Tomb Raider: I Am Hu Bayi's Cousin

Chapter 266 The Two Rings

Zhang Yueshan looked at the sandalwood box in his hand with a nostalgic expression, his tone leisurely, as if he were reminiscing about the past.

"Actually, more than 20 years ago, when you first appeared in Beijing and came into everyone's sight, Buddha and Second Master were already paying attention to you."

"Later, you returned safely from the Jingjue Ancient City, and even killed many tombs that were said to be so difficult to destroy, making you famous in the tomb raiding world."

"At that time, the Buddha was considering whether to give this thing to you."

"Unfortunately, just when the Buddha made up his mind to hand it over to you and advised you to lay low for the time being, you mysteriously disappeared again."

"And that departure lasted for twenty-three years. You know the Buddha's health; he was different from me. He didn't make it through and eventually passed away."

"And this is what the Buddha entrusted to me before his death, and asked me to give it to you."

"Originally, this was the only thing I wanted to discuss with you, but I've recently received some information that I need to verify, Hu Ming?"

Zhang Qishan's bloodline is impure; although he is a member of the Zhang family, he has the Qiongqi bloodline tattoo.

His bloodline tattoos were not enough to sustain his longevity.

Hu Ming remained silent, a bold guess forming in his mind.

"To confirm what?"

Yin Nanfeng couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

The Yin family has close ties with the Nine Gates and is related to the Buddha. From her perspective, she is qualified to know about this matter.

That's why I say this girl is a smart person; she knows things that she can.

"Confirm this! Phoenix! Or dragon?"

Hu Ming explained in a deep voice.

She stood up and took off her shirt under Yin Nanfeng's astonished and puzzled gaze.

She took off her coat and shirt, revealing her smooth upper body.

With a thought, his blood flowed faster, and the wondrous dragon and phoenix slowly appeared on Hu Ming's chest.

An unusual, subtle glow flows across it, making the bloodline tattoo look even more extraordinary.

Yin Nanfeng had seen Hu Ming's bloodline tattoo before.

This time, however, Yin Nanfeng's attention was entirely focused on the phoenix, and she seemed to understand something.

"Although they are both phoenixes, they are different from that family's phoenix. Compared to them, their phoenix is ​​too small and insignificant."

"Hu Ming, I apologize for my rudeness, but this matter is far-reaching and I had no choice but to be careful."

Hu Ming's phoenix tattoos cover half of his upper body, with the phoenix head on his chest and the phoenix body on half of his back, giving it a grand and majestic appearance.

As far as Zhang Yueshan knew, the phoenix tattoos on that family's bodies only occupied a small portion of the skin on their backs; the difference was too great.

That family are descendants of the Wang family!
"I understand. That old man, Buddha, is gone. It's not just 'him' having his final, frenzied moment; even the Wang family is getting restless."

"Wang Zanghai was a genius of his generation, but his descendants? Ha! They're all short-sighted fools!"

"Hehe, he didn't inherit much of Wang Zanghai's skills, but he certainly has a lot of ambition."

Hu Ming shook his head to indicate his understanding, put on his clothes, and sat down.

Although he disliked Zhang Qishan, it was undeniable that he had taken advantage of Zhang Qishan's relationship with the Second Master when they were studying in Beijing!

"It's just that the profits are tempting. The market that the Nine Gates have accumulated over the past century is too tempting. But for now, it's alright. The Wang family is just making small moves in the dark, so there's nothing to worry about." "As long as you're not a member of the Wang family, that's fine."

"Now, it's time to hand it over to you. Open it and take a look."

Zhang Yueshan nodded, pushed the box toward Hu Ming, and said in a deep voice.

This box is made of an ingenious mechanism and has no keyhole.

There is only a round hole at the bottom, which can only support about two fingers to insert.

"Hmm, as expected of the Zhang family's distinctive lock. Interesting."

Hu Ming realized that this box could only be opened by probing with two fingers.

Immediately, he inserted two fingers into it, closed his eyes, and used his fingers to carefully sense the internal mechanism.

The next moment, Hu Ming suddenly opened his eyes, a confident smile curving his lips, and gently stroked between his two fingers.

With a "click," Hu Ming pressed a hidden mechanism with his special hand.

The box was opened.

The object inside was a silver metal ring.

It is decorated with dragons and phoenixes, and is exceptionally exquisite.

"This is a double-ringed jingle?!"

Hu Ming and Yin Nanfeng were both discerning people, and they immediately recognized the origin of the item.

These were the two rings that Buddha loved most during his lifetime, and were later "snatched" away by Yin Nanfeng's great-aunt as an engagement gift.

This item itself is a rare and exquisite treasure, but most importantly...
Within the Nine Gates, this is a symbol, a symbol of the Buddha's status as the Nine Gates Admiral!
Yin Nanfeng understood this as well and looked at Hu Ming in astonishment.

The meaning is quite clear: the Buddha had decided before his death to hand it over to Hu Ming!
"...I'm sorry, I can't accept this. Old man...uh, no, I appreciate your kindness, but you should take it back, Lieutenant Zhang."

However, under Zhang Rishan's expectant gaze, Hu Ming flatly refused.

"reason?"

Zhang Yueshan asked in a deep voice, his expression unchanged.

“It’s very simple. The Nine Gates? It’s the 21st century now, Lieutenant Zhang. You know better than I do that only chaotic times are fertile ground for the tomb raiding business.”

"Now that the country is progressing and developing, the laws are becoming more sound, and the supervision is being strengthened, tomb raiding activities organized by families are no longer suitable for the present era."

"If it weren't for 'him,' Wu Sansheng would have been exonerated long ago."

"But what about the Nine Gates today? How many are still immersed in the glory of half a century ago, unwilling to let go and clean up their act, and secretly still making a living from this business?"

"As far as I know, the descendants of the Li and Qi families are not very honest. If it weren't for you keeping things in check, they would have been uprooted long ago."

"This thing isn't power, it's trouble, endless, enormous trouble! Even after your Buddha died, he wouldn't let anyone have a moment's peace."

Hu Ming scoffed, his words utterly devoid of any sentimentality.

"The reason I took the initiative to get involved in the plans of the Wu and Jie families is simply because there are some things underground that are very important to me, and I must get my hands on them."

"Otherwise, do you think I would have come back to get involved in all this messy stuff with the Nine Gates?"

After all, there are system rewards for going into tombs, only a fool wouldn't go!

(End of this chapter)