Chapter 2396: Chapter 2299: Inside Agent

Fujiwara Seiho and the other two didn’t have to wait long outside the door before someone came out.

As the person approached, Fujiwara Seiho realized it was a woman.

After the woman walked out, she glanced a few times towards Fujiwara Seiho, then shifted her gaze to the logistics staff from the scenic area, frowned, and said:

"Uncle Liu, why are you so late? I went through great lengths to establish connections for you, and if those professors from the Imperial Capital find out, I’ll be in big trouble!"

Upon hearing the woman’s complaints, the middle-aged man with the surname Liu’s face instantly changed. He glanced at Fujiwara Seiho and couldn’t help but signal to the woman:

"Anya, what kind of talk is this, child? Go over and meet Mr. Fujiwara first!"

Indeed, the person who had come down the mountain to assist was none other than Anya, the female team member responsible for archeological work inside the ancient tomb.

Upon hearing the term Mr. Fujiwara, the woman’s face immediately showed surprise. Her previously arrogant and disdainful expression instantly changed, and her eyes towards Fujiwara Seiho revealed a look of admiration:

"You... You are the Young Master of the Iga-ryu, Mr. Fujiwara Seiho? Hello, I’m Anya. I’ve often heard my mother mention you, and I’ve admired you for a long time!"

Fujiwara Seiho had encountered countless people, especially women, and could easily see through someone like Anya, his eyes flashed with a hint of mockery and disdain.

As the Young Master of the sect, Fujiwara Seiho was both high-status and wealthy, with power and appearance to match—a magnet for women like Anya, whom he thought of as low tier, and naturally held her in little regard. However, since he needed her help to guide them up the mountain, he couldn’t embarrass her directly. He responded with a calm "Mm," and a polite request:

"Miss Anya, could I trouble you to help lead us up the mountain?"

Anya became flustered with just a simple respectful address from Fujiwara Seiho, especially under his deep gaze, her heart raced, hurriedly nodding to indicate for the three to follow her.

Who knows what kind of credentials this woman had; the special police there immediately opened the way with no resistance, allowing the three to ascend without much inspection.

Upon reaching the mountain, Anya clearly anticipated what they might be up to, and directly said:

"Ahead is the ancient tomb’s site, but let me tell you—even I am not allowed to approach unless the tomb is opened tomorrow and the professors permit us to go down. It’s tightly guarded with special police, you won’t be able to get in."

Fujiwara Seiho nodded and asked, "Miss Anya, have you also been inside the tomb during the day?"

Anya nodded, having some inkling about Fujiwara Seiho’s purpose at Luofu Mountain:

"Mr. Fujiwara, it’s no mystery why you’re here."

"Frankly speaking, even with the archaeological team maintaining strict secrecy, I suspect the news has already leaked."

"The mountain’s stringent vigilance is due to this reason. Allowing you to take the risk of coming up here is already breaking my rules, but taking you into the tomb is definitely off-limits."

"If there are questions, feel free to ask; whatever I know, I’ll tell you."

Upon hearing this, Fujiwara Seiho and Lu Huairu glanced at each other.

After some deliberation, Fujiwara Seiho finally asked, "In that case, I’ll be direct — inside the tomb, did you find the Jiaoren’s skeleton?"

Anya’s face immediately showed a startled expression, followed by laughter, seemingly amused by Fujiwara Seiho’s fanciful notion:

"Impossible! If that were the case, our archaeological team wouldn’t be so alarmed."

"We only found a Meditation Robe, suspected to be made of Jiaoxiao, in the Auricle Chamber, alongside several Changming Lamps, possibly made of Mermaid Cream. These items have now been sent to the provincial city’s identification department, results expected tomorrow morning. We’re still clueless whether they’re related to Jiaoren."

"As for the Jiaoren skeleton you mentioned, it’s definitely non-existent. Isn’t it said that every part of Jiaoren is considered treasure, their bones can create medicine to cure ailments and prolong life? If anyone captured a Jiaoren, they’d certainly fully exploit it; therefore, leaving bones behind is unlikely."

Fujiwara Seiho didn’t speak, only fixed his gaze at Anya: "Then what do you think the likelihood is that the Meditation Robe and Changming Lamps are made from Jiaoren materials?"

Anya had a romantic fascination with Jiaoren since childhood, naturally hoping it’s true, aiming to pursue Jiaoren’s trail — she lifted her head to look at Fujiwara Seiho:

"I’ve been interested in Jiaoren from a young age; I’ve always believed it’s not just a legend. I dreamt of Jiaoren, gathered on islands, worshiping a peculiar totem and a Divine Palace — I think this species must live peacefully in some maritime area, merely hidden from us!"

Fujiwara Seiho didn’t speak, Anya seemed to realize her words were too fantastical and chuckled, shrugged:

"Consider it a joke then. I’ve carefully examined the ancient texts you mentioned during the day, nothing strange in the Auricle Chamber besides the Jiaoxiao and Changming Lamps. I reckon whatever you’re seeking might be in the main tomb or the Burial Pit."

Perhaps due to Uncle Liu’s cryptic speech, Anya only knew this group was here to find some ancient text, but was unclear on its specifics.

Because her mother is Dongyang, she holds no animosity towards Dongyang people—instead, she possesses an inexplicable sense of belonging to Dongyang, which is why she helped Fujiwara Seiho so diligently this time.

Her archaeology pursuit was to trace the merfolk’s whereabouts, lacking the archaeologists’ mission to protect Huaxia’s ancient tombs from damage.

As for Fujiwara Seiho’s group seeking the ancient tomb for their own purposes or potential disruption inside the tomb, it wasn’t her concern. She was only interested in whether traces of mermaids could truly be found in the tomb, hoping to unravel her mermaid dream from years past.

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