Chapter 2377: Chapter 2280: Entering the Tomb

However, Huo Sining couldn’t speak directly to Zhou Shitao about these matters, and could only request the armed police team to intensify patrols to ensure that no unrelated persons invade the entire mountain.

Because most of the mountain is granite layer, excavators definitely cannot dig into it.

If it were ordinary mining work, a single capsule of explosives could be inserted to blow up the entire mountain, regardless of how large or thick the rock layers are, which would make it a lot easier.

But this is an archaeological excavation, and using explosives is definitely not feasible.

No one knows how many booby traps are hidden inside this ancient tomb, nor how many valuable relics and antiques are buried within. If explosives are used, although the mountain will be blasted open, the ancient tomb inside might collapse entirely, and whether the mechanisms and relics inside can be preserved is uncertain.

So this violent excavation method was decisively ruled out.

Since this method won’t work, there’s only one way forward: continue excavating the tunnel previously dug by the Oil Rat, unearthing the loose soil layer of more than a hundred meters.

This makes the preliminary soil excavation quite an undertaking, but Zhou Shitao has no other choice. Without doing this, they can’t even begin their work.

For the sake of safety, they had to choose this plan.

Fortunately, Xie Daoyuan and others had already ventured inside once and filmed quite a bit of useful video footage. The samples they brought back could be analyzed, and combined with the structure diagram of the ancient tomb drawn by Huo Sining, although the soil excavation might take longer, their work progress wouldn’t be too slow.

The speed of the excavators was quite fast; to expedite the process, the Cultural Relics Bureau sent six machines to work in rotation, tirelessly digging day and night, and finally, on the morning of the second day, they had completely excavated the hundred-meter-long tunnel dug by the Oil Rat.

In front of everyone appeared a long corridor with green stone brick walls about two meters high, and anyone who understands a bit about archaeological work could tell that this brick wall was the outer wall of the entrance corridor of the ancient tomb.

Seeing the outer wall, Zhou Shitao and others seemed very excited. Following the seven or eight bricks pried open by the Oil Rat earlier, a few professors busily pried open another dozen bricks, which equated to opening the entire corridor of the ancient tomb.

The professors donned their gear and tied ropes, ready to descend into the tomb. This time, Su Qingqing also wanted to go down, but Zhou Shitao directly instructed her and Ding Liang to stay outside:

"Doctor Su, Xiaoding, along with Old Huang, you all wait outside. We’ll go in first. Director He, have your people adjust the cameras, inspect the exploration equipment thoroughly, and once confirmed there’s no issue, we’ll begin!"

Director He was extremely excited, and upon hearing Zhou Shitao’s instructions, he quickly nodded and turned to arrange the tasks.

The technical department staff had been waiting for commands and immediately activated the exploration devices, connecting the machines placed on the ground to monitors. Once the equipment was calibrated, images focused on several professors appeared on the screen instantly.

The camera was wirelessly connected, installed at the top of a worker’s headlamp.

It looked like this worker was about to go down with them.

After confirming there were no issues with the exploration machinery, Director He brought out a dozen stylish devices resembling mobile phones, distributing them to those preparing to descend into the tomb while introducing:

"These are wireless walkie-talkies, waterproof and shockproof robust devices. They have a communication range of up to two kilometers, and even in obstructed conditions, can communicate without barriers within 500 meters. Everyone must be cautious down there, and if there’s any issue, remember to use the walkie-talkie to report immediately."

In addition, Director He provided a batch of gas masks and slender steel wire ropes, the front of which was firmly tied to three-pronged iron claws. Though the steel wire appeared thin, it could bear up to 400 kilograms, making it a very useful tool for climbing and binding, crucial for saving lives in emergencies. Clearly, Director He was well-prepared.

Previously, Xie Daoyuan and Ding Liang followed the Oil Rat to crawl through the tunnel, and Su Qingqing wasn’t part of it. This time, Zhou Shitao wasn’t letting her go down again; Su Qingqing immediately felt unhappy and stood aside resentfully, watching the professors don their gear with apparent disappointment.

Su Qingqing was timid and always afraid of ghosts, yet she extremely enjoyed the excitement, especially in interesting occurrences, wanting to be involved.

For such a first exploration of a Thousand-Year Ancient Tomb, Su Qingqing naturally wanted to be part of it, but archaeological excavation is different from other work; it demands knowledgeable personnel to participate personally.

Zhou Shitao was constantly cautious, and given the special circumstances, even the Oil Rat and Huo Sining couldn’t enter the archaeological site. Su Qingqing, Ding Liang, and other trainees were not allowed in without repeated confirmations from Zhou Shitao and others, as Zhou would never let them enter the main burial chamber.

Consider that a Thousand-Year Ancient Tomb often yields thousands of relics. If there are too many people and too many eyes, someone could quietly pilfer one or two small items without being detected.

Moreover, no one knows whether there are distinct mechanisms inside the ancient tomb. Unaware individuals entering could accidentally trigger something they shouldn’t, activating mechanisms within the tomb, leading to dire consequences for the entire group underground.

Thus, Zhou Shitao forbade inexperienced individuals from going down.

Huo Sining understood Zhou Shitao’s determination, initially intending to plead for Su Qingqing. Observing Zhou Shitao’s solemn expression, she couldn’t speak further and could only turn to console Su Qingqing:

"Qingqing, wait outside. Watching through the monitor isn’t different. You can see the situation inside the ancient tomb, and it’s no different. We might encounter danger as we enter, so staying outside is safer."

Su Qingqing pouted in frustration, wanting to say something, but hesitated without speaking.

Seeing the professors about to enter, Huo Sining hurriedly stepped forward, addressing Xie Daoyuan and Huang Zhenlong:

"Professor, I’m young and fit; let me go down first."

With that, Huo Sining attempted to descend into the corridor, only to be promptly pulled back by Xie Daoyuan and Huang Zhenlong grabbing her collar.

Zhou Shitao, with a stern face, spoke to Huo Sining: "You follow behind me!"

Huo Sining wanted to argue, but Zhou Shitao immediately gestured to settle the matter: "Arranged as such, you’re inexperienced, follow behind!"

Huo Sining knew Zhou Shitao’s words were an excuse; the professors were actually taking care of her.

Considering the risks and unknowns still lurking inside the ancient tomb, the first people descending must find a secure foothold, likely triggering dangers. Ironically, those descending last are safest.

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