Chapter 179: Chapter 178: Making Things Easier

The members of the archaeological research institute were envious; these items can’t be found on the market! The energy-boosting effects must be really good!

However, since they weren’t going into the tomb, they could only watch longingly.

Deputy Yang took out a piece of equipment that looked like black goggles and handed it to Xu Ying.

“This is a night vision goggles set. Although the regulations don’t allow us to give it outright, I can lend it to you for now. I’ll apply to Chief Qin later, and you won’t need to return it.”

“When we sent equipment to you last time, this model of night vision goggles wasn’t available.”

Deputy Yang and the others moved quickly, equipping Xu Ying in under ten minutes. With a headlamp, night vision goggles in front of her eyes, and a military knife strapped to her calf, she was fully armed.

Fortunately, Xu Ying had brought a very large hiking backpack, which Deputy Yang had stuffed full of supplies and various essentials. It was nearly half her height and weighed heavily on her back.

Lou Yiqun looked at Xu Ying, clad in state-of-the-art gear, and his eyes turned a bit red.

These military devices are developed for internal use, and their archaeological institute, which is hardly related, hasn’t gotten to use them yet.

Xu Ying adjusted the night vision goggles in front of her and asked Deputy Yang, “Can I lend these night vision goggles to my colleagues?”

Deputy Yang nodded, “In this situation, it’s allowed, as long as you don’t lend it casually to strangers or sell it on the market.”

“But we trust you wouldn’t do that.”

Lou Yiqun’s eyes lit up upon hearing this and just as he was about to speak, Professor Mo said, “Xiao Xu, this is for you to use. You should wear it; don’t worry about us old folks.”

“It’s most convenient for you to wear it; don’t think about us.”

Qi Xiao and Chen Su also agreed unanimously.

Lou Yiqun smacked his lips, muttering about how a veterinary become the core of the tomb raiding team.

But nobody paid attention to him.

Chen Su and Professor Mo’s group of four arrived at the tomb entrance by car, while Xu Ying drove over with the reptiles on a sand dune bike.

Chen Su and the others arrived a step earlier by car.

Just as Xu Ying was about to bend over to carry her bulging hiking backpack, she suddenly felt a lightness on her shoulder.

She turned her head abruptly and fell into Qi Xiao’s gaze.

The man’s distinct hand had already securely gripped her backpack’s strap, his thumb casually brushing against her shoulder with a burning warmth.

“Give me the bag.”

Qi Xiao said in a soft voice, “You focus on leading the way.”

Xu Ying’s ears burned slightly, “But it’s heavy…”

Before she finished speaking, Qi Xiao had already lifted her backpack with one hand and thrown it over his shoulder, while his other hand steadied his own equipment.

He looked down at her, his usually stern eyebrows softening with a bit of warmth, “With you and the little bugs guiding the way, it’s much easier for me.”

He paused, then added, “It’s my duty to help you.”

Xu Ying raised her face, giving him a faint smile, her cheeks revealing two small dimples, “Well…thank you.”

Her voice carried a playful lilt.

With the backpack off, feeling much lighter, she couldn’t wait to lead the reptiles to inspect the tomb entrance.

Qi Xiao calmly followed, but his auricle, hidden under his fringe, blushed quietly.

Just as Chen Su turned back after locking the car, he caught sight of their interaction, pursing his lips with an inexplicable trace of annoyance between his brows.

Xu Ying first sent the reptile army through the tomb entrance to gather information.

The Five Poison Army crawled through the tomb entrance.

About a quarter of an hour later, Old Wang’s friend, King Cobra No. 2, came up to report the situation.

Xu Ying translated the situation below the tomb to the four others, “My reptile friends say there are three living people below, they were moving half an hour ago.”

“Six meters down the tomb entrance, heading south, it connects to a man-made tunnel.”

Upon hearing this, Qi Xiao nodded, already forming a plan in his mind, “I’ll go first, you all follow closely.”

He quickly secured the rope for descending into the hole.

Professor Mo couldn’t wait to slide into the tomb following Qi Xiao.

The narrow, damp air of the tomb was filled with a decaying smell.

Xu Ying’s toes had just touched the smooth bottom of the cave when a cold hand steadied her shoulder.

Qi Xiao’s headlamp illuminated his distinct profile as he said in a low voice, “Be careful, the ground here is uneven and slippery.”

Just as Xu Ying was about to thank him, a cold tail sting brushed her fingertip.

Several desert golden scorpions sounded a warning to her.

[Little Xu Station Chief, at the corner ahead, there’s a scorpion nest that’s not of our kind. Their tails are much longer than ours and they’re fierce, warning us to stay away.]

[These scorpions are very aggressive, clearly provoked. I saw burn marks near their nest and some scorched scorpion corpses.]

Xu Ying had a guess in her mind, “It should be whip scorpions.”

These scorpions are very venomous; their venom can spray a meter away. If it gets into someone’s eyes, it can cause blindness, and they’re ruthless, even eating other scorpions.

Xu Ying warned the others, “At the corner ahead, there’s a whip scorpion nest. Everyone, be cautious.”

Upon hearing Xu Ying’s warning, the other four stopped in their tracks.

Lou Yiqun asked, “How do we get through?”

Professor Mo suggested, “Everyone light up torches and advance together? Use fire to scare them away.”

“We can’t,” Xu Ying shook her head, “They were burned by grave robbers not too long ago. If we march in with torches, it’ll provoke them into attacking us.”

She thought for a moment, then pulled out an aloe vera gel from the medical kit, speaking to the desert golden scorpion group.

“Tell the whip scorpions from afar, my medicine can alleviate their burn pain, and I can help them track down the group who set the fire for revenge.”

The aloe vera gel was in a pack, and Xu Ying removed the cap so the scorpions could use their tails to squeeze it.

The leader of the desert golden scorpions waved its tail to show it received the message, then led its followers with the “peace offering” aloe vera gel, wriggling towards negotiation.

About five minutes passed.

A small scorpion quickly flicked its tail, scurrying over with excitement, [Little Xu Station Chief, your ointment really works! They’ve agreed to let us pass!]

[And…] It paused, tail tip quivering slightly, [They even said they’d join us in settling the score with those guys.]

Xu Ying’s tense shoulders finally relaxed, a slight smile forming on her lips as she gestured at the four behind her, “All sorted, let’s move.”

Professor Mo adjusted his glasses, full of disbelief, “In the past, these venomous little ancestors were the most troublesome at archaeological sites, yet a tube of aloe gel got them to cooperate?”

“That’s what I’m saying,” Xu Ying chuckled, “It’s not that they’re difficult; we just never understood what they wanted—stepping on their territory and then blaming them for having a temper.”

For the first time, Professor Mo found the thrilling and exciting action of archaeological tomb raiding fascinating, looking at Xu Ying with admiration and respect.

After passing through the scorpion cluster, the passage gradually widened, ultimately connecting to an exquisitely-bricked corridor.

The murals on the walls, though faded, could still be discerned as having the unique Sun God pattern of the Jingjue Kingdom.

“This is a corridor leading to the side hall,” Professor Mo, excitedly touching the murals, “Look at this craftsmanship, it’s definitely of royal caliber!”

The King Cobra on Xu Ying’s shoulder suddenly raised its head, hissing hurriedly.

At the same time, several spiders crawled from her pocket onto her arm swiftly.

“Something’s up,” Xu Ying frowned, listening intently to the sounds made by the small animals.

“There’s…sound? Vibration ahead?”

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