Domingo trembled as she asked, “There’s no exit here. Shouldn’t we keep looking?”
It was getting late, and she no longer wanted to stay in this underground palace. Everything inside seemed to come alive, swaying eerily.
Chloe and Leo didn’t respond, continuing to push the Outer Coffin.
The Outer Coffin screeched as it was moved a few meters.
“Careful!” Chloe pulled Leo back.
Leo felt a chill at his toes and quickly reacted, using his hands on the Outer Coffin to leap backward.
Beneath the Outer Coffin was a deep pool of water, reminiscent of the dark pools they had encountered earlier.
Seeing the water, Chloe realized, “Many tombs are designed to mimic homes. The owner likely set up an escape route beneath their position. This must be the exit.”
Domingo approached and saw the deep water, her face turning pale instantly.
Among the three, she was the worst swimmer and most afraid of water.
Seeing the so-called escape route was another waterway, Domingo hugged herself and shook her head before Chloe could speak, “No! No!”
She retreated as if fearing Chloe and Leo would throw her in.
Leo found Domingo’s expression amusing and stepped down from the White Jade platform to comfort her, “Let’s keep looking. There must be another way out in such a large underground palace.”
He glanced at Domingo’s exposed belly, thinking it might be wise to find her some clothes. Walking in this cold tomb without proper attire could be dangerous.
Hearing Leo’s words, Domingo felt slightly reassured but still kept her distance from the water.
Chloe watched Leo comforting Domingo with a hint of jealousy. Domingo’s delicate demeanor naturally evoked sympathy, something Chloe couldn’t emulate.
She also stepped down from the White Jade platform.
Leo walked towards a shelf on his left.
He examined the white cloth on the shelf, feeling its fine texture. It was excellent material, remarkably well-preserved despite being underground for so long.
“Swish!” Leo tore off a strip of white cloth.
“What are you doing?” Chloe asked, puzzled.
“Making some clothes for you.” Leo tore the cloth into three pieces.
He handed them to Domingo and Chloe.
Domingo wrapped herself in the cloth, transforming it into a form-fitting garment that looked like it was designed by a Parisian couturier, catching Leo’s eye.
Chloe, lacking such skill, wrapped herself haphazardly. After a few steps, it unraveled, and she draped it over her shoulders like an innkeeper from ancient times.
Domingo helped her rewrap it. With her deft hands, the cloth wound tightly around Chloe’s waist, accentuating her figure. The final touches around Chloe’s neck made it look like a white evening gown, exuding elegance.
Leo’s gaze shifted between Chloe and Domingo, finding them both captivating.
Chloe twirled and admired herself, “Domingo, where did you learn this? A few simple wraps look like tailored clothes.”
Domingo smiled proudly, “I wanted to be a fashion designer and studied in Paris for a few years.”
Leo quickly draped the cloth over himself. Unlike Domingo and Chloe, he simply cut a hole in the middle of his head and let the cloth hang over his chest.
This odd attire made Domingo and Chloe laugh heartily.
Their laughter echoed through the chamber and beyond as if the buried maidservants had come to life in the night.
Domingo quickly covered her mouth, sensing something eerie, and stopped laughing.
Chloe also stopped and looked at the deep water beneath the Outer Coffin, “This might be our last escape route…”
Before Chloe could finish, Domingo interrupted, “No way! Let’s keep looking. This tomb is all water!”
If the craftsmen who built the tomb heard her complaint, they would have jumped out to defend their work: “Do you know how hard it is to build an underwater tomb? Our craftsmanship is impeccable!”
But Domingo didn’t think about that. She looked to Leo for help.
Leo sighed helplessly, “You two wait here. I’ll go look again. If there’s no other way out, we’ll have to use this one.”
Leo went out alone. Chloe wanted to follow but felt uneasy in the dark tomb and decided to stay with Domingo.
Outside the Western Xia Treasury, someone shouted, “The press conference is starting! Let’s go!”
Christine and the photography crew followed Domingo to the camp’s center.
Sergeant Woods had sent four teams of divers but had no further action since then.
The pumps continued working, but it was clear they couldn’t drain the Western Xia Treasury completely given the constant inflow of water.
Christine wanted to hear about any new rescue plans.
Dozens of media outlets were present. The recent hype around the Western Xia Treasury had drawn significant attention, especially after the incident.
Only reporters with credentials were allowed into the camp for the press conference. Christine was surprised by the scene when they arrived at the central white tent.
Many tents had been cleared to make space for the conference.
Countless cameras flashed at the three people seated in front of the white tent.
In the center was Sergeant Woods, with dark circles under his eyes. In just one day, he looked shrunken in his uniform as if it had been stretched by a washing machine.
Next to him was Office Director Lily. Her complexion was terrible as she avoided the flashing lights.