Free Web NovelChapter 26: Heavenly Treasure Spirit
At that moment, the substitute statue within Li Yan’s dantian began to stir restlessly. His eyes widened as he searched carefully, and he quickly found the source.
A black snake had coiled on the courtyard wall opposite at some unknown time. It was as thick as an adult’s arm, its tongue flicking as it hissed, its eyes glowing with a faint green light. At a glance, it was clearly something unnatural, enough to frighten any ordinary person. Yet when Li Yan saw it, he inexplicably felt as though it were a plate of exquisite delicacies.
Without revealing anything, he pretended not to notice. But his left hand had drifted down to press against the guard of his Guanshan blade, while his other hand moved toward the Three Talents Demon Suppressing Coin tassel in his robes.
The snake slithered down silently, like a soft breeze in the night. Its eyes remained fixed on the room behind him where the madam lay, as if impatient, its body winding closer. Wherever it passed, the guiding soul lamps went out one by one.
A realization formed in Li Yan’s mind. The snake was likely something that had achieved cultivation and the madam’s wandering soul was probably connected to it.
Whatever the case, he would kill it first.
“Don’t move!” Just as he was about to strike, Wang Daoxuan’s trembling voice sounded behind him. “If it’s startled, it’ll be completely ruined!”
The moment the words fell, the black snake seemed to sense danger. Its body dispersed instantly and vanished as though it had never existed. The sweet fragrance disappeared with it.
Regret flickered in Li Yan’s heart, but he did not grow angry. He knew Wang Daoxuan would not ruin his chances without reason. There had to be a cause behind the warning.
He asked, “What was that?”
Wang Daoxuan was clearly shaken. He swallowed and said quietly, “That was a Heavenly Treasure Spirit.”
A Heavenly Treasure Spirit?!
Li Yan’s heart jolted as he recalled the term. Widow Wang had once mentioned that a martial grandmaster of the previous dynasty, Yang Yi, had sought out such a treasure, forging a pair of demonic blades of immense power. When the blades later went out of control, they were melted down by the imperial court and reforged into the one hundred and eight sets of coins, one of which he now carried as the Three Talent Demon Suppressing Coins.
But how could a Heavenly Treasure look like that?
Seeing his confusion, Wang Daoxuan explained softly, “Heavenly treasures come in many forms, born under different circumstances. But all of them have developed intelligence, they are fortune incarnations between heaven and earth.
“But to seize such fortune is no simple matter. Each treasure carries its own taboos. Without understanding them, it’s like trying to grasp the moon’s reflection in water, visible, but untouchable.
“They share two defining traits. First, divine concealment. Once they gain awareness, unless they choose to reveal themselves, even if placed right before your eyes, you won’t recognize them. Second, they have a fierce nature. If handled incorrectly, whether destroyed or captured, they will immediately disperse all their fortune. Pearls become rubble. Some may even drag you down with them.”
Li Yan frowned. “Is it that difficult to control them?”
“That’s why treasure hunters exist as a profession,” Wang Daoxuan replied, “The Dao is boundless, and so are its methods. Human energy is limited. Whether orthodox or unorthodox, all paths require early training. Those with awakened yin yang eyes are often locked in dark cellars from childhood, trained like night creatures until their vision becomes razor sharp.
“Those like you, with your sense of smell awakened, are often abandoned in the wilderness, graveyards, or deep forests, sometimes even blinded with medicine, forced to rely solely on smell to find their way home.
“Moreover, since treasures vary, so do treasure hunters. Some specialize in searching in the mountains, others in the sea, and some in tombs, each with their own unique skills.”
Li Yan rubbed his temples. “So we need to find a treasure hunter to find the treasure?”
Wang Daoxuan shook his head. “Those people are eccentric and elusive. I have no such connections. However, I do know some of their methods. All Heavenly Treasures are born of fortune, and thus must have something that restrains them. If you can find their true form, then according to the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams, you can capture them by using what counters them.”
Li Yan said dryly, “And what’s that snake’s true form?”
Wang Daoxuan gave a bitter smile. “If I could identify treasures like that, I wouldn’t be in such dire straits. But I do know one thing. That thing must be very inconspicuous.”
***
At dawn the next day, those who had stayed outside returned one after another. Since their zodiac signs had conflicted with the madam, they had been unable to approach the estate. After staying out all night, they were filled with curiosity and began asking around.
The madam’s maid dared not speak, but many had heard the commotion the night before. Through whispers and exaggeration, the story quickly turned absurd and fantastical. In their telling, ghosts and spirits had obstructed the soul summoning, and Daoist Wang had battled them through the night to reclaim the madam’s soul.
The more mystical, the better. Thus, in the eyes of the household, Wang Daoxuan became even more enigmatic.
Meanwhile, in the inner courtyard, things were quiet. Wang Daoxuan held the woman’s wrist, taking her pulse. His brows were tightly furrowed. The Daoist had some knowledge of medicine; though not comparable to Daoist physicians, it was sufficient to serve as a practicing doctor.
Just as he had expected, although the madam’s soul had returned, she remained unconscious. Her face was gaunt, her breaths shallow.
An old saying went, All people have their allotted vitality.
When one was short of breath, it meant their life was nearing its end.
After finishing, Wang Daoxuan stepped outside with Master Lu and shook his head. “As I expected, the madam does not have long. She is spent and her lifespan is nearing its end. Medicine cannot save her. The fortunate part is that her soul has returned. When she passes, she may rest in peace.
“Master Lu, you should begin preparations.”
Master Lu sighed. “Thank you, Daoist. We returned from the capital without ancestral graves here. I ask you to select a suitable burial site. I do not seek prosperity, only peace.”
“Of course,” Wang Daoxuan sighed before nodding.
As they left the inner courtyard, Li Yan cast one last glance back, unwilling to give up. He had searched tirelessly from night until dawn. But as Wang Daoxuan had said, Heavenly Treasures excelled at hiding. Sometimes they could be right before one’s very eyes yet remain undetected, unless they chose to appear.
Reluctantly, he had no choice but to leave. They were in the main residence, and the guards had returned. Another opportunity would likely only come during the funeral. But who knew when the madam would breathe her last? fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
His grandfather at home was growing weaker by the day, and he had already been away for several days. He could not linger. Fortunately, such treasures could not be found by others either, unless a treasure hunter intervened.
There would be other chances. Lost in thought, he followed Wang Daoxuan back to the side courtyard.
After the events of the night, Steward Lu treated Wang Daoxuan with even greater respect. “Daoist, you must be tired. The master has instructed that after your meal, you should rest well.”
“No need,” Wang Daoxuan shook his head, looking up at the hills behind the village. “The madam’s condition is dire. After eating, I will go up the mountain to choose a burial site. It’s better to prepare in advance.”
Steward Lu was even more impressed and he nodded in approval. “Then I leave it to you.”
He ordered food to be served and withdrew respectfully. Sha Lifei had also spent the night outside due to the conflicting zodiac sign as well. Seeing the steward leave, he could no longer hold back and leaned over, eating while asking questions.
Li Yan, after some thought, informed them of his intention to leave first.
Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard. “Filial duty comes first. You must not delay. Do not worry, once I finish here, I will come find you in Li Clan’s Fort.”
After the meal, Li Yan prepared to depart. Perhaps to curry favor with Wang Daoxuan, Master Lu had the steward provide him with travel money and even gift him a horse. It was a generous gesture, one that made Sha Lifei’s eyes turn red with envy.
They went to the stables, where over a dozen horses stood. None were exceptional, but all were far better than the ones sold in markets. Li Yan was in good spirits. After looking around, he chose a young black horse with a gentle temperament, which came up to him and nibbled at a carrot.
“Good horse,” Sha Lifei praised, then glanced at the tack nearby. “I’ve helped a saddler before, let me pick something decent for you.”
He rummaged through the corner and gasped suddenly. “Huh? What’s this?”
Among the tack lay a stick, blackened, scarred, with faint dragon patterns.
Steward Lu frowned upon seeing it. “How did that end up here?”
Seeing their curiosity, he explained, “This place used to have over a dozen residences. After the master returned, he bought them all and rebuilt everything. One of them belonged to the former Drum King of Xianyang.”
“Drum King?” Sha Lifei laughed. “Did he look like a drum?”
“You brute, what do you know?” The steward scoffed. “In the Guanzhong Plains alone, there are countless drum traditions, from ten-faced gongs, Wei banner drums, flood dragon drums, to old temple drums, each with its own lineage. freёwebnoѵel.com
“Every Lantern Festival, Chang’an holds a grand drum gathering, thousands of drums resound together. To be named Drum King is exceedingly rare. This was left behind by one such master. I studied some drumming in my youth and kept it as a memento. It should have been stored at home, how did it end up here?”
“Looks like junk to me,” Sha Lifei muttered, casually handing it to Li Yan.
Li Yan, who had always been fond of old objects in his previous life, took it to examine. But the moment it touched his hand, his expression changed drastically!
