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Candle in the Tomb
Episode 15
Based on years of experience,
are there a lot of foreigners who come here to raid tombs?
Many. Very many.
Especially before the liberation.
Our country was politically unstable and has been at war for many years,
a lot of tomb raiders from imperialistic countries,
all came here while we were weak. The Western Regions, for example,
because of the harsh natural conditions here, and lack of human development,
it has become the main target of the tomb raiders.
The tombs and relics in Xinjiang have been greatly damaged and pilfered.
Before World War 2,
the ancient oasis town of Kroraina (Loulan) on the east of Taklamakan Desert,
the southern border's Niya,
and the Mogao Caves of Dunhuang in Gansu Province.
A lot of artifacts were ransacked.
Many relics suffered
destructive damages.
The author of Miss Yang's notebook,
also came to Xinjiang from England at that time?
Xiao Hu, let me put it this way.
At that time, the foreigners all call themselves explorers,
but in reality, they are after our artifacts.
Think about it, it is such a long journey, the transportation is so inconvenient,
and you risk your life to come here. What are they doing here then?
What do the investors of the expeditions have in it for them?
The scenario you are talking about does exist,
but there still are real explorers.
Xiao Hu, I have been in archaeology for half my life,
and have struggled against tomb raiders for half my life.
Even though it is not face to face,
but everyday, I am fighting against them for time.
Archaeology and tomb-raiding,
is like a never-ending battle.
We are discovering, researching and protecting.
They are stealing, destroying and selling illegally.
We have strong hatred towards them.
Listening to you, I don't think there is any difference.
Old Hu.
Why? Is there something wrong?
There's a problem with my compass.
It's fine, I have one.
It isn't broken,
it's been like this for half a day now.
My watch has stopped as well. It has been around half a day or more too.
What happened?
Stop!
Everyone take a rest here.
Can't find it anymore. Can't find anything.
Miss Yang, what has happened?
What time is it on your watches?
- It has stopped! - Mine isn't working either.
- Look! - I've winded it already!
Look at this.
What is there to be excited about?
Mister Anliman, tell them your bad news.
Bad news?
Tell us then. Afterall, you haven't had anything good to say so far.
Old man, what has happened?
I took a look,
we have already walked out of the range of the solitary underground river.
I can no longer detect any signs of the underground river.
Then, when was the last time there were signs of it?
Around half a day ago.
Do not continue any further.
If you continue walking forward, I really won't be able to find the way back.
Everything really is true.
Old Hu, what in the world is she talking about?
Miss Yang,
is your brain not working anymore, or going too fast?
I originally thought all of this was a coincidence,
but now, all of it matches up.
On the notebook, it says
"In the depth of the desert night, we lost our sight of the lonely river,
- and in this vast land with enormous magnetic mountains-" - Miss Yang!
Miss Yang, please, speak in Chinese.
The notebook stated, "In the depths of the desert,
we lost sight of signs of the solitary underground river,
and in this vast land with no signs of life,
there are two giant magnetic mountains,
standing on opposite sides, facing the afterglow of the setting sun,
like two warriors wearing black armor,
silently guarding the secrets of the past.
After passing the door-like mountains,
the legendary city appears in front of our eyes."
Wait, what mountains did you say?
Magnetic mountains.
Magnetic mountains?
Then, with so many of our items having problems,
- does that mean we are close to the magnetic mountains? - Yes.
If there really are two such huge mountains nearby,
then the solitary underground river may be cutoff by the magnetic mountains,
and so it would be normal for us to not be able to find traces of the river!
- That's logical. Continue speaking. - That's all I have.
Fatty, well said!
- What did you call me? - That isn't important.
We should now focus our attention
on finding the magnetic mountains nearby.
That's because if we can find the magnetic mountains, then we would have found the entrance to the Ancient City of Jingjue.
Binoculars.
Where is it?
Miss Yang, are you sure that the information in the notebook is complete?
That's right. Are there any missing pages or something like that?
I'm sure. There aren't.
Right now is the most important moment of all. You have to help me find it.
I'm begging you.
Okay, I'll try my best.
Xiao Ye, Xiao Ye what's wrong?!
Xiao Ye! Xiao Ye!
- What happened? - What happened to Xiao Ye?
- What happened? - Xiao Ye!
- Xiao Ye, Xiao Ye! - Xiao Ye!
Xiao Ye, what's wrong?
She is very hot.
Hurry up and give her some water.
Chu Jian, we brought fever relieving medicine, right?
Hurry, hurry up and find it.
Drink some water.
How could this happen? It is all my fault.
Xiao Ye is so sick, and I didn't even realize?
Don't be anxious.
Actually, actually I knew all along.
It was Xiao Ye, she told me not to tell anyone.
Stupid, Xiao Sa!
This kind of matter, how can you hide it? It may cost a life!
I...I didn't know it would be like this.
Professor, I'm fine.
Xiao Ye, don't talk, don't talk now.
Don't worry about me, I'm really okay.
When we get to the Ancient City of Jingjue, I just need a bit more rest.
What are you talking about? As a teacher, if I don't care about my students, I would be a fascist!
With your health condition like this, can you go to the Ancient City of Jingjue?
If you are in danger, we might as well not go!
Aiguo, control your emotions.
Please don't, professor. Everyone has gone through so much to get here.
I don't want to cause everyone delay because of my condition.
I, I was just suddenly very tired.
But now, I'm okay.
Really. It's my body, I should know. There won't be any danger.
Xiao Ye,
for you to think like that, I am very happy. But you are still young.
Whatever you do,
you can't sacrifice your health, especially not at the expense of your life.
Professor, I...
Here is the medicine.
Water, slowly.
Xiao Ye,
are you sure you are okay?
I'm okay.
Okay, then you rest for a bit first.
Xiao Sa, take care of her.
Professor Chen, Miss Yang, let us talk over here.
Okay.
Rest first.
Xiao Sa, take good care of Xiao Ye.
Sa Dipeng, what are they talking about?
Is it because of me being a burden to everyone?
Here, Xiao Ye, don't think too much. Rest well.
Professor Chen,
it seems that now, our watches and compasses are no longer working.
It should be because of the magnetic mountains.
According to Miss Yang's notebook,
we are currently very close to the magnetic mountains.
If we are able to successfully find the magnetic mountains, that also means we have found the entrance to the Ancient City of Jingjue.
But the problem is, even if we are very close, where are the magnetic mountains?
None of us has seen them.
Old Hu has spoken very objectively.
The distance between the magnetic mountains and the Ancient City of Jingjue could be a couple of hours,
or could likely be a few days.
Maybe even farther. But our water supply right now
can barely last till the well at Prince Gu Mo's tomb.
If we continue walking forward, we definitely will not have enough water.
But, historically, all ancient cities have been built near water sources.
The underground stream at Prince Gu Mo's tomb is an example.
I believe, such a thriving, extravagant country like Jingjue, will definitely have a water source.
That's right. I believe so too.
But more importantly, if we can't find it, then on our return,
we will only be able to eat camel meat, drink water from the sand, and go back via route 11 (walk back).
That is only under the circumstance that we don't run into any sandstorm.
What is route 11? How do you drive on it?
It means using both your legs and walking back.
I understand now. We have two paths in front of us.
One path is to go to the Ancient City of Jingjue, but it is rather risky.
Another is to return to Prince Gu Mo's tomb. Comparatively, it is safer. That's the gist, right?
Correct. But there is something else that's more important.
That is Xiao Ye.
She fainted, and also has a high fever. If we continue forward,
no one can ensure her health, or even her life.
What I mean by all this, is that
I just want to let everyone know about all our options, and would like to know what everyone thinks.
Right now, each one of our opinions, are all very important.
Professor Chen?
What do you think?
Personally, the Ancient City of Jingjue has been the pursuit of my lifetime.
We are only one step away from it now.
If we were to give up, I'll really be very reluctant to do so.
If I can really see the Ancient City of Jingjue,
even if I die there, to me, it is worth it.
Your standard is too high, isn't it?.
In this group, I am the oldest,
and I am the leader of this expedition. If anything happens to anyone,
I must bear all of the responsibilities.
On this path, we have endured life and death, but we were unable to choose.
Now, if we can choose, I must ensure
that in future, I am accountable to the government and to your families.
So,
I agree to go back.
I don't agree.
Professor, I have been with you since I was 20.
Your passion for the culture of Jingjue, I understand it well.
For this expedition,
you have spent so much time and effort. I know that more than anybody.
Professor, we cannot give up.
I agree to go back too.
Chu Jian, how could you? If you go back, you are no longer my student!
Aiguo, we have already said,
right now we are listening to everybody's opinion. No matter what is said, it is a personal stance.
Don't get too emotional. Xiao Chu, tell us the rest.
Professor, for us to get here, it has been so hard.
To tell the truth, if we were to give up right now,
I can't accept it. But seeing Xiao Ye like this,
I really worry about her, worry that something will happen to her.
Professor Chen. Professor Hao.
Xiao Ye? Why did you get up?
I'm fine, I'm fine!
Xiao Ye is feeling better, and she drank some water.
Professor, teacher, Chu Jian,
I know all of you want to go to the Ancient City of Jingjue very badly.
I want to go too, Xiao Ye wants to go too, right?
Everybody, don't be so awkward and don't worry too much about me.
Actually, I'm not that weak.
I also don't want everyone to regret this because of me, for the rest of your lifetime.
Professor, this is how I personally feel, and my true thoughts.
Let us persevere on. When we get to the Ancient City of Jingjue,
I will be fine after I take a rest for a couple of days.
Don't worry.
Before we came to the desert, everyone was prepared for the worst.
The goal of our expedition is to find the Ancient City of Jingjue.
No matter what the result is, I want to continue forward.
Old Hu, what do you think?
To tell the truth, at first, I just wanted to earn some money, nothing more.
But through our experiences, I have learned a lot.
Even though we have gone through a lot of danger,
but increasingly, I want to see this Ancient City of Jingjue.
I want to see the place that all of you have talked about, where Queen Jingjue lived.
So, if we go back right now,
perhaps it would really be something to regret for a lifetime.
Also, objectively speaking,
if we turn around right now, we may not be 100% safe either.
Old man, what are your thoughts?
In this world, there is only one sky.
In the sky, there is only one sun.
God will give us a direction.
I'll listen to God.
Then, why don't you quickly ask,
what is God saying?
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Old man, are you done yet?
I got it. God has given us a direction.
What's the direction?
Everybody-
Old man, at this time, think before you speak.
I've thought about it.
The front side means we will continue to walk forward.
The obverse side means we will return to where we originally come from.
Old man, you... are you sure you aren't joking?
I'm not joking. I am very serious.
Yes, whenever you joke, you're serious too.
Fatty, be more serious.
Professor Chen, you are the elderly one.
You'll be the one to toss this coin. The result
will be what God wants us to do.
Here. For you to toss it.
Old brother.
Professor Chen, I'll do it.
Okay.
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Old man, what does this mean?
God isn't sure either?
No, don't say something like that.
God has its own meanings.
This is the Black Desert. Even God doesn't want to come here.
Fatty. Be more serious.
Look! Hurry up and look! Is that the magnetic mountains?
Why didn't we see it earlier?
The characteristics of these mountains,
are exactly the same as that on the notebook.
These are definitely the magnetic mountains.
After a thousand-mile journey, we have finally come to the last step.
Xiao Ye.
Professor.
Don't worry about me. I feel so much better now.
I can persevere till we get to the magnetic mountains.
Professor, teacher, I'll take care of her.
Don't worry.
Everyone, then let's hurry up and get ready to set out.
It doesn't matter if we can find the Ancient City of Jingjue or not,
I want to thank everyone first. Thank you everyone.
Let's go.
Xiao Ye, you've to continue taking the medicine. You must reduce your fever.
Miss Yang, if we can really find the Ancient City of Jingjue,
you promised before that you would give Old Hu and I another ten thousand dollars!
Don't worry, I won't give you a cent less.
Old Hu! I need to find a way to get that gun from her.
What, what do you want to do?
The gun can't be in her hands.
If we find the Ancient City of Jingjue, and find a lot of treasures,
what if she kills us all and takes it all for herself?
Has your brain been demagnetized as well?
What demagnetized? I don't believe that you haven't thought anything about it!
Of course I'm thinking.
I'm thinking about whether or not the ruins have been buried by the sand,
once we get there, will we find a water source,
what does the queen look like, can she pose a threat when she is dead?
Including the British explorers, how did they die? All of this is unknown.
Okay, okay, okay, stop talking. I can't keep up with you.
Hopefully it's just me thinking too much.
I have also thought of the words of MacArthur in the Korean War.
What did he say?
In the beginning, we thought that we knew everything.
In the end, the truth is that we knew absolutely nothing.
Okay brother! Stop scaring yourself.
Who knows.
We are already here. Let us continue forward!
Yes, this is the Hu Bayi I know,
who is fearless!
Stop pretending to be a model example. Be careful of falling!
Look at you.
That was so long and tiring.
I thought we would get here before sunset.
It looks like it is late at night.
No matter what, we are here, and that is good.
Xiao Sa!
Xiao Ye still has a fever.
Her temperature has not dropped. She already has signs of dehydration.
I have some water here.
Everybody, endure it for a little, let us hurry on forward,
If we can't find water, Xiao Ye really will be in danger.
Yes, yes, we must quickly find water, water.
Come, come.
Hurry and lift Xiao Ye off the camel, don't let her fall.
Come.
Go hold her, don't let her fall!
Leader Hu, Leader Hu, my camel,
has never been like this before.
It seems like they have been devoured by the demons.
It is God who will not let us continue. Let's go back.
How can we? We have finally gotten here, how can we go back?
They won't continue forward though?
Old Hu, don't worry,
Anliman, there is probably something up front that is scaring the camels.
Let's take a look.
What happened?
Can you see clearly?
Old Hu, I think it is a person?
You think? It is a person.
Hey, friend! Friend up in front!
Don't play dumb!
Fatty. Don't shoot the person.
I understand.
He's not moving.
Could he be dead?
Miss Yang and I will go take a look. Fatty,
you stay here and protect the rest with Chu Jian.
Don't worry, if there really is a problem, move quickly,
I promise to shoot one person with one bullet.
If I can't do it, then in the future, you can write my last name, Wang, upside down.
Old Hu, what Fatty said was wrong.
The character Wang, upside down, is still Wang.
You took his words seriously?
He died not too long ago, the color of his corpse is very strange.
Old Hu, what's the status?
It's fine, they're dead.
Old Hu.
There is another one.
Wait, don't go yet.
Give me another firework.
Made by the Soviet Union.
He has shot his gun before. The bullets are lesser.
Look over here, there are bullet shells.
They have weapons?
You two, look at the stuff, but be sure not to touch the body.
Let's go.
It is very likely that they are the ones who stole the mummies.
- Old man! - Yes?
Do you know how to use a gun?
Yes. I participated in army training before.
Old man, take a look, are these the people you brought?
Yes.
They are the foreigners I brought here the last time.
How many of them were there?
That's all of them.
Explosives!
Old man,
hurry and get your camels. This place is not safe to stay for long.
Professor Chen, Professor Hao, hurry up and come here!
Old Hu!
Look, explosives!
Old Hu, don't you think all of this is kind of strange?
Yes, it is very strange.
These people died very strangely, and all at once too.
Who is the opposing side?
Could there be...more than one bad guy?
That is very possible.
The important part is that they have weapons, shot at the enemy, but still died.
This means the opposing side either has more people, or are stronger.
Also, they didn't take the weapons and explosives.
More importantly, they don't have obvious wounds on their bodies.
Don't think about it anymore, we must leave here quickly.
Take it, it might be useful.
Okay.
Professor Chen, how are you feeling?
I'm fine.
Good, let us continue then.
She still has a fever.
I'm okay. I feel much better already.
Just a little longer.
Fatty, lead them and go forward.
Miss Yang and I will go and help old man Anliman, we will catch up in a while.
- Xiao Hu, you must be very careful. - Okay.
Go on slowly.
Professor, let's go, let's go.
Professor Hao, don't touch that!
There is water in here, let Xiao Ye drink some!
Don't touch the body!
Careful!
So close, if it weren't for...
Aiguo!
Professor, professor!
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♫ Walk forward and pass through a gap ♫
♫ I want to see it more clearly ♫
♫ My courage and fragile sensitivity are together ♫
♫ Some secrets are hidden at the bottom of my heart ♫
♫ I’ve never mentioned it to anybody ♫
♫ Fate beckons, but doesn’t care about the result ♫
♫ Because of capricious changes, I’m trapped in the moment ♫
♫ An unknown river flows up, but the river current goes down ♫
♫ The bigger your desires, the higher price you must pay ♫
♫ My stomach is filled with words, but I close my mouth ♫
♫ Fate has once given promises, but it can also go back on its words ♫
♫ One side offers loving words, while the other side offers lies ♫
♫ You’re supposed to climb to heaven, but you flee to hell ♫
♫ You were given a youthful face, but it transformed all into grey hairs overnight ♫
♫ Sail downstream with the current ♫