Tomb Raider: I Am Hu Bayi's Cousin

Chapter 534: Split up!

After taking the latest and most complete collage and importing the digital photos into the computer, Hu Ming and his two companions finished their work here.

The three of them followed the same path down the cliff to the ground, dialed up the internet using the public telephone line in the nearest village, and then had the helper there quickly deliver it to the old woman.

Hu Ming and his two companions had no ideas whatsoever when looking at the jigsaw puzzles alone.

But the guy with the memories of the "Neurotic Knife" and the "Fairy Huo" are there. Presumably, the two of them can definitely obtain the key to open the door based on this information.

For the rest of the time, the three of them had nothing to do, so they gazed at the distant snow-capped mountains, chatted idly, and waited for news from the other side.

The three chatted about everything under the sun, from the past to their future, and about their ideal lives deep in their hearts.

They even went so far as to chat about some secrets from the past of the Nine Gates.

Including the role Zhang Dafoye played in past events.

During this operation, the estrangement between Xiaohua and Wu Xie caused by the separation of time and geography has quietly disappeared.

Is this what they call childhood sweethearts?
After four or five days of this rambling nonsense, there was some new information from Guangxi Province.

This time, the photos sent by Guangxi Province were more numerous than last time. Most of them were photos taken after they deciphered the information sent by Hu Ming and others to open the gate.

The final photo contained a message similar to, yet different from, the first one—it represented the second gate!!!
The accompanying note is even more concise: Four hundred meters after the first stone wall, a second stone wall appears. Please keep up the good work.

The photo shows many, many intricate relief patterns.

Hu Ming pursed his lips, knowing that this matter wouldn't end so simply.

However, it's not a big problem. No matter what the difference is between the second gate and the first one, we just need to go back the way we came and repeat the process as shown in the photo.

This time, it was much easier than the last time.

However, on the third day after the message was sent, the latest news came from Guangxi Province: they had encountered a third obstacle.

The work on Hu Ming's side was much easier.

All you need to do is find the latest permutation and combination based on the clues in the relief.

Not long after solving the mystery of the third portal, Hu Ming and his team received news from Guangxi Province.

Huo Xiangu and her companions have already seen the Zhang Family Ancient Building deep underground!!!
The next step was to prepare and embark on exploring this ancient building, which was said to be flawless.

For some reason, even though he had already sent the correct answer, Hu Ming's intuition was still giving him a faint warning.

It seems that the young man and the fat man will once again encounter considerable danger.

However, this was to be expected, as the Zhang family left no way out when they sealed off the ancient building!
The case of the ghostly figure was a stroke of incredible luck, one in a million chances!
Hu Ming was indifferent to Huo Xiangu and the others; if they died, they died.

I wonder what will happen to Fatty and the young man. But thinking about it, with their skills and alertness, plus the legendary "protagonist halo," they should be fine.

On the third day of waiting here, as expected, bad news came from Guangxi Province.

The original text transmitted by the guy over there was:
I have lost contact with them.

Those few simple words instantly made Wu Xie's scalp tingle.

Wu Xie doesn't have many friends. Besides Hu Ming, there are only Fatty, Xiao Ge, and Panzi Xiaohua.

Upon hearing that something might have happened to the two, how could they possibly sit still?
"I want to go to Guangxi Province, to Banna!"

Wu Xie paced restlessly around the campsite, then suddenly stopped, lit a cigarette, and said firmly, "We have to go, but not like this!"

Hu Ming stubbed out his cigarette and said in a deep voice.

“That’s right. Old Madam Huo is the backbone of the Huo family. If something happens to her, the Huo family’s employees will probably be in chaos.”

"The three of us went there unprepared, and we're likely to be stopped. In this situation, they definitely won't trust anyone!"

"Even if Xiuxiu is there, it's still not okay!"

"Plus, there are Qiu Dekao's men there. Without enough manpower, it will be very difficult for the three of us to succeed!"

"Besides, something happened to Old Madam Huo... I have to go back to Beijing first to deal with some things at home."

Xiaohua leaned against the wall with her eyes closed, her voice soft and melancholic.

Although it was expected that Huo Xiangu, at her age, would likely meet with bad luck at Zhang Family Ancient Building, Xiao Hua never imagined that even Xiao Ge and Fatty would lose contact. This made Xiao Hua feel somewhat troubled.

"Why go back to Beijing?"

Wu Xie asked in confusion.

At this point, is it still necessary to go back to Beijing?
Xiao Hua and Huo Xiangu have a deep-seated partnership. Shouldn't we find Huo Xiangu as soon as possible to stabilize the situation?
"You really don't understand. You're still lacking in this area."

"Because I was in power when I was young, I received a lot of help from Aunt Huo. If something happened to Grandma Huo, the family would definitely be in chaos, and many people would want to take advantage of me."

“At this point, I must go back and stabilize the situation. I know that doing so will be somewhat inhumane.”

"However, Wu Xie, I suggest you also go back to Changsha City first. Rescuing Zhang Qiling is impossible with just the three of us; we need a lot more manpower to help!"

Xiao Hua shook his head, his brows furrowed deeply. He knew the Xie family too well; even a fool could tell that at this moment, those people didn't care about the Xie family's situation, only about their own interests.

"What about Uncle San's businesses and employees in Changsha? Do you know the situation there? Is it really something I can take over and stabilize?"

"Those people are all risking their lives, living on the edge of a knife. Me? Ha!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Xie gave a wry smile.

"Changsha City? I have a plan. I'll go to Changsha City with you. Xiaohua, go back to Beijing to prepare..."

"At that time, no matter how powerful the Huo family's men are, the Hong family, the Xie family, and the Wu family will be unable to stop us!"

Just then, Hu Ming opened his eyes, lit another cigarette, and said softly.

Hu Ming already had a series of plans in mind.

"But in that case, will the young man and the fat guy be able to wait until we're fully prepared?"

Looking at Hu Ming, who remained completely calm, Wu Xie felt reassured, but still somewhat worried.

"Don't worry, who do you think they are? They are the last Zhang Qiling, the tomb-raiding fat prince, Fatty!"

"What kind of dangerous situations haven't those two seen?! No matter how dangerous the Zhang Family Ancient Building is, it's far from enough to keep them here!"

Hu Ming stood up and instructed the man to prepare for the departure, speaking in a deep voice.

Both of them are bold and meticulous, and quite skilled in combat; this amount of time is no problem at all!