Chapter 1788 - 2090: Tomb Cluster (2)
"Let’s check inside." After speaking, Chen Younian walked straight into the cave. The cave was spacious, but inside there was only one stone coffin. The group gathered around the coffin, scrutinizing it keenly. Soon, Ling Chen, with sharp eyes, noticed that there were several lines of small characters engraved on the side of the coffin. Although the script was unrecognizable, they could identify the numbers engraved above.
The numbers were an ancient numeral system known as counting rod numerals, very simple. Behind the few lines of small characters, three of these symbols were engraved, presumed to be three, seven, and four. After these three numeral symbols, there was an additional small character.
"Brother, you’re more knowledgeable. Do you think this character is ’year’?" Ling Chen asked.
Ling Gengqiu leaned closer, looked intently, and nodded, "Judging by the shape, it does resemble the ancient ’year’ character."
"So, does it mean three hundred seventy-four years?"
"What does three hundred seventy-four years represent?" Chen Younian asked from the side. "Is it the year of his death or does it mean something else?"
"I’m not sure." Ling Chen shook his head and said, "If we can decipher the meaning of the other characters, we could understand what the numbers signify."
"Alright! Don’t waste time here," He Honggang interjected, continuing down the tunnel.
Not far along, the group saw another cave, with arrangements similar to before, containing only a coffin. It stands to reason, this place is a tomb group and surely holds many coffins. Furthermore, there were several lines of small characters engraved on the side of the coffin, Ling Chen glanced and murmured, "Five hundred forty-three years... What does this mean?"
"Should we open the coffin for a look?" Chen Qinghua suggested.
However, not many agreed with the suggestion. Firstly, opening the coffin would be time-consuming, and secondly, nobody knew what lay inside the coffin and what could happen if there were dangers.
"Let’s go," He Honggang threw out the words and continued through the passage. Along the way, they encountered many similar caves, each burying one individual. Everyone was walking in front, except Ling Chen and Chen Junfeng who stayed behind. Perhaps to validate his thoughts, Ling Chen entered each cave and examined the numbers engraved on the coffins.
After checking over a dozen caves, Ling Chen’s face showed signs of unease. Ling Gengqiu turned back and glanced at Ling Chen at the rear, seeing his odd expression, he asked, "What’s wrong, do you feel unwell?"
"No," Ling Chen shook his head, his face showing a hint of hesitation. Seeing this, Ling Gengqiu stopped and asked, "Just say whatever it is."
"I think I know what those numbers on the coffins represent."
Upon hearing this, those ahead stopped and looked at Ling Chen, asking, "Are you sure?"
"Have you noticed that there’s only this passage in the tomb group, and those caves are built along both sides of the passage? Simply put, we can regard this tomb group as a private cemetery. Within a family, if someone dies, they are surely buried furthest inside and then sequentially afterwards according to order. Earlier, I considered what those numbers represented, wondering if they marked their year of death. But I realized the intervals of those numbers are long and not in sequence. The earlier coffin at the furthest outside was marked with three hundred seventy-four years, but the one I just examined reads four hundred fifty-one years, implying those numbers do not represent the year of death."
After listening to Ling Chen’s analysis, He Honggang spoke, "Just tell us directly, what do those numbers mean."
"Longevity," Ling Chen slowly uttered, explaining, "If I’m correct, these numbers should represent each person’s lifespan. Mr. He, before coming here, didn’t you tell us that this tomb group could reveal the secret of people like you? Given that, I believe my guess is accurate, everyone buried here is like you."
As he finished speaking, He Honggang and the others instantly looked grim. Ling Chen’s deduction was plausible, leaving them no room for argument. Thinking of the caves they passed upon entering made them all look shocked. If Ling Chen’s theory was true, then they were not rare entities at all. There might be many more people like them worldwide.
Nevertheless, they were more intrigued about why these individuals were all buried in one place. Could it be that... these individuals came from the same tribe?
During his contemplation, He Honggang suddenly quickened his pace, swiftly heading deeper into the tunnel. After hearing Ling Chen’s words, he was even more eager to uncover the secret within this tomb group. However, not far along, Chen Younian suddenly caught up to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. Feeling his action, He Honggang turned and asked, "What are you doing?"
"Mr. He, now that we’re here, shouldn’t you explain things clearly?" Chen Younian questioned, "I’ve always been curious, how exactly do you know about this tomb group? And why are you so assured that we’re here to find the secret of immortality?"
He Honggang frowned slightly and said, "I don’t think this is the right time for such discussions. Don’t forget, there are pursuers after us. After we get out, I will explain the whole story to you."
"Sorry! I can’t wait that long, you better tell us now. Since it’s a collaboration, there should be honesty; otherwise, how can you expect us to trust you." As he spoke, Chen Younian turned his gaze to Ling Gengqiu beside him and asked, "What do you think?"
Ling Gengqiu nodded and said, "Mr. He, having traveled together for so long, it’s time you share the truth with us. If you’re unwilling to talk, we’ll have no choice but to head back. As for the secrets you spoke of, you’ll have to uncover them yourself; we aren’t keen on risking our lives here obliviously."
Facing the resolute tone from Chen Younian and Ling Gengqiu, He Honggang’s face fell, saying, "We’ve come so far, do you really want to give up?"
"Hmph!" Chen Younian chuckled coldly, saying, "Mr. He, we’ve made ourselves clear. Whether we continue collaborating or separate, depends on your cooperation."
After a brief silence, He Honggang finally said, "Fine, since you want to know, I’ll be brief. I’ve told you before, the Guardians of Qiu Nanshan are not secluded; they maintain contact with the outside world. Moreover, they periodically send people to study in the outside world. My awareness of this tomb group is due to this..."