West Night Lament

Chapter 15

As she spoke, her voice became almost shrill. Qin Wen's expression changed drastically. What was wrong with Xiao Li? Was she possessed by a ghost?

Jack gasped, his hands trembling slightly. The expressions on Lao Si's and Shan Hu's faces also changed. They lowered their voices and said, "Brother Xiang, this tomb is fucking eerie. I think we'd better find a way out as soon as possible. We're not doing this business with Uncle Tian anymore."

Situ Xiang remained silent, staring intently at Yin Li with a furrowed brow. Suddenly, he abruptly stood up and walked towards Yin Li. He had only taken two steps when he heard a gasp. He froze, turned around, and his pupils dilated instantly.

It's unclear what mechanism Professor Li triggered, but the lid of the jade coffin slid open silently, revealing the entire coffin. The entire archaeological team gathered around, staring in astonishment at the female corpse inside the coffin, their eyes wide.

She was a very beautiful woman; even two thousand years after her death, the desert winds and geothermal heat could not diminish her beauty. She was like a lotus flower blooming in a pond, fresh and elegant, yet undeniably beautiful. Even the combined beauty of all the women present could not compare to a single finger of hers.

At this moment, she lay quietly in the coffin. Her face was covered with a very thin veil, and she wore a bright red robe. Embroidered with dazzling phoenixes in gold thread, each one was so lifelike that it seemed to be soaring in the heavens, mesmerizing to behold.

Yin Li was no stranger to this woman; she had seen her countless times in her dreams and hallucinations. Each time, she was captivated by her beauty and saddened by her tragic life, as if she were grieving for her own fate. Even so, when she finally saw her in person, Yin Li was still stunned by her breathtaking beauty. No wonder Prince Zihe and Gongsun Liang loved her so much, willing to sacrifice all their dignity and lives for her.

For a fleeting moment, she felt a pang of jealousy. Beauty truly is a poison.

Just as everyone was amazed by Princess Zhaoling's appearance, Bai Yunning suddenly reached out and lifted the veil covering the princess's face.

Suddenly, a sweet, fishy smell wafted over, startling everyone. They quickly covered their mouths and noses and retreated, looking extremely embarrassed.

"Yun Ning, are you crazy?" Professor Li roared at her in a fit of rage, "This isn't your first time doing archaeology, how could you lift the veil off a dead body without taking any precautions!"

"I, I," Bai Yun Ning stared blankly at her hands, and said in a daze, "I don't know either. Just now, just now these hands felt like they weren't my own."

Before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by the gasps of the crowd. Yin Li looked up and saw Princess Zhaoling, dressed in bright red, slowly floating out of the coffin, just like the overused plot in countless movies. Her eyes were closed, her body light, floating in mid-air, the heavy hem of her clothes rising and falling slightly, highlighting her exquisite curves.

"The corpse, the corpse has come back to life!" Zhang Yuanyuan, who had been silent until now, suddenly screamed, hugging Bai Yunning tightly and crying out in terror, "It's a zombie! It must be a zombie! She's going to kill us, we can't escape! We can't escape!"

Annoyed by her yelling, Professor Li shouted angrily, "Shut up!"

Zhang Yuanyuan was startled, her expression drooping, looking listless as if she had lost her soul.

"Everyone be careful," Situ Xiang said in a deep voice. Even he couldn't remain calm at this moment. He had robbed so many tombs, yet he had never seen anything so strange. Could the corpse really come back to life?

Princess Zhaoling slowly turned around to face the crowd. Her appearance was still beautiful, but now tinged with a hint of ferocity; her tightly closed eyelids glowed with a faint red light. In the eyes of the crowd, she was now indistinguishable from a demon.

Qin Wen suddenly jolted, as if she had realized something, and cried out in panic, "Everyone, whatever you do, do not look into her eyes! Those are the eyes of the evil god Soprano! Anyone who sees those eyes will fall into the fiery hell!"

But it was too late. Before she could finish speaking, Princess Zhaoling suddenly opened her eyes—eyes so beautiful and alluring they were terrifying. Her pupils were a chilling red, tinged with a hint of blue, like two dazzling flames!

Before anyone could even cry out in alarm, they felt a sudden heat and found themselves engulfed in flames. The air was filled with heart-wrenching screams, as if hundreds of people were enduring the agony of being burned alive.

Hell! This is truly a fiery hell!

The crowd screamed in agony, feeling their skin melting away, gradually revealing the blood-red muscles beneath. The muscles, upon contact with the flames, emitted a nauseatingly foul odor, instantly turning to charcoal.

The most terrifying thing was that they were still alive and conscious. They watched as the scorching flames licked at their bodies, like the tongue of a demon.

It's better to die than to suffer eternal torment here.

The thought, like a flame burning within them, spread through everyone's minds. Jack raised his Luger P-85 9mm pistol. This time, he aimed it at his own head.

Just as his index finger was about to pull the trigger, a song suddenly drifted from somewhere. The song was beautiful, gentle and melodious. It had a strange tone, as if it possessed a mesmerizing magic, penetrating everyone's eardrums and reaching deep into their brains, where it gave rise to a cool and pleasant halo.

Everyone felt a jolt throughout their bodies and suddenly opened their eyes.

32. Hypnosis

A chilling silence followed, as they all stared intently at their hands. Situ Xiang's knife was already at his throat, while Lao Si and Shan Hu held portable chainsaws. The saws spun wildly, just an inch away from piercing their chests. Even the members of the archaeological team held small knives and shovels that could be used as murder weapons, intending to send themselves to true hell!

The singing was still going on, and they slowly looked up. They saw Yin Li standing in the corner, her eyes slightly closed, singing a ballad from an unknown era. The melody was strange and lingering, as if it came from an uncivilized ancient time, carrying a captivating mystery.

Even so, they still had to admit that her singing voice was truly one in a million.

Suddenly, her voice caught in her throat, and she began to cough violently. She clutched her chest, seemingly in excruciating pain, as if she were about to cough up her lungs.

Situ Xiang and Qin Wen rushed over immediately, supporting her and patting her back. Qin Wen asked anxiously, "Xiao Li, are you... are you alright?"

After a while, Yin Li stopped coughing, her face pale. She raised her head, looked at everyone, and asked, "Are you all alright?"

"Everyone's alright," Qin Wen said, a sudden look of surprise flashing in her eyes. "Xiao Li, what you were singing just now, was it a Buddhist chant? Legend has it that only the chants of the Buddha can save the innocent from the fiery hell, and you—"

“What Buddhist music?” Yin Li interrupted her with a wry smile. “This is a method for breaking hypnosis that my maternal grandfather researched. My singing voice is naturally different from others. My grandfather said that I can use my singing voice to break deep hypnosis. The effect is excellent. Even the deepest hypnosis can be awakened. However, it is very difficult to sing that specific tune. It is harmful to the throat.”

"Hypnosis?" Situ Xiang's expression changed. "You mean we were just hypnotized?"

“That’s right, everything you just saw was just your own illusion,” Yin Li said. “The fragrance that Bai Yun Ning released when she lifted her mask was a hallucinogenic drug with extremely strong effects. Even I was controlled by it. Fortunately, I’ve been my grandfather’s medicine pot since I was a child, so my resistance is hundreds of times higher than that of an ordinary person. I managed to break free from its control while I was being hypnotized.”

"Then, who hypnotized us?" Qin Wen asked impatiently.

Yin Li raised her head, stared at her intently with a strange look, and slowly said, "It's you, Xiao Wen."

Countless astonished gazes immediately shot towards Qin Wen, burning her skin. She gasped, her face changing color: "Xiao Li, what nonsense are you talking about? How could I know hypnosis?"

"Don't be nervous." Yin Li gave her a reassuring smile and said, "This is not your fault. We were all poisoned by the drug and are easily influenced by what others say. And you just happened to shout out the Eye of Soprano, so we were naturally hypnotized by you and experienced the corresponding hallucinations."

"So," Qin Wen frowned and hesitated, "it's still me who's caused everyone's trouble."

"How can this be your fault?" Yin Li's voice was hoarse, and she coughed occasionally. Situ Xiang handed her his water bottle. She hesitated for a moment, then took it, drank a sip of water, and found it sweet and refreshing like never before.

In that instant, a sudden tremor surged within her, like a melody played in disarray, chaotic and disordered, making it almost impossible to think. She gritted her teeth, tossed the water jug back to Situ Xiang, and walked to the coffin. Looking inside, she breathed a sigh of relief and said, "The princess is still here. It seems she can no longer cause trouble."

"Now that we've found the main burial chamber, shouldn't we head out?" Chen Qiang suddenly said, his words echoing everyone's sentiments. They didn't want to stay a moment longer in this eerie tomb.

"Brother Xiang," the fourth brother whispered in Situ Xiang's ear, "Should we take something back with us?"

Situ Xiang sneered, "Do you still dare to take anything from this tomb?"

"Why wouldn't I dare?" the fourth brother said confidently. "Fortune favors the bold, and I don't believe this wretched body can cause any trouble!" But as he spoke, his voice clearly lost its confidence. Qin Wen glanced at him disdainfully and muttered under her breath, "Then take it. You've done all sorts of despicable things anyway, so what difference does a little bit make?"

Although she spoke softly, every word clearly reached Lao Si's ears. Lao Si's face turned angry and he said, "You bitch, what did you say?"

"What I say is none of your business," Qin Wen snorted. The fourth brother was furious and was about to pounce, but Situ Xiang grabbed him: "Fourth brother, don't argue with a little girl."

Shanhu stood to the side, silently watching Qin Wen, who was both angry and reproachful, and was completely stunned. He had lived for nearly thirty years and had been with countless women, but he had never felt anything like this before. He felt as if his eyes no longer belonged to him, following the girl's figure and unable to look away.

"Professor Li, what should we do with Princess Zhaoling's body?" Yin Li asked Professor Li, who was still reeling from the shock of the fiery hell.

"Should we move out together?"

"Yes, of course we must," Professor Li stammered. "The coffin lid is already open, and if we don't take proper measures, the body will decompose quickly. Everyone, come and help us get this coffin out of here."

"Take the coffin with us?" Guo Tong was taken aback. "Professor, we're underground right now."

"At the very least, Princess Zhaoling's body must be taken out of the country!" Professor Li said firmly. "This is a precious cultural relic. China has never had a body preserved so well, and it is rare even in the world. We cannot let her rot here!"

"But……"

“The professor is right.” Yin Li pondered for a moment and said, “If we just watch Princess Zhaoling’s body rot in front of us, we will regret it for the rest of our lives. Everyone, think of a way to get her out of here.”

“Let’s wrap her in a blanket and then hoist her out with a rope,” Bai Yun Ning suggested.

No one objected. The members of the archaeological team were busy moving Princess Zhaoling's body out of the coffin, while Lao Si and Shan Hu were busy stuffing the gold and silver jewelry scattered on the ground into their backpacks.

Yin Li watched quietly as Princess Zhaoling was carried out of the coffin. The red dress made her slightly dizzy. After experiencing so many risks, was her dream about to end? But Princess Zhaoling, what will become of you in the future? Will you lie in a glass vessel like Xin Zhui, left to be watched by others?

A sudden wave of sorrow washed over her. The princess who had once been so noble was now, in the eyes of the world, no more than an antique, just like all the treasures scattered on the ground.

The transport of the princess's body proceeded slowly and methodically. Jack did not stop them, but simply watched silently with a complex expression. Only after the group carried the body out of the tomb passage did the desert winds blow in, bringing an unusually cold chill.

It was already night, but no one knew which night it was. Everyone greedily breathed in the outside air; the sky was high and the clouds were vast, as if in another world.

A chill crept over Yin Li and Qin Wen as they stood on the ruins of the temple, a vague unease creeping into their hearts. The prophecy on the wooden plank resurfaced in their minds: the tomb doors open, bringing fear and disaster to the world. So, is the disaster over?

Chen Qiang and Guo Tong carefully carried the body, a corner of a red skirt hanging down from beneath the heavy blanket, trembling in the wind. At that moment, unease spread rapidly in their hearts like vines.

No, it's not over yet. The disaster that followed the opening of the tomb door is not over yet!

This is just the beginning.

"Xiao Li." Qin Wen hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "There's something I haven't said yet, because I'm afraid it will affect everyone's mood."

"What's up?"

“According to ancient epics,” Qin Wen said, crossing her arms and shivering slightly from the cold wind, leaning closer to Yin Li, “the tombs of the followers of the Shaluo Cult cannot be robbed. They will place the most terrible and vicious curses in their own graves. Those who rob tombs will become sacrifices to the Shaluo evil god, dying in the most cruel and tragic way, never to be reborn!”

33. Jealousy and rivalry

The words "never to be born again" struck Yin Li's heart like a thunderbolt. She suddenly felt dizzy, her legs went weak, and she fell backward. Qin Wen was startled and was about to reach out to catch her when a strong hand appeared out of thin air and caught her firmly by the waist.

Yin Li, whose body was ice-cold, suddenly felt a warmth on her waist. Looking closely, she saw Situ Xiang's icy green eyes. The light shining in his eyes was even more dazzling than his red robes.

"You seem to have caught a cold," Situ Xiang said. "Don't stay out in the cold wind. Go back to the tent and take some cold medicine."

"Thank you." Yin Li, still dazed, returned to her tent with Qin Wen's help. Without even washing up, she crawled into her sleeping bag and fell into a deep sleep.

That night, she slept unusually soundly.

The next day, Yin Li was awakened by a commotion. Her head still throbbed slightly, as if countless ants were crawling inside. Before she could even open her sleepy eyes, Qin Wen rushed in like a whirlwind, exclaiming in alarm, "Xiao Li, no, something terrible has happened!"

"I'm fine," Yin Li said somewhat unhappily. "Is it that guy named Jack who's trying to steal Princess Zhaoling's body? Tell him he can take anything, but not the body! That Uncle Tian is a real pervert; he doesn't like anything but corpses!"

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Qin Wen was so anxious that her forehead was covered in sweat. She grabbed her arm and pulled her outside: "Come quick, all of our cars have had their tires punctured by someone, and now we're stuck!"

"So what if we're trapped? What's the big deal?" Yin Li replied casually, still lying in her sleeping bag. But as soon as the words left her mouth, she realized something was off. After calming down and thinking for a moment, her expression changed drastically, and she sat up as if she had risen from the dead. She grabbed Qin Wen, her eyes widening suddenly: "You... what did you just say? The car tire got punctured?"

"right!"

"Damn it!" Yin Li angrily crawled out of her sleeping bag and said, "What are those bandits trying to do? Are they really going to starve us to death?!"

"They didn't do it," Qin Wen said quickly. "Their tires were punctured too, and we're all trapped!"

"What?!" This shock was immense; Yin Li's face turned deathly pale. They didn't do it? Then who did it? Who wanted to trap them to death in this desert? Who had such a deep-seated hatred for them?

A chilling thought popped into her head, but she immediately dismissed it.

No, no! That's absurd!

Suddenly the door curtain creaked open, and Situ Xiang walked in. He glanced at Qin Wen and said coldly, "Come with me."

"What's wrong?" Qin Wen immediately stepped in front of Yin Li, her body full of vigilance.

“I have something to show you.” Situ Xiang’s voice remained cold. But it softened the moment his eyes met Yin Li’s. “You’ll definitely be interested.”

The two exchanged a glance and followed him out of the tent. The camp was in complete chaos, everyone was filled with fear and despair.

Chen Qiang happened to walk towards them, glanced at the tall Situ Xiang, and hesitated before speaking. Qin Wen asked casually, "Brother Chen, is there something you need?"

"Professor Li said..." Chen Qiang was always quite wary of Situ Xiang. He couldn't help but shiver when he met Situ Xiang's cold gaze, and stammered, "The professor told us... told us to go to the big tent for a meeting about car tires."

Actually, the most important topic of the meeting was how to deal with these tomb raiders, but even if he had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare to say it in front of Situ Xiang. He just kept winking at the two girls.

Qin Wen laughed. The brave and resourceful woman she had been in the tomb passage yesterday was nowhere to be seen. She had reverted to her usual slow-witted and carefree self: "Brother Chen, please tell Professor Li that we have an urgent matter and will be back soon."

“But,” Chen Qiang wanted to say something, but the words were swallowed back down by Situ Xiang’s icy green eyes. “Well, alright then. You, you guys go and come back soon.” Without waiting for a reply, he turned and ran. Qin Wen scratched her head, puzzled. “Is he alright? Why does he look like he’s seen a ghost?”

Yin Li shook her head helplessly, finding it hard to believe that the person she was yesterday and the person she was today were the same person. Does human intelligence really only improve in times of crisis?

Situ Xiang chuckled softly and led the two girls out of the camp. The moment he stepped out of the camp, he suddenly felt a chilling gaze behind him. He turned around sharply, but everything seemed normal, just rows of tents and scorching air.