The Unorthodox Tomb Raider

The wealthy Chen family lived at the end of this street. As one of the few well-known wealthy families in the town, their family's affiliation was easy to recognize: between two bright red lanterns, on a gilded plaque, was the one with the character "Chen" written on it.

Soon, Fang Yun arrived at the courtyard wall of the wealthy Chen family. He glanced at the raised wall and a sense of doubt arose in his heart.

It's clear that there's a dividing line at the top of the wall, which means that the wall wasn't this high before, and the section above the dividing line was built up later.

"Could it be that this wealthy Chen family has really offended some enemy? They even have to build a high wall around their courtyard."

Fang Yun realized that this matter might not be as simple as he had thought, and the best way to deal with it right now was to find that wealthy Chen as soon as possible and ask him.

By this time, the moon was high in the sky, casting a silvery veil over the entire town of Wuliu.

Chapter 359 The Chen Family

When Fang Yun arrived at the Chen family's gate, as expected, the vermilion gate was tightly closed, with only a plaque gleaming weakly under the red lanterns.

"Won't they hide from me again if I knock on the door?"

Fang Yun gave a wry smile. Having no other choice, he could only step forward and knock on the door.

"Is anyone there? I need to talk to you. The homeowner needs something."

Fang Yun called out several times from outside, but no one answered.

This also made Fang Yun feel a little strange. Logically speaking, such wealthy families would usually have a doorman waiting there.

After all, it would be taboo to refuse entry to important figures.

"Is anyone there? I'm here to talk to your homeowner."

Fang Yun shouted again, after all, his purpose in coming here was to find this wealthy Chen. If he were to be turned away and go back, the old man would probably laugh him to death.

"My master is not home. You should go back now and come back early tomorrow."

Upon hearing voices, Fang Yun quickly added, "I came here specifically to find your master, and I don't want to go back. Just say that Mr. Guo sent me to see him, and ask him to come out for a chat if it's convenient for him."

Fang Yun glanced down at the letter the old man had given him; the signature on it was Guo.

There was no sound from the other side of the door for a long time. Fang Yun stood at the door and muttered to himself, "Old Guo, it seems that they don't recognize you as their old friend at all. Now you know how much you mean to them, they don't even need your help."

Fang Yun shook his head and was about to turn and leave. It was better if the door wasn't opened; it would save him from wasting time here.

"If you don't open the door, then I'll leave. But don't say I wasn't here."

Just as Fang Yun turned and walked a short distance away, the tightly closed gate of the Chen residence suddenly creaked open.

"Friend, please wait!" A deep, middle-aged man's voice rang out.

Fang Yun turned his head and saw a middle-aged man dressed in brocade clothes with a small mustache standing at the door.

When he saw Fang Yun, Fang Yun subtly noticed a hint of disappointment flash in the middle-aged man's eyes.

"Is the Mr. Guo you're talking about the one at the thatched cottage?"

A hint of hesitation flashed across the middle-aged man's brow as he asked.

Fang Yun nodded: "Exactly."

The middle-aged man didn't say anything more, but instead directed people to lead Fang Yun back to the Chen residence.

Just as Fang Yun stepped inside, the outer door was slammed shut again.

"Is this Mr. Chen?"

Fang Yun didn't actually know who the old friend Guo was talking about was, or what he looked like. But judging from the man's appearance, it didn't seem like him.

"Mr. Guo must be referring to my father. I am the eldest son here, and my name is Chen Changwei."

Despite being faced with a young man who was clearly much younger than himself, Chen Changwei still showed the proper politeness.

Fang Yun responded with an "oh," then waved his hand in return.

"By the way, Young Master Chen, this is my first time in Wuliu Town. But I don't quite understand the customs here. Is it true that the town closes its doors and windows at night and doesn't see outsiders?"

When Fang Yun asked this question, the young master of the Chen family was clearly taken aback for a moment, then looked around and said, "Sir, it's not convenient to talk here. Please come with me to the side hall to talk."

· ·········Request flowers· ···

Fang Yun was surprised to hear this, realizing there was more to it than met the eye. Even a wealthy family like this wouldn't dare to speak recklessly in their own home.

After arriving at a side hall, Chen Changwei had the servants serve tea and then called everyone out of the room.

Just as Fang Yun was about to ask another question, Chen Changwei hurriedly raised his teacup and bowed to Fang Yun.

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“Sir, since you were recommended by Elder Guo, I believe you must be very capable. Now that something like this has happened in town, we can only rely on you to save it.”

Fang Yun was completely baffled. Why was he suddenly being given this explanation? He didn't seem that impressive, did he?

But judging from Chen Changwei's expression and the hospitality he received along the way, Old Man Guo was definitely not just an old friend of the Chen family.

Moreover, judging from Chen Changwei's performance, Old Man Guo held a very high position in his heart, so Fang Yun was also received with high honors.

"Young Master Chen, please don't be in a hurry. Tell me what happened slowly. If there's anything I can do to help, I, Fang Yun, will do my best."

Hearing Fang Yun's words, the young master of the Chen family's expression softened somewhat. He then sat back down and recounted what had happened.

"The story begins a month ago. One day, an uncle from the family led several family members, intending to hunt some wild game in the eastern suburbs, but they accidentally wandered into a mountain valley..."

Chapter 360 Strange Things

When this topic came up, Chen Changwei's expression changed noticeably, and Fang Yun could also sense it; the problem must lie here.

“I’ve thought about that mountain valley. Young Master Chen, please feel free to speak. Although I am not as good as Master Guo, I have seen many strange and difficult things in the world. Please speak freely.”

Seeing that Chen Changwei seemed hesitant to speak, Fang Yun gave him a little encouragement.

Seeing Fang Yun's determined look, Chen Changwei finally coughed and slowly told her what had happened.

“We’ve actually been to that valley before, but we always just passed by, and we didn’t think there was anything special about it.”

"But on that day, because it had rained heavily a few days earlier, a landslide occurred on a protrusion in the ravine, and a lot of sand and gravel piled up there."

"My relatives and brothers originally intended to put up a warning sign to remind passersby, but when they went over to take a closer look, they found that there was something that looked like a storefront inside."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yun's heart stirred, and he asked, "What does that door look like?"

Chen Changwei recalled: "My brother told me that the door was quite simple, just made of ordinary bricks and tiles. If there was any tomb, it should be an ordinary family's tomb. If there was anything unusual, it was that his tomb was placed in the mountains, while we usually bury people in the ground."

Fang Yunqi asked, "If that's the case, funerals are a normal thing, so why are you so surprised?"

“You’re right. When they saw it was a grave, my relatives just bowed in the direction of it, covered it up with soil, and then came back after the hunt. They quickly forgot about it.”

"But who knew that just a few days after that incident, strange things started to happen. Every night, strange noises would be heard in the town. At first, no one paid any attention, but later, some people who returned home late saw with their own eyes that countless poisonous insects were surging in from outside the town like a tide."

"Fortunately, these insects can't gnaw on the walls yet; they just wander around the streets. Otherwise, how could we possibly get a good night's sleep?"

Fang Yun frowned slightly upon hearing this. The invasion of poisonous insects was not particularly strange; in the border regions he had visited before, it was quite normal for insects to crawl into homes.

However, according to Chen Changwei's description, these insects seemed to come in a very regular pattern and didn't invade the courtyard wall. If that's the case, and they can't find any food here, why would these poisonous insects come at all?

"Young Master Chen, have you ever seen what that poisonous insect looks like?"

When Fang Yun asked, Chen Changwei shook his head and said, "The news has already spread, so we don't dare to go out at night anymore. If you hadn't come today, we would never have dared to open the door. As for those night watchmen who first saw the poisonous insects, they're all lying in the pharmacy now, with hardly any good flesh on their bodies."

Chen Changwei looked quite tense as he spoke, showing that this matter had a significant impact on him.

However, what puzzles Fang Yun the most right now is what the connection is between these poisonous insects and the tomb that Chen Changwei mentioned earlier.

Chen Changwei knew that Fang Yun would think of this, so he took the initiative to explain: "Originally we thought it was just that the insects in the mountains had accidentally run down there, and we even organized some people to prepare to kill the insects... But who knew that when my family went out hunting, we suddenly discovered that the tomb that had been buried last time had been opened again, and the stone door was open from the inside."

"You mean that mountain tomb we stumbled upon while hunting last time?"

“Exactly.” Chen Changwei nodded. “This matter suddenly spread at some point. Everyone said that those poisonous insects came out of that door, and that our Chen family opened that door. Because of this, the people in the town have a prejudice against our Chen family.”

Fang Yun asked, "Were there any witnesses at the time? Why do you insist that it was run by your Chen family?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Changwei suddenly stood up and looked out the window, saying, "It seems Mr. Guo didn't tell you much about our Chen family. Actually, our ancestors were tomb raiders, and it was only in the last few generations that we accumulated this fortune."

"It's just that by my generation, I've had very little involvement in those things. Apart from the older generation occasionally mentioning them, we, the next generation, basically won't let them get involved in them anymore."

Fang Yun listened and said "oh," understanding the Chen family's actions quite well.

Many established business families, or wealthy and influential families, went through a period of initial capital accumulation. The methods they used at that time may not have been entirely ethical, so after accumulating wealth, they began to consider transformation.

Given the current state of the Chen family, it's estimated that this past event will be forgotten after two more generations.

As for the people of Wuliu Town, many elderly people are still alive, and naturally they still know some of the Chen family's past. Therefore, it is understandable and not unreasonable to suspect the Chen family of this matter.

Chapter 361 Moving into the Chen Family

“Young Master Chen, I have a general understanding of the current situation. I think the crux of the matter lies in how to find out the origin of those poisonous insects as soon as possible. Only in this way can we clear the Chen family of suspicion as soon as possible and restore peace to Wuliu Town.”

Chen Changwei nodded and said, "Mr. Fang is absolutely right. However, it seems that this matter will require Mr. Fang to take charge. Our Chen family really does not want to be involved with the tomb matter anymore. If you need anything, please feel free to ask, and we will fully cooperate."

Fang Yun didn't say anything more, but nodded in agreement. Since this family didn't want to get involved in that matter, he had no choice but to step in.

Anyway, this isn't a difficult thing for me; I've weathered many storms before.

After Chen Changwei thanked Fang Yun profusely and escorted her back to a large bedroom, several questions popped into Fang Yun's mind.

　19 First of all, who exactly is this old man Guo? Or what is his identity that makes the Chen family respect him so much, and trust him so much even though he was just a young man they randomly sent there.

Of course, Fang Yun wasn't too surprised by this.

After all, I had already noticed some clues about Old Man Guo's abilities and unusual nature when I first met him, but I didn't pay much attention to them later.

Since the Chen family and Old Man Guo had a past relationship and had spent some time together, it's not surprising that they knew about Old Man Guo's abilities.