Chapter 72

China was one of the four great ancient civilizations still existing today that remained throughout history as an interrupted nation, and so was in possession of a vast and detailed history. At the same time, it also felt a great sense of National superiority compared to other countries. However, all of this quietly changed after the 1840 Opium Wars.

Those in charge, in their overwhelming cupidity, sold out the country to maintain their own power. With oppression came rebellion, and more and more uprisings spread across the nation.

While some people chose to rebel for tomorrow’s bright future, the majority of people didn’t have the courage to stand opposed to the ruler and they could only live with difficulty between the two sides. But, at that time, even if life was difficult, living still required courage. Despite this, living was still the pursuit of most people.

However, the bright future ¹ imagined didn’t easily arrive. A generation, two generations developed white hair, and the bright future hadn’t dawned on the nation. Countless people, hoping to forge ahead, began to despair. Even those buried in the ground were wide-eyed with resentment and grief.

In this time, the trend of robbing tombs quietly emerged. What person with nothing wouldn’t find it very easy to take risks out of desperation? Although in China, robbing tombs harmed secret virtue ² , for people who had sunk into desperate straights, what did what happens after death matter so much?

Actually, graverobbing wasn’t a new phenomenon particular to this period. In the history of China, graverobbing was a common occurrence. Then why did we wait until now to bring it up? Because only now did it here link into our narrative, and so we have no choice but to explain.

In the very beginning, tomb robbers were only robbing tombs to survive, to get what they needed to survive. Gradually, tomb robbers appeared who had an eye for the luxurious and who didn’t just hope to meet basic needs, people whose greed was without limits and who, after being clothed and fed, wanted more. More, wanted even more. A taller, softer bed, a spacious mansion with a thousand rooms, servants to order about and human life was cheap ³ . At this time, they were plundering more and more tombs, stealing from more and more prestigious tombs.

By the time the 20th century began, China’s revolution was unstoppable. More and more graverobbing occurred secretly. After a few more years like this, news came from out of nowhere which caused all grave robbers to enter a frenzy.

The news went like this: Within the land of China, there was an old hidden tomb from the Zhou Dynasty in which there were mountains of gold, silver and precious gems, heaps of carved jade, and, in the mouth of the tomb’s occupant, an item that could grant immortality.

The information was very incomplete and so badly damaged that it gave all tomb robbers a headache, but no one gave up. If speaking of gold, silver and precious gems wasn’t enough to entice big shot, wealthy grave robbers, the two words ‘eternal life’ would certainly send them into a frenzy. Even though they didn’t know where this so-called old Zhou Dynasty tomb was, even with vague directions that were very much unclear, they still would not give up their search. For that moment, China’s tomb robbers became exceptionally active.

But unfortunately, even after searching for several years there was still no information about the old Zhou tomb, and the majority of tomb robbers had given up. Only a few of the most infamous tomb robbers still refused to give up. After several more years, even this news was rarely mentioned anymore.

In a flash, several decades had passed.

This news once again emerged. After the founding of the New China ⁴ in the 60’s and 70’s of the 20th century, information was spread by a famous, defeated tomb robber that the tomb was located in the northwest of New China. Tomb robbing again became popular and, coincidentally, waves of grave robbers, large and small, arrived in the northeast of New China, intent on finding it.

With a specific location, the chances of finding the old tomb were infinitely greater. After going through many twists and turns ⁵ , a few teams of tomb robbers finally found this legendary tomb. These few teams of grave robbers had a tacit understanding among themselves. They set a time, date and place to rendezvous and rob the tomb and dispersed.  Then, they spread false information to get the other grave robbers to leave. Since there were a finite number of things in the tomb, the fewer the people, the more each would receive. Since everyone can clearly understand this point, this way of handling things doesn’t need to be explained.

After all the dust had settled, these few teams of grave robbers nervously, excitedly and very cautiously entered the old, legendary Zhou Dynasty tomb.

What happened then wasn’t recounted in detail, but what we know is this: of these teams of tomb robbers, which in total was comprised of dozens of people ⁶ , only one man escaped. This man was crazy, always shouting, “Snakes! So many snakes! Too many snakes!”

After that, naturally, several other teams of tomb robbers entered, but unfortunately none returned alive. Slowly, no grave robbers were willing to risk their lives by entering this tomb, and this old Zhou Dynasty tomb began to be called “snake tomb” by the tomb robbers.

“If you ask me, this might really be true but only after being exaggerated countless times,” Zhou Feng sneered, disapproving.

Feng Yuan pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose with a faint smile. “If you really care if it’s real or exaggerated then, in short, don’t go.”

“This….” Zhou Feng hesitated a little. “I’m only thinking it over. You know I just returned from an old tomb. I still haven’t gotten the stuff I have off my hands. There’s no need to hurry off to another old tomb.”

“Is that so.” Feng Yuan stood up. “Think it over carefully. After a month, we’ll gather at Yulin, Shaanxi ⁷ . If you decide to come, look for me there.”

Zhou Feng nodded his head.

Feng Zhou pushed his glasses up his nose again. “Zhou Feng, you should think this over clearly. Not many have seen this old Zhou Dynasty tomb. If you don’t go this time, afterwards you might regret it when it’s too late.”

Zhou Feng watched through the teahouse window as Feng Yuan entered a black personal car, and he sunk into contemplation. This “snake tomb” was an open secret in the grave robbing community, but the old man was restrained by fear. He was even quite strict with his apprentices and his apprentices’ apprentices, so going to this snake tomb absolutely wouldn’t be allowed. Therefore, even if the young generation of the tomb robbing community eyed it with greed, they had no choice but to give up and put the thought of exploring the snake tomb out of their minds.

And Zhou Feng didn’t know much about the “snake tomb”. However compared to the fantastical rumors about the “snake tomb” from outside, Zhou Feng still knew a few more details. As mentioned early, only one individual, out of all those teams of grave robbers who had entered the tomb, escaped, and he had gone mad ⁸ . This mad man was a member of the Zhou family. Afterwards, he was brought back to the Zhou family so that his family could look after him in the hopes that one day this man could disclose some details about the “snake tomb” such as, for instance, whether or not those “too many snakes” were extremely poisonous vipers that could cause instantaneous death with just one bite, and another example, whether the other teams ⁹ were already dead and injured before even reaching the main grave room.

However, these were not the reasons at the forefront of Zhou Feng’s mind when Zhou Feng hedged and considered. Seemingly for Zhou Feng, none of this mattered. Yes, not the toxicity of the vipers’ venom. After all, he could don high-tech ¹⁰ clothing which the vipers wouldn’t be able to bite through, so what was so frightening about those vipers? What Zhou Feng was really afraid of, what was at the forefront of his mind, was what Zhou Feng’s father had told him: “Zhou Feng, you must remember, in the future, you must not by any means enter the snake tomb!” At that time, Zhou Feng was small and he didn’t understand why his father had said that about the snake tomb with a look on his face filled with such dread, greater than that of anyone else’s in their family.  Unconvinced, Zhou Feng had asked him, and Zhou Feng’s father had said, “As it happens, there is this story from the past:

When that crazy man was brought back to the Zhou family, Zhou Feng’s father was only eleven or twelve years old, and at that age he only wanted to have fun. One night, Zhou Feng’s father secretly slipped away to where the madman was kept locked up. At that time, Zhou Feng’s father didn’t understand what “insanity” was. He only knew that, ever since his brother-in-law had returned, everyone in his family didn’t want him [ZF’s father] to see him again, and the brother-in-law whom he had dearly loved hadn’t come to see him ¹¹ . While Zhou Feng’s father was very happy to finally see his brother-in-law again, Zhou Feng’s father also saw that there was something wrong with his brother-in-law. At that time, the brother-in-law had firmly grasped Zhou Feng’s father’s shoulder, his two eyes were wide open, and in a loud voice he said, “Those snakes are monsters! Monsters! They knew that we were going to rob the tomb! They could understand us! They could talk! They’re able to talk!”

Later when Zhou Feng’s father had grown a little and had come into contact with the family “business”, he realized what his brother-in-law’s words meant. Only then did he realize how dreadful the “snake tomb” really was! And it was only then that he became so afraid of the “snake tomb”.

“Snakes able to talk?” Zhou Feng laughed. “Who’d believe that?!” Tossing the money for the tea onto the table, Zhou Feng left the teahouse.

After Zhou Feng left, the door to the private room next door was pushed open by a young man, with a tall and straight figure and dressed all in black, who stood beside the door ¹² . He looked after Zhou Feng’s retreating figure with his head cocked. “So the story’s already spreading?”

A month later, at a train station in Yulin, Shaanxi.

Feng Yuan watched as Zhou Feng appeared in front of him, and smiled. “It seems you’ve thought about it thoroughly.”

Zhou Feng also smiled. “I shouldn’t miss something so interesting.”

Feng Yuan nodded. “With you we have a team of twelve. If we all leave together, it will be too conspicuous, so we’re meeting up at Aqsu, Xinjiang. Leaving from Yulin, aside from you and me, is also the jialama ¹³ (ie the tomb robber organizer).” Saying this, Feng Yuan raised his chin in a direction. “Look, he’s coming.”

Zhou Feng followed to where Feng Yuan was pointing and saw that, contrary to Zhou Feng’s expectations, the jialama was actually a seemingly quite young person with a tall and straight figure, thin like he’d been pared down, but not thin and weak. He was a person whose body actually seemed to be bursting with explosive power and great strength. On that person’s face was an indifferent expression, but it also seemed to have an ineffable nobility. For a moment, Zhou Feng stared in astonishment. Finally, that man seemed to sense Zhou Feng’s “ardent” gaze and suddenly turned to look in Zhou Feng’s direction. His sharp eyes caused Zhou Feng’s body to grow cold, and Zhou Feng hurriedly lowered his head.

It was only a few seconds and, during that time, that person had already walked over to Feng Yuan and Zhou Feng.

“Come, come, Zhou Feng, let me introduce you. This is the next head of the Qi family, Qi Zhao, who is very famous in grave robbing circles.”

Zhou Feng was once again startled. So it turned out that this person was Qi Zhao, considered to be the leader of the new generation of tomb robbers?

Qi Zhao nodded slightly towards Zhou Feng, not mentioning his annoyance caused by Zhou Feng’s recent staring and only said, “Since the people have already arrived, let’s leave.”

Xinjiang was located in the northwest part of New China, and the largest desert in New China was also located in Xinjiang. According to informed sources, the site of the “snake tomb” lay in the heart of that desert and would only appear on the 15th day of each month (of the lunar calendar).

Xinjiang was economically backward and the transportation system was not developed. By the time Zhou Feng and his party had arrived in Aksu, Xinjiang, more than ten days had passed. By the time Zhou Feng’s party of three arrived, the other nine people had already arrived. Zhou Zhou Feng discovered that, apart from this group of people, other teams of grave robbers had also unexpectedly arrived.

“Are these other tomb robbers also going to enter the snake tomb?” Zhou Feng asked Feng Yuan in a low voice.

“A few days ago, the Liu family master and Wang family master passed away one after the other so there’s no one who can suppress those people who want to enter the snake tomb. Basically, they all came to get in on the action.” Feng Yuan looked disdainful. “They’re all still youngsters who won’t listen to advice.”

Zhou Feng shot a strange look at Feng Yuan but did not speak. Those people, they aren’t really youngsters, are they? This kind of statement was really a little strange. Zhou Feng unconsciously looked towards Qi Zhao only to see that Qi Zhao was looking in the direction of the desert with an eager expression and a face full of indistinct and urgent longing. All of a sudden, Qi Zhao looked at Zhou Feng. Zhou Feng startled and hurriedly looked away.

Zhou Feng abruptly felt a seed of faint worry. He had chosen to follow Feng Yuan and the others to the “snake tomb”, but was this actually a mistake?

From where he’d been standing, Qi Zhao had already walked over and said, with a serious voice, “Still half a month until the fifteenth. We are running short on time. Tomorrow at dawn we will head out into the desert. Feng Yuan, has the guide been contacted?”

“Already contacted.” Feng Yuan nodded. “He’s a middle-aged local who is very familiar with the desert.”

Qi Zhao nodded his head to indicate that he understood. “In that case.” Qi Zhao surveyed the people surrounding him. “Everyone, rest well tonight. Tomorrow we will set off early at dawn.”

Everyone answered then dispersed, each to take care of their final preparations.

Qi Zhao wasn’t the only one to think this way. Barely after the first light of dawn shone on the second day, and there were already several teams of grave robbers who had arrived in Aksu and were ready and waiting. Each group was divided by a relatively large distance. When people in the same industry meet there is always a seed of fear restraining them but, fortunately at this time, they were all waiting to enter into the old tomb and it was out of the question to attack each other at this moment.

No matter the season, the weather of the desert always made it so that people couldn’t help but complain. What’s more, these teams of grave robbers had chosen to come to the desert during summer. Their experiences in the desert will no longer be described in detail, and ultimately all the tomb robbers safely arrived at their destination. Including Zhou Feng’s team, there were a total of eight groups of tomb robbers.

Zhou Feng wasn’t sure if he was imagining it or not, but whenever Qi Zhao’s gaze fell on the other groups or tomb robbers, each time Zhou Feng felt as though Qi Zhao was looking at a group of dead men. That’s right, it was as though he were looking at a group of the dead, which made Zhou Feng tremble with fear.

They arrived on the day of the fourteenth.

The desert had been frightening but also quiet. The empty sky had been full of only hot blowing winds, and the tomb robbers who arrived were so warm that they didn’t speak even a sentence.

Zhou Feng’s party, most of them still young, was still in good health. Zhou Feng also already knew some of them. He didn’t know them very well, just enough that, if he met them on an ordinary day, he’d amicably greet them. By comparison, he was more familiar with Feng Yuan.

“After entering the snake tomb, be sure to follow behind Qi Zhao closely.” Zhou Feng was squatting on the ground drinking water, sitting at his side, Feng Yuan suddenly opened his mouth to speak, causing Zhou Feng to jump. Before Zhou Feng could react, Feng Yuan had already gotten up and left.

Closely follow behind Qi Zhao? Zhou Feng unconsciously stared at Qi Zhao again. Perhaps Feng Yuan was right, Zhou Feng’s mind suddenly thought.

They rested that night and, when they got up the next morning, everyone was in very good spirits. Eight groups of tomb robbers added up to about a hundred people, the majority of which were youngsters. For a little while, the desert became a little noisy. Zhou Feng found that Qi Zhao looked at these people with a trace of pity in his eyes.

“At noon, the snake tomb will appear. Everyone, be ready.”

These words came from Qi Zhao’s mouth. Everyone was skeptical, but they also did as instructed. This time, Qi Zhao was the jialama so maybe it was normal that he had information that they didn’t know. Intuition and logic had everyone listen to him.

And Zhou Feng couldn’t help but believe even as his suspicions grew more and more.

Zhou Feng had heard of Qi Zhao who had a well-known reputation. But it wasn’t easy to try and meet a person like this. What’s more, Qi Zhao had always lived a secluded life, rarely going underground ¹⁴ . Being referred to as the leader of the new generation of tomb robbers wasn’t just an empty title. He had only been underground three times but the people who accompanied him were full of praise, including many big shot tomb robbers. But the young generation was impulsive and couldn’t admit being wrong after insisting on being right, so they wouldn’t recognize Qi Zhao’s title of leader.

However, Qi Zhao had spoken the truth. At noon, the desert changed.

Originally the desert had been empty, but the large expanse of nothing was, in spite of everything, broken by a mountain range with flowers, plants and trees. The eight groups exclaimed in surprise as they moved towards this mountain range, but they soon made an alarming discovery – the temperature of this mountain range was really too high!

“I fear that it’s over 40℃ ¹⁵ !” someone shouted.

But where would grave robbers be if they were afraid of this? If you couldn’t endure something like this, what kind of grave robber are you?

The reason why the snake tomb was called the snake tomb was because there were an excessive amount of snakes here. Thus, the eight teams all had special, custom-made clothing and even wore something like an aviation cap on their heads. Only, it was extremely hot here . A few teams hesitated and then chose to remove their head equipment. Again they stopped for a short period, then the teams began to disperse in all directions. Almost no two teams headed off in the same direction.

Zhou Feng and his team didn’t leave immediately. Instead, by chance, they all looked to Qi Zhao. Qi Zhao surveyed the surroundings. His brow wrinkled in a frown. Then he said in a serious voice, “Head towards the east.”

Zhou Feng looked to the east only to see in the distance the base of a tall mountain. Zhou Feng suddenly had a premonition – that place, that was where they were headed.

T/N: Sorry this chapter was a day late. I had an extremely bad migraine.

Footnotes

<ol>added for clarity 阴德: good deeds performed while alive that will help in the afterlife 有人命任草芥: literally, human life is like mustard grass 新华国: what the People’s Republic of China is sometimes called. Imperial China and the Republic of China are sometimes called Old China 几经波折: idiom meaning going through a lot of hardships, unexpected mishaps and with a lot of hard work added for clarity Yulin is a city in the province of Shaanxi sentence restructured for clarity added for clarity 高科技: cutting edge technology that required a lot of capital to develop ZF’s father sentence restructured for clarity 夹喇嘛: a sort of lead grave robber who organizes and plans grave robbing ; this term is taken from another work of fiction called the Grave Robbers’ Chronicles 下地: near as I can tell, this is slang for robbing tombs 104°F</ol>