Volume Two – The General’s Tomb Chapter Eighteen – The Origin of the General’s Tomb

“A general’s tomb from the Song Dynasty?”

Upon hearing this, Li Kun and I spoke in unison, then exchanged a glance. I asked, “What’s the story behind this general’s tomb?”

Xu Tian continued, “This general’s tomb is more legend than fact. It was only discovered after an old man died. Few people ever go to Liu Xin Mountain because it’s so remote, so the place remained hidden for a long time.”

“But someone eventually found traces up on the mountain. After word of the general’s tomb spread, many grave robbers flocked to Liu Xin Mountain, eager to see for themselves. Yet none of those who entered the tomb ever made it out with any treasure.”

Hearing this, I drew in a sharp breath and said, “It seems this general’s tomb is no simple place.”

Xu Tian nodded. “It’s far from simple. I’ve heard that more than twenty grave robbers have gone—each one a master of their craft. Some were skilled in Daoist arts, others were experts in feng shui and finding dragon veins, and some were adept at engineering traps. Yet all of them died inside.”

Li Kun leaned forward slightly. “It sounds like there are countless traps in that tomb. Otherwise, so many people wouldn’t have perished there.”

I nodded. “Yes. If we decide to go, we must be extremely careful. But since others have paved the way, most of the traps shouldn’t be a major concern.”

Xu Tian asked, “Oh? Why do you say that?”

I explained, “The ancient traps are designed to reset in cycles. Take the arrow array, for example. When someone triggers it, you can hear the mechanism activating in the passage, and then, in the next instant, steel arrows rain down.”

“These kinds of traps have strengths and weaknesses. The advantage is that the arrows fire so quickly that it’s almost impossible to dodge. But the weakness is crucial to our plan.”

Li Kun asked, “Oh? How so?”

I went on, “Each arrow array is set to attack in groups. If you probe the mechanism and trigger all the arrows in that group, the device will then cycle to the next set.”

“There’s a significant delay while the array resets. We can use that window to dash through.”

Li Kun added, “There’s another point.”

Xu Tian and I turned to look at him. He said, “The grave robbers who went before us must have set off some of the traps. If that’s the case, the arrows in those traps must eventually run out.”

I nodded. “They’ll be depleted eventually. But don’t forget, there are surely more traps in the tomb than just the arrow arrays.”

Li Kun nodded, and Xu Tian said, “Old Liu, are you two planning to visit the general’s tomb in Liushan Valley?”

Li Kun and I nodded. I replied, “That’s right. We plan to check out Liu Xin Mountain first.”

Xu Tian frowned thoughtfully, then said, “If your minds are made up, I won’t try to dissuade you. In that case, let me prepare whatever you need. I may not be an expert in grave robbing, but you can count on me for all your supplies.”

I smiled. “That’s exactly what I was hoping to hear.”

Xu Tian laughed, “We’re all friends here. If you need anything else, just tell me. As long as it’s within my means, I won’t refuse.”

At that moment, Li Kun poured some water and finally voiced the question that had been on his mind. “Old Xu, what exactly does your family do?”

Xu Tian smiled. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Seeing Xu Tian wasn’t willing to elaborate, Li Kun didn’t press further—just scratched his head and downed his water.

I turned to Xu Tian. “Old Xu, what else do you know about the general’s tomb?”

Xu Tian sighed. “To be honest, my grandfather sent a team there a few years back, after hearing about the grand tomb in Liu Xin Mountain.”

Li Kun and I were both taken aback and looked at Xu Tian in unison.

He continued, “Eight years ago, my grandfather had already retired from searching for dragon veins or grave robbing. The old man wasn’t as spry as before.”

“But when he heard of the general’s tomb, he couldn’t resist the urge to go himself. Unfortunately his leg was giving him trouble at the time, so he stayed behind.”

Xu Tian paused. “It’s a good thing he didn’t go. Who knows what might have happened otherwise.”

Li Kun, growing impatient, asked, “So what happened then?”

Xu Tian continued, “Though my grandfather didn’t go in person, he sent his three most capable men. One was the last disciple of a close friend, skilled in geomancy. Another was a master grave robber. The third was my grandfather’s personal bodyguard.”

I asked, puzzled, “A bodyguard?”

Xu Tian nodded. “I never knew him well myself, but my grandfather always had him along. The man barely spoke—I’ve never heard him say a word. Maybe he was mute for all I know.”

Li Kun and I exchanged a look, sensing Xu Tian’s annoyance with this bodyguard—perhaps the man had once rubbed Xu Tian the wrong way.

Li Kun asked, “Did any of the three make it out alive?”

Xu Tian shook his head. “No, all three were top experts, but none returned from the general’s tomb alive. If you two are intent on going, you must stay on high alert. At the first sign of trouble, get out immediately. Otherwise…”

He trailed off, but Li Kun and I understood his warning.

I said, “Don’t worry. At the slightest sign of trouble, we’ll pull out. Besides, this tomb might be a deadly puzzle to others, but perhaps not so much for me.”

Xu Tian looked at me. “Old Liu, how confident are you about this trip?”

I raised one hand, showing five fingers. “Fifty percent.”

Li Kun jumped up. “What? Only fifty percent?”

Xu Tian also became anxious. “Old Liu, I’m not exaggerating. There’s something unclean in that tomb.”

I nodded and gestured for Li Kun to sit down, saying calmly, “Relax. Even if a corpse jumps out of the coffin, I have a way to handle it.”

As I spoke, and as curiosity filled both Li Kun and Xu Tian’s faces, I slowly reached my hand into my coat.