trusted his ears more.
The flashlight was shined back again, and the man appeared again. He stood there, holding on to the rock wall with his right hand, and stretched out his right leg, revealing half of his face, as if he was peeping.
Runsheng immediately took two steps forward and came to the front of the boy. Obviously, he also saw it.
"Xiaoyuan, do you want to go and have a look?"
Runsheng knew that a boy would always choose to be cautious when in a dangerous situation, but this time, the boy's answer was:
"Brother Runsheng, let's move forward."
"Okay."
To be cautious, Li Zhuiyuan had only explored the area after landing. He had not been to the front area yet, but looking at the figure and posture of the person, it was obvious that there was a sunken area on the left side of the person.
Either there happened to be a raised edge there, or there was a new hole in it.
He probably calculated the time it took for the four of him to slip from the tunnel and the time it took for him to free fall after leaving the tunnel, and he barely calculated a vertical drop. Under this drop, he blindly followed the flow of the underground river, waiting for the high probability that he would not It is the sunlight after walking out of the Water Curtain Cave, but further downwards.
The best way to get out of here is to find a way up.
The flashlight kept falling on the "peeping" figure. Not only did the figure not hide away, but he remained motionless.
Could it be that he is not a human being?
When the distance was close enough and the flashlight's delicate glow revealed that it was the texture of stone, Li Zhuiyuan felt relieved. It was indeed not a human being, but a stone sculpture.
However, the shape of this stone sculpture is a bit too weird.
Li Zhuiyuan didn't know whether the stone carving was originally painted, but it was no longer visible at all. Judging from the shape of the stone carving, it should be a woman.
She wasn't peeping...she was observing.
The two words are very close, but they represent completely different voices. The former mainly refers to himself and Runsheng, while the latter mainly refers to stone figures.
Li Zhuiyuan shined the flashlight towards the left rear of the stone sculpture and revealed a cave with stairs inside.
Immediately afterwards, Li Zhuiyuan shined the flashlight on the stone sculpture again, this time on the back.
Now the female features can be clearly seen, and the design of the skirt can even be seen. Thanks to admiring Ah Li's outfit every day, Li Zhuiyuan can now restore the skirt style to this stone sculpture in his mind based on the existing lines. .
She was not carved and placed here. She was carved directly on this angled rock wall. Many parts of her front body were integrated with the rock wall.
When Li Zhuiyuan came back, he took several steps back, and Runsheng followed suit. The two of them were back to facing the stone sculpture head-on.
"Xiaoyuan, it's a bit scary..."
What scares Runsheng is never the physical object, but the atmosphere.
And what Li Zhuiyuan wanted to find again was this kind of atmosphere.
He had felt a sense of familiarity when he was getting closer. Now, this feeling came back, and he also thought about where it came from.
The location of the main cave of many ancient tombs, that is, the wall above the coffin of the owner of the tomb, will be painted... "The Picture of a Woman Opening the Door."
There are many speculations about this in the academic world. What Li Lan agrees with is that it means that after the death of the tomb owner, he will be welcomed by another underworld.
Of course, the underworld here does not refer to the Hell of Hell, but will have different directions due to different religious beliefs in different periods and regions. Some are to guide you to immortality, and some are simply to take you back to another mansion that is not inferior to the underworld, so that you can have the same experience as before your death. Just as much fun.
In short, it is not a place where living people can go.
Think of the stone stairs in the cave at the back...
This is not the location of the main tomb, and it is not the location of the normal tomb passage, so who are the stone carvings here to attract?
Li Zhuiyuan turned sideways and looked at the raging underground river.
When rational thinking fails, you have to change your thinking.
The underground river can be compared to the Yin River in the Underworld. So the stairs and the stone statue of the woman opening the door are standing here to welcome the ghosts in the Underworld as guests?
If this is really a tomb, how hospitable must the owner of the tomb be during his lifetime, and how welcoming should he be to welcome ghosts from all directions after his death?
Li Zhuiyuan looked towards the other side of the river. After saying hello on the other side, the light stayed on, occasionally flicking it to show that he was still alive.
The boy began to signal for them to come to his side.
There are discoveries on both sides. Where to gather depends on who can speak well in the team.
Soon, there was a response and they went into the water.
Runsheng went to the shore to wait. Not long after, the wet couple were lifted up by Runsheng with help.
"Huh...huh..." Tan Wenbin knelt on the ground and breathed slowly.
Xue Liangliang just spat a few times and walked towards Li Zhuiyuan: "Xiaoyuan, we found a boat there, but it was a stone boat, carved together with the rocks on the shore."
"Then look at what we have here."
Xue Liangliang held up the flashlight and looked at the stone sculptures first, and then at the stone stairs in the cave inside.
Li Zhuiyuan introduced the meaning of "The Picture of a Woman Opening the Door" to Xue Liangliang and his own views. After hearing this, Xue Liangliang immediately agreed: "Then the boat we found on the other side is the Huangquan ferry boat?"
Li Zhuiyuan nodded: "It seems that it can be rounded off."
Xue Liangliang asked: "Xiaoyuan, shall we go up the stairs, or..."
Li Zhuiyuan: "Waiting for rescue."
At this time, Tan Wenbin shouted: "The water is rising!"
Li Zhuiyuan and Xue Liangliang immediately went to check and found that the river water level had indeed risen.
There was a gap when we came ashore before, but now the gap has not only been smoothed, but the water in the river has also begun to overflow the shore.
Li Zhuiyuan raised his flashlight and shined it on the wall above again: "No wonder the stone wall above is so smooth. It turns out that the water level would rise and wash up to it."
Xue Liangliang: "This is the miraculous workmanship of nature."
"Brother Liangliang, it seems that now is not the time to express emotion."
"It doesn't matter, because we only have one choice left."
"Let's go." Li Zhuiyuan made up his mind, "I can only go up."
Runsheng walked in the front, Li Zhuiyuan and Xue Liangliang walked side by side, and Tan Wenbin walked in the back. There was no special rehearsal, but everyone seemed to know their position naturally.
The stone staircase was very smooth and had no handrails. Everyone had to bend down and walk up carefully. From time to time, they needed to press the step surface with their hands to maintain balance.
Tan Wenbin joked: "It would be nice if there was an elevator like in a hotel." Xue Liangliang responded: "Then you are still thinking that after you go up, there will be a room with a bed for you to lie down and take a rest? ”
"Of course, it's best to make another pot of tea."
After walking for a long time, the flashlight finally reached the top.
The top is dark red, with a door and a window, but the door is still open.
Li Zhuiyuan felt that it would be more appropriate for the stone carving at the bottom of the staircase to be carved here.
Tan Wenbin: "I was right, I actually have a house."
Runsheng: "Xiaoyuan?"
"Go in, Brother Runsheng."
"Yeah."
There is no turning back. In fact, there is not much hope of rescue at the beginning, because the first thing the rescue team has to solve is the big thing above. Now, coupled with the characteristics of underground rivers that will rise, they put their hope on rescue. , has no meaning anymore.
Runsheng entered the door, and Xue Liangliang was next. Li Zhuiyuan checked the window next to him before entering, and found that it was made of stone like the door, but the color was still bright, but a little dark.
This means that no matter how high the underground river is, it will not reach here.
These double doors are fixed and cannot be pushed, they can only remain open.
After walking in, the furnishings in the house were all made of stone carvings, including two rows of benches, a bed, and a coffee table with tea sets on it.
The teapot has no lid. When you shine the flashlight on it, you can see the white liquid. Looking up again, you find that the top is not flat, but has many stone ridges extending down. The tip of the largest and thickest one is just facing the opening of the lid. teapot.
Xue Liangliang pointed to the teapot: "Binbin, your tea."
Tan Wenbin asked curiously: "What is this? I seem to have seen similar photos in magazines."
Xue Liangliang: "Stalactite."
Tan Wenbin: "It sounds expensive. Can I drink it?"
Xue Liangliang: "Calcium carbonate precipitate."
Tan Wenbin sighed: "As soon as this scientific name came out, it suddenly lost its sense of high-end."
Li Zhuiyuan looked around and said: "There is no way."
This stone house is not big, just the size of a normal house hall, but the door is the only one that comes in, and the other three sides are all rock walls.
Tan Wenbin said speechlessly: "No, you spent so much effort building such a long stone staircase just to put this in?"
"Let's all search again to see if there are any hidden passages." After Li Zhuiyuan said that, he walked towards the bed. He reached out and touched it, then climbed up, took a flashlight to look into the gaps in the bed, and then discovered that the bed There are no gaps.
Xue Liangliang focused on studying the tea sets, touching here and there: "The things here are all fixed stones. Look for anything that is not fixed. Maybe there will be a mechanism."
"Okay!" Runsheng knelt down to check the chairs.
"Okay, find the agency." Tan Wenbin responded while yawning and walked to the east wall. He stretched out his hand and rubbed his eyes. He was not slacking off, but really sleepy. After all, he had been busy all day during the day and was working again in the first half of the night. Looking for someone, it should be late at night.
A few days ago, he was supposed to be competing with Runsheng in the tent about whose snoring was louder.
Subconsciously leaning against the wall with his hands, Tan Wenbin blinked hard in an attempt to dispel his sleepiness.
After regaining some energy, he planned to continue to help search, and then looked at his left hand in surprise, and was shocked to find that his left hand had actually been submerged in the wall.
"Fuck me!"
Tan Wenbin instinctively wanted to take his hand out, but the harder he exerted force, the stronger the suction force came from the other end.
When the other three people heard his cry and turned to look at him, they happened to see Tan Wenbin pressed against the wall. Runsheng reacted quickly enough and wanted to pull him, but his hand had not yet touched Tan Wenbin. , Tan Wenbin completely sank in and disappeared.
As he entered, the wall began to soften and sway.
"Brother Binbin seems to have found the entrance."
As Li Zhuiyuan spoke, he stretched out his hand, and his fingertips penetrated naturally. After reaching in a little further, he felt the suction coming from inside.
The boy not only did not resist, but took the initiative to move forward. The next moment, he only felt that he was being pulled into a piece of gelatin. However, this state did not last long. He was quickly thrown out and moved forward again. It took him several steps to maintain his balance.
Apart from being soaked all over again, I felt no other discomfort.
Li Zhuiyuan looked forward and saw Tan Wenbin sitting there slumped with his back to him. When he raised the flashlight, his pupils shrank suddenly, and a huge snake head hung in front of him.
"Ahhhhh!"
Tan Wenbin shouted loudly.
Li Zhuiyuan stepped forward and patted his arm: "Fake, this is a stone sculpture."
"Ah ah ah..." Tan Wenbin continued to shout while looking at Li Zhuiyuan. Then his voice gradually subsided and his hands began to fumble on the ground, "Hey, where's my flashlight."
Apparently, when he first entered here, he shined a flashlight on it and came face to face with the stone snake head. He was completely frightened.
Li Zhuiyuan raised his flashlight and shined it on the ground to help him search, but found that nothing could be seen in front of him.
"Brother Binbin, stop."
Tan Wenbin stopped, he also saw it, stretched out his hand to explore forward: "Xiaoyuan, there is a cliff ahead, and my flashlight fell."
"It's okay. Just hope everyone is okay." Li Zhuiyuan walked to the edge and continued to take photos, but it was too deep and dark below to capture anything.
At this time, Runsheng and Xue Liangliang also came in, both of them covered with water.
Tan Wenbin immediately reminded: "There is a stone snake head in front of you, be careful not to be scared."
But even with the reminder, when they actually shined the flashlight, their bodies froze for a moment.
Li Zhuiyuan had now come to check under the snake head. At first he thought it was just a single snake head stone sculpture. It turned out that he was wrong. Only the snake head extended to the platform where he and others were now, and its body was complete. , just pointing upwards.
The snake's body is densely carved with scales, making it easy to get on and off the feet.
Li Zhuiyuan pointed to the top and said, "Let's climb up."
There is nothing to hesitate, because there is no choice at present. If you want to leave here, you can only go to the dark side. The most important thing is that the snake body is upward, which is in line with the direction of survival.
The four of them climbed onto the snake's head, climbing step by step like a ladder.
Just like when climbing the stairs before, use a flashlight to shine upward as you climb up.
Suddenly, the flashlight illuminated a figure standing at the tail of the snake above.
Is it a stone sculpture again?
This was Li Zhuiyuan's first thought, but soon, the facts overturned his cognitive habits. The figure retreated, he was moving!
The four people who were climbing the snake obviously saw this scene. After all, everyone raised their heads when climbing up.
Because of this change, the four of them stopped moving at the same time, wondering whether they should continue going up.
"Xiaoyuan?"
"Brother Runsheng..."
As soon as Li Zhuiyuan started speaking, he suddenly felt a stabbing pain in his brain. He couldn't help but put his forehead against the scales, using the coldness on them to wake him up.
At this moment, the snake body he was holding seemed to come to life and began to twist.
But when Li Zhuiyuan raised his head again, the twisting sensation disappeared again.
Hallucination?
"Xiaoyuan?" Runsheng asked again.
Li Zhuiyuan shook his head vigorously and forced himself to calm down: "Brother Runsheng, get up!"
"Okay!"
Runsheng climbed up quickly and reached the top.
When Li Zhuiyuan climbed up, he found another platform in front of him. Looking forward according to Runsheng's flashlight, he saw that it was still a huge snake head.
"No, that's not right..."
Li Zhuiyuan gritted his teeth, feeling something was wrong.
At this time, Tan Wenbin and Xue Liangliang also climbed up, and they began to pant.
Runsheng asked: "Xiaoyuan, do you want to continue climbing up?"
Li Zhuiyuan raised his hand and motioned to Runsheng to wait a moment and let him think carefully about what was wrong.
He began to recall all the details since going up the stairs and the various conversations between the four of them. The feeling that something was wrong became stronger and stronger, and he began to wonder, why did he not realize it until now?
Unexpectedly, at this moment, my own voice actually sounded:
"Brother Runsheng, keep climbing up. This is the ladder. As long as we keep climbing up, we will be able to get out!"
Li Zhuiyuan's eyes widened. Who was imitating his voice?
But just when the boy wanted to speak to remind him, he was horrified to find that he couldn't make a sound.
He pinched his neck with both hands, forcing himself to make a sound to remind them, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't do it.
He wanted to rush over and grab Runsheng, but his legs felt like they were filled with lead and couldn't move.
"Brother Binbin, Brother Liangliang, hurry up. If you grit your teeth and persevere, go out as soon as you get up, and you won't be tired anymore."
"Well, hold on!"
"I have no problem, Xiaoyuan."
Tan Wenbin and Xue Liangliang continued to move forward, and at this time Runsheng had already taken the lead in climbing up the snake's head.
You will soon realize that I am not moving, you will soon realize that I am not here!
But with the flashlight in Xue Liangliang's hand, Li Zhuiyuan was shocked to see Runsheng, who had already got on the snake's head, turning around and bending down to pick up a little boy.
After the little boy was picked up, he turned his head to look at himself.
There was a sarcastic smile on the corner of his mouth.
What on earth are you?
No, it’s here, and what the hell is it!
Li Zhuiyuan closed his eyes and began to try to walk in the yin. Generally, when encountering this special situation, walking in the yin can often see things that cannot be seen in reality.
However, he failed and failed to escape.
This is the first time I have failed since I learned how to move Yin.
Of course, there is another possibility, that is...
I am actually in a dream now!
Li Zhuiyuan looked upward and began to follow the way he had ended his Yin walk before, imagining that he was floating up in the sea, floating up, floating up...
He woke up, opened his eyes, and found that he was standing in the water, and the water level had reached his neck, and was very close to submerging his mouth and nose.
Turning to look to his side, he found that all four of them were standing neatly under the stone stairs, without even going up the first step.
Runsheng, Tan Wenbin, and Xue Liangliang still had their eyes closed, unaware.
Inexplicably, Li Zhuiyuan noticed that there seemed to be a gaze looking at him from behind. He immediately turned around in the water and looked behind him.
The woman who was originally supposed to be facing away from the stone stairway opened the door to the stone carving, but now she was actually facing the stone stairway.
At first, what she showed was her right hand, right leg and right half of her face, while the other half was completely integrated into the stone wall.
Now, she showed her left hand, left leg and left half of her face.
On this side of the face, the corners of the mouth were raised with a sarcastic smile.
(End of chapter)