The man before him was thin and gaunt, with long hair obscuring half his face, giving him a rather effeminate appearance.
He exuded a sense of mystery, clad entirely in black, as if he were about to don a mask.
Noticing Zhang Tian's gaze, the younger man's eyes flickered slightly, a hint of coldness flashing within them.
It was a stark contrast to the Zhang Qiling currently on the judgment seat.
"Wu Xiaofoye, where are you off to in such a grand fashion today?"
Zhang Tian smiled faintly, looking at Wu Xie.
Wu Xie snorted.
"Why should I tell you? Let's go, we're off to find my Third Uncle."
As Wu Xie spoke, he, along with the two beside him, sidestepped Zhang Tian.
They seemed in a great hurry, suggesting something important was afoot.
Wu Xie's trip here to buy equipment was likely for that ancient tomb described in the silk book.
Now that he had finished, it was naturally time to depart.
Zhang Tian suddenly recalled the plot of that tomb-raiding story.
If things unfolded according to the narrative of the tomb-raiding tale, then they might be heading for that particular silk book tomb.
However, Zhang Tian knew that the current era was just before liberation. Wu Xie should still be a child, or not yet born.
But now, not only had Wu Xie appeared, but they were also engaging in this kind of tomb raiding?
"It's all a mess, completely chaotic. I can't use the tomb-raiding plot to deduce the current timeline."
Zhang Tian had disrupted his own proud timeline. Since the timeline, characters, and locations were already intertwined.
Zhang Tian certainly wouldn't arrange the timeline of the tomb-raiding plot to fit his own.
That would be unrealistic.
Still, Zhang Tian remembered that within that silk book tomb, there were souls, zombies, and many treasures.
He remembered it very clearly.
Especially that bronze artifact, the bronze bell.
The one that a fool had carelessly stepped on and shattered. Zhang Tian had felt a pang of heartache at the time.
That item predated the Warring States period, and its sound could disturb the soul, making it an essential tool for murderers, arsonists, and rogues.
If they were indeed going to that tomb, Zhang Tian felt it was necessary for him to go.
Zhang Tian was quite fond of that bell; it was likely a superb magical artifact.
"However, before I go, I need to find suitable candidates, and I also need some means of self-defense."
Zhang Tian murmured to himself. He knew that Wu Xie and his group were able to emerge thanks to the younger man's combat skills.
If not for that man, Wu Xie wouldn't have even made it out of the tomb, and it would have been a blessing just to survive.
"A talent like him, I must recruit him, but not now."
"The Zhang family and my family have some ties, perhaps I can use something else to bring him to my side."
Zhang Tian's eyes gleamed as he looked at the younger man.
After all, who wouldn't want a cheat by their side?
Zhang Tian watched as the younger man and his companions left.
He planned to try his luck at the train station first.
Fatty had already started selling jade.
And judging by their hasty departure, they were probably heading to pick up Hu Bayi.
Fatty was a proud man, loyal to his friends. Hu Bayi had just returned from the army.
He needed a welcoming feast, but he had no money. Yet, he had to pick up his good brother, so naturally, he sold the jade.
Zhang Tian walked along swaggeringly.
On the way, he saw many people: famine victims, beggars, and the like.
He paid them no mind.
In this era, there were too many people starving to death, fleeing famine, and forming gangs.
Even if Zhang Tian wanted to help, he couldn't.
His own power was too limited.
Logically, Hu Bayi should have disembarked at the capital of Xia Kingdom upon his arrival by train. However, the two worlds had merged.
That changed things. They had directly alighted in Old Changsha.
"Yo, isn't this Young Master Zhang? What wind blew you here?"
"If I'm not mistaken, this is the train station, right?"
Upon seeing Zhang Tian, a middle-aged man with a shifty smile, dressed in a yellow suit, approached him.
He looked at Zhang Tian, his face practically splitting with delight.
Zhang Tian thought for a moment.
"Da Jin Ya, what are you doing here?"
Zhang Tian spoke indifferently.
He harbored no fondness or dislike for Da Jin Ya.
After all, in this era, it was a skill to acquire antiques, and no one would scrutinize it.
But selling them to foreigners was asking for trouble.
"Young Master Zhang, I'm here to welcome foreign guests, of course."
As he spoke, his eyes darted around.
"Heh heh, Young Master Zhang, you might not know this, but just now, I saw a fat man holding a jade pendant. I offered him three hundred yuan, and he refused to sell."
"That jade has some age to it. Young Master Zhang, your family possesses secret appraisal techniques, perhaps you can identify what it is."
Da Jin Ya's face broke into a smile as he spoke.
Zhang Tian chuckled.
"Why are you telling me this?"
Seeing Zhang Tian's question, Da Jin Ya's smile deepened.
"This jade is definitely a good item. Young Master Zhang, if you need it, I can tell you what that person looks like. How about it?"
Although Da Jin Ya didn't say it directly, Zhang Tian understood that the man wanted him to owe him a favor.
"Sorry, I already have it."
As he spoke, Lin Tian produced the jade, and Da Jin Ya's eyes lit up.
He trembled slightly. What a feat! As expected of Zhang Tian, his speed was incredible.
"Indeed, Young Master Zhang, your speed is truly remarkable. We slowpokes can't compare."
Da Jin Ya sighed in admiration.
Zhang Tian frowned slightly, feeling as if he were being subtly insulted.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be going."
Zhang Tian said, having no intention of engaging further with Da Jin Ya.
"Hey, don't go, Young Master Zhang, I have another piece of news for you."
Da Jin Ya's eyes twinkled as he spoke.
"What is it?"
"Recently, some people have come to Panjiayuan, buying things everywhere, specifically items related to tomb raiding."
"I heard that they've been busy acquiring artifacts for tomb raiding, supposedly having discovered a grand tomb. What do you think? Is this news explosive enough?"
Da Jin Ya's mouth cracked into a grin.
"You think if you know something, others don't?"
"I know the location of the tomb they are looking for."
Suddenly, Da Jin Ya spoke, and Zhang Tian, who was about to leave, froze.
He looked at Da Jin Ya.
"How do you know something so confidential?"
Zhang Tian frowned slightly. Da Jin Ya was merely a cunning merchant.
How could he know about the Wu family's affairs?
It was preposterous.
"That day, when those young people came to buy things, I happened to have what they needed. I managed to pry a few words out of them."
"One of them, a big, simple fellow named Han Shao, was quite talkative. I got it out of him in just a few sentences."
Da Jin Ya said with a smile.
Zhang Tian believed him.
With Han Shao involved, there was nothing more to say.
"What do you want?"
Zhang Tian asked directly.
"Three thousand yuan, and I'll give you the clue."
Da Jin Ya stated. Zhang Tian immediately agreed.
Afterward, Da Jin Ya relayed the clue he possessed.
Based on Da Jin Ya's information, Zhang Tian confirmed the location.
It was likely in the mountains somewhere in Hang City. Da Jin Ya's description wasn't very precise, but Zhang Tian didn't mind.
Zhang Tian was skilled in appraising treasures and could also read dragon veins.
As long as he had a general location, Zhang Tian could deduce the location of the grand tomb from the dragon veins.
This meant that Zhang Tian now knew where Wu Xie and the others were heading.
Zhang Tian could find that grand tomb at any time.
"It seems I need to buy some equipment as well."
Zhang Tian thought, paid Da Jin Ya with a check, and then walked away from him.
Da Jin Ya looked at the exchanged check in his hand, his mouth stretching into a grin.
"As expected of the young master, he has no concept of money."
"Now I've struck it rich."
Da Jin Ya muttered, his figure gradually receding.
Inside the train station, Fatty smiled, looking at the bulging cash in his bag.
He was overjoyed.
Just as Fatty was reveling in his happiness, a gray figure in the distance caught his eye.
Hu Bayi!