Ancient tomb excavation traces

The whole affair came to an end after Liao Yuan, Lan Quexi's uncle, read the silk scroll, revealing a truth that felt like the sky had fallen on them. Centuries of waiting had turned out to be nothing more than a mistake left by their ancestors. This mistake had continued to this day, causing countless deaths and tearing apart countless happy families.

Liao Yuan seemed to have aged ten years overnight, his temples were streaked with white. I remember when he saw Lan Quexi lying helplessly in my arms, he said something very touching: "Save her, she is my last family member!" Although he looked cold and ruthless on the outside, he was very reasonable on the inside.

After the ancestor awoke, she chatted with him for a long time, and the two enjoyed their conversation immensely, feeling as if they had known each other for a long time. The ancestor carefully wrapped the silk scroll from Mi Ling's small jade coffin and handed it to him, hoping that everyone in the Miao village would refrain from doing anything foolish. Mi Ling's last wish was to be with the musician, but she ultimately chose to give it up, leaving her tomb for a thousand years to atone for her past mistakes, and naturally, she wouldn't want anyone else to die innocently because of her.

Liao Yuan was a dignified and decisive man. Although he gladly accepted the truth, not everyone possessed his strong heart. Therefore, in the end, he preserved the silk scroll left by Mi Ling and burned the scroll containing the truth, wanting to bury this devastating fact forever. However, some things, once begun, cannot end. People cannot live without faith and solace; after all, it had sustained the Miao people deep in the mountains for hundreds of years, becoming a habit. They would still worship Mi Ling and the innocent, vengeful spirits of the dead, but he would absolutely not sacrifice anyone again, and he hoped we would not spread this secret to the outside world.

Our ancestor readily agreed, and we were all taken care of by Liao Yuan in the Miao village. We recuperated for about half a month. The Miao medicine was powerful; although our wounds couldn't heal immediately, at least now everyone can move around freely.

Now, two things still weigh on my mind: Wang Yu's wooden plaque and the release of the child trapped in the pottery urn. The ancestor instructed me to return to the Tomb Raider Sect with him first, and then have someone deliver the wooden plaque to Wang Yu's hometown. As for the child in the pottery urn, Liao Yuan knew about it and said that since we were both injured, he would help us remove the coffin and then have the Miao shaman complete the young Taoist's work to help them guide the spirits of the dead. Receiving this answer, I felt a great weight lifted from my heart.

But what will become of us? We come from the modern world, after all. Having disappeared for so long, our families must be heartbroken. And the young Taoist priest—he always seems so downcast, as if he has something on his mind. I've spent some time with him and consider him a close friend. Our ancestor invited him several times to explore the Golden Gate, but he seems unmoved. I especially fear the feeling of separation from friends. In ancient times, transportation was inconvenient; we traveled on foot or by horse. If we were truly separated, who knows when we would meet again… Thinking of this, I sighed sadly.

On this day, the night was hazy and a light drizzle was falling. Unable to bear the snoring of Chen and the others, I put on Miao clothing and walked along the long corridor, feeling heavy-hearted.

In the mountains on a spring day, there is a slight chill in the air. The Miao village is built with fir wood, and wooden frames are built on the railings, where rose-red flowers are planted. When the rain falls on them, they are glistening and lovely.

I followed the fragrant corridor to see her. Her room was at the very end of the corridor, dimly lit by candlelight. She seemed to be in good spirits, her back to me, embroidering something. If Liao Yuan hadn't acted decisively then, I might never have seen her again.

At this moment, her slender figure was elongated by the candlelight. She was dressed in simple Miao clothing, her long hair flowing freely, part of which had been cut off when she encountered the King of Gu Insects. I remember what she said to me then: "I won't let anything happen to you..."

I stood at the door, silently gazing at her, the tremor in my heart beyond words.

Sensing the movement, she paused slightly, stopped what she was doing, sat there blankly for a while, and then said softly, "Still not asleep so late?" She didn't turn around, and every word she spoke sounded heavy.

I gave a muffled "hmm," sat down by the door, and gazed hazily at the dark night beyond the railing, the slanting raindrops gently falling on my face.

"You're leaving tomorrow, aren't you..." she said calmly.

A pang of pain shot through me, and I said, "Yes..."

"That's great... I also want to see the outside world..." Lan Quexi's voice carried a slight longing.

Perhaps she wanted to come with us, but... I bit my lip and hardened my heart, saying, "The outside world isn't what you imagine."

After those words, everything around fell silent. After a long while, Lan Quexi gave a bitter smile. She was like a plum blossom blooming proudly in the wind and snow. She stubbornly said, "Indeed, I won't go... The Miao village has always been led by women. After my grandmother's death, I will be the next clan leader. I have many things to do... I can't wander the world and live a carefree life..."

I heard her voice choked with sobs, yet she forced herself to remain composed, saying one thing but meaning another. My heart was filled with mixed emotions. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever met. I silently looked at the wound on my hand, cut by the dagger. It had scabbed over, and once the outer layer was removed, it was destined to become an indelible scar in my heart.

I put down the wood carving I had made and was about to get up when I smelled a faint fragrance behind me. I froze. Lan Quexi squatted down, picked up the farewell gift I had left for her from the ground, chuckled, and said, "You carved it so beautifully for me, but when did I start wearing Han Chinese clothes?"

I gave an awkward laugh and clumsily explained, "When I first saw you, I was taken aback by you. I felt this gentle and elegant outfit suited you better, so..."

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"Don't flatter yourself! I'm a Miao girl, how can I dress like a Han Chinese..." She interrupted, her voice growing softer and softer. Finally, holding the wooden carving I had given her in one hand, her arms wrapped around her knees, her head buried in her hands, she cried out like a child, "Why didn't you take me with you? Why!"

"I……"

Perhaps my indecisive attitude angered her, for she suddenly stood up, ran into the house, and slammed the door shut.

My mind went blank. I heard her lean against the door and slide down, her voice filled with helplessness and despair. My heart ached. I knew she was crying. I wanted to knock on the door to comfort her, but I held back in the end.

I stood there blankly at her door, lowered my voice, and silently said, "I'm sorry..." As I spoke, I hardened my heart and turned around, but my foot kicked a dark blue purse. I picked up the exquisitely embroidered purse, which had a purple iris flower on it, and there seemed to be something inside. When I opened it, I found that it was the dust-avoiding bead that Lan Quexi had brought out from the ancient tomb.

Like the Blue Magpie Stream, the Dust-Avoiding Pearl was once malevolent due to external factors, but it has now returned to normal. I never expected her to give it to me, and my heart aches. In fact, I so wanted to impulsively take her to see the outside world... but I can't be so reckless.

I took heavy steps, when suddenly I heard Lan Quexi's voice behind me: "Feng Liu!"

I froze, stopped in my tracks, and gave a soft reply.

"If I were a Han Chinese girl, would you not have to think so much..." she asked expectantly.

In truth, I desperately wanted to tell her that it wasn't for that reason, but if things continued as they were, they would become an endless tangled mess. Thinking of this, I lied to her and said, "I already have someone I like..."

For a moment, the person on the other end fell silent. I clutched the purse in my hand tightly and ran forward without looking back. Just as I reached my door, I found that my ancestors were all awake.

Chen Yi looked sullen, Bao Cai grinned slyly, and the little Taoist priest sat on the bed, leaning against the wooden wall. I felt guilty and was afraid of being discovered, so I awkwardly said, "They're all...they're all awake!" As I spoke, I tried to lie down on the bed to avoid the embarrassment.

But the old woman, with her sharp eyes, snatched the purse from my hand and chuckled, "You little rascal, how could you bear to hurt such a good girl?"

Bao Cai chimed in from the side, "That's right, young master, you clearly like her, so why are you being so hesitant?" As he spoke, he glanced sideways at Chen Yu, who was pretending to look miserable, and said sarcastically, "Unlike some people, when Pigsy fell for Chang'e, she didn't even give him face, and now he can only swallow his tears of heartbreak."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi slammed his hand on the table and cursed, "Damn it, can't you speak properly? Get out of the way!"

I was startled by their words, snatched the purse from my ancestor's hand, and stammered, "You...you...eavesdropped on me!"

"They weren't eavesdropping, they were spying, you little rascal, how could you be so careless, didn't you notice at all?" Chu Ba said seriously.

My head was buzzing. These people were just like my college roommates—gossipy and boring. I was bombarded with their questions for a long time before the little Taoist priest finally couldn't take it anymore and came to my rescue, saying, "We have to travel tomorrow, go to sleep..."

In the dead of night, the six of us men slept on one bed. The snoring of the old man and the others shook the bed, and I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. The next morning, I felt terrible and could barely open my eyes. Bao Cai and the others teased me, saying I was torturing myself like this because of romantic love. The old man even boasted to me that if he fell in love with a girl and she reciprocated his feelings, he would definitely run off with her.

On the eighth day, the old ancestor said, "Elder, don't forget, we still have a troublemaker in our sect. She's head over heels for you. We spent so much time getting back, she probably already tore down the entire Mojin Sect." He shook his head as he spoke, as if he didn't have much time left. When the old ancestor heard the words "troublemaker," his face changed.

Judging from their expressions, I was especially curious about the woman known as the "Devil Queen." What abilities did she possess that could frighten two fearless people like this?

After we finished packing, Bao Cai kept insisting that Chen Yi compensate him for his jade ring. Annoyed by his nagging, Chen Yi said goodbye to Liao Yuan and slipped away first. On this trip to the ancient tomb, Chen Yi took the bronze mirror, Bao Cai took two bronze wine cups, and we got nothing else. But the ancestor said that was enough, after all, we had obtained the world's most precious treasure, the Dust-Avoiding Pearl.

We said goodbye to Liao Yuan and the Miao people. It was finally over. I looked back at the Miao house, but there was no sign of Lan Quexi. I couldn't describe the feeling in my heart. This parting meant that we would be separated by vast distances from now on...

Bao Cai, who was beside me, said, "Young master, are you really not taking the young lady with you?"

I gave a bitter laugh and said, "We're both just drifting duckweed in this chaotic world, taking things one step at a time. How can I let this girl suffer with me? Besides, we're from different eras. What if one day I return to my own world, leaving her all alone and miserable? That would be so pitiful. It's just right to remain detached and watch from afar, knowing when to stop. Getting stuck in the mire would only cause us more pain in the end."

"Damn, I didn't know you were thinking that far ahead. I really thought you lived up to your name and were a playboy..."

Hearing this, I smiled and looked up at the tree branches. At this moment, white clouds drifted lazily across the sky, and cheerful birdsong swept past my ears with the wind. It had been a long time since I had walked in such a relaxed and pleasant world. Bao Cai caught up with Chen Yu, and the two of them bickered all the way. Seeing that I was walking slowly, the old ancestor turned around and urged, "Little rascal, hurry up!" Then he stood next to the little Taoist priest and started talking about his trip to Jinmen.

I watched my five companions walk away, then smiled and followed them...

As the saying goes: The road ahead is long, and we must part ways eventually. I only hope that she is well and that we may meet again someday...

(End of Volume One: The Shadow of the Witches of Yuanling) (To be continued.)

I like tomb raiding.