Chen Xiazi immediately accepted the money, rose, and descended from the tavern. Those scattered bandits remained oblivious, still conspiring in low voices. Chen Xiazi signaled to his men waiting at the door, instructing them to escort Boss Wu and his band of thieves to enjoy themselves in the Dragon Palace at the bottom of Dongting Lake. Afterwards, he inquired about the geomancer's shop from a local, then proceeded into the city with Zhetigu Shao to seek him out.

Mr. Hu was quite well-known in the city. Whether it was casting lots for divination, inquiring about fortune, or surveying auspicious sites for the living and the dead, his predictions were repeatedly proven accurate without fail, so it did not take much searching to find his establishment.

Chen Xiazi, confident in his profound talent, had studied the Moonlight Reflection Guidance Divine Chamber Formula in his youth while on the mountain. He was intimately familiar with all the tricks of stargazing astrologers, physiognomists, and earth surveyors. He knew they were nothing more than country slickers tricking simple folk. If they could truly divine fate, they should start by calculating their own.

Neither he nor Zhetigu Shao believed in such arts, but curiosity had led them to stop by for a look. Upon arriving before the divination shop, they observed that the main hall was neatly arranged, and Mr. Hu was currently rocking his head back and forth, earnestly discussing with three or five local gentry and wealthy patrons how to relocate an ancestral grave.

Chen Xiazi and Zhetigu Shao listened from the side for a while, only hearing Mr. Hu discuss the placement of yin and yang houses with such convincing accuracy and fluency that it was clear he was profoundly skilled in the ways of Qingwu (geomancy). Although the discussion revolved around common, rustic matters of relocating tombs and changing ancestral shrines, he displayed genuine insight and uttered pearls of wisdom, often voicing views unheard of from predecessors. This caused the two of them to nod subtly in approval: "Mr. Hu's discourse is seasoned, his understanding of the world thorough; he must have received guidance from a master. He is certainly not an amateur."

After explaining the ancestral grave Feng Shui to the group of magnates, Mr. Hu accepted their tokens of gratitude and escorted them to the door. Turning around, he saw Chen Xiazi and Zhetigu Shao. Mr. Hu had served as an officer in a provincial warlord’s army some years prior and was most astute in reading people and navigating social situations. Furthermore, his long career in divination required him to be adept at observing expressions and recognizing character upon first glance.

The moment he saw the pair, he knew they were no ordinary people. Despite their plain attire, they could not conceal the extraordinary bearing emanating from them, and they carried a heavy aura of deadly intent. They were clearly not here on a routine business matter, so he dared not show the slightest disrespect. He quickly invited them to sit, brewed tea, and greeted them warmly: "I was just sparring wits with the local gentry for quite some time. I did not anticipate the arrival of distinguished guests and failed to meet you properly at the entrance; please forgive my oversight."

Zhetigu Shao clasped his hands in return: "Not at all. My brother and I have long admired your esteemed reputation, which is why we have taken the liberty of calling upon you. We hope you will pardon our presumption. From Mr. Hu’s accent just now, I presume you are a local?"

Mr. Hu replied, "My ancestral home is not here. I have been drifting in the jianghu for so long and have adopted the Southern accent so thoroughly that I have long forgotten my native tongue. I must apologize for misleading you."

Upon hearing this, Zhetigu Shao and Chen Xiazi noted that Mr. Hu was indeed subtle, his words leaving no opening to probe his background. Chen Xiazi, intending to test his abilities, threw his head back and let out a hearty laugh, saying, "Let's forgo pleasantries and get straight to the point. My brother and I are about to embark on a long journey. First, please cast a character for us, sir, to inquire about the fortune of this venture. We request paper and brush."

He walked to the desk, grabbed the four treasures of the study, ground the ink thick, saturated the brush, and with a swift stroke of wolf hair, drew the character "" (Mountain) on a white slip. The strokes were sharp and confrontational, inviting Mr. Hu to interpret this character.

Chen Xiazi wrote the character "" with a double meaning. Mr. Hu was a man of understanding; he stared at the character for a moment, grasped the intent, quickly checked to ensure no one was watching, shut the door of his shop, and returned to salute them according to custom. He tested them with an arcane phrase from the Mountain Classics: "Today, the four seas are calm, for it is a high mountain crossing the ocean; a cloud hangs in the northwest sky, shrouding this mountain in purple mist. The mountain is the lord, the cloud is the vassal; which one represents the mountain, and which represents the cloud?"

Chen Xiazi chuckled: "There is no cloud in the clear northwest sky, only two mountains, black and white. Are you asking about the Black Mountain or the White Mountain?"

Mr. Hu was taken aback, realizing these two men’s origins were far from ordinary. He grew slightly flustered and quickly responded: "After the Black Mountain comes the White Mountain; Black Mountain and White Mountain are both mountains. A hawk from the east mountain comes from the west mountain, threads of golden wind in the nine heavens. I dare not ask, esteemed sirs, why you grace my humble divination shop. What direction are you seeking?"

Chen Xiazi picked up his covered teacup, took a sip, crossed his legs casually, and said unhurriedly, "Among the Five Elements, we skip the four—metal, wood, water, and fire. We only wish to inquire about the side associated with the element of Earth."

Mr. Hu was inwardly alarmed. Having assessed countless people, he could see these two guests meant trouble. They certainly didn't look like they were here to survey graves for the living or the dead. He cautiously ventured a question: "Could it be... tomb raiding?"

Zhetigu Shao replied, "The sir is indeed perceptive. To be frank, my brother and I specialize in grave robbing. We have come because we heard that there exists a secret art of Feng Shui that can pinpoint the location of dragon veins and treasure grounds, searching mountains and tracing lines with near-perfect accuracy. Is this true? We hope you will tell us frankly."

By now, Mr. Hu perceived that these two were likely ruthless tomb robbers—men who held the law in contempt, the sort who "extend five fingers, clench their hand, and take a life." He thought he dared not refuse a direct request lest he face dire consequences if he angered them. He decided to speak truthfully.

Mr. Hu explained that most practitioners of casting lots and divination were charlatans. The ancient methods were long lost, and they merely used them to earn a living. However, the art of Feng Shui truly did possess some genuine teachings. The secret Feng Shui technique he learned originated from ancient methods, later merging with the Jiangxi Form-and-Structure School of Feng Shui theory to evolve into the secret art of Yin-Yang Feng Shui.

Viewing Feng Shui through the lens of the Form-and-Structure School meant examining the intrinsic spirit and disposition of mountain ranges and rivers—not just their surface topography, but penetrating to their very bones. This allowed one to see the essence of the entire lineage, described as "Form, Structure, Principle, Qi," making it exceptionally precise.

For example, using the secret Feng Shui art to "appraise form and measure the land" was akin to reading a person's face. Some ancient people believed face reading was unreliable, because comparing ancient examples to the present shows many good-looking people who were truly evil, and many ill-favored people who were genuinely kind.

If one appeared handsome and imposing, they were assumed to possess excellent fortune features, but this was not always the case. History recorded that King Zhou of the late Shang Dynasty had a full forehead, broad jaw, and drooping earlobes—every sign of an extraordinary, noble figure. Yet, as the ruler of a kingdom, he indulged his sister excessively, turning the world against him and causing untold suffering to the common people. In this light, was his countenance not an ill omen that brought disaster and poisoned living beings?

Conversely, King Wen of Zhou was universally known as a virtuous, enlightened ruler, exceedingly benevolent and loving his people like his own children. Yet, he had "hanging guest eyebrows" and a slender waist—features that suggested a shallow fortune and small character. This was the opposite of his reality: he was the founder of the 800-year Zhou Dynasty, the bedrock of the lineage, and was blessed with a hundred sons. If one judged solely by appearance, face reading could not be deemed accurate or inaccurate.

In truth, to truly see a person, one must look from the inside out. As the saying goes, "What a person relies on lies entirely in their spirit." In essence, "Having form is inferior to having bone, and having bone is inferior to having spirit." A living person is like an oil lamp: the spirit is the oil, and the appearance is the flame. Only when the oil is clear and abundant can the flame burn brightly.

The art of Yin-Yang Feng Shui primarily scrutinizes the internal spirit and disposition of mountains and rivers. Mastering this art would surely lead to the sublime state of heaven-human correspondence, allowing one to "observe the celestial stars above, examine the earth veins below, perceive the dragon halls, recognize the treasure palaces; wherever pointed, nothing is missed." This was entirely incomparable to the methods used by street-corner charlatans to assess land.

Chen Xiazi and Zhetigu Shao listened and gave their thumbs up. Chen Xiazi praised, "Your profound discourse resonates like an echoing bell for three days, allowing my brother and me to see through the mist..." He then spoke of inviting Mr. Hu to leave his current post, travel to Yunnan and the desert to seek the Dragon Tower and Treasure Palace, and pledge his utmost loyalty to Changshang Mountain to achieve something earth-shattering, securing immense wealth and prosperity for generations to come. Why waste his talents on such a small local business?

Mr. Hu had already guessed their intentions, but in front of these two discerning masters, he dared not hide anything. Now that the matter was brought into the open, he had no choice but to state his difficulties frankly: "Both esteemed sirs possess great abilities, but my meager skills are only enough to scrape by in the jianghu. Moreover, before my master passed, he made me swear to stick to honest business. Now that I have a family to support, I dare not entertain any improper ambitions."

Then Mr. Hu added that the secret Feng Shui techniques just discussed were profound and difficult arts. He himself had only gained a glimpse, mastering only minor methods for determining yin and yang residences. When it came to tracing dragon veins through mountains, he was still miles away and would only delay their major undertaking if he went along.

Seeing that the man was unappreciative of the offer, Chen Xiazi was about to lose his temper. However, the proud Zhetigu Shao was unwilling to force anyone. He told Mr. Hu, "Everyone has their own aspirations; it is improper to press. Our discussion today has been highly rewarding. Before we part, there is something we must tell you, and we hope you will take heed." He briefly explained that a group of thieves, having heard of Mr. Hu's reputation, had conceived the idea of robbing his entire family to coerce him into guiding the tomb robbers to the locations of dragon veins and treasure sites. This group had now been "dealt with" and would never bother him again. However, a tall tree invites the wind. Running a divination shop requires meeting all sorts of people, so he must exercise restraint; otherwise, he would inevitably attract the attention of other brigands.

After speaking, Zhetigu Shao clasped his hands towards Mr. Hu: "We thank you for your hospitality and now take our leave." With that, he stood up to go. Chen Xiazi thought to himself, What kind of man am I? I absolutely cannot lose in terms of bearing and demeanor to the Mountain Shifting Taoist! Not wishing to linger, he followed and swept out the door.

Mr. Hu broke out in a cold sweat and hurried after them, thanking them profusely. As they reached the large gate, he suddenly remembered something and pulled Zhetigu Shao back, pleading: "Two benefactors, it is not that I am greedy for life and fearful of death and unwilling to go raiding tombs. I made a solemn vow before my master that I would never set foot in this path for my entire life. However..."

Mr. Hu's tone shifted. He spoke of how, in his early years, he had joined a warlord’s army. After being defeated, he went grave robbing in the desolate mountains and was saved by Sun Guofu, a man with 'yin-yang eyes,' whom he subsequently took as his master. Since the two esteemed sirs wished to use the art of tracing dragons to rob tombs, why not seek the aid of a Mojin Xiaowei (Gold Opener Colonel)?

Zhetigu Shao and Chen Xiazi heard this as if a thunderclap had exploded above their heads on a clear day. They exclaimed in surprise: "Mr. Hu actually knows a Mojin Xiaowei?"

Mr. Hu then recounted the long story. His master, the man with yin-yang eyes, was not a Mojin Xiaowei, but his master's master—his teacher's teacher—was a famous Mojin master from the late Qing Dynasty, known as "Zhang Sanlianzi" (Zhang of the Three Chains). Third Master Zhang had once accompanied Zuo Zongtang in quelling the Xinjiang rebellion and earned considerable merit. After the troops were recalled, he resigned his military post and devoted himself to robbing ancient tombs in Shaanxi, Henan, and other areas. His adventures were extraordinarily bizarre. Eventually, he alone possessed three Mojin talismans—the only truly ancient talismans passed down to this day—hence his nickname.

Mr. Hu had often heard his master speak of the many exploits of the Mojin Xiaowei. However, Master Zhang had numerous disciples, and the Mojin talismans were not passed down to Mr. Hu, meaning he could never become a Mojin Xiaowei. Mr. Hu said that Elder Liaochen of Wuku Temple had received direct instruction from Master Zhang and was an authentic Mojin Xiaowei. But now, being elderly, he had long since retired his instruments (a metaphor for laying down his secular life), content only to recite scriptures and practice Buddhism, refusing to come out of retirement.

But this elder might know the whereabouts of the other two Mojin talismans. If they could visit Elder Liaochen at Wuku Temple, they should be able to learn from him where the other two Mojin Xiaowei were operating. If they were lucky enough to persuade just one of them to join them, what ancient tombs or treasures in the world could they fail to find?

Mr. Hu, grateful for the life-saving kindness of Zhetigu Shao and Chen Xiazi, shared all that he knew. Only then did Zhetigu Shao confirm the rumors he had previously heard: Elder Liaochen had indeed once been a Mojin Xiaowei. Having made up his mind to visit him, he bid farewell to Mr. Hu with Chen Xiazi and departed gracefully.

All good things must come to an end. The two arrived at a fork in the road outside the city and were about to part ways. Chen Xiazi said to Zhetigu Shao: "Seeing you off a thousand li, we must eventually part. Brother, you must take care of yourself in all your endeavors. If we meet again in the jianghu, perhaps we can return to the lakeside tavern and drink ourselves into oblivion."

Zhetigu Shao replied, "Brother Chen's pursuit of a grand undertaking marks you as a capable leader of men; you must not constantly place yourself in danger. Please take utmost care." After exchanging bows, they parted and set off on their separate paths.

Chen Xiazi, confident in the possession of a human-skin map and inherently arrogant, was too dismissive to seek the assistance of a Mojin Xiaowei. After making preparations in Xiangyin, he set off with the subordinates he had previously selected. Unexpectedly, this venture resulted in a major disaster. All the subordinates who accompanied him perished at Zhelong Mountain in Yunnan, and he himself lost the use of both eyes, barely managing to survive.

With Chen Xiazi crippled, all his ambitious schemes vanished. Feeling too ashamed to face anyone again, he went into hiding under an assumed name, wandering from place to place for decades. Everyone in Changshang Mountain believed he had died in Yunnan. The Xieling (Mountain Unloading) bandits, leaderless, fractured internally within a few years and completely disintegrated.

Chen Xiazi only heard the later events secondhand, so his knowledge was not detailed. Shortly after he went to Yunnan, a great plague swept through the Xiangyin area. Hong Guniang of the Moon Gate died from the illness, passing away without ever seeing Zhetigu Shao again.

As for Zhetigu Shao, he became Elder Liaochen's disciple and traveled to Black Water City in Xixia. However, he also met with misfortune and suffered a severe injury... Seeing his old acquaintances scattered—either dead or missing—he became disheartened. He gathered his entire clan and relatives and followed an American priest overseas, never to return.

After listening to Chen Xiazi recount the past story of his tomb raiding, Shirley Yang felt as if she were listening to a dream. It seemed that the origins connecting their two generations were extremely deep. However, Zhetigu Shao’s remaining letters and diaries did not describe the events at Pingshan Tomb in detail. If not for hearing it from Chen Xiazi, those tales might have remained buried forever. This made her even more convinced of a guiding hand of fate, and she asked me if I believed in the arrangement of destiny.

I replied that it might not be "fate." The tomb-raiding trade had already shrunk significantly since the Republic era. By the time it reached us, how many practitioners were left? This is like saying, "A cat has its path, a dog has its way, and a foolish pigeon flies to the edge." People in the trade naturally associated only with those in related circles—"Feng Shui, tomb robbing, antiques"—so they congregated together. However, listening to Old Master Chen recount this history truly opened our eyes; only today did we understand how the Mountain Shifting and Mountain Unloading schools operated, and how utterly different their methods were from those of the Mojin Xiaowei. Everyone says Mojin are the kings, but watching the diverse, novel methods of Mountain Shifting and Mountain Unloading raiding, they are in no way inferior to the Mojin Xiaowei.

Chen Xiazi sighed, "I can no longer boast now. Look at how fallen the Mountain Shifting and Mountain Unloading schools have become? I fear they will vanish entirely, while the Mojin Xiaowei show signs of resurgence. There is a reason for this, I suppose. Mountain Shifting and Mountain Unloading strike too ruthlessly, which is ultimately not as good as the Mojin Xiaowei's adherence to the I Ching. The principle of unending creation is the I Ching; the ancients did not deceive me. It is a pity that I was so exceptionally brilliant in my youth, yet failed to grasp this principle. Now that I understand it, it is too late."

I suddenly recalled Chen Xiazi mentioning the bronze men and bronze ghosts in the Pingshan ancient tomb. They seemed to be of the same origin as the bronze dragon I had seen, and the bronze fish embedded in the Qin King’s Bone-Reflecting Mirror. He had previously mentioned that these artifacts were related to ancient numerology and divination, but we had not delved deeper at the time. Now, thinking of this, I asked him for clarification.

Chen Xiazi said, "The origins and history of these funerary objects... Although I considered myself a scholar comparable to Confucius and Mencius back then, I truly could not make head nor tail of them. As for how I know what I know, that involves another encounter."