Tomb Raider: I Am Hu Bayi's Cousin

Chapter 165 Peter's Death
“This lama… since you know that Dongzi is in the intermediate state, my bodyguard has also been corrupted by something unclean.”

"Do you know if you have any way to save my bodyguard?"

Lei Xianming's expression shifted between anger and uncertainty. He glanced at Hu Ming and the others who were standing outside the ferry, and placed his last hope on the lama.

Peter Huang cannot die yet, at least not now. He absolutely cannot die before he obtains the Crystal Corpse!
He had seen descriptions of the intermediate state (bardo) in ancient scriptures of the Samsara school.

The intermediate state (bardo) is a terrifying process that lasts for 49 days.

During this time, you will see a white goddess with a bear's head and a human body, holding a human corpse as a staff, or carrying a bowl full of blood-filled brains, and so on.

"...There's nothing I can do about it. The intermediate state is a closely guarded secret of Tantric Buddhism."

"Only a few monks in Sikkim know the true secrets. I am merely the Buddha's iron staff protecting his hair; how could I possibly have a solution?"

The lama shook his head with a wry smile. The moment Ah Xiang saw Dongzi's figure, he realized what was going on.

But it was too late.

"If you ask me, the intermediate state spirit has already dissipated and is now possessing your bodyguard. There's no hope for him now. I suggest you give him a quick death to save him from suffering."

“He has now become what is called ‘Gaugu’ in Tantric Buddhism. If it is not burned off, it will kill others.”

Hu Ming looked at Peter Huang with his ghostly eyes and couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.

"Yes, Mr. Hu Ming is right. Mr. Lei, there's nothing I can do about this situation."

“All I know is that your bodyguard is in great pain right now, and it will continue for a long time. Why not send him to his release sooner?” The lama nodded in agreement.

In the absence of a solution, getting Peter Huang out of trouble as soon as possible is indeed the best option.

Moreover, leaving Peter Huang's body alive would be a huge problem; it would be more reassuring to cremate him sooner rather than later.

"Oh no, Akiko, it's in your hands!"

At this moment, Hu Bayi caught a glimpse of the movement of the black fur skin in Hu Ming's hand and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

As everyone looked over, they saw the black-haired human skin slowly turn into wisps of black smoke and gradually dissipate.

In the end, only a few strands of black hair remained in Hu Ming's hand.

A huge piece of leather simply vanished right before everyone's eyes!
Dark clouds loomed over the city, making it as dark as night even in broad daylight.

"Tsk! Even the corpse tendons have appeared... There's really no hope!" said the firelight.

Hu Ming clearly saw that the moment the black-haired human skin disappeared, Peter Huang's face suddenly turned ashen and his body stiffened.

A layer of extremely fine black downy hair grew on his face.

The blood vessels on all the exposed skin of his body bulged, and the bluish blood vessels turned pitch black, clearly visible and incredibly eerie.

What's most chilling is that these black hairs seem to have a mind of their own, and are even swaying slightly!
"Hiss~ I've served the Buddha for many years, but I've never seen anything so ferocious!"

The lama also keenly observed this scene and couldn't help but gasp.

Peter Huang's condition changed rapidly. In the short time it took to speak, his right hand suddenly deflated, and half of his right hand turned completely purplish-black. When you pressed it lightly, the skin under his hand was like mud, rapidly ulcerating from the inside out.

"Lei Xianming, make a decision soon. Do you want Peter Huang to suffer a miserable death, or will you take matters into your own hands and give him a quick end?"

Seeing this, Hu Ming shook his head and kindly offered a reminder.

"……I see!"

Lei Xianming's face was extremely ugly, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty. After a long while, he finally made up his mind.

He pulled a pistol from Peter Huang's waist, pressed it against Peter Huang's temple, and took a deep breath.

Bang!! The muffled gunshot was drowned out by the rolling thunder on the horizon.

Hu Ming was quite adept at reading people's expressions and demeanor.

He could tell that when Lei Xianming shot Peter Huang, the ugly, conflicted, and painful expression on his face was all an act.

It looks so fake.

Deep in Lei Xianming's eyes was only deep worry, worry for his own safety.

Now, just two days after coming into contact with the Samsara Sect and the Demon Kingdom, all his henchmen and bodyguards have died.

At this moment, he was surrounded only by his wife and goddaughter, completely powerless, and the journey ahead was still long.

Not only are there dangers within the ancient ruins, but also... dangers from fellow travelers! That is, threats from the tomb raiders and excavator officials who are also part of the group!
Lei Xianming never believed that people who made a living by digging up soil and sand from tombs could be kind-hearted.

just
He had no way out. He was still counting on this huge deal to make a fortune, pay off his debts, save his two beloved sons, and live a leisurely life as a wealthy man for the rest of his life.

He could no longer retreat.

"Godfather/Uncle Ming, are you alright?"

Seeing Lei Xianming shoot Peter Huang and sit down on the ground, Han Shuna and A Xiang couldn't help but ask.

However, from Hu Ming's perspective, Ah Xiang's concerned gaze seemed somewhat fake.

"...I'm fine, I'm just a little sad for a moment. Peter Huang has been very loyal to me and has saved me many times."

"I never imagined that he would be gone so soon after the trip had just begun. It's heartbreaking."

After a long silence, Lei Xianming finally raised his head, waved his hand, and sighed wearily.

Hu Ming and the lama had already moved Peter Huang's body to an open area inside the bunker.

It was pouring rain outside, and with limited resources, it was impossible to find dry firewood to cremate him outside.

But keeping his body is not a good idea either. The intermediate state is too mysterious, and no one can guarantee that it won't emerge from Peter Huang's body again to harm people.

Therefore, the men crushed the solid fuel they were carrying and scattered it all over Peter Huang's body.

The flames roared up, enveloping Peter Huang's purplish-black body.

In an instant, black smoke billowed, and a thick, foul stench filled the small space.

Fortunately, Hu Ming had put on a gas mask beforehand, which blocked out most of the stench. He watched with schadenfreude and laughter as the group covered their noses and looked on the verge of vomiting.

"Damn! Why does this thing stink so badly? Damn it, I think I'll have to skip at least half my lunch today!"

The men covered their mouths and noses, their faces turning pale, and the fat man couldn't help but curse loudly.

This taste is absolutely amazing!
"Even if you eat half as much, you still eat more than all of us!"

Hu Bayi couldn't help but retort instinctively.

Fortunately, the stone door to this room was still intact.

The group rushed out of the room, closed the stone door, and took a deep breath of the fresh, rain-soaked air. Their complexions improved considerably.

"Phew... Hu Ming, did you already know this stuff would stink terribly when burned?"

Yang Xueli and Hu Bayi looked at Hu Ming with unfriendly expressions as he took off his gas mask.

The matter needs no further explanation.

Hu Ming was just waiting to see them make a fool of themselves.

Upon hearing this, the fat man and the lama all gathered around with unfriendly expressions, their knuckles cracking as they clenched their fists.

Hu Ming's move has incurred widespread public wrath. If anyone had known beforehand, who would have wanted to endure such disgusting torment?

"Yeah, even a fool would know that if these things were burned, they'd stink horribly."

Hu Ming glanced at the group with a look of "kingly disdain."
You foolish mortals.

"...Beat him up?"

"He deserves a beating, beat him up!"

Hu Bayi and his two companions exchanged glances, reached an agreement, clenched their fists, and charged forward.

then……

Crackling... popping... crackling and popping.
Within half a minute, all three of them were lying dead on the spot, including the lama.

The group had gotten along well during this time, as they were all compatible. The lama was now one of Hu Ming's few remaining friends.

These kinds of harmless jokes are still acceptable.

Hu Ming rubbed his wrist, then hummed a little tune as he left.

(End of this chapter)