Lu Zong glanced at the lamp and said, "There is some lamp oil residue here, which is very likely the legendary Merman Ointment."

Ma Xiong asked, confused, "What is Merman Ointment?"

Lu Zong explained, "Deep-sea mermen are ancient creatures dwelling in the depths of the Nordic and Arctic Oceans. Eyewitnesses say they resemble the Sirenia in mammals, commonly known as 'mermaids'—upper body human, lower body fish tail. But these mermen are nothing like the gentle Sirenia; they are hideous, ferociously aggressive, entirely pitch-black, and possess fangs, emerging only at night to attack passing sailors and devour them whole. Many people deliberately venture to their hunting grounds to capture a live mermaid, often returning empty-handed."

"However, occasionally, one or two are caught. They bind the captured deep-sea mermen tightly, hoist them high, and expose them to the sun. These mermen have abundant subcutaneous oil, and their fatal weakness is sunlight. Under the scorching rays, their internal oils begin to melt, and people place a container beneath to collect this grease. This oil is milky white and extremely viscous; most importantly, it is incredibly long-burning. A piece the size of a fingernail, fitted with a wick, can burn continuously for over a year. Consequently, this Merman Ointment is exceptionally rare; even the Imperial family possesses very little stock. I heard that during the late Qing Dynasty, a Spanish convoy first arriving in China offered an egg-sized piece of Merman Ointment to Empress Dowager Cixi in hopes of smoothly opening trade relations. But that Empress Dowager, being incredibly obstinate and not recognizing its worth, casually bestowed it upon a minor eunuch in her service. The eunuch then resold it to an Italian missionary for one hundred taels of gold, instantly becoming wealthy and securing the position of chief eunuch. Later, when that Italian missionary returned home, the King of Italy purchased the mermaid ointment for two hundred thousand gold coins—a sum that, in Italy at that time, was enough to buy a castle."

Ma Xiong and Fatty listened, engrossed. Ma Xiong exclaimed, "Zong, how do you know so much? You're incredible!"

Lu Zong smiled, "I've read about it in ancient books and documents. My job at the Archaeology Institute is reading, so I happen to know this kind of knowledge."

Han Chong added, "Actually, records about Merman Ointment are quite common in ancient China. Doesn't the Qin Shi Huang chapter in the Records of the Grand Historian mention the 'Ever-Burning Lamp fueled by Merman Ointment, intended never to be extinguished' within the Qin Emperor's subterranean palace? The Classic of Mountains and Seas also records that the so-called Merman Ointment is actually whale brain oil, which has immense energy—one square meter of whale brain oil can burn for over five thousand days."

Lu Zong countered, "Five thousand days is just over a dozen years. By that calculation, maintaining a light for a hundred and forty years would require over ten square meters of whale brain oil, enough to fill half a stone chamber. Yet, this Ever-Burning Lamp, only half the size of a small cart, has burned for over three thousand years. Isn't that far more miraculous?"

Fatty, hearing this, cheered delightedly, "Since this Merman Ointment is so precious, I must chip off a piece to take back; I can sell it for a fortune!" With that, he stepped onto the stone pedestal, intending to pluck the lamp.

Han Chong immediately stopped him: "Get down! This Coffin Ever-Burning Lamp is meant to suppress the deceased's vengeful spirit. If it goes out, the soul will be released to wreak havoc on the living."

Fatty was reluctant: "It’s all superstition and nonsense; I don't believe that stuff." Though saying so, he was hesitant to directly defy Han Chong, so he changed the subject, "Why is this lamp called the Coffin Ever-Burning Lamp? Where is the coffin here?"

Lu Zong stated, "Haven't you noticed? This cross-shaped stone pedestal is a coffin."

Upon hearing this, Fatty and Ma Xiong became instantly energized, as if injected with adrenaline. Since entering this tomb, they hadn't seen a single coffin. Now, seeing one, they were as delighted as if they had met kin. They bent down to examine it closely, muttering, "Finally, a coffin! Old Zhang Qian is too cautious; he made this simple tomb overly complex, but that won't stop our heroic revolutionary comrades! Hahahaha..."

His laughter abruptly ceased. Lu Zong smiled lightly and asked, "Fatty, why have you stopped laughing?"

Ma Xiong pointed at the coffin and said, "Han Chong, look quickly at what’s carved here!"

Han Chong approached, shining his flashlight. On the cross-shaped pedestal, besides the kneeling stone figure, there was a line of large characters carved below: "Tomb of the Holy Spirit Feng He Nai Shi Shu Bing Zhu Zuo Fu Zheng Jun Shi Zhong Jun Zhu Jiang Dong Wang Nine Thousand Years." Below this large inscription were four lines: "Ten Commandments upon the body; approach not, disturb not. Violators will be exiled, suffering a fate worse than death."

Fatty asked, "What does this mean? It sounds like it’s talking about us?"

Lu Zong straightened up, putting away his glow stick, and explained, "This 'Holy Spirit Feng Nine Thousand Years' is Zhang Qian's title. He is warning us that anyone who approaches his coffin will meet a terrible end."

Fatty burst into loud laughter. "You're too naive! You believe words meant to trick kindergarteners? Old Fatty has plundered dozens of tombs, big and small—what scenes haven't I witnessed? Damn it, I'm going to move it today!"

Han Chong chimed in, "Haven't we already approached it? Lu Zong, this is where you lack understanding. The tomb owner naturally doesn't want anyone disturbing him. Such words only scare novice grave robbers. Over a decade ago in Jining, Shandong, a Han noble's grand tomb was excavated. The main gate of the underground chamber was inscribed with the curse, 'Whoever dares to disturb my mound shall be utterly extinguished without descendants,' yet it was still completely cleaned out by the archaeological team."

Ma Xiong felt reassured hearing this. "Is that so? Then I'm relieved."

Han Chong continued, "The most amusing example was the joint burial tomb of Liu Zhu, the sixth King of Chu during the Western Han Dynasty, discovered in Xuzhou's Guishan in June 1972. At the outermost part of the passage sealing the tomb gate, they found a plug stone later named 'Stone One Hundred and Above' by the team. It was carved with the text: 'Chu Ancient Corpse King communicates with Heaven; burial coffin Guo Bu Wa Ding Sheng Qi ordered ministers already buried to remove gold and jade artifacts; later wise officials seeing this record, benevolent ones lament this.'"

Lu Sha asked, "What does that whole string of words mean? It’s a jumble, I don't understand."

Han Chong explained, "The general meaning is this: 'Wise officials of later generations, though a King of Chu is buried here, I swear to Heaven that no luxurious robes or precious gold and jade have been interred; only my coffin and remains lie here. When you see this inscription, you will surely feel sorrow for me, so there is no need for you to disturb my tomb.' This sealing stone was placed just outside the entrance to the main chamber, visible at first glance to anyone entering the underground palace—a heartfelt confession."

Ma Xiong exclaimed in wonder, "Really? A royal tomb that poor?" Han Chong replied, "Of course not. This grand tomb was robbed for the first time during the Wang Mang period, less than a century after Liu Zhu was buried. Six hundred years later, during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, it was completely ransacked again. When the modern archaeological team entered, they found that aside from some broken jade pieces and pottery figurines, almost nothing intact or valuable remained."

Ma Xiong and Fatty both burst into laughter. Dongzi said, "This King Chu guy is quite funny. By saying that, instead of deterring people, he ensured it was robbed even more thoroughly."

Han Chong sneered, "Words that say 'This place has no silver hidden here' are utterly worthless to grave robbers, because they ignore the most crucial point: anyone who robs tombs is invariably desperate and poor. Do such lawless people share loyalty?"

Ma Xiong got spirited up and said, "Exactly! We are also lawless people now. Isn't it said that even ghosts fear wicked men? So what's the hesitation?"

Lu Zong interjected coldly, "Are you a grave robber too?"

Ma Xiong realized he had slipped up and quickly laughed, "How could I be a grave robber? We are legitimate archaeological workers, aren't we, Han Chong?"

Han Chong also offered an awkward smile, "Yes, yes. Lu Zong, how could you lump us in with grave robbers? That’s a joke."

Fatty started getting agitated again. He stepped forward and aggressively addressed Lu Zong, "What does it matter if we are archaeologists or grave robbers? You just mind your own business and follow us quietly, stop with the nonsense!"

Ma Xiong put on a stern face and told Fatty, "Why are you getting so heated? I think you're the one talking the most nonsense!"

Fatty glanced at Ma Xiong with impatience. "Ma Xiong, the way you’re talking to me is wrong. I, Ping Xiaodong, have never had the habit of looking to others for cues. We are all getting paid for this job; my mouth is under my own nose; nobody controls what I say."

Ma Xiong was silenced by this, his anger rising. He knew Fatty’s stubborn nature; relying on his youth and martial arts skill, he respected no one and wouldn't understand respect for others. If truly provoked, the four of them bound together might not be a match for him. Thus, he suppressed his anger, forcing a smile, "Alright, Fatty, let's stop arguing. The main thing now is for everyone to work together to find the treasure; then everyone will have delivered."

Ma Xiong added, "Exactly, exactly. For now, let’s work together to open this stone coffin. This coffin is truly unusual; a cross-shaped coffin is something I’ve never seen before."

Lu Zong stated, "Wanting to open this stone coffin? That might not be so easy. Haven't you noticed anything special about this coffin?"

Han Chong looked closely. "Special? Let me see... Huh, this coffin has no lid?"

Ma Xiong and Fatty looked and were equally puzzled. "Damn, there's no lid! What kind of coffin is this? It's just one big slab of rock?"

Lu Sha walked forward skeptically, touching here and there, finally stating without hesitation, "There must be a person hidden inside this stone."

They all stared at Lu Sha in surprise, not understanding what he meant. Ma Xiong was the first to react, realizing Lu Sha wouldn't say such a thing without reason, and quickly asked, "Lu Sha, what do you mean? How do you know there's a person hidden inside?"