Chapter 1, Nanshan Great Tomb

Little Jiu, although this matter is quite mysterious, please do not laugh at it

The cigarette was lit, and I took a deep drag, exhaling thick smoke from my mouth and nose. The smoke enveloped my face, momentarily obscuring it from Jun Ge's view. Then I glanced at the car—there were still two left.

I have been involved in this line of work since I was fourteen, and I have been in it for seven years. Although I am not very old, everyone in the industry knows me as Ye Xiaojiu

Thus, my younger brother continued his studies, while I, as the eldest, dropped out of school to work and support the family.

After lying low for a year in my hometown, life was just beginning to settle down, and I was eagerly anticipating the autumn harvest when a weary traveler arrived at my door

These three brothers and I were firing bricks in the same brick kiln, living in the same color steel house. At night, they conspired to pull off a job, and they insisted that I listen. After hearing their plan, I went along with it.

Thus, I washed my hands of my previous life, returned to my hometown, rented a few acres of land, and took advantage of the favorable policies to become a farmer. I only wanted to change my way of living, yet I still dared not go home, fearing that my family would suffer because of me

After wandering around, I found no clues, so I decided to enter the tomb

When dealing with the deceased in the grave, it is inevitable that some mysterious stories will circulate, often described in an enigmatic manner, such as the belief that encountering a ghostly pit guarantees death

Brother Jun said: "Later, I went to find those people. They dug the pit I had been watching for so long right under my nose, without any rules. Guess what happened? All three of them died. One was burned to death on the spot, and the other two died not long after they ran back!"

She entered and said only one sentence—Professor Qin went missing a month ago, and the last place he was seen was near our hometown, on the south side of Guancen Mountain. I leave it to you to handle it.

Such occurrences are countless, as if there truly is a retribution in the unseen, making it rare to achieve a good ending

Brother Jun, feeling anxious, waved his hand and said: "I am telling you this to bring the matter to light. Your little brother Jiu still wants to go, and the rules remain unchanged; I still welcome you. However, there is one thing: if anything goes wrong, don't blame me!"

I frowned and said, "Please go ahead."

Why do you say that

Little did I know, at that moment, Jun Ge suddenly grabbed hold of me

Hello, Xiao Jiu Ge, long time no see

Brother Jun hesitated for a moment and said in a deep voice: "Xiao Jiu, there is something I need to clarify with you in advance, to avoid any issues later on that you might hold me responsible for."

I did not respond, and Jun Ge continued to speak to himself: "Not only have our two groups set their sights on that pit, but there is also a group from Ningwu that has taken notice, and they acted swiftly, without much reconnaissance, starting early and leaving behind a theft tunnel"

Two years ago in Changsha, Dabin and a local peasant got into a fight. I shot him right in the butt, and then we both ran away. Later, I heard that his testicles were filled with oats, and it took the nurse three hours to extract them with tweezers at the hospital

There, I first encountered the "craftsmen" of this trade—three honest and straightforward farmers

Over the years, we have gone through life and death together; I trust him when it comes to taking risks.

In the span of seven years, I have encountered a variety of people in this profession

Brother Jun said with a smile, "I have let him keep an eye on it for a while now"

For example, there are many legends about things like zongzi and black donkey hooves, and indeed, these are the names used. The authors of those novels are not just making things up; they have done their research, at least having listened attentively to storytellers like us.

With some leisure time on my hands, I also browsed the internet for a couple of articles to read, but most of them were rather uninteresting

I sought out Professor Qin once again, returning to the field to work alongside others. If I were to say that there would be no financial compensation, no one would believe it. It would be better to clearly state the terms and conditions, so that they can feel at ease.

I see that those three or four craftsmen are quite tough; confronting them directly would not end well. Therefore, I softened my attitude and proposed a discussion, considering working together. Something happened. It was a 30-70 split, with me getting 30 and them getting 70

I do this not for any glamorous reasons, but solely due to one word—poverty

There are also pitiful souls who, after making money, are poisoned to death by their wives, who then run away with their lovers, taking the money with them

He is a good person in every way, except for this one thing. Wherever he goes, he knows everything about the local chicken coops and buildings. His life has become despondent, but I can sense that he is subtly preparing to make a comeback. When I approached him, it was truly a perfect match.

He is patient, teaches me about culture, and has introduced me to many cultured individuals. To me, he is both a mentor and a friend

Of course, most of the time I do not particularly like this title, after all, it is not something to be proud of. Digging up graves is not only disliked by others, but if caught by the authorities, one might end up facing consequences. Therefore, I have always considered myself a craftsman

Ah, wait!

I understand the rules, but...

There are also unfortunate souls who have been victimized by buyers, suffering from blackmail and being dismembered to feed the dogs

There was no way out; those three brothers displayed a ferocity that was entirely inconsistent with their appearance. If I didn't go along with them, I would surely be overpowered and buried in a pit.

At that age, it was very difficult to find a livelihood. I wandered around my hometown for three months without anywhere to go. Finally, through the introduction of a fellow villager, I went alone to Guangzhou to work in a black brick kiln.

Another disheveled person, dressed in tattered clothes, with a shiny and greasy appearance, comparable to the beggars on the street, was sitting in the back seat grinning foolishly at me

A "yin pit" is a colloquial term referring to a pit occupied by unclean entities

I am well aware that I cannot accomplish this task alone, so I called upon a friend

This person is called Xiao Er, and I have seen him before

A person jumped out of the car, robust and sturdy, with a dark complexion that appeared particularly plain. His face was lined with wrinkles, embodying the typical image of a farmer. He wore a tilted cap on his head and was dressed in an old, faded green military uniform. On his feet were rubber shoes. He grinned at me and waved, his appearance highly deceptive

I do not believe this statement

I am indeed a thief, but my heart is not corrupt

Because I am a grave robber, well-versed in the intricacies of this field, I am acutely aware of the gap between art and reality

Brother Jun said: "Do you know why I had the King of Hell watch for so long?"

I can hardly listen any longer: "Brother, I have also been in this industry for a few years. Don't take me for a fool. Could it be that you dug that pit yourself and are now trying to fool me with these ghostly claims?"

As expected, just after the fifteenth of August, on the evening of the seventeenth, a Wuling van stopped at my doorstep

So, I asked Brother Jun: "Where is the King of Hell?"

That pit, I have not stepped into it again, waiting at home for the people from South Bay to come find me, I am not worried that they will dig the pit themselves first

Thus, I embarked on the pirate ship

He and I have been to the grave together once, and since then we have gradually become acquainted. He often advises me that life is long, and one cannot simply live it this way

I nodded: "Alright, Jun, you wait in the car first, I will go call my brother."

Upon seeing this, I set down the work in my hands and walked outside

I must go, for there are reasons that compel me to do so

Unfortunately, over the years, I have encountered at least eighty pits, if not a hundred, and I have never come across anything unclean. Many grave robbers have indeed died in the pits, but nine times out of ten, they were killed by their own accomplices

Having spoken, Brother Jun got into the car and firmly closed the door.

Professor Qin is an archaeologist, a person who has dedicated his entire life to academia, a significant figure in my eyes, cultured, and someone I greatly admire. He has been researching human history prior to the Qin Dynasty, conducting his work in an unconventional manner. He does not look down upon us, the lowly grave diggers, as long as we do not sell the items we unearth overseas; he does not report us and occasionally joins us to "broaden his horizons".

In the industry, the rules dictate that those who witness are entitled to a share

According to him, for thousands of years, tomb raiding has been uncontrollable; there will always be those who, unable to make a living, resort to desperate measures. Reporting a few cases is of no use; it is better to blend in with us. If there are significant tombs, he can follow us down as well. He records cultural traces while we seek wealth

This statement must not be made lightly, as we adhere to rules, and moreover, that tunnel has not been excavated!

But I can no longer sit still

Brother Jun wore a dark expression and after a long pause finally muttered, "That pit seems to be a dark pit..."

Do not mention chivalry to me; in this day and age, who wouldn't take up legal weapons to protect themselves? The industry norm of sharing benefits is ultimately just a safeguard against this. Having navigated the industry for eight years, I naturally understand this principle, and the people in Nanwan understand it as well

However, it is merely a statement

This person is named Xiao Hongbing, and I call him Dabin. He is my childhood friend, and we grew up together, both coming from humble backgrounds. However, he is worse off than I am; both of his parents have passed away, leaving only a younger sister with him, who went south to work at an early age. The black brick kiln I entered was introduced to me by him. Later, I made a bit of money through mining, and he became envious, so he simply decided to join me in the venture.

How should I live? I am uncertain in my heart, but I enjoy interacting with him

A man wrapped in a cotton coat, with a full beard and a stout figure, has an unapproachable appearance. He is sitting in the passenger seat smoking. Judging by his attire, it is evident that he is well-prepared for the cold in the mountains, making use of the cotton clothing.

Now I have stopped working, and he has also returned to farming with me. However, he has not yet found any fields to rent, so he simply found a house nearby to live in and became my neighbor, looking for a girl every day

Most people in this line of work have a certain level of sophistication; they are not so poor that they cannot afford to eat. No one would engage in such unethical business.

It is that simple

He is missing, I must do something

There has been a car accident

This person is named Huzi, and we have crossed paths before

After tossing and turning all night without sleep, the next day I entered Nanshan. There, I discovered a large tomb, which appeared to have never been looted.

My intuition tells me that Professor Qin's disappearance must be related to this place

This time, I have also brought this thing along, just in case. The people from South Bay are not to be underestimated, so I need to be cautious.

It is a five-shot firearm, commonly referred to as a "local gun." I fashioned it long ago from a heating pipe, but I am not one to take lives, so instead of iron pellets, I loaded it with oat grains, a type of crop from this region of Shanxi. The grains have a tuft of hair on them, and when propelled by gunpowder, they spread out in a wide arc. When the oat grains hit the body, they tend to burrow into the flesh, causing immense pain

Having spoken, she left

The year I was in the first year of junior high, my father passed away, and my mother could not support both my brother and me.

Thus, the matter is settled, and I am eagerly counting the days on my fingers

We met during the second reconnaissance; everyone was very perceptive. At a glance, we could tell each other's intentions, and we almost came to blows. In the end, however, we were too cautious of one another and all decided to back off.

She is a beautiful woman, very young, in her twenties. I know her; her name is Ni Huang. She is quite a proud person, which suits her name well, as she is as haughty as a little phoenix.

Hey, where are you in the pit

Brother Jun took out a box of Soft Zhonghua cigarettes, pulled one out and handed it to me, then lit it for me

However, one is still missing

Having spoken, I turned around and pulled the soldier down from the woman's belly, while also grabbing the weapon.

He is obsessed with historical research; wherever there are tombs, he is sure to be found. Since he has been to Nanshan and there is only this one tomb here, how could his disappearance not be related to this tomb

If they dare to act independently today, tomorrow I will dare to report them to the authorities. At that time, I will see if they can still enjoy themselves so much while drinking tea inside.

The next day, we went to scout the location again

I glanced back at Brother Jun and said in a joking tone: "So, Brother Jun? Don't tell me you've changed your mind; today is the day you came to inform me that you want to play solo."

I found it amusing

Having tidied up, I am about to step out with Dabin, pulling open the car door to get in

There is indeed such a saying within the industry

Burial is not a trivial matter; it requires preparation. After all, Professor Qin has been missing for a month, so there is no need to rush.

Brother Jun, this is not authentic

I said with a smile, "Since it has come to this, why are you still going, Brother Jun?"

Why would a person of orthodox status do such a thing? I, as a rough person, cannot comprehend it; I only understand money, which is tangible.

Therefore, I am not in a hurry

In the beginning, I merely kept watch for them, hoping to earn a little money afterward to spend. Gradually, I tasted the sweetness of it, and from then on, it became uncontrollable, working in various places, laboring during the day and digging pits at night

Isn't it very cheap

Who would have known that in a village called Nanwan on the outskirts of my hometown, there are also three or four artisans who, like me, have set their sights on that place

Tomb raiding, a profession hidden in dark corners, has become quite a hot topic in recent years due to several novels and film works, making it widely known among all, from women to children

... ...

But I know that he is not an easy person to deal with. The few in Nanwan all listen to him; his name is Jun Ge, and he is a tough character. The first time he came to scout us, he followed us for more than ten miles with a watermelon knife hidden in his arms. If it weren't for Da Bing showing a bit of skill, who knows, he might have found a secluded place to attack the two of us.

However, people in this line of work are like this; it is illegal. As long as there is the slightest hint of something being amiss, they would dare to kill.

There are ruthless individuals who would use a hammer to smash their own brother's head to pieces for the sake of a blue-and-white porcelain jar