Tomb raiding live stream: Starting as the mute Zhang

A hotel room in a small southwestern town.

Xie Linyuan sat in a chair by the window, looking at his phone screen. The screen displayed the official second archaeological recruitment notice, with the title in bold: "Exploring Mysterious Han Dynasty Tombs, Experienced Participants Invited."

The application requirements and priority considerations are listed below. One of them states: "Those with similar experience in ancient tomb exploration will be given priority."

The comments section has already received tens of thousands of views.

The top-rated comment: "Will Zhang Qiling go?"

The second most popular comment: "Kun Ge has already signed up! He's so brave!"

The third most popular comment: "Three people died last time, do they still dare to go this time?"

Xie Linyuan turned off his phone and threw it on the bed.

He walked to the full-length mirror in the corner of the room and looked at himself in the mirror.

A black hooded jacket, black cargo pants, and black Doc Martens. Her hair was a bit long, with bangs covering half of her right eye. Her complexion was paler than before, the kind of pale that comes from years of not seeing the sun. Her eyes were cold, devoid of emotion.

He stared at himself in the mirror for a few seconds, then raised his right hand and gently pressed his fingers against his face.

The techniques of disguise came to mind.

Facial muscles can be fine-tuned, bones can be temporarily repositioned, skin color can be changed through the control of Qi and blood, and even the voice can be adjusted.

The information about the Bone Shrinking Technique rewarded by the system has also been integrated—it's not just about shrinking bones, but about precise control of the entire skeleton, joints, and muscles. It allows you to change your height, weight, or even temporarily alter your body shape.

He lowered his hand.

I don't plan to use it now.

He sat back down in his chair and closed his eyes.

The system panel appeared in my mind:

[Role-playing System]

Character: Zhang Qiling

Current role-playing level: 20%

Role compatibility: 75%

Acquired abilities:

Zhang Qiling's combat power increased by 30%.

Zhang Family Feng Shui Secrets (Intermediate Level)

Black Gold Ancient Sword

Night vision capability (beginner level)

• Basic mechanism identification (beginner)

• Tomb Raider (Elementary Level)

• Disguise (Beginner)

• Kirin Blood (Primary Concentration)

• Zhangjia Ancient Building Mechanism Diagram (Intermediate Level)

• Bone-shrinking exercise (beginner level)

new abilities.

With a thought, his shoulder bones made a slight clicking sound, and his entire shoulder contracted inward by about two centimeters. It didn't hurt, just a strange feeling of relaxation.

If you move it again, it will return to its original state.

interesting.

He opened his eyes and looked out the window.

The town's streets were quiet, with the occasional motorcycle passing by. In the distance, rolling green hills were shrouded in mist.

This world is called Water Blue Star.

Not Earth.

There is no Wu Xie, no Fatty Wang, and no Hei Xiazi.

He was all alone.

longevity.

lonely.

He recalled the look in Lin Guoce's eyes when he last saw him in the ancient tomb—a look of wariness mixed with longing. The authorities wanted to control him, to exploit his abilities.

He had expected this.

From the moment he first showcased his skills in a live stream, he knew this day would come.

So this time, he plans to try a different approach.

A knock came at the door.

"Guest, please clean the room."

It was the hotel owner's voice.

Xie Linyuan did not respond.

The proprietress knocked three times and left.

He stood up and took out a map from his backpack—a topographical map of the southwest region that he had bought in town a few days ago. The official approximate location of the ancient tomb was deep in the Yunling Mountains, in a place called "Heishigou".

I only know the approximate location.

The specific entrance needs to be calculated using feng shui techniques.

He looked at the map and pointed to a spot.

Then put away the map.

It's time to get going.

But he doesn't plan to sign up.

At least, not as "Xie Linyuan".

---

Kyoto, Archaeological Bureau meeting room.

A dozen or so people were sitting on either side of the long table.

Lin Guoce sat second from the left, with a folder in front of him. The man at the head of the table was a middle-aged man in his fifties, surnamed Zhao, who was the overall person in charge of this project.

"How's the registration going?" Director Zhao asked.

A young man wearing glasses next to him pulled up data on his tablet: "As of this morning, 127 people have officially registered. After initial screening, 23 people meet the requirements. This includes Li Dekun—that's Brother Kun—and Chen Man and Wang Yihan's team, who have also expressed their interest but haven't officially submitted their applications yet."

"What about Professor Zhou Xu'an and Jiang Shouyi?"

"Both of them have confirmed their participation."

Director Zhao nodded and looked at Lin Guoce: "Captain Lin, is there any news about Xie Linyuan from last time?"

Lin Guoce shook his head: "No. He disappeared after leaving the Qinling Mountains."

Do you think he'll come?

"Yes," Lin Guoce said, "but he won't sign up."

Why?

"He doesn't trust us." Lin Guoce paused. "Besides, he doesn't need to register."

Director Zhao pondered for a moment: "The higher-ups are taking this operation very seriously. Xie Linyuan's abilities... must be kept under the control of the state. If he appears, try to secure cooperation. If he doesn't cooperate..."

He didn't finish speaking.

But everyone understands.

Lin Guoce looked toward the corner of the conference room.

Two men sat there, dressed in civilian clothes, but standing ramrod straight with sharp eyes. They were special forces personnel, the security detail assigned to this operation. Their equipment list included tranquilizer guns as well as live ammunition.

The goal is clear.

With Xie Linyuan cooperating, everything was easy to discuss.

If there is no cooperation, necessary measures will be taken.

Lin Guoce felt a bit choked up.

He knew Xie Linyuan had saved all of their lives. But he also knew that an order was an order.

After the meeting, Lin Guoce walked out of the conference room and lit a cigarette in the corridor.

Professor Zhou Xu'an walked over.

"Captain Lin, this time... how do you plan to treat Mr. Xie?"

Lin Guoce glanced at him: "Professor, this is not something I can decide."

"He's a good person," the professor said. "He's just... a little special."

"So special that he can single-handedly destroy an entire ancient tomb." Lin Guoce smiled bitterly. "Professor, do you know what this means? It means that he alone can do what our entire army cannot. The higher-ups cannot allow someone like that to be out there."

The professor fell silent.

After a while, he said, "I hope he can understand."

"He wouldn't understand," Lin Guoce said. "nor does he need to understand."

After finishing his cigarette, Lin Guoce stubbed it out and left.

The professor stood there and sighed.

---

Meanwhile, a post went viral on the archaeology section of a certain online forum.

Title: "The strong must protect the weak! It's their responsibility!"

Posted by user ID: "Justice Messenger Liu Changfu".

The article, several thousand words long, boils down to one core argument: powerful individuals like Xie Linling have an obligation to protect ordinary people and should unconditionally participate in archaeological expeditions to contribute to the nation. It also lists a host of morally manipulative rhetoric, such as "with great power comes great responsibility" and "one cannot only think of oneself."

The comments section below is buzzing with arguments.

"Is the original poster an idiot? Does he owe you something?"

"But he has a point. Xie Linyuan is so capable, he should help everyone more."

"Helping is a favor, not helping is one's right; get out of here with moral blackmail."

"I support the original poster! Xie Linyuan should step forward and take responsibility!"

Liu Changfu engaged in heated debates with numerous commenters, displaying exceptional combativeness.

At the same time, another post also went viral.

Posted by user ID: "Sun Shuanzhu, cultural relic protector".

The message was more direct: everything in the ancient tomb belongs to the state, and no one is allowed to take it privately. Xie Linyuan took the jade disc and short sword last time, which was illegal and should be recovered. The message also called on the authorities to deal with the matter seriously.

The comments section was equally chaotic.

"They risked their lives for this, what's wrong with taking a little something?"

"Legally, you really can't take it."

"Then go in and get it, you keyboard warrior!"

"Support Professor Sun! Cultural relics belong to all the people!"

Meanwhile, in another hotel in the same town, a middle-aged man was adjusting his wig in front of a mirror.

His name is Wu Sansheng.

At least that's what it says on the registration form.

He was forty-five years old, bald, wore reading glasses, and spoke with a heavy accent. He wore a wrinkled shirt, his trousers were worn faded at the knees, and he wore a pair of old leather shoes.

He looked at himself in the mirror and grinned.

His smile was a little sly.

Like an old fox.

He took out the registration confirmation letter from his pocket and looked at the information on it: Wu Sansheng, an amateur archaeology enthusiast, specializes in feng shui positioning and has thirty years of experience.

The confirmation letter is genuine.

The registration information is also genuine.

Because this is Xie Linyuan disguised himself using his disguise technique.

He needs a new identity.

An identity that wouldn't arouse official suspicion.

Wu Sansheng was a name he came up with casually. When he chose it, he thought of the scheming Third Uncle from the Tomb Raider Chronicles and found it somewhat interesting.

I used it.

Now, he is Wu Sansheng.

He moved his facial muscles and adjusted his expression to make himself look more shrewd and calculating.

Then he picked up his phone and dialed the contact number left on the registration form.

"Hello, is this the Archaeological Bureau? This is Wu Sansheng, the one who signed up... Yes, yes, I wanted to ask when we're departing? I can't wait... What? There's still a review process? I've already submitted my documents, thirty years of experience... Okay, okay, I'll wait for your notification."

He smiled after hanging up the phone.

The smile quickly vanished.

He walked to the window and looked out at the street.

The authorities are definitely looking for Xie Linyuan.

But I wouldn't choose a middle-aged bald man named Wu Sansheng.

He can participate openly and honestly, use feng shui techniques openly and honestly, and do everything openly and honestly.

As for those who want to deal with him...

His eyes turned cold.

come on.

Let's see who's outsmarting whom.

---

Three days later, the official final list was released.

Twenty people.

include:

· Lin Guoce (Team Leader)

Professor Zhou Xu'an (Historical Consultant)

Jiang Shouyi (Feng Shui Consultant)

· Li Dekun (Brother Kun, celebrity representative)

Chen Man (Celebrity Representative)

· Wang Yihan (Celebrity Representative)

· Liu Changfu (a representative of the people, the one who uses moral blackmail)

Sun Shuanzhu (a non-governmental representative and cultural relic protection official)

Wu Sansheng (a folk representative and feng shui master)

• And ten special forces members (security)

The list caused an uproar online.

"Kun really went! Manman went too!"

"Who is Liu Changfu? I've never heard of him."

"Sun Shuanzhu seems to work at some research institute, specializing in cultural relic preservation."

"Wu Sansheng...that's such a corny name."

"Looking forward to Zhang Qiling's appearance!"

Meanwhile, in the town's inn, "Wu Sansheng" looked at the list and smiled.

Then I started packing my luggage.

A worn-out canvas bag containing a few changes of clothes, a compass (bought from a street vendor, just for show), a tattered feng shui book, and some dry rations.

As for the actual equipment—the Black Gold Ancient Blade, the Qilin Blood, the Bone Shrinking Technique, and the Disguise Technique…

They're all in him.

It can be used anytime.

He slung his bag over his shoulder, walked to the mirror, and did one last check.

The man in the mirror was an ordinary middle-aged man, bald, wearing reading glasses, and with a snobbish look.

He looked in the mirror and adjusted his expression.

To make oneself appear more honest and simple.

Then push the door open and go out.

Go downstairs and check out.

The proprietress, knitting behind the counter, looked up at him and asked, "Mr. Wu, are you leaving?"

"Yes, something came up," he said in a distinctive accent.

"Come again next time!"

"Okay."

He left the hotel and went out onto the street.

The sun is shining brightly.

He squinted and looked at the sky.

Then I walked towards the bus station.

His steps were a bit slow, like that of a middle-aged person who was always on the go.

Nobody paid any attention to him.

Nobody knows who he is.

But half a month later.

Inside the ancient tomb.

They will find out.