Zhang Xiaodong wanted to help Xu Qingqing carry her bag. Before he could even reach out his hand, Lu Chuanbai had already snatched the bag from her shoulder.
Zhang Xiaodong's eyes then fell on the pink suitcase that Lu Chuanbai was pulling. It seemed that this man had not only carried Xu Qingqing's bag but also her luggage.
Moreover, there was a strong sense of possessiveness on this man's face. It was obvious that their relationship was more than just ordinary.
Zhang Xiaodong had long heard that Xu Qingqing was married. This man might well be her husband. Being a sensible person, Zhang Xiaodong turned around and led the group out of the airport.
Everyone got on the minivan outside with Zhang Xiaodong. Zhang Xiaodong drove, taking them towards the Dongshan Mountain Range.
The road became more and more remote, turning into a bumpy and rugged mountain path.
The jolting of the vehicle made Xu Qingqing drowsy again. She leaned her head against the window and barely lifted her eyelids to look at the scenery outside, which was filled with trees.
Zhang Xiaodong dropped them off at the entrance of the Dongshan Mountain Range and then stopped the car.
When Wang Lide saw they had arrived, he stood up and shouted, "Wake up, everyone! It's time to start working!"
Everyone was woken up by his shout. They got out of the car and prepared to pick up their luggage.
There was an old man in his fifties or sixties standing at the mountain pass. He was wearing a thick sheepskin coat and a Western-style cowboy hat.
The old man was puffing on his pipe. When he saw the people getting out of the car, he casually knocked the ash out of his pipe on the ground and walked towards the minivan.
Zhang Xiaodong got out of the car and introduced him, "This is Uncle Niu, a well - known guide in the Dongshan Mountain Range. He knows all the roads here. With him leading you, you don't have to worry about getting lost."
Wang Lide quickly stepped forward and tried to shake hands with the old man. "Hello, Brother Niu."
Uncle Niu lifted his pipe to his mouth and took a puff, refusing to shake hands with Wang Lide. His eyes scrutinized the group.
"I can lead you up the mountain, but you have to listen to me all the way. You must do as I say, or I won't be responsible if someone loses their life."
Wang Lide withdrew his hand and exchanged glances with his companions behind him.
Xu Qingqing stepped forward and said softly, "We know that the Dongshan Mountain Range is steep and has many paths. We will definitely listen to you."
Hearing Xu Qingqing's words, Uncle Niu gave a cold laugh and blew out a puff of white smoke from his nose. "It's not just steep. There are a lot of strange things on the mountain. There are many ancient traps hidden in the dark."
After saying this, Uncle Niu didn't go into more details. He walked back to the mountain pass and started smoking his pipe with his back to them.
The atmosphere among Xu Qingqing's group fell into silence. Everyone was a little worried because of what Uncle Niu had just said.
Seeing that they were still carrying equipment for outdoor tents, Zhang Xiaodong was a bit worried. "It's very dangerous to stay overnight in the Dongshan Mountain Range."
"Why don't you come down the mountain after your investigation? I'll come and pick you up. It's no trouble."
But Wang Lide insisted. Although he was older than everyone else in the group, he was carrying professional equipment that weighed dozens of pounds on his back. He said this with great determination.
"Moreover, the weather forecast says that it will get colder in the mountains these days and there may even be snow. If the mountain is blocked by heavy snow, it will be a big problem." Zhang Xiaodong closed the trunk forcefully.
"The weather is changeable. This is just a forecast. Maybe it won't snow until after we catch the tomb robbers."
"Besides, we have the most well - known guide. These are not problems."
Wang Lide held the most optimistic view.
They were running out of time. Every second of delay might mean that the tomb robbers had already dug open the tomb and looted all the treasures inside.
Unable to persuade them, Zhang Xiaodong didn't say anything more. He told everyone to be careful on the mountain and then turned around and drove away.
Officer Xiao distributed a walking stick to each person. They were about to officially start the pursuit of the tomb robbers.
After climbing a gentle slope for a few minutes, Officer Xiao noticed the traces of a fire on the ground.
She kicked away the fallen leaves covering it. Sure enough, there was blackened soil and ashes under the leaves.
Xiao immediately told the others, "Come and have a look. There are traces of a fire here."
"The tomb robbers have been here. As long as we keep going up, we will definitely catch them!"
These words greatly motivated everyone. They gathered their strength and continued climbing the mountain.
Guide Niu deliberately adjusted the speed. When everyone felt tired, he slowed down; when everyone had rested enough, he walked forward quickly.
After crossing a small hill and heading down towards another hill, they encountered a small river.
Seeing that the people behind were tired and the sun was setting, painting the sky with afterglow, Wang Lide proposed to Guide Niu.
"Brother Niu, why don't we set up camp here tonight? It's convenient because it's close to the water source."
Unexpectedly, Guide Niu snorted after hearing Wang Lide's words and fiddled with his pipe. "This place won't do."
Then Guide Niu pointed to a pine forest behind the small river. The pine trees didn't shed their leaves and were still lush.
"There are holes dug by those stinky Taoist priests in that forest. If you fall into one, you won't be able to get out."
Hearing this, Wang Lide didn't dare to let everyone rest there. He told everyone to continue following Guide Niu across the small river. They climbed up the halfway up the second mountain exhaustedly before Guide Niu waved his pipe.
"You can set up camp here."
After saying that, Guide Niu found a flat rock for himself and squatted on it.
He took out a small packet of tobacco from his sheepskin coat, pinched a little and filled it into his pipe. He sat there smoking quietly while watching the others bustling around.
Lu Chuanbai and Xu Qingqing were setting up the tent they would sleep in that night. Xu Qingqing put the sleeping bag into the tent. Looking at Guide Niu, who was sitting alone on the big rock, she remembered that there was an extra large sleeping bag in her luggage.
Xu Qingqing picked up the extra sleeping bag and walked towards Guide Niu. "Guide Niu, this is an extra sleeping bag I brought. You can use it."
Guide Niu didn't refuse. He whispered a thank - you and took the sleeping bag, then put it under his butt and continued smoking.
Xu Qingqing had been curious all the way why they couldn't rest by the small river. She sat on the other side of the big rock and asked Guide Niu.
"Guide Niu, are those Taoist priests you mentioned from the Yangtian Mansion? Why did they dig holes there?"
Guide Niu kept smoking silently. Just when Xu Qingqing thought he wouldn't answer, he spoke in a hoarse voice. "Have you heard of the sitting corpse in the palace?"
Xu Qingqing searched her mind for this term. After not finding it, she honestly shook her head. "No, I haven't."
Guide Niu began to explain. "It is said that those stinky Taoist priests from the Yangtian Mansion can predict their own deaths. Before they die, they will ask the people at the foot of the mountain to make a large vat for them to sit and meditate in."
"Then they will dig a big pit, put the vat in it. The dying Taoist priest will sit and meditate in the vat. His companions will cover the mouth of the vat with a stone slab and bury the vat."