Volume Three: Tomb of the Fox Immortal Chapter Twenty-Two: Another Dragon-Seeking Master Joins the Ranks

After meeting with Xu Tian, he drove us toward his hometown. The trip was short, taking only about half an hour.

The three of us went straight to Old Master Xu’s house, where he was sitting on his usual recliner beneath the large tree. Upon seeing us, the old man smiled and said, "Little Liu, what brings you to visit me?"

Xu Tian ran over, knelt beside him, and held his arm, saying, "Grandpa, we’ve come to ask you to cast a hex for us."

After chatting for a while, the old man had Xu Tian fetch three copper coins from inside the house. Shortly after, the old man studied the coins on the ground and said, "A week from now is an auspicious day. That’s when you should open your shop."

And so, the date was set for November 15th. We then set out to find the owner of the shop we intended to purchase. We spent 50,000 yuan to secure the adjacent space, and the next step was to hire workers to break through the wall and begin renovations.

After two days of bustling about, the renovation finally began. A crew was working inside the Liuyun shop when a single phone call brought Xu Tian, Li Kun, and me back to reality.

That noon, after finishing lunch, the three of us were sitting in chairs, contemplating what old artifacts we might collect to display in the shop, when Xu Tian’s phone rang. He picked it up, checked the caller ID, looked at Li Kun and me, and said, "It’s Sun Wufang, Old Master Sun. It seems he’s desperate to get his hands on that fox corpse blood scab."

Li Kun and I exchanged glances. Xu Tian pressed the answer button. Sun Wufang’s voice came through: "Mr. Xu, when do you intend to head to the Fox Immortal Tomb? The hospital can no longer manage my granddaughter's condition. If you don't go soon, I’ll have to find someone else."

Xu Tian replied, "Old Master Sun, please don't be anxious. We’ve had some family matters to attend to, which is why we haven't left yet."

Sun Wufang said, "Mr. Xu, I know your two friends are Dragon-Seeking Masters, and they aren't easily hired, but if you don't go, my granddaughter won't make it."

I whispered to Xu Tian, "Old Xu, put it on speaker."

Xu Tian nodded. Sun Wufang, clearly hearing my voice, hurriedly said, "Is that the Young Master? Young Master, please, save my granddaughter!"

"Old Master Sun, please stay calm," I said. I turned to Xu Tian and added, "Old Xu, the shop won't be ready for a few days anyway. Why don't we take this time to head to Goutou Village first? By the time we return, the shop should be nearly finished. Besides, we might find something valuable there—perhaps a centerpiece for the store."

Sun Wufang didn't dare breathe a word on the other end. Xu Tian thought for a moment, then nodded. "That could work. I’ll go tell my cousin to look after the shop for a few days."

Li Kun and I were stunned. I asked, "Old Xu, you’re coming?"

Xu Tian smiled slightly. "I’m coming with you." He told Sun Wufang, "Old Master Sun, rest assured, we will set out in the next few days," and hung up.

Li Kun and I looked at Xu Tian. "Old Xu, are you sure about this?" I asked.

He nodded. "Actually, when we returned to my house the other day, I discussed this with my grandfather, and he agreed."

I pondered this. Indeed, they had been whispering that day. I hadn't expected the old man to permit Xu Tian to join us in grave robbing. It was dangerous work, and one wrong step meant death. Didn't he worry about the family line ending? Xu Tian was the only heir.

Li Kun looked at Xu Tian with a grin. "Old Xu, if you’re joining us in the field, does that mean our Dragon-Seeking Master lineage has gained another rare talent? I know how sharp you are—you have a great eye for antiques. If you’re with us, we’re sure to bring back the best three treasures from the tomb."

Xu Tian was taken aback. "Three treasures? Why that number?"

Li Kun replied helplessly, "It’s a rule of the Dragon-Seeking Masters. That’s just a fraction of it; I’ll explain the rest on the road."

Xu Tian nodded, and I asked, "Old Xu, are you certain you want to do this?"

"I’ve always wanted to see a tomb but never had the chance," Xu Tian said. "This is the perfect opportunity. Even if we come back empty-handed, it’ll be a learning experience. I won’t lose anything."

I nodded. "Good. Since you’ve decided, come with us. There’s something you need. Without it, you aren't truly part of the Dragon-Seeking Master lineage."

"You mean the rings you two are wearing?" Xu Tian asked.

"Exactly," I said. I stood up. "You must have this token. Let’s go."

The three of us headed to the incense shop, the home of Qiu Longshan, the only other elder of our lineage. When I arrived, Qiu Longshan immediately moved to kneel and offer the salute of a subordinate to a sect leader. I quickly caught him. "Elder Qiu, that’s no longer necessary. I’ve come for another reason."

He invited us in, served tea, and asked, "Sect Leader, what did you wish to tell me?"

I pointed to Xu Tian. "This is Xu Tian. From today on, he is also part of our Dragon-Seeking Master lineage."

Qiu Longshan looked at Xu Tian, nodded, and went to the counter. He returned with a ring identical to ours. He stood before Xu Tian, looking solemn.

Qiu Longshan turned to Li Kun. "Li Kun, you are of the Sect Leader’s Guard lineage. It just so happens that we need at least two people in that role." He looked at Xu Tian, who stood at attention. "Xu Tian, are you willing to join the Sect Leader’s Guard and protect the Dragon-Seeking Master lineage for generations to come?"

Xu Tian took a deep breath. "I am willing."

"Good," Qiu Longshan said. "This ring is now yours. You must protect it with your life. Do you understand?"

Li Kun stepped forward, surprised. "Elder Qiu, was this your ring?"

Qiu Longshan smiled with nostalgia. "Yes. The one you wear belonged to my son, Qiu He, and I have worn this one my entire life. But since I am of this lineage, I must pass the inheritance on. Xu Tian, give me your hand."

Xu Tian looked at me for confirmation, and I nodded. He extended his right hand, and Qiu Longshan placed the ring in his palm.

"Follow me," Qiu Longshan said. "It is time to pay respects to the ancestors."

We followed him to an inner room, where a large altar stood. Nine spirit tablets were arranged from left to right, from highest to lowest.

Qiu Longshan bowed to the highest tablet on the left. "The first one on the left is our first Sect Leader, who perfected the art of locating dragon veins and gold. The one on the far right is the final Sect Leader from centuries ago."

I was stunned. If there were nine generations, this lineage spanned over a thousand years. Since the Dragon-Seeking Compass had been missing for centuries, how old was this sect really?

Qiu Longshan continued, "Take the incense and pay your respects."

Li Kun and Xu Tian bowed, lit the incense, and placed it in the burner before the nine tablets.