Chapter 36

Chapter 36: The Tomb of Emperor Hui of Jin [4]

Translator: Xah

Editor: Ayish

Su WanTing put the box on the table with a slightly delightful smile in her eyes and fixed it on Li Shu, “My sincerity.”

“What do you want?” Li Shu did not look at the wooden box on the table. His face was cold. “This auction was set up to lead us over.”

Su WanTing nodded. “Yes, the auction itself is for you, Big Brother Li Shu.” Looking around, she smiled. “It’s not as complicated as you guys think. There’s no need to be too hostile to me. What I meant is, we can join together and each takes what he needs.”

Zhang Qiu got a headache when he heard Su WanTing’s sultrily called Big Brother Li Shu, and hurriedly said, “First of all, whether it’s cooperation or not, Miss Su, we are not familiar with you. You can call him Li Shu, is just fine.”

As soon as his voice fell, Pixian Hui Wang laughed lightly next to him. Zhang Qiu knew that Er-Sao was teasing him. He was embarrassed and it went without saying that he showed such an expression on his face.

Fortunately, Li Shu did not let him down and coldly said: “Miss Su may as well call me by name.”

Su WanTing’s triumphant smiley face sank. She looked at Zhang Qiu and suddenly smiled sweetly, “It’s just a form of address. Li Shu, if you want me to call you like this, I’ll listen to you.”

This kind of speech was even sultrier. Zhang Qiu’s heart was squeezed together, but he didn’t want to talk nonsense with Su WanTing. He asked directly, “Miss Su, how on earth do you want to cooperate? Let’s say it straight!”

Su WanTing was not willing to tell Zhang Qiu because she despised Zhang Qiu in essence. The auction itself was for Li Shu. However, Li Shu seemed to be very obedient towards Zhang Qiu just now, so she had to suppress her discontent and put on a business attitude.

“You also know that my father is an antique dealer. Actually, more than ten years ago, my father was an Earth Master. This box was bought by my father from one of his old partners.” Su WanTing touched the box and carelessly leaked the story of her father’s fortune. She switched the conversation to some other subject, “Do you know where the box came from?”

Zhang Qiu didn’t answer. Just say it if you want to say it, why are you looking at Li Shu, waiting for Li Shu to answer?

Everybody did not open their mouths to answer, and the air was filled with a slight embarrassment.

Su WanTing looked sweet and rich; no man ever refused to give her face. However, she lost face in succession these two days, so she didn’t look at the crowd, except Pei Qing, who was all bent to know, waiting for Su WanTing to finish her talk and continuing what to do next.

Pei Qing saw the little girl bit her lips with reddened face. He said kindly, “Miss Su, tell us where this came from?”

Zhang Qiu looked at Pei Qing; he didn’t expect Pei Qing to be a gentleman.

Su WanTing followed through and lightly snorted. She looked as if she had been wronged, but expectedly, this kind of look made her look a little delicate and charming. However, this expression was obviously dazzling to the blind, and except for Pei Qing, none of the people presence was inclined to take notice of this.

“My father’s old partner said, this box was found seven years ago in a pit in Changsha. The size of the pit is not big. It’s an old squire’s tomb and the inside can only be said to be a complete nonsense. But my father took it seriously.” Su WanTing paused and became more angry when she saw these people’s plain faces. She said very stiffly, “This tomb was from the Eastern Han Dynasty. My father’s old partner took the box from the squire’s arms. Before he left, he found that the inscription on the stone tablet recorded a story.”

“There are records in the Book of the Later Han Dynasty: Five Elements Chronicle. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, there was an Earth Master who robbed the tomb of Huo Guang’s son-in-law, Fellow Fan’s slave. Who knows that the dead owner of the tomb, the slave, had come back to life again? This story was simple and handed down to the present. I’ve seen a dead person’s sudden movement, but it’s ridiculous to say that the dead person had come back to life again. There was a burial accompany in the tomb of the old squire in Changsha. It’s the slave who came back from the dead in the story I just told. When my father’s old partner found out about the legend, he paid more attention to the map in the squire’s arms. He thought it had something to do with the resurrection of the slave. He would not have sold it to my father if he had no way out. My father had always been curious about these superstitious stories. How could people in this world be able to die and resurrect? So he planned today’s ruse.”

In her speech, Su WanTing had always referred to her father’s friend as the old partner and Earth Master; not uncle. Her tone was disdainful when she mentioned the resurrection of death. She seemed to be a girl who believed in science.

Zhang Qiu could not help but think that he once loved science and opposed superstition. Now, every time he went down the pit, he was addicted to superstition and could not extricate himself from it.

“What do you say has to do with your business?” Li Shu asked coldly.

“My father wants the body of that slave.” Su WanTing said while her eyebrows were frowning; apparently she was disgusted. She added, “My father guessed that this map has the secret of life and death. The pit on the map, both sides have to go down together.”

Su WanTing was determined to win, and she concluded that Li Shu would agree to this condition. Sitting on the chair with her face propped up, she beamingly said, “I heard Jin LaoDa said you are quite difficult to deal with, but I didn’t expect that you, Li Shu have more outstanding appearance.”

When Zhang Qiu heard Su WanTing mentioned Jin LaoDa, his subconscious mind felt sick and he even forgot to hate Su WanTing for teasing and flirting with Li Shu. The scene of Jin LaoDa gnawing on a zongzi left a severe shadow to him; especially the other was hard to die like a cockroach and was sealed up in the tomb of Li Shu’s general in Shandong Province.

“When did you heard from Jin LaoDa?” Pixian Hui Wang couldn’t help asking.

It seemed that Jin LaoDa’s nightmare was not his alone. Zhang Qiu ridiculed internally and just happened to see Su WanTing tilting her head down as if thinking before she said: “I don’t remember, about half a month ago.”

Zhang Qiu breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that Jin LaoDa did not escape.

“Okay.” Li Shu took the deal.

Su WanTing stood up and handed the box to Li Shu, as if she was sending a love letter rather than handing in a map. Zhang Qiu’s teeth itched. He coughed at the side. Li Shu took the box and stuffed it into Zhang Qiu’s arms.

Zhang Qiu felt Su WanTing’s “hot” light wave kind of sight and hurried pulled Li Shu to go back. If he stayed here any longer, he was afraid that he could not help fighting with the little girl. This was not good, blamed Li Shu for provoking a rotten peach blossom!

–

Back to Lu Feng’s house, Hua Hua went to Yang Bao’s house and had not returned yet. His Little Zongzi was disappointed when he didn’t see the big brothers so Zhang Qiu kissed him twice. That’s when his spirit came back to life and he lay down obediently inside the bag, showing half of his head.

“By Su WanTing’s meaning; go down the pit and see who has the ability to get the thing.” Lu Feng said.

They were forced to accept a position, but now the other side did not put forward harsh conditions, on the contrary, this statement was very beneficial to them. Zhang Qiu believed that with Li Shu’s skill, ordinary people could hardly steal the box from them.

“Right, I give this box to Senior brother.” Zhang Qiu took out the box and said apologetically, “Senior brother, really have to trouble you.”

“At the beginning, I also have a part in this.” Hua Ting didn’t mind. He saw Lu Feng looking at him. He emphasized laughingly, “I will pay attention. As long as my body is tired, I will rest immediately.”

Lu Feng nodded his head and agreed.

They were now tied to a line of interest. Zhang Yushui’s resurrection depended on the God Vein. Li Shu, in order to repay Hua Ting’s sacrifice, seemingly wanted to find a way to renew Hua Ting’s life. Zhang Qiu did not know what this God Vein was, it might be people or other things, but it was very important to them.

To find the God Vein, they must put together the map. It was like the people behind the scene played a big chess game. Whether they were moving chess pieces on the chessboard or playing chess with their opponents, was unknown.

Su WanTing’s map fit the map they brought out of the General’s tomb. Soon, it was found in Luoyang, Henan Province, an ancient capital with a long history.

When they got the information, Su WanTing’s side was also ready. They were expected to leave one day later. First they would go to the squire tomb in Changsha and then to Luoyang. In the end, Hua Ting suffered from illness at night before departure. He was sent to the hospital. Lu Feng’s hands were trembling at the door of the operating room; he was afraid that Hua Ting could not hold on.

Zhang Qiu and Pixian Hui Wang also felt guilty. Hua Ting was not in good health; in order to get off as soon as possible, he had been studying the two maps, and fallen sick.

Li Shu patted Lu Feng on the shoulder. “Don’t go this time.”

Lu Feng nodded. At this time, he just wanted to stay by Hua Ting. He was afraid after he left that…

“It will be alright.” Li Shu’s tone was calm; it could soothe people’s hearts.

Zhang Qiu’s nervous heart also calmed down. At eleven o’clock in the evening, the light at the door of the operating room dimmed, the doctor came out and nodded. “It’s much better than before. It’s a bullet pressing on the heart in the chest. We need to get it out as soon as possible without delay.”

The hospital was run by Lu Feng, so mentioning the bullet was not a taboo topic in here.

–

In the evening, Lu Feng stayed in the hospital with Hua Ting and Zhang Qiu returned to the villa to pack up. Early the next morning, Pei Qing came to the house with his backpack.

“I’ll go with you. Lu Feng is my buddy. I’ll help him when he’s indisposed.”

Li Shu had no objection. Pei Qing didn’t look like a normal soldier; he had quite a skill.

They agreed to meet at the airport. Zhang Qiu thought that Su Zhicai had invited a group of Earth Masters to go down with them but did not expect Su WanTing also came; wearing a tight short dress, showing two straight legs, with a pair of small high heels under her feet. She took off her sunglasses and winked at Li Shu when she got off the car.

Zhang Qiu’s vinegar jar was about to turn over. Li Shu smiled, pulled Zhang Qiu’s arm and kissed him unavoidably.

People came and left at the airport entrance, Li Shu’s and Pixian Hui Wang’s outstanding appearance attracted many people’s attention. At the moment, Li Shu kissed Zhang Qiu in public; many people held up their mobile phones to take pictures and made rowdy jeering. When the kiss was over, Zhang Qiu’s face rose like a boiled crab.

“In the broad daylight, why are you—” His line of sight met Su WanTing’s jealous eyes. Zhang Qiu swallowed the words ‘acting rouge in broad daylight’ and pretended to be indifferent, “Well done.” At the very least, it could be used to cut the later trouble.

He would not be concerned with a little girl all day long.

Zhang Qiu thought Su WanTing knew that he and Li Shu were a couple, but apparently he was thinking too simply. Su WanTing acted like it was someone else’s business, and followed Li Shu stickily. Li Shu ignored her. She didn’t care; she smiled and introduced the four people at the side.

“These are all invited by my dad. The older one is Pingquan, and the younger ones are brothers; Da Liu, Xiao Liu, and Bald Head. I heard they called him Bald Head.”

Pingquan was almost forty years old, with a black and fierce face, tall, had a good figure. He just nodded when he saw them. The brothers next to him were tall and fat, short and thin, and looked similar in appearance. They were all people with thick lips and bulge forehead. The last one, Bald Head, had a winding scar on his head, like it was burned by something; he was not very talkative and looked gloomy. When he heard Su Wan Ting’s introduction, he looked her way. Zhang Qiu felt that the way that Bald Head looked at Su Wan Ting made his heart felt hairy.

“This Bald Head is the person who sold the box to my dad.” Su WanTing added.

Zhang Qiu found that when Su WanTing mentioned the box, Bald Head looked more fiercely at Su WanTing. He acted like he had not seen it. The four people did not seem to be good to deal with either. This time, it seemed that they should pay more attention when they went to the bottom of the pit; must not be defrauded when the time comes.

He looked into Pixian Hui Wang’s eyes and knew each other’s thoughts. Li Shu, tired of listening to Su WanTing, took Zhang Qiu’s hand, “Board the plane.”

–

When the plane landed at Changsha Airport, there were people arranged to pick them up and two cars were dispatched; Su WanTing followed Pingquan’s group of four in one car, while they were in the other car. When they arrived at the hotel, they were given rooms; he with Li Shu, and Pei Qing with Pixian Hui Wang.

Pingquan took the key to the door and glanced at Pixian Hui Wang and Li Shu while saying in a tone that was not very good, “You follow us this time down the pit and don’t make unnecessary move.”

Su WangTing said that Li Shu was very skilled and was invited specially, but Pingquan had never heard this Li Shu’s name being in this line for more than 20 years. Moreover, Li Shu’s and Pixian Hui Wang’s appearance were questionable, he didn’t believe Su WanTing’s words. He thought Li Shu and Pixian Hui Wang were young masters from wealthy families, who went out to an expedition. Only Zhang Qiu, who did not have the world-shaking handsome appearance, gave Pingquan the impression that he could be easily used.

Zhang Qiu would die of anger if he knew about it.

–

Until 10 p.m. on the next day, Pingquan looked out at the weather; it was actually a sky of fire clouds. Zhang Qiu was a little worried that it was going to be raining, but Pingquan said, “Let’s go.”

They had packed their bags in advance. Zhang Qiu put Little Zongzi in his bag. The car in front of him led the way while Li Shu drove behind and got on the highway for about an hour. He didn’t see it until dark that it was raining heavily. The roof of the car was banging and the rain was getting heavier and heavier.

The car in front flashed the rear lights twice and pulled over.

Su WanTing’s voice came from the walkie-talkie: “Big brother Li Shu, let’s take shelter from the rain first, and wait for it to calm down.”

When Zhang Qiu heard she called Big brother Li Shu, his tooth ached. The girl still did not give up and he could not really fight with her. He was so angry that his heart and liver felt bad that he simply disconnected.

After about fifteen minutes, the rain was getting heavier and heavier. Before long, the water level had reached the tire. Zhang Qiu was afraid of being flooded. The people in the car in front of him seemed very calm. After ten minutes, the rain was getting lighter and lighter. The car in front of him restarted and Li Shu followed closely.

It took less than an hour to drive to a village in the suburbs. They made a detour and went straight to the river instead of disturbing the villagers.

Pingquan got out of the car, took a flashlight in his hand and scanned the dark river. He asked Bald Head, “Is it here?”

“Not seem like it.” Bald Head looked carefully and shook his head. Pingquan wanted to restart the car, Bald Head waved his hand, “Here is fine. Let me find it.”

Standing by the river, Zhang Qiu heard the conversation between Pingquan and Bald Head; he looked at Li Shu with incredible eyes and asked silently, “Is this tomb in the water?”

“That should be the case.”

Just as he was talking, Su WanTing got out of the car. She came to them wearing sportswear and holding a flashlight. Zhang Qiu was very upset and waited for hate to return. He just happened to see Su WanTing’s foot tripped on something and Pei Qing had already gone up.

“AH! There—there are bones here!”

---

Translator: I recommend you to go here to get a better understanding of what is jiangshi and how Li Shu became a jiangshi. So you guys will know why I didn’t use ‘zombie’ or ‘vampire’ to translate jiangshi. For me, each culture has their own creature/ghost. Zombie and vampire are more to western, but we, in the eastern have a lot more type of ghost even though each has a similar characteristic.

Editor: I really hate Su WanTing. She can go and die in the pit later. Hmph! ಠ益ಠ Don’t disturb our CP!

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