Chapter 12 The Stone Statues

After Old Wei's careful observation and Xiao Liang's scientific analysis, we finally figured out how this group of tomb robbers was wiped out, and also how the huge breach in the city wall came to be.

Following the breach, we squeezed into the tomb. Just after crossing the city wall, I saw four or five empty mineral water bottles scattered on the ground, along with the wrappers of biscuits, ham sausages, and instant noodles.

I picked up a bottle and glanced at it. There were still water droplets inside that hadn't completely dried, indicating it had been drunk from just a few days ago.

"This should be left by Liu Huangshu and his gang," I deduced.

Hu Wazi took the mineral water bottle from my hand, squeezed it hard, and gritted his teeth, saying, "Son of a bitch! These bastards even came down here for a picnic? When I catch them, I'll beat the shit out of them!"

After speaking, he abruptly threw the mineral water bottle forward. I thought it would go far, but it suddenly hit something and bounced back with a bang.

This startled us. I quickly shone my flashlight forward, and the sight almost made me faint!

In the space ahead, which could or could not be considered a tomb chamber, a large group of people were kneeling densely packed. They were arranged in a square formation, kneeling on the ground with their legs neatly together, their hands behind their backs, heads bowed, and bodies slightly leaning forward, like elementary school students being scolded by their teacher.

Upon closer inspection, I saw that these people were not real people, but a batch of stone figures. They were somewhat similar to the terracotta warriors in Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum, but the carvings were not so detailed, and the workmanship was relatively rough.

I mustered my courage and went over to inspect them. I could vaguely see the outlines of clothes on their bodies, and their facial features were not very clear, only the shapes of eye sockets, noses, mouths, and ears.

But at first glance, it gave me a shock. If I didn't know better, I would have thought Liu Huangshu's gang was here waiting for us to offer an apology.

At this time, Old Wei, Xiao Liang, and Hu Wazi also came forward one by one to observe. Xiao Liang reached out and gently stroked a stone figure, saying as he touched it, "It's strange. These stone figures seem to be carved so simply, but why do they feel so lifelike?"

I also felt puzzled.

Logically speaking, the carving skills of these stone figures weren't that great. Compared with the terracotta warriors, the terracotta warriors had clearly defined noses and eyes, and even expressions. They were completely one-to-one reproductions, so it was normal for such statues to look lifelike.

But these stone figures in front of me were completely freehand. There were rough lines everywhere on their bodies, and there weren't even specific eyes or nostrils. Logically speaking, these stone figures shouldn't give people a particularly lifelike feeling.

But when I glanced at them, I just felt that they were lifelike, just like real people!

This feeling was too strange!

Old Wei stroked his chin and said with an air of importance, "I think this is what they call 'great skill appears simple'! This batch of stone statues must be from the hands of the most skilled craftsmen in the ancient Shu Kingdom. They were able to use these rough lines to carve out a lifelike feeling. This realm is even higher than that of Qin Shi Huang's terracotta warriors!"

Xiao Liang nodded in agreement, saying, "Great skill appears simple. As expected, Old Wei is cultured. I also wanted to say that just now, but I couldn't remember it for a moment."

While the two were chatting, Hu Wazi suddenly grabbed a stone figure's head, shook it twice, and said, "How can this thing stand so steady? The bottom of its feet looks so insubstantial, it shouldn't be..."

Old Wei quickly reminded him, "Hu Wazi, be careful! Don't shake the stone figure over, what if it's a mechanism..."

But before he could finish speaking, it was too late.

Hu Wazi was a big guy, and he had inexhaustible strength in his hands.

He didn't hold back, and thought he was just shaking it lightly, but he really shook one of the stone figures upside down, and it fell headfirst to the ground.

"Damn it! This is bad!" Hu Wazi knew he had caused trouble, and shouted with his head in his hands.

Old Wei quickly shouted, "Get out of the way! Watch out for traps!"

We all subconsciously took a few steps back. Xiao Liang was even more agile and hid directly behind a nearby stone figure.

But after the stone figure fell to the ground, it didn't seem to trigger any mechanism.

It was just that the stone figure had become very fragile due to its age. After falling to the ground, it shattered into seven or eight pieces, and also kicked up a cloud of dust.

I pinched my nose and hid for a while, waiting until the dust settled before going back to look.

But this time, when I looked down, it made my scalp tingle!

In the shattered stone figure on the ground, I vaguely saw some human bones!

In that instant, I realized that the stone figure wasn't carved out of stone, but was made with living people as the embryo, covered with what seemed to be mud or something else, and cast alive!

Just as I discovered this, everyone else also discovered it.

For a time, cries of "fuck" rose one after another, all feeling that this practice was a bit too cruel.

I didn't expect that Hu Wazi, because of a moment of recklessness, actually discovered such an amazing secret.

Old Wei couldn't help frowning and said, "This is too terrifying, isn't it? I was wondering how these stone statues could be so lifelike, it turns out they were cast from living people!"

"Using living people to cast stone statues, isn't that too twisted?" Even Hu Wazi felt that the ancients were twisted.

Xiao Liang speculated, "This is an ancient tomb. Ancient tombs should be places to bury the deceased. Do you think this might be a way to bury the deceased? Could these people have all been cast into stone figures after they died of old age?"

"I don't think so!" Old Wei shook his head and said, "Look at the postures of these stone figures, their hands are tied behind their backs, kneeling and bowing their heads. This shows that these people are either slaves or criminals. This mausoleum isn't for slaves or criminals to enjoy. In my opinion, they are more like being subjected to a punishment, or a sacrifice."

At this time, Yun Jie suddenly had a flash of inspiration and said, "Do you think these figures look like tomb robbers who came to rob the tomb? They trespassed into forbidden territory, were cursed, and turned into stone statues, so they can only kneel here permanently to atone for their sins, right?"

After Yun Jie said this, I really agreed a little.

I have to say, this statement does make sense.

These stone statues are kneeling at the outermost part of the underground palace, and they are also bowing their heads to admit their guilt. Don't they look like tomb robbers trespassing into forbidden territory and being turned into stone?

As a result, as soon as Yun Jie finished speaking, Hu Wazi kicked him again and cursed, "Damn it, are you done yet? Cursing, cursing all day long, how the hell are there so many curses!"