Volume Two - The General’s Tomb Chapter Twenty-Two - The Inheritance Ring

The old man and Li Kun followed closely behind me as we stepped outside. All of us glanced down at the Dragon-Seeking Compass in my palm, then looked eastward as the pointer indicated. In the distance, several hundred miles away, we saw towering peaks. Three mountains stood out majestically, with smaller hills stretching on either side, the flanking peaks forming a protective arch around the central one, which rose straight and proud like a sword thrust into the earth, piercing the clouds.

Witnessing such grandeur, the three of us drew in sharp breaths. I immediately turned to the old man beside me and asked, “Sir, do you know what place this is?”

He took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on me. But in the next moment, his actions stunned both Li Kun and me. Raising both hands, he made a fist with his left and a palm with his right, pressed them together above his head, bowed slightly, then knelt on one knee before me, declaring, “Guardian of the Dragon-Seeking Master, Qiu Longshan, pays respects to the Master.”

Li Kun and I were frozen in shock and failed to react at first. Just then, an elderly man carrying groceries passed by and muttered, “What a world—grandfather kneeling to his grandson, sigh…”

Only then did I regain my composure. I hurried forward to help Qiu Longshan up, saying, “Elder Qiu, what are you doing?”

Qiu Longshan looked up at me, his eyes brimming with tears, his face full of emotion. “Master, let us talk inside.”

He gently guided my right arm, stepping aside to let me enter first. I nodded dazedly and slowly walked into the house.

Inside, Qiu Longshan gestured for me to sit at the head seat. I was about to refuse when he insisted, “You are the Master of the Dragon-Seeking lineage. The head seat belongs to you.”

Li Kun nodded in agreement. I gave a wry smile, thinking to myself that this outing had somehow made me the Master.

Shaking my head, I sat down, with Li Kun and Qiu Longshan taking seats beside me.

I asked, “Elder Qiu, what do you mean by ‘Guardian of the Master’?”

Qiu Longshan replied, “Master, please don’t call me Elder Qiu. If you don’t mind, just call me Uncle Qiu.”

I nodded, and Qiu Longshan continued, “Actually, our lineage hasn’t been completely severed. As far as I know, there are only two of us left.”

I looked at him in puzzlement. He went on, “The Dragon-Seeking lineage now consists only of myself and my son, Qiu He.”

I sighed softly, thinking how sad it was that after thousands of years of tradition, only a few remain.

I asked, “Uncle Qiu, do you know the mountain we saw just now?”

He shook his head. “That was my first time seeing that place. I don’t know what it is. Master, who is this?” He glanced at Li Kun beside me.

I introduced, “This is my comrade, Li Kun. The last time we entered a tomb, it was the two of us together.”

The old man nodded and stood up, addressing Li Kun, “Li Kun, would you be willing to join the Dragon-Seeking Master lineage?”

Li Kun replied, “Dragon-Seeking Master? What’s the use of joining? Besides, Old Liu and I have always been together. If you really want to say it, I already am a Dragon-Seeking Master.”

Qiu Longshan turned to me for confirmation. I nodded, and Qiu Longshan walked over to the cabinet. Soon, he returned with two rings, handing one to Li Kun. “Since you’re already one of us, it’s only right to pass on our lineage’s inheritance to you.”

Li Kun was momentarily stunned, then took the ring from Qiu Longshan. It wasn’t made of metal but felt cold to the touch, milky white in color, seemingly carved entirely from jade.

Li Kun exclaimed, “Is this ring made of jade?”

Qiu Longshan nodded, “Yes. This ring’s origin is extraordinary. Legend has it this jade only exists in ten-thousand-year-old mystical ice. Feel it—does it seem cold?”

Li Kun held it in his palm and remarked, “It really is. Fascinating, but what’s it for?”

Qiu Longshan smiled, “This is the heirloom of our lineage. It’s no ordinary item. The ring can ward off corpse vapors and toxins in tombs. When you wear it, an invisible shield forms around you.”

He continued, “It’s also said to beautify and preserve youth. If worn long enough, it keeps your corpse from decaying for a hundred years after death; even in the wilderness, it preserves you for a decade or so.” As he spoke, Qiu Longshan handed me a similar ring.

Li Kun and I both drew sharp breaths at this revelation. I thought, impressive—such a treasure from a thousand-year tradition! If we sold this ring, it would be worth a fortune.

Qiu Longshan went on, “These rings now belong to you. If you find someone worthy, pass this ring on to them, thus preserving our lineage.”

Li Kun and I nodded. Qiu Longshan suddenly turned to me, “Master, you’re here to buy Ghost Tribute Incense—are you planning to consecrate land?”

I nodded, “Yes, that’s exactly our purpose. Uncle Qiu, do you know the Song Dynasty general’s tomb on Liuxin Mountain?”

Qiu Longshan shook his head, “Though I am a Dragon-Seeking Master, most of the techniques for finding gold and determining burial spots were lost by the time they reached me. The ancient book is now only a few pages. I haven’t entered a tomb or consecrated land in decades.”

I nodded, and he continued, “Though my son and I are Guardians, my son passed away years ago. Now only I remain, and I am old. I fear I cannot protect you on this journey.”

As he spoke, an idea seemed to occur to him. He turned to Li Kun, “Li Kun, would you be willing to join the Guardians of the Master, to protect the Dragon-Seeking lineage for generations?”

Li Kun stepped forward, “Of course I’m willing. I’ve accepted the ring—how could I not join? I’m in. Besides, Old Liu and I share everything except wives.”

Qiu Longshan smiled, “Good, very good. Not only have we found the Master, but the Guardian lineage is also preserved. Wonderful!”

Wiping his reddened eyes, Qiu Longshan looked at us and said, “Master, I can only wish you a swift and successful journey.” He clasped his hands in salute.

Li Kun and I responded in kind. Li Kun said, “Don’t worry, we brothers will break through for sure.”

Qiu Longshan nodded and handed me the Ghost Tribute Incense. “If the Master ever needs anything, or wishes to learn anything, you can always come to me.” Li Kun and I nodded to him, then took our leave.

Outside the shop, I waved goodbye to Qiu Longshan, signaling that he needn’t see us off. Li Kun then said, “Old Liu, this trip was worth it! Not only did we get a jade ring, but also the title of Dragon-Seeking Master. I wonder how famous that name is, haha!”

I shot him a look, “This is the Dragon-Seeking Master—thousands of years of tradition. We just didn’t know about it; those in the business surely do.”

Li Kun nodded, “True, after all, it’s been millennia. Hey, Old Liu, do you think the ring is really as miraculous as the old man claimed?”

I shook my head, “Who cares if it is or not? It’s yours now—no reason not to wear it. If you don’t want it, give it to me. I quite like its look.”

Li Kun quickly stepped back, “It’s already in my hands—you won’t get it out of me so easily.”

Checking the time, I realized we’d spent ages outside and even longer talking with Qiu Longshan. It was already noon; Xu Tian must have prepared everything and is waiting for us.

Li Kun turned to me, “Old Liu, shouldn’t we scout out Liuxin Valley first?”

I shook my head, “Not this time. Let’s go to Xu Tian—he should have everything ready. Let’s head over now.”

Li Kun agreed, “Alright, it’s not far anyway. Let’s go.”

I nodded, then started walking toward Xu Tian’s Cloud Shop.

After about ten minutes, we arrived in front of the antique store. A van was parked there—familiar to us, since we’d used it for our last trip to Lei Mountain.

At the entrance, Xu Tian’s cousin was at the counter, working an abacus. Seeing us, she walked over and said, “Mr. Liu, Mr. Li, you’re here. The boss said you can go straight upstairs—no need to notify him.”

I nodded, “Thank you, cousin.”

She smiled and stepped aside, letting us pass. We headed straight upstairs.