Tomb Raider: I Am Hu Bayi's Cousin

Chapter 156 Heading to the Ruins
“The Western Frontier is a remote and desolate region, and over thousands of years a unique local treatment method has developed. Since this lama is doing this, it must be effective,” Hu Bayi chuckled and explained.

Besides, when it comes to anything supernatural, a hospital? That's bullshit!
That lama was no ordinary person either. He had dealt with local soldiers in his early years and knew Mandarin, so he naturally overheard Hu Bayi and his two companions' conversation.

Upon hearing this, he merely gave Hu Bayi and his companions an appreciative look.

He knew that to unsuspecting outsiders, his actions would seem like he was trying to kill the person.

As they were talking, the poachers who had eaten these things started vomiting again, this time even more violently, emptying their stomachs of everything except for gastric juices and water.

Upon closer inspection, they discovered that the vomit on the ground contained clumps of hairless baby mice!
Fortunately, Hu Ming and the others had dealt with these strange things before, so they didn't react much to this.

Ah Xiang seemed to have seen something, and couldn't help but tremble as she hid behind the crowd.

Perhaps they saw a vengeful spirit haunting this person?
Hu Ming noticed Ah Xiang's unusual behavior and muttered to himself, "How easy is it to deal with a vengeful spirit? This poacher has escaped with his life."

But he'll probably suffer a lot for the rest of his life.

Hu Ming could even see that this person's vital energy had been severely depleted, and he would not have a peaceful life for the rest of his days.

After the bystanders dispersed, Hu Bayi explained his purpose to the lama: he wanted to find the ancient tomb of the evil god of the Demon Kingdom.

They wanted to ask Lama Ak to find a talented, divinely inspired singer-songwriter and guide for the group.

"...In the Buddha's philosophy, excavating ancient tombs is a heinous act, but the ancient tombs of the Demon Kingdom are different."

"Legend has it that demons are sealed inside the ancient tombs of the Demon Kingdom. Destroying the ancient tombs of the Demon Kingdom would be a meritorious deed. As for the singers... I was given this by heaven before I became a monk."

“I’ll take you there this time!” The lama agreed after a brief thought, his fingers twirling his prayer beads.

Instead of wasting time finding another singer, it's better to just let him do it!
After all, he and Hu Bayi were old acquaintances who hadn't seen each other for many years, so he naturally wanted to spend more time catching up. Besides, as a lama, he was more than willing to do such a meritorious deed.

Hu Ming declined to comment on this.

Hu Ming did not agree with the great merits of Buddhism, or even some other concepts, such as the idea of ​​"laying down the butcher's knife and becoming a Buddha on the spot."

In ancient texts, how many Buddhist protectors were depicted as ruthless demons and monsters?
Can all the heinous crimes committed in the past be wiped clean simply by laying down the butcher's knife and listening to the Buddha's teachings?
That's utter nonsense.

Hu Ming believed in the principle of "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and blood for blood!"
However, Hu Ming did not refuse.

This lama is well-versed in the customs and practices of Xinjiang, as well as in the principles of Tantric medicine. With his guidance and assistance, things will definitely be much easier. Moreover, this lama is indeed a kind-hearted and benevolent lama, and besides, he is an old friend of Hu Bayi.

There is no reason to refuse, both emotionally and logically.

Without delay, Hu Ming and his group bid farewell to the lamas and locals and immediately set off. The four of them traveled westward all the way to the westernmost part of Xinjiang, arriving at the ALD district at the foot of the Himalayas.

After resting for a few days in this small town with only a hundred or so households, the group set off for the ruins of the royal city in search of the Silver Eye of Giger.

There is no main road leading to the Gige Ruins.

The group found a local guide familiar with the route and terrain, and hired a yak for the driver. Several people with poor physical condition and severe altitude sickness rode the yaks.

The group did not move quickly. Along the way, the lama enthusiastically told Hu Ming and the others about the divinely bestowed poems he had received years ago.

A few days later, the group could see some wooden stakes protruding from the ground by the roadside.

"This should be the outermost ruins of the ancient city. We are not far from our destination."

Hu Ming stepped forward and took a closer look. He found that the wooden stakes were so rotten that they were unrecognizable, and they were ancient, not something from the last few decades.

Upon hearing about the ancient city ruins, Lei Xianming, who was struggling to breathe while lying on the back of an ox, immediately perked up and craned his neck to look at the roadside.

Upon seeing this, Hu Ming sneered inwardly.

It's true what they say, money can make the gods do anything, and with money, even ghosts can turn the millstone. If he were to encounter any danger, he would definitely be doomed.

Hu Ming is not like Hu Bayi; he watched him die without any psychological burden whatsoever.

Just as Hu Ming had expected, after walking through this desolate ruin, the group spent another whole day walking before finally arriving at the ancient city ruins.

This place was discovered some years ago.

However, this did not attract the attention of the local government, and no personnel were assigned to guard the site, unlike the great importance that was attached to ancient relics in the decades that followed.

The good stuff inside has long been taken by locals and foreign "explorers".

However, this is also a good thing, as it makes things much more convenient for Hu Ming and his team.

At least, there's no need to fake an identity to sneak in; the place is full of desolate ruins, carvings, murals, and statues.

From the foot of the mountain, apart from the incredibly sturdy temples with their earthen and wooden structures, most of the houses in the ancient city ruins have collapsed, and some remnants of city walls and watchtowers can still be seen on the outskirts of the ancient city.

The entire royal city was built against the mountain. The highest point was the royal palace on the mountaintop, the middle level was the temple, and the outermost bottom level consisted of civilian houses and some defensive buildings.

The scale of this royal city is not small, according to the records Lei Xianming saw in the scriptures of the Samsara Sect.

The Silver Eyes of Gigg are not in the royal palace, but in a "Temple of Reincarnation" here.

The group couldn't help but turn their gazes to the lama. After all, he was also a protector of the Buddhist monks and was very familiar with the local Buddhist culture.

"The Reincarnation Temple is a rather unique Buddhist temple in the history of Western Xinjiang. Its appearance is very distinctive, and I can recognize it at a glance."

"Passing through the Guardian Deity Temple, the temple site with several red pillars behind it is the Reincarnation Temple within the Reincarnation Temple!"

Sure enough, the lama knew all about these things. After scanning the temple complex, he pointed to one temple and said confidently.

(End of this chapter)