Martial Dao: Peace by Force

Chapter 36: Chapter 34: Seeing the Precious Jade, a Visitor with Ill Intent

At dusk, the red afterglow slanted across the vast grounds of Lingyun Manor. The woods surrounding the estate were lush and green.

A large SUV was parked by the roadside, and a few passersby on bicycles looked over curiously.

Meeting Professor Song again, Wan Ze noticed that the old professor was even thinner than the last time they’d met.

”Professor Song, long time no see.”

”Long time no see, Mr. Xiaowan.” Professor Song’s smile was forced.

Lei Ming seemed to know the reason and tried to comfort him, ”Although the tomb at Black Mountain can’t be excavated yet, tracing that person’s identity along this line might lead to some unexpected discoveries...”

”That’s exactly the problem,” Professor Song sighed.

Wan Ze and Lei Ming looked at him.

They had both participated in the Black Mountain tomb search mission, so they knew for a fact that the tomb was definitely from Emperor Ying’s era. However, they had no idea what problem Professor Song was referring to.

”What do you mean?”

”You have to understand, my research has always been focused on Emperor Ying. I wouldn’t dare say I’m better than every expert in the federation, or even the world, but my knowledge of Emperor Ying is definitely second to none... So, based on the information I have, the tomb at Black Mountain should have been the Imperial Mausoleum. But it wasn’t. This means there’s a problem with the rare texts I possess, and even with the information gathered from other tombs! Were the ancients lying?”

Professor Song’s brow was tightly furrowed. It was clear his understanding of his field had been severely shaken recently.

Seeing this, Wan Ze felt it wasn’t his place to say anything.

Lei Ming, however, clapped Professor Song on the shoulder and said with a smile, ”Don’t be so pessimistic. This isn’t something that happened just a century or two ago. Thousands of years of history is no small undertaking. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Don’t beat yourself up over it.”

Professor Song fell silent at his words and nodded. A moment later, he suddenly looked at Wan Ze. ”Mr. Xiaowan, which university are you attending now?”

Lei Ming suddenly burst out laughing. When Wan Ze shot him a sideways glance, he immediately raised his hands in apology, but he was still covering his mouth, trying to stifle his giggles.

”Professor Song, you’ve guessed wrong. I’m still a high school student in Holy City.” Although Wan Ze didn’t want to explain, he had no choice. Professor Song, after all, genuinely didn’t know.

”A high school student? The younger generation is truly formidable.” Professor Song was clearly surprised. He had assumed that with Wan Ze’s impressive skills, he must have been practicing martial arts for many years. He never expected him to still be in high school.

’A senior... in his last year, maybe?’

He took a good look at him but didn’t voice his guess.

The three of them chatted as they walked and soon arrived in the main hall. Miss Ling had specially arranged for the housekeeper to prepare some snacks. However, Professor Song had no appetite, which was a bonus for the martial brothers, Wan Ze and Lei Ming.

Seeing how happily Wan Ze was eating, the housekeeper casually revealed that Miss Ling had made the snacks herself.

Wan Ze was very surprised. ”Miss Ling is so talented. It’s a shame she doesn’t invest in a pastry shop.”

”She actually did open one, right on Tian Dong Road. It’s really good. The kids in my family buy from there all the time,” Lei Ming said with a laugh.

Wan Ze was even more surprised.

’Well, damn. Another rich woman.’

”If you like them, I can make them for you every day,” Miss Ling said with a friendly smile.

”You’re too kind.” Wan Ze smiled and said no more.

Miss Ling knew their relationship wasn’t that close yet, so she didn’t press the issue... She believed that time would reveal a person’s true character, and that Mr. Xiaowan would eventually become a close friend. She was never wrong about people.

「Half an hour later.」

Miss Ling invited the three of them to a tea room on the second floor of the manor. By now, the sky was dark, but the room was brightly lit. On the left, the glass of the window was adorned with paper cuttings that looked quite old.

A moment later, Miss Ling solemnly retrieved an object from a safe and removed the glass cover from it.

”Is that the Rain Bell?” Lei Ming leaned in, curious.

He really couldn’t understand how this jade artifact, the size of a baby’s palm, could bring a fatal disaster upon the Ling Family.

”That’s right, this is the Rain Bell... It’s just that my grandfather rarely mentioned it to us,” Miss Ling said with a wry smile, sighing at the thought.

If the Dragon Eagle Martial Arts Hall hadn’t stepped in this time, she might have died without ever knowing why.

That’s why she was immensely grateful to the Dragon Eagle Martial Arts Hall. They had refused her offer of money, so today she had donated a batch of equipment instead.

She had originally wanted to give Wan Ze and Lei Ming an additional reward, but Lei Ming had refused, which only made her feel more indebted. She could only think of other ways to compensate them.

Professor Song put on his reading glasses and, having already donned a pair of gloves at some point, personally took the object. After examining it carefully, he slowly began to speak. ”The Rain Bell. Truly extraordinary. However, its origins... are quite legendary.”

”Professor Song, you know of this artifact as well?” Miss Ling looked at him, somewhat surprised.

When Lei Ming had first suggested inviting Professor Song, she hadn’t thought much of it, assuming it was just a coincidence. But now that she saw he actually knew about this old artifact, she was filled with a sense of deep respect.

”I’ve... heard a great deal about it.” Professor Song’s gaze was calm as he examined the jade pendant, which was square on the outside and round on the inside. He then looked up and explained with a smile, ”Let me start with a story. Over six thousand years ago, a member of the Bian Clan found a piece of raw jade on Jingshan and presented it to the court. However, the court jeweler declared it was just a stone, and for his mistake, the man’s left foot was cut off. After a new king ascended the throne, the limping man from the Bian Clan presented it again, only to have his right foot cut off as well... Afterward, he clutched the jade and wept tears of blood at the foot of Jingshan for three days and three nights... This moved the reigning King Wen, who ordered the raw jade to be cut open. Indeed, a priceless gem was revealed... It eventually became a national treasure, and during the era of Emperor Ying, it was even inscribed with the eight-character phrase, ’Having received the Mandate of Heaven, may he enjoy longevity and eternal prosperity’...”

Professor Song was completely oblivious to Wan Ze standing behind him, utterly dumbfounded.

’Isn’t this the He Shi Bi?’

He whipped his head around to look at Professor Song.

’A transmigrator?’

’No.’

’This world also has an Emperor Ying, who is so similar to the First Emperor... Could this be a parallel world?’

’Oh no, oh no, this is getting complicated!’

Wan Ze’s thoughts were in a jumble. By the time he came back to his senses, Professor Song was already explaining the Rain Bell’s origin: ”...Later, the last emperor of the Li Dynasty immolated himself with the jade. After that, the jade was broken into three pieces, and this is one of them... Of course, this is all just rumor for now.”

”Rumor?” Lei Ming had been listening for ages, only to find out it was just a rumor. His jaw nearly hit the floor.

Professor Song chuckled. ”In my humble opinion, I’m inclined to believe it’s a rumor. It’s a historical fact that the Jade Seal was broken into three, but the Rain Bell only truly appeared a thousand years ago. Legend says it emerged into the world along with the Immortal Bone from the Celestial Harmony Palace. You martial artists should know this—the remains of that senior from Celestial Harmony Palace were as lustrous as violet jade. Before he passed on into immortality, he left behind a secret letter... but unexpectedly, a traitor appeared in the Celestial Harmony Palace, stole the Rain Bell, and made its existence public.”

”Celestial Harmony Palace?” Lei Ming exclaimed in surprise, then turned to Wan Ze to explain, ”The founder of the Celestial Harmony Palace was known as a Land Immortal. Even now, no one has been able to reach his level of achievement, where Form and Spirit are both Sublime. Legend says his remains after he passed were purple bone, accompanied by golden patterns, which is why they’re called the Immortal Bone... I’ve heard my master mention this before.”

”So the Immortal Bone is still at the Celestial Harmony Palace?” Wan Ze asked.

”Yes!” Lei Ming nodded.

Wan Ze sucked in a sharp breath. ”Doesn’t that mean the Celestial Harmony Palace has existed for over a thousand years?”

”It’s long lost its former glory, but a starving camel is still bigger than a horse. They’ve withdrawn from the world now. Master went there once... but he was never willing to talk much about it.” Lei Ming sighed emotionally. ”I really didn’t expect the Rain Bell to be connected to that legendary figure. Professor Song, do you know anything else?”

”I also heard...”

Professor Song frowned slightly, seemingly unsure how to phrase what he was about to say, as it was all hearsay.

Just as he was about to speak, the lights in the room suddenly went out.

BANG!

It was a gunshot!

”Everyone, get down!” Lei Ming roared. The surroundings were pitch-black, making it impossible to see anything.

But just then, Miss Ling suddenly screamed. The sound came from the window.

”Shit!”

Wan Ze and Lei Ming rushed over at almost the exact same time.