Even though Xia Zhi, from her position as someone who had been through it before, tried to persuade her sister with emotion and reason, her sister Xia Qi remained steadfast in her stance.
What lay before her now was the tomb of a monarch who claimed to be an emperor, the first in history and in all the world!
And Xia Qi herself was studying archaeology. If she missed this opportunity, she would likely regret it for the rest of her life!
Therefore, no matter how Xia Zhi tried to persuade her, Xia Qi refused to agree. This stubbornness was exactly like Xia Zhi herself.
"Sister, no matter what you say, I will definitely enter the imperial tomb," Xia Qi stated. "Besides, you are far away in Rongcheng and cannot control me."
"You..."
Xia Zhi was speechless and finally gave up trying to persuade her.
She had intended to hang up the phone in anger, but she was afraid it might be the last time she spoke to her sister, and she didn't want to end their conversation on an unpleasant note.
So, she sighed, "Alright, since you've made up your mind, my persuasion is useless. Just be sure to pay attention to your safety. If anything happens, just ask Yan Shouyi and the others for help."
"Remember, once you're inside the imperial tomb, you must trust Yan Shouyi unconditionally. Only they can keep you alive!"
Xia Zhi even placed Professor Liang Yinqiu behind Yan Shouyi, which showed just how highly she regarded him.
After hanging up the phone, Xia Zhi still couldn't shake her worry.
She paced the hallway for a while, then finally called Yan Shouyi.
Yan Shouyi, who was in the middle of a discussion with Lin Zitong, received Xia Zhi's call and knew that Xia Qi must have told Xia Zhi about meeting him.
After connecting, they exchanged pleasantries, and Xia Zhi requested Yan Shouyi to look after Xia Qi in the imperial tomb. Yan Shouyi naturally agreed.
Even if Xia Zhi hadn't called, Yan Shouyi would have ensured Xia Qi's safety.
After hanging up, Old Han and Li Zhongxi approached them, bringing Professor Liang along.
"Yan Shouyi, we really owe you this time. On behalf of the three experts, I want to thank you first," Old Han said with a smile.
Yan Shouyi waved his hand, considering it a minor matter.
Li Zhongxi added, "Professor Liang has also agreed to let the two of you enter the imperial tomb together."
As a senior expert, it was not easy for Liang Yinqiu to make such a concession. This indicated that she was truly impressed by the abilities of Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong.
Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong exchanged a look, and Yan Shouyi asked, "When do we enter the imperial tomb?"
"Immediately," Liang Yinqiu replied.
"So soon?"
"There are still thirteen experts trapped inside. We are racing against time," Liang Yinqiu explained.
Yan Shouyi nodded in understanding. With his and Lin Zitong's physical condition, they were ready to enter the imperial tomb at any time.
"Who are the members entering the imperial tomb this time?" Lin Zitong inquired.
Old Han called over a few people, arranged everyone together, and then introduced them: "Most of the key personnel sent from Yanjing are trapped in the imperial tomb, so we have few people available now."
"Professor Liang will lead the team, with Xia Qi and Li Yang as assistants."
"Then there are the two of you, the specially appointed consultants. Once inside the imperial tomb, we will be relying on you."
"To rescue the thirteen experts, we have also equipped you with a rescue team, also thirteen people in total. They are firefighters dispatched from the city, well-trained, with rich experience in survival and rescue, and their physical fitness is much stronger than that of ordinary people."
Behind Professor Liang stood a line of firefighters, though their numbers far exceeded thirteen, likely over thirty.
Their captain, Wang Sihua, was a burly man from Shandong.
Old Han instructed, "Captain Wang, please arrange for personnel to accompany the expert team into the imperial tomb."
Wang Sihua nodded and began calling out names. The selected team members were excited, while those not called seemed displeased, muttering, "Captain, we want to go into the imperial tomb too!"
"Silence! This is a mission, not a sightseeing trip!" Wang Sihua said sternly. "The team members I've selected are relatively shorter in stature, which will make it easier to move around in the imperial tomb. Those not chosen shouldn't be discouraged. It's very dangerous in the imperial tomb, and we'll need your support at any time."
Hearing Wang Sihua's words, the team members calmed down.
Yan Shouyi genuinely admired these firefighters. After some thought, he said to Wang Sihua, "Captain Wang, can you replace some of the personnel according to my criteria?"
Wang Sihua frowned, not understanding why Yan Shouyi wanted to replace his chosen team members.
He knew his team members very well and believed that the ones he had selected were the best and most suitable for this mission.
At the same time, he disliked being bossed around by amateur leaders. After all, they risked their lives every time they executed a mission. If his team members were injured or even killed due to the incorrect guidance of amateurs, he, Wang Sihua, would not stand for it!
Seeing Wang Sihua's silence, Yan Shouyi immediately counted on his fingers and said, "The imperial tomb is a place of great malevolence, and today is an Yin day. Those of you born in the Year of the Ox, Sheep, Pig, Rooster, Rabbit, and Snake, all of you, step aside and do not enter the tomb."
Among the twelve zodiac animals, these six correspond to even numbers and are Yin, representing the six earthly branches.
The imperial tomb was already heavy with Yin energy. If there were any lonely ghosts, they would certainly target people born in these years to bully. Yan Shouyi was protecting them.
Among the thirteen team members selected by Wang Sihua, four were born in the Yin years. When they heard that Yan Shouyi was excluding them for this reason, they became furious.
"If you say we're not up to par and kick us out, that's one thing, but what's the point of bringing up zodiac signs?"
"This kid is just a charlatan. How could someone like him be in our team?"
"Esteemed experts, surely you won't let this kid mess around, right? Hurry up and kick him out!"
However, Liang Yinqiu, who had witnessed Yan Shouyi's capabilities, simply said calmly, "Do as he says."
Wang Sihua also had a lot of pent-up anger. He gave his team members a look, and they understood.
They were all young and hot-blooded. Friction and even physical altercations were normal. They could always face disciplinary action later!
Thus, several team members stepped forward and menacingly approached Yan Shouyi.
Yan Shouyi naturally sensed their hostility but showed no fear, standing his ground with his head held high.
The several team members surrounded Yan Shouyi, their expressions unfriendly, as if they would attack at any moment.
Li Yang was a bit worried and couldn't help but ask Old Han, "Old Han, aren't you going to intervene?"
Old Han looked at Li Zhongxi. Li Zhongxi shook his head and pointed at Lin Zitong.
Lin Zitong appeared completely unconcerned, showing no worry for Yan Shouyi.
Old Han immediately understood. If their wives weren't worried, why should they be?