Chapter 338

The sun rises and sets, the years cycle.

Translation: "The sun rises and sets, the years revolve."

The sun rises and sets, the years revolve.

In the dense forest, the embers had long since dissipated, and even the torches had flickered out several times.

Translation: "In the dense forest, the embers had long since dissipated, even the torches had flickered out several times."

have flickered several times

But the lively scene that lasted all night before the stone tablet has not yet dispersed——

Translation: "But the bustling scene of torches and activity that lasted all night before the stone tablet has not yet dispersed——"

lively scene

"Have you finished carving?"

Translation: "\"Done carving? \""

「...... 」

Translation: "\"...... \""

"Have you finished carving?"

Translation: "\"Have you finished carving? \""

「...... 」

Translation: "\"...... \""

"...... Have you finished carving yet~ Chick~ Hair~ Brother~ Brother~"

Translation: "\"...... Have you finished carving yet~ Chick~ Hair~ Brother~ Brother~\""

"...... Have you finished carving yet~ Chick~ Hair~ Brother~ Brother~"

"...... If you keep calling me Chicken Hair Brother, I'll twist your head off and sink it into the Mystic Pool!"

Translation: "\"...... If you keep calling me Chicken Hair Brother, I'll twist your head off and sink it into the Mysterious Pool! \""

"If I don't call you that, I won't! Why are you being so fierce?! (?? v? v??)

Translation: "\"Fine then, I won't call you that! Why are you so fierce?! (?? v? v??)\""

Fuxizi was somewhat dissatisfied, but seeing Yunfeixing's hand pause in response, he immediately broke into a happy smile:

Translation: "Fu Couzi was a bit dissatisfied, but seeing Xuan Feixing's reaction of stopping his work, he immediately broke into a delighted smile:"

"How is it? Did you ask about identity this time?"

Translation: "\"How about it? Did you ask about his identity this time? \""

Since they discovered that this stone tablet could also respond, they have been playing before it—oh no, they have been painstakingly researching it all night.

Translation: "Since discovering that this stone tablet could also respond, the two have been playing—no, painstakingly researching—before it all night."

Whether to say it or not, Yunfeixing's family‑inherited divination method is, to a certain extent, indeed much better than his method.

Translation: "Be that as it may, Xuan Feixing's family‑inherited divination method is indeed far superior to his in certain respects."

He needs to accumulate luck for a long time, or rely on a relay, before he can glimpse the heavenly secret once.

Translation: "He needs to accumulate luck for a long time, or rely on a relay, before he can glimpse a heavenly secret once."

Although he can understand the characters, each viewing requires a long interval if nothing unexpected happens.

Translation: "Although he can understand the characters, each use requires a long interval if nothing unexpected happens."

But Yunfeixing's questioning method is different; he only needs to give two opposing choices, and the person opposite can convey the general meaning without relying on the characters.

Translation: "But Xuan Feixing's method differs: he only needs to give two opposing choices, and the 'person opposite' can convey the general meaning without relying on the characters."

The two of them had fiercely debated this very question last night——

Translation: "The two had fiercely debated this very point last night——"

Fuxizi initially thought that perhaps, due to the endless cycles over a thousand years, the number of later cultivators had already reached a certain level.

Translation: "Fu Couzi initially thought that perhaps, due to the endless cycles of a thousand years, later generations of Dao cultivators had become numerous to a certain extent."

Therefore, although an individual can only glimpse the heavenly secret a few times in a lifetime, the sheer number of people means that, as long as there is enough material, the secret can ultimately be understood.

Translation: "Therefore, although each person can only glimpse a heavenly secret a few times in a lifetime, with enough people and enough materials, the truth can eventually be made clear."

However, Yunfeixing believes that, just as he guessed the two characters on the stone tablet to be 'Xuanchi' by half‑guessing from the nearby black marsh, it is much the same.

Translation: "However, Xuan Feixing believes that, just as he guessed the two characters on the stone tablet to be 'Mysterious Pool' by half‑guessing from the nearby black swamp,..."

Perhaps, essentially, the feelings of both parties are isolated.

Translation: "Perhaps, essentially, the feelings of both parties are isolated."

But among later generations, perhaps some capable historians, or someone who devised a recording method, have recorded every character they could gather, then compared each one against normal script for verification.

Translation: "But among later generations, perhaps some capable historians, or someone who devised a recording method, have written down every obtainable character and checked them one by one against normal script."

Although the characters are distorted, each distortion never produces a different character; they remain the same character in meaning.

Translation: "Although the characters are distorted, each distortion never produces different characters; they remain the same in meaning."

Therefore, as long as there is enough patience, the other party will always obtain the correct answer.

Translation: "Therefore, with enough patience, the other party can always obtain the correct answer."

That is why later people appear to be able to 'read' their writing.

Translation: "That is why later generations appear able to 'read' their writing."

Actually, neither side truly understands.

Translation: "Actually, neither side truly understands."

Fuxizi......

Translation: "Fu Couzi......"

Fuxizi is certainly not a fool; after careful thought, he also feels that Yunfeixing's view is more correct.

Translation: "Fu Couzi is certainly no fool; after careful thought he also feels Xuan Feixing makes more sense."

Just as after his earlier conversation with Xuanjian, he could barely remember a few characters.

Translation: "Just as after his earlier conversation with Xuanjian he could barely remember a few characters,"

The characters have always been the same; it's just that his earlier mental capacity and memory were insufficient, and he had not encountered enough stone tablets, so he couldn't produce a dedicated revised edition of those distorted characters for correspondence.

Translation: "The characters have always been the same; it's just that his earlier mental power and memory were insufficient, and he had not encountered enough stone tablets, so he couldn't compile a special book to correspond to that distorted script."

If he had recorded them earlier, perhaps they could have been matched one‑to‑one.

Translation: "If he had recorded them earlier, perhaps a one‑to‑one correspondence could have been made."

However, saying this now is indeed rather late.

Translation: "But saying this now is indeed rather late."

After all, given Yunfeixing's current questioning method, those distorted characters now appear extremely rarely.

Translation: "After all, given Xuan Feixing's current way of asking, those distorted characters now appear extremely rarely."

They simply carve normal characters onto the stone tablet, and then the tablet selects a particular answer.

Translation: "They simply carve normal characters onto the stone tablet, and the tablet then selects a particular answer."

The other side seems to know those characters as well, but this side cannot read them, so unlike the Empress Dowager of the Young Emperor, they do not insist on writing those distorted characters.

Translation: "The other party seems to know those characters as well, but this side cannot read them, so unlike the Young Emperor's mother, they do not insist on writing those distorted characters."

And thus another more interesting matter arises——

Translation: "And thus another more interesting matter arises——"

The Young Emperor's mother liked to carve characters, but the owner of this stone tablet centuries later—or the person who discovered it—does not like to carve characters.

Translation: "The Young Emperor's mother likes to carve characters, but the owner of this stone tablet a thousand years later—or the person who discovered it—does not like to carve."

The two parties are clearly not the same person.

Translation: "Clearly, the two are not the same person."

Then who is this person's identity?

Translation: "Then who is this person?"

How much trust can be placed in what is said is also worth pondering.

Translation: "How much trust to place in what is said is also worth pondering."

But the flaw lies in Yunfeixing's method: although simple, his questions are too vague, akin to looking for a needle in a haystack.

Translation: "But the flaw lies in Xuan Feixing's method: although simple, his questions are too vague, amounting to looking for a needle in the ocean."

Once he cannot ask precisely, all the answers can only be 'no no no'.

Translation: "Once he cannot ask precisely, all answers can only be 'no no no'."

The two spent a busy night taking turns trying seven or eight different questionings, wearing their hands sore, and only managed to grasp a few vague points——

Translation: "The two spent a busy night, taking turns trying seven or eight ways of asking, their hands sore, and only managed to grasp a few vague points——"

One, the 'xuan' in Xuanchi, or rather Yunfeixing's 'Yun', indeed originates from the 'xuan' of Xuan Yu Mountain.

Translation: "One, the 'Xuan' in Mysterious Pool, or rather Xuan Feixing's 'Xuan', indeed originates from the 'Xuan' of Mysterious Feather Mountain—no doubt."

Two, the poisonous water in Yunfeixing's carried black altar greatly affects this mountain, causing a large marsh to remain here to this day.

Translation: "Two, the poisonous water in Xuan Feixing's black altar that he carries has a huge influence on this mountain, causing a great swamp to remain here to this day."

Three, the local chronicles have long circulated rumors that Xuan Yu Mountain is haunted by an evil ghost that roams and kills.

Translation: "Three, the local gazetteer has long circulated rumors that Mysterious Feather Mountain is haunted by an evil ghost that roams and kills."

It is said to be a wholly black evil ghost that likes to crawl out of the marsh at midnight, wildly swinging its whip to harm people; wherever the whip passes, not a blade of grass grows......

Translation: "It is said that this is a wholly black evil ghost that likes to crawl out of the swamp at midnight, wildly swinging its whip to harm people; wherever the whip passes, not a blade of grass grows......"

To be frank, when Fuxizi first received an answer, he almost laughed himself into a fit.

Translation: "To be frank, Fu Couzi nearly laughed himself into a fit when he first received an answer."

This caused Yunfeixing to push him away from the stone tablet, and to this day he has neither been able to regain his position nor ask the other party's identity.

Translation: "This caused Xuan Feixing to shove him away from the stone tablet, and to this day he has neither reclaimed his spot nor learned the other's identity."

"Oh dear, Brother Star, have you actually asked anything?"

Translation: "\"Oh dear, Star Brother, have you managed to ask anything? \""

Fuxizi's thoughts turned, and he again began to peek and probe, eager to try:

Translation: "Fu Couzi's thoughts turned, and he again began to peek and probe, eager to try:"

"You asked whether the opposite person is a Daoist; how did they answer?"

Translation: "\"You asked whether the other party is a Daoist; how did they answer? \""

Yunfeixing still wore a sullen face; after asking about several identities, he seemed finally tired, casually tossed the carving dagger in his hand, and sat cross‑legged to rest:

Translation: "Xuan Feixing still wore a sullen face; after asking several identities in a row, seemingly finally tired, he casually tossed the chisel‑dagger he held, then sat cross‑legged in place to rest:"

"Not either."

Translation: "\"Not either. \""

Seeing that the other party finally agreed to move, Fuxizi was overjoyed, yet his heart also felt a little uneasy:

Translation: "Seeing the other party finally willing to move, Fu Couzi was overjoyed, yet his heart also felt a little uneasy:"

"We've asked several in a row and they're all not it—who then could the other party be?"

Translation: "\"We've asked several things in a row and they're all 'no'; who then could the other party be? \""

He could pass through the Zhaoling Mausoleum, and by chance met the Young Emperor's mother who was also there to pay respects to Emperor Taizong, thus maintaining a connection for many years.

Translation: "He could pass through the Bright Mausoleum, and by chance met the Young Emperor's mother who was also going to worship the Grand Ancestor, thus maintaining contact for many years."

Then what connection does this place's Xuanchi have with anyone?

Translation: "Then what connection does the Mysterious Pool here have with anyone?"

First, not a descendant of Xuan Feixing; second, not a descendant of some local person; third, not the historian responsible for compiling this place's county gazette.

Four, it's not just those who can calculate and predict; likewise, people from the Profound Gate drawn here by the mystery of Profound Feather Mountain......

There must be a reason to draw people to this stone tablet, right?!

Fucouzi pondered in meditation for a few breaths, then hesitantly raised his dagger and painstakingly knocked a few characters onto the stone tablet:

【Do you know Yuan Long?】

【You don't know Yuan Long?】

Still the same two-question pattern.

Before, answers came quickly, but this time Fucouzi waited about the time to burn half an incense stick, yet no reply came.

The other side is......

Don't know them?

Could it be that he carved it too vaguely, lacking direction?

But how could I feel that the other side also has a hint...... of hesitation and vigilance?

Fucouzi muttered to himself, while Xuan Feixing, who kept twisting his wrist to relax beside him, apparently asked casually:

「Who is Yuan Long? 」

Fucouzi really didn't feel comfortable saying that this person is still in the Empress's womb, so he simply carved again, changing his question:

【Dayin Dynasty Empress's first son Yuan Long, died in Profound Feather Mountain】

【...... Yuan Long, did not die in Profound Feather Mountain】

Xuan Feixing now clearly sensed something was off, sitting upright and gazing over.

This time, the stone tablet's reply was still slow, but at least there was an answer——

The other side lightly tapped the first answer, then slowly circled the 'death' character, and beneath the three characters Xuan Yu Mountain, drew a few faint strokes, then sketched several towering peaks.

Xuan Feixing looked left and right, didn't understand the meaning of the circled character, but grasped the meaning of those final lines:

「It seems the other side is saying, not on this mountain, but in the continuous mountain range nearby. 」

Since the other side chose the first answer, Fucouzi's heart grew vexed to the point of agony, his pain feeling like dripping blood——

Bad news: his earlier guess was wrong.

He thought Yuan Long's fame would surely surpass Xuan Feixing's; if he died here, this place would certainly be renamed.

But he overlooked that the child was the youngest; perhaps, he left no name at all.

Whether it's the Profound Mirror or the stone tablet......

The two seemed certain that Yuan Long would rest eternally here.

The master said fate cannot be altered; could this be what he meant?

Fucouzi lowered his eyes, pondered for a long while, then spoke somewhat abruptly:

「Let's go back and bring this stone tablet with us. 」

「This stone can indeed answer, but the time it takes is truly too long; we've been out for two months, and if we linger here any longer, we might not see the Empress give birth. 」

Since some things cannot be changed, why torment ourselves in life over the day of death?

When Fucouzi lowered his gaze, he seemed unusually calm and composed.

Xuan Feixing gave him a slightly surprised look, neither agreeing nor outright refusing:

「This stone was born from the Black Marsh; I worry that moving it lightly...... 」

Fucouzi has now long since calmed down; when he is quiet and unobtrusive, his kind eyes gaze upon what indeed looks somewhat like a child with an immortal's aura, while beside him the icy, gloomy Xuan Feixing is worlds apart.

「If we send it back before we die...... that should suffice. 」

That remark clearly took some thought.

Xuan Feixing did not refuse again; the two rechecked all they carried, planning to sell some items, hire a cart, and take the stone tablet away.

The process went unusually smoothly.

But, the moment before leaving the Black Marsh, merely that instant.

Fucouzi turned back, gazing afar at the pool of Black Marsh, when suddenly an irrepressible thought sprang to mind——

The Empress is still frail now, doting on that foolish slave, yet I wonder why she would someday reach such a degree?

Could it be, just as fate cannot be altered?

She, too, might have long been destined to change her heart?