It was not a room, but somewhat like a platform. Not far away parked an old rail train.
Next to the train, there was a wooden chair which also seemed quite old.
When Florence saw these things, she felt a bit in a daze, as if she had traveled back to decades ago.
“This is just a transit station,” Ernest explained. “The place we are going is not here. We have to take a train there.”
He looked towards the small old rail train.
The train was at least a hundred years old. Whether it could still function remained a question.
It should be replaced long ago.
But why was it still here now? It seemed that if they wanted to go to the secret chamber, they had to take this train.
Noticing Ernest’s line of sight, Seth explained in a respectful manner, “The vault starts from here. If we don’t take the train to get there, we will trigger some cunning device. Even if we have blood as the key, we can’t open the vault. Since the vault had not been opened for more than a hundred years, the train also remained unmoved because any operation might destroy the mechanic arrangement inside, causing damage to the vault. We can only send people from time to time to overhaul and maintain it so that it can continue to function when necessary. Mr. Hawkins, when you open the vault, later, you can refurbish this road and replace this train with a more convenient vehicle.”
So it turned out that two generations of the Turner family were destined to do two different things separately: one generation for opening the treasury, and the other for setting the mechanism.
Ernest nodded, holding Florence and walking towards the train.
At the same time, he whispered to her and laughed, “It’s an antique. Sit on it to feel the old times.”
She was truly a bit nervous and exciting.
The train was indeed an antique old enough to be placed in a museum for exhibition.
But she could sit on it and feel it. How nice!
Theodore looked at Gideon with a sullen gaze, and got on the train gloomily.
Gideon came last.
When he was near the train, Seth, who was standing by the train, said to him with a seemingly smile, “Mr. Harris, get on the train carefully. It is too old. If you touch it carelessly, it may break down. If we can’t go into the vault because of the train damage, none of us can afford to take the responsibility.”
His words seemed to be a kind reminder, if one could ignore his threatening tone.
Gideon’s face stiffened and he nodded with a reluctant smile. “Okay, I will be careful.”
He knew quite clear that Seth was warning him not to have any extra thoughts about the vault.
Even if he could come in this time, he could not go any further next time without the key to drive the train.
And the key to the train was with Theodore.
The little rail train started and slowly moved forward.
The train rumbled and creaked slowly forward, only a little faster than walking. Apparently, it was too old.
Florence sat on it nervously, feeling that it might accidentally come to an unexpected stop due to its shabby condition.
She held Ernest, whispering to his ears, “Are you gonna fix this road and replace this train?”
“I may if I have the mood,” he replied casually.
Since he did not lower his voice, Theodore also heard it.
Instantly, Theodore became even gloomier.
Now that the vault was open, they would come in and out of it often in the future. But the train was so old, it wouldn’t last long.
If Ernest did not replace the train, sooner or later it would break down. In that case, they would not be able to enter the treasury.
But Ernest did not seem to care about the Turner family’s expansion at all, which made Theodore fume.
However, he could not lose his temper.
The key to the Turner family’s vault was in Ernest hands, which meant that he was subject to Ernest.
At least, he could not throw tantrums at Ernest now.
Theodore had always made sure that everything was in his control. But this grandson of his was an unpredictable anomaly. And he could not do anything to him.
Florence was sensitive to the change of Theodore’s emotions. He was more sullen and angrier than before.
She knew it was because of Ernest’s words.
She observed Theodore and Ernest quietly. Though not so sure, she guessed that Ernest said those words on purpose because he was fighting with Theodore.
This was a tug-of-war without smoke and bullets.
Theodore was aggressive and wanted to take everything in control, including the heir of the family.
Ernest, however, was never an obedient man.
Since he chose to return to the Turner family, it meant that he took the initiative to step into this complicated situation. Due to his bloodline, the Turner family would never let him go. He was bound to take over the family.
But since he would take over everything, he would do it his own way. He would not allow himself to be governed, restrained or bound.
Both Theodore and Ernest were unwilling to give in first.
The trip wasn’t too long. Although the train was slow, they still arrived quickly.
The train slowly stopped in front of a two-person wide door.
This was a stone tunnel with a closed end. The door was right at the end of the tunnel, imbedded in the stone wall.
When Theodore saw this door, his eyes sparkled.
It had been decades and he could finally open it today.
He was the first to get off the train. Walking quickly to the door, he reached out and touched the door with excitement.
“Ernest, come here, cut your finger and press it on the door handle to open the door,” he said.
Ernest then stepped off the train.
He stood before the door, looking at the door handle. There was a small groove to let the blood flow along into the inside.
The door just looked like an ordinary door. But with a closer look along the groove, he saw an elaborate mechanism that even the current technologies could not solve.
Since the Turner family ancestors could complete such a project hundreds of years ago, how many treasures might be hidden inside?
He could not help but feel a bit curious.
Without any hesitation, he cut his finger and then squeezed his blood into the groove.
The blood immediately flowed down the groove and disappeared. At the same time, he heard a mechanical sound of something rotating.
“Is the door open, huh?” Florence walked to his side, raised his hand, and wrapped it with tissue to stop the bleeding.
She grumbled inwardly. What the hell is this mechanism? You have to cut your finger to open it! Did it mean that every time he went in he would have to cut his finger in the future?
Sensing her displeasure, he stroked her hair with tenderness and laughed slightly, “Just a small wound and it doesn’t hurt.”
He placed his other hand on the door handle and pressed it downward. With a click, the door opened.