The final commander, intent on knocking Sun Xuewu unconscious with a club to escape, suddenly recalled something and instructed him: "This Bashan Ape Den was tamed by our father in the mountains over decades. It's now attuned to human will. Though it's slightly younger than me, it has followed me these years. On my journey to seek out Master Feng Shigu's tomb, whether I live or die, this creature will return with news for you. If I perish, you become our Feng family's last heir. In twelve years, you must enter the Coffin Gorge again and see if that traitor who betrayed our sect has truly found the Corpse Immortal."
Sun Xuewu, sensing imminent parting sorrow, wept bitterly: "You've spent half your life mastering ancestral skills far beyond mine. I regret wasting my youth with scholarly pursuits, becoming a helpless bookworm."
Commander Feng sighed, patting his brother's shoulder: "This task is perilous indeed. But if you don't do it, who else remains in our Feng family?" He hesitated before adding, "If you feel overwhelmed later, seek help from the Gold-Diggers' Guild. I've heard of a Master Zhang San during Qing dynasty who practiced excavation arts. Since Ming Yongle destroyed their seals, only three talismans remain - if their secret methods still have descendants..."
Commander Feng instructed his brother to seek Gold-Diggers' aid when desperate: "As goes, among seventy-two trades, the Gold-Diggers reign supreme." Though Sun felt conflicted - their ancestors had historically suppressed these excavators during Ming dynasty...
The brothers discussed ancient excavation factions like Huafang and Xialing, which had faded into obscurity. The Feng clan's connection to suppressing Gold-Diggers made seeking their help problematic yet necessary...
Commander Feng insisted family matters must be resolved internally despite dire circumstances. After breaking Sun's consciousness with a club, he escaped into the mountains toward Wushan.
Sun became increasingly reclusive post-incident, fearing political persecution for his familial ties. Though Professor Chen Jiuren remained a friend, no confidant emerged...
Post-Cultural Revolution, Sun resumed work but never found his brother or the ape. When finally entering Coffin Gorge alone, he discovered Commander Feng's corpse and final letter detailing his escape to Qingxi Town just as construction of an air-raid shelter ended...
The letter revealed Commander Feng had sabotaged archaeological operations by spreading superstitions about the ape. He lamented his failure to open the Nine Palace Tiger Lock, realizing Master Feng Shigu's tomb was more formidable than anticipated.
He also warned of a mysterious ancient mirror artifact sought by Japanese forces in Northeast China - an object that could neutralize corpse immortals...
In his final confession, Commander Feng urged Sun to decipher the "Mountain Finger Maze," find authentic mirrors, and navigate the Wuyang Wang tomb's labyrinthine passages. Though he failed to unlock secrets during his lifetime...
The dramatic revelation stunned us at the temple hall. Even with my analytical mind, I couldn't have guessed this truth. Details like hidden family archives in paper effigies hinted at authenticity beyond fabrication.
When asked if I'd been tracking Gold-Diggers since our first meeting in Shaanxi, I admitted spotting his talisman when he revealed his neck scar - though then unaware it was genuine...
He admitted orchestrating encounters through fabricated leads about King Xian's tomb and the Green-Headed Alchemist. By faking a work diary hinting at "corpse pills" in tombs, he manipulated us toward Wushan...
His meticulous planning included replacing his brother's letter with forgeries and instructing the Bashan Ape to aid him - though ultimately outwitted by the girl from Fengweishan who cracked the Nine Palace lock...
Inside the tomb complex, he attempted to abandon us using "belly spirit" divination but failed when we exposed his fake map. As midnight approached triggering the deadly defense mechanism, he admitted bluntly: "At least one of you is already dead - that would be me."