Chapter 52: A Woman?

As soon as he finished speaking, the others fell silent. It was evident that although these people were involved in something far from simple, they still retained a strong air of academia; the moment they heard their teacher had arrived, they all instinctively assumed a serious demeanor.

These scenes were utterly incredible. I felt that this… could not be real. At least from my and Fatty’s perspective, it was absolutely impossible for this to be happening. But as Fatty had said, what you see is the truth, and you should believe it. Yet, at this very moment, even Fatty’s expression was filled with fear and doubt. Perhaps any theory, or even the truth itself, is subject to change when certain events occur.

Right now, I stared wide-eyed, waiting for Professor Chen and Qi Hui to crawl out of that robber hole. A few minutes later, a head emerged. I scrutinized his face, recognizing with a sense of despair that the man was indeed Qi Hui. After emerging from the hole, Qi Hui turned back and reached inside.

"Teacher, be careful," Yang Lang shouted toward the hole, and the others gathered around.

I thought to myself that these people in front of me were already dead. Even if I couldn't explain all of this, I could at least tell myself I was seeing their spirits. But was Professor Chen also dead? I felt that while such a possibility existed in an ancient tomb, it was unlikely, because Peanut was by his side. Since Professor Chen was his uncle, Peanut would surely protect him no matter what.

On second thought, I realized my trust in Peanut had reached the point of superstition. But my previous trip to the tomb of the King of Yelang was an example; although Professor Chen was old, his experience was far superior to mine. Therefore, I felt he should still be alive. Perhaps all of this was some kind of playback of time.

It often seems that humanity has invaded every corner of this world, yet there are still far too many things we do not know that are constantly occurring. I know scientists have confirmed that in places with unique magnetic fields, we can hear sounds from the distant past, or even see strange images. No one knows the exact reason, but time, space, and existence are far more complex than we imagine—it is just that we, busy with chasing fame and fortune, have no time to care about such things.

Not long after, the group gradually dispersed from the mouth of the robber hole.

"Cough, cough… sigh, I'm getting old. I didn't expect to be the last one in."

Professor Chen’s voice truly rang out among the crowd. I didn't see him at first, so I shifted my gaze. But strangely, after searching for a while, I still couldn't see a trace of him. I panicked slightly. Hadn't I just heard his voice? Why… could he still be in the hole?

However, I observed those people closely and found that Yang Lang and the other students were all staring in a certain direction within the burial chamber.

"Professor, don't be so modest," A-Wei said with a chuckle, looking toward that same spot. "If it were anyone else your age, let alone crawling here, even asking them to squeeze in would be no easy task."

"Exactly. It's not that you're old; it’s that I was blocking the way and holding you back," Qi Hui said, setting down his backpack and looking in that same direction.

I stared at the spot they were facing—there was nothing there. Yet, each of their eyes seemed fixed upon a person, displaying various expressions. My heart hammered against my ribs. Could it be that Professor Chen was standing right there, but I simply couldn't see him?

I looked up sharply at Fatty and immediately realized he was looking at me with the same terrified expression. There was no need to ask; Fatty was seeing exactly what I was seeing.

"Heh, heh, let’s not talk about that," Professor Chen’s voice sounded again, yet the chamber remained empty of his figure. "According to the information from that young girl, this is indeed the tomb of Zhuge Ke."

The voice paused for a moment, as if the Professor were looking around. The others’ gazes slowly drifted along the same path.

"Hmph, the Zhuge clan was truly remarkable in those days. If Luo Guanzhong had dedicated more space to them in *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, the world would know more than just Zhuge Kongming today. Alas, Zhuge Ke lacked the composure of his uncle and father; instead of learning, he insisted on studying the 'Daluo Feng Shui' and ended up like this. He brought it upon himself."

As Professor Chen’s voice faded, the others began to walk around the room. Shortly after, Yang Lang said, "Professor, there’s nothing special here, just a high metal reading from the coffin. I believe what we’re looking for must have been taken into the coffin by Zhuge Ke."

"No rush," Professor Chen’s voice replied. "According to that young girl, Zhuge Xuan, when those people captured Zhuge Ke back then, they forced him to reveal the secrets he knew, but he refused to speak even in death, and they couldn't do anything about it. However, they knew Zhuge Ke wasn't alone, so they buried him beneath a 'Witch Tomb.' Anyone who came looking for what he left behind would surely die there. Let us examine this carefully before we take any action."

"Professor Chen, what is a 'Witch Tomb'?" Zhang Yaxi asked.

"A so-called Witch Tomb is a particularly malicious burial method used in decoy tombs. Without affecting the Feng Shui, they create a false tomb—a decoy—to trap the unwary. Such things are usually only seen in imperial mausoleums. For those people to go to such lengths to deal with Zhuge Ke’s associates shows they understood the power of Daluo Feng Shui. It is a pity that the Eastern Wu dynasty was already at its end; doing this was merely a death throe."

"Then the background of that girl, Zhuge Xuan, probably isn't as simple as she claims, is it? Why does she know all of this so clearly?" Wei Lin asked.

"It doesn't matter. Since the young lady asked us not to ask, then let's not," Professor Chen’s voice replied. He then added, "Yang Lang, you stay here and keep looking. Wei Lin, take the others and search outside. Remember, do not go beyond the stone tablet."

Hearing that Professor Chen wanted him to lead the team, Wei Lin looked thrilled. He glared at Yang Lang, then looked at the empty air in front of him and said, "Don't worry, Professor Chen."

With a grand wave of his hand, he smugly led the others out of the chamber.

Now, only Yang Lang and the seemingly present Professor Chen remained. I pondered the situation, suddenly feeling it might actually prove that Professor Chen wasn't dead. Could it really be a playback of time?

After the chamber fell silent, Yang Lang suddenly placed the machine in his hand on the ground. He stretched his neck slightly, as if loosening his muscles, and then I heard him whisper: "Old Chen, your students have quite the ambition."

"This..."

I couldn't help but groan. As soon as the sound escaped my throat, I wanted to hide behind the wall, but Fatty held me back. I was certain I would be discovered, but looking again, Yang Lang didn't react at all.

I gasped for air, forcing myself to calm down. That moment had been so sudden that I couldn't suppress my shock, because the voice Yang Lang had just used was unmistakably that of… a woman.