Poussière de cœur

Chapitre 6

Little Fatty suddenly said, "I have two gold ingots. I'll give them one; consider it a purchase. One is worth over ten thousand, enough to buy them two jugs of urine and a little food. It's more than enough." The other four all agreed, "Yes, yes, too cheap—" Suddenly, they all stopped talking and looked at Little Fatty, each of their eyes filled with a cold smile: "Gold, ingot?!" The four of them exclaimed in unison, enunciating each word clearly, "—How do you have gold ingots?!"

“…I…” Little Fatty was stunned, speechless.

Regret welled up instantly. But there's no going back. The words were already spoken; what use was regret now? He glanced at his four fellow disciples, then at his eldest brother, and knelt down with a thud, his voice trembling as he said, "Little Fatty deserves to die! [The rest of the text is incomplete and lacks context, so it's left as is.]"

silence.

After a moment of silence, the eldest disciple calmly waved his hand. "We'll talk about this later. Get up. What's done is done. If you can get out of here, you can share it with your fellow disciples." He paused, then looked at his five disciples. "What do they need most right now?"

What is needed most?

Water and food.

Xiao Chan suddenly exclaimed in surprise: "Master—they!" Xiao Dao, Er Gou, and Du Yan also changed their expressions drastically: "...they!"

Only Little Fatty looked at his four senior brothers with a puzzled expression. "What's wrong with them?"

The leader smiled slightly—this man who never smiled, even when he did, gave off a very serious impression—and said, “In light of this, we can only leave behind a pot of water and one-third of the food. Our principle is to only take from the dead. The rest, we will return to them.”

They came because of the earthquake; and who knows when another earthquake might occur. I've decided to abandon this tomb; perhaps only after I return and invite experts from the field will I find something worthwhile. Therefore, we must cooperate with them.

There is always a gain for every loss, and I will not interfere with how you view the gains and losses; however, there is one thing you must pay attention to: under no circumstances should you injure or bleed anyone, and you must not kill anyone. This is because—for tombs with hidden mechanisms and secret passages, before the day is revealed, some will turn out auspicious after bloodshed, while others will turn out inauspicious.

The tomb passage was clean and tidy, and there was no life inside. It belonged to the type of tomb that becomes ominous after bloodshed. One must never harm or kill anyone out of malevolence, lest the tomb become ominous. Otherwise, the return journey will be doubly difficult.

"The first mistake, caused by your greed and disobedience, has led to our current predicament. If a second mistake occurs..." He didn't finish his sentence. That's because he suddenly realized—there was really no need for him to say anything more.

The five disciples stared eagerly at the backpack, their gazes fixed on the "water" and the "food."

"Take three dried bread cakes, three chocolates, and a pot of books." The eldest brother lowered his eyebrows. "Give the rest back to them."

The five disciples, their faces beaming with joy, were suddenly interrupted by Er Gou's question: "Master, what about you?"

"Idiot! The best part should be saved for Master!" One-Eyed smacked Er Gou.

The boss was well aware of the implications of these words. He shook his head calmly. "What you do is your business, it has nothing to do with me. True professionals adhere to their principles and would never do anything that harms others in such a dangerous place. Little Shovel, I hope... never mind."

Little Shovel stroked its pitifully small nose. "Master, if someone is willing to make a sacrifice, it does not violate the creed."

"When necessary, harmonizing Yin and Yang can actually help us restore our strength and relax our minds..." Suddenly, he frowned, "Wait a minute! [Is this...]"

The fluorescent light immediately went out. "There are two people," the leader whispered.

From the endless darkness, a deep, distant voice echoed: "There was light just now—was it an illusion?"

*** *** ***

Everyone had awakened from their daze—including A-Ding—but no one realized they had ever been lost. Even A-Ding had forgotten that he had been knocked unconscious.

Tong Rong quietly curled up in A Ding's arms, her trembling hands placed in A Ding's palms. A Ding, however, remained silent.

He was as still as a rock. "They're gone," he said quietly and coldly. "There were six of them, all men. They'd been trapped here for a long time. At least half a month..." His calm voice sounded as if he were speaking to someone who had no feelings for anyone or anything.

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [19]: Such a calm voice infected everyone. An Yingying broke the silence, "Are they people?" Her voice was still as clear and melodious as a nightingale singing, making people unconsciously recall her past brightness and freshness. A Ding said quietly, "I. But they are the kind of extremely unfriendly people."

Zhu Qian asked, "Extremely unfriendly? Did they steal our things?"

"Yes. They were also very thirsty and hungry."

“You can’t just rob us!” Yu Bingtian said innocently. “We’re thirsty and hungry too. Why would they rob us?”

Yang Yang said, "We can share some with them, we can't just take it all, can we?" Guan Wen said, "What should we do?"

"We can't just sit here and wait to die, can we?"

“Now, we only have one path left.” A Ding’s voice suddenly turned icy cold.

"Which road?" the seventeen people asked in unison.

"Take it back! Take it back again!"

V. Incorrect Time

The green light shines down, and the green moon rises.

Wang Mu suddenly burst into tears.

Why does this scene feel so familiar? Have I experienced it in a past life? Has it appeared in the indelible cycle of reincarnation?

A green world, a blue world, and only one black moon/sun. In this tranquil, mysterious, and desolate world, there is only one hope that has been extinguished.

Wang Jia's mood suddenly became extremely heavy.

Is light truly the master of this world?

But their sorrow was only momentary.

Seeing the light, the two were overjoyed.

The light was far ahead. The two exchanged a glance and, without thinking, strode forward. After taking a few steps and finding no discomfort, they quickened their pace.

The closer the light got, the more eager the two of them became.

But at that moment, the green light suddenly disappeared.

"There was light just now—was it an illusion?" Wang Mu wondered.

A sharp pain shot through him again, and Wang Jia and Wang Mu, terrified, quickly retreated.

There is no more light.

—Never to see the light again.

*** *** ***

“It’s not angry. It’s not human. We must have misheard.” The eldest brother paused for a moment, then said, “You, return the food and water; the rest, keep an eye on me. — I’ll go check over there.”

He walked silently down the passageway toward the source of the sound.

As the leader walked away, Little Shovel suddenly laughed. "Master only told us to return it, but didn't specify how. So, we can totally... ah? Hahaha..." The one-eyed man grinned maliciously, "...go our own way. Let's see who's luckier!"

“Master…Master said…” Little Fatty stammered.

Little Shovel chuckled. "Master?" He pinched Little Fatty's cheek. "Look how fat you are, you still haven't lost weight. —If you were going to listen to your master, why did you secretly keep two gold ingots?"

He laughed again.

sneer.

*** *** ***

On October 20th, the search team gradually withdrew. The main reason was that the search had become completely pointless. The families of the missing persons also stopped their crying, sit-ins, and demonstrations.

Of course, there are also supposedly a few extremely minor reasons.

The person who issued the deadline was detained for various reasons, including embezzlement, bribery, misappropriation of public funds, and keeping a mistress.

—The person who lived abroad was quarantined after contracting a difficult-to-cure disease related to "love" due to charging fees for processing cards for others and engaging in immoral behavior.

—The company of that man with tens of millions in assets suffered a stock price drop due to a failed real estate deal, and he was beaten into a vegetative state by angry shareholders.

At the same time, several luxury foreign cars appeared in Wangzhuang. Several officials dressed very simply, even with patches on their clothes, stepped out of the cars. As soon as they arrived in Wangzhuang, they summoned the important figures to the main altar and presented them with official documents.

—Land in Wangzhuang has been requisitioned. The first phase of requisition involves the site of the cemetery, and the relocation of graves must be completed within ten days. The government has specially selected a location with excellent feng shui, surrounded by mountains and water, and not too far from Wangzhuang, to serve as the Wangzhuang Cemetery. The local garrison will assist the residents of Wangzhuang in relocating the graves, and the residents of Wangzhuang will receive substantial compensation.

—Due to the confirmation of the archaeological cigars, the Wangzhuang cemetery has been sealed off and taken over from today. The armed police will assist the people of Wangzhuang with security work during the relocation of the graves.

Meanwhile, another group appeared in Liuzhuang. They ordered the village head, village party secretary, and other prominent figures to recall 100 "civil engineering experts" to assist the government within half a month. Otherwise, everyone from the village head down to a teenager over sixteen years old would be arrested and investigated. All previous tomb raiding cases would also be thoroughly investigated and dealt with according to law.

As a warning, a hundred police officers and a hundred armed police officers, fully armed, sealed off the entire village and searched house by house. In just three hours, they found more than 2,000 cultural relics, which were then escorted to the provincial capital by 30 police cars.

In terms of efficiency and output, this was probably the highest, fastest, and most productive one yet.

—Cats and mice are in cahoots!

(Years later, the people of Liuzhuang were still indignant about this. But the people of Wangzhuang replied with justice: "If the cats and rats were really in the same nest, why were you eaten?" The people of Liuzhuang couldn't understand why the bigger the rats, the less the cats dared to eat them.) (There are too many things that I can't understand. If I really can't understand, then I shouldn't think about it. The best explanation is that if the rats are as big as dogs, unless a cat as big as an elephant appears.) (On this point, Wang Tie was very satisfied. He said: "Fortunately, this is in China. Not in Italy. Otherwise, your Liuzhuang would have been wiped out long ago.") --- The Magpie Bridge Fairy replied [20]: On October 25, the mouse rats in the Wangzhuang cemetery were moved.

The substantial wealth gained from relocating graves in Wangzhuang also reflected the ironclad law of ruthless exploitation. Wang Tie, once the richest man, immediately dropped to below thirtieth place; of course, the million-yuan compensation pooled by the people of Liuzhuang was divided equally per capita. Wangzhuang thus instantly became the village with the highest per capita income.

For the laborers in the villages at the foot of Dazang Mountain, the young and middle-aged men now had stable jobs, albeit as migrant workers. After the relocation of the graves, Wangzhuang immediately contacted various food and department store companies in the city and county, forming a joint venture and setting up various stalls outside the village.

On the 26th, the development project of the Great Burial Mountain officially began. Large numbers of adventurous travelers, drawn by the mysterious disappearances of the people involved, arrived in droves. And naturally, wealth followed.

Meanwhile, the first oil drilling exploration team arrived.

On the 28th, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the development of the ancient tomb.

The development of tourist areas, oil drilling exploration teams, and ancient tomb excavation—these three major projects have created an exceptionally prosperous situation. The area around Dazang Mountain seems to have returned to the exciting moment when a million soldiers crossed the Yangtze River.

"It seems that our large incense burner's feng shui location has indeed played a role."

The number of feng shui masters in Wangzhuang suddenly increased. When accepting business, they always pointed out that the people of their village had a long history, unique and authentic skills, and were indeed extraordinary.

"Don't believe me? — Here are some examples:..."

The asking price has skyrocketed from the previous "20-200" to an extremely high level of 1,000 to 1,500 per location. If it is necessary to choose an auspicious date, determine the layout, or change the shape, the price will be calculated separately. Once there is a request to resolve a situation, the price will be exorbitant, and the talk will be unfounded.

The Chinese toon tree in Wang Jia's house also grew taller and thicker, as if it had suddenly taken a "miracle growth-enhancing nutrient solution".

*** *** ***

Awake.

There was light after I woke up.

—It is the light of the Spiritual Dharma Heavenly Eye.

Wang Mu was full of energy, as if he had just had a hearty meal. He seemed oblivious to hunger and thirst, feeling only boundless energy. Wang Jia, on the other hand, had chapped lips, weak legs, and felt utterly powerless.

"I...I can't go on..." Wang Jia's voice was hoarse. "Thirsty...hungry..." Wang Mu looked at Wang Jia and quickly supported him. "Quick, drink something, eat something!"

Wang Jia shook his head with difficulty, "No... I can't... There's not much left... If I eat it, it'll be gone... My willpower will..." He suddenly fainted.

Wang Mu panicked. He quickly helped Wang Jia up, opened the kettle lid, and poured the "water" into Wang Jia's mouth.

Even when someone is unconscious, their desires are hard to suppress. After the "water" was finished, Wang Mu fed him, and Wang Jia wolfed it down, finishing the meager amount of food in the blink of an eye. Wang Mu's mood suddenly became unusually heavy.

—If I don't practice the "seclusion technique," how long can I hold on? How long can my brother hold on?

He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes.

This time, no matter what, I must master it!

Wang Jia woke up again. He didn't open his eyes—only by keeping his eyes closed could he see—he looked around, slowly surveying his surroundings.

—Strange, how could it be a stone wall, a stone ceiling, and a stone floor?