The Qinling Ruins Arc — Chapter Three: The Remains of Ten Thousand Bodies

The old man smiled knowingly. I struggled to rise, and under the escort of the men in black, I made my way to Old Zhang’s side. I blinked at him, signaling that something was amiss. The plan was to agree for now and later find a chance to grab what we needed and leave.

Old Zhang casually remarked, “Old sir, agreeing is one thing, but we don’t have a detailed map, nor the experience. Finding that secret passage won’t be easy.”

Old Zhang’s words were smooth and diplomatic. The old man didn’t take offense; instead, he graciously helped Old Zhang to his feet. After a pause, he said, “No matter. It’s normal for young people to lack experience. As long as we find the secret passage, I guarantee I will keep my promise.”

Everyone sensed there was more beneath the old man’s calm words. His peculiar appearance and unique mannerisms marked him as no ordinary person.

I smiled faintly and asked him why it was so crucial to find the secret passage. He confided quietly that he held an ancient map, once used by their elders during tomb-raiding expeditions. Back then, many perished or were wounded, and only he and a young companion survived.

Some details remained unclear, and over the years, they had been searching for answers. Yet they never succeeded. This time, he wished to unravel the mysteries lingering from over a decade ago, and to understand the sudden change in the tomb’s chamber back then.

With that, he led us to the center of the formation and asked the Hong Kong man standing nearby if this was the place. The man nodded solemnly, “This is it, no doubt. I remember my grandfather saying this was the spot. He mentioned activating some mechanism, but said no more.”

The old man nodded and approached the skeleton of Sima Yi, tapping lightly on the floor. One spot was inconspicuous, but his sharp eyes caught something amiss. He reached out and turned a hidden compartment within the formation’s center.

With a wave of his hand, he signaled everyone to step back, moving aside himself. Then, with a rumbling sound, the formation rotated and scattered, revealing a narrow, winding path barely wide enough for two to pass, descending straight underground.

The group fell silent, eyes fixed on the passage. Only the old man’s gaze hardened, staring fiercely at the secret path without a word.

He beckoned me over, gesturing for me to lead the way. Once it was safe, the rest would follow.

Reluctantly, I descended first. I signaled Old Zhang to be ready to adapt to any situation. He understood, blinking knowingly. Under the watchful escort of the men in black, we reached the tunnel entrance. I lit a fuse, holding it in my left hand, while gripping a military dagger in my right. Relying on the faint light, I carefully felt along the tunnel walls, moving step by cautious step, wary of any sudden danger.

But nothing happened even halfway down the passage. Instead, an eerie stillness prevailed, unsettling me deeply. Was this the calm before the storm?

Further on, the corridor widened slightly. The stone steps became more uneven and rough, their texture irregular. This, at least, allowed me to momentarily relax the tension gripping my nerves. Taking a deep breath, I pressed forward.

Ahead lay a vast cavern, sparkling with crystal stones and stalactites. Water dripped steadily from the cave’s ceiling, the ground damp and shadowed.

Unexpectedly, an underground river flowed through the cavern, its banks formed by the cave floor itself. The river ran straight through the center; fish occasionally leapt from its waters. Beneath this grim ancient ruin lay such a hidden wonder — truly a world apart.

From above, a voice called to me. I took out my whistle, sending a prearranged signal: two short blasts followed by three long ones. The reply came promptly: two long blasts and three short.

Soon, they brought Old Zhang down to the cavern. He called out to me, but turning, I saw the men in black had drawn their guns and aimed at me. The old man approached from behind with a sly grin.

His eyes wide, the old man looked at the group and said, “I never imagined I’d have the chance to come here again. Ah Jie, did your grandfather ever say where the passage down there was?”

The Hong Kong man hesitated, then replied, “It should be here.” He pointed toward the nearest stretch of the underground river.

The old man smiled and moved toward the riverbank, the rest following silently. After some moments, he pulled something thick and moss-covered from the water. Kai Zi signaled everyone to help.

By the firelight, a massive iron chain appeared, stretching straight down into the riverbed.

Unable to gauge the river’s depth, the old man instructed everyone to don their gear. Once equipped, we grasped the chain tightly and swam toward the springhead beneath the river, pulled in by a whirlpool.

Moments later, before us appeared a burial chamber — more precisely, a secret chamber. Its structure was simple yet ancient, undeniably luxurious. The sudden revelation stunned us all.

The chamber was square. Ahead of the river pool stood two stone staircases on either side leading upward. Between them was an ancient stone door, flanked by two stone statues: one baring claws, standing atop a small stone demon; the other glaring fiercely, its base carved with a skull.

Above, the second level had a carved ancient door, surrounded by scattered bones — some blackened, others posed oddly, some missing skulls or limbs, while a few remained nearly intact.

Among the six scattered skeletons, one bore a few lines of writing, indecipherable due to age.

Approaching the stone door, we realized the carved door was merely a tombstone. In the dim light, it appeared as a door.

Then, an inconspicuous discovery froze us in our tracks, drawing a sharp, cold breath from every chest.

The old man pointed at blood-red characters and said, “Danger, flee quickly.”

“Could they have gone in there back then? Has it already come out? Impossible! It must be impossible! If not it, then who?” The old man muttered to himself, capturing the full attention of Old Zhang and me.

It? Who was it? Another species? When asked, the old man shook his head, saying nothing.

Old Zhang smirked, sensing an opening, and added with a hint of sarcasm, “Looks like you’re just like us after all. Talking about settling old scores, yet scared of a mere door. For a tomb raider elder, I’d say we younger ones fare better.”

With that, the old man opened the stone door.

As it swung open, we instinctively stepped back. Beyond lay an ancient path, dim firelight flickering along both sides. The old man produced a geomantic measuring rod, studying it carefully. Once settled, he strode forward.

We followed his lead into the pathway. After a few steps, the stone door slammed shut behind us.

Instantly, darkness enveloped us. Even with torches lit, the flickering light barely outlined vague shapes.

Suddenly, a thunderous crash echoed through the chamber. Our eyes turned toward the far end. An ancient door stood open, faint yellow light spilling forth.

There, standing in the distance, was the old man. Old Zhang and I confirmed again that he was indeed from the Tomb Raiders’ Sect.

After tense waiting, impatience gnawed at us all.

The old man held the torch in his left hand, waving his right vigorously. Then he returned to where he began. Under his guidance, we reached the path’s end, where a carved ancient tomb door awaited. The pale yellow light emanated from this very door.

Next, we arrived at what resembled a volcanic hot spring mountain. Springs bubbled everywhere, steam rising in thick clouds. Temperatures soared to a scorching 100 degrees Celsius.

On either side of the hill lay hot springs and vents, periodically spewing scalding water. One misstep would result in severe burns.

Though led by the old man, several men in black slipped and died in the boiling springs. Their bodies were disfigured beyond recognition. When we counted, one person was missing.

After searching, we found no trace. The old man ordered us to rest in a safe spot.

Having taken a few sips of water and bites of dry rations, something else happened — sudden and seemingly orchestrated. All unfolded before my eyes, less than ten meters away.

The Hong Kong man, ignoring the old man’s warnings, insisted on wading into the water to retrieve something. In an instant, a monstrous beast bit his neck and dragged him under the river.

The creature was massive — the size of a classroom. It resembled a fish but was more like an enormous lizard. Its face was a grotesque, twisted beast’s, eerily human-like. Its body was covered in reversed black scales, with powerful limbs and dagger-like claws.

The old man shouted, “It’s here! Shoot! It’s here! Shoot!”

Snapping back to reality, we raised our guns and fired furiously at the river.

After the gunfire, the beast glared at us with enormous blood-red eyes like lanterns.

Seconds later, it vanished into a whirlpool.

Pressing onward, the space widened, and the rushing water grew louder. We were nearing its lair.

Ahead loomed a cold cave. Beams of light stabbed through, dazzling our eyes. The path twisted and turned, making progress difficult. Some had blisters on their feet.

The old man silently smoked his pipe. Kai Zi checked the compass. Old Zhang, however, seemed unfazed, beaming as if nothing was amiss.

The deeper we ventured, the rougher the terrain became. The river water grew murky, and the air thickened with a sharp, foul stench.

We gritted our teeth and pressed into the cave, lighting torches to illuminate the space.

Suddenly, a red dot the size of a lantern fixed itself in the air.

The old man exclaimed, “Danger! Scatter!”

We scrambled aside.

Then a colossal beast burst from the water with a roar, sending a wave over ten feet high crashing down like a torrential downpour.

The filthy flood drenched us all in the foul-smelling muck. If our stomachs hadn’t been nearly empty, we might have vomited.

Thrown apart by the surge, our torches were extinguished. I switched on a waterproof flashlight and looked back.

Everyone had vanished.

I froze, legs trembling, utterly drained.

Before me gleamed two lantern-sized blood-red eyes and the grotesque, twisted beast’s face. It bared its gaping maw, staring furiously.

I stood at the edge of a pool of blood, one foot already halfway over the void. One more step, and I would plunge in.

As I gathered my wits, the beast was right before me. My heartbeat thundered wildly.

Cold sweat poured down, soaking my tight clothes. My clenched dagger threatened to slip free — if I loosened my grip, death would be certain.

The creature made no move, merely locked its terrifying gaze on me. Its blood-red eyes cast a dreadful aura.

I felt a chill run through me as its strange face twisted into a half-smile — a most unsettling expression.

“Could it be interested in me?” I thought.

Suddenly, Old Zhang’s voice came from behind, “Interested? Hell no. That bastard wants to marry you or something!”

Turning, I saw Old Zhang approaching, Kai Zi grinning at his side.

For a moment, I nearly forgot the danger behind me, greeting them joyfully. “Old Zhang! I thought you were dead. What about the old man?”

Old Zhang slapped me sharply, then fired several shots. The beast dodged easily and disappeared into the blood pool.

Puffed up with anger, Old Zhang growled, “I’m very much alive.”

I teased, “A bit overexcited, aren’t you?”

“Overexcited? Damn right! I searched for you forever, thought you were a goner.”

“Hey, I’m alive, no need to curse me.”

Kai Zi had stopped laughing, standing quietly, troubled. Then, unexpectedly, he muttered something that shocked both Old Zhang and me: “The old man is dead. Chen Bo must have killed him. Chen Bo isn’t human—I saw him transform into a half-man, half-snake monster.”

“Do you think that half-man, half-snake creature can swim?” Old Zhang asked.

“That depends on the species,” I replied.

Unaware of the looming danger, Kai Zi stared intently ahead. “Look behind you!”

Before I could react, the sound of rustling arose. Turning, I saw a two-meter-tall half-man, half-snake monster slithering rapidly toward me, its winding serpentine body moving swiftly.

Old Zhang leveled his rifle, ready to fire. His eyes were sharp as drawn swords. I pulled out my Browning pistol from the pouch strapped to my right leg.

“Run! It’s invincible. If we don’t leave now, it’ll be too late,” Kai Zi said, voice trembling.