Beginning with the Ubume Bird
Chapter 644 - Chapter 644 Chapter 30 Jin Mansion Calamity

Chapter 644: Chapter 30 Jin Mansion Calamity Chapter 644: Chapter 30 Jin Mansion Calamity “What date is it today?”

Chen Lang rubbed his bloodshot eyes and asked casually.

His female assistant moved gracefully with a cup of coffee in hand and smiled seductively at Chen Lang, “It’s the 6th. By the morning of the day after tomorrow, it will be a full ten days. According to the bet, if Mr. Yang cannot break the Feng Shui formation of ‘Conqueror Shedding Armor’ by then, he’ll have to transfer the development rights for both Da’ao Village and Guanyin Bay to you.”

Chen Lang felt a surge of fiery passion in his heart, yet he replied, “The last leg of a journey marks the halfway point; better to be cautious.”

“As you say,” the assistant flattered before continuing, “But to be honest, Chairman, we’re not in the real estate business, and neither Da’ao Village nor Guanyin Bay are considered prime locations. Why did you agree to Mr. Yang’s bet?”

Chen Lang countered, “You’ve followed me for so long and have gained quite a bit of understanding of geomancy. Have I ever told you about the legend of the two Chiangs chasing the Dragon Vein?”

“The rumor goes that the Dragon Vein glides across the Nine States, following the constellations, wherever it travels shows signs of revival, sweet rain descends from heaven, remarkable people emerge, and wealth and power come forth. Where the True Dragon took residence during the Northern Song Dynasty, legends have it that a money tree appeared… But whether it lasts for mere decades or over a century, the Dragon Vein eventually sinks into the earth and disappears. Legends say that if someone could construct a tomb on the Dragon Vein, the tomb owner’s descendants would be able to rule the world, with each newborn inheriting the fate of the Heavenly Yi Noble, assuring the prosperity of the family line indefinitely. Since the First Emperor, countless Feng Shui Practitioners have sought the Dragon Vein as their lifelong quest, especially during the Song and Ming Dynasties where many notable individuals emerged, and the royal pursuit of the Dragon Vein was frequent, giving rise to many bloody disputes.”

Chen Lang continued, “Even the Qin Emperor and Han Wu, the Tang and Song Dynasties’ founding emperors, no one could ensure everlasting rule; and with China facing an unprecedented upheaval in modern times, the belief in the True Dragon’s Earth Vein had waned, and many in the Feng Shui Realm stopped believing. In 1945, when Japan announced its unconditional surrender, the Chairman’s influence was at its zenith. He too harbored the desire to chase the Dragon Vein. He summoned the Feng Shui prodigy from Snow Grotto Temple, Taixu Monk, to seek the True Dragon’s Earth Vein throughout the south and north of the great river, aiming to prolong the Chiang family’s rule. Unexpectedly, the Taixu Monk indeed found the Dragon Vein, right at Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum! Overjoyed, the Chairman followed Taixu Monk’s advice and built the Righteous Pavilion at the mausoleum to suppress the Dragon Vein, preventing it from escaping. Taixu Monk asserted with certainty that if the Chairman were buried next to the Righteous Pavilion at the mausoleum after a hundred years, the Chiang family would enjoy eternal rule. The Chairman would outshine the Han and Tang Dynasties and become an unprecedented leader. Taixu Monk’s claims were lofty, but alas, times change. The Nationalist government retreated to Taiwan in just three years, and Mao, who did not believe in Feng Shui but in Marx and Lenin, left the Righteous Pavilion vacant for decades. It was later damaged in the chaos, the True Dragon freed itself and sank into the earth, disappearing without a trace. As for whether there really is such a thing as an everlasting empire, only heaven knows.”

Her assistant added, “Later, the Chairman died displeased and refused to be buried in Taiwan. He left his coffin afloat in Cihu, with the wish that one day if the counterattack succeeded, he would be buried in Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum or, failing that, returned to his hometown. His son, too, sought out Feng Shui Practitioners later in life but to no avail. He passed away in ’88 and, like his father, left his floating coffin in Cihu, unwilling to be buried. The Dragon Vein became a joke.”

To her surprise, Chen Lang shook his head, “Chiang Ching-kuo did not pass away in ’88 without finding anything; in fact, he was just one step away from rediscovering the Dragon Vein. Tell me, according to the story, when was the Dragon Vein released?”

Chen Lang asked again, “Which places in East Asia could be considered ‘blessed with sweet rain from heaven and imposing wealth’ during the ’70s?”

His assistant blinked, “You mean?”

Chen Lang offered a meaningful smile, “The Four Asian Dragons.”

“But what has this story got to do with the bet?”

Chen Lang reveled in his assistant’s gaze.

He stood up and walked over to the safe. After turning the dial a few times, he retrieved a red cloth package from inside. Opening it in front of his assistant, it revealed a dark and old Compass, its text mostly faded and a piece of cement stuck on the needle, looking rather miserable.

“This was used by the Taixu Monk back then; only this Compass can pinpoint the exact location of the Dragon Vein. I spent ten years traveling north and south, narrowing down the potential area–Guanyin Bay and Da’ao Village were among them. But knowing doesn’t help; I have no right to touch that land. That Mr. Yang, I have no idea how he learned about the Compass’s location.”

“Now I understand, but Chairman, do you really believe in the legend of the Dragon Vein?”

The assistant was half-convinced.

Chen Lang shook his head, “The Dragon Vein is the lifelong pursuit of a Feng Shui Practitioner. Even if I never find it in my lifetime, I must take this Compass with me into my coffin. But frankly speaking, I don’t believe that being buried on the Dragon Vein would make someone an emperor, especially in today’s society. What’s better than being rich and powerful, is being an emperor really that great? Do Americans believe in Feng Shui? Aren’t they still No.1? Can just anyone become emperor if they have a tomb built on the Dragon Vein? Only a lunatic would believe such nonsense.”

——————————–

“Sometimes, do you and Wenle ever think I’m crazy?”

Xue Wenhai looked up at the night sky and suddenly asked Vivian beside him.

“If godfather is a madman, then everyone in the world is a fool.”

Vivian said quietly.

Xue Wenhai gave a faint smile, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes already unable to be concealed. Setting aside this person’s actions, there was indeed a unique charm to him, like a rugged reef washed by the waves, standing tall and unyielding.

“Let’s get to work.”

Vivian nodded, put on her gloves, and donned a thick protective suit. She took a few steps forward, and Jin Boqing’s black lacquered tombstone came into view, with the couplet on the left and right reading, “Heaven harmonizes with all places, as if aspirations are without form.” There was also a photo of Jin Boqing from his younger days.

Without any visible action from Vivian, the half-spherical tomb sealed with cement suddenly split open from the middle, revealing a coffin made of Nanmu wood.

Vivian picked up tools like shovels and chisels, digging around the coffin to try to pry it open.

There was no one around.

The wind blew up the joss papers at Xue Wenhai’s feet that hadn’t yet burned out. He stared at the black and white photo and sighed, “Mr. Jin, I’ve always admired your character. I hadn’t expected that we would be separated by life and death so soon. Today, I disturb you out of sheer necessity. Once I accomplish the great task at hand, I will definitely return all to its proper place and rebury Mr. Jin. By then, Wenhai will surely kowtow in apology…”

As he spoke, he pulled out a sharp silver Xiaodao and cut towards his own pinky finger, immediately blood splattered, and Xue Wenhai’s temples bulged out from the intense pain. A fine sweat broke out on his neck and forehead. He held his still-bleeding pinky towards Jin Boqing’s photo and shook it, “Let’s take this pinky finger as proof.”

Crack~

A muffled flash of lightning split the sky, Vivian pushed open the coffin, and flung back the Golden Longevity Blanket, revealing Jin Boqing in a black silk robe, his expression peaceful as if he were merely sleeping.

Vivian’s eyes flickered as she searched through the coffin for a while, not the least bit afraid, then turned to Xue Wenhai with difficulty, “Godfather, Jin Boqing’s body is here, but the Mingzha for the burial along with him is missing.”

Xue Wenhai was not surprised and asked indifferently, “Have you searched carefully?”

“I have, there really isn’t any.”

Xue Wenhai nodded faintly, “Put the body into a nylon bag, and help me put this in there too.”

With an unchanged expression, he tossed his severed finger to Vivian.

“Understood.”

Xue Wenhai opened the medical kit he brought with him, began to bandage himself, and with a sidelong smile towards Jin Boqing’s photo, he said, “Mr. Jin, your descendants don’t live up to your legacy.”

The black-haired and thick-eyebrowed Jin Boqing in the photo wore a frozen smile, silent.

“I’ll discipline them for you.”