<h4>Chapter 1347: Chapter 1655: The Eerie Ancient Tomb (Part 5)</h4>


    "If you ever figure out the reason for their longevity, will you tell me?" Su Lin asked as she looked at Ling Chen.


    Ling Chen smiled slightly and nodded, "No problem. However, I can’t guarantee that there will be an answer."


    The next morning, Ling Chen saw off Nanrong Wanqing and Su Lin. The matters at the ancient tomb were not fully resolved yet, and Ling Chen wanted to stay and see if there would be any other discoveries. In the morning, the National Archaeological Team staff would transport all the ancient corpses from the tomb for proper preservation.


    Around ten o’clock, Ling Chen and Tang Yuan stood at the entrance of the tomb, watching as the ancient corpses were carried out one by one.


    The corpses included men, women, young, and old. Even though they had been dead for many years, their bodies were extraordinarily well-preserved, appearing as if still peacefully asleep. Honestly, Ling Chen had great admiration for the tomb’s owner; considering the medical conditions from hundreds of years ago, it was an incredible feat.


    Moreover, from the well-preserved corpses, it was evident that the tomb owner must have discovered the secret to longevity. It’s worth noting that despite years of research by both the Southern Ling Family and the Northern Ling Family, utilizing high tech, they still had not made significant progress.


    Once all the corpses were removed, Ling Chen picked up his phone and dialed Hu Fei’s number.


    "Hello! Fatty, have you decoded all the data?"


    "Still working on it. The information you sent me is too messy. I need to sort it out first, which may take another two or three days. Why, are you in a hurry?"


    "Not really, just checking the progress. Remember, once the data is decrypted, send it to the Guo Family’sb immediately for them to start their research."


    "Don’t worry, I know what to do." Pausing for a moment, Hu Fei added, "By the way, I’ve taken care of those matters you asked me to."


    "Good, let’s leave it at that. Keep me informed if there are any updates." With that, Ling Chen hung up the phone and returned to Tang Yuan’s side.


    "Tang Yuan, I got a call this morning that the government ns to build a researchb here to oversee the archaeological research of this tomb."


    "So you’ll have to stay here long term?"


    Tang Yuan shook his head, "I’m just a temporary worker. Once things stabilize here, someone else will take over my job." As they spoke, a soldier came running over and saluted Tang Yuan, "Report, equipment has been delivered."


    "Good, take a team and try to set everything up before nightfall."


    "Yes!"


    Listening to their conversation, Ling Chen curiously asked, "What are you guys up to?"


    "This area has been designated as a restricted zone by higher-ups. We’re ordered to establish a defense line within a hundred meters around the tomb. Let me tell you, the discovery of this tomb is a serious matter. The authorities are taking it very seriously; top leaders have issued strict orders to protect this tomb. No information can be leaked. Otherwise, it could be considered treason. So, you’d better be careful and not get on the government’s bad side."


    Ling Chen smiled faintly, knowing well what Tang Yuan meant. Tang Yuan was afraid he might reveal the tomb’s secrets to outsiders. If that happened, not only Ling Chen but Tang Yuan might also get implicated.


    Night fell.


    Ling Chen was in his tent, lying on the folding bed. Not far from him was a makeshift research facility where members of the National Archaeological Team worked tirelessly to study the discoveries from the tomb. Besides the ancient corpses, even the tomb owner’s stone coffin had been moved out.


    They spected that since the tomb owner had been in the stone coffin for hundreds of years, there might be some hair or skin kes left inside that could allow for DNA testing. However, Ling Chen knew very well these research methods would not yield any significant results. Neither the Southern Ling Family nor the Northern Ling Family nor even the Guo Family had made any breakthrough in decades of studying Ling Gengqiu’s remains.


    As he pondered, his phone suddenly rang. Ling Chen pulled it out of his pocket, and upon seeing the caller ID, he immediately got off the bed and walked swiftly out of the tent.


    Half an hourter, Ling Chen and Tang Yuan arrived on foot at the county town of North County.


    "Sixth Brother, over here." Upon hearing a familiar voice, Ling Chen looked and saw Yuan Yun standing at the corner, waving towards him.


    "Third Brother," Ling Chen greeted as he approached and asked, "Where are the others?"


    "They’re keeping tabs on those guys. We shouldn’t waste any time; let’s head over quickly before they escape." With that, Yuan Yun led Ling Chen and Tang Yuan through the alleys of North County, twisting and turning. Before long, they reached the meeting point.


    All the members of the Eight Oddities were present except for Yuan Yun.


    "Sixth Brother, do you see that house over there?" Qiu Yong pointed to a house more than twenty meters away. "The people you’re looking for are inside. I counted carefully; there are twenty of them, but I’m unsure of their strength."


    "Do you know their identities? I don’t want to end up confronting allies," Ling Chen said.


    "I’m not sure about that, but I suspect these guys are from the Southern Ling Family. If they were from the Northern Ling Family and knew you were here, they’d surely find a way to contact you."


    Hearing this, Ling Chen nodded. Qiu Yong’s words made sense. After the secret of this tomb was discovered, Ling Chen pondered many things. Given the Southern Ling Family’s expansive influence and connections, they would know about this tomb. So, the Southern Ling Family would likely take action to gain all the tomb’s secrets.


    Thus, Ling Chen had Hu Fei inform Qiu Yong and others toe quickly. If members of the Southern Ling Family intended to make a move on the tomb, they would undoubtedly pass through North County. Over the past few days, Qiu Yong and others had been secretly lying in wait in North County, watching for any suspicious individuals.


    "Sixth Brother, should we act now or wait for them toe out?" Xia Yue asked.


    Ling Chen thought for a moment and said, "Since they’re still inside, why don’t we take the initiative and catch them off guard." With that, Ling Chen turned to Tang Yuan beside him, "Do you have everything you need?"


    Tang Yuan grinned and nodded, "Don’t worry. After your notification, I made all the necessary preparations."


    "Alright then, you go first, and we’ll surround them from the sides."


    Once everything was in ce, Tang Yuan, with his backpack,y low in the grass and slowly approached the house. Soon, Tang Yuan reached the wall beside the house. Once everyone was in position, Ling Chen gestured to Tang Yuan by the wall, signaling him to take action.


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