Qi force saturated every meridian throughout her body. Lin Yue controlled its flow as it followed the patterns of her fist techniques; as her bones and muscles hummed, her internal energy surged in resonance.
Closing her eyes, she concentrated her mind to peer inward. Following the flow of internal energy, she visualized the form of Tai Chi. Her movements were calm and steady, light and agile, yet free. The leading force originated above, the transformation occurred in the chest, the storage was in the legs, and the waist served as the master. Storing before releasing, Tai Chi was her entire being, and her entire being was Tai Chi...
Simultaneously mobilizing her thick qi force and using mental power to visualize the form and intent of Tai Chi consumed an immense amount of her physical and mental strength. Before long, beads of sweat seeped from Lin Yue’s forehead, and her back grew damp. Yet her expression remained unchanged as she continued to trace and carve, her entire person composed and unhurried.
A person’s temperament often reflected their character, and temperament was also an external manifestation of mental power. A martial artist’s temperament should be like their martial way—either sharp, heavy, or gentle. This was a manifestation of the unity between person and Dao, as well as the foundation for comprehending the Intent Realm. She had to first ensure her own temperament matched the characteristics of her martial way.
“Whew...”
After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Lin Yue was drenched in sweat, and exhaustion was visible in her eyes. She finished her form, let out a long breath, and sat down to adjust her breathing.
Mobilizing her qi force through her meridians didn't consume much mental power. The difficult part was the visualization of Tai Chi, using the formless to carve the formal, and the void to condense the solid.
It was as difficult as turning an imaginary object into reality. One had to be certain it existed, that it could transition from void to substance, and then capture it to carve it into the likeness of one’s own martial way, imbuing it with the aura of the martial way—the sharp edge of Sword Intent, the boldness of Fist Intent, and so on.
And she was a materialist...
Lin Yue sighed and pursed her lips, murmuring, “Someday.”
After finishing her breathing exercises and tidying herself up, Lin Yue opened the doors to the medicine shop. Standing outside were several enthusiastic mystery-seekers. Some were dressed in brocade and fine robes, exuding an air of nobility, while others wore coarse cloth and hemp garments, with holes at the toes of their cloth shoes, though they were otherwise clean.
“Shopkeeper!”
Several people cupped their hands toward her as they entered.
Lin Yue secured the doors and went to organize the medicinal herbs, taking some out to air-dry to prevent insect infestations.
The map wasn't hung high. Those people brought stools and sat by the map with their heads tilted back, pointing at the landscapes and discussing them with great focus. Perhaps the atmosphere here was just right. They came every day—the rich didn't need to earn money, and the poor didn't want to earn money; studying the puzzle was their only hobby.
Lin Yue lay down on the reclining chair across from them, brewed herself a cup of tea, and closed her eyes to meditate on Tai Chi.
Time passed quickly in her self-hypnosis. When she opened the doors the next morning, Lin Yue couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. In addition to the regulars, there were three more young people: two males and one female, dressed in silk and brocade, looking spirited and full of life.
A detective trio? In recent years, many people had come in groups. Last month, a duo arrived, and the month before that, a group of five seniors came, though all of them had ultimately returned empty-handed.
“Shopkeeper! I am Wang Jingche from the capital. We heard that your shop possesses a precious map and have come specifically to pay our respects to it.”
The speaker wore a green embroidered robe with a delicate jade ring belt at his waist. He held a sandalwood folding fan with peach blossom patterns and held his head slightly high, his eyes shining with spirit.
“I am Chu Yunqing.”
The woman in the middle was dressed in a light-colored almond blossom blouse. Red ribbons were braided into her long hair, her face was like cherry blossoms, and her features were delicate and refined. Her eyes held a moist luster, and as she gave a shallow salute, her temperament was both elegant and lively.
“I am Xiang Cheng.”
The man on the right wore a low-key but luxurious moon-white silk shirt. His features were gentle, and his temperament was calm and restrained, yet the Cupid’s bow of his lips gave him a natural air of elegance.
“The three of you have come a long way to see this treasure map. It is an honor. Please, come in.” Lin Yue stepped aside to let them enter.
The three entered the medicine shop and appraised the layout. It was well-lit and not particularly spacious, but it didn't feel crowded either. The medicine cabinet in front was over a person's height, and the shopkeeper opened the drawers to check the herbs. Scales, mortars, pestles, and abacuses were all present on the counter.
To the front right were a yellow-wood reclining chair and a tea table; clearly, the shopkeeper liked to lie there, drinking tea while watching the street. On the left hung a thick blue cloth blocking the entrance to the backyard. Turning to the left, they saw a map hanging on a low wall, with several people gathered around it in discussion.
“The place is small but has the advantage of being comfortable and quiet,” Xiang Cheng noted with a nod.
“Heh, when you grow old, you can move from the capital to this county town. That bell tower’s sound does indeed make one feel at peace,” Wang Jingche joked.
“It seems to be the same map sold in the bookstores. Xiang Cheng, let me see the copy.”
Chu Yunqing reached out while looking at the wall map. In a moment, a paper map was in her hands. She spread it out to compare them one by one. The paper quality and drawing technique were basically identical, and she returned the paper.
“Judging by the handwriting, they were drawn by the same person. I wonder if there are any discrepancies with the original,” Xiang Cheng said, taking the paper from Chu Yunqing and comparing them for a moment.
“The only difference is that this one is framed,” Wang Jingche snapped his fan shut and tapped it against his palm. “I wonder how many taels the shopkeeper paid for this paper. The drawing technique is even worse than ours.”
“This painting has been hanging here for many years.”
The man in fine robes sitting below turned to them. “Back then, the person drawing it had just begun copying not long ago, so the brushwork was a bit immature. Still, it’s not bad; this version is quite close to the original. Most of what the bookstores sell now are copies of this one.”
“Has this brother seen anything in it?” Chu Yunqing asked, blinking her eyes.
Hearing this, the man in fine robes took on a solemn expression and pointed at several raised line segments in the center of the map.
“This map is profound and mysterious. The feng shui layout within it is deep! Look here, and here, and here—and here. Connecting them is like the Realm of Ox and Dipper. Look at this largest mountain; it is the Purple Star, the pivot of the Purple Forbidden Enclosure. These are its left and right enclosures, forming a defensive formation.”
“Besides the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, here is the Heavenly Market Enclosure and the Supreme Palace Enclosure. These are the Wei, Xu, and Nü Mansions... all twenty-eight mansions are here. See, seven mansions make one symbol, forming the Four Symbols: Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise...”
Brother Jia’s finger trembled as he pointed rapidly at the map. The people beside him nodded repeatedly as they listened.
The trio was stunned by what they heard.
“There is a river of stars in the heavens and a river of mountains on the earth. This is using mountains and rivers to lay out a celestial chessboard, exhausting the Way of the Universe!”
“Exactly! Exactly!”
“Brother Jia’s analysis is correct!”
“Everyone, let us look again at the Ghost and Willow Mansions. The Ghost Mansion is full of ill omens, containing the accumulation of corpse qi, while the Willow Mansion is the beak of the bird—sustenance—bringing much good fortune. Yet they are now separated by a river, which indicates...”
“Let’s go ask the shopkeeper,” Wang Jingche tilted his fan toward the back.
Chu Yunqing and Xiang Cheng both glanced back, and the three shared a look.
“Let’s go.”
Standing before the counter, they saw the woman in white on the reclining chair resting with her eyes closed, facing the door. Her expression was peaceful and elegant. Xiang Cheng stepped forward, bowed, and called out softly.
“Shopkeeper.”
The woman opened her eyes. Her quiet black pupils looked over, gazing at them with complete calm.
“Pardon the intrusion. May we ask, Shopkeeper, if we might view the original map?”
“One moment.”
Lin Yue stood up, went behind the counter, and pulled out a drawer. She gently brought out a yellowed sheepskin scroll and placed it on the counter.
The three gathered around to look at the map, all of them frowning.
The sheepskin scroll looked very ancient, emitting a dense fragrance of medicinal herbs. The four corners and edges were spotted and pitted; insects had chewed through it, breaking the ink lines. Combined with the brownish texture, it was difficult to see clearly. The brushstrokes were intermittent and as messy as a tangle of hemp, enough to cause frustration at a glance.
“It’s been chewed up by bugs. Just make do with it.”
“May we touch it?”
“As you wish.”
Looking at the map, Chu Yunqing reached out and touched it. It was soft and delicate, but perhaps due to preservation issues, it had a mushy feel, as if a little force would make it fall apart.
“It must be over a hundred years old. Shopkeeper, is there any history to this sheepskin map?” Chu Yunqing looked up at Lin Yue.
Lin Yue glanced at the three of them and said with a serious face.
“I heard from my elder uncle that the sheepskin map was bought from an old man surnamed Zhou over forty years ago. It’s a treasure map passed down through the Zhou family ancestors for nearly three hundred years. It supposedly hides a massive fortune that could sustain a family for a thousand years. Unfortunately, no one has been able to solve its mystery to this day, so it was sold to my uncle for ten taels.”
Wang Jingche raised an eyebrow and smiled while waving his fan. “The shopkeeper says it so casually—aren't you afraid we'll solve it and take it for ourselves?”
Lin Yue gave a thin smile and said, “Treasures naturally belong to those destined for them.”
“The shopkeeper has great spirit. I am impressed!” Wang Jingche snapped his fan shut and cupped his hands toward her.
“Shopkeeper, are there any other clues?” Xiang Cheng asked, looking from the sheepskin map to Lin Yue.
Seeing the three watching her, Lin Yue shook her head. “No, but my uncle left behind some maps from when he researched the treasure. If the three of you wish to see them, I can find them for you.”
“We would be troubled.”
“Think nothing of it.” After speaking, Lin Yue dug out thirty or forty topographical maps from the cabinet. Some were borrowed, some she had drawn herself, and they even included some research ideas and insights.
“If you have any questions, you can ask me.”
“Much thanks. We shall not disturb your rest any further.”
Lin Yue returned to her chair and lay down again, continuing her meditation on Tai Chi.
Wang Jingche and Chu Yunqing flipped through the drawings Lin Yue had given them, while Xiang Cheng spread out the map they had bought next to the sheepskin scroll, comparing them side-by-side with a furrowed brow.
Rate on N.U.
