The group of outsiders spent a day excavating the passage at West Corner all the way to the rear. Before them stood only a stone wall covered with prone humanoid carvings.
Beyond this was the entrance to the Hidden Treasure. However, without the key lock and the correct method of opening it, even if they smashed through the stone wall, they would not be able to enter. On the other side would either be nothing at all or the other end of the Macca Temple.
The middle-aged man had everyone step back. He went forward and took out several branch-shaped ritual poles, inserting them into different positions along the wall. Once he was done, he left two people behind to guard the place, gave them a few instructions, and quickly withdrew.
When he emerged, the sky outside was pitch-black. He took out a Pocket Watch and checked the time. It was already nine in the evening.
A man at his side stepped forward and said, "Young Master, it is already late. Those villagers are also... tired. Should we continue tomorrow?"
The middle-aged man pondered for a moment, then said coldly, "We will not stop tonight. I will rest for two hours. After two hours, you will follow me and dig through the final corner."
The others exchanged glances, unsure why he was in such a hurry. But since Shangguan had said so, they could only obey. They all bowed and acknowledged the order.
The middle-aged man snorted. Earlier, when the higher-ups had sent people to the Cao Family, he had opposed it with all his might. Even without the other half of the key lock, he could still break the ritual himself and enter the Hidden Treasure. The disturbance might be a little greater, but what was there to fear?