Tomb Raider: I Am Hu Bayi's Cousin

Chapter 151 Returning to Beijing
Now, the only problem facing the four of them is to unravel the secrets hidden in the Muchen Pearl and the Heavenly Book.

Otherwise, simply obtaining the Muchen Pearl wouldn't allow them to know how to break free from the curse.

Regardless of the situation, the group had no desire to stay in southern Yunnan any longer.

They need to return to Beijing and find someone to use specialized equipment to remove the Muchen Pearl.

With that thought in mind, none of them had any interest in staying in southern Yunnan any longer. They retraced their steps and found their way to the entrance of the Zhelong Mountain cave.

They found suitable trees in the nearby bushes and used red oak, along with the remaining rope and tough old vines from the mountains, to build a small raft.

After being dragged to the cave entrance, the group used the raft to propel themselves against the current, sailing out of Zhelong Mountain and back to Caiyun Inn.

Fortunately, we did not encounter any ferocious schools of saber-toothed vipers along the way.

Soon, after another day or so, they arrived at the riverbank at the foot of Zhelong Mountain.

After disembarking from the raft, the group rushed back to the inn without stopping.

The landlady was very welcoming to them when they returned, and kept asking them what butterflies they had found. Hu Ming and Hu Bayi exchanged a glance, as they had long forgotten about the matter.

It's really hard to explain why they went home empty-handed.

However, Hu Ming's eyes lit up and he immediately thought of an excuse, saying, "Don't mention it, I encountered a giant python as soon as I got to the mountains."

"It scared us half to death. We were so focused on running that we didn't get any photos or videos, and we even lost several pieces of equipment. Then we got lost on the mountain! We're only just getting back now!"

Seeing that they were indeed covered in dirt and grime, the proprietress didn't suspect anything. After all, it wasn't uncommon for snakes to be found in a desolate place like Zhelong Mountain.

At this moment, the proprietress looked at them with a slightly pitiful look and said, "Poor thing, it's good that you're alright. I told you that place was dangerous, but you wouldn't listen. It's good that you're back safe and sound!"
The fat man then put on an even more convincing act, crying and sniffling, "The landlady is so kind! This place is terrifying!"

"Next time, no matter what, we're not going into this mountain again!"

Back at Caiyun Inn, the group exchanged pleasantries with the landlady before wolfing down the local delicacies she had served.

After a quick rest, they said goodbye to the two and the four of them embarked on their return journey.

In those days, transportation was extremely underdeveloped. It took them nearly a week, alternating between buses and trains, to finally return to Beijing.

Looking at the blue sky and white clouds of Beijing as usual, the four of them felt a sense of déjà vu.

This trip, including the round trip, took more than half a month!
At the train station, Big Gold Tooth, who had been notified in advance, was already waiting to greet them.

After exchanging pleasantries, without further ado, the group headed straight for the hot pot restaurant.

To be honest, even someone like Yang Xueli, who grew up abroad, found the simple mutton hotpot and ice-cold beer quite enjoyable.

For the first time ever, Yang Xueli actually found that eating bland mutton hot pot was quite enjoyable.

"Gentlemen, and Miss Yang, I, Big Gold Tooth, would like to propose a toast to you all!"

"The tomb of King Xian is extremely dangerous. For thousands of years, countless tomb raiders and grave robbers have tried to destroy that great tomb, but they either couldn't even get close to it or simply lost their lives outside the gate of the tomb." "Even the once famous leader of the Xie Lin clan suffered a great loss at the tomb of King Xian. His elite brothers were almost all killed or wounded, and he himself lost a pair of eyes on the outside."

"But unexpectedly, you four gentlemen actually managed to topple over the tomb of the Prince of Xian, a tomb that is said to be so powerful that even the collapse of the heavens would not cause it to fall!"

"Putting all that aside for now, over the years, many people have thought that the Muchen Pearl, a divine artifact, is just a treasure from myths and legends, but it turns out that you four gentlemen actually managed to get your hands on it."

"Big Gold Tooth, I truly admire you four gentlemen. Without further ado, Big Gold Tooth, I'd like to offer you all a toast. Cheers first, then you may do as you please!"

After a few rounds of drinks, Big Gold Tooth suddenly picked up a bottle of beer and stood up.

Seeing that it was already late at night and there was no one around, Big Gold Tooth lowered his voice and exclaimed in a low voice.

These few words of flattery were truly heartfelt praise from Big Gold Tooth.

Others might not care, but those in the industry all know about the tomb of the King Xian, and it's been hyped up to the skies by industry insiders.

Especially after Chen Yulou perished in the tomb of the Prince of Xian, the danger level of the tomb was considered by many in the industry to be comparable to that of the underworld!
These four people were able to return from the tomb of King Xian unscathed and even obtained the legendary Muchen Pearl.

This was enough to make the four of them famous in the tomb raiding industry, known to everyone.

Big Gold Tooth was particularly impressed with himself; how could he have been so good at judging people back then! He'd made connections with several big shots so quickly!
Putting everything else aside, thanks to his relationship with Hu Ming and the other three, Big Gold Tooth's status in the antique trade skyrocketed! He even started a company with them, and now their relationship is even closer.

Thinking of this, the admiration in Big Gold Tooth's eyes grew even stronger. Ignoring his own body, he picked up the bottle and downed it in one gulp.

"Ha ha……"

Seeing Big Gold Tooth put on a pained expression while pretending to be hearty and forcefully downing a bottle of beer, the group couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Yang Xueli also blushed and couldn't help but chuckle softly. She nestled in Hu Bayi's arms and hummed an American folk song.

She was in a great mood at the moment, and looking at Hu Bayi's somewhat aged face, she couldn't help but laugh.

Upon seeing this, Fatty and Hu Ming exchanged a glance, both feeling that they couldn't eat the mutton anymore.

"The tomb of King Xian... This time I really narrowly escaped death. Looking back, I feel a chill down my spine."

"If Mingzi hadn't been there, with just me, Fatty, Shirley, and me, our fates would have been uncertain. We probably would have ended up like Chen Yulou, unable to even get into the tomb of the Prince of Xian."

Hu Bayi had drunk quite a bit, his eyes were glazed, and he held Yang Xueli in his arms. Thinking about everything that had happened in the tomb of the King of Xian, he couldn't help but feel a little scared.

In his opinion, if it weren't for his cousin Hu Ming's extraordinary abilities, all of them, these half-baked tomb raiders, would have been trapped inside.

It must be admitted that, putting aside the question of King Xian's personal character, his attainments in feng shui, unique skills, and even Taoist knowledge were truly those of a learned man!
"Old Hu is right. If it weren't for Mingzi, I would have been dead long ago, sleeping in my grave with that old bastard, the Prince Xian," the fat man couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

He knows his own situation well, and he knows his own personality well. He's caused a lot of trouble. If it weren't for his two brothers, Hu Ming and Hu Bayi, helping him, he'd probably be buried with grass by now.

(End of this chapter)