King of Tomb Raiders

Chapter 17

The Second Underground Horror

— Chapter 8 — Military Intervention —

"Brother Feng, I'm so sorry. We were in a meeting all night. Things were so tense that we didn't realize you weren't in the guest room until just now..." Her eyes were bloodshot, and her face was pale. She hadn't washed or groomed herself at all.

I sat down on the sofa, every bone in my body aching terribly. The cold, damp air of the desert night was extremely damaging to the body; I just hoped it wouldn't leave any lasting health problems. Last night's performance was absolutely terrible; thinking about it made me blush a little.

"Has the military intervened? What exactly do they mean?" I asked directly.

The excavation of the pyramids was thwarted, and before anything was even started, people from all walks of life flocked to the site, making the situation seem somewhat ridiculous.

"The military received information from an unknown source that mysterious weapons from prehistoric times were preserved in the Pyramid of Tulku Khan. Therefore, the Egyptian Defense Forces Desert Corps, led by General Thames, issued an ultimatum: all military weapons within Egypt belong to the Egyptian military, and no one may conceal or transfer them for any reason; otherwise, they will be punished for treason and endangering national security."

I couldn't help but laugh: "Prehistoric times? Weapons? Doesn't this match up perfectly with the recording of the conversation between the Japanese man, Toshio Watanabe?"

I originally thought only the Japanese would believe in these baseless myths, but I never expected that even the Egyptian military would be so roused by these absurd rumors.

Suren stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, pulled his thick bathrobe tighter around himself, and said, his humor gone, "Regardless of whether there are any prehistoric weapons in the pyramids, the problem now is that General Tainan has sent someone to join our ranks. Only one person came, Lu Jiachan. You should know that name, right?"

My smile froze instantly, because Lu Jiacan's name was already known throughout the United States. He had served as the chief national security advisor and head of the bodyguard team for both Presidents Bush and Clinton, and was a top-tier counter-terrorism expert who gave terrorists around the world a headache.

"I only knew that Lu Jiacan disappeared after President Clinton left office. I didn't expect him to have returned to Egypt?"

I hold this legendary, mythical figure in the highest esteem, and to have the opportunity to collaborate with him would be an immense honor. However, the scalpel's words instantly plunged me into an icy abyss: "Feng, this time we can't be collaborators; we're absolute competitors, do you understand?"

He stood with his hands in his pockets at the entrance to the terrace, looking as exhausted as Suren.

"Given the military's involvement, given General Tainan's consistent style, he'll monopolize all the benefits, showing absolutely no regard for honor. Therefore, we must take covert preventative measures to ensure the excavation proceeds smoothly while preventing the spoils from falling into the military's hands..."

After a short break, Scalpel, Suren, and I gathered again for an emergency consultation.

In fact, the three of us would form a tight-knit group, excluding the Tang Clan of Sichuan, the military, and Elder Sahan. According to Scalpel's plan, whatever is inside the Turkic Khan pyramid, we will be the first to possess it. Now I understand; transferring the excavation rights to the pyramids was merely Scalpel's ploy of feigned indifference.

"I've been preparing for this excavation for four years, during which time I've asked Elder Sahan for help with research more than once. I just consulted him, and the strange events in the tunnel are indeed the work of the illusion demon—"

I couldn't help but laugh again, because I always felt that it was really ridiculous for three 21st-century tomb raiding experts to be seriously discussing some "illusion demon" here.

"What can we do then? Can he exorcise demons? Or chant incantations and draw talismans?" These are essential tricks for charlatans. In an instant, I thought of the strange and eerie Sen, my face changed drastically, and I suddenly fell silent.

"That's right, he is indeed going to the camp to subdue the illusion demon!"

Suren and I exchanged glances, looking at each other several times. We were both highly educated atheists, and didn't seem to believe that a few incantations or talismans could have the magical power to defeat all evil forces.

At this moment, we are in the study of the scalpel, and there is no longer any leisure to drink. Each of us has a document on the Turks' pyramids in front of us.

At this point, the only thing left out was the problem of the "Hidden Mist One-Sword Style" assassin that Suren encountered.

"Could they be Gu Ye's accomplices? Where do they live in this vast desert? If they are also Gu Ye's people, why don't they enter the camp together? Besides, Gu Ye knows that Su Lun is the sister of the Scalpel, so why would he dare to have someone attack Su Lun?"

I pointed to the red telephone on the corner of the table and raised my chin: "Make a call, and everything will be clear, right?"

I have almost no expectations of the Japanese people's credibility.

The scalpel hesitated for a moment, then picked up a pencil and drew a few lines on the desert map, lost in thought: "Feng, do you know? Bancha's identity in Thailand isn't just that of a tomb raiding expert; he's also a director of the Tropical Jungle Witchcraft Association. He seems impulsive and reckless, but most of it is just an act. Could those ninja assassins be his men?"

"You mean—" A surge of joy swept through me.

"What I mean is, Gu Ye and Ban Cha are only superficially united, and they might each lead a force into the desert. What do you think?"

Suren and I applauded simultaneously, marveling at the scalpel's ingenious idea. I had been overlooking Bancha's existence. Looking back, each of the top 100 tomb raiders probably had a whole team behind them; it was impossible for one person to venture into the world alone.

Therefore, it seems that sowing discord between Tano and Bancha is the key to defeating them.

From the very beginning, I found the conditions proposed by Tanino unacceptable.

Fewer than a thousand artifacts from Atlantis exist worldwide. Many sources suggest that piecing together the inscriptions on these fragments could potentially lead to the submerged ruins of an ancient city. This is indeed a captivating and unprecedented event, one that stirs the blood just to think about it.

When I was in school, I swore that one day I would surpass my older brother Yang Tian in achievements and fame, and become the second "King of Tomb Raiders" on Earth.

The sun was high in the sky, and the birds around the terrace began to sing again.

Last night, none of the three of us had a good night. We all yawned deeply at the same time, then looked at each other and burst into laughter. The more adversity and pressure we face, the more we should let ourselves laugh to relieve some of the stress.

"Mr. Scalpel—"

The scalpel waved its hand, cutting me off: "Call me brother, just like Suren! From now on, the three of us are an unbreakable unit. Let's continue the investigation until... we find the 'King of Tomb Raiders'—"

It seems he still stubbornly believes that his elder brother Yang Tian is alive?

The servant brought me hot coffee, its aroma filling the air and instantly invigorating me.

"Today, I will contact Gu Ye and prepare to ask Master Sahan to go to the camp tunnel to break the illusion demon, clear the obstacles, and enter the Tu Liehan Pyramid as soon as possible." The scalpel's words were brief. He gulped down a large cup of coffee, stood up, and vigorously twisted his waist and swung his arms, as if trying to drive away all the fatigue in his body.

I felt Suren's eyes glancing at the scalpel out of the corner of her eye, with a hint of doubt in them.

"I'll make a call. You two discuss the next steps after entering the camp. The most crucial point is to ensure Elder Sahan's safety. He is currently the only expert capable of killing the 'Illusion Demon'."

The sound of the scalpel quickly faded into the distance. I couldn't help but shrug and shake my head with a smile: "Surren, do you believe in such absurd things as 'Illusion Demons'?"

Suren pulled her coat tighter, buried her face in her coffee cup, and answered in a low, muffled voice, "Why wouldn't you believe it? You know, nothing in this world, no legend, comes from nowhere. For example, the 'time reversal' or 'shining' that are currently being hotly debated by the International Paranormal Association—more and more evidence suggests that these two things are real—"

For a moment, I sensed a sense of bewilderment and helplessness in her sadness.

"Brother Feng, have you noticed that something's wrong with you?" She brushed her hair away from her forehead, her voice melancholy and uneasy. She didn't look up, using her coffee cup to hide her expression.

"Strange?" I blinked. Ever since I arrived in Cairo and became involved in the deal between Tano and the Scalpel, every day has felt abnormal. In such a rapidly changing environment, it's perfectly normal for anyone's thoughts to be somewhat abnormal.

"Suren, what did you find?"

Suren fell silent, curling up into a ball.

Soft footsteps echoed down the corridor, and another servant in white entered carrying a large silver tray with hot milk and bread on it.

"Suren, have something to eat! We'll have a lot to do today!" I stood on the terrace, exhaling a deep breath towards the sun. The lush green plants on the terrace emitted a faint, sweet fragrance that invigorated me.

In the courtyard in front of the main building, Elder Sahan, accompanied by Youlian, was slowly strolling on the grass. Youlian was still wearing that strange gray robe, looking more like a bat than a ghost exposed to the sunlight. The fountain on the side of the lawn shot hundreds of tiny, clear water droplets into the sky, creating colorful rainbows in the sunlight.

I noticed a slightly worn Mercedes-Benz parked inconspicuously next to a banana tree in front of the main building. A middle-aged man in a gray suit was wiping the car window with a rag. He had his back to me, focused intently on cleaning the car, his movements careful and quick, but the moment I saw him, my nerves tightened, as if my eyes were being stung.

"Suren, is he... the car washer...?"

He had his back to me, and he gave me the feeling of a giant South China tiger or a Nile crocodile lurking in the shadows, every pore of his body radiating immeasurable danger. Only a true master could naturally exude such a surging murderous aura.

The Second Underground Horror

— Chapter 9 — Fujika's Disappearance —

Suren did not get up from his seat, but sighed softly: "That is Lu Jiacan, an... omnipotent master."

Actually, I could tell in my heart who he was. This legendary figure, hated and feared by terrorists around the world, would probably become the biggest obstacle to our operation.

Tang Xin, Tiger, and Song Jiu strolled over from one side of the grass and stood by the crystal fountain pool.

Tiger said something that made Tang Xin laugh softly. Her voice was like the most melodious camel bell in a desert caravan, drifting leisurely through the courtyard.

The laughter also caught Lu Jiacan's attention. He stopped wiping the car and slowly turned around. Even in a safe environment, he executed this small turn flawlessly, without a single flaw. If I were his enemy, I would find it extremely difficult to find even the slightest path to attack.

Suddenly, Song Jiu twisted his body like a snake, blocking Tang Xin's path. Through the dazzling spray of water, he met Lu Jiacan's gaze, as if that ordinary glance was equivalent to two sharp arrows piercing the air. His soft sword shot out with a whoosh, embedding itself between the water columns in mid-air, and then the movement froze instantly.

In a battle between masters, victory or defeat is often decided in an instant. Song Jiu's speed and quickness of response truly exceeded my expectations. For example, his sword-drawing move just now was as fast as a dragonfly skimming the water. However, compared to the unmoved Lu Jiacan, he seemed too insignificant and too immature, because the opponent only glanced in his direction, which forced him to hastily draw his sword to meet the attack.

A palpable tension and hostility were spreading unnoticed in the courtyard, causing Master Sahan and Youlian to stop and watch.

At that very moment, a Mitsubishi Jeep sped towards the villa at an insane speed on the road outside. In the blink of an eye, it reached the gate and, without slowing down, roared straight toward the main building. Then, the heart-wrenching screech of tires screeching against the ground could be heard in the air.

The door opened, and to my horror, it was Tani himself who jumped out of the driver's seat.

"Mr. Scalpel! Mr. Scalpel—" He cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted at the top of his lungs, hunching over the door as if he would collapse at any moment without the support of the car door.

"Something's happened, Suren, let's go down!" I grabbed Suren's arm, not having time to go up the stairs, and jumped directly off the terrace. At the same time, I used my arms to support Suren under her armpits, like a wire stuntman on a movie set, and we floated down lightly. We touched the bluestone eaves on the first floor to dissipate the huge impact inertia, landed lightly, and then put Suren, whom I was half-holding, down on the ground.

This light-footed skill was extremely skillful, but unfortunately everyone's attention was on Gu Ye, and they had no interest in watching my movements.

The scalpel had already rushed out the door and leaped down the steps.

Of all the people, the one who approached Gu Ye first was actually the one who was furthest away. His left hand rested on Gu Ye's Adam's apple, while his right middle finger swiftly jabbed Gu Ye's right temple, followed by a palm strike to Gu Ye's carotid artery at the back of his neck. The two movements were executed in one fluid motion, completed in the blink of an eye.

Gu Ye rolled his eyes and collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Everyone present was a master, and they all understood that Lu Jiacan was using an extremely dangerous and extraordinary method to stimulate Gu Ye's body's self-rescue system so that he could quickly regain consciousness.

At this moment, only Song Jiu remained standing by the pool, motionless in his sword-drawing posture.

Lu Jiacan raised his face to Tang Xin: "Little sister, is that brother your friend? Please tell him that I have no hostility towards you."

He had the typical features of an Egyptian native, slightly dark-skinned, with eyes that were neither large nor bright, and his eyebrows, nose, mouth, and ears were all quite ordinary. If it weren't for the occasional surge of murderous intent emanating from him, I reckon he could have easily blended into the crowd on any street in Egypt and been easily forgotten.

His hands were quite ordinary; they were neither as rough and hard as those of a master of external martial arts, nor as smooth and even as those of a master of internal martial arts—just the most ordinary hands.

The theme I want to express is that the famous Lu Jiacan, on the surface, is just an ordinary character, like an ordinary Egyptian civilian in his early forties.

Tang Xin nodded expressionlessly, took a few steps back, and left the crowd. Then, she pressed her left elbow joint on the outside of her arm without making a sound and let out a very long breath.

The reason I paid so much attention to her was entirely because of that highly venomous silver-scaled white snake. If I'm not mistaken, the little creature was hidden in her sleeve. Few in the martial arts world dared to openly antagonize the Tang Clan of Sichuan; these masters, laced with poison, possessed unimaginable destructive power.

Suren quietly tugged at my sleeve, gesturing for me to look into the car.

Looking through the car window, I saw a dozen or so maps and no fewer than ten thick, yellowed books haphazardly piled up on the back seat. I remembered that before retreating from the camp, I had glimpsed Fujika flipping through one of these ancient books in Tanino's tent.

We also stepped out of the crowd, our brows furrowing simultaneously: "What on earth happened? What could have driven Gu Ye so mad? That he would drive all the way to the villa by himself?"

When my gaze fell on Elder Sahan again, I thought of his mind-reading ability: "If he were to place his palm on Gu Ye's head right now, would he be able to read Gu Ye's thoughts sooner?"

Suren asked in a low voice, "Brother Feng, I think... I think someone must have gone missing in the camp, and it must be someone important..."

Girls often have an exceptionally strong sixth sense, and their premonitions are more than 80% accurate.

"A big shot? Bancha, Fujika, or Watanabe Toshio?" We can't rule out the possibility that the high-ranking Japanese official returned to the camp after we left.

"I guess it's... Teng Jia! Yes, it's her, it must be her!" Suren lowered his eyes, his hands clasped in front of his chest, as if he were in deep meditation. This sixth sense was inexplicable; it was just a sudden flash of inspiration.

For some reason, I also had a strong premonition that if any important figure had gone missing from the camp, it must be Fujika. Since the Tanino group had brought these ancient books all the way from Japan, they must contain a great secret, and it must be a secret about the Turkic pyramids.

"Ah—" Gu Ye suddenly woke up from his coma and let out a thunderous roar. He jumped up like a fully inflated balloon, his feet more than two feet off the ground.

"Gong—" That was the first word he uttered. If Lu Jiacan hadn't slapped him on the waist in time, Gu Ye would probably have leaped into the air. After the slap, Gu Ye's body quickly went limp again, and the rush of air that had been rushing out of his mouth quickly dissipated, leaving him slumped between Lu Jiacan's palms.

Lu Jiacan revealed this superb martial art, similar to "pressure point striking" in Chinese Kung Fu, which made me secretly admire him once again.

"Princess—no, no, it's Miss Fujika who's missing! And Mr. Scalpel… Hurry… Go save her…"

I was stunned for a moment, then it dawned on me: "The one who went missing was indeed Teng Jia! A princess? What kind of princess was she?"

Gu Ye began to regain his composure, gripping the car door with one hand and pointing at the scalpel with the other: "Mr. Scalpel, Miss Fujika is missing in the tunnel. Please go and rescue her. Please go immediately, no matter what..."

I noticed that Tanino had made a slip of the tongue in his extremely excited, semi-conscious state, saying the word "princess".

Suren murmured repeatedly, "Princess? Princess? Which family's princess is she?" In Japan, only the Emperor's sisters or daughters are called "princess," and as everyone knows, the current Emperor does not have a sister or daughter of similar age to Fujika. Therefore, Tanino's words were even more perplexing.