Chapter 363

Before the Republic of China, people firmly believed in feng shui, especially the burial sites of ancestors, which must not be taken lightly. Usually when an ancestor passed away, people would seek an auspicious feng shui spot to bury them, borrowing the spot's feng shui to bless future generations. In seeking the dragon's lair and pinpointing the spot, a place with a true dragon is considered most valuable: first observe the dragon's approach through the gorge, then note the star peak where the hole arises after the gorge. Clearly discern the dragon's coming and going.

"Before the Republic of China, people firmly believed in geomancy, especially the burial sites of ancestors, which must not be taken lightly. Usually, when an ancestor passed away, people would find a auspicious geomantic spot to bury the ancestor, relying on the spot's geomancy to bless future descendants. And in seeking the dragon's lair and selecting the spot, one values places with a true dragon vein; first examine the passing ridges of the dragon's approach, then observe the star peak where the spot arises after the pass. Clearly discern the dragon's coming and going momentum."

We need to keep it concise but include all info.

Let's produce: Before the Republic of China, people firmly believed in geomancy, especially the burial sites of ancestors, which must not be taken lightly. Usually, when an ancestor passed away, people would find an auspicious geomantic spot to bury the ancestor, relying on the spot's geomancy to bless future descendants. And in seeking the dragon's lair and selecting the spot, one values places with a true dragon vein; first examine the passing ridges of the dragon's approach, then observe the star peak where the spot arises after the pass. Clearly discern the dragon's coming and going momentum.

That's one sentence? Actually it's multiple sentences but we need to output as a single line. That's fine.

Of course, do not think that seeking the dragon is really that simple; the above brief remarks may be something that ordinary people might not grasp even after a lifetime of effort, and what laypeople are unaware of is that seeking the dragon also requires understanding celestial phenomena.

Translation: Of course, do not think seeking the dragon is really that simple; the foregoing brief remarks may elude most people even after a lifetime of effort, and what laypeople are unaware of is that seeking the dragon also requires understanding celestial phenomena.

Make sure to keep "do not think" as "do not think". Good.

In the writings of Yang Yun-song, the patriarch of feng shui, there is a classic known as the Shaking Dragon Classic, which clearly demonstrates the importance of the stars to the land's formation.

Translation: In the works of the geomancy patriarch Master Yang Junsong, there is a classic called the Shaking Dragon Classic, which suffices to show the importance of celestial bodies to terrestrial formations.

We used "Master Yang Junsong". Good.

Peaks are named after stars; starlight shining down shapes the mountains. The two characters 'dragon' and 'spirit' are the secret to seeking mountains: spirit is the vital energy, dragon is the substance. Do not think that only high mountains have dragons; on flat land the true trace may be lost. The dragon on flat land originates from high ridges; high peaks rise, low spots sink…, if the greedy warrior lacks support and falls, how can lofty ridges harbor a dragon? Although support is for entering the spot, making the spot follow form is different. The spot follows the stars as a clamp and nipple; form and spirit, size, all follow the dragon lineage.

Let's translate: "Peaks take their names from stars; starlight shining down shapes the mountains. The two words 'dragon spirit' are the secret of seeking mountains: spirit is the mind, dragon is the substance. Do not say only high mountains have dragons, yet on flat ground the true trace is lost. Flatland dragons arise from high veins; high peaks rise, low spots sink…. If the greedy martial lacks support, how can lofty ridges harbor a dragon? Although support is for entering the spot, making the spot follow form is different. The spot follows the stars as a clamp and nipple; form and spirit, size, all follow the dragon lineage."

High peaks rise, low spots sink… If the greedy warrior lacks support, how can lofty ridges harbor a dragon? Although support is for entering the spot, making the spot follow form is different. The spot follows the stars as a clamp and nipple; form, spirit, and size all follow the dragon lineage.

Make sure to keep punctuation roughly.

The meaning of this passage is simple: mountain peaks take shape on earth and form symbols in heaven. They correspond to the stars in the sky; if stars support and enter the palace, the land is a true dragon; if stars lack support and fall to the ground, even the finest mountain shape is merely superficial.

Translation: The meaning of this passage is simple: mountain peaks take form on earth and take shape in heaven. They correspond mutually with the stars above; if stellar support enters the palace, the site is a true dragon vein; if no stellar support falls to earth, even the finest mountain terrain is merely superficial.

Moreover, due to people's firm belief in funerary feng shui, a profession… geomancers emerged among the folk. Such people are especially skilled in the physiognomy of the five arts of mountain, medicine, destiny, divination, and physiognomy, specializing in seeking the dragon's lair and pinpointing the spot for others. Though they are not Daoists, their abilities are not to be underestimated; indeed, an individual's talent can even be called defying heaven.

Translation: Moreover, because people firmly believed in funerary geomancy, a profession later emerged among the folk… geomancers. These people are especially skilled in physiognomy among the five arts of mountain, medicine, fate, divination, and physiognomy; they specialize in seeking the dragon's lair and selecting the spot for others. Though not Daoists, their abilities are still not to be underestimated, and even an individual's talent can be called defying heaven.

We need to keep "profession… geomancers". The ellipsis maybe. We'll translate as "profession… geomancers". Keep ellipsis.

In the Sanlitun area of Yanjing, a legendary tale of an old geomancer circulates, or rather, it is a tragic story closely linked to the four words 'mountain river dragon vein'.

Translation: In the Three Li Village of Yan Capital circulates a legendary tale of an old geomancer, or rather, a tragic story, which is greatly connected to the four words "mountain river dragon vein".

We need to keep "four words". Good.

This story took place at the end of the Qing dynasty, when the Eight-Nation Alliance happened to be invading China, burning, killing, looting, and committing every evil in the capital.

Translation: This story took place in the late Qing dynasty, when the Eight-Nation Alliance happened to be invading China, burning, killing, looting, and committing every evil in the capital city.

That retired old geomancer was also a person of considerable wealth and reputation in Sanlitun. When the Eight-Nation Alliance invaded, his entire family fled, leaving the capital.

Translation: That retired old geomancer was also a person of considerable wealth and reputation in the Three Li Village. At the time the Eight-Nation Alliance invaded, his entire household fled, leaving the capital city.

Only this old geomancer remained behind alone. Moreover, he did something that nobody expected.

Translation: Only this old geomancer remained alone behind. Moreover, he did something that nobody expected.

It was not a resolute march to death, nor was it staying behind to spit contemptuously at those foreign devils. Instead, he set up a banquet at home, sent out invitations to many officers of the Eight-Nation Alliance, and even produced his family's treasured artifacts and ancient paintings, presenting them to those foreigners.

Translation: It was not a resolute march to death, nor staying behind to spit contemptuously at those foreign devils. Instead, he set up a banquet at home, sent out invitations to many officers of the Eight-Nation Alliance, and even produced his family's treasured artifacts and ancient paintings, presenting them to those foreign devils.

At that time, many people cursed this old geomancer as a traitor, a great Hanjian, saying all sorts of things.

Translation: At that time many people cursed this old geomancer as a traitor, a great Hanjian, saying all sorts of things.

However, the next morning after the Eight-Nation Alliance officers attended the banquet, people discovered nearly two hundred corpses in the old geomancer's home.

Translation: However, the morning after the Eight-Nation Alliance officers attended the banquet, people discovered nearly two hundred corpses in the old geomancer's home.

Without exception, they were the officers and soldiers who had attended the banquet the previous night; upon entering the house and looking around, they saw the old geomancer dying in the center of the hall, bleeding from the seven orifices yet wearing a smile.

Translation: Without exception, they were the officers and soldiers who had attended the banquet the previous night; upon entering the house to inspect, they saw the old geomancer dying in the center of the hall, bleeding from the seven orifices yet wearing a smile.

Only then did people realize they were mistaken, gravely mistaken. This geomancer was not a traitor but a martyr. He had arranged a silent, deadly banquet that placed people in mortal danger without a sound.

Translation: Only then did people realize they were mistaken, gravely mistaken. This geomancer was not a traitor but a martyr. What he had set up was a silent, soundless banquet that placed people in a deadly situation—a Hongmen feast.

Nevertheless, people also wondered: what kind of ability did this old geomancer possess to silently and soundlessly place people in a deadly situation?

Translation: Nevertheless, people also wondered: what kind of ability did this old geomancer possess, enabling him to place people in a deadly situation silently and soundlessly?

At first, seeing the old geomancer bleeding from the seven orifices, people thought he had poisoned those foreigners. Later, after examining the bodies, they found not only that the Eight-Nation Alliance soldiers showed no signs of poisoning, but also that the old geomancer himself merely bled from the seven orifices, with no bruising, and a silver needle probe detected no trace of poison.

Translation: At first, seeing the old geomancer bleeding from the seven orifices, people thought he had poisoned those foreign devils to death. Later, after examining the corpses, they found not only that the Eight-Nation Alliance soldiers bore no signs of poisoning, but also that the old geomancer himself merely bled from the seven orifices, with no bruising on his body, and probing with a silver needle revealed no trace of toxin.

At the time, this incident became a strange rumor in Sanlitun; some said the old geomancer was an immortal incarnate, others claimed his Daoist powers reached the heavens, unable to tolerate the Eight-Nation Alliance's actions, and that he chose to perish together with those foreigners through supreme cultivation.

Translation: At the time this became a strange tale in the Three Li Village; some said the old geomancer was an immortal incarnate, others said his Daoist arts reached the heavens, unable to tolerate the Eight-Nation Alliance's deeds, he used supreme cultivation to perish together with those foreign devils.

However, rumors remain just rumors and may not be true. Although people kept speculating, each guess had no connection to the truth whatsoever.

Translation: However, rumors are just rumors, not necessarily true. Although people kept speculating, each speculation had no connection whatsoever to the truth.

Only after a year did people, through the drunken fragments of speech of the old geomancer's living friend, begin to vaguely guess the truth.

Translation: Only after a year did people, through the drunken fragments of speech of the old geomancer's living friend, faintly infer the truth.

In fact, this old geomancer was neither a divine incarnation nor versed in any Daoist arts. What he borrowed was the momentum of the dragon vein within the Forbidden City. As early as a month before the Eight-Nation Alliance invaded, while observing the stars at night, he already knew that the Purple Star would fall and the Forbidden City would surely be breached.

Translation: In fact, this old geomancer was neither a divine incarnation nor versed in any Daoist arts. What he borrowed was the momentum of the dragon veins within the Forbidden City. As early as a month before the Eight-Nation Alliance invaded China, while observing the stars at night he already learned that the Purple Forbidden Star would fall and the Forbidden City would surely be breached.

Afterwards, the Eight-Nation Alliance truly slaughtered the capital, burning, killing, looting, and massacring large numbers of innocent civilians. Watching the splendid rivers and mountains being so wantonly destroyed by these barbarians, countless innocent lives were harvested by these tigers and wolves.

Translation: Afterwards, the Eight-Nation Alliance truly bathed the capital city in blood, burning, killing, looting, and massacring large numbers of innocent civilians. Watching the splendid rivers and mountains being thus desecrated by these barbarians, one saw innocent lives being harvested by these wolves and tigers.

The mighty Celestial Empire was thus trampled by these frontier ministers; at this point, not a single person stepped forward to save the collapsing Qing realm. In the court, people's hearts had already rotted; beyond the state, the land had already changed its appearance.

Translation: The exalted Celestial Empire was thus trampled by these frontier ministers; at this point, not a single person stepped forward to save the tottering rivers and mountains of the Great Qing. In the court, people's hearts had already rotted; beyond the state, the realm had already changed its appearance.

Ultimately, this old geomancer was just a man; he could not alter the rise and fall of the dynasty, nor change the already-corrupted people's hearts. All he could do was stake his own life, shedding the last drop of blood for the Yan-Huang lineage, hoping that his death would awaken the long-numbed spirits of the populace.

Translation: This old geomancer was ultimately just a man; he could not change the rise and fall of dynasties, nor alter this already corrupt heart of humanity. All he could do was stake his own life, shedding the last drop of blood for the Yan-Huang lineage, hoping his death would awaken people's long-numbed spirits.

Since he is a geomancer, his greatest skill is observing dragon veins and examining sand. This old geomancer is no exception; his greatest skill lies in seeking dragon veins and laying out mysterious formations. Moreover, because he is a geomancer, the site he chose for a yang residence has excellent feng shui—it is a living dragon spot among the Nine Dragon lands.

Translation: Since he is a geomancer, what he excels at is observing dragon veins and examining sand. This old geomancer is no exception; what he excels at is seeking dragon veins and laying out strange formations. Moreover, precisely because he is a geomancer, the site where his residential building stands has superb geomancy—it is a living dragon spot among the Nine Dragon Lands.

To set up this scheme, he built six small towers within a hundred li of the living dragon land, each corresponding to Lian Zhen, Tan Lang, Wen Qu… these seven stars. Using this formation, he gathered the dragon vein's qi into his home.

Translation: To set up this scheme, within a hundred li of the living dragon ground he built six small towers, corresponding respectively to Integrity and Chastity, Greedy Wolf, Literary Hook… these seven stars. Using this as a formation, he gathered the dragon vein's qi into his own home.

On the night of the banquet, the old geomancer indeed activated this heaven‑piercing killing formation, borrowing the power of the mountain‑river dragon vein to silently slay all the attending officers.

Translation: On the night of the banquet, the old geomancer indeed activated this heaven‑piercing killing formation, borrowing the momentum of the mountain‑river dragon veins to silently and soundlessly suppress and slay all the attending officers.

However, those who cultivate the mystical arts aim to save the world and help people; if one uses such arts to harm others, heavenly retribution is inevitable. Moreover, this old geomancer used his formation to kill over a hundred people—this defiant‑heaven act, do you think heaven could remain unangered?

Translation: However, for cultivators, the mystical arts they practice are meant to save the world and aid people; once one uses the arts to harm others, heavenly retribution is inevitable. Moreover, this old geomancer used a formation to kill over a hundred people—this defiant‑heaven act, do you think heaven could fail to be angry?

Therefore, the day the allied forces died was also the moment the old geomancer faced heavenly retribution. Yet, although he acted against heaven, using the mountain‑river dragon vein to entomb over a hundred people, his final breath before death was without regret or resentment. This is evident from his face, which, despite bleeding from the seven orifices, bore a smile.

Translation: Therefore, the day the allied forces died was also the time the old geomancer suffered heavenly retribution. Yet, although he acted against heaven, borrowing the mountain‑river dragon veins to entrap and kill over a hundred people, his final moment before death remained free of regret or resentment. This can be seen from his face, bleeding from the seven orifices yet still smiling.

In short, borrowing the momentum of the mountain‑river dragon vein is an extremely heaven‑defying technique within physiognomy, specifically in land physiognomy; put plainly, it is the ancient art of summoning wind and rain. Though mysterious and formidable, it can revive the dead and flesh white bones, yet it is extraordinarily perilous—a single misstep can plunge one into an abyss of endless calamity.

Translation: In short, borrowing the momentum of the mountain‑river dragon veins is, within physiognomy, an extremely defiant‑heaven technique of the earth aspect; put plainly, it is the ancient art of summoning wind and rain. Though mysterious and formidable, it has the power to raise the dead and restore flesh to white bone, yet it is extraordinarily perilous—a single misstep can plunge one into eternal damnation.

"Rest assured, the mountain‑river dragon‑vein momentum I speak of is not the same as that of the legendary old geomancer. I merely shape the earth to correspond with the heavens, borrowing the qi of the Nine Yin stars to dispel the yang killing energy in this deadly abode; I am not as heaven‑defying as that geomancer, nor as perilous." Seeing my pallid complexion, Fatty hurriedly explained to me.

Translation: "Rest assured, the mountain‑river dragon‑vein momentum I speak of is not the same as that of the legendary old geomancer. I merely construct earthly momentum to correspond with heavenly momentum, borrowing the qi movement of the Nine Yin Star to dispel the yang nefarious qi in this death‑laden residence; I am not as defiant‑heaven as that geomancer, nor as perilous." Seeing my pallid complexion, Pangzi hurriedly explained to me.

The legendary old geomancer, who used the mountain‑river dragon‑vein momentum to entomb over a hundred Eight‑Nation Alliance soldiers, drew not only heavenly momentum but also the dragon qi radiating for hundreds of li around. Although his formation is heaven‑defying, put simply, it also drained the vital qi of the surrounding area. It is akin to pulling down the east wall to patch the west—beneficial yet harmful. That is why Fatty would not do it; what he employs is the method of borrowing heavenly momentum from the mountain‑river dragon‑vein momentum.

Translation: The legendary old geomancer, using the mountain‑river dragon‑vein momentum to entrap and kill over a hundred Eight‑Nation Alliance soldiers, besides borrowing heavenly momentum also drew the dragon qi from a radius of several hundred li. Although the formation he set up is defiant‑heaven, put bluntly it also drained the qi movement of the surrounding area. It is the practice of pulling down the east wall to patch the west wall—beneficial yet harmful. Therefore Pangzi would not do this; what he employs is the borrowing‑heavenly‑momentum method within the mountain‑river dragon‑vein momentum.

By this point I am becoming more and more confused. Although I know that in the story the old geomancer, when borrowing the mountain‑river dragon‑vein momentum, also had to correspond with heavenly timing, I still wonder what exactly it means to simply borrow heavenly momentum.

Translation: Speaking of this, I am becoming ever more confused; although I know that in the story the old geomancer, when borrowing the mountain‑river dragon veins, also had to correspond with heavenly timing, what exactly is this simple borrowing of heavenly momentum?

"Drawing heavenly momentum!" Fatty pointed a single hand to the sky and then said: "In twelve days, it will be the day when the lunar star's orbit is at its strongest; as long as I set up the Nine Yin formation here, I can invite the profound yin qi to descend and cleanse this house anew."

Translation: "Earth draws heavenly momentum!" Pangzi pointed a single hand to the sky and then said: "In twelve days, it will be the day when the lunar star's orbital trajectory is at its most vigorous; as long as I lay out the Nine Yin Formation here, I can invite the profound yin qi to descend, thereby thoroughly cleansing this house."

"Just…?" Fatty furrowed his brows, somewhat hesitant.

Translation: "Just…?" Pangzi frowned, somewhat hesitant.

"Just what?"

Translation: Unable to contain my curiosity, I pressed: "Just what?"

"Just this Nine Yin formation, though it can clear away all yang killing energy, but where there is benefit there is also drawback. If I do not withdraw the Nine Yin formation within three days, this residence will turn from a yang site into a yin site… at that point, it will be far more terrifying than a corpse‑nurturing ground."

Translation: "Just that the Nine Yin Formation, while able to purge all yang nefarious qi, entails that where there is benefit there is also harm. If I do not withdraw the Nine Yin Formation within three days, this residence will shift from a yang site to a yin site… by then, it will be far more terrifying than a corpse‑nurturing ground."

"Then why not simply withdraw the Nine Yin formation after three days?"

Translation: I rolled my eyes and said: "Then wouldn't it be fine to withdraw the Nine Yin Formation after three days?"

"I thought the same, but I don't know why I have a vague feeling that something is off!" Fatty muttered, furrowing his brow.

Translation: "I thought the same, but I don't know why I vaguely feel something is off!" Pangzi muttered, brow furrowed.

Just as I was about to ask him what felt wrong, suddenly, a scream full of panic rang out from the silent night sky.

Translation: Just as I was about to ask him what felt off, suddenly a terrified scream rang out from the silent night sky.

The scream was a woman's voice, and the entire utterance consisted of only three characters.

Translation: The scream was a woman's voice; the entire utterance consisted of only three characters.

"Help…"

Translation: "Help me……"

This sound came so suddenly, filled with panic and despair; a few seconds later it cut off abruptly, as if it had never existed, yet I and Fatty indeed heard it.

Translation: This sound came so suddenly, full of panic and despair; a few seconds later it cut off abruptly, as if it had never existed, yet I and Pangzi genuinely heard it.

The first thought that flashed through my mind was that someone had met with disaster, a major one. If they had run into bad people, a victim's cry for help would not be so brief. But the brevity of this sound suggests that its owner may have already met with misfortune within those few seconds.

Translation: The first thought that sprang to my mind was that something had happened to someone, and a major incident at that. If one had encountered bad people, a victim's cry for help would never be so brief. But the brevity of this utterance makes it hard to say whether the speaker had already met with misfortune in those few short seconds.

Almost at the same instant, I and Fatty quickly rose and rushed toward the source of the sound.

Translation: Almost at the same instant, I and Pangzi swiftly rose and hurried toward the source of the sound.

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