Iron Bull taucht wieder auf

Kapitel 133

I spread my arms to break free from her grasp, and used the momentum to leap back onto the bamboo bridge.

Tengjia spun gently on the water's surface. In the twilight, her gray hair and gray robe almost blended into one. I had a terrifying premonition that she was no longer the Tengjia I knew, but had become someone else entirely, old and eerie, like a skeleton shrouded in a gray robe.

"Wind, the answer lies within your heart. As you gradually awaken to the truth, you will find the ending. Master said, everything is predestined—"

She raised her head, and in an instant, two bright white beams shot from her eyes, directly onto the sign in the pavilion.

It was as if someone had turned on a high-powered flashlight in the pitch-black night; in an instant, I could see the sign clearly, including all the cutout patterns and dots on it.

"Ah?" I exclaimed. The image of Hou Yi shooting down the sun that I had seen before was gone, and now it was clearly engraved with a star map. I only glanced at it, but I clearly remembered the distribution of the stars in my mind. In the lower right corner and the upper right corner of the sign, there was a huge nebula, with dozens of tiny stars surrounding a huge main star in each of them.

The previously clearly visible figure drawing a bow and shooting an arrow has transformed into a reclining giant, with four outstretched limbs and four additional arms growing from its back like giant antennas of a spacecraft. The top of the giant's head points towards the center of the two nebulae.

"What is this? Isn't this the illusion demon that Tina mentioned?" That was my first thought. The six-armed illusion demon had appeared in Tina's electronic notebook before, but its appearance was not quite the same.

“My master said that when the stars in the sky shift and the shadows of the stars are projected onto the sea, the gate to the ‘Wrath of the Sun God’ will open. Unfortunately, I can’t give you any more hints. The key is only used to unlock a lock hanging on the gate. As for what kind of world lies behind the door, how could the key know?” She smiled helplessly again.

The whirring of propellers echoed in the sky again, flying in from the south. Without a doubt, it was the aircraft of an important figure; he was extremely busy and certainly couldn't stay at Fengge Temple for long.

“I thought you knew all the secrets and could solve any problem in the world, but I’m still disappointed.” I sighed helplessly, wondering what Resica had discovered about the sign that made her so excited and then disappear from the glass box for no apparent reason.

"My master's dying wish was simply to unravel its secret with my entire life and mind. Tomorrow... perhaps tomorrow I will truly understand what it is trying to tell us..."

She stood suspended in mid-air on the water, her body shrouded in mist and twilight, her monk's robes fluttering as if she were about to ascend to immortality at any moment.

"What about Tanino Shinshu? What does he know? And what about the important figures outside the bamboo gate? What could they possibly know?"

"Everyone needs a key to their mind; all the real answers are always hidden in your own mind," Fujika concluded with this statement.

As I stepped across the bamboo bridge and opened the bamboo gate to come out, I heard the tinkling sound of a guqin coming from the water pavilion again.

The important figure was still there, arms crossed, staring intently at me, as if he wanted to use my gaze as a sharp knife to rip out all the secrets deep within my mind.

The streetlights were already on, casting his shadow on the bamboo pole, swaying precariously.

"Feng, I've finally waited for you. How is Tengjia?" The important man's smile came very quickly.

There was no one behind him, but I knew that those white-clad bodyguards could jump out from the shadows around the corner at any moment.

"Perhaps we can talk? The plane is right outside. We can go out for a sumptuous seafood feast, with plenty of beautiful women and the finest sake. We can eat and talk at the same time. I'm sure we'll have a wonderful evening. What do you say?" He smiled ingratiatingly, his attitude warm and sincere.

When someone offers a gift, they always have an ulterior motive, especially given the vast difference in our social standing. His invitation to me is nothing more than another trap, or perhaps a fishhook with a piece of meat on it, all for the secrets in my heart. I won't fall for it.

I shook my head vigorously: "No need, I have other things to do."

He burst out laughing and patted my shoulder hard: "Young man, you're the first person to reject me so bluntly, but I admire your courage."

Looking at him up close, I couldn't see any facial features on Fujika that resembled his.

"What did Tengjia say?" His eyes suddenly sharpened, like a vulture that had spotted its prey.

This is the characteristic of important people: they can turn the world upside down with a flick of their wrist, and change their attitude at any time, depending on the needs of the environment.

I sneered, "You've said a lot, but it's like you haven't said anything at all. Why should I tell you?" My resentment towards the Japanese took over again. I straightened my back and looked towards the "Tower of the Dead."

"Haha, Feng, I can offer you a price that will absolutely satisfy you, how about it?" he pressed on relentlessly.

I touched my nose, deliberately remaining silent. What had Tengjia told me? Apart from the strange nebula-like changes displayed on that iron plaque, I seemed to have grasped nothing. Buddhism emphasizes serendipitous encounters and sudden enlightenment; perhaps I hadn't reached that point yet.

“Feng, you must know that Japan’s national wealth is the second largest in the world, second only to the big brother, the United States. As long as you name a price, even an exorbitant one, I will pay without hesitation, as long as your intelligence is shocking enough…” He made no attempt to hide his wealth and power.

I shrugged: "Let me think about it. Maybe the world's number one, the Americans, will offer a higher price!"

He was speechless, then frowned and gave a cold laugh: "Fine—"

Behind that cold laugh lay a multitude of unspoken thoughts. This was Japan; he could orchestrate any action, as long as he achieved his goal.

After leaving the long alley in front of Youhuang Water County, I turned several corners to meet Su Lun.

I don't want her to leave. If Tengjia makes a new breakthrough in her understanding, or if I successfully obtain the translated scriptures, I will need her to study these things with me. She is the only one who can truly connect with me.

The lights were already on in the courtyard. A huge cherry tree stood in the center of the courtyard, its bare branches stretching out in all directions. It would surely be a magnificent sight when it sprouted and bloomed next spring. As the land of cherry blossoms, Japan's Buddhist temples are filled with cherry trees that are over thirty years old, creating a unique scene even in the dead of winter when everything else is withered.

Suren stood under the tree, arms crossed, gazing southeast, undoubtedly looking at the "Tower of the Dead." Anyone in Maple Ridge Temple, regardless of their angle or whether they intended to, would naturally see it.

My hurried footsteps startled Su Lun, who turned around sharply and immediately smiled: "Brother Feng, what is it?"

Her short hair fell neatly behind her ears, and a faint melancholy lingered on her thin face, making me vaguely uneasy. If it weren't for Guan Baoling's unexpected appearance, she would definitely have stayed with me. All the unhappiness stemmed from me.

“Suren, I’ve obtained some new information. Perhaps you should stay and we can study it together.” I also stood under the tree. Without Guan Baoling and Schiller present, we could finally talk calmly.

After I relayed Tengjia's words in their entirety, Suren's initial point of doubt coincided with my own thoughts—"If Master Jianzhen and the others were exploring the area below the Cold Pool, which is inside the 'Well of Spirits,' while the place you disappeared at was on top of the 'Tower of the Dead,' the horizontal distance between the two locations is about a hundred meters. How do you explain this? Does that huge underwater structure have two entrances? Since it's called the 'Underwater Divine Tomb,' shouldn't it only have one entrance?"

She always finds the crux of the problem immediately, and her thoughts are very similar to mine.

There was a stone table and round stone stools under the tree, both of which were wiped clean.

I sat down and offered my perspective: "I think the frequent undersea earthquakes in the Sea of Japan are perhaps the only explanation for this question. With crustal movement, underwater structures would certainly change position, provided, of course, that their foundations possess extremely high flexural and shear resistance. Perhaps we can understand it this way: a thousand years ago, when Master Jianzhen led his ten disciples into the icy pool, their target was an underwater structure, because that gem—let's call it 'The Wrath of the Sun God'—was inside. Of course, they knew how to enter that place; otherwise, they wouldn't have recklessly jumped in."

The theory of "mermaid lungs" has firmly taken hold of my mind. The rapid development of biological variation and bionics has demonstrated the high credibility of this matter.

Undoubtedly, when an undersea earthquake occurs, all existing buildings will shift position; a displacement of 100 or even 100 meters over a thousand years is negligible. The existence of one or two entrances in its external structure is irrelevant.

Suren frowned and pondered silently for a full five minutes before letting out a soft sigh: "Brother Feng, your thinking... alas, don't you feel that your intelligence is rapidly declining?"

I was stunned. Since arriving in Hokkaido, so many strange things have happened that I haven't had time to sit down and sort out my thoughts. I've been rushing forward and have definitely felt lost.

"All your theories are based on the assumption that hearsay is '100% correct,' including most of the seemingly absurd statements made by Guan Baoling and Teng Jia that are impossible to verify. Have you ever considered that if these foundations cannot withstand scrutiny, all your conclusions are nothing but empty talk?"

Suren's words were so sharp that they severely wounded my pride.

“I don’t believe Guan Baoling’s words. As for Tengjia’s retelling of historical events, we should only believe what is written in the scriptures, and only believe what we have seen with our own eyes. Brother Feng, your biggest problem is that you are gullible, and especially gullible towards pretty girls. What do you think?”

These words contained no jealousy; Suren remained on a fair and impartial standpoint throughout.

"Hehe, a young man who isn't a bit of a playboy is wasting his youth. Guan Baoling is so beautiful, she could make royalty and nobility from all over the world swoon. As a fellow man, I don't think Mr. Feng has done anything wrong..."

I knew Schiller had appeared just by hearing his voice, without even looking up.

Guan Baoling already has enough scandals to tell; it's easier to quell public opinion than to stop a river from overflowing. Of course, I can't stop Schiller from saying what he wants, and I don't expect anything good to come out of a dog's mouth. As long as he doesn't have any ill intentions towards Sulen, I don't want to clash with him again.

Schiller was dressed in a fine, snow-white suit and matching shoes, and held a bright red rose in his hand. When he emerged from behind the tree, raised his eyebrows, and smiled at me, he was the epitome of a playboy.

I don’t believe that a man who likes to show off so much can be a skilled explorer. I even think that his appearance was for ulterior motives. But with Suren’s intelligence, how could he not see it?

“Mr. Feng, after we return to the Sichuan-Tibet border, we will eagerly await the great news that you have found the ‘Wrath of the Sun God’. Of course, I would prefer to have the opportunity to invite you to visit the second Epang Palace ruins that we have found before that, OK?” He presented the roses to Su Lun in an affected manner, his voice and attitude extremely arrogant.

Suren held the rose under her nose, sniffing it casually, then suddenly smiled and said, "Schiller, could you please go and get a copy of the detailed log of the search for the Epang Palace?"

Schiller gave a sullen reply and turned to go inside.

“Those photocopies are of great research value. I’ll keep a copy for myself. If you find anything unusual, just call me.” Suren’s face looked even thinner and paler against the backdrop of the red roses.

“Sulun, can’t you stay? Once things are settled here, I’ll go back to the Sichuan-Tibet border with you. There are so many things to do, how can we finish them in a day or two? With me by your side, it will be safer, and when we’re together, any problem can be solved—” I knew I should say something gentler and more touching, but looking into Sulun’s bright eyes, those words just felt awkward and I couldn’t bring myself to say them.

The night was cold, but it felt as if a cold, icy blockage had formed in my heart, hard and stuck in my chest.

"Brother Feng, with Schiller here, you can rest assured—"

I chuckled: "Him? Do you even know his true identity? The Americans are eager to seize all the world's resources; their wolfish ambitions are obvious. How can you entrust such an important task to him?"

Volume Three, The Well of Spirits

Part 1: Clash of Titans

— Chapter 3 — The Head of the Sharpshooter Society —

Suren's face flushed instantly. She slowly placed the roses on the stone table and answered clearly, word by word, "Brother Feng, I don't know him, but I know that things in Hokkaido won't be resolved anytime soon. Miss Guan here will only make matters worse and might even anger the tycoon, implicating the Divine Gun Society. Also, 'The Wrath of the Sun God' has become a treasure that the Japanese are determined to obtain. Even if you risk your life to enter a desperate situation and retrieve the gem, the final result will still be the same as 'The Eye of the Moon' belonging to the Egyptians. We will get nothing, but we will have made the greatest military contribution to the Yamato people."

The air was filled with the fragrance of rose petals. I gave a dejected, cold laugh: "I know everything you're saying, but now, the arrow is on the bowstring, and we have no choice but to release it."

Guan Baoling's image resurfaced in my mind. Whether she stayed or left, her image would remain in my heart, indelible.

Suren, hands behind his back, nodded excitedly, "Yes, yes, the arrow is on the bowstring, and it must be released—Brother Feng, don't forget your purpose in coming to Hokkaido was only to find clues that Hero Yang Tian might have left behind, not to search with all your might for the whereabouts of 'The Wrath of the Sun God.' Things have progressed to this point, and the Japanese government has fully intervened. It seems there's no need for us to continue this entanglement. Do you know? Hokkaido's most elite coast guard has been assembled in the waters around Kiwanzan. This sudden military mobilization is aimed directly at the secrets of Fengge Temple. Snatching food from a tiger's mouth is not a rational move for a great tomb raider. I only want to say one thing—Brother Feng, forget about Miss Guan, leave Fengge Temple, okay?"

Since we weren't on the same page, it seemed pointless to continue the conversation. Schiller reappeared, looking smug, and placed a transparent plastic file bag in front of me, inside which was a two-inch-thick stack of documents.

“Mr. Feng, good advice may be hard to hear, but did you understand what Miss Suren said?” He patted the documents and pointed to the top page: “I believe Miss Suren has a wise eye. Do you see? We will uncover a huge secret from more than two thousand years ago and rewrite the history of the Chinese people.”

That page featured a promotional poster of the Terracotta Army in Xi'an, with dozens of rows of warrior figures arranged solemnly and neatly, each holding a cold, long spear.

"Suren, would you please reconsider my suggestion? Let's join forces and deal with this problem first—"

Before I could finish speaking, Suren's phone rang, interrupting me.

Giving up the pursuit of "The Wrath of the Sun God" and joining Suren's team isn't impossible, but what I truly can't let go of is Guan Baoling. From our first meeting at Xunfu Garden, I was drawn to the immense melancholy hidden within her. If I can't soothe that lingering sorrow, I won't be at peace even if I leave Hokkaido.

If she were to ask me to acquire Xunfuyuan again at this moment, perhaps I would agree. Previously, Su Lun and Guan Baoling each occupied half of my heart, but now, Su Lun has completely withdrawn, and only Guan Baoling firmly occupies my heart.

I'll give her Xunfu Garden so she can follow the guidance of the "Well of Spirits" to renovate the villa and cure the tycoon's strange illness—will she be happy then? When she's with the tycoon, will she still think of me occasionally?

The sound of helicopter rotors spinning filled the sky again; this time, the number of aircraft had increased to six.

"Who?" Schiller suddenly turned and called out towards the outside of the courtyard.

"Don't be nervous, that's Xiao Lai, your defeated opponent." I sneered, my words dripping with sarcasm.

Schiller chuckled, snapped his fingers with a flourish, turned his face, and smiled affectionately at Suren.

Xiao Lai slipped in and whispered in my ear, "We have news from the organization that Mr. Sun Long has arrived in Sapporo and will be coming to Fuuki-ji Temple within a few hours to meet with you alone."

As I listened intently to the helicopter land, the whirring of the rotors gradually subsided until it stopped. Only then, suppressing my surprise, did I calmly ask, "Meet here? Or to the villa?"

The powerful figures are in Fengge Temple, where security is tight. If Sun Long were to break in, it would undoubtedly escalate the conflict between them. Over the past five years, Sun Long has built his international reputation little by little by suppressing the Japanese in various fields. He is considered a thorn in the side by many Japanese militarist extremists, who have already offered tens of millions of US dollars for his head.

"Mr. Sun specifically requested to meet here, which has puzzled everyone! Mr. Hawke and Brother Thirteen are mobilizing manpower and making emergency deployments, but a large contingent of the Coast Guard has blocked all routes leading to the Muwanzhoushan area. Except for military vehicles, no one else is allowed to pass." The veins on Xiao Lai's forehead were bulging, and his chest was heaving rapidly, clearly due to excessive tension.

I nodded calmly. "I understand. Don't say anything more. Mr. Sun has his reasons for making these arrangements. Go on—um, over there..."

Xiao Lai understood and continued, "Everything's fine over there. I'll be careful."

Throughout the entire exchange, neither he nor Schiller looked at each other, but the hostility between them was already very obvious.

"Hey, young man, how well do those medicines work?" Schiller's words carried a condescending provocation.

Xiao Lai silently took the medicine bottle from his pocket, placed it on the stone table, and then quietly withdrew. Judging from his actions, the injured areas on his shoulders had completely healed, demonstrating the miraculous effects of the medicine.

"This is the latest research result from our lab. It increases the rate of calcium deposition in human bones by four hundred times, but it has some side effects that will only become apparent after a few weeks. So, Mr. Feng, if your brother needs my help in any way, please remember to give me a call. Don't hesitate to ask."

I dismissed Schiller's almost scoundrel-like tone with disdain. After leaving Hokkaido, there are countless renowned doctors from various countries. Even if something unexpected happens to Xiaolai, I believe we can handle it ourselves and there is no need to seek Schiller's help again.

Su Lun's phone call lasted for about three minutes, during which she spoke in a very low voice. Suddenly, she raised her voice and said, "Brother Feng, someone wants to talk to you."

I gave a wry smile: "Looking for me? How did they get a call to your number?"

Suren sneered, handed over the phone, then sat down at the stone table and took out the documents.

Tina's voice came through the receiver: "Mr. Feng, are you alright? It's me, Tina."