Chapter 32: The Cellar
After confirming several times that Li Ang was not experiencing any significant physical or mental issues, the task force returned to the temple courtyard. They took turns keeping watch, making do with the cleaned-up bluestone floor for the night, and only began exploring the temple the next morning.
"Is this the place?" Li Ang looked up at the pagoda and muttered to himself.
A beautiful woman’s head emerged from his neck and said, "Yes, the cellar beneath the pagoda is a spiritual energy node for the nearby mountains and rivers. Originally, the Mountain Demon took a fancy to this spot. He impersonated Dao Zhi to become the head monk, carved a number of Gathering Aura Formations onto the cellar walls, and placed a pile of aged wines and fine liquors in the center of the main formation.
"These drinks contain spiritual energy; even a legendary drinker who can normally hold their liquor would get drunk upon a single touch. Demons who drink them feel as if they are floating into immortality. Every year around this time, the Mountain Demon comes here to host a banquet for other demons and personally descends to the cellar to fetch the wine. If you want to ambush him, this is the best spot."
Li Ang nodded and walked straight into the temple. Following Chai Cuiqiao’s instructions, he used a multifunctional infantry shovel bought on Taobao to pry open a section of floor tiles. After sweeping away the dust, he revealed a hinged wooden trapdoor buried beneath.
Li Ang lifted the trapdoor and, after waiting twenty minutes for ventilation, descended into the cellar with a candle, his teammates following close behind.
The interior of the cellar was quite spacious and not as dirty or messy as one might expect; there were no cobwebs or tiny insects to be seen.
Li Ang used the candle to light the oil lamps on the red brick walls, illuminating the cellar. Some sundries were piled in the corners, and in the very center lay a collection of green ceramic wine jars, all sealed with red paper.