Chapter Fifty-Five: There Is Good Reason

A stack of documents lay before Officer Li. He selected one from the pile, its cover bearing seven bold black characters: "Fang Juncai Confidential File." He flipped through it briefly, then placed it back, drawing out four more files—those of Ye Dong, Liang Lingzhi, An Dachun, and Mu Xiaobao. With swift strokes, he stamped each one with a crimson seal. "Congratulations," he announced, "you have officially become undercover agents."

A knock sounded at the door. It was Xiao Wang. "Chief, our survey team has found a tomb that appears to have been raided by grave robbers. Do you want to take a look?"

Officer Li accepted the photographs. "I must go, of course." He paused. "Invite Master Chen Yao to come as well."

Several police cars sped toward the excavated tomb, where teams of investigators and numerous antiquities experts were already waiting.

"Greetings, Mr. Sima Jing!" Officer Li extended his hand to an elderly gentleman. "If this weren't a matter of grave importance, we wouldn't dare trouble you to come in person!"

The white-haired elder grasped Officer Li's hand firmly. "You’re too courteous, Officer Li. When the country needs me, I am always ready to serve!"

Chen Yao and his apprentices bowed respectfully to the venerable Sima Jing.

Chen Yao surveyed the surroundings. The mountain ranges undulated like a great wild goose descending with spread wings, its destination the very ground beneath their feet.

He paused inwardly. "I never expected to find such a 'Wild Goose Descends on Flat Sand' geomantic site here."

Officer Li inquired, "What have you discovered, Mr. Sima?"

Sima Jing adjusted his thick-framed glasses and opened a yellowed old book. "Though this tomb dates back to the Qing dynasty, its construction follows the 'Yuan Spirit Attendant' method used by Yuan dynasty nobility—a rare technique in ancient tombs previously excavated."

Chen Yao pondered aloud, "The 'Yuan Spirit Attendant' method?"

Sima Jing looked up at him. "You are familiar with tomb architecture, Mr. Chen?"

Chen Yao smiled faintly. "I've studied it a little. From what I know, this method is graded into levels of complexity. Each time a 'three' threshold is crossed, one must overcome numerous obstacles. It’s an exceedingly difficult tomb to penetrate."

Sima Jing nodded in agreement. "You are quite right, Mr. Chen. Moreover, since the tomb was built in the Qing era, many secret Qing burial techniques are concealed within, and the mysteries of the 'three' thresholds make entry almost impossible."

Listening to their explanations, Officer Li was surprised. "Despite such formidable barriers, someone managed to break in and nearly steal every treasure inside. These grave robbers must be exceptionally skilled!"

Sima Jing nodded. "All the traps and obstacles inside have also been cleared. They must have conducted meticulous and cautious planning." He paused. "There are still many inexplicable phenomena within. I ask that you and Master Chen investigate further."

The group followed the tunnel deeper into the tomb. After passing the area of scorched earth, they encountered a stone gate inscribed with several ancient characters.

Sima Jing explained, "It reads 'Mysterious Cave Stone Sky,' in the Small Seal script."

Inside, high-powered lights had already been installed, with fully armed SWAT officers stationed every few meters. The atmosphere felt more like entering a military base than a tomb.

Stopping beside a black canvas-covered pool, Sima Jing paused. "The first inexplicable thing is these strange creatures."

He pulled back the canvas, revealing over a dozen four-legged beasts with sharp teeth and varied forms sprawled haphazardly by the pool’s edge, bristling with weapons, their deaths horrifying.

Chen Yao frowned deeply at the sight. "Just as I suspected—this tomb employs 'human beasts' to guard it. The tomb’s owner must have been a powerful practitioner of occult arts."

Officer Li asked, "What are 'human beasts'?"

Chen Yao replied coldly, "Despite their monstrous appearance, they were once human. Bound by dark sorcery for years, they became neither truly human nor ghost. After death, a malignant force remains in their chests; when they encounter the living, it erupts, causing them to attack anyone as if they were mortal enemies."

Xiao Wang murmured, "Doesn't that make them zombies?"

Chen Yao explained, "There are many types of zombies. These human beasts are a kind that kills but does not eat. If they smell the living, they race on all fours like mad dogs, incredibly fast."

Zi Long suddenly understood. "So Master sent Ye Dong and the others to train at the dog kennels to face these human beasts!"

Upon hearing Chen Yao’s explanation, Officer Li and his team instinctively stepped back. "Is there any risk they might reanimate?"

Chen Yao shook his head and smiled. "No. The grave robbers anticipated this and killed them with weapons coated in dog’s blood."

The group pressed on. As they reached a stone passage, they noticed the walls were riddled with holes the size of fingertips.

Zi Long asked Chen Yao, "Are these arrow holes?"

Chen Yao shook his head. "No, these are entrances for venomous insects. In the Yuan dynasty, nobles were fond of using poisons in their intrigues. The arrow holes are behind you."

Zi Long spun around. Three or four meters overhead, the stone ceiling was densely perforated with uniform holes, sending chills down his spine. "Master, you truly are remarkable!"

Chen Yao explained, "These are simply mechanical traps. Once their principles are understood, they’re not difficult to handle. But a misstep could mean eternal entombment."

Zi Long glanced at the desiccated corpses lining the passageway and whispered, "If Ye Dong and the others enter this tomb, wouldn’t it be a near-certain death?"

Night fell. "Liang Lingzhi, Liu Fei, Xu Si—step forward." The prison guard called out their names, holding a file.

Liang Lingzhi was puzzled. "Is something the matter, officer?"

The guard replied coldly, "You’re skilled enough. All charges against you are dropped! No need for trial—you're released immediately!"

Xu Si and Liu Fei’s eyes sparkled as they shook Liang Lingzhi’s arm vigorously. "Brother Zhi, Brother Zhi! We’re actually being let out!"

Liang Lingzhi shouted at the guard, "Why are we suddenly being released?"

The guard slammed the iron door. "How should I know? Leave if you want!"

Xu Si hurriedly pulled Liang Lingzhi away. "Brother Zhi, don’t question it. Shouldn’t we be happy to get out?"

Liang Lingzhi whispered, "Could it be He Wentian helped us?"

Liu Fei and Xu Si nodded repeatedly. "Who else could it be? Didn’t you say his background is impressive? After all, we saved his life!"

After a moment’s silence, Liang Lingzhi burst out laughing. "Damn it, risking our lives for him wasn’t in vain!"

The prison guard looked furious. "Are you leaving or not?"

Xu Si, suppressing his joy, whispered, "I thought I’d be stuck here for years! Brother Zhi, I really need to thank you for showing me the way!"

The three followed the guard out, grinning. As they passed cell 1024, a pair of hands suddenly grabbed Liang Lingzhi and Xu Si, dragging them to the iron door.

"Listen carefully! Tomorrow there’s an auction at the Joy Hotel. An olive vase with a tea-dust glaze will be on the block. No matter what it costs, you must win it! The money’s mine. Understand?"

Xu Si was shocked. "Isn’t that the vase Brother Li Zimu is bidding on?"