Northern School: Tales of the Tomb-Raiding Underworld Heard in Prison

[Tomb Raiding + Artifact Appraisal + Jianghu Adventures + Daily Life]

In 1998, I came out of a work crew in western Liaoning with nowhere to go, so I joined the tomb-robbing trade.

I got to know Third Master Yao of the lands beyond the Pass, apprenticed myself to Wang the Boss of the Northern School, watched the surroundings with Old Ghost, and learned to read the earth from the Boss.

From keeping watch and running errands to clearing soil and digging tunnels, and finally to appraising treasures and running the operation, I saw most of China with my own eyes.

Hongshan in Chifeng, Han tombs in western Henan, Tang mausoleums in Guanzhong, buried tombs in southern Shanxi…

I dug through sand-piled tombs, evaded plainclothes squads, exposed traitors, and divided up priceless treasures.

The Northern School has its rules, and the jianghu has its hard truths.

Take no photos, leave no evidence, never betray your fellow tomb raiders if you’re caught, and never try to keep everything for yourself unless you want to die.

My name is Xiang Bei, a Northern School tomb raider who clawed his way out of the yellow earth.