45: The experts were shocked

The roar of the helicopter echoed through the valley like thunder descending from the heavens.

Lin Feng and Wang Dalong stood at the edge of the platform, watching as the helicopter, painted with red and white markings, landed steadily on the only open space large enough within the ruins of the mountain fortress. The fierce wind kicked up by the rotors sent withered leaves and dust swirling into the air, forcing the two men to turn away and shield their faces with their arms.

"Whoa... this efficiency is terrifying," Wang Dalong exclaimed, his eyes wide. "It's only been ten-odd minutes since we called the police!"

Lin Feng didn't say a word, merely squinting as he watched the cabin door open.

The first person to jump down was Jiang Wanqing.

She was dressed in a sleek windbreaker with her long hair tied back in a ponytail. She wore no makeup, yet her heroic spirit and intellectual aura still made it impossible to look away. As soon as she landed, she strode toward the cliff face, followed by five or six middle-aged men and women similarly equipped with professional gear. Judging by their demeanor, they were all scholars.

"Lin Feng!" Jiang Wanqing called out from a distance, her voice carrying an irrepressible excitement.

Lin Feng leaned his head out from the platform and waved down at her.

A few minutes later, the accompanying technicians set up a simple lifting device at the base of the cliff—two thick steel cables, an electric winch, and several safety harnesses. Their movements were so fast it was staggering; they were clearly a professional team.

"Mr. Lin, please come down first. We need to get a brief understanding of the situation," shouted a middle-aged man standing below who wore gold-rimmed glasses and appeared to be the team leader.

Lin Feng nodded, and he and Wang Dalong slid down the ropes one after the other.

As soon as his feet touched the ground, Jiang Wanqing walked over quickly. Her eyes were fixed on Lin Feng, her gaze so complex it was unreadable.

"You... you really found it?" Her voice trembled slightly.

Lin Feng pulled the "Heavenly Kingdom Sacred Treasure" gold coin from his pocket and held it out to her.

Jiang Wanqing took the coin, her fingers shaking. She turned it over and over, inspecting it several times, then took a deep breath and turned to the middle-aged man who looked like the leader.

"Professor Zhao, it's real. This is a gold commemorative coin from the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. The craftsmanship, the patterns, and the weight all match up."

The man addressed as Professor Zhao's eyes widened instantly. He rushed over in a few steps, took the coin from Jiang Wanqing, pulled out a portable magnifying glass, and practically pressed his face against the gold coin.

Three seconds later, he snapped his head up, his voice changing pitch:

"Go up immediately! Right now!"

The other experts crowded around, their faces filled with shock and excitement. One white-haired old professor's hands were shaking as he muttered things like "impossible" and "how can this be?"

The lifting equipment was activated.

The first group to go up consisted of Professor Zhao, two younger experts, and Jiang Wanqing. Lin Feng intended to follow them but was stopped by a uniformed staff member.

"Mr. Lin, according to the procedure, we need to take a statement from you first. Please follow me."

Lin Feng nodded and followed the man to the side. Wang Dalong tried to follow but was also stopped.

"You also need to give a separate statement."

The two were taken to two relatively intact stone walls at the edge of the ruins, where they each faced a staff member with a tablet computer and began answering a series of questions.

"How did you learn about the clues to the treasure at Old Crow Mountain?"

"Deduction," Lin Feng replied succinctly.

"Can you elaborate?"

"Before the Taiping Rebellion Leader's defeat at the Dadu River, he sent a small detachment to move the treasure. Based on the eight-word riddle 'Facing water, leaning on mountains, the treasure lies between,' and combining it with topographic maps, historical records, and local legends, I narrowed it down to Old Crow Mountain."

"How did you find the specific location of the treasure?"

"In the ruins of the mountain fortress, only the cave on the cliff face met the conditions for hiding treasure—it was hidden, sturdy, and easy to seal."

"Did you enter the cave?"

"No," Lin Feng shook his head. "After discovering the sealed entrance, I immediately called the police."

The staff member tapped quickly on the tablet, then looked up with a hint of respect in his eyes.

"Mr. Lin, your actions were very correct. This is of great significance for cultural relic protection."

The statement-taking lasted about twenty minutes.

Just as Lin Feng finished his final signature, a burst of excited shouting came from above the cliff.

"My god!"

"This... this is impossible!"

"Quick! Take photos! Take photos from every angle!"

Lin Feng looked up and saw several experts on the platform gesturing wildly in their excitement. One of them even sat directly on the ground, covering his face, his shoulders shaking.

He was crying.

An archaeologist, crying right at the cave entrance.

After another ten-odd minutes, Jiang Wanqing slid down the rope. Her face was flushed, her eyes were slightly red, and she looked as if she had just finished a marathon, her breathing hurried.

When she saw Lin Feng, she walked over quickly, opening her mouth to speak but finding herself not knowing where to start.

"Inside..." She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "Inside, there are over two hundred sets of remains, preliminary judged to be Taiping Army soldiers. And..."

She paused, her voice trembling.

"And one hundred and twenty-three crates of treasure. Gold and silver items, jade, ancient books, calligraphy, and paintings... A preliminary estimate of the value..."

She couldn't go on.

Professor Zhao also came down from the rope. He walked up to Lin Feng and solemnly extended his hand.

"Mr. Lin, you have made an incalculable contribution to the nation's cultural cause. The historical and cultural value of these relics far exceeds their economic value."

Lin Feng shook his hand but didn't speak.

Professor Zhao continued, "This is the largest and best-preserved Taiping Heavenly Kingdom treasure site discovered since the founding of New China. It doesn't just contain treasure; more importantly, those remains and the layout of the site provide first-hand data for our research into the military operations of the late Taiping Heavenly Kingdom."

He paused, his voice becoming even more serious.

"Mr. Lin, do you know what this means? It means we can rewrite that period of history."

Lin Feng nodded, his gaze drifting into the distance.

He thought of those figures in the vision who were unafraid of death, and he remembered Centurion Li's words: 'In the next life, let's be brothers again.'

"Professor Zhao, I have a request," Lin Feng suddenly spoke.

"Please, go ahead."

"Those remains... can you set up a monument for them?"

Professor Zhao was taken aback for a moment, then nodded solemnly.

"Certainly."