The Grave Robber Notes: The First Notebook 生

Inside the Coffin

Old man Lao and Wang Yong were the first to reach the cave. It really was a small flowstone cave. It was smaller than the room they had been in bevor but still big enough to move around. At first, Zhen Wei couldn't make out the room since it was dark and the flashlight was reaching the other side only just. But with time he started to see the layout. The cave was still following its natural form mostly but was still changed here and there to give off a slightly more symmetrical and square feeling.

"Over here." Someone called out making the others turn to look towards the north side of the cave. There was a stone platform and on it was a wooden coffin. "This is the coffin chamber?" Zhen Wei looked a little confused but didn't question it further since the natural cave was perfect for a coffin chamber and the three courtyard design could be changed to a two courtyard design.

Next to Zhen Wei, Kris was showing real excitement as he hurried over to the coffin ready to help Li Jun and Shan open it. But before he could touch the coffin Li Jun held him back. "Wait. We need to follow traditions." Kris turned to old man Lao who had spoken. His face showing a lot of interest and he took out a small journal he had bought for this trip ready to take notes.

Zhen Wei couldn't help but laugh. This guy never had taken any notes throughout his whole educational career and now here he was ready to write down everything that was said. Shaking his head Zhen Wei cut off his laughter. He was just as interested in what the old man had to say.

Taking out a candle old man Lao explained to them each step as he was doing it. "First you need to light a candle in the south-east corner." He walked with his compass finding the direction he was looking for and then turned to the two young men continuing his explanation. "Light a candle in a grave, ghosts will hear your calls. Since the old days lighting a candle in the south-east corner was a way to connect to the ghosts in the grave determining if one could open the coffin without facing danger. If the ghosts blew out the candle you would have to get out immediately leaving everything behind."

Old man Lao bend down to light up the candle and place it down. Only after did Li Jun and Shan stepped closer to the coffin their eyes on the candle as they started to carefully push it open with Kris's help. "Of course, nowadays people don't believe in those ghost stories as easily but there are still benefits to lighting the candle other than keeping up with traditions." Old man Lao continued.

"Some gases that develop during the natural decay of the body are heavier than air so if for some reason those gases are gathered in the coffin and by opening it are set free the candle can indicate such gases before we even breathe them in. Of course, most gasses aren't dangerous in small doses but if we breathe in too much it can be dangerous."

Zhen Wei nodded. He really didn't know anything about body decay especially not the kind happening in a tomb. He did watch some crime shows but honestly, that was all he knew about dead bodies and most of those shows didn't really give much information.

"There is no body in here." Kris's voice sounded from behind them making both Wang Yong and old man Lao quickly walk over to talk a look at the coffin. "Maybe we weren't the first to enter this grave after all?" Li Jun indicated. "It would make sense with the missing valuable sacrificial items." Old man Lao agreed.

"Don't look so disappointed." Zhen Wei spoke patting Kris's shoulder. Kris could only shake his head. He really had been looking forward to seeing all the valuables and even a really historical dead body. Zhen Wei chuckled sitting down on the small platform. "Hey don't hang your head isn't this adventure enough already?" He looked up at Kris. Some part of him deep down was happy that this was probably all there was to it since he constantly worried about the cauldron and Kris.

"Li Jun double-check the coffin and make sure there are no mechanisms hidden. Wang Yong, take a closer look at the walls and see if you can find any path leading out. Kris, go help, Wang Yong. Zhen Wei, tell me about the layout of the graves you said this was based on." Old man Lao started giving out orders as he sat next to Zhen Wei.