As described in the materials Liang En had previously found, Indian temples play many roles in local life, such as being centers of relief and even handling some financial tasks.
Therefore, safeguarding valuable items for others naturally falls under the temple's responsibilities. However, the fact that some items have been preserved for over 100 years often indicates that something interesting must have happened back then.
Since it was decided to search the temple the next day, Mr. Verma simply instructed his servants to close the temple for half a day after noon, ensuring Liang En could search for his target without interruption.
Indeed, as the temple's manager and the former local ruler, the Verma family wielded significant power. After instructing the servants, Mr. Verma turned to Liang En and said:
"Mr. Liang, although this temple has been under our management for over 300 years, it would be best if you and your entourage wore our clothes when we go together, as the priests prefer not to see non-believers inside the temple."
Although the rule technically prohibits only non-believers from entering religious spaces, and the storeroom they were visiting belonged to the temple's secular part, it was still best to be cautious since the storeroom was within the temple walls.
"No problem, I travel all over the world, so I understand the principle of 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do.' Moreover, you allowing me to enter the temple is already enough. I am very grateful for your family's generosity and openness."
In theory, Liang En could complete his work by entering the non-religious part of the temple, but applying through normal channels would likely be rejected by the temple priests.
This is why Mr. Verma suggested accompanying him, as his presence could ensure the smooth progress of the task. Most importantly, Mr. Verma saw that Liang En's request did not violate any rules, so he was naturally willing to do this favor.
The next day, after lunch, they drove to the ancient temple. With Mr. Verma leading the way, they quickly bypassed the main hall and headed towards the storeroom at the back, accompanied by two priests.
Soon, they arrived at the storeroom, where the priests escorting them each took a large key from their waists and simultaneously inserted them into the two keyholes of the iron door, turning them at the same time.
With a series of clicking sounds, the mechanisms inside the iron door moved, and the iron door slowly opened, revealing a passageway leading into the room.
This building was entirely different from the main temple. If the temple's architecture aimed for grandeur and majesty, this place focused solely on sturdiness.
The walls were over 1.5 meters thick and entirely made of stone. The floor was also covered with thick stone slabs. The doors and windows, compared to the building's size, were small, with doors and windows made of thick metal.
The entire building looked incredibly solid. In Liang En's view, without using cards or explosives, it was almost impossible to open this building quickly.
"This can be said to be the safest treasury in our entire state, even more secure than the bank vaults here," Mr. Verma introduced to Liang En.
"So, as long as the items haven't been taken away, they should still be in one of the compartments in this warehouse. There is absolutely no chance of them being lost."
"I see this warehouse is of considerable size. Have you cleared out some items over the years?" Liang En asked after his eyes adjusted to the darkness inside the room.
Although the room didn't look small, considering it stored items for hundreds of years, relying solely on this warehouse seemed unlikely.
"Yes, we clear out items every year, and every ten years, we conduct a major cleanup," said one of the accompanying priests who could understand English.
"But the item you are looking for has a three-digit code, and we never clear out the 1001 compartments numbered from 0 to 1000. These items are preserved forever."
"In that case, the items in compartment 307 should still be there," Liang En said, looking at the number carved on the silver casing. "But how did you allow a Brit to store items here?"
"That, we are not clear about. The compartments numbered within the top 1000 require approval from senior priests, but due to confidentiality, the process is not recorded," the priest shook his head.
"Therefore, besides the priests who made the decisions back then, no one else knows the exact reasons. Naturally, we don't know why a Brit's items are stored here."
"Alright, I guess we will have to see for ourselves once we find the items," Liang En nodded to the priest after hearing this and gestured for him to lead the way.
Liang En did not find the temple's rules unreasonable. The fact that it offered storage services implied a series of strict regulations; otherwise, people wouldn't trust their valuable items to the temple.
Since Liang En had the key, only he was allowed into the storeroom. Two priests accompanied him, one in front and one behind, watching his every move.
Soon, they reached an iron box, and the priest extended his hand for the key. Liang En was surprised to see that instead of inserting the key into the iron box's keyhole, the priest compared it with an imprint from a silver box taken from his body.
This method surprised Liang En, who thought the key was for opening the box. Upon reflection, Liang En found this method much safer than he had imagined.
This method avoided potential failures of ancient mechanisms and prevented a series of troublesome issues.
After confirming that Liang En had brought the correct key, the priest took out a small hydraulic wire cutter and cut off a copper ring welded to the box, then opened the heavy iron box.
"Good heavens!" The hardcore method of opening the box surprised Liang En, but he quickly focused on the contents of the box.
The box contained a very simple wooden case, nothing else. After thoroughly checking to ensure nothing was missed, Liang En took out the wooden case and, under the surveillance of the two priests, walked out of the storeroom.
"Did you get the items?" Mr. Verma asked as he saw Liang En emerge.
"Yes, I did," Liang En replied, raising his hand slightly to show the wooden box. "Let's open it after we return to ensure the items inside are safe."
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