Chapter 3: Selecting a Grave

Before setting off, Tang San devoured four chicken legs, three steamed buns, three bowls of rice, and two bowls of soup, until he let out a satisfied burp. He then patted his belly contentedly. Ding Dali lifted the bowl that had contained the rice and found not a single grain left; this fellow truly had "cleaned the plate."

"Brother Bai, if this kid is useless, just get rid of him quickly. He eats so much; we can't afford to be eaten poor by him," Ding Dali said in a rough voice.

Ding Dali laughed heartily: "What kind of tomb raider doesn't go into the tomb? Are you joking!"

Tang San's legs trembled in the wind, why are these people's movements so slow? Ding Dali suddenly looked up, disbelief in his eyes: "Brother Bai and the book, come and take a look."

Tang San suddenly stopped, looking at Bai Yi, pointing to the ground beside his feet: "It is right here"

In the night, the wind whipped against one's face painfully. Tang San Cheng's legs felt completely numb, and behind him, Ding Da Li gave him a push: "Walk faster." Tang San Cheng was angered, glared at Ding Da Li, then turned back and silently walked ahead.

They have arrived. Bai Yi stopped in his tracks, and his brothers behind him also came to a silent halt. Only Tang San Cheng bumped into the back of the person in front of him. Once he steadied himself, he saw the scattered graves; there were so many that it was no wonder this group of thieves was stumped. Bai Yi turned and walked up to Tang San Cheng: "The tombs of the royal families throughout the ages and the library must have been built based on feng shui principles. The tomb with the best feng shui here must be the true main tomb. Tang San Cheng, this is the moment; let me see if you are of any use."

Let's go! With a command from Bai Yi, the other brothers emerged, each holding different weapons, casting cold glances at Tang San, their eyes filled with disdain

Bai Yi glanced at Tang San and said, "If it is of no use, then we will discuss it again."

Tang San's face flushed upon hearing this: "I am not a tomb raider!"

Tang San recalled the scene of the flying dagger whistling past his ear and embedding itself in the center of a large tree. His body trembled slightly as he walked forward and looked around, murmuring to himself: "To establish acupoints, one must achieve thorough understanding; the Eight Trigrams must be clearly distinguished in their order of harmony and discord. The Fire Dragon must not create Water's restraint; the Wood formation must support the rise of the Fire Dragon. The Wood Dragon must not create Metal's restraint; the Water formation must support the joy of the Wood Dragon. The concepts of Yin and Yang hold great significance; fortune and misfortune lie within a single direction. Without knowledge of life and restraint in acupoint establishment, one cannot proceed."

Suddenly, there was not a single sound; everyone turned to Bai Yi, should we dig or not? Bai Yi issued the command without any hesitation: "Let’s begin!"

As usual, this is about digging a tunnel to see if it can lead directly to the tomb chamber. Now, Ding Dali wiped the sweat from his forehead and muttered, "Who knows what lies beneath."

Bai Yi walked over quickly, and Ding Dali raised the kerosene lamp to illuminate the way for him. Bai Yi saw the steps below and suddenly turned back, waving to Tang Sancheng. Tang Sancheng, shivering with the book in hand, came over. He also saw the stone steps, and there was not a trace of surprise on his face, as if it were a matter of course. He leisurely leaned forward to take a look: "Oh, it really is here."

Bai Yi walked at the forefront, his expression devoid of emotion. The vast plain stretched out before him, overgrown with weeds, revealing a sense of desolation. Tang San's eyes were blurred by the wind, making it difficult to see anything clearly, yet the sounds around him reached his ears distinctly. He could hear the faint rustling of his feet on the dry branches, and he even caught the sound of a child sobbing. Looking around, he saw no signs of habitation, which did not strike Tang San as unusual, for he had always been this way since childhood.

It is not important. Bai Yi stood up with a cold smile: It is time.

Tang San suddenly felt his body plummeting downwards, and behind him came Bai Yi's voice: "You must enter the tomb"

Tang San heard it clearly. He wiped the oil from the corner of his mouth and said, "I will not enter the tomb"

Tang San Cheng stood up, and inadvertently let out a loud belch. Just moments ago, he had been speaking with righteous indignation, but now his face turned a deep shade of red. Ding Da Cheng laughed rudely and said, "What are you pretending for!"

After finishing, Tang San seemed to be enchanted as he wandered aimlessly around those graves. Ding Dali leaned close to Bai Yi's ear and said, "Brother Bai, is this kid deliberately playing tricks on us with his madness"

"I really am not..." Tang San Cheng murmured to himself. Since childhood, his father had taught him that thieves and robbers are not good people. Now that he found himself labeled as a tomb raider, Tang San Cheng felt a sense of suffocation in his heart