Chapter 281: Tom’s Self-Rescue!
Tom took a deep breath, his gaze hardening with resolve. “No matter what, I have to take this gamble. The longer I wait, the more stamina I lose. Taotie, Hummingbird, take Her Highness and leave. Find a safe place ahead and wait for me.”
“If I die, you must protect Her Highness and make sure she gets out of the tomb safely.”
Taotie nodded. “Don’t worry, I will!”
“Tom…”
Fang Xiaocao looked at him, about to say something, but before she could, Tom shot a glance at Taotie.
Understanding immediately, Taotie nodded, strode forward, and without hesitation, picked Fang Xiaocao up and slung her over his shoulder. Then, he marched down the tomb passage.
Seeing this, Hummingbird quickly followed.
“Ah—Taotie, put me down!”
Being carried on Taotie’s shoulder, Fang Xiaocao felt both embarrassed and furious, letting out a string of exclamations.
“Your Highness, just bear with it.”
Taotie ignored her struggles.
After a while, realizing she couldn’t break free, Fang Xiaocao stopped struggling and resigned herself to being carried.
Tom watched as Taotie carried her away.
Taking a deep breath, he pulled out the grappling hook launcher Taotie had given him. His eyes locked onto the beam supporting the tomb ceiling.
Life or death, it all depended on fate now.
He had already given his backpack to Hummingbird.
If he died here, he wouldn’t need the gear inside anyway.
Better to leave it with Fang Xiaocao and the others to increase their chances of getting out of the tomb safely.
Tom took another deep breath, steadied himself, and pressed the launch button.
With a soft whoosh, the grappling hook shot out.
Sparks flew!
With a clang, the hook latched firmly onto the overhead beam.
With a click, it locked into place.
But Tom didn’t dare to test the rope yet.
He feared the beam was just as Taotie had warned—rigged to collapse under weight.
If he triggered it too soon, the entire structure might fall, not only killing him but also activating traps that could harm Fang Xiaocao and the others before they reached safety.
Tom waited.
He waited for Taotie and the others to move far enough away to send him a signal.
Only then would it be time to act.
Taotie carried Fang Xiaocao another ten meters before slowing down. His steps became cautious. “Hummingbird, from here on, step only where I step. Don’t go off track.”
Hummingbird nodded. “Got it!”
She kept her eyes locked on Taotie’s movements, carefully placing her feet exactly where he had stepped.
Ten meters was already quite a distance.
Most pit traps weren’t larger than this.
Any bigger, and the construction would have been too difficult.
Even in ancient times, digging such a massive pit required immense manpower and resources.
A five-meter trap was usually enough to kill.
A ten-meter one was already excessive.
A twenty-meter one?
Even the most extravagant emperor wouldn’t have wasted such effort on a single trap.
This wasn’t just overkill—it was insanity.
Without Fang Xiaocao in the equation, Taotie would’ve only moved ten meters at most.
Going beyond that would be an insult to even the most extravagant rulers.
Taotie set Fang Xiaocao down. “Your Highness, don’t move. There might still be traps around.”
Hearing this, she immediately froze in place, not daring to budge.
“Hummingbird, send the signal.”
Hummingbird nodded.
She pulled out her gun and fired a shot into the depths of the tomb passage.
Bang!
The deafening gunshot echoed, making Fang Xiaocao’s ears buzz.
Gunfire was loud in open spaces—inside a narrow tomb, it was deafening.
After the shot, the three of them perked up their ears, listening for Tom’s movements—the telltale sounds of the ground beginning to collapse.
They couldn’t see Tom from where they were.
Though the passage appeared straight, its design included subtle optical illusions that tricked travelers into unknowingly veering off course.
______
Hearing the gunshot from up ahead, Tom took a deep breath. Then he exhaled slowly.
His hands gripped the rope tightly. He clenched his teeth and yanked hard.
The beam held firm!
Tom’s heart surged with relief.
The first deadly obstacle—cleared!
“Haha! What a great start!”
A victorious grin spread across his face.
His legs had been locked in an awkward stance for too long, and his muscles were already growing sore.
He couldn’t wait any longer.
It was time to act.
Tom quickly looped the rope through his tactical belt and locked the buckle in place. Then, he pressed the button to tighten the rope.
As the rope stretched taut, Tom took a few deep breaths to steady himself.
Then, he leaped!
With a click, the ground beneath him snapped back into place.
