Hu Ming

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Hu Ming (胡明) 1
Alias(es)	Mingzi; Master Ming; Comrade Xiao Ming 4 25
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Age	28 1
Affiliation	Jingjue archaeological expedition; formerly Hu Bayi's army company 1 26
Occupation/Role	Former deputy company commander; historian, archaeologically trained tomb raider, and expedition specialist 1 14 20
Status	Active; travelling through the Taklamakan Desert with the Jingjue expedition 50
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Tomb Robbery System — initial beginner package	1	Received the Beginner Five-Clawed Golden Dragon Bloodline, mastery of Baji Quan, a lifetime of archaeological knowledge, and a one-cubic-metre System space upon arriving in this world.
First tomb-robbery reward	19	After the Niuxin Mountain tomb raid, the System expanded his storage space and awarded a Body Tempering Pill. Taking it doubled his physical strength.
Marrow Cleansing Scripture	44	Rewarded for entering the Nine-story Demon Tower. The breathing technique cleanses marrow, prolongs life, and noticeably strengthens him after several days of cultivation.

Background

Hu Ming died in his previous life after being struck by a driver while riding his bicycle. Having grown up in an orphanage without relatives, he considers his reincarnation fortunate because he gained the family affection and relatives he had lacked before. 1

Upon arriving in the tomb-raiding world, he awakened the Tomb Robbery System, which only issues rewards for robbing tombs. For more than twenty years, its beginner package remained his only reward because he had never entered a tomb. 1

He graduated from Peking University's History Department and supplemented his studies with archaeology classes after his family prevented him from formally entering the archaeology program. His maternal grandfather also passed down the Sixteen Character Yin Yang Feng Shui Secret Art to him. 1 14

After graduation, Hu Ming enlisted and arranged to serve in his cousin Hu Bayi's company without revealing their relationship. His combat ability and marksmanship earned him the post of deputy company commander. When Hu Bayi resigned after shooting a prisoner of war, Hu Ming retired alongside him, expecting the events surrounding Jingjue Ancient City to begin. 1

Appearance

Hu Ming is described as a handsome young man. 1

• Usually presents himself calmly, even when confronting armed danger or hostile opponents. 3 41
• Retains a battlefield-bred murderous aura that becomes apparent when he is provoked. 31 34
• Possesses the strongest physique among the Kunlun Glacier team after years of Baji Quan training and the effects of his bloodline. 33

Personality

Hu Ming is pragmatic, calculating, and strongly oriented toward preparation. He secretly gathers tomb-raiding supplies before the Niuxin Mountain expedition, tests tomb air with a rabbit, plans escape routes, and repeatedly insists on proper payment for hazardous work. 7 11 31

He is deeply loyal to Hu Bayi, Wang Kaixuan, and the families of their fallen comrades. His decision to enter tombs is partly driven by a plan to fund the dead soldiers' families, establish a security company for retired soldiers, and open a textile factory for widows. 4 23 He also pushes Hu Bayi to confront the trauma behind his recurring nightmares rather than continue avoiding it. 30

Although he can be diplomatic—most notably in turning Big Gold Tooth from an enemy into a business partner—he reacts harshly to arrogance, threats, and disrespect toward his companions. 5 20 36 39

Abilities & Skills

Tomb Robbery System

Hu Ming possesses a System that rewards successful tomb robberies and provides storage and cultivation-related rewards. 1 19 44

• Began with a one-cubic-metre storage space, later expanded after his first tomb raid. 1 19
• Uses the space to protect and conceal artifacts, including porcelain, stirrups, a ruby pendant, machine guns, and ammunition. 13 16 39
• System rewards are conditional; he received no additional benefits until participating in his first tomb robbery. 1 19

Five-Clawed Golden Dragon Bloodline

His beginner bloodline reinforces his body and grants rapid wound healing. 1 19

• Combined with body tempering, it gives him exceptional endurance and strength; he can carry fifty to sixty catties of Professor Chen's supplies without difficulty. 19 33
• Its documented abilities are primarily physical enhancement and healing rather than supernatural combat techniques. 19
• Hu Ming considers it inferior to Zhang Qiling's Kirin Bloodline and has not yet advanced it beyond the beginner stage. 19

Baji Quan and Combat Training

Hu Ming received mastery of Baji Quan through the System and has trained in it for roughly twenty years. 1 39

• Defeated more than a dozen of Big Gold Tooth's men alone in approximately five minutes. 4
• His military background includes excellent marksmanship and command experience as a deputy company commander. 1
• Uses intimidation as effectively as violence; he forced Big Gold Tooth to return Wang Kaixuan's jade pendant without fighting. 3
• His battle-honed instincts allow him to sense hidden threats, including danger beneath the river near the Nine-story Demon Tower. 35 37

Archaeology, History, and Ancient Scripts

The System granted Hu Ming a lifetime of archaeological knowledge, making his expertise comparable to that of an elite specialist. 1 4

• Correctly identifies a supposed Mojin Talisman as a pseudo talisman and explains its construction, limitations, and historical function. 6
• Appraises and contextualizes artifacts such as Jin-era jade discs, gold stirrups, saddles, masks, and burial goods. 22
• Translates Ghost Cave Script and explains the origins of the Demon Country. 36
• Possesses substantial knowledge of the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions, Jingjue culture, the Ghost Eye Curse, and the Dapu Ghost Worm. 24 28 30
• Can read oracle bone script, tadpole script, and small seal script. 25

Feng Shui and Tombcraft

Hu Ming studied the Sixteen Character Yin Yang Feng Shui Secret Art inherited through his maternal grandfather. 14

• Understands Dragon Seeking Finger Pointing, Celestial Star Feng Shui, tomb structures, corpse-suppressing methods, and trap precautions. 10 14 25
• Uses corpse-binding ropes and glutinous rice to restrict a powerful Jin Dynasty zombie before opening its coffin. 14
• Acknowledges that his feng shui knowledge is more theoretical than Hu Bayi's practical experience. 25

Desert and Expedition Survival

Hu Ming is a careful expedition organizer with practical survival knowledge. 7 44

• Procures gas masks, corpse-suppressing coins, black donkey hooves, glutinous rice, snake repellents, and other specialized supplies. 7 44
• Warns the expedition about conserving water and recognizes the warning signs of an approaching sandstorm. 47
• During the desert storm, drags Professor Chen to safety, searches for shelter, and helps lead the party toward the ruined temple. 49 50
• Devised the plan to repel the Overlord Salamander with Molotov cocktails and a grenade. 41

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• System space — Interdimensional storage initially limited to one cubic metre and later expanded. 1 19
• Pseudo Mojin Talisman — A decorative, non-protective imitation accepted from Big Gold Tooth; it has collectible value and functions as a token associated with Mojin authority. 6
• Corpse-binding ropes and glutinous rice — Used to restrain and impede corpse-transformed enemies. 14
• Gas masks and anti-tomb supplies — Prepared before entering Niuxin Mountain's tomb network and later retained for expedition use. 7 18
• Machine guns and ammunition — Taken from the Kanto Army Fortress and stored in his System space. 16
• Molotov cocktails and grenade — Used in his emergency strategy against the Overlord Salamander. 41

Relationships

• Hu Bayi — His cousin, former military superior, and closest partner. Hu Ming retired with him, supports him through his battlefield trauma, and shares feng shui and tomb-raiding work with him. 1 25 30
• Wang Kaixuan (Fatty) — A brother-like friend and regular expedition companion. Hu Ming protects him during conflicts, relies on him for supplies and combat support, and often reins in his greed or recklessness. 2 7 27 39
• Big Gold Tooth — Former adversary turned antique-dealing partner. Hu Ming accepts his apology, grants him a permanent 20% commission on sales through his contacts, and entrusts him with valuable artifacts. 5 22
• Yingzi — Niuxin Mountain guide and companion. Hu Ming protects her during the Wilderness Gully expedition and tends to her after she injures her ankle. 9 10
• Professor Chen — Archaeological collaborator who recognizes Hu Ming as a former prodigy and values his historical, linguistic, and expedition expertise. 20 36
• Yang Xueli (Shirley Yang) — Employer and expedition teammate. Hu Ming negotiates aggressively with her, knows information she seeks about Jingjue and the Ghost Eye Curse, and remains wary of her secrecy. 24 26 35 39
• Hao Aiguo — Hostile academic rival. Hu Ming resents Hao's arrogance and repeatedly defends Hu Bayi and Fatty when Hao belittles them. 20 23 36
• Ye Yixin — Fellow expedition member whom Hu Ming supports during the desert crossing and sandstorm. 48

Story Role / Major Arcs

Return to Beijing and the Niuxin Mountain Tomb

• Reunites with Hu Bayi and Wang Kaixuan in Beijing, helps recover Fatty's jade pendant from Big Gold Tooth, and turns the confrontation into a profitable partnership. 2 3 5
• Persuades Hu Bayi to consider tomb raiding as a way to support fallen comrades' families. 4
• Leads preparations for Niuxin Mountain, proposes searching Wilderness Gully, and completes his first tomb robbery there. 7 8 19
• Receives his first post-beginner System rewards after the expedition. 19

Jingjue Expedition Recruitment and Kunlun Glacier

• Entrusts Niuxin Mountain artifacts to Big Gold Tooth, receives more than 700,000 yuan, and directs part of the money toward veterans' families and future businesses. 22 23
• Joins Professor Chen and Yang Xueli's expedition after negotiating terms and demonstrating knowledge of the Ghost Eye Curse, Western Regions history, and feng shui. 24 25 26
• Supports Hu Bayi's decision to return to Kunlun Ice Mountain, identifies the Fire Ladybugs as Dapu Ghost Worms, and demands additional compensation for the detour. 30 31
• Helps the team escape the Nine-story Demon Tower's Fire Ladybugs and the Overlord Salamander. 40 41

Taklamakan Desert Journey

• Accepts the renewed journey toward Jingjue Ancient City and helps recruit An Liman as the party's desert guide. 42 43
• Prepares anti-snake supplies, shares watch duty, and applies his knowledge of desert travel as the expedition crosses the Taklamakan. 44 46
• During a severe sandstorm, saves Professor Chen, locates the white camel's route, and discovers the ruined temple that shelters the group. 49 50

Notable Quotes

“Don't worry, now that the three of us are reunited, we're bound to do something big. Believe me.” 2

“Old Hu, don't try to hide from the past. You can't live like this forever, losing sleep every night. You should face it.” 30

Trivia

• Hu Ming calls the painful Body Tempering Pill “apple flavored” after taking it. 19
• He specifically asks Professor Chen's group to call him “Comrade Xiao Ming” rather than “Comrade Hu Ming.” 25
• Despite being a System user with advanced knowledge, he considers himself outmatched by Zhang Qiling and avoids the idea of challenging him directly. 19