The Useless Heiress Is Actually A Bigshot

Chapter 116: Chapter 116: Merfolk Tears

Zhao Si and his group had entered from another location earlier, so they were oblivious to the mural, the Princess, and the General’s significance.

However, they understood that there was another woman inside the crystal coffin, which was why the main tomb chamber was designed like a lady’s boudoir. Moreover, the funeral offerings included an array of women’s jewelry and ornaments.

They had no interest in these artifacts; their focus was entirely on the rare treasures inside the wooden box.

When they heard Lu Yichen asking Zhong Niangyao what she liked and that he could give it to her afterward, they lost their composure. Yet they weren’t idiots, they knew to judge the situation. Although they harbored much dissatisfaction, they dared not voice it.

Because of Zhong Niangyao’s words, everyone approached the crystal coffin and indeed saw a man and a woman inside. The two looked nothing like corpses; instead, they appeared to be sleeping.

“This princess is really beautiful!” Ouyang Chenwei couldn’t help but exclaim, “The murals from earlier didn’t even capture one-tenth of this princess’s beauty.”

“Why don’t we open the crystal coffin and take a look? What do you think?” Zhao Si, looking at the coffin, suggested, “According to my years of experience, there might be even better things inside this crystal coffin!”

After making his suggestion, he instinctively looked toward Lu Yichen, knowing that he was the leader of their group and that everyone acted according to his signals.

Although he didn’t quite understand how Lu Yichen had become their leader. He had seen it all very clearly, that Lu Yichen was undoubtedly the weakest among them. From beginning to end, he had always been protected by others.

But remembering what Zhong Niangyao had mentioned about the astronomical reward, he figured it was probably the money that allowed him to hire so many people for protection.

Only, he grew more curious, why would such a wealthy person choose tomb raiding? If he had that much money, he would surely enjoy life to its fullest, never engaging in tomb-raiding, which was essentially gambling with one’s life.

Could it be that these wealthy individuals were too bored with life and thus chose to descend into tombs?

After a while, seeing that Lu Yichen had no objections, Zhao Si called over Qian Wang, and together they pushed open the lid of the crystal coffin.

Suddenly, the scene inside became visible. More clearly than when seen through the crystal, a peacefully resting man and woman lay inside the coffin—completely serene were it not for their pale faces, they might have been mistaken for sleepers and not icy corpses.

“How come these bodies haven’t decayed after hundreds of years?” Yu Xuezhi wondered, looking at the two figures in the coffin, “I never imagined that the preservation techniques back in ancient times were so formidable.”

“It’s not that,” Zhou Yifu shook his head, then pointed at a bead that seemed rather ordinary embedded inside the crystal coffin, “It’s because of this.”

“This bead has such a significant effect?” Joseph’s eyes widened in astonishment, “This is truly miraculous.”

“I guess it must be the legendary Merfolk Tears,” Zhou Yifu adjusted his glasses and continued, “I have researched historical materials before. The General had fought overseas several times and by a stroke of luck obtained a treasure called Merfolk Tears.”

“It is said that the Merfolk Tears are tears shed by merfolks in the sea; consuming them would preserve youth forever. It’s unexpected that it’s been used to adorn the crystal coffin, preventing any decay of the bodies inside for hundreds of years.”

Zhong Niangyao chuckled, “Who would have thought that the most valuable item would be inside the crystal coffin. It’s just a shame—”

Her gaze settled on the Merfolk Tears, her eyes flickering with an unknown light, her expression becoming somewhat peculiar.

However, everyone’s attention was on the Merfolk Tears at that moment, so nobody noticed anything amiss.

Only Lu Yichen, sensing something, came to Zhong Niangyao’s side and softly asked, “Is there something wrong with the Merfolk Tears?”

Startled by Lu Yichen’s voice at her ear, Zhong Niangyao paused for a moment but quickly recovered, her brow furrowed, “There is indeed something odd. It’s just—”

“Ma Qin, what do you think you’re doing?”

Before Zhong Niangyao could finish, Zhao Si’s furious voice cut her off.

Following the voice, everyone saw Ma Qin’s actions; she had reached out, plucked the Merfolk Tears straight off the crystal coffin, and held them in her hand. Then she took two steps back, watching everyone warily.

The looks Zhao Si and Qian Wang shot Ma Qin were almost murderous.

With Ma Qin’s act, the General and the Princess inside the crystal coffin aged rapidly as if time had swiftly passed. In moments, the two peacefully resting figures turned into skeletal remains—chilling bones that gave no hint of their former appearances.

Had they not witnessed the uncorrupted bodies in the crystal coffin just moments before, they might have believed that what they were seeing now was the reality.

However, Ma Qin’s actions seemed to confirm Zhou Yifu’s earlier statements about the Merfolk Tears. It truly appeared that the Merfolk Tears had kept the bodies in the crystal coffin from decaying.

“Ma Qin, put down the Merfolk Tears in your hands right now,” Zhao Si’s tone carried a hint of viciousness, “Otherwise, don’t blame us for being impolite.”

“Why should I let go!” Ma Qin sneered, her face contorting, “This is a tomb raiding; what treasures we can take depend on our own skills. I have obtained the Merfolk Tears now, so they belong to me.”

As she spoke, a hint of madness glinted in her eyes, “With these Merfolk Tears, I’m sure my face can be restored to its original state. Not only that, but I can also become even more beautiful and preserve my youth forever.”

“Besides, I only want this one treasure; I don’t care about the rest. Isn’t that okay?”

“You’re dreaming,” Qian Wang cursed bluntly, “From the moment we entered the tomb, you’ve been useless. And now you want to take away the most precious thing here, where do you get the nerve! I’m telling you, hand over the treasure immediately, or we won’t let you off.”