The legend of the “Yellow Weasel of the Northeast” is known to anyone who understands weasels.

The legend goes that in the Northeast, there was a family named Huang who specialized in the weasel fur trade. Many people were in the business of weasel fur, but only their family’s fur was of the best quality. Each piece of fur was like silk, soft and tough, and the top-grade pelts even surpassed mink.

Because of the excellent quality of their furs, the Huang family’s business grew larger and larger, and they quickly became the biggest fur merchants in the Northeast.

Those in the industry said that the Huang family was able to obtain such furs because they had made a deal with the weasels. A large portion of the money they earned had to be used to build a grand tomb for the weasels’ ancestors. This grand tomb had to be built to the highest burial specifications, sending a thousand bronze cattle and sheep underground as offerings, and then sealing the tomb with a thousand-pound iron gate.

But later, as the Huang family earned more money, they began to have other ideas. Plus, war suddenly broke out at that time, and everything was in chaos. The Huang family then thought of converting their earnings into gold bars and secretly transporting them out of the Northeast for storage—they completely forgot their agreement with the weasels.

And the most terrifying thing happened at this moment.

As the Huang family was preparing to leave that night, a monk suddenly appeared at their door, saying that disaster was about to befall their family.

At that time, the Huang family patriarch was relatively superstitious. He immediately invited the monk in and politely asked what was going on.

The monk pointed to the Huang family members present and said, “Their names cannot be called.”

The Huang family was completely bewildered, not understanding what the monk meant by “names cannot be called.” But the monk had no intention of saying more. He bowed to them and, ignoring the Huang family’s attempts to stop him, forcefully left.

After the monk left, the Huang family still couldn’t understand the meaning of his words. However, that very night, as they were loading the packed gold bars onto the cart, the Huang family head suddenly called out, “Huang Yuncong.”

Huang Yuncong was the youngest son of the Huang family head, who was then carrying something heavy towards the cart. Who knew that as soon as his father uttered “Huang Yuncong,” he let out a shrill scream and collapsed to the ground.

Others were about to step forward but found that long yellow fur began to grow from Huang Yuncong’s body. The fur seemed to be forcibly squeezed out from his flesh, tearing his skin and flesh, almost instantly turning him into a bloody person.

“Aaaaahh—” Huang Yuncong rolled on the ground, screaming. In a short while, he turned into a furry thing. Others who witnessed this scene were horrified, and for a moment, no one dared to step forward to check the situation.

The Huang family head, seeing his youngest son in such a state, also turned pale with fright. He urgently shouted for others to help, but who knew that all the Huang family members whose names he called out collapsed to the ground, and dense fur squeezed out from everyone’s bodies.

After losing several family members, the Huang family head finally understood what was happening. He was also a man of courage. He knelt on the ground and repeatedly kowtowed, saying, “Please, Ancestor Huang, spare our lives. We know our mistake and will no longer leave this place…” After saying that, he resolutely drew his knife and directly cut off his own tongue.

No one ever knew whether those Huang family members died afterward. The only thing everyone knew was that their family truly began to prepare for the construction of the Weasel Tomb. Although no one knew exactly where it was built, it indeed cost a lot of money; just those thousands of exquisite bronze statues of cattle and sheep would have required a huge capital.

“So, is this just a legend or a real thing?” Shen Yiqiong walked inside with his flashlight. “Why does it sound so creepy?”

“Who knows,” Xu Rumang said. “But weasels are always eerie animals. We tend to be more careful after encountering them here; we even have to burn their fur after killing them.”

Speaking of weasels, Shen Yiqiong recalled a certain weasel at his home that monopolized the mahjong table every day. There wasn’t a hint of an eerie aura about it; it seemed to have transformed into a social person who smoked and permed its hair, full of worldly charm.

“Then our luck is too good; we entered this tomb as soon as we arrived,” Shen Yiqiong stood in the empty hall, looking around.

This hall should have been filled with things, but at this moment, all those things were gone, leaving it empty. Judging by the scale of this hall, if this was truly a tomb, then the tomb’s scale was probably enormous.

“There’s a path here,” Xu Rumang suddenly spoke.

Shen Yiqiong looked in the direction Xu Rumang pointed and indeed saw another path. He said, “Your eyesight is good; you can even see that.”

“Not bad,” Xu Rumang said. “If you weren’t wearing clothes, I definitely wouldn’t be able to see you.”

Shen Yiqiong: “????” How could this son of a bitch Xu Rumang talk like that? No wonder he couldn’t get Zhou Jiayu.

The air in the hall wasn’t murky, which led to the inference that there must be a ventilation system nearby. If they could find a vent, they should be able to get out from there—of course, the specific situation would only be known after they found it.

As they approached the small path, Shen Yiqiong noticed some dragging marks on the ground. These marks looked like someone had moved heavy objects across the floor, and he even saw some indentations from impacts on the walls. He had tested the quality of these walls with his dagger before; to leave such marks on them would require an immense amount of force.

“What’s this?” Xu Rumang suddenly discovered something, stopping in his tracks.

Shen Yiqiong directed his gaze to where Xu Rumang was pointing and saw several strange footprints in the corner of the small path. The footprints were clearly not human, more like those of some feline. Connecting this with what Xu Rumang had said earlier, Shen Yiqiong forced a smile: “…Are we really in a weasel’s tomb?”

Xu Rumang calmly said, “I want a cigarette.”

Shen Yiqiong said, “I’ll have one too.”

The two of them lit cigarettes and began to silently puff out smoke. The scent of tobacco made Shen Yiqiong feel a little calmer. He said, “Otherwise, should we turn back?”

Xu Rumang shook his head: “There’s another reason why I brought you this way.”

Shen Yiqiong: “What reason?”

Xu Rumang: “…Didn’t you feel like there’s something guarding the entrance we came through?”

Shen Yiqiong fell silent, cursing under his breath.

“Don’t think too much; everyone dies eventually,” Xu Rumang said with a carefree air. “I’ve actually thought about this day already.”

Shen Yiqiong’s expression was very complicated. Finally, he forced out a sentence: “That… have you ever had a girlfriend?”

Xu Rumang said, “Girlfriend? No such thing. I’ve only had a dozen boyfriends.”

Shen Yiqiong wanted to curse again when he heard Xu Rumang’s words. Finally, he forcefully swallowed his words, put out his cigarette, and said, “…I still want to get out alive.”

He still wanted to fall in love, hold hands, and chat with a cute girl about everything from poetry to philosophy.

“Then let’s go, let’s see what other surprises there might be ahead,” Xu Rumang could only comfort Shen Yiqiong like this.

What else could Shen Yiqiong say? He just had to follow Xu Rumang onward.

The path ahead was winding, and the walls were covered with ominous-looking scratches. Based on their shape alone, these scratches clearly belonged to some animal, but some of them appeared on the tunnel’s ceiling, making it hard to imagine what kind of animal could scale the walls and ceilings of this tunnel.

They carefully walked forward, and after about ten minutes in the tunnel, an open stone door appeared before them.

The stone door should have completely sealed the tunnel, but now it was half open, and behind it was pitch black, making it impossible to see.

Shen Yiqiong shone his flashlight inside and saw that behind the stone door were several stone coffins. If nothing else, beyond the stone door should be the burial chamber.

But why was the door to what should be the burial chamber wide open? And there were no traces of human damage on the stone door at all. The ominous feeling in Shen Yiqiong’s heart grew stronger. He said, “Do I really have to go in?”

Xu Rumang said, “…Since we’re already here.”

Shen Yiqiong: “…” This was the second time he had heard those words today. Did this bastard Xu Rumang really think they were touring a tourist attraction?

Since they were already here, it seemed indeed too late to turn back. Shen Yiqiong took a deep breath and squeezed through the cracked doorway.

The burial chamber was pitch black, filled with the smell of dust. Xu Rumang followed closely, and the two entered one after another.

The burial chamber was large. After entering, Shen Yiqiong used the flashlight’s beam to see the full extent of it. There were seven coffins in total, arranged somewhat like the Big Dipper.

Shen Yiqiong walked to one of the coffins and tried to push it tentatively, finding that the stone coffin lid was very heavy and certainly couldn’t be moved by one person.

Just as the two of them were observing their surroundings, Shen Yiqiong suddenly heard a dull thud. The sound came from above them, like heavy stones grinding against a wall, startling Shen Yiqiong so much that the hairs on his body stood on end. He looked up at the source of the sound but saw nothing.

The darkness was like a curtain, obscuring his eyes. When Shen Yiqiong shone his flashlight upwards, he found that there was no ceiling above them, but rather a bottomless pit—and they were standing at the bottom of it.

However, at this crucial moment, Shen Yiqiong’s flashlight beam began to flicker, as if the power was running low.

Shen Yiqiong cursed, “Xu Rumang—what kind of quality flashlight did you buy? It’s already out of battery after such a short time!”

He vigorously slammed it against the wall twice, wanting to make the flashlight work again. But as soon as he slammed it, the flashlight unceremoniously went out.

“Xu Rumang?” Shen Yiqiong only then realized something was wrong. If his flashlight had problems, that was one thing, but why was Xu Rumang’s flashlight also out? The entire burial chamber plunged into silent darkness.

“Xu Rumang!” Shen Yiqiong suddenly panicked, calling Xu Rumang’s name, but then felt his hand suddenly being gently held.

“Holy crap, you scared me to death,” Shen Yiqiong breathed a sigh of relief after his hand was held. He said, “What’s wrong with the flashlight? Didn’t you bring signal flares? Quickly get them out of your bag…” As he spoke, Shen Yiqiong felt the hand holding his gently scratch his palm.

“Now is not the time to flirt, alright?” Shen Yiqiong was startled. “Do you mean you’ve always been interested in me? Was Zhou Jiayu just a cover?” He was brainstorming a dramatic soap opera when he suddenly realized something…

The hand holding his didn’t seem quite like Xu Rumang’s.

Too cold, too soft, as delicate as silk… After realizing this, Shen Yiqiong’s forward steps, which were being led, involuntarily stopped.

However, the hand holding his was still pulling, trying to force him forward.

At a time like this, not being able to see almost became a comfort. But some things had to be faced sooner or later. Shen Yiqiong felt a chill throughout his body. He took a deep breath and pulled out the lighter from his pants pocket.

Click, the lighter ignited, and the tiny flame provided a faint light source. Although the range was small, it was enough for Shen Yiqiong to see the scene before him.

Zhou Jiayu would never forget this face for the rest of his life.

It was a face of ambiguous gender, with thin lips, a straight nose, and narrow eyes, adorned with delicate makeup. Its eyes were a beautiful golden, and at this moment, they were silently gazing at him.

Shen Yiqiong knew it was an inappropriate time, but his heart uncontrollably pounded. Sweat beaded on his nose, and his face began to flush. He said, “Hello.”

The person in front of him gazed silently, not speaking.

Shen Yiqiong said, “I didn’t mean to disturb you; I got lost here.” The flame of his lighter flickered, and he then noticed that the person in front of him was wearing a red outfit, which looked somewhat like a wedding gown, but without the softness of one, instead possessing a heroic aura.

Shen Yiqiong was usually talkative, but at this moment, he couldn’t utter a word. His mind was filled with the face before him, and his held palm began to sweat profusely—but earlier it was due to fear, and now it was due to shyness.

“Excuse me, may I ask your name?” After a long staring contest, Shen Yiqiong finally couldn’t resist. He said, “My name is Shen Yiqiong, I’m nineteen this year, unmarried, 1.76 meters tall, and I like playing basketball…”

As he spoke, the corners of the otherwise expressionless person’s lips subtly curved upwards. Those thin, beautiful red lips parted slightly: “My name is Huang Yao.” He spoke, and it was a man’s voice.

Shen Yiqiong instantly sobered up and blurted out, “You’re a man?”

Huang Yao: “…” He raised an eyebrow and then smiled: “I’ll remember your name.”

Before Shen Yiqiong could react, he saw Huang Yao slightly tilt his head and blow out the lighter in his hand.

The light dimmed again. Shen Yiqiong was about to speak when a beam of light shone directly on his face, and a voice sounded from behind: “Shen Yiqiong—what the hell are you standing there like an idiot for? I’ve been calling you for so long, why didn’t you answer!”

Shen Yiqiong abruptly turned around and saw Xu Rumang cursing with a flashlight, his angry expression seemingly genuine: “What’s that look on your face? I’ve been looking for you. Why the hell did you turn off your flashlight?” He was probably too angry, and his speech had a Northeast accent.

Shen Yiqiong looked dazed, as if possessed.

Xu Rumang waved his hand in front of him: “Are you okay? Shen Yiqiong? Shen Heizi?”

Shen Yiqiong immediately snapped out of it when he heard the name “Shen Heizi” (Blackie Shen), and retorted angrily, “Who’s Shen Heizi? Xu Rumang, how dare you talk like that?” Calling him “Blackie” was one thing, but “Heizi” wasn’t a nickname to be casually used. If it became a habit, would he ever be able to find a wife?

“Then say something!” Xu Rumang said. “I thought you were dead!”

Shen Yiqiong wiped his face: “What’s going on? I feel weird…”

“As soon as you entered the tomb chamber, you started walking forward like you were possessed,” Xu Rumang said. “I couldn’t even keep up with you. I was still chasing, and then you just turned off your flashlight, you jerk. Shen Yiqiong, put your hand on your heart. With your complexion, and not turning on your flashlight, who could find you?”

Shen Yiqiong: “…” If you don’t mention my complexion, we can still be friends.

“So what happened to you?” Xu Rumang asked. “You weren’t led astray by some dirty spirit, were you?”

Shen Yiqiong hadn’t quite recovered yet, and the incredibly beautiful face from earlier still floated in his mind. He reached out and wiped his face, saying, “Xu Rumang, I think I’m in love.”

Xu Rumang looked like he had seen a ghost: “In love? With whom? There’s no one here…” As he spoke, he seemed to recall something and quickly retreated two steps. “Yiqiong, you… you’re a good person, but you’re not my type…”

Shen Yiqiong: “…” What a coincidence, we were thinking the exact same thing.

To prevent Xu Rumang from having any unwanted misunderstandings, Shen Yiqiong quickly told him what he had just seen, and also stated that he had no interest in Xu Rumang, asking Xu Rumang not to misunderstand.

Xu Rumang was visibly relieved. He said he didn’t dislike Shen Yiqiong; he just liked fair-skinned, tender youths, preferably with a softer temper, like Zhou Jiayu…

Shen Yiqiong: “So you mean I’m dark and hard?”

Xu Rumang: “You said it yourself.”

Shen Yiqiong spat: “Coincidentally, I don’t like you either. I like long hair, the longer the better. Look at you, wouldn’t you scare two kids if you walked out like that?”

The somewhat dangerous atmosphere was effectively diffused by the two of them mutually hurting each other. They walked around the coffins and actually found a narrow ventilation shaft in the corner.

The ventilation shaft was wide enough for them to crawl through and slowly make their way out. If Xu Rumang could climb in, then Shen Yiqiong would definitely be fine.

The two talked as they crawled out. Xu Rumang said, “I found something when I was looking for you just now…”

Shen Yiqiong: “What is it?”

Xu Rumang: “All the stone coffins in that hall have been opened.”

Shen Yiqiong paused his crawling motion: “What do you mean?”

Xu Rumang turned his head, his expression unclear: “It means either someone entered here and opened the coffins, or else…”

Although he hadn’t finished speaking, Shen Yiqiong already understood his meaning. He whispered, “The things inside came out?”

“Mm.” Xu Rumang seemed unwilling to dwell on the matter and quickly changed the subject.

The ventilation tunnel was a bit long, but there was indeed a faint light ahead. Xu Rumang crawled out first, with Shen Yiqiong following closely. Just as he was about to leave, Shen Yiqiong turned his head for another look into the tomb chamber and saw a pair of golden eyes in the tomb chamber. Those eyes silently met his gaze, carrying an emotion that Shen Yiqiong couldn’t understand.

However, when Shen Yiqiong wanted to look more closely, those eyes disappeared again.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Rumang asked from outside.

“Nothing,” Shen Yiqiong scratched his head. “Was I… was I really not dreaming just now?” He still remembered that face and that name. If it was a dream, how could it be so clear and detailed?

Xu Rumang glanced behind Shen Yiqiong and smiled: “Perhaps you really weren’t dreaming.”

Although this ventilation tunnel led outside, it was sealed, leaving only some holes. Xu Rumang had been worried about how they would break open the entrance, but to his surprise, it opened directly with a push when they reached it. He noticed some fresh cut marks at the entrance, indicating that this exit had just been created.

Moreover, there was one most incomprehensible aspect about the tomb behind them: burial places are for the dead. Who would open ventilation shafts in a tomb, and have those shafts appear to be in constant use?

These questions seemed unanswerable for now. Xu Rumang walked ahead, sighing to himself that the happiest thing in the world was to have an experience without significant danger, to gain knowledge without paying a heavy price.

After returning from the tomb, they rested for a few days.

Shen Yiqiong lay in the hotel, sighing about how dangerous the world was and how embarrassing it would have been if they had died there.

Xu Rumang said nothing, sending him a large pile of specialty products from the Northeast, telling him to eat more to recover.

Shen Yiqiong accepted everything and expressed his gratitude.

He had thought the matter was over, but the night before he was due to leave, Shen Yiqiong suddenly heard a knock on his door in the middle of the night.

Perhaps because he had spent too much time with Zhou Jiayu, Shen Yiqiong’s first reaction to the knock was not to open the door. However, he quickly remembered that Zhou Jiayu, who had an Extreme Yin body, was no longer around, and he no longer had to worry about dirty spirits knocking on his door every night.

Shen Yiqiong looked through the peephole and saw the person standing outside. The person was wearing a red wedding gown, smiling and tilting their head, and called out his name: “Shen Yiqiong.”

These three words seemed to have a magical power, making Shen Yiqiong unable to control his actions. He slowly opened the door and also called out the person’s name: “Huang Yao.”

“Hello,” Huang Yao said. “I like you very much. Would you marry me and be my wife?” His tone was so sincere, so sincere that it seemed impossible to refuse his request.

“Okay,” Shen Yiqiong mumbled, completely unaware of what he was saying. “I’m willing… to be your wife.”

“Heh,” Huang Yao laughed, probably too delighted. His pupils appeared with vertical slits, like those of a feline. He said, “I’m seventy-three this year. How old are you?”

“I… nineteen,” Shen Yiqiong replied.

“Good,” Huang Yao said. “Wait for me for a while. I will prepare the betrothal gifts and come for you.” He lowered his head and gently kissed Shen Yiqiong’s lips. “Wait for me.”

Shen Yiqiong looked dazed, watching Huang Yao turn and leave.

He didn’t know how long it was before Shen Yiqiong finally broke free from that strange state. His eyes widened, completely disbelieving everything that had just happened. A thought popped into his head—Seventy-three, did it actually mean that?!