Chapter 6

Mu Linfeng speculated that Li Jianping's sudden visit was certainly not for casual conversation; perhaps there was something important at hand. He then asked, "Director Li, did you come to see me regarding an important matter?"

Upon the thought, he took action. In the days that followed, Mu Linfeng began to tirelessly transcribe the ancestral manuscripts left by his forebears regarding the art of divination. As he copied the manuscripts, he also studied the techniques inscribed on three sheets of rough paper, and soon he had thoroughly integrated the ancestral skills of divination.

"Well, that sounds good. I will have someone ride into the mountains right away." After saying this, Master Ma Er stood up and went out to arrange for someone to deliver a message to Mu Dingwu.

Oh, since I left the city, many friends have called to inquire, but during this time, I have been deeply engrossed in studying the "Notes on Tomb Divination" passed down by my ancestors, and I did not wish to be disturbed, so I turned off my phone

Moreover, Mu Linfeng is currently at Mujiaying, feeling secure in his most familiar environment. He does not believe that Ma Ermu can do anything to him, so Li Jianping's words did not attract Mu Linfeng's attention. On the contrary, Mu Linfeng feels that Li Jianping's remarks seem to carry an implication of intimidation towards him

Mu Linfeng shook his head and forced a smile, saying: "What... what could possibly happen to me? Indeed, nothing has happened at all"

At this moment, Li Jianping wants to inquire about the details from Mu Linfeng, but he certainly will not disclose anything. He can only investigate from other aspects to see what issues Mu Linfeng has encountered

"Hehe, how well have you mastered the ancestral skill of tomb divination?" Li Jianping asked again

By coincidence, on the very day that Anzi was looking for Master Ma Er, the eldest son of the Ma family from Jinling, Ma Yunshan, came to Qingzhou to discuss business with Master Ma Er. Master Ma Er inadvertently mentioned that Anzi was inquiring about the Wang Hengling tomb, which immediately alerted Ma Yunshan, prompting him to carefully inquire about the details of the matter with Master Ma Er

Before Anzi could finish speaking, Mu Dingwu raised his hand to stop him, saying: "Even if you are here on the orders of the Supreme Emperor, I am unaware of it. Please leave."

Why has your phone been turned off for such a long time? Everyone thought something had happened

Mu Dingwu had heard of this Pu Jianyi郎 and knew that this fellow was like a vicious wolf; once he caught a whiff of blood, he would never relent until he had taken a bite. After much contemplation, he decided to settle matters with the Japanese devils once and for all

Master Mu, please do not rush to refuse. You may set any conditions you wish. We can provide you with cash and high-quality opium as you desire. You can have anything you want, as long as you tell us the true location of the Heng Wang Tomb.

At that moment, a thought flashed through Mu Linfeng's mind: to rewrite all these notebooks just like his great-grandfather did. He believed that after copying all eighteen volumes of the notebooks, the experiences of his ancestors would become his own.

Ma Yunshan pondered for a moment and said to Master Ma Er, "Master, there is still time for a remedy. Please arrange for someone to go to Mujia Camp immediately and inform Mu Dingwu about the Japanese seeking Hengwang Tomb, so that he is aware of the situation."

The person hiding in the shadows has gone to great lengths to achieve their goals, setting up one trap after another... Mu Linfeng is not only completely unaware of the impending danger but also secretly rejoices at having discovered his ancestral skills. To be honest, he now feels a sense of "a great responsibility has been bestowed upon this person," filled with ambition and confidence

Mu Dingwu carefully considered the situation and felt that it would be very difficult to escape this calamity. Therefore, he arranged for his young son to be sent away overnight, specifically to his grandfather, who was not yet ten years old at the time. The boy was sent to Boshan, over a hundred miles away, and hid in a friend's house. As long as the roots of the Mu family remained, there was nothing to fear.

Upon hearing the sound of the door opening, Mu Linfeng did not expect that it would be Li Jianping and Xiao Cao who entered. He quickly put down the pen in his hand and offered them his seat.

Master Ma Er is a banner man, and his ancestors were once minor generals, which endowed him with a family legacy of exceptional martial skills. Master Ma Er is particularly adept with the slingshot, and it is said that he can hit the target with every shot.

Hehe, Mu Dingwu chuckled coldly a couple of times, "I am a knot dealing with the dead, what guidance can I offer you? You are overestimating me, my friends"

Li Jianping said with a smile: "What a tranquil place; you really know how to choose a location for cultivation. I believe it won't take long before you achieve enlightenment and become an immortal."

Then Li Jianping stood up and said, "Well, since that is the case, I won't say much more. I will convey your thoughts to Professor Dongfang. However, I must remind you to be cautious of Ma Ermu. He is a registered tomb raider even within the International Criminal Police Organization, and he is also a high-IQ criminal. You must not let your guard down, and this matter is unrelated to whether you join the research group or not"

Professor Dong happily asked, "Is there any news from Lin Feng's side?"

Li Jianping noticed that Mu Linfeng did not dare to look him in the eye while speaking, his eyes darting around unconsciously. It is often said that the eyes are the windows to the soul, and indeed, the direction of eye movement very accurately reflects a person's inner thoughts

Ma Yunshan and Mu Dingwu are archrivals, and it is precisely because of this that Ma Yunshan knows Mu Dingwu very well

At this time, Mu Dingwu had become emaciated due to his opium addiction, and nearly everything that could be sold in the house had been sold off, leaving only the empty walls of the deep courtyard. Some of the doors and windows of the houses had been dismantled and sold, with only the doors and windows of the main house remaining intact

Professor Dong nodded slightly: "I see, then good. You should go to Qingzhou as soon as possible, not only to protect Lin Feng, but also to prevent the other party from finding the 'Imperial Burial Mountain Map', otherwise it will be very detrimental to our work"

More than ten days had passed, and Mu Linfeng had copied more than half of the ancestral burial notes left by his forebears. Before he could finish studying them all, Director Li Jianping from the National Security Bureau suddenly came to visit...

Speaking, Mu Dingwu casually picked up a few silver dollars from the square table, and without even looking, tossed them onto Anzi.

After the fall of the Qing government, the Qingzhou banner soldiers were forced to disband, and many Qing soldiers became scattered across various regions. Some remained in the northern city of Qingzhou, but many faced dire circumstances and struggled to make a living. In order to survive, people engaged in various activities, and this individual, Master Ma Er, began to deal in the business of interacting with tomb raiders

Mu Linfeng's purpose in doing this is twofold: firstly, to dedicate himself to the in-depth study of the unique skills of tomb guarding, and secondly, to avoid the research group of Professor Dongfang. To be frank, ever since Mu Linfeng made a solemn vow to become a guardian of the spirit, he has been consciously avoiding contact with Professor Dongfang. Mu Linfeng feels that the professor's research topics are too distant from him, while the ancestral teachings are right beside him, which he absolutely cannot violate.

Anzi went to the old street in Beicheng to find out about a person known by the nickname "Ma Er Ye". In fact, he is not a tomb raider but rather a go-between who connects tomb raiders with antique dealers, commonly referred to as "peeling skin", and in modern terms, called an "agent". As mentioned earlier, tomb raiders keep themselves well hidden, and these individuals do not easily show themselves in public. They have something happened in their hands, and they rely on fixed "peeling skin" to connect them with buyers. As mentioned earlier, tomb raiders keep themselves well hidden, and these individuals do not easily show themselves in public. They have something happened in their hands, and they rely on fixed "peeling skin" to connect them with buyers

Since receiving a call from Mu Linfeng, stating that he had found the ancestral skill of grave-seeking, his phone has been turned off, and I have not been able to contact him for ten days. Through comrades in Qingzhou, I learned that Mu Linfeng has resigned from his job at the hotel and left Qingzhou City to return to Mujia Camp, but it is unclear what he is specifically doing

Rest assured, as soon as Mu Dingwu hears the news that the Japanese are looking for the Tomb of King Zhenheng, he will be the first to think that the Japanese are looking for him, because in Qingzhou, there is no one else besides him who knows the true location of the Tomb of King Heng.

Having received news in advance, Mu Dingwu had a pretty good idea upon seeing the three individuals, though he said nothing and simply observed the newcomers with a calm demeanor

Mu Linfeng humbly stated: "I can only say that I have learned a little about fur; what I lack is the right timing."

An Zi clasped his hands together and asked with a cheerful smile, "May I ask if you are Master Mu?"

Li Jianping tried to remain calm as he looked at Mu Linfeng and asked, "Linfeng, can you tell me the real reason? Why do you want to withdraw from the research group?"

Mu Linfeng did not find any trace of the "Imperial Burial Mountain Map" in the burial notes left by his great-grandfather. Regarding the true location of the Hengwang Tomb, his great-grandfather left behind two lines: "From the peak, one can see a thousand clouds pass by; a great Buddha sleeps while all the Buddhas watch."

Mu Dingwu found it inconvenient to explain the details to everyone; he only requested the gentlemen, both young and old, to assist him in ensuring that his funeral was properly arranged

Located in the northern city of Qingzhou, Qicheng is laid out in a neat checkerboard pattern, with government offices, barracks, schools, martial arts halls, temples, and other structures arranged in an orderly manner within this city-within-a-city covering more than 40,000 square meters. Within Qicheng, soldiers live with their families, and each ordinary soldier has a separate courtyard with two rooms for officials, all constructed in the standard style of blue bricks, gray tiles, and wooden structures. The soldiers stationed in Qicheng rely entirely on the imperial court for their military salaries to sustain their lives. They do not engage in production and form an independent combat unit, a system that has also led to the loss of self-sufficiency among the inhabitants of Qicheng.

The funeral materials and burial clothes had been prepared several years ago, so there was no need to arrange anything further. Mu Dingwu personally served as the officiant for his own funeral, holding a grand yet simple ceremony, placing the coffin, which contained only the ceremonial attire, into the grave that had been constructed long ago, to be interred alongside his daughter-in-law who had passed away several years prior. In fact, the reason Mu Dingwu chose to hold a funeral for himself was to ensure that his coffin would be buried together with his wife who had departed early.

Decades have passed, yet the story of Mu Dingwu continues to be passed down in the local area

As expected, it was not long before Mu Dingwu received news sent from Qingzhou City that the Japanese were looking for him

We had no reason to apprehend him before he committed the crime; otherwise, he might turn the tables on us. Therefore, what we can do now is closely monitor his movements and take preventive measures

After listening to Master Ma Er recount the events, Ma Yunshan thoughtfully remarked, "It seems that the Japanese are also eyeing the Hengwang Tomb."

For right-handed individuals, if their eyes look to the upper left, it indicates that they are recalling or imagining something. If their eyes are level and looking to the left, it signifies that they are listening. When their eyes gaze to the lower right, it suggests that the person is contemplating something, and if their gaze is directed downward and fluctuating, it indicates that they are fabricating a lie. For left-handed individuals, this order is exactly reversed. When their eyes gaze to the lower right, it suggests that the person is contemplating something, and if their gaze is directed downward and fluctuating, it indicates that they are fabricating a lie. For left-handed individuals, this order is exactly reversed.

This news greatly pleased Professor Dongfang, for once Mu Linfeng mastered the ancestral skill of tomb divination, the chances of locating and discovering ancient tombs would significantly increase. Even if the "Map of the Imperial Burial Mountain" could not be found, there would still be a possibility of discovering the tomb of Youhou Xi after the maritime routes of the Yin people crossing the sea were identified.

In the confrontation between Mu Linfeng and Ma Ermu, Mu Linfeng was at a disadvantage from the very beginning, as if the two were not even on the same level as opponents. Ma Ermu possesses a high level of education and intelligence, being a graduate student from a world-renowned institution, while Mu Linfeng is merely a chef

Mu Linfeng suddenly recalled that these characters were consistent with those in the first letter he had seen. It seemed that these eighteen volumes of notes had been copied again by his great-grandfather, which explained why all the notes appeared to be very neat.

After carefully examining the journal left by his great-grandfather, Mu Linfeng discovered that there was no mention whatsoever of his great-grandmother, who came from a family of tomb raiders. It seemed that his great-grandfather was quite reticent about this matter. However, the journal contained detailed records and descriptions of a tomb raiding gang hidden in the ancient city of Nanjing. Although his great-grandfather did not mention any connection between his great-grandmother and this secretive tomb raiding gang, he instinctively felt that she was very likely to have originated from this gang.

Li Jianping shook his head and said with a serious expression: "Not only do we have no news, but we have also lost contact with Mu Linfeng"

After listening to Xiao Cao's introduction of the situation, Mu Linfeng muttered to himself: "What a narrow road for enemies, it turns out to be the descendants of the Ma family from Nanjing"

The tombs that the Ma family has plundered are all large tombs of royal and noble status; they have never looked down upon ordinary graves. In order to rob a large tomb, they would even spend several years preparing, conducting thorough investigations before taking action. Therefore, once a tomb is targeted by the Ma family, it is rarely left unlooted, except for the tombs depicted in the "Imperial Burial Mountain Map" held by the Mu family.

To speak frankly, Mu Linfeng did not care much about the arrival of Ma Ermu, as he had not yet discovered the whereabouts of the "Imperial Burial Mountain Map". How could an outsider possibly find it? Moreover, the secret technique of the tomb was firmly in his own hands, and Ma Ermu could never take it away.

Fortunately, Li Jianping did not notice Mu Linfeng's unnatural expression, and nodded, saying: "So that's how it is. In the future, we must ensure smooth communication unless there are special circumstances. In case of any unexpected situations..."

Regarding death, Mu Dingwu views it with indifference, not only because he has witnessed too much death, but also because since the passing of his beloved, he feels that living alone holds little meaning. If it were not for the fact that his son is still young, he might have already departed this world to join his beloved.

Everyone thought that Mu Dingwu had gone mad, but looking at his expression, he seemed quite normal and did not appear to be joking. The Mu family has always been the most prestigious family in the village, so no matter what, as long as Mu Dingwu asked everyone for help, no one would refuse.

Mu Dingwu's deceased wife was actually Ma Yunshan's cousin. The original plan was to arrange for the cousin to be by Mu Dingwu's side to steal the secrets of the "Imperial Burial Mountain Map," but unexpectedly, it led to a legendary romance. After the cousin's death, Ma Yunshan further schemed to entice Mu Dingwu into opium addiction, yet even so, Ma Yunshan did not obtain what he desired.

Director Li truly has a sense of humor; our family's old residence has been destroyed, so we have no choice but to temporarily stay at a relative's place. Although it is somewhat simple, it is indeed quite tranquil, which is very beneficial for studying the heritage left by our ancestors

Mu Dingwu invited several elders from the village to his home. When they heard that Mu Dingwu was going to hold a funeral for himself, the elders were left dumbfounded; it was the first time they had ever heard of someone organizing their own funeral, truly a remarkable phenomenon.

When Anzi entered, Mu Dingwu was sitting in the grand master's chair in the main room. The only remaining furniture in the house was a square table and these two grand master's chairs on either side.

After returning to Mujiaying, Mu Linfeng turned off his mobile phone. He was staying in the old house of his uncles and brothers, and since everyone had moved away, there was no landline, thus severing all contact with the outside world

Li Jianping immediately said seriously: "No, Lin Feng, the situation may be very serious. I mentioned to you during our last meeting that the tomb raiders sent from abroad have already infiltrated the country. According to the intelligence we currently possess, this group has arrived in Qingzhou, and their targets are you personally and the 'Imperial Burial Mountain Map.' I came to Qingzhou to find you specifically for this matter."

Anzi did not expect that a person who smoked opium would be so tough. He pondered for a moment and thought it would be better to go back and discuss it with Zhu Guangwen first, after all, this opium addict would not be able to escape. Thus, he waved his hand to his two subordinates and turned to leave the main hall

Li Jianping smiled and said, "I didn't expect you to have such a complicated relationship with the Ma family"

Mu Linfeng stated resolutely: "I have considered this matter for a long time, and I truly cannot continue working for the research group. Please convey my apologies to Director Li and Professor Dongfang."

It is merely a conjecture that my great-grandmother may have come from the Ma family

Mu Dingwu simply would not buy into his nonsense, straightening his emaciated chest and saying: "Go back and tell your master, there is only one life to live, and I know nothing of other matters"

Understood, I will go to Qingzhou now, and I will report to you promptly if there are any developments

The room where Mu Linfeng resides is very simple; apart from a writing desk and a wooden stool, there is only a bed for sleeping, leaving the guests no choice but to sit at the edge of the bed

Oh! Is this true? Mu Linfeng asked in surprise

Hehe... we are here to give Master Mu some money..." Saying this, Anzi took out a few silver dollars from his pocket, weighed them in his palm in front of Mu Dingwu, and then placed them on the square table beside him

Therefore, Professor Dongfang is also making dual preparations, waiting for Mu Linfeng to search for the "Map of the Imperial Burial Mountain" while leading the entire research team to review a vast amount of materials, striving to find the maritime route taken by General You Houxi and his one hundred thousand Yin troops as they crossed the Pacific Ocean. Once the maritime route of the Yin people’s eastward crossing is determined, the island of Tianzhifuqiao, where You Houxi is buried, can be located

Thank you, Director Li, for your reminder; I will certainly pay more attention

Oh, do you know about the Ma family in Nanjing?" Li Jianping asked curiously

When Li Jianping and his assistant found Mu Linfeng, he was hiding inside the house, engrossed in copying the "Notes on Tombs".

Mu Dingwu thought to himself that they had indeed come for the tomb of King Heng. He deliberately displayed a look of surprise and said, "Have you several gentlemen mistaken the person? How would a mere bumpkin like me know where the tomb of King Heng is!"

When mentioning Master Ma Er, one cannot overlook the Banner City of Qingzhou, where the uniquely distinctive "Double City" can be said to be unparalleled in China

Oh, we have lost contact! How could this happen? Professor Dong asked in surprise

Anzi came to find Ma Er Ye. To be honest, Ma Er Ye looked down on someone like Anzi from the bottom of his heart. However, he knew that Anzi was now the squad leader of the security team. A gentleman does not engage in conflict with a petty person, especially when this petty person is an official. Therefore, regarding the matters Anzi inquired about, Ma Er Ye tried his best to share what he knew with him.

"Yes," Xiao Cao replied, and then took out a document from the briefcase he carried with him, introducing the visitor's situation to Mu Linfeng

Surely nothing was found, otherwise they would not have sent traitors to inquire about the true location of the Heng Wang Tomb

Jian Mu Lin Feng's attitude was very resolute, and Li Jianping exchanged a glance with his assistant Xiao Cao. Both of them understood that at this moment, saying more would be of no use, and they would make plans after uncovering the truth of the matter

The day after holding his own funeral, Mu Dingwu quietly left Mujiaying, and the villagers never saw him again

At that moment, a thought flashed through Mu Linfeng's mind; he decided to take this opportunity to inform Li Jianping of his decision to withdraw from Professor Dongfang's research group, to avoid any difficult choices in the future. Thus, he said to Li Jianping: "Director Li, could you please convey a message to Group Leader Wang Zhao? I would like to withdraw from the research group..."

Hearing Ma Yunshan say this, Master Ma Er expressed some regret, saying: "Ah, I didn't consider these things at the time and just told An Zi about the matter of Mu Dingwu from the Mu family camp."

After reading the notes left by his great-grandfather, Mu Linfeng briefly glanced through several other volumes of burial notes written by his ancestors. He discovered a commonality: although each volume bore the names of the respective ancestors, the handwriting on all the notes was identical, clearly indicating that they had been copied by a single individual

It seems that it was arranged by fate; the tomb raider expert who came from abroad this time is a descendant of the Ma family from Nanjing, who has been in hiding for decades. The Ma family descendant went to Taiwan before the liberation and later moved to Europe

Although Li Jianping was aware that the other party had infiltrated Qingzhou, he was unaware that these individuals had already begun their actions. The strange occurrences at Zhu Fugui's home were, in fact, deliberately orchestrated by someone with the intent of luring Mu Linfeng into action. Only by forcing Mu Linfeng to take action could they create an opportunity for him to seek out the ancestral burial techniques and the "Map of the Imperial Burial Mountain." However, Mu Linfeng remained completely oblivious to all of this.

It turns out that Ma Ermu is currently still employed by a foreign research institution. His purpose for returning is very clear: he is specifically after the "Imperial Burial Mountain Map" and the unique burial techniques of the Mu family. Ma Ermu learned about the "Imperial Burial Mountain Map" and the details of the Mu family from the materials left by his ancestors, which is why he went to great lengths to find Mu Linfeng and set up a series of traps to gradually draw Mu Linfeng out.

"No problem..." Master Ma Er readily agreed, but then asked with some concern, "Young Master Ma, do you think Mu Dingwu would suspect that the Japanese are out to get him?"

Professor Dong, who is far away in Qingdao, is completely unaware of the changes happening with Mu Linfeng. Two days after Mu Linfeng returned, the professor received news from Wang Zhao that Mu Linfeng has already found the ancestral art of grave divination and is currently engaged in studying it

Among the tomb raiders known to Master Ma Er, there are individuals from the Ma family of Jinling. The Ma family is a very powerful tomb raiding clan, and they have long been coveting the Hengwang Tomb. They have expended considerable effort on Mu Dingwu, yet have consistently achieved nothing.

Mu Dingwu simply tidied up his belongings in preparation to leave Mujiaying, but then he reconsidered. It would not do; the Japanese were targeting the Heng Wang Tomb. If he left, what if the Japanese found the real Heng Wang Tomb through other means? Although the Heng Wang Tomb was not marked on the "Imperial Burial Mountain Map," he still had a responsibility to protect the Heng Wang Tomb

The day after Mu Dingwu sent his son away, Anzi arrived with two subordinates to find him. Due to Mu Dingwu's reputation in the area, it was easy to locate him; a casual inquiry would suffice. Moreover, although the Mu family's old residence was quite dilapidated, it still held significant prominence in the village and could be seen from outside the village.

Seeing three traitors leave in a fit of anger, Mu Dingwu knew that this matter would not simply pass. His first thought was to hide away, to go to a friend's house in another city to avoid the storm for the time being

Behind Ma Ermu stands a powerful international smuggling group and organizations supported by certain countries, making this seem like an extremely asymmetric confrontation. At this moment, the only thing Ma Ermu did not anticipate was that while he was dealing with Mu Linfeng, Professor Dongfang had also found Mu Linfeng; otherwise, it would have been very difficult for Mu Linfeng to be his opponent

Li Jianping immediately asked with great interest: "What kind of familial relationship do you have with each other?"

Because Qingzhou is a coastal fortress, a buffer zone for stationed troops and stored armor, it controls the vital routes from the Central Plains to the Jiaodong Peninsula in the east and west, while managing the corridor from the Yimeng Mountains to the northern Shandong Plain in the north and south. It has historically been a contested area for military strategists. Therefore, during the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Yongzheng personally ordered the establishment of a banner city north of Qingzhou, garrisoning 2,000 Manchu Eight Banner troops. This contingent was the most elite force within the Qing army, capable of providing immediate support to the coastal defenses of Denglai and Jiaodong, and can be regarded as a special operations unit among the Qing soldiers. The troops mentioned above that resisted the British forces were precisely these banner soldiers.

I am merely speculating and have no evidence to support it said Mu Linfeng candidly

When Anzi saw his great-grandfather for the first time, he felt a secret joy in his heart, thinking that the matter would surely be accomplished. How could a poor opium addict, who had even sold his pot, possibly resist the temptation of silver dollars!

Li Jianping finished speaking and left the professor's office, driving with his assistant Xiao Cao towards the ancient city of Qingzhou

About half a month after Mu Linfeng returned, Li Jianping suddenly came to report to Professor Dongfang that he was preparing to go to Qingzhou and inquired whether the professor had any matters to convey.

As Mu Linfeng spoke these words, his eyes involuntarily glanced to the side, somewhat hesitant to meet Li Jianping's gaze, for half of what he said was a lie, with only his earnest study of "Notes on Tomb Examination" being the truth.

Anzi did not pay attention to Mu Dingwu's attitude, and he smiled as he said: "Haha, Master Mu is clever, knowing that we have come for a purpose. We do not speak in riddles in front of an enlightened person. We would like to ask Master Mu for guidance..."

He must have returned to Mujiaying to continue searching for the "Imperial Burial Mountain Map" Professor Dong said affirmatively

Mu Linfeng's words took Li Jianping by surprise; he could not understand why Mu Linfeng would suddenly make such a decision. A fortnight ago, when he returned from Qingdao, everything seemed fine, so what had changed? Based on the previous investigation into Mu Linfeng, he was not that kind of person, and there must be a reason behind this.

Anzi was also so angry that his face turned red, but he had heard of Mu Dingwu's stubborn temperament. Concerned that the situation might become irreparable, he suppressed his inner fury, waved his hand to his two subordinates, signaling them to put away their guns. He then coldly said: "Master Mu, you are a smart man. I advise you to think carefully; this is the era of the Japanese, and angering them will not lead to good outcomes."

Upon hearing what Master Ma said, I recalled an incident. A few days ago, I heard someone mention that the Japanese went to Wangfen Town and blew open the Hengwang Tomb located at the foot of Sanyang Mountain. I wonder if they found anything.

The successive leaders of this tomb-raiding gang all share the surname Ma, and it has been passed down through generations in a familial manner. The Ma family resides in a luxurious mansion by the Qinhuai River in Nanjing. The members of the Ma family conduct their affairs discreetly and have established several rice shops and silk stores in Nanjing as a cover, which is why no one in the area is aware that their true profession is tomb raiding

After making up his mind, Muding Wu began to make preparations. First, he needed to take care of his own affairs, as he wanted to personally organize a proper funeral for himself.

Mu Dingwu shook his withered palm and slowly said, "Those who are half-buried in the earth are almost forgetting their surnames. May I ask what brings the three friends to my humble abode?"

Before Li Jianping could finish speaking, Mu Linfeng smiled and said, "We are currently in a time of peace and prosperity, what unexpected situations could possibly arise!"

It is said that the Japanese have kept this matter a secret, revealing not a single piece of information to the outside world. The captain of the security team, Zhu Guangwen, and Anzi were subsequently captured by the Japanese and taken to the military police, where they ultimately died in prison; these two individuals brought this upon themselves

The current leader of the Ma family is named Ma Ermu, who holds a master's degree from the Department of Archaeology at Columbia University in the United States. This individual is of medium height, has a slender build, and presents a refined appearance, making it difficult for one to associate him with the world's top tomb raiders

Li Jianping pondered for a moment and then said: "From now on, you must remain vigilant at all costs. Ma Ermu is coming for the 'Imperial Burial Mountain Map', so he will certainly find a way to get close to you"

Anzi and his two subordinates all wore black top hats, dressed in open-front jackets, with leather belts featuring brass buckles, and their pant legs tied up with cloth strips. Each of them had a bulging waist, clearly carrying weapons, and one could tell at a glance from their attire that they were people from the city

No one knows exactly who created this "Imperial Burial Mountain Map" and for what purpose, nor why the Mu family was chosen to be the guardians of these tombs. However, the ancestors of Mu Linfeng have diligently fulfilled the family's promise, protecting these tombs hidden in the mountains and fields from being desecrated by grave robbers

The descendants of the Ma family today are no longer what they used to be; they have colluded with internationally powerful antiquities smuggling groups, their influence spanning across major continents of the world. They are not limited to the excavation of ancient tombs; any valuable cultural relics become their targets for plunder

Regarding the Heng Wang Tomb, Ma Yunshan was also coveting it greatly, but he refrained from taking action simply because he did not know the true location of the Heng Wang Tomb. Naturally, he did not wish for others to obtain what he could not have, especially not the Japanese devils. Therefore, Ma Yunshan was anxious to urge Master Ma Er to notify Mu Dingwu

Li Jianping said to Xiao Cao in profile: "Please provide Lin Feng with a detailed introduction of the situation regarding the newcomers"

The world is inherently characterized by the unity of opposites; where there is a spear, there is a shield. This is akin to the yin and yang and the five elements that constitute the universe, which always exist in a dynamic of mutual generation and mutual restraint. The guardian of the tomb and the tomb raider represent two opposing types of individuals. When Mu Linfeng decides to inherit his family's legacy and become a guardian of the tomb, he inevitably establishes a formidable opponent for himself.

Regarding the two sentences left by my great-grandfather: Mu Linfeng pondered left and right, unable to comprehend them. However, he had a kind of intuition that these two lines were a description of the Hengwang Tomb. By unraveling the meaning within the words, one could find the true Hengwang Tomb

I have considered it this way as well, but he should not keep his phone off for an extended period; there is clearly something wrong here. Furthermore, we have received reliable intelligence that individuals coming from abroad have already infiltrated Qingzhou, with the objective being the "Imperial Burial Mountain Map" and Mu Linfeng, so I intend to hurry there as soon as possible

Mujia Ying and Wangfen Town are both located in the mountains southwest of the city, with only a few dozen miles separating the two. A few days ago, the Japanese invaders blew up the Hengwang Tomb at the foot of Sanyang Mountain, and Mu Dingwu also heard about it. He was taken aback at that moment because he knew that something had happened inside the Hengwang Tomb. The little devils would not give up easily if they could not find what they were looking for.

Master Ma Er, being born into a family of the Eight Banners, has seen many antiques and treasures, thus possessing a keen eye. No matter the type of item, he can distinguish its quality at a glance. Master Ma Er is known for his generosity and exceptional martial skills, which have earned him considerable reputation in this field

Not long after, news came from the city that Mu Dingwu had led a group of Japanese soldiers into the mountains to search for the tomb of King Heng, and none returned. This included a major and more than ten Japanese soldiers, all of whom perished.

Mu Linfeng slowly nodded and thoughtfully said: "This tomb-raiding family was mentioned in the 'Tomb Inspection Notes' left by my great-grandfather. Our Mu family and this Ma family are not only arch-enemies, but it is also highly likely that we have a familial relationship..."

Thinking of this, Li Jianping said calmly: "Lin Feng, you should be clear that your promise to assist the research team in searching for ancient tombs is not working for a specific individual, but serving the country. A loud drum does not require a heavy hammer, and the reasoning does not need to be elaborated. I hope you will think carefully before making a decision"

Mu Dingwu did not even glance at the ocean and calmly said, "No merit, no reward; if you have something to discuss, please speak plainly, my friend."

Li Jianping jokingly said: "Learning it in such a short time is remarkable; it must be the result of the inherited genes from the Mu family at work"

The two subordinates who followed An Zi, upon witnessing this scene, immediately drew their box guns from behind and, cursing, aimed their weapons at Mu Dingwu: "Damn it, a dog riding in a sedan chair doesn't know how to appreciate kindness; are you asking for trouble by refusing to accept our goodwill?"

The primary task at hand is not to search for the tomb of King Heng, so Mu Linfeng does not wish to expend too much thought and energy on this matter. Currently, what is most important to him is to master the unique skills of the tomb.

Li Jianping is skilled in this field, so he could clearly discern the changes in Lin Feng's inner thoughts from the direction of his eye movements. Thus, he asked nonchalantly, "Lin Feng, have you encountered some trouble?"

Since your National Security Bureau is already aware of the situation regarding Ma Ermu, why not take him into custody? Mu Linfeng asked in confusion

There is no particular reason; I just feel that I am not capable of doing this job, so it is better to withdraw early. Mu Linfeng replied nonchalantly, and then added, "I am just a cook; what role can I play in the research group."

Mu Linfeng learned from the "Tomb Inspection Notes" left by his ancestors that almost every ancestor had encounters with tomb raiders, yet he did not realize that such events would happen to him. The founder of the Mu family perhaps did not anticipate that the exceptional skills of tomb inspection, while bringing wealth and glory to future generations, also brought endless hardships and dangers.

Hehe, Master Mu, there's no need to pretend. If we were not aware of the situation, we wouldn't have come to you. To speak frankly, we are here on the orders of Lord Pu Jiantai...

At this moment, Li Jianping recalled that Mu Linfeng had turned off his phone after returning to Mujiaying, and it now appeared that he was avoiding contact with the research group. This indicates that a change had occurred after Mu Linfeng returned from Qingdao, and there must be a reason behind it