Tomb raiding live stream: Starting as the mute Zhang

As the car drove into the town, it was just getting light.

The town is called Shazaoyi, a name that sounds somewhat poetic, like something out of a frontier poem. In reality, it's just one main street lined with low mud-brick and brick houses. When the wind blows, your mouth is full of sand. There aren't many people on the street, and they all wear headscarves, their faces dark red.

Two SUVs were parked in front of the only guesthouse at the west end of town. The guesthouse was two stories high, with peeling paint on the walls and faded lettering on the sign.

The fat man jumped out of the car and spat out two mouthfuls of sand: "This godforsaken place has even more sandstorms than my hometown."

Wu Xie and Xie Yuchen also got out of the car. Huo Xiuxiu put on a windproof veil, revealing only her eyes. Hei Xiazi's sunglasses were covered in dust, so he took them off and wiped them clean.

Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling" were the last to get off the car. Both of them were wearing black windproof jackets with hoods on, and their faces were expressionless. Standing there, they looked out of place in the drab environment around them.

Several vehicles were already parked in front of the guesthouse, including SUVs, pickup trucks, and two large military green trucks. Some people were unloading supplies; they were soldiers, dressed in camouflage uniforms, and their movements were swift and efficient.

Lin Guoce walked out of the guesthouse, saw them, paused for a moment, and then strode forward.

"Comrade Wu Xie, Comrade Wang Pangzi, Mr. Xie, Miss Huo, Mr. Hei..." He greeted them one by one, his gaze finally landing on Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling". He paused, "The two Mr. Zhangs have also arrived."

Zhang Qiling nodded.

Zhang Qiling nodded as well.

Lin Guoce's expression was complex, a mixture of awe and worry. He lowered his voice: "Wang Jizong and his men arrived yesterday with fifteen people, staying on the second floor, east wing. The other fifteen will arrive with the main force tomorrow. You... be careful."

"I know," Wu Xie said. "Thank you, Captain Lin."

"You're too kind." Lin Guoce sighed. "This time... I was just following orders. Take care of yourselves."

After he finished speaking, he turned around and directed the soldiers to unload the goods.

The fat man watched his retreating figure and sneered, "This Captain Lin, at least he has some conscience."

"We have different stances," Xie Yuchen said calmly. "It's already quite an achievement that he offered even a reminder."

The group entered the guesthouse. The lobby was shabby, with a few worn-out sofas and a counter with peeling paint. Behind the counter sat a drowsy old man.

Kun Ge, Chen Man, and Wang Yihan were sitting on the sofa. Seeing them enter, they all stood up. Kun Ge greeted them with a broad smile, "Brother Wu Xie! Fatty! Everyone! We've been waiting for you!"

Chen Man and Wang Yihan greeted them, their eyes revealing a mixture of nervousness and reliance. Their previous experience at the Seven Star Lu Palace had instilled in them a strange trust in this group—or rather, a trust in the two men in black.

Professor Zhou Xu'an and Jiang Shouyi emerged from the adjacent room. The professor was holding a notebook, and his glasses were covered in dust. "Xiao Wu! You're here! That's great! I had some discoveries I wanted to discuss with you..."

Jiang Shouyi adjusted his glasses, nodded to everyone, and lingered on Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling" for a few more seconds.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, everyone checked in. Rooms were limited, two people per room. Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling" naturally shared a room on the second floor at the west end, diagonally opposite Wang Jizong and the others at the east end. Wu Xie and Fatty shared a room, Xie Yuchen and Huo Xiuxiu shared a room, and Hei Xiazi had a single room.

After putting down their luggage and quickly washing up, everyone gathered in Wu Xie and Fatty's room. The room wasn't big, with a few chairs, a table, and yellowed newspapers pasted on the walls.

"How is it going?" Wu Xie asked.

Kun lowered his voice: "Those three old guys booked the entire east end of the second floor as soon as they arrived yesterday, not letting anyone else near. They even had their meals delivered upstairs. The fifteen soldiers they brought with them didn't look like trouble at all; their eyes were like knives."

Chen Man added, "It seemed like they brought some special equipment and were fiddling with something in the room, making a buzzing sound."

Wang Yihan whispered, "When I got up this morning, I saw them testing guns in the yard; they were all real guns."

Black Bear sneered: "A guilty conscience needs no accuser."

Xie Yuchen looked at Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling": "Gentlemen, what are your plans?"

Zhang Qiling stood by the window, looking at the soldiers in the courtyard below: "Wait."

"Wait for what?" the fat man asked.

"Wait for them to make a move." Zhang Qiling sat in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on his knee. "There are plenty of opportunities in the desert."

Wu Xie understood what they meant. Making a move in town would be risky, with too many people watching and leaving traces. But in the desert, far from the reach of the authorities, anything could happen.

"And what about us?" Huo Xiuxiu asked.

"Follow me," Zhang Qiling said.

"Keep an eye on them," Zhang Qiling added.

The meaning is clear: follow the main force into the desert, keep a close eye on Wang Jizong and his two companions, and find an opportunity to strike.

As they were talking, a commotion arose downstairs. The group went to the window and looked down.

Several cars pulled up in the yard, and three people got out of the cars. They were Wang Jizong, Li Guoliang, and Zhao Yongnian.

Wang Jizong was short and slightly overweight, wearing a Zhongshan suit, with a smile on his face, but his eyes were small, squinting into slits. Li Guoliang was tall and thin, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, looking like a scholar. Zhao Yongnian was burly, with a stern face, like a soldier.

Behind them were several men in black suits. They weren't soldiers, but they had a cold demeanor and sharp eyes, clearly skilled in martial arts and not ordinary bodyguards.

"Oh, the main character has arrived," the fat man clicked his tongue.

As soon as Wang Jizong got out of the car, he waved to Lin Guoce, who was directing the unloading of goods: "Captain Lin! You've worked hard!"

Lin Guoce strode over and saluted: "Director Wang, Deputy Director Li, Deputy Director Zhao."

"Oh, no need for such formalities." Wang Jizong patted Lin Guoce on the shoulder with a smile. "This exploration mission will rely on Captain Lin and all the experts!"

His voice was loud and clear, and his attitude was friendly; anyone who didn't know him would think he was a kind and approachable old leader.

Li Guoliang adjusted his glasses and smiled gently, "Captain Lin, you all acted very bravely during the last trip to the Lu Palace, and the information you gathered was invaluable. You must continue your efforts this time at Jingjue Ghost City."

Zhao Yongnian didn't speak, but simply nodded, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers and supplies in the courtyard as if he were inspecting them.

The floating live-streaming sphere—this time directly controlled by the authorities—flew over, its camera focused on the three high-ranking officials. The live stream was already on, and the chat was flooded with comments.

[The prophet: Three old foxes are coming!]

[A special remedy for those who disagree with so-called experts: They smile on the surface, but are cursing under their breath.]

[The guy's fan club: Where's my husband? Turn the camera around!]

[The Innocent Squad: Are you watching from upstairs?]

[The more drama there is, the better: We're eagerly awaiting the show!]

Wang Jizong cleared his throat and began speaking into the live broadcast camera: "Hello everyone! I am Wang Jizong, Director of the Special Affairs Office. This time, we have joined forces with the Cultural Relics Bureau to organize a highly skilled team to conduct an exploratory excavation of the Jingjue Ghost City ruins deep in the Taklamakan Desert. This is an operation of great historical and scientific significance! We will certainly adhere to the principles of science, rigor, and safety to successfully complete it..."

He spoke in a set of official jargon, flawlessly.

Upstairs, the fat man rolled his eyes: "Pah, hypocrite."

Wu Xie stared at the three men in black suits: "Those guys are not simple."

Xie Yuchen nodded: "They must have found these 'helpers' through special channels. They're specifically there to deal with 'special targets'."

Black Bear stroked his chin: "Interesting. A trained fighter, he smells of blood."

Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling" also turned their gazes to the group of men in black suits. Their expressions remained unchanged, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop two degrees.

After Wang Jizong finished speaking, he walked towards the guesthouse accompanied by Li Guoliang and Zhao Yongnian. As he passed the lobby on the first floor, he "happened" to look up and saw Wu Xie and the others by the window on the second floor.

He paused, his smile widening as he waved upstairs: "Comrade Wu Xie! Comrade Fatty Wang! And Mr. Xie, Miss Huo, Mr. Hei! You're all here! Great! With talented young people like you joining us, our team is even more formidable!"

He seemed to have completely forgotten about the "Vulture" squad at the Lu Palace last time, and also forgot how Sun Shuanzhu died; his enthusiasm was almost hypocritical.

Li Guoliang smiled and nodded in acknowledgment. Zhao Yongnian, however, remained expressionless, his gaze lingering on Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling" for a moment, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Wu Xie could only force a smile and wave. Fatty gave a forced smile. Xie Yuchen nodded slightly. Huo Xiuxiu nodded politely. Hei Xiazi grinned, revealing his white teeth.

Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling" did not react and remained standing by the window, like two black sculptures.

Wang Jizong didn't mind, and entered the guesthouse with a smile, going upstairs to his room on the east side. The men in black suits followed closely behind.

After everyone left, the fat man spat out, "What nonsense! It gave me goosebumps!"

"That's normal." Xie Yuchen closed the window. "People like them are the best at putting on a show."

"The main force will be here tomorrow, and we'll set off early the day after tomorrow." Wu Xie glanced at his watch. "We still have one day to prepare."

"The equipment is all ready," Black Bear said. "We'll figure out the weapons once we get to the desert. The problem now is how to keep an eye on those three old guys, and those guys in black with them."

Zhang Qiling turned around, walked to the table, picked up a pen and paper, and drew a few lines. It was a simple floor plan of the second floor of the guesthouse, marking the locations of the rooms at the east and west ends, as well as the stairs and corridors.

Zhang Qiling glanced at the map and pointed to several locations. These were potential surveillance points and routes of action.

Neither of them spoke, but they worked together seamlessly.

Wu Xie looked at the map and nodded: "Understood. Fatty and I will keep an eye on their movements during the day. Xie Yuchen and Xiuxiu will watch over the supplies and vehicles. Blackie, you're good at fighting, go and scout things out tonight."

Black Bear made an OK sign.

"Hey guys," Wu Xie looked at Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling," "you..."

"Let's rest," Zhang Qiling said.

"Conserve your energy and build up your strength," Zhang Qiling continued.

The implication is: You handle the miscellaneous tasks, we'll take care of the actual work.

No one had any objections.

The next day passed peacefully. Wang Jizong and his two companions spent most of their time in their room, occasionally venturing out to check on the preparation of supplies and say a few words of encouragement to the live broadcast. The men in black suits followed them like shadows, never leaving their side.

Under Professor Zhou Xu'an's guidance, Kun Ge, Chen Man, and Wang Yihan organized materials and learned about desert survival. Lin Guoce led the soldiers to inspect vehicles and inventory supplies. Everything was in perfect order, as if it were just a regular archaeological expedition.

Only those in the know can sense the undercurrents surging beneath the calm surface.

That night, Hei Xiazi slipped out for a while and returned two hours later, shaking his head at everyone: "They're keeping a tight watch. There are sensors in the east corridor, and the rooms are very soundproof; we can't hear anything. Those guys in black are taking turns keeping watch; they're very professional."

"As expected," Xie Yuchen said.

The following afternoon, another fifteen special forces members arrived by truck. The team now numbered over sixty people, and with all the supplies and equipment, the small courtyard was packed to the brim.

Wang Jizong convened a meeting in the lobby of the guesthouse. Everyone was present, crowding together.

Wang Jizong then delivered a lengthy official speech, emphasizing discipline, safety, and collective honor. Li Guoliang added some academic insights. Zhao Yongnian, with a stern face, announced the desert marching discipline and emergency plans.

The entire live stream was filmed by a floating sphere. The comments section was filled with cheers, skepticism, and questions like, "Why didn't those two guys in black show up?"

Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling" stood at the very back of the crowd, their hoods pulled low, obscuring their faces. They were like two silent shadows, completely out of place amidst the surrounding noise.

The meeting ended, and everyone dispersed to make final preparations.

Dinner was a communal meal, cooked in a large pot. The taste was so-so, but it was filling. Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling" got their food and sat at a corner table to eat quietly. Several special forces members tried to get closer to them, but were deterred by the two's unapproachable aura.

Night falls.

On the edge of the desert, the starry sky was exceptionally clear, and the wind was unusually cold.

The lights were off in Zhang Qiling's and "Zhang Qiling's" room. The two stood by the window, watching the busy figures and lights in the courtyard below.

"Tomorrow, we'll go into the desert," Zhang Qiling said.

"Hmm," Zhang Qiling replied.

"Those people," Zhang Qiling said, his gaze falling on a lit window on the east side of the second floor, "we'll find an opportunity after we enter the desert."

"Kill them separately." Zhang Qiling said calmly, "Sandstorms, quicksand, poisonous insects, all are acceptable."

The two exchanged a glance and then fell silent.

Late at night.

The guesthouse gradually quieted down. Only the footsteps of patrolling soldiers and the howling wind of the desert could be heard.

At four o'clock the next morning, before dawn, the team assembled and set off.

A convoy of more than a dozen vehicles drove out of Shazaoyi and plunged into the boundless yellow sand.

A live-streaming sphere hovered above the convoy, filming the vast desert and the winding convoy.

[Prophet: It's begun! Desert instance!]

[A deterrent to those who disagree with so-called experts: I wonder how many people will die this time.]

[The male lead's fan club: Husbands, please be careful!]

[Watching the drama unfold: We're waiting for these three old foxes to fall from grace!]

In the SUV at the front of the convoy, Wang Jizong looked at the live broadcast of the game on the screen behind him and a cold smile appeared on his lips.

Li Guoliang adjusted his glasses: "Is everything arranged?"

Zhao Yongnian nodded: "The signal will drop once we enter the Black Desert. The live broadcast will only be able to transmit intermittent images. At that time, everything will be more convenient."

Wang Jizong hummed in agreement and closed his eyes to rest.

In an off-road vehicle in the middle of the convoy, Wu Xie looked out the window at the sand dunes rushing past and whispered to the fat man next to him, "It's starting."

The fat man chewed on beef jerky and mumbled, "My right eyelid keeps twitching, I feel like something bad is going to happen."

In the back seat, Zhang Qiling and "Zhang Qiling" closed their eyes to rest, as if they had already fallen asleep.

But their hands were all positioned so they could draw their knives at any moment.

The desert is just ahead.