Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
In the morning, three waves of people came for Wang Yao. At that time, he was enjoying his trip with Su Xiaoxue in the Ming Tombs.
Although these ancient emperors enjoyed most glory and wealth in life, they still remembered to build a grand grave for resting with the hope of enjoying the imperial honor in the nether world.
“How much did it cost both in human and financial resources?” Wang Yao asked.
“In the ancient times, emperors were seen as delegates of Heaven who governed the country,” Su Xiaoxue said. “They could decide everything.”
The locations these emperors chose were very good. They were so-called Dragon’s Lair.
“Ah, it is a good place, indeed.” Wang Yao slowly walked around every tomb looking at them closely.
“Do you know Feng Shui, Sir?” Su Xiaoxue asked.
“A little,” Wang Yao replied.
He first acquired knowledge about it because of a book about the five-line array method. As time passed, he learned more deeply about its content since a battle array itself was similar to Feng Shui.
“Could you teach me something, Sir?” Su Xiaoxue asked.
“Ah?” Wang Yao hesitated a little. “OK. no problem. It is a well-known holy land of Feng Shui. It is also the pinnacle of work in the Feng Shui nature school of three-element theory advocated by Mr. Yang.”
While he had studied the five-line array method, Wang Yao had also read some books about metaphysics involving various domestic genres of Feng Shui.
After a discussion, those emperors would choose and engage with only one imperial Feng Shui master. They were all from the holy land. The emperors hoped for permanent dominance in peace for themselves and their offspring.
“The mountain is called Tianshou Mountain. It sounds like a serial name, doesn’t it?” Wang Yao asked with a smile.
“Ah, it sounds very lucky,” Su Xiaoxue said.
“With those characters, it is indeed a lucky name,” Wang Yao said. “The mountains belong to Yanshan Mountains, which is a branch of Taihang Mountains. That mountain is connected with the Kunun Mountains, which are the ancestor of mountains in Feng Shui theory, through the Qilian and Altun mountains. In other words, Tianshou Mountain is in a dragon vein, and its origin is Kunun Mountain.”
“You are so knowledgeable,” Su Xiaoxue said.
“Ah, I’ve read some metaphysical books. Almost all of them reference the Feng Shui of the Tombs more or less. So, I know some parts,” Wang Yao said before continuing his story. “From Kunlun to Tianshou, there are seven parts. According to the geomantic theories, mountains are like a dragon that can be more vigorous after each striping of the skin. The mountains start from Kunlun and come a long way through thousands of miles, experiencing striping seven times. It’s Qi is naturally matchless.”
Su Xiaoxue listened to him carefully. She knew some things about metaphysics, but this was her first time to hear such a specific explanation about a tomb’s Feng Shui.
“The major mountain is Tianshou, in response to the polestar, which is a major star, representing the highest glory in the world.” Wang Yao looked at Su Xiaoxue and began to recite a poem. “The dragon travels surrounded by countless servants. The grand mountains under the stars are like the body of the dragon. The mountains were named after the stars. The stars were shining brightly, casting light on the mountains.”
“Let’s go up the peak to have a look,” Su Xiaoxue said.
Wang Yao agreed. The two went up alongside the mountainous road. Before long, they were at the peak surrounded by mountains.
“Look at all the mountains.” Wang Yao knew the geomantic landscape of the Ming Tombs, but it was his first time to experience it in person. “The Feng Shui of imperial tombs is based on hiding wind and gathering Qi. All mountains are clustered like thousands of servants. It is a giant geomantic landscape. Can you feel how different the Qi is here?”
“Qi?” Su Xiaoxue closed her eyes to carefully feel it. “It is comfortable, more comfortable than in Beihai.”
“Yes, it is the fantastic point in the places of great Feng Shui,” Wang Yao said.
Generally speaking, it was the tombs for the dead where the evil spirit should be thick, but, in fact, it was not.
“Given the superb Feng Shui here, it is a gift from nature.” Wang Yao continued his teaching. “The person who designed the tombs for various emperors in the Ming Dynasty was a master. Because of the two elements supporting and complementing each other, the imperial tombs were able to be so grand.”
“But, Feng Shui could not resist the time passing by and the trend of history no matter how superb it was,” Su Xiaoxue said.
“Yeah, talented people stand out in each generation to lead the history for decades of years,” Wang Yao said as he took a deep breath. “There are not many people paying a visit.”
“No, not many,” Su Xiaoxue said. “On one hand, the location is comparatively remote. On the other hand, given that it was tombs built for the dead, some people feel it is unlucky for fear of being impacted by an evil spirit. So, they are unwilling to come.”
“But, they should take a look,” Wang Yao said.
A gust of wind was blowing. It left people’s body feeling cold. Su Xiaoxue’s body was quivering a little.
“Are you cold?” Wang Yao asked.
“A little bit,” Su Xiaoxue said.
“Try to operate your inner Qi,” Wang Yao said.
Su Xiaoxue mobilized the Qi in her body. As her achievement was less than Wang Yao’s, her Qi was operated in her body. Wang Yao’s Qi was surrounding his body and connecting with the heavens and the ground.
Stop!
Wang Yao upheld his right hand in the air. The wind stopped in response to his voice.
“Ah?!” Su Xiaoxue stood beside him in shock. She looked at Wang Yao with amazement in her eyes. “It, it is amazing! Is it coincidental?”
“It is coincidental.” Wang Yao smiled.
“Really?” Su Xiaoxue asked.
Come!
Wang Yao waved his hand. The wind was blowing again.
“You are fantastic!” Su Xiaoxue couldn’t believe what she was experiencing. “How did you make it happen?”
“With Qi,” Wang said. “People are partly between the heaven and earth.”
“Can I make it do it?” Su Xiaoxue asked.
“Hmmm. I don’t know,” he replied.
Wang Yao could reach such a level mainly because of unexplained help. Because of it, he had learned the Natural Classics. On Nanshan Hill in the spirit gathering battle array with thick nimbus, he broke through the thresholds by chance. That was why he could reach such an achievement. For others, it would be extremely difficult to get such skills. It would be almost impossible.
“You can try, but it will be hard,” Wang Yao said.
It was near dusk when Wang Yao returned to Jing with Su Xiaoxue.
“What do you want to have for dinner?” she asked.
“It depends on you,” Wang Yao said.
“What about private home cuisine?” Su Xiaoxue asked
Wang Yao agreed.
In Jing, some restaurants were very famous for their private home cuisine. Most of them were located in the old yards and had no express signal or advertisement. The customers were usually regulars. The emphasis of their dinner was sentiment and artistic conception.
While they were having dinner, they were approached by a man who was almost 30. He was properly dressed and seemed scholarly. “Xiaoxue?”
“Brother Shijing,” Su Xiaoxue replied.
“What a coincidence,” Zhou Shijing said.
“Yeah, what a coincidence,” Su Xiaoxue said.
“And this is?” Zhou Shijing asked.
“Let me introduce, this is Wang Yao. And, this is one of my friends, Zhou Shijing,” Su Xiaoxue said.
“How are you?” Wang Yao asked.
“How are you? I’ve known about you for a long time,” Zhou Shijing said.
He knew of Dr. Wang’s reputation, including that he had cured Su Xiaoxue and Mr. Wu, as well as the disease of Mr. Guo, who had already passed away but might have passed away earlier without Dr. Wang’s treatment.
Many people in Jing wanted to be acquainted with Wang Yao, who lived a secluded life. After all, there were only advantages and no harms in having a professional doctor as a distinguished guest.
“Dr. Wang, I would like to find some time to talk with you privately,” Zhou Shijing said.
“OK,” Wang Yao replied.
While talking, Zhou Shijing’s friends also came in. He walked toward to greet them.
“Are they from big families?” Wang Yao asked.
“Yeah, they should be,” Su Xiaoxue said.
People like them preferred these kinds of places to treat their friends since it was elegant. Otherwise, they would go to a guild hall rather than high-level hotels.
…
Guo Zhenghe had locked himself in a room for a whole day. The ashtray on the table was full of butts, which was surprising since he rarely smoked in his daily life.
It was getting dark outside. He got up, making a rattle sound.
“Don’t blame me, Sir,” he said to the air.
