Tomb Raider: I Am Hu Bayi's Cousin

A massive tomb?
Fine.

The Zhangjia Ancient Building is essentially a massive mass burial site.

Moreover, the Zhang family had been extremely wealthy for generations, so the presence of precious burial goods in the mass grave was just the beginning.

Thinking about it this way, the fat man's idea was not wrong at all.

However, the good stuff inside Zhang Family Ancient Building is not so easy to get.

"However, we do not know the details of burial in this type of mountain terrain."

"In fact, in my opinion, the mountains around here are not very suitable for burial."

"Finding a deeply hidden tomb in this vast mountainous region is extremely difficult without adequate intelligence support!"

"Most importantly, didn't we come here to explore the secrets of the archaeological team from back then and help the young man find his way back to the past?"

Wu Xie looked around and sighed with a hint of regret, pouring cold water on Fatty's enthusiasm.

Although Wu Xie had felt disheartened many times before, and thought that he would definitely never go into tombs again in his life.

The trip to the Kingdom of the Queen Mother of the West didn't count as tomb raiding, since the owner of that place was still alive and well!
However, whenever he stood at the edge of the ancient tomb, the deep-seated excitement within him was hard to suppress.

Hu Ming smiled but remained silent, saying that now was not the time to go down.

After all, there are still some key figures who haven't appeared yet.

The lake has a very large surface area, roughly the size of two football fields stacked together.

After walking around the lake for a short time, the group got a general understanding of the situation and returned to the lakeshore where they had come from.

At this time, Agui and Yun Cai had already prepared a simple lunch in the makeshift setting.

After the meal, Hu Ming and the others helped A Gui set up a temporary campsite by the lake.

Exploring the surrounding area will likely take more than a short time.

We need to be prepared for a protracted struggle.

"Judging from the terrain here, there are mountains on the other side, which could pose a risk of rockfalls and mudslides."

"The only place where that archaeological team was stationed back then was this area... In other words, the area we need to search is the lake right in front of us."

After finishing their meal, the four of them huddled together, puffing on cigarettes and discussing the current situation.

Having made up their minds, the group no longer hesitated and dispersed to the shallows of the nearby lake, hoping to find some clues.

The key is in the crevices of the rocks by the lake.

Perhaps we can find the remains left behind when Panma disposed of the body, or some crucial items such as luggage.

After all, Panma and his gang didn't have professional equipment back then, so the place where they disposed of the body couldn't have been too far away.

In addition, the lake level has dropped significantly over the years; theoretically, there should be at least some remains on the shore.
However, after struggling until sunset, they still hadn't achieved anything.

"Uncle, why don't you just tell us the secret behind how that archaeological team got here back then?"

"In that case, we won't have to go through all this trouble. Wouldn't it be better to save our time and help Zhang Qiling find his past?"

With a nicotine stick dangling from his mouth, Wu Xie dried his damp clothes by the campfire, looking at Hu Ming who seemed perfectly normal, and couldn't help but suggest, "What about Xiao Ge's past?"

"Actually, Fatty guessed right. There is a huge tomb buried underground in this mountainous area. It is a rare family burial tomb."

"And the secret of the young man's past is actually buried in that underground burial complex."

"And this burial site is inextricably linked to the lake in front of us. So, nephew, everything is connected."

"If you want to know the secrets of the archaeological team from back then, Xiao Ge's past, and the Zhang family's secrets, this lake is a key point that you can't avoid."

All the major events that have occurred in the tomb raiding industry in modern times are inseparable from the mysterious Zhang family.

It could even be said that almost all the disputes and troubles originated from the Zhang family.

During the late Qing Dynasty and the Republican era, the main branch of the Zhang family rapidly declined under the impact of new ideas, until it was completely wiped out by internal and external troubles. The various branches went their own way and scattered overseas.

The Zhang family declined from then on, plummeting into ruin, and this legendary family came to an end.

Otherwise, at its peak, the Zhang family, united from top to bottom...

Who the hell has the guts to mess with them?
Didn't you see that even the Wang family, with the support of the Khampa barbarians, only dared to cause trouble when the Zhang family's main branch began to decline due to internal strife?
The Zhang family at its peak
That's the uncrowned king of this country!
The rise and fall of most ancient emperors and dynasties were inextricably linked to the Zhang family.

To put it dramatically, at least half of the imperial power in ancient times was actually a puppet state of the Zhang family.
"In the afternoon, I noticed that the water flow patterns inside this lake are quite interesting; it's a siphon lake."

"In other words, all the remains and other clues from back then should have sunk to the very center of the lake. We'll go there to search tomorrow."

"Don't worry, nephew. Here, you'll definitely find out what you want to know. Can't you see how calm he is? What are you so anxious about?"

Looking at the lake reflecting the moonlight, Hu Ming lit a cigarette and changed the subject.

The siphon lake is actually a lake that is connected to an underground river, and there is an even larger water source nearby.

Affected by tides or air pressure, the lake here is interconnected, and the water in the lake will be drawn to another water source.

Naturally, under such flow, things in the lake are inevitably affected and drawn into another hidden water source in the mountains.

However, there will definitely be some traces left at the very center of the lake bottom.

"At the bottom of the lake, or at the very center?"

"We didn't bring any diving equipment with us this time. Who would have thought there would be such a lake in this mountainous area, and that what we're looking for is at the bottom of the lake?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Xie grinned and said somewhat dejectedly.

If we go back to purchase the equipment, the round trip will waste at least a week.

"...Diving equipment? Who said we don't have that?"

Hu Ming got up, took out his bulging backpack from the campsite, and coughed lightly.

"...There's absolutely no way a backpack of this size could fit four complete scuba gear sets..."

"Okay, we get it, this is another one of your magic tricks!!!"

Wu Xie and the others exchanged glances.

There are always some people in this world who use magic as an excuse to openly and legitimately use magical means.