The men of the Imperial City Office were not foolhardy. They immediately retreated, only stopping after backing away nearly ten meters. At first, nothing seemed amiss. Then, in the blink of an eye, a soft bang came from ahead. It seemed as if a puff of white smoke had spread out, yet upon closer inspection, it was as though no smoke had ever appeared.
Though the door was clearly some distance from Yu Qianzhi, it creaked open on its own. Everyone present shuddered. This was not the first time such a thing had happened, yet cold sweat still seeped from them.
"This is the hidden chamber on the fourth level." Yu Qianzhi seemed to sense something and immediately had a premonition. Gazing into the deep darkness within, he ordered, "Air it out first, then go in and search. See if there is anything unusual."
He would not be the first to step inside.
"Yes. Wei Qi, go in and inspect it." The colonel answered, then summoned a Deputy Hundred-Household Officer in his thirties.
Deputy Hundred-Household Officer Wei had no choice but to swallow hard and lead over a dozen men inside, gritting his teeth. Those assigned to this mission all had some means of saving their own lives; none of them were ordinary men.
Even so, once they entered, nearly everyone felt unwell. Pale faces were the least of it. Deputy Hundred-Household Officer Wei's head buzzed, his steps staggered, and he nearly fell flat on his face.
Fortunately, the talismans on them flashed at that moment, blocking some of the yin energy. The chilling aura dispersed by more than half, and warmth gradually returned to their bodies.
Yu Qianzhi merely stood where he was, watching coldly.
"Wei? The Former Wei's imperial surname had originally been Cao. Around the time Former