Chapter 47 - Sacred Mountain in Myanmar (Part I)

These past few days, with nothing much on his agenda, Chen Shaoxian went to his family’s Shuntian Zhai to clean up the room.

While cleaning, he discovered a handwritten book in a drawer. The script appeared to be that of his family’s old man. The book was titled “Lianshan¹ Guicang² Records”. As soon as Chen Shaoxian opened the book, he was captivated by its contents.

The first entry detailed the three great ancient scriptures: “Yi”, “Lianshan”, and “Guicang”. “Yi” was passed down through generations, reaching the time of King Wen and Duke of Zhou, who further enriched it, thus it came to be known as “Zhouyi³“. Over time, it evolved into a legendary tome encompassing Feng Shui, divination, and the pursuit of the Taoist, among other metaphysical studies-a true cultural treasure and the quintessence of the nation.

However, “Lianshan” and “Guicang” were lost. Legend has it that both books last resided in the palace of Qin Shihuang⁴, who treasured them immensely. Qin Shihuang’s quest for immortality was also spurred by these two books.

It is said that “Lianshan” contained records of the world’s dragon veins⁵, underground treasures, Feng Shui sites, and uniquely perilous locations, encompassing the myriad facets of the world’s mountains and rivers. “Lianshan” was further divided into two parts: “Heavenly Lianshan” and “Earthly Lianshan”.

“Heavenly Lianshan” documented the celestial dragon energy of the world, while “Earthly Lianshan” detailed the geographical dragon veins.

The Qin State⁶ obtained the upper part of this book, which united the celestial dragon energies of the six states into one.

However, at that time, the dragon energy of Zhongshan State was not absorbed by Qin. It is rumored that Zhongshan had a fragment of “Earthly Lianshan”. While Qin was unifying the dragon veins of the world, Zhongshan used this fragment to preserve its own dragon veins. They only lost the celestial dragon energy of the way of heaven, barely managing to survive. However, Zhao State⁷ learned of this precious scripture and subsequently destroyed Zhongshan, and the fragment was taken away, showing the extraordinary significance of this book.

The person who took the scripture was Xu Fu⁸, the grand fate master of Zhongshan State. Xu Fu, with this fragment in hand, sought refuge in Qin, helping Qin secure the dragon veins at Mount Li. Four years after the fall of Zhongshan, Qin Shihuang began his campaign to unify the world.

Another remarkable book, the “Guicang,” records the world’s extraordinary techniques encompassing all methods. It is said to be capable of defying the heavens to change fate, seizing luck to establish nations, altering heaven and earth, and reversing Yin-Yang. This tome is the ultimate treasure that all cultivators dream of, supposedly containing the secrets to eternal life.

After unifying the world, Qin Shihuang entrusted Xu Fu with a copy of this book, tasking him to explore the pathways to immortality. However, Xu Fu later set out to sea and never returned, and following Qin Shihuang’s death, both extraordinary books were lost to the world. It is rumored that Qin Shihuang kept the book by his side, buried with him in his coffin.

Upon reading this, Chen Shaoxian realized that the book written by the old man was merely a product of the old man’s idle fantasies. No wonder it was titled “Lianshan Guicang Records.”

As Chen Shaoxian continued reading, he learned that although “Lianshan” and “Guicang” were lost to the world, some of their contents had survived. Some were integrated into the Zhouyi, while others became the treasured legacies of various schools, with the nearly lost “Luban Book” being the most famous.

Despite being an extraordinary book, the “Luban Book” has significant flaws. The practitioner must be one of the following: a widower, a widow, orphaned, solitary, or disabled. If a whole person wishes to learn from it, they must maim themselves. This is because the way of heaven is incomplete, and ordinary people learning these techniques go against the natural order, leading to divine retribution if pursued forcefully.

The “Lianshan Guicang Records” I wrote merely summarizes the scattered extraordinary techniques among the populace and some schools’ magical formulas.

Chen Shaoxian was captivated by the book, which recorded many extraordinary techniques he had never seen, the origins of various schools, and many extinct peculiarities.

Chen Shaoxian studied this book for nearly a month, marveling at its contents. Aside from his daily studies, all his attention was devoted to this book.

Chen Shaoxian occasionally visited the Liu Family and Zheng Family, but he spent most of his time living and eating at Shuntian Zhai.

While reading, Chen Shaoxian heard a knock on the door.

In Chen Shaoxian’s home, the practice was not to open the door to welcome guests but to wait for them to arrive, and ironically, their family motto was the opposite of the saying “the customer is always right.”

Chen Shaoxian’s family had an ancestral maxim: those who come as guests but disrespect this household deserve no concern in life or death. Chen Shaoxian had asked the old man why such a maxim existed. The old man replied that it wasn’t about respecting our family, but about respecting the way of heaven. Those who don’t respect even the heavens deserve their fate.

Over time, Chen Shaoxian came to understand these words. Many wealthy and powerful visitors would act arrogantly, as if others owed them money. The old man would promptly send them away. Later, when they returned begging for his forgiveness, the old man ignored them completely.

But there were also many who came seeking the old man’s help with genuine respect, whom he also ignored.

As the old man used to say, although heaven has the virtue of fostering life, those who commit evil and harm the natural order deserve to die. Men might not punish them, but heaven will. Who dares defy heaven?

Because of this, the old man had made many enemies. Some, seeking revenge, hired thugs to vandalize his home. The old man, as if oblivious, would even watch them with a smile, sometimes suggesting they smash the more valuable items. The very next day, these individuals would return, humbly apologizing and compensating for the damages.

During such times, the old man would call Chen Shaoxian over, pat his head, and chuckle, “Tomorrow, let’s put out more valuable items. It turns them into cash for us, and we even save on taxes.”

Chen Shaoxian once asked why, but the old man just smiled mysteriously and did not answer.

After putting away some books, Chen Shaoxian stood up to answer the door.

Upon opening it, he was stunned to see three people standing outside, one of whom made him break into a smile: “Xiao Zhuang.”

Surprised to see Chen Shaoxian, Xiao Zhuang exclaimed, “Shaoxian!”

Chen Shaoxian warmly invited the three inside, had them sit down comfortably, and then brewed a pot of fine tea to serve them.

Xiao Zhuang and another young man sat on either side, with an elderly man in his seventies seated between them. His square face was striking despite a deep scar, which, far from rendering his appearance fierce, added an air of stern valor. He carried an aura of somber authority; his powerful demeanor suggested he had once led troops and seen combat.

Before Chen Shaoxian could speak, the old man began, “Young man, is Mr. Chen Shuntian at home?” His voice was loud and clear, indicating a man unaccustomed to hesitation.

Chen Shaoxian politely responded, “My grandfather is not at home.” Then he asked, “Do you know my grandfather?”

Upon hearing this, the old man’s face fell slightly disappointed, but knowing that Chen Shaoxian was a descendant of an old acquaintance brought him joy. Looking at Chen Shaoxian kindly, he said, “I met your grandfather during the war against the Japanese. Back then, I was a platoon leader, but your grandfather was already well-known and had even saved my life.” He then sighed, “Decades have passed in a blink; we’ve both aged.”

Hearing that the old man had fought against the Japanese, Chen Shaoxian immediately showed great respect. He held deep admiration for those who defended their country, but he was also curious, “From what you say, my grandfather fought against the Japanese too?”

Footnote:

1. Lianshan(连山):One of the three ancient Chinese classics of divination. It is believed to contain knowledge about the world’s dragon veins (geographical and geomantic features), underground treasures, auspicious and ominous locations.
2. Guicang(归藏):Another ancient classic of divination, now lost. It was reputedly one of the three great divinatory texts of ancient China, alongside Lianshan and Zhouyi. The book supposedly contained esoteric knowledge and was last seen in the palace of Qin Shihuang.
3. Zhouyi(周易):Also known as the I Ching or Book of Changes. It is the only one of the three ancient divination texts that has survived to the present day. Expanded by King Wen of Zhou and the Duke of Zhou, Zhouyi encompasses various aspects of Chinese metaphysics, including feng shui, fortune-telling, and Taoist philosophy. It is considered a cultural treasure and an essential work of Chinese intellectual heritage.
4. Qin Shihuang(秦始皇):The first Emperor of China, who unified the country in 221 BCE. He is known for his ambitious projects, including the Great Wall and the Terracotta Army.
5. Dragon Veins(龙脉):A concept in Chinese geomancy (feng shui) referring to the flow of energy through the landscape, akin to the meridians in the human body.
6. Qin State(秦国):One of the warring states of ancient China, which eventually unified the country under Qin Shihuang, establishing the Qin Dynasty.
7. Zhao State(赵国):Another of the warring states in ancient China, which was contemporary with the Qin State.
8. Xu Fu(徐福):A court sorcerer and explorer sent by Qin Shihuang to find the elixir of immortality. According to legend, Xu Fu embarked on a voyage with a large fleet and never returned, with some stories suggesting he discovered Japan.