Tomb raiding live stream: Starting as the mute Zhang

The atmosphere in the passageway was like a taut bowstring.

After the arrow mechanism was triggered, no one dared to move. The wounded groaned softly, and the smell of blood mixed with the musty odor made one's stomach churn.

Lin Guoce's face was ashen. He ordered everyone to rest on the spot. They needed to treat the wounds, check the equipment, and recount the numbers. In this godforsaken place, any negligence could cost everyone their lives.

People sat down against the damp, cold stone wall, trying to stay as far away from the top of the arrow that had just been shot. The flashlight beams were focused on a small area in the middle, illuminating their tired and frightened faces.

The medics were bandaging the wounded soldiers, Zhou Gousheng, and Ma Tiedan. Zhou Gousheng's arm was scraped, and he was trembling with fear. Ma Tiedan had been shot in the shoulder with an arrow, the arrowhead badly rusted, and when it was pulled out, a small clump of black blood came out. He was sweating profusely from the pain and cursing under his breath.

Zhou Ting huddled between Liu Min and Wang Lei, still trembling, tears streaming down her face. Liu Min held her close, her own face deathly pale. Wang Lei hugged his knees, his eyes vacant.

Kun slumped to the ground, his back covered in cold sweat. He glanced at Chen Man and Wang Yihan, who were leaning against each other, their eyes glazed over.

"It's alright now, we're safe for the time being," Kun said in a hoarse voice, though it was unclear whether he was trying to comfort them or himself.

Jiang Shouyi helped Professor Zhou Xu'an sit down. The professor was old and had been through a lot on the way, panting heavily, but his eyes were still fixed on the walls of the passageway, as if trying to see something extraordinary in those rough excavation marks.

Sun Shuanzhu was left in a corner, his head tilted to the side, seemingly unconscious, or perhaps he was faking it.

The ten "Vulture" team members gathered on the other side, silently checking their equipment. Occasionally, they would look up, their gaze sweeping over the two black figures standing against the wall at the front, before quickly looking down again.

Xie Yuchen, Huo Xiuxiu, Hei Xiazi, Wu Xie, and Fatty sat close together. Hei Xiazi took off his sunglasses, wiped them, and put them back on. Xie Yuchen closed his eyes to rest. Huo Xiuxiu was whispering something to Wu Xie, who listened attentively, nodding occasionally.

The fat man nudged Wu Xie and lowered his voice, "Tianzhen, take stock of how much food and drink we have left?"

Wu Xie rummaged through his backpack and pulled out some things: compressed biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, and water. He counted them and frowned. "Use them sparingly, at most four days. Water is even more scarce."

The fat man clicked his tongue: "Four days... and who knows how big this tomb is. We need to hurry."

Lin Guoce was also taking stock of the team's supplies. The results were about the same; the food was being distributed in a centralized manner, enough to last for about four more days. Water was the biggest problem; the ditch was damp, but a clean water source could not be found.

"We must find the tomb chamber or a water source as soon as possible," Lin Guoce said in a deep voice. "Otherwise, we'll die of thirst and hunger before we're killed by the traps."

A levitating live-streaming sphere hovered above the crowd, its camera panning across tired faces and scattered blood-stained gauze and rusty arrows on the ground.

The barrage of comments is scrolling:

[ID Prophet: Casualties have occurred...]

[ID: Definitely a Cure for Disagreeing Experts: That Person Who Touched Things Recklessly Almost Killed Everyone!]

[ID Guys' Fan Club: We're so glad the guys are okay!]

[ID: Chicken You're Too Beautiful: Where's Kun Ge? Come out and dance to lighten the mood!]

[ID Xiaoheizi: Exactly! Brother Kun, give us a Iron Mountain Lean!]

[ID Supplies Shortage: Only Four Days' Worth of Food Left, Danger!]

We rested for about half an hour.

The oppressive atmosphere didn't ease; instead, it intensified. Darkness, cramped space, unknown dangers, wounded comrades, scarce supplies... all weighed on their hearts like stones.

Kun leaned against the stone wall, looking at the lifeless faces of the people under the dim light of the flashlight, and a strange sense of irritation grew stronger in his heart. He thought of the live stream, of the eager viewers, and of why he had come in the first place—wasn't it just for some popularity, to make a living? Now, look what happened, he was almost losing his life.

damn it.

He suddenly stood up.

The movement was a bit sudden, startling Chen Man who was standing nearby: "Brother Kun?"

Kun ignored her, walked to a slightly more open space in the middle, took a deep breath, then pointed at the floating live broadcast ball and forced a slightly stiff but trying-to-be-bright smile.

"Family members! You're all watching, right? Don't panic! It's nothing serious!"

Everyone looked at him with strange expressions.

Kun Ge cracked his neck and stretched his limbs. "We've only just entered, so a few minor mishaps are normal! When you're going into a tomb, nothing's ever smooth sailing. Look at these two guys, how steady they are! With them here, what are we panicking for?"

He paused, then his smile widened, carrying that familiar, exaggerated tone he used during live streams. "I see the atmosphere's a bit heavy; that won't do. Okay, let me give you something lighthearted! Let's cheer you up! Let's reminisce about our triumphant start!"

After saying that, he ignored everyone else's reactions, took two steps back, and stood still.

Then, under the gaze of dozens of eyes, in the deep passageway of the ancient tomb, amidst the stench of blood and mildew—

Kun started performing his famous, catchy dance that incorporates basketball dribbling moves.

He twisted his hips, turned around, and pretended to dribble with his fingertips, his movements fluid yet deliberately exaggerated in a showy manner. He even made "thump thump" sounds to match, his expression so absorbed that it was as if he really had a basketball in his hands.

After jumping for about ten seconds, he followed up with his signature Iron Mountain Lean. His shoulder slammed to the left, his body spinning with tremendous force.

"puff--"

The bear, who was drinking water, almost choked.

Xie Yuchen's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

Huo Xiuxiu stared wide-eyed, somewhat bewildered.

Wu Xie and Fatty stared, mouths agape, dumbfounded.

Lin Guoce and the soldiers had expressions that said, "What the hell is this?"

Chen Man and Wang Yihan were taken aback at first, then, seeing Kun Ge's earnest expression as he danced energetically in the ancient tomb, and considering their current predicament, a sense of absurd humor overwhelmed them. Chen Man burst out laughing, then quickly covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking. Wang Yihan also couldn't help but chuckle and turned her face away.

After a brief pause, the comments section exploded:

[ID Chicken You're Too Beautiful: Here he comes! He's here!]

[ID Xiaoheizi: Iron Mountain Lean! It's Iron Mountain Lean!]

[Your ID is showing its true colors: Singing, dancing, rapping, and playing basketball in an ancient tomb? Typical of you!]

[ID: Cure for the Disagreement of Experts: Although... I really want to laugh...]

[ID Prophet: This was so unexpected...]

[ID Guy Fan Club: Kun Ge understands the importance of creating a good show!]

[ID: Innocent and Unfettered: This...]

After finishing his routine, Kun Ge took a breath, gestured with his chin towards the live stream, and said, "How was it, everyone? Remember it? We can't lose our momentum!"

He glanced at Chen Man and Wang Yihan, who were still trying not to laugh, and then at the complex expressions on the faces of the others—a mixture of wanting to laugh but not daring to, shock and speechlessness. His frustration actually dissipated considerably.

"Have a laugh! Who are you trying to impress with that long face? We're here for archaeology, not a funeral! A smile makes you younger! Just don't laugh so hard your jaw dislocates when you see the gold and silver treasures in the main burial chamber!"

His words, though crude, strangely broke the oppressive silence. Someone chuckled softly, though quickly suppressed. The atmosphere actually eased slightly.

The fat guy was the first to cheer, clapping enthusiastically: "Great! Kun-ge is awesome! This dance, this momentum, it's amazing! I think it's good again!"

Wu Xie couldn't help but laugh and shake his head. This Kun Ge is really a character.

Even Zhang Qiling, who was leaning against the wall at the front, turned his head almost imperceptibly and glanced in Kun Ge's direction. His eyes were still indifferent, but they seemed to have lost a bit of their coldness.

Zhang Qiling glanced at it as well, then quickly looked away, as if he hadn't seen anything.

Lin Guoce coughed, as if he wanted to say something, but finally waved his hand and said, "Alright, hurry up and rest. We'll leave in ten minutes."

Kun chuckled and sat back down next to Chen Man. Chen Man whispered, "Kun, you scared me to death."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Kun wiped his sweat. "If we don't find some fun soon, we'll go crazy before the rice dumplings even come out."

On the other side, Professor Zhou Xu'an had caught his breath and was using a small notebook and pen, with the help of his assistant's flashlight, to record the direction, width, and excavation characteristics of the tunnel, while discussing it in hushed tones with Jiang Shouyi.

"Judging from the craftsmanship, it seems to be from the Warring States period, but there are also traces of later repairs... It is possible that King Lu Shang made modifications after looting King Mu of Zhou's tomb."

"Professor, look at this arrow. Its design is very ancient, but the degree of corrosion... seems to predate the Warring States period?"

"It's hard to say, the underground environment is unique. We need more samples."

Their conversation brought everyone's thoughts back to the ancient tomb itself.

Seven Star Lu Palace.

Warring States Period.

longevity.

Jade figurines.

The floating live-streaming sphere slowly rotated, capturing everything on screen—the resting team, the funny Kun Ge, the discussing professor, the silent twin spirits, and the deep, dark tunnel leading to an unknown destination.

The brief respite could not dispel the chill that lingered deep within.

The break time is almost over.