Chapter 5: The Tomb Guardians

The eldest man walking ahead of me glanced back, his brows furrowed as he asked, “It seems you know something, don’t you?” But soon after, his expression relaxed, the corner of his mouth lifting in a slight smile as he continued, “Well, that makes sense. Otherwise, how could you possibly have found this place? Enough questions for now—just follow me, and be careful.”

I glanced at the others nearby. They seemed as if they wanted to tell me something, but as the words reached their lips, they hesitated, as though concerned about something, and refrained from speaking further. I decided not to ask more.

As we walked, the dense jungle thinned, and the trees grew more robust, showing signs of being cut. Soon, my feet stepped onto stone stairs, and gradually, ancient, rustic houses appeared before me, forming a small village.

“Zifeng! Who is he? Why did you bring an outsider back to the village?” A booming voice rang out, and a sturdy man in his fifties appeared, his expression angry and perplexed.

“Uncle Yuanhe, this young man is extraordinary—please look...” Saying this, Zifeng grabbed my wrist, urging me to open my palm to the middle-aged man. His stern gaze suddenly shifted to caution, tinged with worry. I wasn’t sure why, but he frowned deeply, moved closer, and examined my hand closely before looking at me and asking, “What’s your name? And your father’s?”

For some reason, I felt a faint sense of kinship toward the man. I replied, “I’m Gao Ziyun. My father is Gao Yuanyi.”

“What?! You’re Yuanyi’s son? That’s impossible! How could he have a child? Has he lost his mind? Wait...” He waved his hand and said, “Zifeng, call Yuanrang, Yuanshu, Yuanxiao, Yuanli, Yuanzhong, Yuanxin, and also bring Uncle Zhengming and Aunt Lin. As for the other Yuan and Zheng generations, let them know first.”

“Yes, I’ll go get the elders right away.”

He then led me into a quaint courtyard, opening the door to reveal a room furnished with old but clean items. The furniture had clearly been there for decades, some even antiques. I wasn’t an expert, but I could recognize priceless bronze artifacts—there was no need for these people to display replicas.

He told me to sit. Soon, people began to enter, including a middle-aged woman whose appearance was well-maintained, looking more like she was in her thirties or forties. The others were nearly all middle-aged as well.

I thought to myself, if this was my ancestral home as my father had said, and his name contained ‘Yuan,’ then these people must be of his generation.

Finally, two elders entered, one man and one woman, both looking to be over eighty. Their attire was simple, but everyone treated them with great respect, offering them seats.

When everyone’s attention turned to me, the old man spoke gently, “Child, don’t be nervous. We are all family here. Tell us, how did you come to this place? And where is your father?”

His voice was kind, his gaze warm, and I felt an overwhelming sense of affection. Seeing the concern in everyone’s eyes, I began to speak.

“My father passed away last year. Following his last wishes, the notes I found, and my mother’s guidance, I came here.” As I spoke, everyone reacted in surprise, then sighed deeply, especially the middle-aged woman, whose face was filled with sorrow.

“And your mother?”

“She passed away this year as well.”

At this, everyone fell silent. The elderly woman beside the old man murmured, “Poor child... such misfortune...”

“Why dwell on this? It’s been over twenty years. He’s not the first case...” another sighed.

“Such pity for those lovers.”

Everyone spoke with heartfelt compassion. I then recounted what I’d found in my father’s notes, since the kindness in these people’s eyes was genuine and I felt no need to hide anything.

The old man began explaining the situation here. Though I’d learned some things before, it was only now, as I stepped into this place, that it all became real. In an age of scientific progress, it seemed incredible that a group of people would guard an ancient tomb, burdened by a terrifying curse.

The old man’s name was Zhang Zhengming. The elderly woman beside him was surnamed Lin; her full name I didn’t know, but they were of my grandparents’ generation, radiating warmth.

Zhang Zhengming examined my palm. Others did the same before shaking their heads. He frowned, sighed, and said, “Child, do you know... how long you have left to live?”

I said nothing, staring into his eyes and seeing a deep-seated anger. He continued, “At least three years, at most five. For thousands of years, there have been countless cases like this, but nothing can change it.”

“Poor child,” Grandma Lin whispered, coming over to hold my hand, shaking her head and sighing.

The room remained silent for a long time. Memories of my parents’ words echoed in my mind, strengthening my resolve.

“Why... why not try to change it?”

My question didn’t surprise anyone. Instead, Zhang Zhengming gave a bitter smile. “Change? How? You’re still young, and perhaps don’t know much. For thousands of years, many ancestors have tried, only to meet tragic ends. All kinds of methods were attempted, but the result was always the same.”

That night, I was given a small room to rest in. Zhang Zhengming, the clan leader and most senior here, said that if I tried to leave, I might not even live three years. Settling down here might lengthen my life.

Everyone treated me kindly and warmly, but their eyes held the look one gives someone doomed. I forced a bitter smile—would I really not survive more than a few years?

Honestly, it wasn’t death I feared. What I couldn’t accept was that my parents and kin here would have to spend their lives as guardians of a tomb, living forever under the shadow of a curse.

My room was simple, with only a bed and a table. Lying there, staring blankly, I suddenly felt a surge of determination and sat up sharply. If there were a mirror, my face would have been twisted, fierce—I was biting my teeth in frustration. Why should I accept this?

Clenching my fists, I turned to look out the window. The night was pitch-black, the surroundings hidden. I reached into my backpack, digging to the bottom for a narrow, black case. Opening it, a black-gold ancient dagger lay quietly inside.

It was a short blade, left to me by my mother, who had once gifted it to my father for his birthday. Now it was mine. Its origins were unclear, though I knew it came from an ancient tomb.

Gripping the sheath, I drew the blade with a metallic ring. The black blade shimmered with a faint aura. I let out a cold laugh, thinking silently, “A man dead for thousands of years still wishes to control others’ fates—on what grounds?”

I got out of bed. I’d already memorized the tomb’s location. From my backpack, I grabbed a simple pack with some food, water, and necessary tools. I left my room. No one was out in the village at night; only a few rooms glowed with candlelight. There was no electricity, and the villagers, used to this life, slept early. The Tomb Guardians’ village housed just over forty people—the entire clan.

Under the dark night, I walked briskly toward the tomb. The path was easy, and after half an hour, I saw the ancient mountain gate. It had been repaired many times, and beside it, a small wooden hut glowed with candlelight—a permanent watch over the tomb.

As I approached the old gate, an aged voice called out, “Who are you?”

I turned on my flashlight, opened my palm, and replied calmly to the white-haired elder, “I want to enter the tomb.”

“Enter the tomb?” The old man looked at my hand, then at me, smiling bitterly and shaking his head. “Another young fool who doesn’t believe in fate.”

“Do you believe in fate? Will you spend your life guarding this place?”

I walked forward. The old man made no move to stop me, only sighing and returning to his hut, which surprised me.

I didn’t dwell on it. From his words, I gathered that many had tried entering before, probably for the same purpose as mine. But it didn’t matter—believing in fate wouldn’t grant more years, so why not try?