The dragon of Qimao Mountain is very tired.
When it comes to the methods of alchemists, Mo Li is knowledgeable in nine out of ten aspects.
If it’s about alchemical practices, involving certain medicinal ingredients, he might have some understanding, but for the rest, he simply cannot comprehend.
“Yinchen wood? Engraved porcelain bowl?”
Mo Li was utterly confused. How could these things be used to harm others?
Meng Qi couldn’t help but smile bitterly. He knew well that the methods of alchemists were quite absurd, but unfortunately, many people believed in them.
“How much do you know about Yinchen wood?” Meng Qi asked.
“Yinchen wood is said to have properties of dispelling evil and protecting the household. Due to its rarity, it commands a high price,” Mo Li thought for a moment and provided the basic information.
Yinchen wood, in fact, refers to wood accidentally buried in the ground or deep under water for a long time, often spanning over a thousand years. After being salvaged or excavated, it is polished by craftsmen to reveal its smooth and lustrous appearance, distinct from ordinary wood.
It is also associated with the metaphor of being undamaged despite being immersed in mud and shining brightly once placed in a magnificent hall. Hence, it is highly sought after.
However, such treasures are not something ordinary people can possess or even encounter. Hence, it is generally believed that only those with great fortune and auspiciousness are worthy of such treasures.
Qimao Mountain has also discovered Yinchen wood in the past. It was found after a flash flood destroyed the riverbed. The locals were unaware of its significance until County Magistrate Xue personally inspected it and confirmed it as Yinchen wood.
Later, County Magistrate Xue had the wood divided into several sections, using the larger ones for the Treasure Pavilion and the smaller ones as ornaments.
Among them, there was a pen holder that Xue Lingjun gifted to Master Qin.
Mo Li had heard various explanations about Yinchen wood from his master. It sounded extraordinary and indeed rare. In reality, it was merely wood that had been buried underground, deprived of sunlight, and subjected to the pressure of the earth’s veins, resulting in its unique transformation.
If it becomes too pronounced, it turns into coal and can only be used for burning.
Yinchen wood still retains its original form, and some pieces even retain the aroma of wood after being cut. Because many types of trees can transform into Yinchen wood, there are variations among different pieces of Yinchen wood.
The piece in the Zhushan County yamen is made of fir wood and has a slight fragrance.
Apart from County Magistrate Xue and Elder Li, others are ignorant and have no idea of its value. They often handle it carelessly while cleaning, much to the distress of Elder Li.
Only County Magistrate Xue and Qin Lu treat it with care, which influenced Mo Li to not attach much importance to Yinchen wood either.
The current box adorned with golden thread, be it in terms of material or craftsmanship, pales in comparison.
“In the Chen Dynasty, coffins made of Yinchen wood were considered the highest funeral ritual. However, Yinchen wood is rarely found, and finding one large enough to make a coffin is even more challenging. To please the authorities, the alchemists claim that Yinchen wood is only suitable for the privileged and possess the power to bring fortune.”
Meng Qi himself had no interest in such matters, but as the Imperial Teacher in the Chu Dynasty, he had to deal with these unorthodox beliefs frequently. The objects presented by the Qintian Observatory for the imperial ritual ceremonies were often made of Yinchen wood.
Meng Qi picked up the broken box and continued, “Throughout history, the more valuable something is, the more it can be exploited. What does it matter if they are powerful and influential? The higher their status, the more they are targeted for schemes. Whether it is for power or personal gain, people wish for their demise. Objects associated with bringing fortune can easily become omens of misfortune. Are the claims of the alchemists absurd? Not really. As long as there are people willing to believe, such ideas will prevail.”
Mo Li understood and asked, “So, what about the porcelain bowl?”
“It is made by grinding the bones of unjustly deceased individuals into powder and mixing it with porcelain clay. Then the alchemists perform their tricks and it is finally fired, creating a cursed object.”
After hearing Meng Qi’s explanation, Mo Li paused for a moment and finally understood why the sand rat prevented him from touching that bowl.
Cursing and killing are nonsense, but this kind of thing is truly disgusting.
“The golden silk armor is something that people in the martial world fight over. How does it involve the dark secrets of the court and the powerful?” Mo Li still couldn’t understand.
Meng Qi countered, “Is the golden silk armor considered an ominous object?”
If it is a burial item stolen from an imperial tomb and many people have died because of it, with bloodstains still visible, according to common beliefs, it can indeed be considered ominous.
“You mentioned that the burial site for the box is a spiritual spot. Can the alchemists locate spiritual spots?”
“…Well, perhaps?” Mo Li wasn’t sure either.
In places where there are spiritual spots, there are usually some anomalies, as vegetation thrives in such places.
Mo Li was following the spiritual energy, while the alchemists couldn’t see spiritual energy. However, they relied on factors like wind, mist, rain, snow, dawn, moonlight, and the presence of birds and animals for their judgments. If a place, like Yongzhou now, had spiritual energy, people would have a different, intuitive feeling that couldn’t be hidden.
Meng Qi tossed the box aside and said casually, “That’s right. When it comes to burying at a spiritual spot or the earth’s veins, it shouldn’t be targeting just one person but rather a clan or even a nation.”
Mo Li’s expression changed slightly.
A clan could be understandable, but mentioning a nation probably referred to the dragon veins!
People believed that those who ascended to the highest positions of power had dragon veins protecting their families and surnames.
However, that was nonsense!
If the Imperial Capital had dragon veins, whose family did it belong to? Would the dragon veins of the Imperial Capital change owners with every emperor from a different surname? This was probably not about protection but rather doing business—trading with whoever had the ability.
As for Mo Li, as the dragon vein of Qimao Mountain… Oh no, Jimao Mountain.
There was simply no one in Jimao Mountain who could become an emperor!
County Magistrate Xue is not capable. He only wants to live a comfortable and carefree life, spending his days as a county official napping in his office.
As for Qin Lu, the old master, he has a benevolent heart but detests hypocrisy. He can’t tolerate deceitful people.
As for the people of Zhushan County, many of them are illiterate with limited perspectives. When it comes to overthrowing a dynasty, they might prefer having the deities they worship as their civil and military officials or even as the emperor, believing that it would bring stability to the world. Of course, Xue Lingjun, with his high moral standing, could probably continue to hold a minor position in the divine court and maybe even become an immortal after death!
“What rumors are there about dragon veins in Yongzhou?” Mo Li asked with a serious expression.
The notion that dragon veins protect dynasties is nonsense, but dragon veins do exist. It would be a great injustice if someone were to be harmed because they were mistaken for an emperor wielding the “Get Out of Death Free” card.
Although Meng Qi also believed that someone was targeting the dragon veins, aiming to seize control of the world, he never expected that at this moment Mo Li would be confirming the “dragon vein as a victim” and preparing to avenge their comrade.
“The current Emperor Lu Zhang of Qi Dynasty is originally from Qiong County in Yongzhou,” Meng Qi said with a meaningful tone. “Qiong County is located in the southeast of Yongzhou, where the Qi Dynasty has built the imperial tomb and the ancestral temple for the worship of the Lu clan ancestors.”
Upon hearing this, Mo Li took out a map and compared the locations. To his surprise, he discovered that Cangfeng Temple, where Qingwu Ancestor resided, was less than thirty miles away from Qiong County.
Qingwu Ancestor was truly suspicious, with his disciples plotting rebellion, being knowledgeable in feng shui, and associating with the powerful. He even claimed that the golden silk armor came from the Mausoleum of Emperor Li…
“It’s highly likely that he buried this thing too, disrupting the dragon veins of the Qi Dynasty,” Meng Qi sneered.
Mo Li rubbed his temples and contemplated, “Yongzhou has been suffering from consecutive droughts, causing great hardships for the people. How is the situation in Qiong County?”
“The southeast of Yongzhou is relatively prosperous and close to the Imperial Capital. It should have been affected by locust plagues only last year,” Meng Qi recalled, showing a clear understanding of current affairs.
“Has Yongzhou experienced any… remarkable occurrences? For example, blessings from deities, sudden abundance of spiritual herbs on a certain mountain, or an abundance of fish and clams in a particular river, resulting in the local people enjoying long and prosperous lives?”
When Meng Qi heard the words “abundance of fish,” his gaze couldn’t help but shift as he observed Mo Li.
…Not plump.
No, it’s hard to say. Meng Qi thought of his own true form.
The true form shouldn’t have anything to do with the human form, so how big of a fish could it be?
Palm-sized? Like the chubby baby depicted in New Year paintings? Or large enough to capsize a fishing boat?
Facing the dignified figure and refined demeanor of the physician, Meng Qi couldn’t even imagine a scenario where he would flip a fishing boat with his tail.
Comparing it to the size of the fat rat, Meng Qi felt a bit discouraged. Fortunately, fish don’t eat rats, so he didn’t have any instinctual aversion to the physician.
Meng Qi already thought highly of Mo Li, but after seeing him in his reduced form, it was completely different from what he saw when he regained his human form. The sand rat was too small, often only able to see a part of Mo Li and not the whole picture.
For example, the neck or the wrist…
Magnified countless times, including the details that were difficult to notice when he was in human form.
Returning to the perspective of a normal person and looking at the physician again, Meng Qi’s admiration and infatuation deepened.
Meng Qi remained silent, and Mo Li thought he was contemplating.
Mo Li felt that this Meng Qi in front of him seemed a bit unfamiliar. He knew it was because Meng Qi was gradually recovering. Memories could cause a person to change, and when memories became complete again, the hidden traits of that person would fully emerge.
—Meng Qi, who had assisted Emperor Yuan of Chu in pacifying the world and worked together with renowned officials to establish a prosperous era in the Chu Dynasty, how could he be a simple character?
“The extraordinary occurrences in Yongzhou are mostly concentrated in Qiong County, and in my opinion, most of them are fabrications,” Meng Qi calmly spoke, “Events such as heavenly red lights descending, encountering a mythical qilin in a dream, and the auspicious signs of the White Tiger’s bountiful harvest are all flattery for the Emperor of the Qi Dynasty. But it didn’t mention any abnormal changes in the mountains and rivers.”
Mo Li breathed a sigh of relief that there were no issues with the dragon veins.
Meng Qi’s gaze flickered, and he smiled, “However, Physician, your words remind me of Silang Mountain in Pingzhou. How about it? Are these phenomena related to the mountain spirits?”
Mo Li stiffly nodded.
He knew that his question would inevitably arouse suspicion from Meng Qi.
Meng Qi looked at the golden silk armor and the gloomy wood and pondered, “After these things were excavated, did the spiritual caves recover?”
“No, the spiritual caves remained depleted. It’s the result of weakened earth veins. Can a Taoist master prevent rain from falling?”
Of course not. If Qingwu Ancestor had such abilities, he would be a deity.
Meng Qi asked with interest, “What about the mountain spirits? Can they control the weather and bring favorable conditions?”
“…You’re not referring to the mountain spirits, but rather the Dragon King worshipped by the common people!” Mo Li shifted the topic. The ability to control the weather and bring favorable conditions might be beyond their reach, but they could possibly disperse clouds to prevent rain or snow. As a dragon vein, Mo Li didn’t feel particularly special in that regard.
“Have you ever seen the Dragon King, Physician?” Meng Qi persisted.
“No.”
Mo Li lowered his gaze, feeling that if Meng Qi continued to guess, he would probably uncover the truth.
He collected the map, stood up, and found a nearby spot to bury the wooden box along with the golden silk armor.
“Emperor Li’s Mausoleum is located on Shangyun Mountain in Taijing. Physician, you once asked me if there was mercury in Emperor Li’s Mausoleum, and I was surprised when I heard that it had been robbed. In that case, it seems that there is also a mountain spirit on Shangyun Mountain,” Meng Qi said, looking at Mo Li with a fixed gaze.
He muttered to himself, “But what’s strange is that you have never been to Shangyun Mountain, so how can you be certain that there is a mountain spirit there? If we were daemons and had a close relationship with the mountain spirits, it would be understandable. However, you treated me as a physician and were eager to go to Taijing. What does that have to do with the mountain spirits?”
“…” Mo Li wanted to knock Meng Qi unconscious.
It was better to have a clouded mind that put people at ease!
The dragon of Qimao Mountain is very tired.
When it comes to the methods of alchemists, Mo Li is knowledgeable in nine out of ten aspects.
If it’s about alchemical practices, involving certain medicinal ingredients, he might have some understanding, but for the rest, he simply cannot comprehend.
“Yinchen wood? Engraved porcelain bowl?”
Mo Li was utterly confused. How could these things be used to harm others?
Meng Qi couldn’t help but smile bitterly. He knew well that the methods of alchemists were quite absurd, but unfortunately, many people believed in them.
“How much do you know about Yinchen wood?” Meng Qi asked.
“Yinchen wood is said to have properties of dispelling evil and protecting the household. Due to its rarity, it commands a high price,” Mo Li thought for a moment and provided the basic information.
Yinchen wood, in fact, refers to wood accidentally buried in the ground or deep under water for a long time, often spanning over a thousand years. After being salvaged or excavated, it is polished by craftsmen to reveal its smooth and lustrous appearance, distinct from ordinary wood.
It is also associated with the metaphor of being undamaged despite being immersed in mud and shining brightly once placed in a magnificent hall. Hence, it is highly sought after.
However, such treasures are not something ordinary people can possess or even encounter. Hence, it is generally believed that only those with great fortune and auspiciousness are worthy of such treasures.
Qimao Mountain has also discovered Yinchen wood in the past. It was found after a flash flood destroyed the riverbed. The locals were unaware of its significance until County Magistrate Xue personally inspected it and confirmed it as Yinchen wood.
Later, County Magistrate Xue had the wood divided into several sections, using the larger ones for the Treasure Pavilion and the smaller ones as ornaments.
Among them, there was a pen holder that Xue Lingjun gifted to Master Qin.
Mo Li had heard various explanations about Yinchen wood from his master. It sounded extraordinary and indeed rare. In reality, it was merely wood that had been buried underground, deprived of sunlight, and subjected to the pressure of the earth’s veins, resulting in its unique transformation.
If it becomes too pronounced, it turns into coal and can only be used for burning.
Yinchen wood still retains its original form, and some pieces even retain the aroma of wood after being cut. Because many types of trees can transform into Yinchen wood, there are variations among different pieces of Yinchen wood.
The piece in the Zhushan County yamen is made of fir wood and has a slight fragrance.
Apart from County Magistrate Xue and Elder Li, others are ignorant and have no idea of its value. They often handle it carelessly while cleaning, much to the distress of Elder Li.
Only County Magistrate Xue and Qin Lu treat it with care, which influenced Mo Li to not attach much importance to Yinchen wood either.
The current box adorned with golden thread, be it in terms of material or craftsmanship, pales in comparison.
“In the Chen Dynasty, coffins made of Yinchen wood were considered the highest funeral ritual. However, Yinchen wood is rarely found, and finding one large enough to make a coffin is even more challenging. To please the authorities, the alchemists claim that Yinchen wood is only suitable for the privileged and possess the power to bring fortune.”
Meng Qi himself had no interest in such matters, but as the Imperial Teacher in the Chu Dynasty, he had to deal with these unorthodox beliefs frequently. The objects presented by the Qintian Observatory for the imperial ritual ceremonies were often made of Yinchen wood.
Meng Qi picked up the broken box and continued, “Throughout history, the more valuable something is, the more it can be exploited. What does it matter if they are powerful and influential? The higher their status, the more they are targeted for schemes. Whether it is for power or personal gain, people wish for their demise. Objects associated with bringing fortune can easily become omens of misfortune. Are the claims of the alchemists absurd? Not really. As long as there are people willing to believe, such ideas will prevail.”
Mo Li understood and asked, “So, what about the porcelain bowl?”
“It is made by grinding the bones of unjustly deceased individuals into powder and mixing it with porcelain clay. Then the alchemists perform their tricks and it is finally fired, creating a cursed object.”
After hearing Meng Qi’s explanation, Mo Li paused for a moment and finally understood why the sand rat prevented him from touching that bowl.
Cursing and killing are nonsense, but this kind of thing is truly disgusting.
“The golden silk armor is something that people in the martial world fight over. How does it involve the dark secrets of the court and the powerful?” Mo Li still couldn’t understand.
Meng Qi countered, “Is the golden silk armor considered an ominous object?”
If it is a burial item stolen from an imperial tomb and many people have died because of it, with bloodstains still visible, according to common beliefs, it can indeed be considered ominous.
“You mentioned that the burial site for the box is a spiritual spot. Can the alchemists locate spiritual spots?”
“…Well, perhaps?” Mo Li wasn’t sure either.
In places where there are spiritual spots, there are usually some anomalies, as vegetation thrives in such places.
Mo Li was following the spiritual energy, while the alchemists couldn’t see spiritual energy. However, they relied on factors like wind, mist, rain, snow, dawn, moonlight, and the presence of birds and animals for their judgments. If a place, like Yongzhou now, had spiritual energy, people would have a different, intuitive feeling that couldn’t be hidden.
Meng Qi tossed the box aside and said casually, “That’s right. When it comes to burying at a spiritual spot or the earth’s veins, it shouldn’t be targeting just one person but rather a clan or even a nation.”
Mo Li’s expression changed slightly.
A clan could be understandable, but mentioning a nation probably referred to the dragon veins!
People believed that those who ascended to the highest positions of power had dragon veins protecting their families and surnames.
However, that was nonsense!
If the Imperial Capital had dragon veins, whose family did it belong to? Would the dragon veins of the Imperial Capital change owners with every emperor from a different surname? This was probably not about protection but rather doing business—trading with whoever had the ability.
As for Mo Li, as the dragon vein of Qimao Mountain… Oh no, Jimao Mountain.
There was simply no one in Jimao Mountain who could become an emperor!
County Magistrate Xue is not capable. He only wants to live a comfortable and carefree life, spending his days as a county official napping in his office.
As for Qin Lu, the old master, he has a benevolent heart but detests hypocrisy. He can’t tolerate deceitful people.
As for the people of Zhushan County, many of them are illiterate with limited perspectives. When it comes to overthrowing a dynasty, they might prefer having the deities they worship as their civil and military officials or even as the emperor, believing that it would bring stability to the world. Of course, Xue Lingjun, with his high moral standing, could probably continue to hold a minor position in the divine court and maybe even become an immortal after death!
“What rumors are there about dragon veins in Yongzhou?” Mo Li asked with a serious expression.
The notion that dragon veins protect dynasties is nonsense, but dragon veins do exist. It would be a great injustice if someone were to be harmed because they were mistaken for an emperor wielding the “Get Out of Death Free” card.
Although Meng Qi also believed that someone was targeting the dragon veins, aiming to seize control of the world, he never expected that at this moment Mo Li would be confirming the “dragon vein as a victim” and preparing to avenge their comrade.
“The current Emperor Lu Zhang of Qi Dynasty is originally from Qiong County in Yongzhou,” Meng Qi said with a meaningful tone. “Qiong County is located in the southeast of Yongzhou, where the Qi Dynasty has built the imperial tomb and the ancestral temple for the worship of the Lu clan ancestors.”
Upon hearing this, Mo Li took out a map and compared the locations. To his surprise, he discovered that Cangfeng Temple, where Qingwu Ancestor resided, was less than thirty miles away from Qiong County.
Qingwu Ancestor was truly suspicious, with his disciples plotting rebellion, being knowledgeable in feng shui, and associating with the powerful. He even claimed that the golden silk armor came from the Mausoleum of Emperor Li…
“It’s highly likely that he buried this thing too, disrupting the dragon veins of the Qi Dynasty,” Meng Qi sneered.
Mo Li rubbed his temples and contemplated, “Yongzhou has been suffering from consecutive droughts, causing great hardships for the people. How is the situation in Qiong County?”
“The southeast of Yongzhou is relatively prosperous and close to the Imperial Capital. It should have been affected by locust plagues only last year,” Meng Qi recalled, showing a clear understanding of current affairs.
“Has Yongzhou experienced any… remarkable occurrences? For example, blessings from deities, sudden abundance of spiritual herbs on a certain mountain, or an abundance of fish and clams in a particular river, resulting in the local people enjoying long and prosperous lives?”
When Meng Qi heard the words “abundance of fish,” his gaze couldn’t help but shift as he observed Mo Li.
…Not plump.
No, it’s hard to say. Meng Qi thought of his own true form.
The true form shouldn’t have anything to do with the human form, so how big of a fish could it be?
Palm-sized? Like the chubby baby depicted in New Year paintings? Or large enough to capsize a fishing boat?
Facing the dignified figure and refined demeanor of the physician, Meng Qi couldn’t even imagine a scenario where he would flip a fishing boat with his tail.
Comparing it to the size of the fat rat, Meng Qi felt a bit discouraged. Fortunately, fish don’t eat rats, so he didn’t have any instinctual aversion to the physician.
Meng Qi already thought highly of Mo Li, but after seeing him in his reduced form, it was completely different from what he saw when he regained his human form. The sand rat was too small, often only able to see a part of Mo Li and not the whole picture.
For example, the neck or the wrist…
Magnified countless times, including the details that were difficult to notice when he was in human form.
Returning to the perspective of a normal person and looking at the physician again, Meng Qi’s admiration and infatuation deepened.
Meng Qi remained silent, and Mo Li thought he was contemplating.
Mo Li felt that this Meng Qi in front of him seemed a bit unfamiliar. He knew it was because Meng Qi was gradually recovering. Memories could cause a person to change, and when memories became complete again, the hidden traits of that person would fully emerge.
—Meng Qi, who had assisted Emperor Yuan of Chu in pacifying the world and worked together with renowned officials to establish a prosperous era in the Chu Dynasty, how could he be a simple character?
“The extraordinary occurrences in Yongzhou are mostly concentrated in Qiong County, and in my opinion, most of them are fabrications,” Meng Qi calmly spoke, “Events such as heavenly red lights descending, encountering a mythical qilin in a dream, and the auspicious signs of the White Tiger’s bountiful harvest are all flattery for the Emperor of the Qi Dynasty. But it didn’t mention any abnormal changes in the mountains and rivers.”
Mo Li breathed a sigh of relief that there were no issues with the dragon veins.
Meng Qi’s gaze flickered, and he smiled, “However, Physician, your words remind me of Silang Mountain in Pingzhou. How about it? Are these phenomena related to the mountain spirits?”
Mo Li stiffly nodded.
He knew that his question would inevitably arouse suspicion from Meng Qi.
Meng Qi looked at the golden silk armor and the gloomy wood and pondered, “After these things were excavated, did the spiritual caves recover?”
“No, the spiritual caves remained depleted. It’s the result of weakened earth veins. Can a Taoist master prevent rain from falling?”
Of course not. If Qingwu Ancestor had such abilities, he would be a deity.
Meng Qi asked with interest, “What about the mountain spirits? Can they control the weather and bring favorable conditions?”
“…You’re not referring to the mountain spirits, but rather the Dragon King worshipped by the common people!” Mo Li shifted the topic. The ability to control the weather and bring favorable conditions might be beyond their reach, but they could possibly disperse clouds to prevent rain or snow. As a dragon vein, Mo Li didn’t feel particularly special in that regard.
“Have you ever seen the Dragon King, Physician?” Meng Qi persisted.
“No.”
Mo Li lowered his gaze, feeling that if Meng Qi continued to guess, he would probably uncover the truth.
He collected the map, stood up, and found a nearby spot to bury the wooden box along with the golden silk armor.
“Emperor Li’s Mausoleum is located on Shangyun Mountain in Taijing. Physician, you once asked me if there was mercury in Emperor Li’s Mausoleum, and I was surprised when I heard that it had been robbed. In that case, it seems that there is also a mountain spirit on Shangyun Mountain,” Meng Qi said, looking at Mo Li with a fixed gaze.
He muttered to himself, “But what’s strange is that you have never been to Shangyun Mountain, so how can you be certain that there is a mountain spirit there? If we were daemons and had a close relationship with the mountain spirits, it would be understandable. However, you treated me as a physician and were eager to go to Taijing. What does that have to do with the mountain spirits?”
“…” Mo Li wanted to knock Meng Qi unconscious.
It was better to have a clouded mind that put people at ease!
