Chapter 11: How Many Shovels Should We Bring?

The next morning was bright and sunny. Jiang Chen rose early, yawned, washed up, and headed to the production team’s assembly courtyard. Plenty of contestants were already gathered there, preparing to go out and attract viewers.

After yesterday’s earth-shattering blast, Jiang Chen was the undisputed celebrity of the show. As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, contestants stopped what they were doing and greeted him warmly.

“Morning, C4 Bro!”

“Morning, Bomb Bro!”

“The demolition expert’s up early today!”

“Good morning, outlaw!”

Jiang Chen’s face twitched at the ridiculous nicknames. He could only wave back awkwardly.

In a corner of the courtyard, Chen Ming and Liu San were already waiting with backpacks, ready to leave. When Jiang Chen approached, Chen Ming adjusted his glasses and spoke cautiously.

“Captain Jiang, that plan you mentioned last night… you were joking, right?”

Jiang Chen shook his head, utterly serious. “No joke. Today’s mission is to find an ancient tomb.”

Despite the early hour, the viewer count shot up.

【No way, man! You’re serious?】

【They’re really going to look for an ancient tomb?】

【It’s definitely a livestream stunt! They’re acting!】

【How could there be an ancient tomb in Jiangzhou? This script is way too obvious.】

Viewers expected Chen Ming and Liu San to refuse outright. Instead, Liu San stepped forward excitedly and asked, “Brother Chen, how many shovels should we bring?”

Wang Qiang had just hoisted the camera onto his shoulder. He stumbled and nearly fell. The comments went wild.

【Hahahaha!】

【They’re finished! Really finished!】

【The Idea Guy has met a real Action Guy!】

【Normal person: Call the police. Liu San: How many shovels?】

【Why is this fortune-teller so ready to act?!】

Wang Qiang slapped his thigh. He’d hoped the two older teammates would be more sensible, but Jiang Chen had converted them in no time. To protect both his job and everyone’s lives, he stepped in.

“Jiang Chen! Stop messing around. There aren’t any ancient tombs here!”

Jiang Chen pointed at his teammates. “Why not? Chen Ming teaches geography and can read the lay of the land. Liu San is a fortune-teller who understands feng shui. They’re the perfect partners for finding a tomb.”

Liu San stroked the few sparse hairs on his chin. “Actually…”

Wang Qiang turned to him hopefully. Finally! Someone sensible was going to speak up!

Liu San cleared his throat. “I have heard a few old stories.”

Wang Qiang’s hope vanished. “What do you mean?”

Liu San lowered his voice mysteriously. “Back home, the elders used to say there was a very old tomb in the barren hills to the west. Supposedly it belonged to some great general. I don’t know if it’s true.”

Jiang Chen’s eyes lit up. Chen Ming turned too, showing considerable academic interest. “Which direction?”

Liu San pointed west. “I can take you there for a look.”

Wang Qiang stepped back in despair. “Brother Liu! I was hoping you’d talk him out of it!”

Liu San spread his hands, entirely justified in his own mind. “We’re already here.”

“You can’t use those words for everything!” Wang Qiang cried.

He slowly lowered the camera and took a deep breath. “Jiang Chen, one last time: did you say visit a cemetery, or search for an ancient tomb?”

Walking out of the courtyard, Jiang Chen answered casually, “Search.”

Wang Qiang pursued him. “And to confirm again, what happens after you find it?”

Jiang Chen stopped and looked back at the camera. “Dig it open and take a look.”

Those words sent the viewers’ curiosity soaring.

【Holy shit! Is this real?】

【They’re actually going to dig up an ancient tomb!】

【One dares to think it, one dares to do it, and one goes along with anything.】

【The Idea Guy, the Action Guy, and the Easygoing Guy. An unbeatable lineup.】

【Jiang Chen supplies the criminal idea.】

【The geography teacher supplies technical support.】

【The fortune-teller is the local guide.】

【The cameraman preserves the evidence.】

【A complete underground operation has officially formed!】

Jiang Chen promptly requested an SUV from the production team. Chen Ming and Liu San climbed in without hesitation, while Wang Qiang slumped into the passenger seat with his camera, looking as though life held no further meaning.

The vehicle started and sped toward the barren western hills. On the way, Chen Ming pulled up a topographic map of Jiangzhou on his tablet and carefully analyzed the contours and waterways. Liu San added feng shui directions from stories told in his hometown. They talked enthusiastically, one technical term following another.

Viewers listened with fascination. Wang Qiang felt a growing chill down his back. He turned to the men in the rear seat. “Why are you two actually discussing this?!”

Liu San slapped his thigh. “Because, given the direction and terrain, there really could be a large tomb there!”

Numb, Wang Qiang turned a pleading gaze on the mild-mannered Chen Ming, hoping the teacher would pull back from the brink.

“Mr. Chen, we’re filming a show. We can’t break the law.”

Chen Ming adjusted his glasses and smiled awkwardly. “Well… the show’s new rule only says we can’t research or make dangerous illegal items. It doesn’t say we can’t look for an ancient tomb, does it?”

Wang Qiang’s vision darkened. “The production team hasn’t said you can’t go to the moon either! Why don’t you build a rocket?!”

Jiang Chen kept his hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, picking out the key point. “If our next team includes an aerospace engineer and a sheet-metal worker, a trip to the moon might be worth considering.”

Wang Qiang collapsed against his seat. They were finished. This team had lost its mind.

The SUV bounced along the rough mountain road for over an hour before stopping at the foot of a remote, deserted mountain. Jiang Chen opened the door and stood on the slope, looking at the shape of the surrounding hills. He raised a hand and pointed to an overgrown spot farther up.

“Right there.”