"But looking at the painted image on the mural, it seems a queen was in power back then."
"However, I can't find any historical records from this period. This tomb remains an enigma."
Although Hodge, a professor of metaphysics, and the other professor didn't get along, they could distinguish personal grievances from such matters.
"So, this country was not documented at that time."
The metaphysics professor wasn't very knowledgeable about history but understood the significance of a vanished nation.
"That's the current understanding. But now that it's been discovered, we'll find out soon. Perhaps Zhou Lin will know."
Hodge realized he had been somewhat selfish in his investigations. Zhou Lin was so knowledgeable that he hadn't delved too deeply, thinking Zhou Lin might know the answers later.
The archaeology students behind them took out their cameras and began photographing the contents of the tomb.
They were particularly fascinated by the attire and clothing of the queen in the mural, styles they had never seen before.
Hodge and the metaphysics professor walked over to Zhou Lin, who was intently studying the painted mural. It depicted a woman with her eyes closed.
On the stone wall above, a large eye was carved, its eyeball clearly visible.
"Professor Zhou Lin, do you have any insights?" the metaphysics professor asked suspiciously.
"This is no ordinary tomb. This is a lost kingdom, and it was centered around the eye."
"I once heard my master speak of a demonic kingdom in the Western Regions ruled by a powerful queen. This must be her."
Zhou Lin smiled faintly at the two men.
"And what about the rest?"
Hodge was eager to know what happened next.
However, before they could discuss further, Professor Jingxia arrived.
"You are all professors, how can you listen to a young man? Have all you people from Great Xia degenerated?"
Professor Jingxia looked at Hodge, the metaphysics professor, and the other professors with disdain.
Professor Fang, standing behind Hodge, was furious.
"Are you still going on? Is this any of your business? Do Great Xia's affairs concern you? Why don't you manage your own people properly? Don't let them die again, that would be embarrassing."
Professor Fang could no longer control himself. He had a fiery temper, and this man's interruption was incredibly irritating.
"I'm just here to tell you that this is the history of our Sakura country. You should leave."
Jingxia looked at them triumphantly.
This statement surprised Hodge and the metaphysics professor, to the point of shock.
Was this guy having a delusion?
How could this be their Sakura country?
Were they not awake, or had they not slept at all?
"Are you not awake?" Hodge looked at him in disbelief.
Inside the livestream:
"Our professors are truly amazing, they can tell at a glance that this is our history and culture."
"Professor Jingxia, you're mighty! Present your evidence and slap the faces of Great Xia!"
"That's right, that's right."
"Are you guys dreaming? Just because you say so, does that make it true? I wouldn't believe it even if you beat me to death!"
"Even if you have brilliant professors, you might not know everything. To claim this history is yours just like that, I don't believe it, and I won't believe it."
"Don't talk to these brainless fans, it will lower our standards."
Inside the tomb:
Zhou Lin waited for Jingxia's next words.
"Look at the statues inside. They are all eyes, and they resemble the flag of our Sakura country. Coupled with this carving technique, our Sakura country's historical museum features similar carving techniques."
Jingxia then took out a tablet from his bag and showed them his historical documents.
Hodge glanced at the documents dismissively.
"Just one carving is enough to prove it? You're being too arbitrary. You should focus on solving the current problem."
Zhou Lin didn't look at the tablet but glanced at a stone pillar nearby. One of the students was holding an eyeball from it.
Trouble was brewing.
Zhou Lin's words puzzled Jingxia, but he didn't dwell on it, assuming it was the last stubborn resistance of someone who couldn't accept defeat.
"Heh... you're just sour because you can't have the grapes."
After saying this, Jingxia turned and left, continuing to study the paintings on the stone wall.
"Zhou Lin..."
Before Hodge could finish speaking, Zhou Lin held up a finger.
"You all stand by the entrance. Quickly."
Zhou Lin instructed the archaeology team and the mercenaries.
"Why?" Captain Zhao asked, confused.
"You'll know soon."
Zhou Lin deliberately gave a mysterious smile and then led everyone towards the opposite side.
The others simply followed, without any questions.
"Professor, look, is this jade?"
The student holding the eyeball looked at Professor Jingxia with joy, as if presenting a treasure.
The moment the eyeball was removed, the eyeballs on the stone pillar began to shift slightly, as if rotating.
Zhou Lin noticed this and instinctively looked at the mural on the wall. The queen, whose eyes had been closed, now had them open.
She was glaring at the Sakura country people who were moving the eyeballs.
"Look."
Zhou Lin pointed at the mural on the wall, indicating that the queen's eyes were now open. Hodge, the metaphysics professor, Professor Fang, the mercenaries, and the students all gasped in unison, their eyes filled with fear.
"What... what's happening? How did her eyes open?"
"This looks so terrifying!"
"And her gaze is fixed on the Sakura country people. What did they do? Did they anger the painted image?"
The students behind them whispered, their voices trembling.
"Shh, don't speak..." Professor Fang put a finger to his lips.
Inside the livestream:
"Holy crap, did they provoke everyone? The queen in the painting is furious. What's going on?"
"This is about the Sakura country. Maybe they did something."
"Hmph, you're just trying to create a spectacle. And you people from Great Xia are shameless. Our Sakura country people might be in danger, and you're just standing by?"
"You brought this upon yourselves. Who can you blame? Didn't you say this was your history? Are you scared when you encounter danger?"