usatvline Chapter 132 A Meeting Across the New Year
Chapter 132 A Meeting Across the New Year
The tomb passage has suffered from disrepair over the years and has many damaged areas, but you can still tell how exquisite it was when it was in good condition.
The murals on both sides have no text, only some totem-like patterns.
The ancient state of Ku originated in the Western Zhou Dynasty and was eventually destroyed by the Northern Wei Dynasty.
This tomb passage is undoubtedly in the Western Zhou style, indicating that the person buried here was of extraordinary status.
After passing through the tomb passage, the group arrived at a side chamber.
The side chamber was not large, with a lot of pottery fragments in the corners and some dried tree roots scattered throughout.
Tree roots had even penetrated the cracks in the stone slabs overhead.
They grow scattered on top, like a large umbrella supporting the top of the tomb chamber.
There were no walls around the tomb chamber; just outside were the branches of the bronze sacred tree.
The most valuable item in this side chamber is a bronze tree that is over three meters tall.
The tree is entirely cast in bronze, with every branch and vine carved with lifelike detail.
A large snake coiled up from under the tree, and opened its mouth to reveal its fangs at the top of the tree, looking extremely domineering.
"This is a good find! How about we figure out a way to get this bronze tree out of here?"
Hei Xiazi looked at Cheng Feng and said meaningfully.
He also wanted to see how Cheng Feng could make something that actually existed disappear.
"Indeed, it's a pity to leave it here; it would be perfect to keep it in my treasure vault."
Cheng Feng looked at the bronze tree with admiration.
He quickly looked away and said, "Let's keep going. Once we pass the next tomb passage, we should be at the main tomb."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Hei Xiazi was somewhat surprised. Cheng Feng was clearly very interested, but he did not accept the bronze tree.
He glanced at the three women following behind him, suspecting that they hadn't made a move because of the presence of outsiders.
Just as they were about to leave the side room,
A series of clicking sounds came from all directions.
Upon closer inspection, everyone discovered that hundreds of Chi Gu, resembling giant crabs, had crawled out from every corner of the tomb.
The three women of the Huo family gathered together with grim expressions. As the insect crawled, it was easy to see that several of its claws were particularly sharp.
Moreover, it can parasitize people's faces; if someone gets scratched, they'll be disfigured even if they don't get parasitized.
But apart from those three, everyone else remained calm.
Then a comical scene unfolded as the Chi Gu hurriedly crawled out.
After approaching the crowd, he quickly turned around and left in a hurry.
"They came in a hurry and left in a hurry."
Black Bear chuckled and sighed.
"Maybe they're in a hurry to get to work too!"
The three Huo sisters secretly observed the crowd and noticed that each person was holding a piece of sheepskin.
They understood why the Chi Gu had retreated without a fight.
Therefore, they were both envious and covetous. Such items that repel poisonous insects would be considered treasures in the world of tomb raiding.
But now they can only bury their envy in their hearts to avoid revealing it and causing adverse effects on themselves.
Entering the tomb passage opposite the side chamber, the dust here is thicker and more abundant, and the surroundings are more dilapidated.
Moreover, signs of human intervention can be seen from the damage.
"These mute soldiers are even more inhuman than ordinary tomb raiders; they've mastered the art of smashing, looting, and vandalizing."
Cheng Feng suspected that the bronze tree was able to remain largely thanks to the Chi Gu.
Otherwise, there might not even be a single hair left.
After passing through this dilapidated tomb passage, a tomb chamber much larger than the side chamber came into view.
"We've arrived at our destination. This coffin looks much more imposing than the one above."
Just as Hei Xiazi said, there was a huge stone coffin in this tomb.
It's illogical to put this stone coffin here.
Because its size far exceeds the length and width of the tomb entrance, there is only one possibility for it to be placed here.
The giant stone coffin existed first, and the tomb chamber was built afterward.
"Let's try to open the coffin; there might be a surprise inside."
Cheng Feng knew that the people lying inside were not the original high-ranking officials of the She Kingdom.
After the mute army wiped out the remaining Ku people, their accompanying translator was seriously injured.
In an effort to keep the translator alive, a prince of the Northern Wei Dynasty attempted to use the magic of this place to restore the translator's life.
They also discovered the wonders of the bronze tree and realized that there was a chance to survive there.
Finally, the mute army disappeared into the long river of history, and this translation has remained unchanged for thousands of years.
Cheng Feng came here to find this translator because he was certain that Bu Yanqi knew about his itinerary.
If Cheng Feng can get his cooperation, he can obtain part of the location of the ancient tomb, and even the location where the treasure is hidden.
"The coffin was designed with an opening mechanism. Although it was not sophisticated, it was considered ingenious for the time."
Black Bear walked around the coffin once, and finally stopped on the other side of the coffin and said.
Cheng Feng walked to Hei Xiazi's side and found a disc covered with inscriptions.
"Open the coffin, but be careful."
Black Bear nodded to indicate that he understood, and then raised his hand and placed it on the disc.
After the disc was rotated half a turn clockwise, the sound of a mechanism rang out from inside the coffin.
Cheng Feng and Hei Xiazi took two steps back to create space.
Soon the outer coffin unfolded to both sides like a budding flower.
The inner outer coffin was exposed.
This outer coffin was much simpler; Cheng Feng stepped forward and lifted it off.
What was inside startled everyone.
A young man dressed in ancient-style long robes and with waist-length hair was lying inside.
Hei Xiazi adjusted his sunglasses with his hand, and the smile on his face disappeared.
The image of the person in the coffin, seemingly fast asleep, reminded him of many past events.
"Brother, if you're awake, stop pretending to be asleep. We mean you no harm."
Cheng Feng's words sent chills down one's spine.
They all stared intently at the long-haired youth in the coffin, eager to witness a miracle that spanned a thousand years.
Suddenly, the young man opened his eyes and swung his sheathed sword at Cheng Feng.
Cheng Feng remained expressionless, leaning back to dodge the attack.
The scabbard flew out and disappeared into the abyss, the sharp sword inside revealing a cold glint as it pierced towards Cheng Feng's heart.
With a clang,
The blood-red Fish Intestine Sword deflected the incoming sword light.
The young man then brushed past Cheng Feng and landed on the broken pillar opposite him like a swallow.
"Are you tomb raiders?"
Perhaps sensing Cheng Feng's strength, the young man refrained from making another move.
He stood on high ground, sword in hand, maintaining his vigilance towards the crowd as he spoke.
"To be precise, we are the Unloading Ridge Warriors, or you could say tomb raiders."
Cheng Feng put the Fish Intestine Sword back into its sheath. Since he was going to try to get information out of someone, he had to show the necessary sincerity.
Seeing this, the young man lowered his guard slightly and spoke again:
What year is it now?
"More than a thousand years have passed since your time."
The tomb was unusually quiet, with only the sounds of Cheng Feng and the ancient youth talking alternately.
"I didn't realize so much time had passed, General and the others..."
The young man lowered his head slightly, his expression visibly showing sorrow and regret.
Upon seeing this, Cheng Feng quickly said:
"Brother, because it's been so long, a lot of history has been lost. Can I ask you, the person involved, for some information?"
The young man's thoughts were interrupted by Cheng Feng, and he seemed to have come to a realization about something.
He leaped down from the stone pillar and stood before Cheng Feng, saying:
"Tell me what you want to know as soon as possible, my time may be running out."