Tomb Robber: I, Chen Yulou, am dedicated to cultivating immortality!

In the blink of an eye.

The night passed quietly.

It was not until the next morning that Chen Yulou was awakened by the chirping of insects and birds. He stretched his limbs and felt that he had slept particularly soundly.

He stood up and put on a long gown.

Push open the window.

Leaning on the second floor, the sun rises three feet high, hanging above the vast lake.

I was busy all day yesterday and it was already midnight when I returned from Shejiaotai. In addition, at the dinner, I really couldn't resist the toasts from Uncle Jiu and the brothers who had returned from their shift.

After returning, he didn't even bother to practice. He just took a few simple breaths and then fell asleep.

He couldn't remember how long it had been since he had slept so deeply.

Now, breathing the mountain air, I feel refreshed from the inside out.

The small courtyard on the second floor where he lives now.

It belonged to the Nine-Headed Dragon before.

That guy lived an extremely luxurious life on the island. He couldn't get used to living in the ancient temples, so he had a small building built for him and even kidnapped many women to keep.

but.

After Uncle Jiu captured Junshan Island.

Release all the women.

Now that it has been cleaned up, although it is not as good as Guanyun Tower, it is still quiet.

buckle -

Just as he was looking at the scenery of the lake and islands.

There was a knock on the door outside the courtyard.

Looking down, I saw a familiar figure. Who else could it be but the kidnapper?

"come in."

Shouted a voice.

Hua Maguai, who was thinking about something with his head down, was startled and subconsciously looked up in the direction of the sound. Seeing the four directions facing each other, a hint of surprise flashed across his face.

"Boss, are you awake?"

"I just woke up for a moment. What's wrong? Is there something wrong?"

"Nothing much, just a brother came to report that Luo Laowai heard that you, the shopkeeper, were coming to the island, so he came all the way from Chishan Island to meet you."

Hua Maguai frowned and said helplessly.

He has never had a good impression of the man named Luo. Taking advantage of the shopkeeper's sworn brotherhood, he often went to the village to ask for money. In the past, due to the shopkeeper's face, he couldn't say much.

but.

He also knew that Luo Laowai's appearance on Chishan Island was also assigned by the shopkeeper.

Someone is needed to help look after the lake.

This person must be ruthless, experienced, and... have no ulterior motives.

After much thought, it seemed that he was the most suitable one.

There was no place for him to make a living in Xiangyin anymore, so it was just right for him to be thrown onto the lake. There were fewer troubles to deal with, and he could be kept under close watch so that he wouldn't cause any more trouble like grave robbing.

I heard the rumors from the dock yesterday and from the captain.

Luo Laowai did a pretty good job.

I guess he came here today either to ask for credit or reward.

If they were still in Chenjiazhuang, Hua Maguai would have sent them away himself, but now they were on the lake after all, and he was working for the shopkeeper, so he couldn't treat them as casually as before.

But, even so.

He did not go up the mountain immediately.

How could any random person disturb the shopkeeper’s rest?

"Where is the man?"

"I'm staying in the temple. Uncle Jiu is watching over there."

At this point, Hua Maguai suddenly thought of something and slapped his forehead, "Oh, by the way, shopkeeper, Luo Laowai brought someone with him. They said that when they were on their way here, they saw him sneaking around outside the island and he didn't look like a good person, so they caught him and brought him to the mountain."

"sneaking?"

Upon hearing this.

Chen Yulou couldn't help but frown.

Although Junshan Island does not prohibit people from coming, it is fine to take a boat into the port and see the scenery. If you want to go to the island, your identity must be checked and repeatedly confirmed before you will be allowed.

This person was caught halfway.

That's on the lake.

Alone again.

Maybe there really is something behind it.

"Okay, wait, I'll go down the mountain and take a look."

He threw down a few words and signaled the kidnapper to wait for him in the yard for a moment.

After a while.

After changing his clothes, Chen Yulou, dressed in a long gown, walked down the stairs with a clatter. Guaizi led the way in front of him. The two of them walked one in front and the other behind, passing through the bluestone path in the mountains and heading straight for Dongting Temple.

Not long after.

Wait until the two of them arrive outside the temple gate.

At first glance, I saw a figure tied up with ropes on the old locust tree in the front yard.

Wearing a linen garment.

He has sunken cheeks and a tall, thin body.

At this moment, he was trembling all over, his face was full of fear, and his mouth was stuffed with a piece of rag. When he saw someone coming, he immediately raised his head and tried desperately to speak, but only a vague whimpering sound came out.

only……

Glancing at him.

Chen Yulou's gaze froze for a moment.

Although this man was disheveled and had obviously been beaten, with a bruised face and nose, for some reason, I felt a strong sense of familiarity with him.

"The shopkeeper?"

Hua Maguai, who was following closely behind him, obviously noticed something was wrong. He subconsciously took a half step forward and asked in a low voice.

Chen Yulou did not rush to reply.

He has the ability to remember everything he sees. After traveling around the world for many years, he will basically never forget someone he has met once, even after many years.

This person gave him such a strong sense of familiarity.

Must have seen it before.

Thoughts echoed in his mind, and in just a moment, a picture froze in front of him.

By the Dongting Lake, on top of the Yueyang Tower.

Even the past isn’t that far away.

It happened when we were crossing the river by boat and returning to Chenjiazhuang that day.

That's right.

At that time, this person was mixed in with a group of people fleeing. When I passed by him, I detected a very faint but extremely familiar earthy smell from him.

But time was tight at that time.

Plus, that person wasn't a familiar face in society.

He didn't think much about it.

Unexpectedly, after more than half a month, I saw it again on the island today.

While he was thinking, the man who was tied up obviously recognized him. His pair of gray eyes suddenly lit up, and he struggled and whimpered something.

"Let him go."

Chen Yulou raised his eyebrows and gave a simple instruction to the crook behind him.

"Ah? Oh!"

Hua Maguai was still waiting for the next words. When he heard these words, he was stunned for a moment, but then he came to his senses, nodded, and hurried forward without delay.

The guy who was in charge of guarding on the side.

Also quickly stepped forward.

In just a few moves, he untied all the ropes on the man.

Then take off the rag.

It seemed that he had been tied up for too long and was too frightened. The moment the ropes were untied, he almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, Hua Maguai was quick to support him.

He gently rubbed his extremely sore chin a few times.

It was hard to finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"May I ask...but is Chen Baotou in front of me?"

The man clasped his hands together and bowed respectfully.

Judging from his accent, he should be from the area outside the Great Wall and northern Hebei. It doesn't seem surprising that he is mixed in with the people who fled south to escape the disaster.

after all.

Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei has been in chaos since the late Qing Dynasty until now.

All the warlords, under the guise of serving the king, opposing the Qing Dynasty, and supporting the king, were actually eyeing the chair in the capital. Who wouldn't want to sit on it?

This is what leads to constant wars and infighting.

As a result, in the suburbs of the capital, nine out of ten houses were empty, and there was no sign of human habitation within dozens of miles.

"it's me."

Chen Yulou nodded.

I have a rough idea in my mind.

Although he is well-known in the underworld, he is not yet famous enough to be known all over the world. Since someone can reveal his identity and background at once, he must be a tomb robber.

At worst it's an antique shop.

Apart from this, he couldn't think of a second possibility.

"Really..."

Seeing his confirmation, the man's face became even more excited.

"Oh, by the way, Shopkeeper Chen, I almost forgot, I am Bai Banla, and I have come all the way from the interior to look for you."

and many more?

I heard him introduce himself, especially the three words "Bai Banla".

Even Chen Yulou couldn't help but show a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Faqiu Bai family!

No wonder I smelled the smell of earth on him when I passed him at Yueyang Tower that day. Fa Qiu Tian Guan, Mo Jin Xiao Wei, this person was actually a descendant of the Bai family.

Moreover, Bai Banla is no stranger.

At least he had thought of it a few times.

Speaking of which, if we follow the timeline of the original novel, he didn't have much interaction with me, but he had an unbreakable connection with Yang Fang.

Yang Fang will accept an apprentice in the future.

His name is Blind Laoyi.

The person in front of him was Xia Laoyi's sworn brother.

It was also he who gave all the family heirlooms, the Mojin Jue and the Faqiu Seal, to Blind Laoyi, which led to the scene where Mojin Faqiu reappeared in the world many years later.

Thoughts flashed through my mind one by one.

Chen Yulou's face remained expressionless, he just looked thoughtful, then raised his eyes to look at the man in front of him.

"May I ask, who are you, Bai Yuhu?"

"This……"

Hearing this name, Bai Banla was even more surprised and happy.

"In reply to Shopkeeper Chen, Bai Yuhu is the ancestor of my lineage."

really.

to this point.

Chen Yulou was already 100% sure.

Bai Banla may have the same name as others, but when you add the ancestor Bai Yuhu, it can definitely be correct.

The reason why the inheritance of Fa Qiu fell into the hands of the Bai family was because Bai Yuhu, who was known as "the family will prosper when encountering a tiger and will flourish when encountering a dragon", learned the news about the ancient tomb from the leatherworker.

The two joined forces to fight.

It was discovered that a Fa Qiu Tian Guan had died in it, leaving behind four boxes of gold and silver, and a leather box.

The shoemaker kept the gold and silver for himself.

Bai Yuhu only got the leather box.

After returning home, he opened the box and found that there was a tomb record and a Fa Qiu seal hidden in the box.

However, Bai Yuhu's whole life was just going from street to street, telling fortunes for people. After inheriting the Fa Qiu tradition, he never had the idea of ​​robbing tombs, but just looked at Feng Shui with the help of what he learned from the mausoleum genealogy.

If I remember correctly.

Bai Banla's father is the one known as Young Master Bai.

He once went to Laoshu Ridge to hunt black foxes, but by mistake, he entered an ancient tomb and obtained the secret book of the gold measuring ruler and a hook-shaped jade, which is the Mojin Jue.

Passed down to his generation.

The Bai family was supposed to be able to make Fa Qiu Tian Guan flourish.

Not to mention Zhang Sanlian's level, the Chen family is the leader of the martial arts world for at least three generations.

But unfortunately...

Bai Banla has had no interest in tomb robbing since he was a child.

In addition, it was a time of chaos and his family fell into poverty, so he could only wander around the world.

I just don't know how he came to Xiangyin, and looking at his expression, it was obvious that he came to find me on his own initiative.

While the two were talking.

Luo Laowai and Lao Jiushu, who were drinking tea inside, were also alarmed and rushed out one after another.

just.

Take a look at the situation in the yard.

The two couldn't help but feel a little confused.

Luo Laowai, in particular, had originally been thinking of solving a thorn in the side for Shopkeeper Chen, and was feeling quite proud of himself, but now it seemed that the development of things had gone beyond his expectations.

No matter how you look at that guy, he seems to be acquaintance of Shopkeeper Chen.

For a while.

He couldn't help but feel a little shaken, and he couldn't smile anymore. He was shocked and panicked.

Could it be that I meant well but ended up doing something bad?

"Moving mountains and hills, we are one family."

"I'm really sorry, Brother Bai. I'm sorry for the suffering."

Just as he was daydreaming.

Chen Yulou, who had come to his senses, clasped his fists and bowed to Bai Banra in front of him.

This person has come all the way here.

As a result, he was beaten black and blue.

Wouldn't it be a slap in his face if it gets out?

"No, it's okay, it's okay. Shopkeeper Chen is too polite. It's my fault for not explaining it clearly first..."

Look how polite he is.

Bai Banla's face turned red and he waved his hands repeatedly.

Although he had never been a fight-dealer, he had been in the martial arts world for a long time and had made the acquaintance of many people. The names of Chang Shengshan and Chen Yulou were very familiar to him.

Especially when you are outside the customs.

Every time I drink.

Both guys blew it with all their might.

To the extent that, he felt that Manager Chen must be an omnipotent person, and now that he was so polite to him, how could he not be flattered?

"Kidnapper, go and get the old doctor."

"Apply medicine to Brother Bai to treat his wound."

Chen Yulou had no intention of just leaving like that, so he turned around and gave Hua Maguai an order.

Countless extraordinary people were gathered in Changsheng Mountain in those days.

There were all kinds of people including fortune tellers, jugglers, opera singers, traveling doctors, and quacks.

The same is true for the old doctor.

In the tomb-robbing business, injuries are common, and this time they came to seize Junshan Island, they were prepared to trade their lives for others, so naturally they had to bring a doctor with them.

"This... Shopkeeper Chen, there's really no need to bother."

"It's a minor injury. It will heal in two days."

Bai Banla hurried to dissuade him.

He has been hanging around in the streets and has met all kinds of people over the years. In addition, he makes a living by fortune-telling, so he has been beaten many times.

Unless the injury is really serious, I will go to the store to get some medicine and basically just tough it out.

Now this injury is nothing to him.

There's really no need for Manager Chen to mobilize so many troops.

"No trouble."

Chen Yulou shook his head.

Signaled the kidnapper to go and call for help first.

He extended his hand towards Bai Banzha and made a gesture of invitation.

"Brother Bai, please have some coarse tea."

Seeing this, Bai Banla had no choice but to agree and followed Chen Yulou into the main hall.

But when he passed by Luo Laowai, the latter's face was already extremely frightened. He stammered and opened his mouth to say something, but didn't know how to explain.

Damn it.

As expected, I am afraid of whatever comes next.

This guy looked disheveled, like a beggar on the street, but surprisingly, he was actually an old acquaintance of Manager Chen. He was just a few steps away, so of course he heard the three words "Brother Bai".

It is amazing that Manager Chen can be so polite.

His background is definitely extraordinary.

For a moment, his heart was beating like water, and he was extremely panicked.

Seeing that Chen Yulou was about to take him into the house.

But he never mentioned that he had arrested the wrong person.

Luo Laowai was even more frightened.

It would be fine if he just beat and scolded me, but I’m afraid that if I don’t say anything, I’ll be held accountable later.

Not daring to delay any longer, Luo Laowai quickly caught up.

"Chen, Shopkeeper Chen, I, Lao Luo, have done something wrong and offended this brother. I am willing to accept the punishment!"

Hear the words.

Chen Yulou couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth.

Take advantage of the situation to strike.

It is also a means of controlling subordinates.

However, Luo Laowai's decisiveness was somewhat beyond his expectations.

This guy is not only greedy and brutal by nature, but to be honest, those who can make it in troubled times are often ruthless characters like him.

Thoughts flashed by.

Chen Yulou looked at Bai Banla who was standing beside him, "What do you think, Brother Bai?"

"No, no need."

"It was just a misunderstanding. There is no need to be punished."

Bai Banla was more open-minded. He shook his head and did not pursue the matter.

Hear this.

Luo Laowai's eyes suddenly lit up, and his heart was relieved a little, but he didn't dare to relax completely. Instead, he secretly looked at Chen Yulou in front of him.

"Since Brother Bai has said so, I can avoid punishment, but I must apologize."

"it is good!"

Almost the moment he finished speaking.

Luo Laowai agreed to all of them.

He walked up to Bai Banla, clenched his fist and bowed.

"Well, Brother Bai, I, Old Luo, will apologize to you in front of Shopkeeper Chen!"