Embedded Files
Psst! We're moving!
Zhong Xu was dead.
That one sentence kept circling in Di Jiang’s mind. On this bitterly cold winter night, she heard no wind or insect sounds—time seemed to have stopped at this moment.
“Are... you alright?” Elder Yu Ling, the raccoon dog, looked sly and puzzled, unable to understand why this fierce woman was now as still as if she had been immobilized by a spell.
“You’re saying... Zhong Xu is dead?” Di Jiang’s eyes filled with disbelief. She repeatedly sought confirmation, desperately hoping that Elder Yu Ling was joking.
But he wasn’t. Elder Yu Ling kept nodding, reiterating, “Zhong Xu is indeed completely dead!”
“How could this be possible! I can still feel his aura!” Di Jiang staggered, speechless for a long time.
“Boss, don’t worry, maybe he’s lying. Let’s skin him and break his bones to make him tell the truth!” Wen Yao rolled up her sleeves, making a move forward.
Elder Yu Ling pleaded repeatedly, “Lady, you must investigate clearly! Zhong Xu is truly dead! You two possess boundless powers; you can check where he is. If you couldn’t find him, it proves he’s already dead!”
Wen Yao thought about it and realized he made sense. She supported Di Jiang, saying, “Boss, haven’t you felt nothing from Daoist Zhong for a long time?”
Di Jiang’s expression froze, then nodded after a long pause.
Wen Yao sighed deeply, knowing how hard it was for her boss. But she was more anxious than Di Jiang. She quickly grabbed Elder Yu Ling’s neck again, demanding, “Where is Hualing Pool? Take us there immediately! We need to see Zhong Xu’s body, alive or dead!”
“This...” Elder Yu Ling shrank his neck, his eyes darting around, as if a thousand thoughts were flashing through his mind.
“Go or not! Don’t think of any tricks!” Wen Yao glared fiercely, scaring him into another shiver. No matter how much Wen Yao pressured him, Elder Yu Ling firmly shook his head, “Even if I know, I won’t take you there!”
“Do you believe I’ll smash your head with one punch?!” Wen Yao raised her right hand high, but this time, Elder Yu Ling didn’t shrink back or show fear.
As if suddenly filled with courage, Elder Yu Ling defiantly said, “You two witches of unknown origin! If you’re not here to collect debts from the gambling den in town, you must want to destroy our dragon vein! I won’t let you succeed! My death doesn’t matter, but even as a ghost, I won’t forgive you! After I die, I will return as a vengeful spirit to avenge my disciples and grand-disciples! Kill me!”
Elder Yu Ling closed his eyes, calmly awaiting death.
But Di Jiang and Wen Yao were stunned—dragon vein?
What dragon vein?
At this moment, Elder Yu Ling seemed to have made up his mind to die, refusing to speak no matter how much they pressed him. Di Jiang, feeling she had given enough punches, decided to try a softer approach.
Di Jiang released a few small raccoon dogs, then secretly pulled out an onion she had hidden in her sleeve earlier. She broke it in half, giving one piece to Wen Yao, and wiped her eyes with it hidden in her sleeve. Sobbing loudly, she cried, “We were originally snake spirits cultivating in the mountains... Three years ago, we received Zhong Xu’s kindness and fell in love with him at first sight. He promised to marry me once he resigned from his position as abbot of Baiyun Temple. Who would have thought that after three years without news, I’ve searched all over for two years only to find him here, and you tell me he’s already perished! How can I live alone in this world? I don’t want to live anymore!”
Wen Yao understood Di Jiang’s intention and also secretly wiped the onion, her tearful eyes brimming, “Madam, I’ll accompany you! When we meet Master in the underworld, I’ll continue to serve you!”
As they spoke, they pretended to lean on each other and push towards the rocks, but neither actually moved forward.
This comical display touched Elder Yu Ling deeply. His eyes turned red, forgetting all previous insults, and showed compassion, “Are you truly intimate friends of Zhong Xu?”
“Absolutely! Otherwise, why wouldn’t I fear you? Zhong Xu told me everything!” Di Jiang nodded repeatedly, making it sound real.
Elder Yu Ling hesitated, seemingly conflicted.
“Even Changsheng knows about our relationship! If you don’t believe me, go ask Changsheng!” Wen Yao added.
At the mention of Changsheng, Elder Yu Ling’s face changed. Changsheng was like evidence, indirectly proving that Di Jiang and Wen Yao were telling the truth.
“Alright! I’ll take you to him. It’s good that someone can give Zhong Xu a proper farewell,” Elder Yu Ling finally nodded, “I never expected this misunderstanding among family members. Hurry, untie me!”
After releasing Elder Yu Ling, he transformed back to his original form with a “bang.” Combing his white beard, he cleared his throat and said, “Since you are Zhong Xu’s women, you should properly call me Great Elder Uncle from now on. I won’t hold past grievances against you; remember to treat others with respect!”
“Yes, yes, Great Elder Uncle’s advice is wise,” Di Jiang nodded repeatedly, leading Wen Yao in a bow.
Elder Yu Ling got some closure for his previous humiliation. Not being a resentful person, he dusted himself off and led them towards Qingyun Mountain. Along the way, he explained to Di Jiang and her servant, “Do you know why my powers are so low?”
“Elder has great abilities, how could they be low?” Di Jiang smiled.
Pleased, Elder Yu Ling began to talk at length, “I was originally an indoor disciple under the founding master of Baiyun Temple. He pitied my kind heart and took me in. I devoted all my powers to Baiyun Temple to protect this century-old establishment, going to great lengths!”
“Yes, yes, Elder has worked hard; Baiyun Temple truly owes its existence to you,” Di Jiang sincerely praised him profusely. By the end, even Elder Yu Ling, who usually had thick skin, felt a bit embarrassed.
The trio walked up the mountain. As dawn broke, the morning glow quickly rose to the sky, dyeing Yunmeng Marsh orange. Looking down from the mountain, countless islands lay in the orange water, exquisitely beautiful and resplendent.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Elder Yu Ling asked.
“Beautiful,” Wen Yao and Di Jiang echoed.
“But beneath these hundred miles of mountains and thousand miles of water towns lies the fiercest evil spirit in the world,” Elder Yu Ling said gravely.
“What?” Both Di Jiang and Wen Yao were startled.
“This is also the reason for Zhong Xu’s death. When we get there, I’ll tell you everything I know.” Elder Yu Ling sighed and continued walking up the mountain.
Di Jiang and Wen Yao followed behind, both confused. Especially Di Jiang, her mind rapidly calculating, extending her senses outward, yet finding nothing amiss in Yunmeng Marsh. It appeared as beautiful and enchanting as it seemed.
The trio passed through the three halls of Baiyun Temple and entered the back mountain. There was a cave at the back, with a small entrance covered by many withered vines. If not carefully searched, it would be hard to recognize.
“This is the back mountain of Baiyun Temple, Qilin Cliff.”
After Elder Yu Ling brushed away the dry branches, faint sounds of flowing water could be heard from inside. He picked up a torch at the entrance and struck it on the stone wall, igniting it. Di Jiang and Wen Yao exchanged a glance and followed him into the small opening.
Inside Qilin Cliff, the paths were deep and mysterious. Under the torchlight, the surrounding stone walls appeared colorful and enigmatic. Initially, the stone walls on both sides were narrow, with a height of just over four feet, requiring them to bend over to proceed. After walking several hundred steps, the cave opened up widely, resembling the inn’s interior. This peak of Qingyun Mountain also had an arc-shaped ceiling. Through the cave roof, they could see drifting clouds, and below was a serene green spring.
Encircled by stone walls and under the sky’s reflection, the spring water was crystal clear and emerald. At this moment, the tinkling water surrounded by mist created a scene akin to a fairyland. In the middle of this pool stood a round platform made of white jade, barely ten feet in diameter, yet exuding solemnity and sacredness.
“That’s Hualing Platform, also called Green Stream Dragon Inkstone,” Elder Yu Ling pointed to the white jade platform, “Zhong Xu is there.”
“Where? Why can’t I see him?” Wen Yao hurriedly ran over, circling the spring, yet found no one on the inkstone.
Di Jiang knew there was no one on the surface, thus there must be something beneath. Without further thought, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and with a “plop,” dived into the spring.
“Boss!” Wen Yao’s cry drowned outside the spring. Upon entering the water, Di Jiang found the spring was not as icy as imagined but slightly warm. She realized it was a hot spring, explaining the mist above the pool.
After a brief dizzy spell, Di Jiang saw two stone statues directly below the Dragon Inkstone. Half of their bodies were submerged in the spring, while the other half was buried in the mud at the bottom, as if a door trapped them, immersing half their bodies in water and keeping half inside the door.
Di Jiang swam over and examined them closely. She noticed their features bore resemblance to Zhong Xu and Changsheng—no, they were identical.
Digging through the mud at the bottom, she discovered what she suspected: their lower halves were trapped behind a door inscribed with runes.
By this point, she had reached her limit for holding her breath. With a flick of her toes, she surfaced.
Onshore, Wen Yao was choking Elder Yu Ling, fiercely demanding, “You go down and save them!”
“I... can’t... swim,” Elder Yu Ling’s face turned red, showing immense pain.
“Wen Yao!” Di Jiang shouted, “Show respect!”
“Boss! Are you alright?” Overjoyed, Wen Yao quickly ran over, taking off her clothes to cover Di Jiang, “Boss... I’m afraid of water since birth... I was worried the old Taoist would deceive you, so... I was really worried!”
Wen Yao babbled, wanting to continue, but Di Jiang waved her off, obviously not concerned about her explanation. She turned to Elder Yu Ling anxiously, “Why did they turn into stone?”
“Zhong Xu turned into stone?!” Wen Yao exclaimed, startled.
“Alas... this is a long story...” Elder Yu Ling sighed deeply, “Strictly speaking, I’m Zhong Xu’s great-great-grand-uncle. I watched him grow up.” As he spoke, he stroked his beard, adopting a senior’s demeanor.
“Stop boasting!” Wen Yao grimaced, sticking her tongue out at him.
“You... believe it or not,” Elder Yu Ling shuddered, clearing his throat and looking elsewhere.
“Elder, don’t be angry. This girl speaks poorly. Tell me everything, I believe you,” Di Jiang said.
“You’re sensible,” Elder Yu Ling nodded, “This place was once under the jurisdiction of Lord Taixiao...”
“Lord Taixiao?” Di Jiang asked, “Is he the Ghost Marshal who commands the ten directions of ghost armies, Zhong Kui?”
Elder Yu Ling nodded, “Zhong Kui is just one of his names in the mortal realm. In the ghost clan and celestial realms, everyone respectfully calls him ‘Lord Taixiao.’“
Di Jiang nodded, understanding.
Elder Yu Ling continued, “When Lord Taixiao ascended here, his sword transformed into Qingyun Mountain, suppressing the malevolent energy in these tens of thousands of mountains and lakes. But recently, some vicious ghosts attempted to break free. Baiyun Temple’s ancestors devised a method to guard the Taixiao Sword Array. Every ten years, they select a child from the masses. At age ten, the child is submerged in Hualing Pool, using their soul and body to pacify the ten directions of malevolent energy and repair the continuously damaged Taixiao Sword Array.”
Wen Yao listened, dumbfounded, but Di Jiang understood. She urgently asked, “So, Changsheng is the child destined to be sacrificed to the sword?”
“Yes,” Elder Yu Ling nodded.
“How absurd!” Di Jiang clenched her fists, punching the stone wall with her right fist, angrily saying, “How can the malevolence of ten directions be mended by sacrificing a child?”
“I don’t know why the ancestors left such rules, but that’s the fact,” Elder Yu Ling shrugged, “Every ten years, the spring starts bubbling, and the earth trembles. But as long as someone sacrifices to the sword spirit, these phenomena disappear. Zhong Xu has already sacrificed one child before—Ye Gui, who grew up with him. Ye Gui entered the sword gate ten years ago, regardless of life or death. And Changsheng—he personally selected the child according to fate. But for some reason three years ago, this time he refused to sacrifice him again...”
“So he went to save Changsheng, resulting in both turning into stone statues, trapped in the sword gate,” Di Jiang concluded.
Elder Yu Ling nodded, sighing deeply, his eyes full of regret.
The atmosphere in the air solidified at this moment. Elder Yu Ling and Di Jiang were both deeply troubled, while Wen Yao still didn’t fully grasp the gravity of the situation.
“Isn’t there a way to save him?” Wen Yao asked, puzzled.
“Of course there is!” Elder Yu Ling said lightly, “This Tai Xiao Sword Tomb requires a serving child every ten years. If someone is willing to replace Changsheng and enter the sword gate to serve the sword, they can be saved.”
“Really?” Di Jiang asked.
“More real than anything,” Elder Yu Ling nodded.
“Why don’t you go?” Wen Yao suspiciously asked.
“I... am a raccoon dog. Besides, have you ever seen such an old child?” Elder Yu Ling shrank his neck, lowering his white hair to Wen Yao, his face full of helplessness and sorrow, utterly disheartened.
Google Sites
Report abuse