Chapter 253 The Lost Dream of the Dao! A Multitude of Wives and Concubines, But a Lover?
Li Xian thought to himself, since where I end up depends entirely on luck, why bother worrying unnecessarily? He simply closed his eyes and wandered aimlessly, deciding to make the best of it and fear nothing. He pressed on, moving through the crowd.
If you encounter a rock face, change direction. The dizziness will lessen immediately, and you will feel more open-minded and relaxed. The more you walk, the more spacious it becomes, and the faster you walk.
The narrow passage of the heart... is also known as the "path of the mind." The path of the mind twists and turns, difficult to fathom. The more one tries to scheme, the more one gets stuck in a rut.
Every step was narrow and cramped. One had to squeeze through the cracks to barely pass. If Wen Caishang were to enter the path, she would surely be in a terrible predicament. Li Xianshi was also adept at scheming, plotting for profit, and making various choices.
But he was also broad-minded and unrestrained. When he walked with an open mind, his mind was spacious and naturally extremely open.
When he opened his eyes, he had already passed through the narrow, winding passage. The road ahead was now wide, with lifelike murals on both sides.
Li Xian had no time to think further and proceeded with observation. Using what Wen Caishang had taught him, he identified the mechanisms within the tomb chamber and cleverly avoided dangerous and perilous areas.
After circling around for a long time, the stone door was pushed open.
They arrived at a tomb. There were thirteen jade coffins suspended in the air. Li Xian could vaguely make out that this was a "side tomb".
During the Nanyang period, there were established rules for burial. Even close relatives were buried in side tombs. Because powerful warriors had long lifespans, when they knew their lives were coming to an end, they would bring the coffins of their family members into the tomb.
Li Xian lit incense and bowed respectfully, saying, "This junior is absolutely not a tomb raider. I hope you will forgive me for disturbing you, senior." He then spun the incense in the "Nanyang etiquette" and gently dispersed it.
The incense was quite simple. It was made from a type of easily flammable tree branch, which Li Xian lit with his Yang Yuan sword energy as a token of his sincerity.
Li Xian thought to himself, "Madam said... there are ghosts and monsters in the world. But not everyone who dies will become a ghost or monster. I still need to be more respectful."
Recalling the encounter at Tiger Cry Ridge, the terrifying and damp environment was certainly unpleasant, but it was the attacks by ghosts and demons that truly sent chills down one's spine.
After bowing, Li Xian felt quite emboldened. Thinking that since he was already there, why not take a closer look? He then gazed at the figure in the jade coffin…
The first jade coffin contained the body of a woman. She was of ordinary appearance and simply dressed. Li Xian gently stroked the coffin and said, "This is a jade and glass coffin. It prevents the body from decaying; it's extremely rare! This coffin is worth more than 100,000 taels of silver!"
"Lu Dongzhi was also a man of strong character!"
The inscription on the coffin reads: "My first wife was born in the twelfth year of the Yong'an era in Nanyang. She died in the seventy-first year of the Yong'an era. I loved her deeply and regret that I could not go with her."
The inscription at the end reads: "Lu Dongzhi..."
Li Xian said, "It really is the tomb of Senior Lü Dong! It seems that this senior was a person of deep affection! I truly admire him."
We walked down to the second coffin. The deceased was a woman with cascading white hair and slight wrinkles around her eyes.
The inscription reads: "My beloved wife lacked the talent for martial arts and her lifespan was short. I searched for the finest treasures and rare artifacts in the world... but to no avail. I loved her deeply and regretted not being able to go with her."
At the end: "Lü Dongzhi..."
Li Xian pondered, "We martial artists drink the essence of heaven and eat the rich food of earth, so our lifespans are quite long. This Senior Lü also rose from humble beginnings, and the life and death he has experienced along the way are truly indescribable!"
I was filled with awe. Continuing down, I came to the third jade coffin.
The inscription reads: "My third beloved wife... I loved her deeply and regretted that I could not go with her."
...
Li Xian's lips twitched; she sensed something was amiss. She then proceeded towards the fourth, fifth, and sixth bodies. Each was beautiful, but the cause of death was different.
But they all said, "I love him so much, I regret that I cannot go with him." Li Xian smiled awkwardly and said, "It seems that Senior Lü is truly broad-minded."
They proceeded to the last jade coffin.
The woman was young and exceptionally beautiful, and of high status. She resembled an empress of the Nanyang Dynasty, and also the beloved wife of Lü Dongzhi. Li Xian thought to himself, "I've heard the lady speak of Nanyang's history; it seems there was indeed a Nanyang empress who loved Lü Dongzhi, as legend has it."
The inscription reads: "My beloved wife, I loved her deeply, but alas... I must go with her!"
Li Xian burst into laughter, finding this Senior Lü Dong quite carefree and amusing. Li Xian noticed a wine jar in the corner. With a gentle shake, he discovered that half the jar was still filled.
His personal belongings were quite valuable. Li Xian glanced at them, then casually walked away.
He closed the door and left.
The tomb was large, but not malevolent. Li Xian knew how to avoid it and hid from each one. He explored the various tomb chambers, searching for a map of the forest.
There is no sun or moon in the tomb.
One day, a tomb chamber was discovered, filled with books. The people of Nanyang highly value tombs, believing that a "tomb" is the dwelling place after death.
Therefore, people bring their favorite things and cherished possessions into their tombs. However, the severity and cruelty of the tomb contents vary depending on the personality of the deceased.
Wen Caishang once told Li Xian that if it was confirmed that the tomb belonged to "Lu Dongzhi", and he did not do anything rude or greedy, he would be 60% safe.
Lü Dongzhi was unrestrained and hospitable by nature. In his lifetime, he once hosted a grand banquet, inviting heroes and outlaws from various chaotic kingdoms to his mansion to admire cranes and enjoy the forest.
Legend has it that his word was law. He had hundreds of disciples, but only one in ten thousand truly mastered his teachings. It wasn't that he didn't want to teach, but rather that those who merely followed the crowd couldn't learn.
Therefore… Lü Dongzhi's tomb resembles a desolate ancient house. Now, let's drink three cups of wine; whether we are destined to be together or not, we are all friends.
However, the tombs of the Great Yu Dynasty are entirely different. The Great Yu Dynasty placed great importance on bloodline inheritance and the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, and was known as "the tombs of sages of the past, the blessed lands of future generations."
Therefore, the tomb contains a great deal of gold and jewels, martial arts manuals, and more. However, the tomb is also fraught with danger and ruthlessness, with numerous obstacles to overcome.
Although the tomb contained some valuable artifacts, the quantity was not large enough to decorate the residence. Li Xian thought to himself, "When I visit someone's home and borrow something, if I were to talk about valuable artifacts, wouldn't that be like a robber breaking into a house? That would be extremely rude!"
This was the first time in my life I had entered a tomb. But I found nothing at all; it was like admiring a house or courtyard.
We arrived at a library.
It contained countless books. Li Xian was overjoyed and went inside to examine it. Although there were no martial arts manuals, the knowledge recorded in the books was extremely broad.
Music, chess, calligraphy, painting, medicine, divination, astrology… it encompasses everything. Like a thirsty man finding sweet rain, Li Xian selected a miscellaneous book and devoured it with great relish.
He was indiscriminate in his pursuit of knowledge, previously only interested in strange tales and anecdotes. Now, however, he accepted everything from principles of governance to classical poetry and prose.
I have lofty ambitions.
He perused countless books, and viewed the landscapes of the world.
He was engrossed in reading, but he never forgot his mission and searched for the location on the map. He had two bags of "Vermilion Fruit," which had miraculous effects; one fruit could keep him full for a long time.
Before entering the "intestines," he gave half to Wen Caishang. Undeterred by hunger or cold, he savored it slowly, unaware of the passage of time.
But he actually found a "map".
After observing for a moment, Li Xian knew the map was correct. This place was no longer Tiger Cry Ridge, but the "Mysterious Mountain Range." Although Lü Dongzhi was highly skilled, the map he drew only represented a corner of the mountain range.
But it's more than enough to get away from Tiger Cry Ridge and the Mysterious Mountain Range.
Li Xian thought to himself, "I've found the map. As long as I get out of the tomb, my wife and I can follow the map back and out of the forest. Then we won't have to worry about being chased anymore. In that case... our lives will be safe!"
He rolled up the map and tucked it into a lining of his chest. He cupped his hands and said, "Senior Lü, I'll take this with me. Your magnanimity is boundless; you certainly won't hold it against me!"
The tomb was vast, impossible to explore completely. Li Xian was content and decided not to venture further, intending to return the way he came. He felt a slight pity that he had only glanced at many books and hadn't had the chance to examine them closely.
"Fine... As long as the green hills remain, I'll never be afraid of running out of books to read."
Li Xian had made his decision. Just as he was about to get up, he suddenly felt dizzy and lightheaded, and his mind became muddled. Li Xian played the "Guardian Body Sound" to close his mind and guard his spirit. Ever since he entered the tomb, he had been experiencing intermittent dizziness and lightheadedness.
The attack was fierce, and my eyelids grew heavier and heavier. Suddenly, everything stopped, and white mist rose up from all around, swirling and enveloping me. The surroundings were a vast expanse of white, like an illusory bubble, extremely unreal.
Li Xian thought to himself, "What am I doing...?" He had never encountered such a situation before. He walked into the mist and suddenly heard the babbling of a stream.
The sound is clear and pleasant.
A stream flows past the stone pavilion. Inside the pavilion sits a man in white, hands clasped behind his back, his posture elegant. He slowly turns his head, but his features are obscured.
Li Xian thought to himself, "This scene feels like a dream. Could it be that I was so engrossed in reading that I dreamt of Senior Lü Dong? Or have I stumbled into some other space amidst the chaos? Oh well, there's no point in thinking about it anymore. I might as well just ask him directly." He called out, "Senior Lü?"
The man was taken aback, then said, "Good lad! Please sit down."
Li Xian was completely bewildered and said, "Senior Lü, you're not dead?" Lü Dongzhi replied, "I died long ago."
"Then how come..." Li Xian asked.
Lü Dongzhi said, "It's simple, you're dead too!" Then he carefully examined Li Xian.
Seeing that Li Xian was not afraid at all, and feeling bored, he said, "I've entered a dream!"
Li Xian asked in bewilderment, "Since you are dead, how can you enter my dreams?"
Lü Dongzhi said, "It is only after death that one can enter a dream. This involves a technique called 'Lost Dream'."
"After death, only dreams remain. They have lingered for a thousand years, yet have had nowhere to settle. You observe the stone tablet, and find a certain temperament that resonates with mine. This dream of the deceased will naturally fall upon you."
"You little rascal, you stubbornly refused to sleep. You held out for a few more days, but eventually you fell asleep. And your dream came true."
Li Xian exclaimed, "What amazing magic!"
"Do you want it?" Lü Dongzhi asked.
Li Xian shook her head and said, "No."
Lü Dongzhi cursed, "I knew no one would want it! Tell me, what's the use of this Dream Loss Technique? If you were a beautiful woman admiring my charm, and my Dream Loss landed on you, making you infatuated with me, then this technique might be somewhat useful. But you, kid, are even more handsome than me, sigh!"
"It's all about timing and fate. With your appearance, it's not a disgrace to inherit my legacy!"
"It's a pity that although I have many disciples, none of them have truly mastered the teachings. I see you as a clever lad, but whether you can grasp even a fraction of it remains a mystery. Oh well... since you've come to my dream, what can I do besides give you some inheritance?"
He carefully examined Li Xian.
Lü Dongzhi was a dissolute man by nature. Although his tomb was vast, it did not contain any martial arts secrets. The tomb was poorly secured and held no great secrets.
But the "Art of the Way: Lost Dreams" drifts by, choosing its target to land on.
Lü Dongzhi asked sarcastically, "Do you have a partner?"
Li Xian said, "Not yet. Hmm... maybe so, sigh, it's hard to say!" Thinking of Wen Caishang, the two of them were enjoying each other's company and being very happy. But with Wen Caishang's strength restored, how they would get along was truly unpredictable.
Lü Dongzhi said, “I have three great regrets in my life, which are also my three great inheritances. Since you are inheriting my legacy, please do your best to fulfill my regrets.”
"The first regret: the art of magic!"
(End of this chapter)
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