I wrung the water from my hair and tied it back up. Just then, Mom quietly stuck a hand warmer on my back...

Our backpacks were waterproof, so everything inside should still be usable...

Second Brother cleared his throat and said,

"Sis, time to go."

Mom glanced at me, then toward the pitch-black passage ahead...

I gave a reassuring thumbs-up with a smile. Only then did she nod slightly...

Wei Qiuying and Wu Datong led the way. Mom and I walked in the middle. Second Brother brought up the rear alone.

The tunnel stretched endlessly. After a long walk, the sound of water faded behind us. No breeze stirred the air. The temperature stayed mild, almost dry...

I kept my flashlight sweeping the walls, eyes sharp.

Instinctively, I’d already labeled this place a tomb. The walls weren’t natural—carved patterns covered them, worn with age...

This was my first time somewhere like this. Even sandwiched between everyone, a trace of fear clung to me...

"You two... first timers too?"

I whispered, trying to break the heavy silence.

Mom nodded silently. From behind, Second Brother chuckled,

"No one comes to a place like this twice. Except your dad."

"Chuanyi told me everything. I know this layout cold. Just do your jobs."

Mom’s voice was icy.

Wei Qiuying and Wu Datong didn’t react. They pressed forward without looking back.

Second Brother shrugged helplessly, about to speak—

Wei Qiuying suddenly raised a hand. Everyone froze.

We’d reached the tunnel’s end. Ahead loomed a vast chamber. Chillingly, faint, sticky-sounding squelches echoed from within. In the dead silence, every rustle felt unnaturally clear...

I shrank behind Mom, staring blankly into the black maw.

I didn’t want to take another step. My nerves weren’t strong enough to stroll calmly through someone’s tomb...

Especially with that deeply unsettling sound waiting ahead...

*Whoosh!*

Second Brother lit a red cold flare and hurled it into the darkness.

It arced through the air. In its glow, we all fell silent.

The chamber dipped downward like a giant dish.

We stood at the rim. Below lay a massive circular field of coffins—black, scattered haphazardly across the floor...

Most striking of all: dead center sat a colossal coffin, easily the size of a large truck.

And worst of all—the lid was thrown wide open.

Second Brother shot Mom a glance and murmured,

"So... how do we cross?"

Mom’s face tightened.

"Go straight. But..."

As the flare dimmed, she pointed toward the giant coffin.

"Stay sharp when you pass it."

Watching that scene by flarelight left me stunned.

First, the sheer emptiness of the space felt overwhelming.

Second—this was my first time seeing real coffins. Even from afar, their shape was unmistakable.

So this was a burial ground?

And that massive coffin... what on earth could fit inside? Humans were out of the question.

And prying open a lid that heavy? Unless someone drove a crane in here...

I cut the thought off. I didn’t dare follow it further.

"Miss, Second Brother—I’ll scout below. If anything changes, I’ll signal with my light."

Wei Qiuying stepped forward.

Mom gave a silent nod.

Wei Qiuying looked around thirty—unremarkable face, sturdy build, calm voice. Someone you’d trust.

She tucked two cold flares into her belt, gripped a dagger, switched on her flashlight, and began sliding down the slope.

For some reason, her movements felt oddly delicate...

Second Brother tossed another flare for light. I watched Wei Qiuying descend sideways, whispering to Mom,

"Who... are these people really?"

"Your grandfather’s people. Veterans. Skilled. Experienced."

"Huh? So Grandpa’s a tomb raider too?"

I glanced at Mom, then at Second Brother.

"He is. *I’m* not!" Mom insisted quickly.

"Your mom’s Grandpa’s treasure. He’d never let her set foot underground," Second Brother added with a grin.

"Oh please. Grandpa doted on his son. Didn’t he sneak all his secrets to *you*? My *great Mojinxiaowei*?" Mom shot back, voice dripping with sarcasm.

Sighing at their bickering, I turned back to Wei Qiuying.

She moved fast—already circling the giant coffin, pressing onward.

Darkness swallowed the chamber again. Second Brother reached for another flare—

Suddenly, a green flame flared across from us, illuminating the opposite shadows.

Wei Qiuying stood there, waving.

I finally got it: crossing meant sliding down one rim of the "dish," trekking across the coffin field, and climbing up the other side.

We hurried down the slope. Mom held my hand tightly the whole way.

The incline felt strangely smooth.

We rushed past the coffins. Too spooked to glance around, I kept my eyes fixed ahead.

Only when we reached the base of the giant coffin did I grasp its true scale.

Standing beneath it felt like standing under a massive ship.

In the flashlight beam, faint engraved patterns glinted with golden light along the lid—but I couldn’t make out the design.

Wu Datong, Second Brother, and Mom marched ahead without a second look. I clung to Mom’s hand, trailing close.

How could they feel *zero* curiosity about that bizarre coffin?

Surprisingly smooth going. With Mom’s help, I scrambled up the far slope and reached Wei Qiuying’s position.

The flare died. The coffin field behind us vanished into blackness.

I took a deep breath, glancing back at the darkness—just about to speak—

Then I saw it.

Deep in the shadows behind us, a red dot the size of an egg flickered steadily... back and forth...