As I was lost in thought, Professor Gugov finally finished examining all the symbols on the stone pillar. He appeared extremely excited, as if he had discovered something monumental.
His face flushed red, and just as he was about to speak, Sevel grabbed his arm and glanced at me.
I, for one, had no interest in whatever schemes these people were plotting!
I snorted and walked to another corner, while Gugov and the others gathered to engage in a heated discussion.
We were quite far apart. Even with my current heightened senses, I couldn't quite make out what they were saying.
It felt like a swarm of flies buzzing around my ears, making me immensely irritable.
I moved a few more steps away and then turned my attention to the paintings on the wall, trying to distract myself.
These murals had weathered the test of time. Some of the divine depictions had become blurred, even overgrown with moss.
I could only vaguely discern that they were telling some sort of story. However, due to their abstract nature, my head began to ache after only a short while. I instinctively reached out and ran my hand over the wall, trying to clear away the moss to see more clearly.
Hmm?
It was as if nothing happened when I didn't touch it, but as soon as I did, I discovered something unusual.
Most of the walls in this square were covered in moss. However, the section I was trying to clear had a barely noticeable protrusion. If I hadn't touched it, I wouldn't have been able to see it at all.
Could it be some sort of mechanism?
I suddenly hesitated and glanced back at Professor Gugov and his group, who were still arguing heatedly in the distance.
They hadn't noticed anything about me and were still locked in their red-faced debate.
I carefully felt the protrusion, and my fingers found something that felt like a slot. I pressed down hard, and it was as if a mechanism had been triggered, causing the protrusion to spring open.
There's something inside!
I cautiously shifted my body to block the view of Madame Butterfly and the others. Then, I reached in and felt a small tin box!
This small tin box had clearly been here for a very long time, as it was covered in rust.
I gently pried open the tin box and found a small slip of paper and a kazoo!
The slip of paper was yellowed and emitted a musty odor, but the English written on it was still legible: "To Alice."
Huh???
Alice didn't sound like a name from the Jiuli people. Moreover, the note was written in English. Could it have been left by someone who had entered here before?
I was baffled. I looked over the small slip of paper, finding no other words, and carefully folded it, tucking it into my pocket. Then, I turned my attention to the kazoo.
The once smooth exterior of the kazoo was now speckled, showing its age. However, judging by its mouthpiece, it seemed like it could still be played.
Compared to the equally portable harmonica, the kazoo was a much more obscure instrument. Its owner must have been a music enthusiast.
I curiously fumbled with the kazoo in my hand and discovered a small piece of paper stuffed inside its mouthpiece.
My spirits immediately lifted. I quickly pulled out the paper and opened it to find a piece of sheet music.
I figured that someone had come here before us. Having encountered some unknown fate and believing they couldn't escape this temple, they had hidden their cherished belongings here.
Perhaps there was an untold love story behind this instrument.
The kazoo's owner had left no further clues. After playing with it for a while, I put the kazoo and the sheet music into my backpack.
At that moment, I had no idea that this small item, which I had inadvertently picked up, would prove to be so helpful to me much later. It would even change my destiny!
As soon as I had put away the kazoo, I heard Sevel calling me.
I unhurriedly walked towards Sevel and the others. Their discussion had concluded, and Professor Gugov's face was still flushed, appearing somewhat agitated.
Let them argue! It would be even better if they came to blows!
I grinned and walked to Qu Xiangyun's side, taking her small hand. We had rested enough, and it was time to move on.
Although the square appeared vast, there was only a rust-covered bronze gate ahead. The sight of a bronze gate now made me feel a bit apprehensive; the last one had been quite troublesome for us.
Now, another bronze gate stood before us. What awaited us beyond this door filled me with a sudden sense of foreboding.
I hoped it was just my imagination.
I glanced at Sevel and then pushed the bronze gate with all my might. With a grating sound, the bronze gate slowly creaked open.