“Shirley Yang, tell me, are you the last descendant of the tomb robber, Partridge Whistle?”
“What? You…”
Shirley Yang’s eyes, like bright stars, widened in disbelief.
‘Just based on a tomb robber’s token, he guessed my lineage… It’s unbelievable. Han Xiao Liu, how much do you know?’
“Who are you? How do you know about Partridge Whistle? The Tomb Robbers have long ceased to exist.”
Shirley Yang quickly realized that the Tomb Robbers were a branch of Northern Tomb Robbing, a secret unknown to most. Her confusion grew, and she desperately wanted answers.
She even had the illusion that Han Xiao Liu might know how to break the curse on her.
Han Xiao Liu had prepared a speech, since ‘archaeologists’ could rely on ‘books’ for explanations:
“I enjoy reading historical accounts and legends, and I’ve come across information about the Tomb Robbers. There’s one detail that serves as my basis for judgement.”
“I’d love to hear it.”
“It all starts with the Tomb Robbers. By the Republican Era, there were only three famous Tomb Robbers left: Iron Grinder, Dust Master, and Gold Abacus. All three were disciples of Zhang San Lianzi, and the Tomb Robbers’ motto of ‘united we live, divided we die’ originated from them.”
Shirley Yang nodded.
“Partridge Whistle learned the art of divining burial sites from Dust Master, obtaining a tomb robber’s token, which belonged to the deceased Iron Grinder.
During their expedition in the Black Water City of Western Xia, Dust Master perished, and the token passed into Partridge Whistle’s hands. He then left with a foreigner and went overseas, disappearing without a trace. Therefore, you should have another token besides this one, am I right?”
Shirley Yang pondered for a moment, gazing into Han Xiao Liu’s eyes. Finally, she decided to be honest.
“You’re right. Partridge Whistle was my grandfather, and we do have another tomb robber’s token at home. However, I need a reasonable explanation. How did you know about the Black Water City of Western Xia? Ordinary people wouldn’t know about it.”
The more Han Xiao Liu spoke, the more confused Shirley Yang became. Such information shouldn’t exist in any records.
Han Xiao Liu didn’t know what Shirley Yang was thinking, nor did he want to answer her questions. Instead, he continued talking as if to himself:
“Legend has it that Tomb Robbers didn’t seek treasures, but rather medicinal herbs to save their people. As descendants of the Zaglamar lineage, they possess a terrible hereditary disease called the Red Spot Curse. Am I right?”
Han Xiao Liu didn’t reveal the specifics of the curse, as that would be like tearing open a wound.
A flicker of sorrow crossed Shirley Yang’s face, making Han Xiao Liu feel a pang of sympathy.
Such a beautiful woman, destined for a short life – it was a tragedy.
Shirley Yang turned away, removing her jacket and exposing her right shoulder. An eye-shaped red spot came into view, and Han Xiao Liu couldn’t help but touch it with his fingertip.
The red spot was distinct, slightly frightening, and its edges had a faint golden hue, which Han Xiao Liu surmised was caused by the changing blood as she aged.
The Red Spot Curse caused the body’s blood to turn golden, rendering it incapable of carrying oxygen. Despite being able to breathe, the victims would eventually suffocate, a process lasting a year.
It was a fate crueler than any punishment.
“You see, this is the Red Spot Curse. For centuries, the Tomb Robbers have delved into tombs, searching for the elixir to break this damn curse!”
Shirley Yang’s emotions became agitated, the result of long-term suppressed pressure from the burden she carried.
Han Xiao Liu didn’t intend to tell Shirley Yang that the Tomb of the Ancient City of Jingjue didn’t contain what she sought, nor that he knew where the Dust Pearl was. He wouldn’t reveal this information for the rest of his life.
He wouldn’t tell her now because they had only met twice and weren’t close enough to share such secrets.
Han Xiao Liu also didn’t dare trust Shirley Yang too much. After all, people would do anything to survive.
As for why he wouldn’t tell her later, it was because he couldn’t explain how he knew so much. He would pretend to slowly follow clues, and in the process, maybe even develop a romance. That was way better than showing off.
Han Xiao Liu firmly believed that wise men don’t fall in love, they flirt without confessing, and letting things happen naturally was best.
Shirley Yang had carried the curse since birth, causing her immense psychological stress. After all, anyone who knew they wouldn’t live long would be afraid.
Therefore, Shirley Yang wouldn’t miss any opportunity, no matter the cost.
“Mr. Han, I sincerely invite you to join our archaeological team. I’ll offer a reward – $20,000. If that’s not enough, name your price, and I’ll pay it without haggling.”
“$20,000 is fine, but I won’t join the archaeological team. I won’t be a babysitter for a bunch of bookworms, weaklings, and the infirm. This young master ain’t doing it.”
Shirley Yang’s eyes lit up.
After all, she was a woman, and women crave dependence. Han Xiao Liu gave Shirley Yang the feeling that she could rely on him.
However, Shirley Yang began to feel that the archaeological team was less appealing.
As Han Xiao Liu had said, the archaeological team wasn’t great. The most valuable member, Professor Chen, was too old, and going into the desert would be risky.
But it was too late to call it off. Professor Chen had already submitted a request to the authorities, and all the paperwork had been processed. They were ready to depart anytime.
“Then what are your plans?”
“You go your way, I’ll go mine. The location of the Ancient City of Jingjue is at the end of the Zidu Dark River. You’re relying on Hu Ba Yi’s skills to find it, right? Also, Hu Ba Yi’s ‘Sixteen-Word Yin-Yang Feng Shui Secret Technique’ – don’t tell me you don’t know what that is.”
Shirley Yang hadn’t paid attention to that before, but Han Xiao Liu’s words made her realize that this was the secret technique of the Tomb Robbers. That meant Hu Ba Yi’s identity was clear.
“He’s a Tomb Robber?”
“He’s sort of, but he doesn’t have a tomb robber’s token, so he’s still a newbie.”
Shirley Yang was reassured. The archaeological team had a Tomb Robber, so their chances of success weren’t bad. At the same time, she was filled with curiosity and anticipation for Han Xiao Liu.