Tomb Raider: I Am Hu Bayi's Cousin

Chapter 548 The Temporary Base for the Archaeological Team Survivors
Hu Ming left without any worries.

Hongxia's competence is trustworthy.

Moreover, they outnumber the enemy and have far superior firepower. If Hongxia still fails under these circumstances, Hu Ming should really consider replacing her.

Along the way, Wu Xie and Xiao Hua couldn't resist asking a series of questions.

However, Hu Ming showed no intention of answering their questions; he simply continued on his way in a monotonous manner, maintaining a pace that the two could easily keep up with.
This journey took a whole night.

Hu Ming led the two deep into Yangjiao Mountain, taking a route completely different from the one Wu Xie was familiar with that led to the lake.

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Hu Ming, breathing steadily, and Wu Xie and Xiao Hua, slightly tired, arrived near the summit, beneath a massive stone wall.

Parting a hidden thicket of bushes, a dark cave entrance came into view.

"Let's rest here for a bit. We'll continue in an hour; the other entrance is just around the corner."

"Let me warn you first, that's not the proper entrance. It's not safe inside, so be careful not to get caught."

Looking up at the hillside not far from the summit, Hu Ming hesitated for a moment before leading the way into the cave, giving a brief instruction as he did so.

"This is.."

However, Wu Xie and Xiao Hua were not in the mood to discuss these things at the moment, as they were already captivated by the environment and decorations inside the cave.

From the entrance of the cave, there are traces of human intervention everywhere, with all sorts of miscellaneous items and boxes piled up in every nook and cranny.

Upon closer inspection, it was found that the room was filled with daily necessities.

A light swipe of the finger on it leaves a thin layer of dust clinging to the fingertip.

"It looks like there were signs of human habitation here at least half a month ago."

Xiao Hua rubbed the dust off her fingers, looking at Hu Ming's calm back, her heart filled with confusion.

"Half a month ago? Didn't Uncle Ming and I just arrive here then?"

Wu Xie's heart skipped a beat, and he asked in surprise.

Isn't the timing a bit too coincidental?
"Ah, there were indeed people living here before, but I killed them. You know about that, bro."

"Because I was afraid of the trouble, I was too lazy to tell you and Fatty."

Ahead, Hu Ming scratched his temples helplessly as he explained.

This is the Ghostly Men's headquarters!
Wu Xie and Xiao Hua exchanged a glance, wanting to ask more questions, but seeing Jiang Nan's obvious reluctance to say more, they wisely kept quiet.

As you delve deeper into the cave, the interior layout comes into view.

If the outermost supplies were just daily necessities and miscellaneous items, then what was inside shocked Wu Xie and Xiao Hua.

"These are all military supplies! And there are even military serial numbers here!" "These models look like they're from forty or fifty years ago! And they're all standard equipment from when the military was in service—all contraband!"

Wu Xie and Xiao Hua kept opening the boxes deep inside the cave to check what was inside, and couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

They weren't joking; the weapons and ammunition here total more than anything Hu Ming had produced—enough to wage a small-scale battle!
For a moment, the two were filled with curiosity about the person who had once lived here.

The sensitive location and the timing of the weapons incident easily fueled the two men's imaginations.

"These supplies were all left behind by the two archaeological teams that died here in 76 and 78, as well as the soldiers who accompanied them to protect them."

Walking to the only bed in the corner, Hu Ming ignored the damp bedding, lay down, and closed his eyes to rest.

Behind the bed was a dark, deep pit, the contents of which were unknown.

"76, 78!"

Upon hearing this, Xiaohua grimaced.

How could he not understand these two points in time?
Especially in 78, the archaeological team and the soldiers who came here back then—if it weren't for Panma and his companions killing those people out of greed.
In a few days, these people will also die at his father's hands, okay?
"Could this be the residence of survivors from some archaeological team from back then?"

With a thousand thoughts swirling in his mind, Wu Xie suddenly had a flash of insight, and he suddenly understood something.

"As expected of you, nephew. This is the residence of the survivors from the first group of archaeologists in 76."

"Back then, the first archaeological team had already entered the Zhang Family Ancient Building, but apart from this lucky yet unlucky guy, everyone else died inside."

"For many years, this guy has been hiding here, voluntarily guarding the secret of the Zhang Family Ancient Building. Whenever someone with ulterior motives comes here, he will assassinate them all, intending to completely bury the secret here."

Hu Ming glanced at Wu Xie in surprise. As expected of Wu Xie, he actually found the most correct answer from among the scattered clues.

Hu Ming didn't want to go into any more detail, since it was pointless.

What significance does revealing the survivor's name as "Zhang Qiling" have, besides astonishing them?
After all, he was a dead man; everything in the past had vanished like smoke.

"By the way, if you need to use the restroom, I suggest you go outside. This pit is not a toilet, so don't get it wrong."

"Over the years, the owner of this place has killed many people who plotted against the Zhang Family Ancient Building. Most of the bodies of those who died tragically were buried here by that guy."

"You can find many incomplete and withered bones just by digging around in the mud."

"Of course, if you don't mind feeling uneasy, then just pretend I didn't say anything."

As he spoke, Hu Ming pointed to the dark, deep pit on the other side of the cave and said casually.

"Holy crap!?? Is this guy a psychopath?? He buried the body he killed right next to his bed?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Xie and Xiao Hua were immediately shocked. How twisted must someone's mind be to do such a thing?
Then they looked at Hu Ming, who was leisurely resting on the bed, exchanged a glance, and gave each other a thumbs up.

Compared to the somewhat psychologically unstable owner here, Hu Ming, who knew all this, was quite a formidable person, wasn't he?
Are they really not afraid of the worst-case scenario of being haunted by the vengeful spirits here?
Anyway, Wu Xie and Xiao Hua are finding it hard to look at this place directly now.