As the rooster crowed and the light went out, Zhegushao managed to gather the burial clothes almost simultaneously. It was hard to tell which happened first. He pulled the black cloth off his mouth and saw a pack of hungry wild cats clawing and biting at the body of a Southern Song woman. A few others were at the other end of the tomb, fighting over the corpse of a wild cat that had died earlier. Zhegushao felt a chill; these were not just cats, but clearly a group of famished spirits.
By the time the rooster had crowed three times, there was no chance of the corpse transforming. The woman’s body in the ancient tomb had a corpse stabilizing pill in her mouth, which kept the corpse poison contained within her, preventing it from spreading. So, if the wild cats ate her flesh, they would surely die from the poison.
Zhegushao neatly folded the burial clothes and took the lantern from the coffin board. He crawled out of the tunnel. Although it was already morning, the sky was still dark. Taking advantage of the darkness, he filled in the hole, sealing the wild cats and everything else in the tomb inside. He also returned the half-buried stone tablet to its original position, ensuring there were no signs of disturbance.
He then made his way back to Wuku Temple, where he met Elder Liaochen. He presented the burial clothes and recounted everything that had happened during the night. Finally, he said to Elder Liaochen, “I only got the burial clothes when the rooster crowed and the lanterns went out, so I can’t tell which came first. I can’t claim I didn’t break the rules. I suppose I’m not destined to learn from master you. If I survive, I will definitely return to hear your teachings. But I have urgent matters to attend to, so I must take my leave.”
Elder Liaochen, who had roamed the martial world for many years and was once a top figure among tomb raiders, understood Zhegushao’s meaning. Zhegushao was a notable figure in the tomb raiding world, and his words were a strategic retreat.
Seeing Zhegushao kneeling before him reminded Elder Liaochen of his own youth, as they looked almost identical.
After hearing Zhegushao’s story about becoming a Banshan Daoist and the events that transpired, Elder Liaochen made up his mind. First, saving people from suffering is a principle of Buddhism. Since he knew the secret of the Zagalama tribe, he couldn’t just stand by. Second, he appreciated Zhegushao’s skills and his honesty about obtaining the burial clothes at the same time as the rooster crowed. In this world, such integrity was rare, and he felt it was worth passing on his secret techniques.
Elder Liaochen helped Zhegushao up and said, “Please rise. Even though you got the burial clothes when the rooster crowed and the light went out, it doesn’t mean you broke the rules. The ancestor only said not to raid after the rooster crows, but didn’t mention anything about doing both at the same time.”
Hearing this, Zhegushao was overjoyed and bowed deeply, ready to pay his respects as a disciple. “Thank you, Master, for accepting me into your fold. It’s truly a stroke of luck. Please accept my three bows.”
Elder Liaochen quickly stopped him, saying, “There’s no need for such formalities. Since ancient times, Mojin sect have only recognized fellow practitioners, not a master-disciple relationship like Banshan sect. As long as you follow the rules of tomb raiding, you’re considered a peer. Sharing these secret techniques with you is our fate, but it doesn’t make me your master.”
Despite Elder Liaochen’s objections, Zhegushao insisted on performing the formal bow, then stood respectfully, ready to listen to Elder Liaochen’s teachings. Elder Liaochen was quite pleased with Zhegushao’s experience in obtaining the burial clothes. Later, he burned the burial clothes of the Southern Song woman, reciting a few rebirth mantras to help the corpse transform peacefully.
Elder Liaochen felt that Zhegushao had been a bit too harsh in kicking the wild cat to death. Regardless, he took the opportunity to discuss Buddhist principles with Zhegushao, advising him to always leave a way out for others in future confrontations, rather than going to extremes. This would also earn him some good karma.
Zhegushao respected Elder Liaochen greatly but thought he was being overly sentimental about the dead cat. He felt it was a bit excessive to make such a fuss over it, thinking to himself, “I’ve killed many people in my life; what’s the big deal about kicking a troublesome wild cat?” However, he didn’t voice his thoughts and instead held back, listening to Elder Liaochen’s lengthy discourse on cause and effect.
Elder Liaochen had finally finished his eloquent teachings on Buddhist principles, and now he began to explain the rules, methods, taboos, and various traditions of tomb raiders to Zhegushao in detail. Last time, he had only given a brief overview, but this time he was thorough, explaining each point clearly.
For those who raid tombs, it’s almost as if they are half-human, half-ghost. They enter ancient tombs to search for treasures while ordinary people peacefully sleep at night. A single day of digging can stretch over ten days, but there’s one crucial rule: once you enter a tomb, you must not touch the coffin after the rooster crows. This is because each world has its own laws; the world after the rooster crows belongs to the living, and the darkness of night must retreat. This is known as “the living must avoid the dead after the rooster crows.” After the rooster crows, the world is no longer for tomb raiders. If you break this rule, the ancestors will surely punish you. You must believe in these things, or you might find yourself in serious trouble.
When a tomb raider enters the ancient tomb, they must place a lit candle in the southeast corner before opening the coffin. This serves two purposes: first, to prevent a sudden increase in toxic gases within the tomb; second, it acts as a silent agreement between the living and the dead, passed down from ancestors thousands of years ago. If the candle goes out, it means the burial objects inside cannot be taken. It’s not impossible to take them, but if trouble arises, you must bear the consequences yourself. As long as you have enough strength, you can take the burial objects even after the candle goes out, but it’s extremely dangerous—almost a matter of life and death. Tomb raiding is about seeking wealth and treasures, not digging up the graves of the dead. There are plenty of ancient tombs filled with treasures, so it’s not worth risking your life over. Therefore, the rule of “no raiding after the candle goes out” is one that tomb raiders must strictly adhere to. The flickering of the candle can also predict whether a corpse will transform and reveal some malicious curses within the tomb. Thus, the candle’s light is indeed a matter of life and death for tomb raiders, making it a significant difference between them and other grave robbers.
Zhegushao committed all of this to memory, knowing that from now on, he would bid farewell to his identity as a Banshan Daoist and become a Mojin tomb raider.
Elder Liaochen then took out two tomb raiding talismans and said to Zhegushao, “These talismans are ancient artifacts. To learn the ways of a tomb raider, you can only be considered half a tomb raider without wearing a talisman. These two talismans belonged to a fellow raider from years ago. We raided many tombs together, but unfortunately, he fell victim to a trap in an ancient tomb in Luoyang twenty years ago. Ah, that’s an old story best left untold. This talisman now belongs to you. I hope that in your future tomb raiding, you will not break the rules and will honor the title of tomb raider.”
Zhegushao quickly accepted the talisman with both hands, respectfully putting it around his neck and hiding it close to his skin. He then bowed deeply to Elder Liaochen in gratitude.
Elder Liaochen asked Zhegushao about various matters related to the ancient tribe, the Ghost Cave, and the Mysterious Dust Pearl, as well as some details about the treasure caves of the Western Xia kingdom.
After Zhegushao explained, Elder Liaochen nodded slowly. “I’ve heard some tales about the Mysterious Dust Pearl. It’s also known as the Phoenix’s Heart. Some say it was left behind by the Yellow Emperor during his ascension; others say it was found deep underground. It’s said to be an ancient jade formed by the Earth Mother over millennia, and some believe it is a product of the Phoenix’s spirit. There are many legends, and they all differ. Its shape resembles a human eyeball, making it one of the world’s rarest treasures. It was buried with the Emperor at Maoling, but later, the Red Eyebrows Army excavated the site, scattering its treasures among the people. Surprisingly, it eventually ended up in the hands of the Western Xia royal family.”
Zhegushao replied, “Many of my relatives are cursed by the Ghost Cave and suffer greatly before they die. Our ancestors passed down the tale that this calamity stems from a great priest in our tribe who didn’t know what the Mysterious Dust Pearl was. He only knew through divine revelation that an ancient jade shaped like an eyeball could reveal the secrets of the Ghost Cave. So, he created a fake Mysterious Dust Pearl to peer into the secrets of the Ghost Cave, which ultimately led to this endless disaster. Later, our tribe migrated to the Central Plains and learned that such a divine object truly exists. Only by finding the real Mysterious Dust Pearl can we hope to resolve the curse of the Ghost Cave. Since then, everyone in our tribe has dedicated themselves to searching for the Mysterious Dust Pearl, exhausting countless efforts, yet we have always come up empty-handed.
A year ago, I learned that during the Song Dynasty, the Mysterious Dust Pearl had passed through to the Western Xia. The Mongols once searched extensively for the treasures of the Western Xia royal family, but those royal treasures were hidden very well and were never found by the Mongols. It is said that there was a city called Heishui City in Western Xia, which was later abandoned and became a ghost town. Near Heishui City, there was a temple known as the Great Buddha Temple of Heishui River, originally built as a stronghold on the outskirts of Heishui City. At that time, there was a minister in Western Xia named Yeli Hu, a descendant of Yeli Renrong. One night, while passing by Heishui City, he was on patrol and saw three stars shining brightly over a nearby earthen city, with purple light rising into the clouds. He decided to build the Great Buddha Temple there, hoping to be buried there after his death. However, this minister was later killed by the Li dynasty, and the tomb built beneath the temple remained empty. Later, the Heishui River changed course, and much of Heishui City was swallowed by sand, turning it into a deserted city. The last ruler, Li Dewang, ordered that all the rare treasures from the royal palace be hidden in that empty tomb near Heishui City. The Mysterious Dust Pearl is very likely among them. The surface structures there have long been destroyed, and without the secret technique, it would be nearly impossible to find the exact location.”
Elder Liaochen listened carefully and said to Zhegushao, “Heishui City is located beyond the Helan Mountains, nestled against the mountains and surrounded by the river. It is indeed a place of great feng shui. The royal tombs of Western Xia absorbed the strengths of the Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties, making them grand and well-structured. Additionally, the Western Xia people deeply believed in Buddhism and were heavily influenced by it, while also retaining the unique characteristics of the Tanguts. Therefore, their tomb structures are quite distinctive, making it difficult for later generations to uncover their secrets, much like the long-lost Western Xia script, which resembles Central Plains characters but is even more complex.”
Zhegushao replied, “That’s true. Several years ago, a large group of foreigners colluded with bandits to plunder ancient artifacts from Heishui City, unearthing seven pagodas and stealing countless treasures from within, including many documents written in Western Xia script. It’s possible that some of those documents contained records about the Mysterious Dust Pearl, but unfortunately, they have all been lost overseas and are impossible to trace. If we could find records in Western Xia literature regarding the location of the tomb in the Great Buddha Temple of Heishui, it would save us a lot of trouble.”
Elder Liaochen said, “The Western Xia script has been lost for a long time, and only a small amount has been deciphered by modern scholars. Even if there are clear records, they cannot be translated. However, a place where three stars shine and purple light rises should be a dragon palace or treasure hall. With the secret technique “Fen Jin Ding Xue”, even if there are no visible traces on the ground, we can accurately locate that ancient tomb and treasure cave.”
“Fen Jin Ding Xue” is a branch of celestial feng shui and is one of the most difficult techniques. It requires knowledge of astronomy and geography to examine the veins of the earth based on the positions of the sun, moon, and stars. To learn this technique, one must start from the most basic principles of feng shui, which is complex and profound, and cannot be mastered in a day. It typically takes at least five or six years of study.
Elder Liaochen understood that Zhegushao was eager to find the Mysterious Dust Pearl, so he decided to accompany him to Heishui City first to retrieve the pearl before slowly teaching him the technique of Fen Jin Ding Xue.
Zhegushao was immensely grateful for Elder Liaochen’s willingness to help. After a brief preparation, the two set off. Elder Liaochen, being a monk, dressed as a wandering monk during their journey, while Zhegushao continued to pose as a Taoist priest. However, traveling together as a monk and a Taoist would inevitably attract attention, so Zhegushao changed into more ordinary clothing to avoid drawing too much attention. Throughout the journey, he was careful to assist Elder Liaochen, ensuring that they moved smoothly and discreetly.
The journey from Zhejiang to the Helan Mountains was long and arduous, but fortunately, Elder Liaochen had once been a skilled tomb raider, and despite his age, he still moved with agility. When they reached Linchuan, they decided to take a boat to cross the Yellow River, planning to disembark at Wuxiang Fort, which was not far from the Helan Mountains.
While waiting for the boat, they gazed at the winding Yellow River in the distance, which looked like a jade belt, evoking a sense of awe. Elder Liaochen and Zhegushao chatted about the local customs and shared stories from their past experiences.
Elder Liaochen recounted a time when he was still a young tomb raider. He had to cross the Qingtong Gorge to reach the 108 Pagodas in the north. The locals believed that the river god of the Yellow River was very powerful, and that any passing boats had to throw some cargo into the river as an offering to ensure a safe passage.
However, the boat Elder Liaochen boarded was a private vessel owned by a spice trader who had never traveled this stretch of the river before. The captain was notoriously stingy and refused to throw even a handful of salt into the river, despite the crew’s urging.
That night, while they were staying near the Qingtong Gorge, an old man wearing a green hat approached the captain, asking for a scoop of spice. The spice was very precious, and the captain was unwilling to give it away for free, so he rudely sent the old man away.
Seeing the old man’s plight, Elder Liaochen, who had always been kind-hearted, decided to help. He took out some money and bought a scoop of spice from the captain, then gave it to the old man without asking what he needed it for. The old man was extremely grateful and thanked him profusely.
The next day, as they continued their journey, they reached the Qingtong Gorge, where disaster struck. A giant turtle, as large as a couple of rooms, suddenly emerged from the river and charged at their boat, capsizing it. All the cargo sank into the river, but miraculously, everyone on board was swept ashore unharmed. People later said that it was thanks to Elder Liaochen’s act of kindness in giving the old man the scoop of spice that the river god spared their lives.
Zhegushao listened in astonishment, realizing that no matter how skilled one might be, there are forces beyond control in the turbulent waters of the Yellow River. This story reminded him of the importance of leaving room for mercy in one’s dealings.
Suddenly, he recalled something and asked Elder Liaochen, “Master, I’ve heard that there are many taboos when traveling by boat on rivers and seas, such as not mentioning words like ‘capsize’ or ‘overturn.’ If you do, it’s said that misfortune will follow. The various superstitions about traveling on water seem to be just as numerous as the rules for tomb raiders.”
Elder Liaochen was about to respond when a crowd of people waiting for the boat surged forward as the vessel arrived. The two of them fell silent, and Zhegushao helped Elder Liaochen board the boat along with the others.
The sky was clear, and the sun blazed down as they set sail. The river was calm, and the boat glided smoothly. There were many passengers on board, but Zhegushao and Elder Liaochen preferred a quieter spot. They found a less crowded area to lean against the railing, enjoying the scenery along the Yellow River while discussing the feng shui of the landscape, feeling quite content.
As they chatted, Zhegushao suddenly lowered his voice and said to Elder Liaochen, “Master, seems we have company.”