A lock, and a key — and the key was still inserted in the lock.

The ones entering the secret chamber this time were Lu Beicheng and Zhen Jiu’er.

Behind them followed Qin Fei and Ji Mingyu.

“Ninth Master, why don’t Old Ji and I go in first,” Qin Fei said, still uneasy.

Although the chamber had since been thoroughly inspected by the staff, and even the collapsed section overhead had had its scattered sand and dirt cleared away.

Now, at a glance, one could see the solid stone blocks.

These stones had also been studied by the staff — there was no possibility of them falling.

In other words, the chamber was now quite safe.

Still, Qin Fei and Ji Mingyu felt uneasy. “Ninth Master…”

Lu Beicheng said nothing. He pushed Jiu’er behind him, handing her off to Qin Fei, and strode in first.

Ji Mingyu immediately followed.

Jiu’er wanted to go too, but Qin Fei pulled her back. “Jiu’er, you’d better listen to the Ninth Master. These past few days… his mood has been terrible.”

“I understand.” Jiu’er nodded, left with no choice but to stand helplessly at the entrance.

Ji Mingyu and Lu Beicheng crouched down at the spot where Jiu’er had seen the pattern.

Soon, Ji Mingyu was staring at Lu Beicheng, his face full of shock. “Ninth Master, Ninth Master, this lock…”

Wasn’t this the pattern on the pendant of that chain the Ninth Master had picked up years ago?

Ji Mingyu had been at the Ninth Master’s side for so many years — of course he knew everything.

And naturally, he also knew that this very chain was now worn on Jiu’er’s wrist!

“Miss Jiu’er, this lock…” Ji Mingyu’s breathing grew increasingly unsteady.

Lu Beicheng also looked at Zhen Jiu’er.

Only then did Jiu’er push Qin Fei’s hand away and walk in, baring her wrist.

Sure enough, that chain was still there on her snow-white wrist.

“This is called a Bonded Hearts Lock.”

This was the first time she had ever spoken its name aloud.

“Ninth Master, this lock and this key are a matched pair. And this key — in my past life, it was also in my hand, given to me by someone else.”

What was all this about “this life” and “past life”? Ji Mingyu and Qin Fei listened, utterly bewildered.

But since the Ninth Master said nothing, the two of them didn’t dare speak either.

It was something impossible to believe, and yet, because of the Ninth Master’s grave expression, a creeping unease began to settle over both of them.

Could it… actually be true?

A past life?

“Who gave it to you?” Lu Beicheng finally spoke, after a long silence.

“His name is Mu Mu. He’s the Ninth Imperial Uncle’s own younger brother.”

Jiu’er looked at him, let out a long breath, and then said in a low voice, “Mu Mu looks… exactly like the Third Young Master!”

…

Ninth Imperial Uncle. Mu Mu.

Ninth Master. Third Young Master.

The matter had already become so bizarre that one had to wonder if one had lost one’s mind.

If they themselves hadn’t gone mad, then surely Jiu’er and the Ninth Master had.

But Jiu’er going mad was one thing — how could the Ninth Master possibly go mad?

So Ji Mingyu and Qin Fei both figured — most likely, it was they themselves who had lost their minds.

That they’d actually heard something this strange and outlandish, and yet, because of the Ninth Master’s seriousness and gravity, they found themselves starting to believe it.

If that wasn’t madness, what was?

But even if they’d rather believe themselves insane, they still had to follow the Ninth Master and believe along with him.

After all, they had long ago decided that the Ninth Master was their one true master.

It was as if carved into the depths of their souls — a certainty beyond question.

“There’s one more person — someone I also met in my past life. Most importantly, he is… the ultimate final boss.”

Jiu’er raised her head, gently touching the chain on her wrist, and met Lu Beicheng’s deep, unfathomable gaze: “Lu Qihong.”