Ghost Blows Out the Light, also referred to as Candle in the Tomb, is a fantasy novel series written by Zhang Muye about a team of grave robbers seeking hidden treasure, with the first book publishedonline in March 2006. It quickly became the bestselling online novel in China with an estimated readership of six million, and when published in print form in October the same year, went on to sell over 500,000 copies, although the book had to be rewritten to remove references to the supernatural before it could be released. Set in the 1980s, the series follows former soldier Hu Bayi and his partner as they raid tombs in search of valuables. The two team up with an American archaeologist after they fall victim to a curse, and to release themselves from it they must seek clues found among ancient mythical sites across China. The title is derived from an old Chinese saying, credited by the author to genuine grave robbers: "A human lights the candle and the ghosts blow it out." According to Muye, grave robbers would place a candle in the south-east corner of a tomb after entering, in an attempt to make contact with the dead. If the candle was extinguished it was a sign that the spirits within opposed the intrusion, and the robbers would be obliged to depart, leaving everything intact and undisturbed.
Adaptations
In July 2007, it was reported that Hollywoodfilm studioNew Line Cinema was planning a movie adaptation. It was stated that one of the two lead actors was to be Qian Zhijun, the teenager whose face was behind the Xiao Panginternet phenomenon, while other roles would be played by established Hong Kong movie stars. There has already been a bestselling online game released based on the book, while a play is also mooted. In 2015, two film adaptations of the novel was released. Zhang revealed that out of all eight volumes of the novel; half of them were sold to China Film Group Corporation, and the other half were sold to Wanda Pictures. Zhang worked with Wanda for , helping to write a new chapter especially for the film. The other adaptation, Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe received mixed reviews as too many changes were made to the story in the original novel, and Zhang even issued a statement saying he was not involved with the screenplay. In 2021, a third adaptation will be released, The Legend Hunters. Three television adaptations are also produced. Candle in the Tomb, released in December 2016 by Daylight Entertainment, is based on the first volume of the novel series of the same title. Two upcoming adaptations The Weasel Grave and Mu Ye Gui Shi are also set to be released, and are based off the second volume and eighth volume of the series respectively.
