Tomb Raider: I Am Hu Bayi's Cousin

Chapter 73

“This painting…” Hu Bayi said with a surprised expression.

He saw a small, lifelike pattern on the inner wall of the coffin.
The graphics are book-sized; you might not even notice them if you're not looking closely!
This is a rough sketch drawn in the shape of curves, resembling a long, winding mountain pattern on both sides.

Judging by the mountains, this painting primarily depicts a valley. "Where is it?"

Yang Xueli came to open the coffin in hopes of finding clues that could help with the history of the Jingjue Ancient City.

Yang Xueli came to open the coffin in hopes of finding clues that could help with the history of the Jingjue Ancient City.

But even after the coffin was opened, there wasn't a single useful clue, and she was already disappointed.

But Hu Bayi gave her hope, and she quickly went over to take a look.

Upon seeing the lifelike depiction of the valley's curves, she immediately frowned, "This is..."

She took off her backpack, opened it, took out Mr. Walter's notebook, turned to a page with a pattern, and compared it carefully with the curved pattern on the coffin wall. Suddenly, a look of joy appeared on her pretty face.

The fat man was overjoyed. "Miss Yang, what have you discovered?"

Is it a treasure? We can't let this American girl hoard it all. The fat man quickly moved closer to Yang Shirley's side. When he saw that it was a valley pattern, he immediately shook his head in boredom. Surely there's no treasure in the valley? That's obviously impossible.

“It’s the Zaglama Valley,” Yang Shirley said excitedly. “Mr. Walter’s notebook records that after passing through the Zaglama Valley, you will see a golden desert with countless ancient ruins and city walls. That is the location of the ancient city of Jingjue.”

It seems Mr. Walter's notebook was correct. She put away the notebook and gave Hu Ming, Fatty, and Hu Bayi a faint smile.

"We've found a clue, let's go out."

There were no treasures left inside, so the fat man and his group lost interest in the place and followed Yang Xueli out, covering up all traces of their entry. They closed the coffin, covered the stone slab, and pasted animal hides on the iron door.

When we came out, it was almost dawn.

Shirley Yang glanced at the sky, wide awake. "Old Hu, let's set off early tomorrow."

"Okay." Hu Bayi also wanted to find the Jingjue Ancient City as soon as possible, and then go back and lie comfortably at home, which was much better than staying in this damn desert.

"See you tomorrow, the three of you," Yang Xueli said with a smile, waving to Hu Ming and the other two. Her every move exuded charm; she was truly a stunning beauty.

Huba narrowed his eyes slightly. Yang Xueli's gesture of waving her hand was so charming that it lingered in his mind.

Hu Ming and Fatty exchanged a glance, then shook their heads helplessly at Hu Bayi, who was still stunned.

After Hu Bayi came to his senses, his face flushed slightly as he followed Hu Ming and Fatty back to the tent.

The three tents were next to each other, and none of them were sleepy, so they huddled together to smoke.

The flames flickered, and the three of them lit cigarettes.

Taking a drag of his cigarette, Hu Bayi frowned and looked at Hu Ming and Fatty, saying, "Before, I thought these archaeologists were too weak to endure the hardships of the desert and would cry and shout to go back. Wouldn't that mean the three of us brothers would have made tens of thousands of US dollars for nothing?"

As he spoke, he sighed.

I realized I had underestimated the perseverance of these stubborn archaeologists.

"Now, I think they'll die in the desert, but they'll find the ancient city of Jingjue. They won't give up halfway."

When Hu Bayi first joined the archaeological team, he had planned to take the group of archaeologists for a stroll around the country.

Let them experience the harshness of nature. They will then give up.

Now it seems he was just daydreaming, and he learned from Hu Ming that the Jingjue Ancient City really does have a curse!

Hu Ming turned to the fat man beside him and said, "Fatty, did Old Hu tell you about the curse of the Jingjue Ancient City?"

"I told you, damn it, I don't believe in any curses, I only believe in money," the fat man said, glancing at Hu Ming.

Upon hearing this, Hu Ming couldn't help but facepalm. He really was a money-grubber.

Hu Bayi smiled wryly, knowing that no one would believe the curse Hu Ming spoke of.

Hu Ming squinted slightly, the smoke stinging his eyes. He finished the cigarette, flicked it with two fingers, and the cigarette butt flew away.

He then said, "The archaeological team is very determined. From the very beginning, they have no intention of giving up. You'd only feel at ease if they all died. In that case, let's go and see that so-called Jingjue Ancient City!"

The next day.

Everyone was fully prepared, especially the archaeological team members, who were in high spirits. It seemed that the ancient city of Jingjue was right before their eyes, so the archaeological team members were particularly excited.

"Xiao Chu, Xiao Sa, is all the water filled up?"

Hu Ming knew that once they passed this point, the only way to replenish their water supply would be to go to the underground river of the Jingjue Ancient City, which was still a long way off, so they had to make sure they had enough water.

“Brother Hu Ming, we have filled all the containers that can hold water, just as you said. Even the camels are having a hard time carrying them.”

Sadipeng patted the camel bag, which was full of water. After this water shortage crisis, everyone was particularly concerned about water.

They set off, traveling through the vast desert like a caravan on the ancient Silk Road.

One day, two days...

The wind and sand howled, and everyone was exhausted as they hurried along, facing the sandstorm. This kind of life was monotonous and boring.

Four days later, everyone rested where they were. They planned to camp here tonight.

Sandstorms would blow in from time to time, so Hu Ming and his team built sand walls to block them.

Although this thing can't stop a sandstorm, it can easily withstand a level 3 or 4 sandstorm. The sand wall quickly built up to more than a meter high. If you hide under it, the sandstorm really won't blow on you.

"Xiao Ye, let's go over there." Yang Xueli put down her entrenching tool, clapped her hands, and then grabbed Ye Yixin. Ye Yixin nodded, knowing that Xueli Yang was going to relieve herself.

The group consisted of only the two girls, and they always went to the restroom together.

Hu Ming didn't pay any attention to this, but the fat man next to him was about to go and take a look. He had a feeling that something was wrong with this American girl.

He was just about to go when Hu Bayi stopped him. He was joking, Yang Xueli was his intended wife; he couldn't let Fatty have her…

Hu Bayi said, "Hurry up and dig. Stop following us around like a shadow all day. We still need to set up tents later."

Sa Dipeng and Chu Jian were building a sand wall on the other side when they saw Hu Ming and the others chatting and laughing.

Curious about what they were talking about, the two decided to come over and join in the fun.

Anliman was inspecting the camels; he was always accompanied by them. Professor Chen was sitting and resting; his health was failing. He was also getting old, and after the long ride, he felt like his entire body was about to fall apart.

Just then, a terrified scream rang out. "Help!!"

The cries for help again made Hu Bayi and the others tense.

Hu Ming grabbed his bag and ran over, and Hu Bayi followed suit, grabbing his entrenching tool.

The two went ahead, and the others grabbed their weapons and rushed forward. Fortunately, they were relatively close, only about two hundred paces apart, and even in the sand, Hu Ming arrived in just over ten seconds.

At this moment, half of Ye Yixin's body was stuck in the sand, and she was struggling.

"Old Hu, be careful, there's quicksand here." Yang Xueli was worried that if Hu Bayi and the others came to rescue the people, they would not only fail to save them but also get stuck in the quicksand, and then everyone would be doomed.

"Wait a minute, Fatty, go get the rope."

Still some distance from Yang Xueli, Hu Bayi worried about quicksand ahead, so he quickly stopped and told Fatty to get a rope to cross over, ensuring their safety.

"No need for all that trouble," Hu Ming said casually before rushing forward, startling Hu Bayi, whose expression changed drastically. "Be careful of the flow..."

Hu Ming jumped directly into the sandpit and stood next to Ye Yixin. Everyone was stunned, especially Ye Yixin and Shirley Yang, who stared at Hu Ming in disbelief.

Isn't this quicksand?
Everyone was stunned and remained silent for a long time.

Ye Yixin, in particular, still had tears on her face.

"Xiao Ye, go up."

Hu Ming pushed Ye Yixin's back, and Shirley Yang pulled her up from above.

"Xiao Ye, are you alright?" Ye Yixin felt ashamed when Sa Dipeng and the others asked her with concern.

To be scared by a small sandpit, how embarrassing!

She wiped away her tears, shook her head slightly, and said, "At first I thought it was quicksand that would swallow me, so...that's why I was so...frightened..."

Seeing that she was too embarrassed to talk about it, the considerate Professor Chen waved his hand and comforted her, "It's alright."

(End of this chapter)