Chapter 60

Chapter 60

Two hours later, Su Hua, Shen Yuan, and the others stepped off the plane.

Someone was waiting at the airport to pick them up. The group piled into a car and endured a bumpy ride all the way to Longyao Village, located in an ancient city in the northwest.

The large tomb was situated at the foot of a mountain behind the village called Longyao Mountain.

Generally, places with names like Longyao Village, Tianjing Village, or Shiyong Village-as well as mountain ranges with the word ‘grave’ in them, such as Laofen Mountain or Huafen Mountain, or place names containing ‘ling’ like Jiangling and Lanling-were likely to harbor ancient tombs.

Longyao Mountain was nestled among a cluster of peaks, surrounded by mountains on all sides with a massive lake sprawling before it. Although remote, it was a prime location with excellent feng shui.

Led by the reception staff, Su Hua and Shen Yuan arrived near the ancient burial site on Longyao Mountain. The area was desolate and sparsely populated.

The great tomb had already been halfway excavated.

The lead archaeologist for this project was the renowned contemporary historian and archaeologist, Professor Gu Mo. He led a group of team members to greet Su Hua.

Professor Gu looked to be in his fifties or sixties, with salt-and-pepper hair. His angular face was framed by black-rimmed glasses, and the eyes behind the lenses sparkled with wisdom.

When he saw Su Hua, a flash of surprise crossed Professor Gu’s eyes. He hadn’t expected her to be so young and beautiful.

In his experience, exceptionally beautiful girls were often like vases-decorative but lacking substance.

The team members standing behind him were even more struck. Their eyes went wide as they stared at Su Hua, their expressions filled with sheer amazement.

It wasn’t entirely their fault. The archaeological team worked in the field year-round. They rarely saw a glimpse of any woman, let alone a young woman as ethereal as Su Hua.

Professor Gu was the first to snap out of it. He cleared his throat into a closed fist and extended his right hand with a smile. “Welcome, Expert Su.”

Being addressed by such a formal title made Su Hua feel quite self-conscious. She politely shook his hand and said, “Professor Gu, please, just call me Xiao Su.”

Professor Gu replied solemnly, “No, you are the cultural relic restoration expert specifically invited by our team. We should address you properly.”

Su Hua didn’t push the matter. She glanced at the tomb entrance behind him and asked, “Can we start now?”

Seeing how efficient she was-wanting to head straight into the tomb without even taking a break-Professor Gu couldn’t help but look at her with newfound respect. He had assumed that because she looked so delicate, she wouldn’t be able to handle the hardship.

“We can.” Professor Gu signaled for someone to bring her a mask and specialized shoes.

Su Hua took them, put on the mask, and leaned over to change her shoes. She then followed Professor Gu down into the burial chamber.

The Warring States Tomb was dug deep, over ten meters underground. The air inside the chamber was eerie and somber, the temperature significantly colder than on the surface.

Su Hua couldn’t help but shiver.

Because this was a rescue excavation, they were racing against time, and parts of the chambers were still being dug out. Since they were short-staffed, they had hired several local villagers to help.

Many archaeologists were crouched on the ground, using brushes to sweep dust off pottery jars. They were all men.

Professor Gu pointed to the mottled murals on the walls. “When the tomb was first opened, these murals were in full color and absolutely stunning. However, they oxidized rapidly upon contact with oxygen. Before I even had a chance to take photos, they faded to this state. It’s a pity.”

Su Hua observed the murals on the wall intently. Although the colors had faded into dull, ancient hues, she could still see that the original artist possessed immense skill. Much of the wisdom of the ancients was difficult for later generations to surpass.

Shen Yuan stared at the murals and sighed regretfully. “Our Sister Hua’s brain works better than a camera. She can memorize everything with just one look and paint an exact replica. They should have invited her sooner.”

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of admiration flashed in Professor Gu’s eyes. He praised, “Heroes have emerged from the youth since ancient times. Your generation truly has no shortage of talent.”

Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow. “Of course. My Sister Hua is a once-in-a-century genius.”

Su Hua nudged her gently with her elbow, signaling her to be quiet. Shen Yuan immediately shut her mouth.

Su Hua said modestly to Professor Gu, “Not at all. We are still young and lack experience. We should learn more from seniors like you.”

Professor Gu laughed heartily and asked, “I heard you are the granddaughter of Elder Su, Su Wenmai?”

“I am.”

“The elder Su was very famous. I collaborated with him many times in the past. It’s a shame the old gentleman has passed away.”

Thinking of her grandfather and grandmother who had passed away one after the other, Su Hua felt a sharp, stabbing pain in her heart. She took a moment to compose herself and continued listening to Professor Gu’s introduction.

He explained that this was the tomb of a high-ranking noble from the Warring States Period. During that era, lavish burials were the trend; people viewed death as a continuation of life, believing in the possibility of eternal existence.

The funerary objects in this tomb were incredibly abundant and held immense research value.

Many experts and team members had been invited for this excavation. Su Hua followed Professor Gu into the main burial chamber.

Someone approached carrying a tray with a silk painting. Su Hua focused her gaze. The painting was mottled and severely oxidized, with faded colors and holes. It would be a very difficult restoration project.
Professor Gu pointed at the silk painting and said, “This was recovered from a coffin in the adjacent side chamber. Since there were silk paintings in the funerary coffins, we estimated that there would be some in the main burial chamber’s coffin as well. Little Shen mentioned you back then, so we left it unopened and specifically waited for you to arrive before opening it.”

Su Hua nodded. “I have a photographic memory. As long as I commit it to memory, I can restore it according to its original appearance.”

“Good.” Professor Gu gestured to several people standing by the coffin. “Open it.”

The coffin actually consisted of five layers.

The outer four layers had already been opened in advance, leaving only the final one.

Fearing that Su Hua might be scared, Shen Yuan grabbed her fingertips and whispered, “Sister Hua, don’t be afraid. Dead people aren’t actually that scary, and they don’t turn into zombies like they do in the movies.”

Su Hua nodded and said softly, “Don’t talk for a moment. I need to concentrate.”

“Okay, Sister Hua, good luck!”

Everyone put on gas masks.

Several strong men worked together to pry open the coffin, and a puff of black cadaveric gas billowed out.

Everyone quickly scattered.

Only after the gas had dissipated did the group gather around.

Su Hua saw a set of decayed skeletal remains inside the coffin.

The remains were dressed in clothes.

The garments were made of silk and were relatively well-preserved and colorful, but they began to oxidize visibly to the naked eye almost immediately.

The funerary objects inside the coffin were rich and varied, including various gold and silver wares, lacquerware, and bronzes.

Sure enough, there was a roll of silk painting beside the body.

Professor Gu leaned over, picked up the silk painting, and quickly unfurled it.

A staff member began taking photos with a camera; the flash had to be turned off, otherwise it would damage the painting.

Su Hua focused her attention, staring at the silk painting and beginning her rapid memorization.

The vast tomb suddenly fell silent.

No one dared to even breathe loudly, for fear of disturbing her.

In what seemed like the blink of an eye, the colors of the silk painting faded away.

Professor Gu turned his head toward Su Hua with an inquiring look.

Su Hua nodded. “I’m done. I’ve also memorized the colors of the clothing.”

Only then did Professor Gu breathe a sigh of relief. He handed the silk painting to his assistant and said, “I heard Shen Yuan say before that your brain is more useful than a camera, but I didn’t believe it. Now I know that every generation produces its own talents, and the student truly has surpassed the master.”

Su Hua smiled. “It won’t be too late for you to praise me after I’ve finished restoring the painting.”

“I believe in you. You restored that Seclusion Painting by Wang Meng in the museum exhibition perfectly.”

“You flatter me.”

Next, Su Hua needed to restore the silk painting.

Because she required absolute silence, she was arranged to stay at the town’s guesthouse.

The other members of the archaeological team either slept in tents or stayed in the village.

Su Hua and the group arrived at the guesthouse.

After settling in, she began researching how to restore this particular silk painting.

Once she finished her research, she listed a series of materials and asked Shen Yuan to send someone to prepare the restoration supplies.

She opened her suitcase, took out her restoration tools, and began carefully cleaning the dust off the silk painting.

She worked until evening, then had dinner with Shen Yuan and two bodyguards.

Shen Yuan looked at her room and asked, “Huahua, are you scared at night? Do you want me to stay in the room and sleep with you?”

Su Hua shook her head. “No need.”

The conditions at the guesthouse were rudimentary; there was only one bed in the room.

Sleeping in the same room would mean sharing a bed with Shen Yuan.

She had a slow-to-warm-up personality and found it difficult to develop a sense of intimacy with others.

As for sharing a bed, aside from sleeping with her grandmother when she was very young, the only other person had been Gu Beixian.

She hadn’t even shared a bed with her mother, let alone Shen Yuan.

After dinner, Su Hua called Gu Beixian to let him know she was safe, and the two chatted for a while.

After hanging up, she continued working.

Once she got busy, she often lost track of time.

She worked until very late, and only when she felt drowsy did she wash up and go to sleep.

Between the long journey during the day, entering the tomb, and then the intense concentration required to clean the painting, she was exhausted.

Su Hua fell into a deep sleep shortly after lying down.

While she was in a daze, she felt a chill on her body as the blanket was pulled back.

Immediately after, someone began stripping the clothes off her body.

Su Hua woke up with a start and saw a dark figure before her.

A pair of rough, large hands violently tore at her pajamas. The thick calluses on the hands scraped against her delicate skin, making her feel a surge of nausea.

“Who are you?” Su Hua asked in terror, struggling to jump off the bed at the same time.

The man didn’t make a sound. His breathing was heavy as he grabbed her arms and pinned her down onto the bed.

“Someone help! Help! Help!” Su Hua cried out loudly.

The man covered her mouth with his hand and grabbed a towel, stuffing it into her mouth.

“Let go of me! Let go of me!” Su Hua’s heart hammered like a drum as she flailed her arms, struggling desperately.

At the critical moment, a loud bang echoed as the door was kicked open from the outside.

Then, a tall, powerful figure strode in and reached the bedside in the blink of an eye.

The man froze, hurriedly stopping his movements and slowly raising his hands.

A hard, cold gun was pressed against the back of his head.