[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-book-of-strange-tales":3,"chapter-the-book-of-strange-tales-the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-18":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Book of Strange Tales",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2317298,4532,"Chapter 18: Having Money in My Lap, I","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-18",18,"\u003Cp>Lin Jue did not leave; instead, while it was still not late and the yang energy had not reached its peak, he climbed the nearby Zhushan, sat in meditation, breathed in and out, sensed the spiritual resonance, and absorbed the five qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind stirred his clothes and hair, and the bamboo grove rustled all around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, his heart was most still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After cultivating for a while, he rested, ate two vegetable dumplings, then hid in the shade of the bamboo grove.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue unexpectedly discovered that the ancient book now contained another passage:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Meng—that is, dream transmission, the method of entering and crafting dreams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dream is a phantom world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are roughly seven or eight methods of entering and crafting dreams in the world, broadly divided into two categories: one called Jiang Meng, where only deities and a few demons, besides Daoists invoking the Dream God’s power, can descend dreams; the other is called Ji Meng, a technique that uses magic to attach oneself or one’s illusion into another’s dream, and can be learned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the method of Ji Meng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprised, Lin Jue pondered carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When had this appeared…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must have been last night, when he fell asleep, that he didn’t notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though alone in the forest, Lin Jue assumed his usual reading posture, naturally placing his hand on the book’s pages—no anomaly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Words instantly echoed in his mind, explaining the method of Ji Meng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this “Ji Meng” was far more complex and profound than “Breathing Out” or “Fire-Averting Technique.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the explanation remained complete and detailed, this completeness rested upon certain foundational knowledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, this technique was not something Lin Jue, who had just begun learning the most basic qi-nourishing method, could use; second, since this technique appeared out of nowhere in the ancient book, a disciple with a master should have first acquired extensive knowledge of cultivation and magic, and mastered simpler techniques related to “Ji Meng,” before being taught “Ji Meng.” Lin Jue now listened, sensing that the words explained every aspect thoroughly—but he still understood many parts incompletely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless he succeeded in seeking immortals and the Dao, he must first learn more related, simpler, foundational techniques from this book.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue reluctantly set the book aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for why the dream visitation at the Wang family ancestral hall in Hengcun had triggered no reaction from the ancient book, Lin Jue reasoned it must be because the technique used was the unlearnable “Jiang Meng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, noon passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was when the sun was most scorching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temple monks’ meals consisted mainly of grain; with little to do each day, they naturally grew drowsy after eating and took afternoon naps—no travelers came to stay, and the temple lay utterly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just the temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this hour, most travelers who had come from the previous waypoint had not yet arrived; those few who did avoided the blazing sun, seeking shade to rest or nap, so even the mountain path below held no one. Beneath the bright sunlight, only the lush bamboo grove swayed in the wind; the path glowed brightly, and the entire world, save for the cicadas’ drone, was silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue had descended the mountain and returned behind the temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were few bamboo leaves here—likely gathered by the monks for burning—but scattered among them were human excrement, which he had to carefully avoid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finding the small mound, then the shallow pit, he began digging downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, he still felt a dreamlike uncertainty about last night’s events, still could not fully believe he would find anything—nine hundred and ninety-nine parts sure, yet still lacking one or two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until his shovel struck something hard through the wet mud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue unearthed two pottery jars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opening them, each contained some official silver, copper coins, jewels, jade artifacts, and personal items like name tags.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It appeared the wealth had been evenly divided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last night’s events were no dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two ghosts’ words were no lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue’s heart grew solemn, yet a wave of relief washed over him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two spirits, especially the Su ghost, were truly loyal and affectionate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hesitating, he took five taels of silver from each jar—the smallest pieces available—totaling ten taels, enough to satisfy him. These were gifts from the two; there was no need to refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tucked the silver into his bosom, then prepared to rebury the jars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after a moment’s thought, he realized something was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This spot was too close to the temple. The jars had lain buried here undisturbed for years, but now that he had dug them up, the fresh earth was impossible to conceal—not just the monks, but any passing traveler who happened to come here to relieve himself might discover them and claim a windfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, he doubted these monks could be trusted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll take all the jewels and valuables with me, deliver them to your families. If you can’t find your kin, I’ll return and rebury them here. It’s only two or three hundred li—round trip plus searching won’t take more than ten days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue spoke aloud in the woods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart was at ease; he didn’t care whether they heard him or not. After speaking, he wrapped everything from both jars in cloth and left the place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With ten extra taels, the journey became much easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His inner worries diminished, his steps grew lighter, his chest now held confidence—he could even afford to skip dry rations occasionally, buying steamed buns and a bowl of wontons at roadside tea stalls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unconsciously, the bamboo groves along the road had given way to forests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danxun and Qiuru counties were adjacent, indeed not far—three or four hundred li, and though Lin Jue walked slowly, he’d covered it in four or five days; the real delay was searching for their villages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though population movement was not tightly controlled in this era, society remained relatively closed; over ten years, rural villages changed little. Lin Jue found Su Village and Lao Village, successfully locating the families of Mo Laifeng and Su Xiaojin—they lived hard lives, but were still alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Lin Jue delivered the two bundles to their families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never considered keeping it all for himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For he, more than anyone, understood how rare a second life was—life was brief, a few decades at most; living this one with peace and comfort mattered more than anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Su’s corpse was buried behind the temple’s upper floor, beside his friend. I don’t know the monks’ character, so I don’t know if any burial goods remain,” Lin Jue told Su Xiaojin’s family, “Su’s spirit cannot rest, his bones cannot return home—he sent me a dream, begging you to retrieve his remains.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People here placed great value on clan and kinship—this was the strongest bond of the age—so Lin Jue had little worry they would refuse to retrieve the two corpses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mentioning the burial goods eased his concern further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue departed, at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he walked, he couldn’t help slipping his hand into his bosom in secluded spots, pulling out the silver, weighing it in his palm, examining it closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now not only did he have money, but after completing the task, holding and spending it felt far more secure than before—his steps grew even lighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued on his quest to seek immortals and the Dao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was not far from Qiyun Mountain now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue did not fixate solely on finding Qiyun Mountain or Yishan; along the way, he asked travelers at tea stalls and taverns, even visited a storytelling tavern in Danxun County, chatting with the storyteller, inquiring about any masters who wielded magic, or any famed mountains or temples housing true immortals. Sometimes he received no answers; sometimes he did—but when he followed up, the leads proved false.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivation in this world did not seem widespread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True masters were still rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had barely found a few sorcerers and witch women, suspected of possessing some ability—but all demanded payment. Lin Jue had little money, feared being cheated, and didn’t yet feel desperate enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten taels wouldn’t last long, let alone be spent this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weather, however, grew hotter by the day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was late April.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At noon, the sun blinded the eyes; most animals in the mountains hid away. Yet along the stone-strewn, rutted path, a scholar dressed in robes walked slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cloth draped over his book satchel shielded his head from the sun, offering some shade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His shoulders, however, had long been scorched hot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why is there no one on this road?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue stopped by the river, pulled out his bamboo water flask, drank a sip, then bent to refill it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He straightened and looked ahead—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A river curved into a half-circle, its water emerald green, reflecting blue sky and white clouds. The path, following the river’s bend, was lined with thick grass, baked bright by the sun; cicadas buzzed loudly, distant monkey cries echoed through the hills—but otherwise, not a soul in sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were all people resting in the shade, napping?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he saw no one napping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue grew puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was some ferocious beast terrorizing this area?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or a demon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this region had no tigers or other large predators—only wolves and cloud leopards. Demons and ghosts rarely appeared on official roads by day; Lin Jue feared bandits more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even a boy like Lin Jue, who’d learned only stage tricks, was safe—but even many high cultivators in tales, skilled in powerful magic, feared the swords of warriors and hidden arrows. When nobles ordered their arrest and execution, even they had to hide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue steadied himself, picked up his book satchel, and continued on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The road followed the winding river; Lin Jue followed the winding path, gradually entering a shaded grove.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trees around him were thick and sturdy; only monkeys leaped far off in the distance. No bandits, no footprints—Lin Jue relaxed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he find a shady spot to nap?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or seek a hidden place, wait for other travelers, and join them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue pondered, scanning the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wrong!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue suddenly froze—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were those monkeys over there… too large?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost as tall as a man!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More importantly, when Lin Jue saw them, they saw him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One monkey leapt onto a treetop, looking down, studying the path with eyes that, even from afar, radiated aggression; then it let out two “Wu-ah!” calls, and all the monkeys turned toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Splash… splash…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest began to shake violently as giant apes, as tall as humans, leaped through the trees, rapidly closing in on Lin Jue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the apes howled, revealing a mouth full of sharp fangs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue suddenly understood why no one had been on this path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, he turned and ran!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But these apes themselves moved no slower than humans; whether an ordinary person could outrun them was unknown, but Lin Jue, carrying a satchel, could certainly not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue gasped for breath as he sprinted, glancing back repeatedly—only hearing the rustling of treetops grow ever closer, and seeing the swaying branches draw nearer, filling him with panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue made an instant decision, spun around, and dropped the satchel; he snatched only the ancient book and the small knife from within, then kept running forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his face betrayed a look of painful reluctance—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All his silver coins were still inside the satchel!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had barely managed to earn ten taels of silver!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though this ancient book would profoundly shape his future path toward immortality and the Dao, and was thus most precious, silver still held considerable value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lin Jue pondered this, he suddenly felt no pursuit behind him, and turned to look back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dozen apes, each as tall as a man, surrounded his satchel, tearing open its lid with brute force, spilling its contents onto the ground in disarray. They found dried rations and immediately fought over them, devouring in a frenzy; they found a water flask and tossed it carelessly aside; clothes were scattered everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue’s eyes widened in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he saw one particularly large ape stand upright, lift its head, and gaze directly at him, its eyes filled with appraisal.\u003C\u002Fp>",2042,"2026-06-20T14:45:35.226Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","0941476f8f876c2281ae5e772c2863eedf58c35e78ebd8ea64affc32295c64f1","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-19","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-17",608,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-book-of-strange-tales-cover.jpg"]