C88 Immortality

Changsheng, I'm not going to mince words any longer. I'm going to lay everything out for you, but before I do..." Second Master Lei said, casting a knowing look at Xiaodao. Xiaodao promptly left the negotiation room to stand guard outside, carefully closing the door behind him.

Second Master Lei then cautiously peered out the window and even drew the blinds. My curiosity about the earth-shattering secret and their true intent for entering the tomb years ago grew even more intense.

Once he was certain our conversation would remain private, Second Master Lei allowed himself to relax. He exhaled deeply, settled into the chair beside his desk, and absentmindedly fiddled with a walnut in his hand.

After a prolonged silence, my impatience got the better of me. "Second Uncle Lei, please don't leave us hanging any longer. Just tell me," I urged.

Second Master Lei began, "The mausoleum's records of the 100,000 people who vanished from Ye City reveal that they accidentally discovered a highly mysterious place—a space neither of this world nor the underworld..."

"What? What?" I exclaimed in astonishment.

"The murals within the tomb depict this enigmatic realm as surpassing even the idyllic Peach Blossom Spring described by Tao Yuanming. Those who dwell there achieve Immortality!" he continued.

"Immortality!" I gasped, stunned once more.

Second Master Lei sighed before explaining, "Changsheng, do you understand why your father chose your name?"

Reflecting on my foster father's words, I nodded. "Yes, he mentioned two reasons before he passed. The first was my inherent Yin Fate, suggesting I wouldn't live past eighteen. But the second... Wait, he never disclosed the second reason..."

"I'll reveal the second reason to you. It's because your father, Half Immortal Zhao, also aspired to eternal life. It's not unusual; the pursuit of Immortality is a common dream among cultivators, albeit a fanciful one," Second Master Lei said with another sigh.

It dawned on me then, "So the ultimate goal for you and the other six who ventured into the tomb was..."

Second Master Lei gave a wry smile and admitted, "Exactly. Who wouldn't desire to live forever? Throughout history, countless emperors have waged wars and caused untold suffering in their quest for immortality. Ironically, most of them met their demise by consuming those so-called Elixirs of Immortality."

"Are you certain that the mysterious space documented in the tomb actually exists?" I inquired.

"We can't be certain, but it's worth a shot. The tomb doesn't just depict the splendor of that enigmatic space; it also supposedly details the method to reach it. Unfortunately, we never managed to open the secret door and access Murong Chui's chamber... But now, things are different..." Second Master Lei's gaze slowly shifted to my right hand, his eyes igniting with fervor and a touch of madness.

Instinctively, I drew my hand behind me, prompting Second Master Lei to snap back to reality. He smiled and asked, "Changsheng, don't you wish for immortality?"

I gave a wry smile and replied, "I... all I want is to survive. If I can live to seventy, I'll be content. Immortality is beyond my wildest dreams. My sole purpose in visiting this tomb is to uncover why my father stole the treasure from the Heaven Connecting Palace after fleeing the ancient tomb. I need to understand his motives."

Second Master Lei nodded, his voice tinged with emotion. "Changsheng, you're truly a good kid. You seem much older than fifteen or sixteen—more mature than many in their mid-twenties. Now, let's refocus and delve back into this map."

Approaching the map, Second Master Lei passed me the pencil and queried, "Changsheng, where do you reckon this mausoleum is located?"

After studying the mountain range, I circled Yin Spirit Mountain with the pencil and confidently stated, "I believe the tomb will be here."

Yet Second Master Lei disagreed, circling a Short Mountain near our village and declaring, "It's here."

"How can that be? My father mentioned that building a tomb on the Dragon Vein is strictly forbidden beneath the dragon's claw. That spot lacks Yang Qi and being suppressed by the dragon's claw would curse the descendants with misfortune," I expressed, astonished.

"And where do you think it should be?" Second Master Lei asked, his smile suggesting a test.

I responded, "Ordinarily, a commoner's tomb would be situated mid-mountain. But an imperial tomb is different—it should be placed at the dragon's head, where the luck is strongest. While commoners may not withstand it, it's fitting for an imperial lineage."

"You're right. Seventeen years ago, it wasn't just me—everyone versed in Feng Shui believed that Murong Chui's tomb would be constructed at the dragon's head location. Yet, there was one person who insisted it be built here, and that person was your father."

"My father..."

Second Master Lei nodded, his gaze fixed on my eyes as he went on, "Do you have any idea why your father, Half Immortal Zhao, chose to conceal his identity and live under the name Zhao Hongbo in this little mountain village? Maybe he did it to guard this very tomb..."