Free Web NovelChapter 27: Returning Home, Spirit Visualization
It was a drumstick, made of ebony. It felt slightly heavy in the hand, carved with coiling dragon patterns. Though finely crafted, it wasn’t anything particularly rare for this era.
Yet Li Yan’s heart was already in turmoil. The moment he had touched the drumstick, the substitute statue within his dantian had trembled violently, producing a strange pulling force. At the same time, a surge of energy had emerged from within the drumstick.
That energy was warm, carrying an indescribable presence. The instant it entered his body, it split into countless strands, like spiritual snakes coursing through his meridians. In the end, all of it converged into his dantian and was absorbed by the statue.
Li Yan immediately understood what it was.
The Heavenly Treasure!
Who would have thought its true form was a drumstick, hidden away in the stable? If not for sheer coincidence, he might never have found it.
The Heavenly Treasure could transform into a snake and even prey upon living souls. It had clearly developed intelligence and was desperately trying to escape. Its fortune wasn’t just astral qi, it also carried some unknown, lively essence that could divide into countless forms, darting everywhere in an attempt to avoid the dantian. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
Even its physical form, the drumstick, began to tremble faintly.
But all struggle was futile. Before long, its fortune was completely absorbed by the substitute statue. Throughout the process, not a single trace of energy leaked out to attract attention. No one would ever know that in those brief moments, a Heavenly Treasure had been reduced to an ordinary object in Li Yan’s hands.
A smile crept onto his lips. He had discovered yet another function of the substitute statue. Even treasure hunters had to expend tremendous effort, using special techniques, the Five Elements, and the Eight Trigrams to capture Heavenly Treasures. Yet, he only needed to touch them to devour their fortune.
The Three Talents Demon Suppressing Coins were also forged from Heavenly Treasures, but the statue had not reacted to them, meaning only original, unrefined treasures worked.
After consuming the treasure, the statue changed. Its once weathered and damaged surface began to smooth out, and a vague message surfaced. Its quality had improved and it could withstand more damage.
Though it hadn’t restored a life flame, Li Yan was still exhilarated. He had hope for it to recover eventually!
There were countless types of Heavenly Treasures, surely one of them could restore his lost life flame.
“Young man,” Steward Lu said with a smile, seeing him staring at the drumstick. “Do you also have an interest in this art? Among all music, drums carry the greatest momentum. Others favor southern melodies, but I prefer the grandeur of war drums.
“I’ve heard that several successors have emerged this year. The contest for Drum King will be spectacular. If you’re interested, you should visit Chang’an during the Lantern Festival.”
“Of course.” Li Yan smiled and returned the drumstick. “It has decent craftsmanship.”
Meanwhile, Sha Lifei had already picked out a saddle and fitted it to the black horse.
“Thank you, Uncle Sha.” Li Yan was in high spirits, Sha Lifei now seemed like a bringer of fortune. By chance, he had even obtained a Heavenly Treasure. With no regrets left, he mounted his horse outside the estate, cupped his hands, and said with a smile, “Daoist Wang, we part here. I’ll await you at Li Clan’s Fort.”
Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard and smiled. “Naturally, I’ll come soon.”
He, too, was pleased. Working with Li Yan would compensate for his shortcomings. With a few more major commissions, he could finally afford the ritual tools he had long desired, and perhaps even restore his ancestral altar.
Sha Lifei’s eyes darted about as he formed his own plans. He had just received a reward as well, far more profitable than leading wheat cutters. Seeing the two of them prosper, he wasn’t about to be left behind.
Patting his chest, he declared, “Little Yan, go without worry. I’ll take care of Daoist Wang, everything will be handled properly!”
Li Yan raised an eyebrow. “You? Take care of him?”
Sha Lifei grew anxious. “What do you mean? When have I ever failed...”
“Alright, alright,” Li Yan waved him off. “Just stay safe. Farewell!” ƒrēewebnovel.com
Sha Lifei might lack skill, but he knew the ways of the jianghu, and Wang Daoxuan had traveled widely as well. They could at least protect themselves.
With that, Li Yan turned his reins and rode off.
Watching the dust trail fade into the distance, Wang Daoxuan turned toward the low hills behind the village. “Let’s go. The terrain here isn’t ideal for dragon veins, but finding a good burial spot won’t be difficult. We’ll settle it today.”
“Right away!” Sha Lifei grinned, shouldering his gear as he followed.
***
After they left, Steward Lu hurried back to the inner courtyard. Inside the chamber, Master Lu sat silently, staring at the madam.
“They’ve all left, Master.”
“Mm. Leave me alone with her.” He dismissed the servants, then glanced around before slowly kneeling, his aged eyes brimming with tears.
“Princess... Are you unwilling to let go? But what choice do we have? We barely escaped with our lives. Why cling to it? The court is full of wolves, and we can’t contend with them. Living quietly under assumed names would have been enough. You saved my life that year. I have served you faithfully ever since. That debt is repaid.
“But though the debt is repaid, I have failed my ancestors’ bloodline. I must now think of my own future. Forgive me...”
After muttering to himself, he wiped his tears and left. Back in the side courtyard, his two concubines hurried to attend him.
Master Lu had assumed his imposing demeanor once again, sipping tea as he asked calmly, “Well? Have you found anyone these past two days?”
Noting their silence, he sneered. “Why pretend in front of me? You still have a choice now, bear me a son to carry on the family line, and you’ll live comfortably for the rest of your lives. If you hesitate, shall I send you to the festival instead? Then it won’t be your decision anymore.”
Fear flashed across the eyes of the concubine in red at the mention of it. She quickly spoke, with her voice trembling, “This servant thinks that Youngster Li is quite good.”
“Heh, as expected, girls favor handsome men.” Master Lu shook his head. “That one walks the jianghu. His fate is extraordinary. Trouble will follow him. Choose from among the wheat cutters. I want stability.”
With that, he set down his cup and left. Only then did the two concubines relax.
The one in white glanced sideways. “Sister Cuilan, why not mention Commander Zhao? I saw it that night.”
“Shh!” The woman in red paled, hurriedly silencing her, then glanced outside before sighing bitterly. “You know what that old man is like. He says one thing and does another. He’s never treated us as human. If he finds out, I won’t survive. Even if I bear him a son, he’ll kill us to keep it quiet.”
The woman in white’s eyes gleamed. “Then we have an opportunity. If you dare...”
***
Riding at full speed, Li Yan made good time. He traveled by day, resting at night, and by the third evening, he returned to Li Clan’s Fort.
“Little Yan, you’re back already?”
“What about the others?”
The villagers were busy, their harvest was about to begin. Seeing him return early, they assumed something had gone wrong.
“Don’t worry,” Li Yan reassured them patiently. “They’ve taken on a big job. Everything’s fine.”
Communication was slow in their era. Even sending a message to a neighboring village could take days. Though still in the Guanzhong Plains, Xianyang already felt like a distant place.
After delivering the news, Li Yan rode home. From afar, he saw his grandfather, Li Gui, sitting at the door, holding a pipe. In the sunset, his white hair was disheveled, and his eyes dim.
A pang struck Li Yan’s heart. He dismounted quickly and crouched beside him with a smile. “Grandpa, I’m back. Didn’t I say I would only be gone a few days?”
“Ah, you’re back. Good, good.” His voice was calm, but a tremor betrayed him.
“You haven’t eaten, have you?” Li Yan grinned. “Perfect, I learned a new dish this trip. I’ll cook for you, and we’ll have a drink together.”
“Hmph. What could you possibly cook?!”
“Just wait and see. If nothing else, I can always be a chef someday.”
***
Night fell, and Li Clan’s Fort grew quiet. In the darkness, Li Yan sat cross-legged on his bed. He steadied his breathing, then rubbed his palms until they warmed, massaging his scalp, temples, ears, neck, shoulders, and arms...
Visualization required stillness, so these were all preparatory steps. The goal was to relax the mind while keeping the body’s circulation active. He had to sharpen his perception, standing between heaven and earth, with the sun, moon, and stars as anchors.
Only by guarding one’s mind and becoming one with the world around them could one connect with the divine. At higher levels, it would allow them to visualize the temple within, giving rituals their momentum.
Mountains, rivers, and dragon veins all possessed such “momentum.” Only through the flow of astral qi and killing qi could such natural formations exist. If one wanted to touch upon them, visualization was the first step.
Li Yan closed his eyes, steadying his breath. He sensed his body, his organs, his meridians, his inner qi, before focusing finally on the space between his brows...
