You Call Digging Up Graves Archaeology?

The guide plastered a fake smile on his face and asked, "How do we get to Blackwater Pool?"

Old Zhang tapped out his pipe bowl. Instead of answering, he asked, "What do these foreigners want with Blackwater Pool? That place is cursed. Even the locals won't go near it. People die there."

"That's none of your business," the guide said impatiently.

Just then, the foreigner leading the group came over.

He was tall, with deep-set eyes, a high nose bridge, and gray-blue eyes that seemed to scrutinize everything.

His name was Leonard. He asked a question in a foreign language.

The guide hurriedly bowed and scraped, then turned to Old Zhang. "Mr. Leonard says they heard there's an ancient tomb beneath Blackwater Pool. They've come to conduct an archaeological excavation."

"Archaeological?" Old Zhang blinked. The word was plainly new to him.

"It means studying ancient history, culture, and civilization!" the guide explained. "Mr. Leonard is a Great Scholar who studies ancient civilizations."

Old Zhang mulled it over for a long while, then slapped his thigh. "Oh, I get it. You dig up graves!"

The guide's face turned green. "What nonsense are you talking?"

"Archaeologists aren't grave robbers. They protect relics. They bring treasures buried underground back into the light of day so the whole world can see the glorious history of our Great Xin Dynasty."

Old Zhang shoved the guide's hand away. "I never went to school. I don't understand your grand principles. Just answer one question: are you taking anything?"

"Well..." The guide hesitated. "Anything of research value would certainly have to be excavated and taken back for academic study."

"So you dig up the grave and take the things inside. How does that make you anything but grave robbers?"

"You... Why are you so stubborn, old man?" the