Chapter 2: Stop Playing Coy, You're a Tomb Raider!

The over one hundred thousand viewers in the livestream were currently staring at Zhang Xuan in utter astonishment!

They saw his throat bobbing, and a strange, eerie sound emanated from it!

His face was slightly flushed, as if producing this peculiar sound was a tremendous strain for him. The viewers were at a loss, unable to comprehend what Zhang Xuan was doing.

The cold light from the phone screen cast a faint glow within the darkness of the coffin. Due to the angle, the situation inside remained unclear. One could only faintly discern a bronze plate engraved with bizarre patterns nearby—likely the side wall of the bronze coffin. The camera shook, making it impossible to see the patterns clearly.

In a room of a hundred thousand people, the chat was surprisingly sparse. It seemed the viewers' focus was entirely fixated on the screen. The eerie sound from Zhang Xuan’s throat served as a chilling soundtrack to the terrifying visuals. Even through the screen, one could feel a bone-deep dread.

"Brother Xuan, stop, I’m scared..."
"Damn, streamer, are you trying to scare us to death?"
"Streamer, I might as well die in your stream!"
"Wait, why is there nothing inside? Is it empty? Is it a trap?"
"Yeah, it looks empty!"
"Huh, what is that?"
"Holy crap, what is that thing? It’s disgusting!"

Suddenly!

A dark, hand-like object covered in fleshy bumps flashed across the screen!

It wasn't just the viewers; Zhang Xuan’s expression changed abruptly as well! Yet, the sound in his throat did not cease; instead, it grew even more rapid!

*Thump!*

A massive tremor shook the screen violently.

A rounded object, covered in rotting flesh and oozing pus, suddenly appeared before the lens! Beneath the tumor-like growth, a dark, orb-like thing turned slowly toward the camera.

"Holy cow, I peed myself!"
"So gross, what is that?"
"My god! What did I just see?"
"Damn, that looks like a head, is that black thing an eye?"
"What the hell!!!"
"Help!!!"

The chat was filled with howls of terror!

Zhang Xuan’s pupils constricted violently! His face turned a deep, bruised purple in an instant! The strange sound in his throat was now laced with an unmistakable hint of rage!

This was the ability to communicate with malevolent entities he had gained from the Qilin blood. He hadn't expected to put it to use so soon! As his vocalizations grew more urgent, the reaction from the *zongzi* (corpse) intensified! Even through the screen, he could sense the creature’s fury, as if it were about to flip the coffin lid clean off!

However, this situation did not last long. As the strange sound from his throat ceased, the camera stabilized.

*Bang!*

After a few seconds of silence, a dull thud sounded! The image suddenly became blurry. After a few flickers, a familiar voice rang out: "Brother Xuan?"

"Phew!"

Zhang Xuan exhaled, quickly taking a sip of water to soothe his strained throat. The technique of using abdominal pressure to manipulate the vocal cords was incredibly uncomfortable.

Inside the ancient tomb, staring at the phone that had been tossed out and the now-peaceful bronze coffin, the four men led by Zhou Cheng were paralyzed by self-doubt.

"Wait... what just happened?"

Teli stared with wide eyes, his brain clearly still buffering. The tall, thin man saw Zhou Cheng holding the phone blankly, his own gaze shifting to the bronze coffin with a look of extreme bewilderment. "The phone... was thrown out by the old guy inside?"

Zhou Cheng nodded numbly: "Yes!"

A look of intense terror suddenly washed over Zhou Zeyi’s face. He turned to the other three and barked, "Get out of here, now!"

Zhou Cheng blinked: "Go... go where?"

Zhou Zeyi scanned the room and pointed toward the northwest corner of the main hall: "There!" Before the words even left his lips, he was already sprinting in that direction. "There seems to be a set of stone steps here; it should be a passage leading to the side chamber!"

"In any case, don't stay in the main hall!"

As he spoke, he reached the stone steps and flashed his light downward: "That’s right! It’s a tomb passage!"

The other three finally snapped out of their stupor and scrambled to follow him, though their legs felt like noodles, weak and unresponsive.

"Slow down, don't trip."

"I’ve already reached an agreement with the old *zongzi* inside. As long as you don't flip his lid again, he won't bother with you!" Zhang Xuan’s playful voice echoed through the passage.

The four men froze. Zhou Zeyi turned back, seemingly realizing something in an instant: "Little brother, that gurgling sound earlier... were you talking to it?"

Zhang Xuan: "What else?"

Teli looked at Zhou Zeyi in shock: "Third Uncle, is it really possible to talk to these old *zongzi*?" The tall, thin man was equally stunned.

Only Zhou Zeyi took a deep breath and continued walking: "I heard about this from the elders when I first started in the trade."

"Legend has it that there is a highly secretive family among grave robbers. Their members are all experts, and their patriarch has mastered several unbelievable methods for tomb exploration. One of them is the ability to communicate with the undead!"

The three were shocked: "What? This ability actually exists?"

Zhou Zeyi nodded: "Of course, I’ve never seen it myself."

"I also remember the elders saying that this mysterious family wielded immense influence. Whether it was the warlords and politicians of the past, wealthy tycoons, or even mountain bandits and the dregs of society, all had ties to them!"

"At their peak, a single command could summon an army of ten thousand!"

"There was even a feat where they razed eighteen ancient tombs in the Shaling region in a single night!"

The three listened, dumbstruck. Zhou Cheng’s eyes shone with excitement: "They’re that powerful? Does this family still exist? Can Third Uncle get in touch with them?"

Zhou Zeyi glanced at his naive nephew: "You think too highly of your Third Uncle."

"Sigh! News of this family has been missing for decades. The only clue I have is that everyone in this family carries the surname Zhang!"

Zhou Cheng froze, slowly lifting his phone: "Surname Zhang... Zhang Xuan?"

***

At the National Cultural Heritage Administration, although it was late at night, the conference room was brightly lit. The projector was playing Zhang Xuan’s livestream. The figures sitting at the table, of various ages, all wore equally grim expressions.

"This is trouble!"

"Even if we find the location of the tomb, I’m afraid we won't be able to excavate it anytime soon!" Director Yang said with a worried face.

The middle-aged man sitting opposite, wearing a Zhongshan suit and a buzz cut, nodded: "It’s basically confirmed; this tomb is not clean. To excavate it, we must first ensure the safety of the archaeological team!"

"Moreover, the black energy in that coffin was strong enough to flip a thousand-pound bronze lid! The danger level of the thing inside is far greater than any wild beast!"

The two elderly men beside them sighed softly. Director Yang furrowed his thick brows. A glint of light flashed behind his heavy glasses as he looked at the man in the suit: "Section Chief Fan, I have an idea! Didn't you work for the 749 Bureau before? Can you get them to help handle this?"

The two elders also looked at Fan: "Yes, if the 749 Bureau sends people to assist, the safety of the archaeological team would be guaranteed!"

Section Chief Fan hesitated: "The 749 Bureau is not what it used to be. As a highly classified unit, I’ve been transferred out, and I’m not entirely familiar with their current situation. However... I can try."

Director Yang’s gloomy expression brightened: "That’s great. With you leading the way, I’m sure it will work!"

But Fan shook his head, staring at the screen: "I think our primary task is still to determine the location of the tomb, right? Although we can see the internal footage, it’s basically impossible to pinpoint its location from these few clues. I heard that cyber-surveillance hasn't found the location of the connection either. That basically cuts off all our leads!"

Director Yang waved his hand: "Don't worry, that shouldn't be a problem! Although grave robbers are highly skilled at counter-surveillance, this streamer named Zhang Xuan might be our breakthrough. Plus, he is right here in Qingzhou, and the local police already have his specific address. I’ve already ordered them to monitor him closely!"

Seeing Fan’s surprised look: "Zhang Xuan? He’s just a streamer, right? Would he know about the grave robbers' information?"

Director Yang smiled and pointed at the screen: "You must not have been listening closely to what that 'Third Uncle' said! He just mentioned that Zhang Xuan’s identity might belong to a grave-robbing family, and that their status in the industry seems quite high! Furthermore, he personally claimed he could talk to the thing in the coffin. While the authenticity needs verification, judging by the information in the footage, it might be true! Even if he isn't a grave robber himself, his background must be tied to it! If that’s not a breakthrough, what is?"

Section Chief Fan blinked: "Well... that makes it simple!"

***

In the Cyber Security Surveillance duty room, Director Chen stood up abruptly and slammed the table: "Listen! Did you hear that? What did I say? This kid is a grave robber, and a top-tier one at that!"

Fang Youcai looked frustrated: "Director Chen, why are you getting so worked up? This is just one side of the story from Third Uncle, and it’s hearsay at that. We need to investigate whether it’s true or false! Besides, the 'Zhang family' he spoke of sounds more powerful than the bosses of Old Shanghai. I’ve been a cop for over twenty years, how come I’ve never heard of any 'Zhang family'?"

Just as Director Chen was about to flare up, he saw a familiar figure walk in. She was wearing a police uniform, had sharp, short hair, and her crystal-clear, intelligent eyes flashed with sharpness: "You haven't heard of it not because it doesn't exist, but because you are ill-informed!"

Director Chen smiled: "Captain Lin, why are you here?"

Xiao Lu and Liang Jingyi also stood up quickly: "Captain Lin."

Only Fang Youcai closed his eyes and sighed inwardly: "Always the one you dread the most..."

Lin Yue didn't mind, just sneered and pulled out a file, tapping it against Fang Youcai’s chest: "Captain Fang doesn't seem to welcome me, not even a greeting."

"These are the files on the four grave robbers in the tomb."

Fang Youcai’s eyes widened, and he reached for them, but Lin Yue passed them to Director Chen instead: "Director Chen, take a look. There were actually five of them in total. The first three were a group led by Third Uncle, and the tall, thin man who arrived later was with the one who died at the entrance!"

Director Chen opened the file: "Hmm, good work!"

Fang Youcai retorted: "Everyone already knew this. To trouble Captain Lin to investigate and compile it—you really worked hard. But it’s useless!"

Director Chen glared at him: "Watch your attitude!"

Lin Yue laughed: "It’s fine, Captain Fang just has an opinion of me. That’s right, everyone knows this information. But do you know that Third Uncle is a famous 'earth-shoveler' of the Southern Sect? And do you know that his henchman, nicknamed 'Taishan,' was involved in a street brawl ten years ago that left someone in a vegetative state?"

Fang Youcai looked shocked. Director Chen nodded with satisfaction: "Well done!"

Lin Yue said calmly: "That Third Uncle has high status, experience, and influence among the Southern Sect grave robbers. What he says carries considerable credibility! Therefore, the streamer Zhang Xuan is very likely a former member of the Zhang family!"

She turned to Director Chen: "Director Chen, I, on behalf of the Criminal Investigation Team Two, apply to take full charge of this grave-robbing case!"

Director Chen looked surprised. Fang Youcai laughed: "Captain Lin, the tomb isn't even in our jurisdiction, and Director Chen doesn't have the authority to file a case here! We have to wait for instructions from above. Did you not know that?"

Director Chen nodded: "Captain Lin, don't be so hasty..."

Before he could finish, Lin Yue interrupted: "I know that, of course. But there’s something you don't know yet! The tall one and the fat one—the two people, one of whom died—left Qingzhou last night. The 'Shacheng' they went to should be the location of the ancient tomb, or at least not far from it!"

As her words fell, the expressions of everyone in the room changed instantly!

***

In the livestream, Zhang Xuan’s face darkened instantly.

"Brothers, what is the situation? I just saved you, and you turn around and splash dirty water on me? You’re going to act like you don't know me as soon as you pull up your pants? You’re going to curse the chef after you’ve eaten your fill?"

He tapped his desk with a heavy *thud-thud*: "Disconnect, disconnect!"

But then he said: "If I disconnect now, people will say I have a guilty conscience! If the authorities really come to investigate me, I’ll have no way to defend myself! No, in front of one hundred thousand viewers, I need a reasonable explanation!"

The audience, however, wasn't buying it.

"I knew Brother Xuan wasn't just a simple streamer, the truth is out now!"
"Don't worry, Brother Xuan, as long as you aren't caught in the act, no one can pursue this. Just wash your hands of it."
"So the streamer is an expert grave robber! No wonder those professional robbers had to beg you!"
"Streamer is amazing, total badass!"

Zhou Cheng’s panicked voice also rang out in the stream: "Brother Xuan, don't be angry, that’s not what we meant..." He seemed at a loss for words, his tone frantic.

At this moment, Zhou Zeyi’s voice also came through: "Little brother, I’m sorry for the misunderstanding. Let me explain to everyone. Actually..."

Before he could even start, a surprised voice suddenly came from the screen: "Holy crap, why is there a human face over there?"

*(PS: This chapter combines two chapters into one, four thousand words!)*