Tomb robbing: I was Buried alive in the Mausoleum of the First Emperor, I Get Stronger by Looting Corpses

Chapter 4: Meng Jiangnv Submits—A Treasure Appears!

“System, what does ‘Special Character’ mean?” Yang Yi asked.

Ding!

[Special Character’ refers to individuals who have left a mark in history or people the host is familiar with. Only Special Characters will have their attributes displayed.].

That explained why he hadn’t been able to see the stats of the other prisoners. He muttered, “So that’s why…” before another thought came to mind.

“If I’m a Mohist disciple, why didn’t I inherit the Mohist Breathing Technique?” His brows furrowed. Scouring through his predecessor’s memories, he found nothing related to martial cultivation—only mechanical craftsmanship and practical skills.

Reaching Qin Shi Huang’s burial chamber wouldn’t be easy. He wasn’t sure if the other entombed prisoners had any combat abilities, but the tomb guardians were bound to be extremely formidable.

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Not far away, Meng Jiangnv let out a relieved sigh as she adjusted her clothing. Just as she turned to leave, her body stiffened. Something felt off.

Her martial instincts screamed at her—someone was nearby, concealed in the shadows.

Swish

Her face flushed crimson as panic set in. She had been seen. And in this place, where morality and order had long crumbled, she knew what that meant. “Even in death, I can’t preserve my honour?” Despair gripped her as she clenched her fists.

Footsteps approached. Each step echoed like a death knell, sending shivers down her spine.

Yang Yi walked forward, unhurried.

Originally, I wasn’t planning on taking in any followers. But Meng Jiangnv… is different. Having an ally in this place… might not be a bad idea. At the very least, she could keep watch while I sleep.

He exhaled. Ever since entering this tomb, he hadn’t dared to close his eyes, fearing he’d be strangled in his sleep. He was strong, but not invulnerable. Meng Jiangnv was a woman who had traveled a thousand miles in search of her husband. That kind of devotion spoke of loyalty and resilience. She wasn’t the type to betray easily. The only uncertainty was whether her will to live was strong enough. But survival was a powerful motivator. Nobody wanted to die.

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“You—”

Meng Jiangnv’s voice trembled as Yang Yi stopped before her. She wanted to speak but fell silent when she saw what he held out. A flatbread. For a moment, she simply stared at it, stunned.

“Eat,” Yang Yi said, smiling. Meng Jiangnv’s fingers curled slightly. “What… do you want in return?”

She wasn’t naïve. There was no such thing as free food, especially not here. She knew that Yang Yi had discovered she was a woman. And in a place like this, that knowledge was a death sentence.

“Nothing much.” His tone was calm. “While I sleep, you stand guard. When you sleep, I do the same for you.”

His offer was simple—mutual survival. A woman like Meng Jiangnv would never accept forceful demands. She would rather die. That’s why Yang Yi wouldn’t pressure her. Instead, he would build trust. Once she realised he could consistently provide food and water, she would naturally rely on him. In the end, survival would bind them together.

“That’s all?” Meng Jiangnv murmured, almost in disbelief. She had expected something far worse.

Yang Yi’s expression remained neutral. “Do you not see? People have already started killing for food. In a few days, they’ll be butchering each other like animals.” His words made her blood run cold. Meng Jiangnv’s body trembled. “But we’re all going to die anyway… what’s the point?”

“Exactly,” Yang Yi replied. “That’s why we fight to be the last ones standing. At the very least, we’ll die with our bodies intact—not in someone’s stomach.”

His last remark made her stomach churn. A shudder ran through her as she gripped the flatbread tightly. Yang Yi’s voice softened. “And you thought I’d force myself on you? Don’t be ridiculous. In this place, strength is everything. Keeping your stamina up is the only thing that matters.”

Meng Jiangnv’s face turned an even deeper shade of red. He had definitely seen everything earlier. Before she could respond, a piercing scream echoed down the corridor. Meng Jiangnv flinched.

“Another death,” Yang Yi muttered. “If you trust me, stay here.”

He handed her the bread, then turned and walked toward the source of the commotion. Just as he took a few steps, her voice hesitantly followed him.

“Be… careful.”

Yang Yi smiled to himself. She wasn’t going to run. And if things went well, he might even obtain her Breathing Technique. As he moved forward, wary eyes followed his every step. Suspicion and greed gleamed in their gazes, but no one made a move.

Soon, he spotted the corpse. A man lay sprawled in the corridor, his clothes torn, his throat ripped open by human teeth. Yang Yi’s expression darkened. The killer had eaten him alive.

Taking a slow breath, he crouched down and placed his hands over the body.

[Ding! Corpse looting successful.].

[Ding! Congratulations, host. You have obtained:

• One jade pendant

System rewards pending based on item appraisal].

Yang Yi’s heart skipped a beat. A treasure. Excitement flickered in his eyes. The system’s reward multiplier was about to activate. How many times would my gains be amplified?

He couldn’t wait to find out.