"Half a mountain?"

Zhang Haiyuan silently glanced at the distant peak. While the mountains here weren't exceptionally high, they were mountains nonetheless.

A tomb that occupies half a mountain would be absolutely massive, perhaps even a necropolis. A tomb of this type would surely drive the experts mad with excitement.

Zhang Haiyuan laughed. "I bet as soon as those people hear there's a tomb here the size of half a mountain, they'll pack up everything and rush over immediately."

"So, you'd better get ready. They'll definitely have questions for you."

After speaking, he stepped aside to continue his phone calls.

Things happened just as Zhang Haiyuan predicted. After the situation was reported up the chain, a process that would normally take several days for a response was completed in just one. A team of archaeologists was already geared up and ready to set out for their village.

Zhang Haiyuan hadn't forgotten Wang Jian's request and made sure to list him as one of the guides, who would also serve as the team's medic. Given what had happened before, having Wang Jian around would make things much safer in case of an emergency.

Before the team arrived, Wang Jian made arrangements for his clinic. Chairman Kang had recently returned to the Kang family estate and wasn't in the village, so the small clinic had to close for two days, giving Wang Jian an unexpected holiday.

If Chairman Kang knew what he was missing, he would definitely regret his decision to go home. The next time he returned, he would bring Peng Qing with him, and Peng Qing would then begin studying under Wang Jian. But that was a story for another time; for now, Wang Jian had to finish his arrangements.

Meanwhile, supplies for the operation were being brought into the village. Li Dayu knew all about it, of course. An official archaeological dig like this was impossible to keep secret. News that a massive tomb had been found in the mountains had already spread.

On the day the experts arrived, many people from neighboring villages came, all hoping to catch a glimpse of the great tomb. They had only ever seen such things on television and never imagined they would encounter one in their own area.

However, they were destined for disappointment. As soon as the group arrived, they immediately proceeded into the mountains under Wang Jian's lead. The people who remained in the village were all logistics personnel, completely uninvolved in the exploration.

Zhang Cheng knew this was a serious matter and even dispatched a team to protect the site from anyone with ulterior motives.

「...」

Deep in the mountains, a team of ten people was heading even further into the wilderness. Not far behind them, dozens more followed, carrying various pieces of equipment.

Among the ten people in the main group were both men and women. Nine of them were dressed in comprehensive climbing gear, with some carrying various instruments. Leading the way was Wang Jian. Unlike the others, he was dressed lightly in everyday clothes.

Zhang Haiyuan was in the group of nine. Standing with him, just behind Wang Jian, was an older professor. Although the professor was only about fifty, his hair was already completely white. His name was simple: Liang Bo.

Liang Bo followed Wang Jian with a zealous fervor. He was one of the few who knew the full story behind the tomb. He understood it was very likely from the same source as the batch of cultural relics they had recovered earlier. If they could verify this, it would be another major discovery in the world of archaeology.

For this reason, he was exceedingly polite to Wang Jian. After all, Wang Jian had not only discovered the tomb but had also reported it instead of looting it secretly, and was now actively guiding them to it. When Zhang Haiyuan mentioned that Wang Jian was a doctor, Liang Bo's already high opinion of him soared.

After they entered the mountains, however, Liang Bo began to have some doubts about Wang Jian's profession. They had been climbing for one or two hours, yet Wang Jian hadn't even broken a sweat. It was preposterous. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

What was even stranger was that Wang Jian moved with such speed, as light on his feet as a swallow. If he weren't leading them, he might very well take flight.

"Mr. Zhang!" Liang Bo gasped for breath, pulling on Zhang Haiyuan's sleeve. "Is this young man really a doctor?"

"He is," Zhang Haiyuan replied, also breathing a little heavily. Mountain climbing was a true test of physical endurance, especially in these undeveloped mountains with no proper trails. "Didn't we visit his clinic before we set out? Doctor Wang isn't just any doctor; he's one of the best in the country. He's the one who saved my life. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be climbing this mountain with you now."

"Really?" It wasn't that Liang Bo disbelieved him, but... "His stamina is incredible. He seems to be in even better shape than you."

Hearing this, the corner of Zhang Haiyuan's mouth twitched. He let out a dry chuckle but didn't answer directly. "All I can tell you is that Doctor Wang is more than just a doctor."

In fact, based on the intelligence they had gathered, Wang Jian's medical skills were superb, and his physical abilities were just as extraordinary. Zhang Haiyuan had investigated Wang Jian's background. Besides his life-saving skills, Wang Jian had also captured armed poachers in these very mountains.

A man like that couldn't be considered an ordinary person.

In any case, whenever Zhang Haiyuan was near Wang Jian, he subconsciously felt that the man was exceptionally powerful. His own combat instincts always screamed at him to keep his distance. This was a conclusion he had only been able to reach after his own enhancement sharpened his senses.

So, when Wang Jian had said he didn't need any climbing gear, Zhang Haiyuan hadn't insisted. He, however, had dutifully followed the others, shouldering a full set of equipment and weapons. After all, the treacherous mountain paths weren't their only concern; the wilderness was also home to all manner of predators and wild beasts.

If they ran into anything, who knew if their small group, plus the crew behind them, would be enough to feed a pack of wild beasts without weapons?

"We're almost there."

Wang Jian, who had clearly overheard their conversation, knew they were nearing the limits of a normal person's endurance and spoke up. "There's a dirt slope ahead. Beneath it is an empty cave. Once inside, you'll see the tomb's entrance."

"However, the cave is sealed. I'll have to trouble you all to find a way inside."

"Don't worry, Doctor Wang," Liang Bo said, audibly exhaling in relief. He chuckled, "Leave that to us. We came prepared the moment we learned the tomb was inside the mountain. Once our scanners map the interior and the rock strata, we can decide whether to blast or dig our way in."

"Blast?" Zhang Haiyuan asked. "Won't that damage what's inside?"

"Rest assured," Liang Bo smiled. "We care about the contents more than you do. I checked the local geological data before we left. The mountain's structure is very stable, so if we calculate the charge correctly, opening a simple entrance won't be a problem.

"Besides, according to Doctor Wang, there's a huge cave outside the tomb door. We won't even be touching the burial chamber itself, which makes it even safer."

"But I do have one question," Liang Bo asked. "Doctor Wang, are you certain there's a tomb here?"

They had arrived at the location Wang Jian mentioned, but as Liang Bo and his students scanned the area, they found no cave, no markings—nothing at all to indicate a tomb lay buried beneath their feet.