Chapter 142: Astonished Archaeologist, a Sword Spanning a Thousand Years!

Jiangdu, Huai Ze City, Anping District.

This is where the Li River and Huai River converge, and it is also the destination of the Capital Archaeology Center.

According to related surveys and research, the Li River and Huai River were once a single body tens of thousands of years ago, covering an enormous area and stretching over a thousand miles, but after later changes and crustal movements...

The waterways here kept changing; eventually the river area shrank, then it was divided into two major branches, forming the later Li and Huai Rivers, which gradually stabilized.

Countless small tributaries branched off; over time, some of these tributaries could not withstand the erosion, their areas gradually shrinking, losing the former clarity, leaving only dry riverbeds.

Not long ago, someone picked up a Buddha statue from the bed of one of these tributaries; it turned out to be from the Eastern Jin period, and further exploration revealed Eastern Jin-era structures at the riverbed's center.

Soon, a cordon was set up here, and police were dispatched to guard it while awaiting the arrival of the archaeological team.

At first glance, it looked like parallel lines of some kind of text and symbols, extending along the river's direction into the distance, resembling a mysterious three‑dimensional scroll.

"Don't worry, this difficulty is nothing; when I was young, I've walked paths far harder than this."

"Discussing the profound" is merely a means for him to promote Buddhist scriptures and spread Buddhist principles.

Everyone felt a solemn reverence, daring not to be careless, and they cautiously searched the ancient buildings for traces left by predecessors.

The archaeological staff looked around; the ground had many conical, gourd‑shaped, and cylindrical pits, as well as numerous erosion grooves, depressions, and ridges.

The archaeological team members couldn't help but discuss among themselves.

Everyone took out tools and carefully cleared the sediment beside the remains; this work was no simple task, lasting an entire night.

Besides that, many small idols were also buried in the riverbed, like a slumbering divine abode waiting to be awakened by the world.

Professor Song moved with agility, showing he exercised regularly, not losing to the youth; he waved his hand and revealed a bright smile.

"Although the use of Xuan for Buddhism was popular back then, it surely didn't reach this extent."

On the contrary, these Buddha statues are relatively heavy and sturdy, so they were buried underneath.

Misfortune leans on fortune; fortune hides misfortune.

It is said that Zhi Dun had unique insights into the Zhuangzi, the classic most revered by the xuan talk scholars, especially the 'Free and Easy Wandering' chapter, and his views were appreciated by contemporary gentlemen such as Wang Xizhi.

"This sword must be of great significance to Zhi Dun; otherwise it wouldn't be so cherished and valued."

The remaining broken fragments, or many shards, were also cleared out by them, to see if they could be assembled into a complete object on site.

The river of history rolls on, concealing how many secrets.

The machine's operation noise never ceased, day and night without rest, indeed somewhat noisy, but the thought of a thousand‑year‑old temple about to be unearthed filled the heart with excitement.

Even though during the Eastern Jin period Xuan learning was fashionable and the literati engaged in pure talk, becoming widespread, few could reach such a level.

Upon entering the temple, the archaeological team felt as if they had stepped back a thousand years; the wooden fish chanting sutras never ceased, the Buddhist melodies lingered, and monks in yellow robes gathered here to spread their Buddhist teachings.

Along the way, they discovered many relic fragments, and to their delight, a great Buddha statue was relatively well preserved.

For the archaeological team, this was not an ordinary grave cluster but an Eastern Jin‑era ancient structure, also the place where a high monk attained nirvana, making its significance extraordinary.

Of course, they still had other work to handle; this escort was merely a side task.

Upon hearing his words, the whole crowd gasped in surprise: "Professor, this can't possibly be, how could it be Master Zhi Dun's?"

Fortunately, the residential center is relatively far from here, with few people nearby, so it's not a disturbance.

Professor Song continued, "I've heard that in his later years Zhi Dun also studied Xuan learning, which is the precursor of Dao, so traces of Daoism in his temple would not be surprising; although there are taboos, who made him Zhi Dun?"

These erosion landforms vary in depth and length, some resembling crescent moons, others like slender rods, often gathering in groups of three to five.

After a thousand years, with the vicissitudes of time, the waterways here dried up, and the long‑silent temple emerged before everyone's eyes, revealing a corner of its mysterious iceberg.

During the Wei‑Jin era, the Xuan learning of Lao Zhuang flourished; some Buddhist monks also joined the pure‑talk circles, and Buddhist scriptures became material for the literati's discussions, greatly promoting the development of Buddhist Xuan at the time.

Now everyone is extremely excited, with no thought of rest, eager to dig up the master's remains as soon as possible.

Professor Song An gazed at the riverbed before him, his expression filled with emotion.

In his ears seemed to echo the Buddhist chants of a thousand years ago, inspiring solemn reverence.

"A Buddhist master actually had a sword laid across his knees at nirvana—utterly unprecedented."

Everyone speculated that there must have been a sealed chamber‑like structure beforehand, which is why it remained so intact, with far less sediment than other halls.

Master Zhi Dun entered nirvana; why would an ancient sword be placed horizontally on his knees?

The black scabbard is already covered in rust and water‑erosion marks, making it impossible to determine the sword's form inside for now.

Professor Song looked at the Three Pure Ones statue and said, "What we now know as Xuan for Buddhism originated with Zhi Dun; at the time it sparked a trend and gained many followers."

His expression was full of regret.

But not long ago, a clue emerged.

Someone asked, puzzled: "But what does this prove?"

Everyone exchanged glances, their faces showing uncertain doubt.

Moreover, some delicate work still needs to be done by the archaeological staff, to prevent the machinery from causing irreparable damage to the ancient temple.

"This place should be the side rooms where Zhi Dun once lived; everyone search carefully so nothing is missed—there might be new discoveries."

As the archaeological center continued clearing, they soon saw a black fragment exposed on the knee of the remains, forming a stark contrast with the surrounding bone.

The others nodded; they were well versed in Eastern Jin history and naturally knew this anecdote.

For the personnel of the 749 Bureau, this task was as easy as could be; after sending the archaeological team here, they considered their mission accomplished, and the local police would assist the team with follow‑up work.

Most of the unearthed items from the temple ruins are Buddha statues; unfortunately, no scriptures or classics survived, likely having been washed away in the great flood.

Everyone's breathing grew rapid; they never expected to have actually found the exact site of Zhi Dun's nirvana.

"What is it?"

Since the temple still needs further excavation, the archaeological team first set up camp nearby.

Although only half remains and has been eroded by water, the overall outline still shows it was a temple, and the unearthed artifacts confirm it is full of Eastern Jin style.

Although one half has collapsed, which is normal, the fallen columns and walls still reveal faint carvings and faded mural fragments, from which one can glimpse its former grand and magnificent appearance.

It was merely toppled by the flood, with half of its body buried underground; the archaeological team expended considerable effort before managing to pull the great Buddha out.

After a thousand years, plus the erosion of flowing water, the walls of the entire temple building suffer various degrees of damage.

I heard that eminent monks of the Wei and Jin dynasties would build sealed chambers in temples for sitting in meditation until death; could it be that this place——

It took an entire day to clear away the silt in this room, and that very night, under a searchlight as bright as daylight, a half-buried White Bone covered in soil finally came into everyone's sight!

The exposed White Bone was also covered in silt, stained with the dust of ages, recounting its past history.

They say Zhi Dun had considerable expertise in metaphysics, and now it seems that saying is indeed true.

After all, such cases are few, and Eastern Jin unearthed artifacts are also scarce; the appearance of this ancient temple happens to fill a historical gap, giving it immense historical research value.

It was as if an invisible pair of great hands turned the waters of the Li and Huai rivers into thousands upon thousands of chisels, freely carving, chiseling, or polishing the horizontal sandstone layer, unleashing boundless creativity.

Everyone puzzled, continued clearing, and gradually, from the shape, they could tell this was actually an ancient sword?

Here the potholes are relatively small in size, with etching depth only a few tens of centimeters, but their density and number are very high.

They also had no way to ascertain exactly where Zhi Dun had entered final nirvana among the ruins.

Only the next morning could they finally glimpse the half-body appearance of the remains, legs crossed in sitting posture, still retaining the pose of sitting in meditation before death.

The capital's archaeological center, under the escort of a small team from the 749 Bureau, finally arrived here as well.

Based on the geological conditions here, plus the archaeological team's extensive reading of literature, it can be inferred that a thousand years ago, on some day, a sudden flood occurred, the river changed course, forming a massive inundation that submerged this place and the ancient temple.

The relatively intact items were all transported back to the capital by the archaeological team.

Understood!

Arriving at the center, they finally saw the building, half exposed to the air, finally seeing daylight again, while the other half remained deeply buried in the riverbed, requiring cleanup with a considerable workload.

Thus the archaeological team could only roughly outline the positions of the main hall and side rooms based on the approximate area and surface furnishings, but it was not accurate.

Yet this sword was indeed placed on Zhi Dun's knees, his hands resting upon it, a most precious sight; even at the moment of sitting in meditation until death, he kept it before him, unwilling to let it go even at his final breath.

Logically, such a Sharp Instrument should not appear in a temple; temples usually use staves, and holding a Sharp Instrument would be disrespectful to the Buddha and bodhisattvas.

Someone tried to come over to support Song An, but he refused.

The Eastern Jin structures lie at the very center of the riverbed, so one still needs to advance a certain distance.

But now Professor Song, looking at the nearby furnishings, already had an idea in mind.

Everyone marveled, as if they saw an enlightened monk holding the Zhuangzi and conversing freely about the Dharma with the prominent figures of the Eastern Jin era.

Besides these items having historical research value, the stone carvings and murals within the ruins are also key objects of study.

"If it had not been destroyed by the river back then, such ancient architecture placed in the present would surely be a treasure of history and culture."

"Even daring to openly enshrine the Three Pure Ones statues in the temple, this temple is somewhat interesting."

This is also why, although this ruin is clearly a thousand li away from the capital, it still falls to the capital's archaeological center to take the lead.

"Careful excavation, be sure to be careful! If there truly are Zhi Dun's remains here, they will be recorded in history!"

"Later generations heard that Zhi Dun entered final nirvana in some temple, but after searching through ancient texts, no one found which temple it was; yet no one expected it to be buried beneath the riverbed."

It is true that the Wei-Jin literati often carried swords on their person, but how could a monk hold a sword, let alone an eminent monk like Zhi Dun? This makes no sense either emotionally or rationally!

Zhi Dun was well versed in Lao-Zhuang thought, his Buddhist scholarship profound, his family generation after generation devoted to Buddhism, his faith unquestionable, certainly very steadfast, not swayed by external influences.

Because this has been their research focus in recent years, the local archaeological department directly chose to report it upward.

Earlier, due to the riverbed drying up, many artifacts were also washed ashore, picked up by people and turned in; thus the archaeological team already had some knowledge of this place.

Many murals have faded in color, but fortunately most of the stone carvings remain relatively intact.

The professor leading this team is about the same age as Professor Zhang, with considerable seniority, named Song An, who has conducted extensive research on Eastern Jin history.

"Everyone, have a meal, take turns resting, then continue cleaning."

Professor Song An led the team walking among the ruins, touching the broken walls and remnants, as if he could see a temple from a thousand years ago appear before his eyes.

"Nowhere does it make sense—having a sword nearby violates the Dharma; how could one sit in tranquil meditation?"

"Captain Zhang, you've worked hard on this journey."

"How could there be a sword here?"

Ancient architecture was still conscientious, putting in great effort; even after lying submerged in the riverbed for so many years, constantly corroded by flowing water, the temple's general appearance can still be made out somewhat.

The archaeological team looked at the not‑distant riverbed; its whole area is large, and because there are many gravel and pebbles on it, walking there is uneven and poses a risk of tripping.

According to the research of the archaeological center, this is not an ordinary monk's temple, but the temple of the renowned Eastern Jin monk Zhi Dun.

If it were not for the riverbed drying up, perhaps it would never have become known to the world to this day.

If one could truly find Zhi Dun's remains, it would surely be a major event shocking both the archaeological and Buddhist worlds!

After Professor Song An confirmed it repeatedly, he carefully instructed, "This should indeed be the remains of Master Zhi Dun, no mistake! You must handle the cleanup with utmost care, allowing no damage at all."

Even though the flesh has been eroded by time, one can still discern his former bearing; a millennium has not bent his spine, and the image of a great monk leaps into view before everyone's eyes!

Upon hearing the call, everyone put down their work and ran over.

Professor Song An excitedly gave instructions; the others nodded repeatedly, eyes shining, and immediately began to engage in the work.

Professor Song, upon hearing this, shook his head and said, "You're still thinking too narrowly; could it be that the master of this room is none other than Master Zhi Dun himself?"

Although the temple's exterior is damaged, perhaps precisely because it lay deep beneath the riverbed it escaped the disturbance of grave‑robbers, leaving its relics in very good condition.

Within a Buddhist temple one can find traces of Daoist architecture, even the statues of the Three Pure Ones, which is truly astonishing.

The temple before us, though not wholly preserved, has parts washed away by floodwaters or left with severe erosion marks; yet perhaps precisely because of this, it possesses a beauty in its incompleteness.

"It's just a small matter; Professor Song, you're being polite. If there's nothing else, we'll take our leave first."

"Strange."

It's a pity that a great flood buried all this in the flow of time; only after a thousand years did it finally appear before the world.

Upon careful reflection, this indeed makes sense: to make such a grand display inside a temple, with no one objecting, aside from Zhi Dun himself, there should be no one else daring to do such a thing.

Not far from where the Three Pure Ones statue was found stands a special building; from the outside it looks quite small, but upon entering one discovers a hidden interior that is remarkably complete.

After all, from this aspect one can see the appearance and uniqueness of that time.

As the crowd went deeper into the temple, they soon discovered a building with typical Daoist features, and even found within it the statues of the Three Pure Ones.

Seeing this, Professor Song could not help but quicken his steps, his mood becoming excited, heedless of the stones underfoot, almost tripping.

Looking at the ruins on the riverbed, everyone's hearts were somewhat shaken for a moment.

A breeze brushed past, as if hearing history's sob; they seemed to hear the turning of the gears of time, which brought them to an era a thousand years ago, and being there they could still feel the solemn solemnity inside the temple.

"Professor Song, be careful."

Under the day-and-night anticipation of the archaeology team, the ancient temple's structures were continually excavated, finally revealing their full appearance.

And Zhi Dun was almost the embodiment of this trend; throughout his life he associated with many scholars, who also liked to associate with him and held him in high esteem.

"Professor, there's a discovery here."

The people at the archaeology center had many doubts arise in their minds, but facing each other they could not answer them.

Where exactly did this sword come from, and how did Zhi Dun obtain it, that it could make this grand master so enamored he couldn't put it down?!