Mythical Qin: I, Gao Yao, will never be a eunuch!

Chapter 989 No matter how strong Tianxing is, it still needs to be within the context of the times!

Thermal Expansion and Contraction Method: This was a method Gaoyao was quite proud of. Utilizing their well-established saltpeter ice-making technology, they could produce large quantities of low-temperature ice. The craftsmen would first heat the surface of the rock to be treated, causing it to expand rapidly, and then quickly cover it with ice or pour cold well water over it. Repeating this process several times, the drastic temperature changes created enormous stress within the rock, quickly causing fine cracks to appear, and even leading to spontaneous fracture. This method was particularly effective for large, intact rock formations, and was relatively quiet with minimal vibration.

Under this combined offensive, the project progressed at an astonishing speed. Meanwhile, Gao Yao's military deployment remained vigilant. Centered on the tomb entrance, all key roads and hilltops within a five-kilometer radius were heavily guarded by his elite soldiers, with multiple lines of defense established to prevent any unauthorized personnel from approaching. The entire area resembled a massive military fortification, completely isolated to ensure absolute secrecy and security for the operation.

The project continued day and night for two full days and nights. Torches and a few experimental, brighter gas lamps illuminated the interior of the tunnels as if it were daytime. The craftsmen worked in shifts, the clanging of their tools filling the air, their sweat mingling with stone dust, etching the marks of their hard work on every face.

Finally, late on the second night, excited shouts came from ahead: "The door! I can see the door!"

Upon hearing the news, Gao Yao immediately ventured into the passage. By now, the passage from the entrance to the depths had been widened and reinforced, resembling an underground corridor, large enough for three people to walk side by side with ease. As he walked, the ground beneath his feet was smoothed, the sides were supported by sturdy wooden structures, and the ceiling above him was a treated arched structure—a world apart from the cramped and dangerous primitive secret passage he remembered.

He reached the very front, where a breathtaking view unfolded before him. A massive, ancient stone door, exuding a heavy, oppressive sense of history, stood silently at the end of the tomb passage. It was almost one with the surrounding rocks, its surface covered with a thick layer of dust and traces of moss, yet its grandeur and solidity remained undeniable. The stone door appeared to be made of some extremely dense bluestone, reflecting a cold, eerie luster in the firelight.

Facing the door, Gao Yao felt a wave of fear. He was glad he hadn't listened to Yi Xiaochuan or the others' advice to blow it up directly. Given their limited knowledge of the power of gunpowder and their ignorance of the door's structure, a reckless blast would most likely have resulted in the complete collapse of the tomb entrance, buried under tons of rock, while the stone door itself might have only suffered a few cracks.

He approached for a closer look and gently tapped the stone with his tools to take measurements. Even by visual estimation alone, the stone door was at least three feet thick! This was a despairing figure. In ancient times, trying to push open such a door from the outside by human power was practically a pipe dream.

In Gao Yao's hazy fragments of memory, the opening of this door seems to be related to the energy of that mysterious celestial fragment, and perhaps also involves some intricate mechanism. Traditional tombs often have a "dragon-slaying stone" mechanism—through a clever mechanism, when the tomb door closes, a huge stone falls and jams the door hinges or the groove behind the door from the inside, making it impossible to push open by external force. Whether this door has a similar design is unknown.

But there's a crucial problem: the key to opening the door—the tiger-shaped jade pendant—has long since disappeared along with Yi Xiaochuan. Hoping to open this door through normal means is now hopeless.

However, all of this was within Gao Yao's expectations. From the moment he decided to come again, he had already considered all the possibilities. His thinking was very direct: since he couldn't open it by chance, he would force his way in. He firmly believed that no matter how talented the person who designed this underground palace was, no matter what mysterious forces might be involved behind Yi Xiaochuan, the builders of the underground palace itself were ultimately craftsmen from the Qin Dynasty, and the materials and processing techniques they used could not possibly exceed the limits of the Qin Dynasty.

Therefore, he, with his near-modern thinking and tools, had an absolute advantage in dealing with the technology and materials of the Qin Dynasty. His plan was simple and effective: drill through it.

There's no need to blast it open all at once—that would be too dangerous. Instead, the most primitive yet reliable method will be used: manual excavation. Using tools far harder than ancient rocks, they will choose a point on the thick stone door and slowly chisel out a small hole, gradually expanding it into a smaller opening. During the process, small amounts of explosives can be used for precise blasting, slowly "eating away" at the massive door. Like water dripping on stone, this method tests not instantaneous bursts of power, but sustained patience and technical expertise.

It was simply a matter of time. Gao Yao, however, had come fully prepared. He carried enough supplies to sustain the team for several months. He had plenty of time and patience.

After finalizing the plan, Gao Yao calmly retreated outside the passage. He ordered his most elite team of craftsmen to immediately begin targeted excavation work on the stone gate.

Meanwhile, he himself led a seemingly leisurely life in the makeshift camp on the outskirts. He would sometimes play with his young children, enjoying a moment of family bliss; but more often, he would personally train the personal guard battalion composed of elites drawn from various regions.

These soldiers might be individually brave, but they lacked teamwork and were unfamiliar with tactical coordination. Gao Yao knew that exploring Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum meant that the unknown dangers didn't just come from the underground palace itself, but could also come from outside or even inside. A personal guard that was as easy to command, absolutely loyal, and highly capable in combat was his last line of defense.

Under a dark and windy night, all was silent. Xianyang, the capital of the Qin Empire, had fallen into a deep slumber after a day of bustling activity. Only the outlines of its majestic palaces, faintly visible in the thin moonlight, resembled a lurking beast, exuding a chilling and austere atmosphere. However, in an inconspicuous corner of the city, a secret conspiracy, lurking in the shadows, was quietly unfolding.

In the west of Xianyang, there was an extremely remote, almost forgotten house. The walls were mottled, the wooden door old, standing out starkly against the surrounding, relatively tidy houses, as if abandoned by time. At that moment, several ghostly figures, under the cover of night, silently approached. Their movements were swift and light, clearly those of highly trained individuals. After cautiously observing their surroundings, they quickly slipped inside the slightly ajar wooden door.

Inside the house, the light grew increasingly dim. Only a single, tiny oil lamp sat on the central wooden table, its flame flickering uneasily, barely dispelling a small patch of darkness, but casting more shadows on the walls and corners, making the atmosphere even more eerie and unsettling. The flickering lamplight illuminated several solemn and tense faces.