Chapter 1, Not Like a Mountain (Part 1)

Chu Lekang nodded silently, shouldered his backpack, and continued walking without looking back

The mountain dweller said as he picked up his backpack: "I must leave as well. You all should not stay in the village tonight. Village chief, let the villagers evacuate; I've heard the news, there will be a mountain flood tonight"

Chu Lekang smiled and said, "If merely scaring them could deal with the Japanese, the Three Eastern Provinces would not have fallen."

Takahashi Jiro remained silent, standing respectfully to one side, watching as the Japanese soldiers conducted a thorough search of the mountain villagers

After Deng Quan, Qian Zhang, and others entered the house, the village chief looked up at the sky while hurriedly running towards the courtyard to chase after the mountain dweller who had left earlier

Qian Qianzhang pointed to a certain direction and said: "Beyond the mountain, there is a landslide lake formed by an earthquake. A century ago, due to heavy rainfall, the landslide lake breached its dam, washing down and collapsing the mountains ahead, directly pushing the upper half of the mountain into the lower-lying area below, thus forming this mountain."

Quan Qianzhang looked down at his feet and said, "Why is it called Feisi Mountain? It is because this mountain was formed overnight several hundred years ago"

"Hello! What are you doing?" Takahashi Jiro immediately stepped forward to block the way, while three Japanese soldiers surrounded the mountain villagers. The others formed a protective formation, standing around Fu Beixue and Quan Qianzhang

The village chief asked again: "Where to go? How far must we go to be safe?"

Upon hearing what Chu Lekang said, the village chief became even more perplexed

This most renowned geology professor from Yanjing University, however, is not inclined to appreciate the beautiful scenery before him; he can only lament in his heart how the magnificent mountains and rivers of his motherland are being gradually consumed by the Japanese.

At this point, the village chief lowered his voice and said, "Is this meant to scare away the Japanese?"

Accompanying Fu Beixue were a Japanese army officer and five armed Japanese soldiers dressed in mountain combat uniforms, who, of course, were all watchers under the guise of protection

After listening to the words of the mountain dweller, Quan Qianzhang, Fu Beixue, and Takahashi Jiro were all taken aback, as the tone of the person before them did not resemble that of a mountain dweller. Moreover, he carried with him some peculiar and strange items, and his words seemed to contain hidden meanings, clearly indicating that he was not an ordinary person

After listening, Takahashi Jiro said: "If that's the case, in just a hundred years, there will be no resources down there, and the exploration of raw coal can also come to an end"

Quan Qianzhang looked at the oddly dressed man, who resembled a mountain dweller, and immediately stepped aside to make way

Fu Beixue looked around and asked, "Professor, why is this place referred to as 'Non-Similar Mountain'?"

Takahashi Jiro also stepped forward respectfully and said: "Teacher, your accommodation has been arranged properly. Please stay for one night, and we will leave tomorrow."

The village chief recalled carefully: "Since my childhood, there has never been a flash flood, but I heard the elders say that this place experiences one every hundred years."

Qian Qianzhang did not even turn his head, merely coldly stating: "I am already in danger."

When the mountain dweller was about to leave, Fu Beixue asked, "My friend, could you tell me why this place is called Feisi Mountain?"

Quan Qianzhang nodded slightly and followed Fu Beixue into the house

Qian Qianzhang sarcastically remarked: "One fears everything because one has a guilty conscience, and this is the mindset of an aggressor"

Takahashi Jiro cautiously asked the village chief: "What does this person do?"

A person who helps others find suitable burial sites

Most importantly, the Japanese junior officer named Jiro Takahashi was also a student of Quan Qianzhang. The arrangement made by the Japanese Kwantung Army can be said to be a thoughtful endeavor.

"Fei Si Mountain is the official name in Fushun, while the local people refer to it as Yiye Mountain, which literally means a mountain formed overnight." Quan Qianzhang explained, "When I was young, I came here out of curiosity, wanting to find out how this mountain was formed in just one night."

Fu Beixue questioned: "Miasma?"

Takahashi Jiro shook his head: "How is this possible?"

Takahashi Jiro called the village chief over and whispered a few words. The village chief bowed repeatedly, turned to the head of the militia and the squad leaders, and said something. He then began to collect the small national flags from the villagers and urged them to hurry back to their homes.

Fu Beixue looked at Quan Qianzhang and asked, "Professor, shall we continue walking in?" and the books.

The mountain dweller replied: "Measuring, assessing feng shui, searching for burial sites"

Chule Kangdao: "One must go; if one does not go, one will surely die"

Quan Qianzhang did not directly answer Fu Beixue's question, but merely stated: "In feng shui, this place is blocked at both ends, making it a dead zone"

Having finished speaking, the mountain dweller picked up the backpack and hummed a tune as he walked through the crowd towards the foot of the mountain

Takahashi Jiro inquired: "What is it used for?"

The crowd watched the silhouette of the mountain dweller as he departed, until he vanished into the woods, leaving no trace behind

The mountain dweller slightly raised his eyes, smiling as he looked at Quan Qianzhang, who also nodded in acknowledgment.

Fu Beixue interjected from the side, "Feng Shui master?"

Fu Beixue turned his head to look at Quan Qianzhang, who was still gazing up at the sky, and said: "Professor, please come inside."

Takahashi Jiro nodded and said: "Yes!"

Chu Lekang looked up at the sky and said, "When was the last time a flash flood occurred in your memory?"

Quan Qianzhang further stated: "Moreover, let these people go home; there is no need for them to put on a show here, as it is quite bothersome for me to watch."

Takahashi Jiro explained: "Teacher, this inspection is necessary for your safety"

Japanese soldiers discovered five peculiar objects from the mountain people's baskets, one of which resembled both a flute and a ruler, while the other three were identical cylindrical objects marked with scales

Chule Kangdao: "The closer to the city of Fushun, the better. Those who do not have time to evacuate can ascend any mountain except for Feisi Mountain."

Qian Qianzhang said: "What is impossible? Overnight, the three eastern provinces can become Manchukuo."

Fu Beixue hurriedly said, "That is not right either. Even if it were a mountain flood, how could such a high mountain form overnight?"

Quan Qianzhang frowned and said, "What I mentioned is 'Tianfeng Dingwei'. The term 'Phoenix' refers to the combined names of the Feng bird and the Huang bird. The terrain that symbolizes the auspiciousness of the phoenix exists only in people's imagination, just as there is no real 'Living Dragon's Cave'.

Takahashi Jiro ordered the soldiers to conduct a body search, but no abnormalities were found, so he had no choice but to wave his hand and let the mountain villagers leave

Takahashi Jiro remained silent, as he only had a superficial understanding of traditional Chinese feng shui

When the three returned to the village entrance, the village chief, the headman, and the banner leader of Zhengjia Village were all present to welcome them, while on both sides stood a crowd of villagers, bewildered, mechanically waving the flags of Manchukuo and Japan

"Professor, please be careful," Fei Beixue said breathlessly as he climbed up, "It is too dangerous here"

The mountain dweller paused and turned to look at Fu Beixue: "Because there was originally no mountain here, and then overnight a mountain appeared, and this mountain is like a mountain yet not a mountain, hence the name."

In the evening, Quan Qianzhang finally climbed to the top of the mountain, standing at the edge of the cliff and gazing into the distance

Quan Qianzhang did not wish to pay any further attention to Fu Beixue and turned to walk towards the small path in the forest. At that moment, a middle-aged man emerged from the bushes, wearing a bamboo hat, draped in a hemp robe, and carrying a backpack, seemingly in mourning.

Although Fushun is an ancient city, Zhengjiazhuang was established by the Lu people from within the pass after the Qiangguandong movement during the Xianfeng period. Therefore, when the village elders say it happens once every hundred years, it is a case of misinformation. Moreover, there are no records in Fushun regarding any floods similar to those in the mountains.

Fu Beixue certainly understood the meaning behind Quan Qianzhang's words. As Quan Qianzhang's most favored disciple, he became a traitor, setting a trap to deceive Quan Qianzhang for the benefit of the Japanese in Northeast China, compelling him to conduct geological surveys for the Japanese in the three eastern provinces

Qian Qianzhang said: "In ancient times, when the people's wisdom was not yet enlightened and there was no concept of science, such matters were attributed to chaotic spirits and strange forces. However, through my extensive investigation, I have concluded that this mountain was formed by the accumulation of debris flows caused by flash floods."

Upon hearing this, Takahashi Jiro pondered for a moment and asked, "Teacher, is this the 'Phoenix Presenting Auspiciousness' you mentioned before?"

Qian Qianzhang did not respond, merely turning to walk down the mountain. Takahashi Jiro and Fu Beixue exchanged glances and could only follow.

The mountain dweller stopped and smiled, saying: "Just call me Chu Lekang, there is no need to address me as 'Mr.' I am not a gentleman."

The mountain dweller smiled and said: "Tools"

Doubts about the payment system: "Why?"

The village chief said: "Mr. Chu, I am aware of your capabilities. If it weren't for your persuasion to redirect the river a few years ago, our village would have likely been submerged by floods long ago. You are a remarkable person. If there is indeed a mountain flood tonight, I must let everyone leave in advance"

Takahashi Jiro became quite alert upon hearing the words "measurement": "Then what is it that you do"

Fu Beixue stepped forward to block the way and said: "Professor, it is getting late, we cannot return to Fengtian tonight. Let us rest in the village for the night and set off again tomorrow"

As Chu Lekang walked no more than ten meters, raindrops began to fall from the sky. The village chief looked up at the dark clouds above, and before he could turn to leave, a torrential downpour immediately ensued, quickly enveloping Chu Lekang in the mist of the rain in the distance

When the authority Qian Zhang arrived at the open space in the village designated for sacrificial rites, he unexpectedly saw the villager he had encountered earlier sitting under a tree

Takahashi Jiro's subordinate instinctively placed his hand on the holster, and the mountain dweller glanced over, merely smiling and saying: "You'd better not venture further into the mountains."

The crowd quickly dispersed, and only then did Quan Qianzhang feel a slight sense of relief as he followed the village chief into the village

The village chief asked, "Sir, is what you said earlier true?"

The village chief quickly asked again: "Do you mean that the mountain flood comes from a place that is not like a mountain?"

As the three descended the mountain, dark clouds had already begun to gather on the horizon, rolling in like an army clad in black armor wielding lightning weapons, gradually advancing towards Feisi Mountain and the village of Zhengjia below.

Qian Qianzhang explained: "It is precisely because of the severed tail that it has become a dead place. Originally, there was a river to the east, but the river changed its course, the phoenix's tail has been severed, and the once living phoenix has turned into a dead phoenix"

"The sound of the wind?" The village chief was perplexed

Qian Qianzhang frowned and said: "They are just mountain dwellers, do not make things difficult for them"

Strangely, there was not a breath of wind in the air; on the contrary, it became stuffy and the temperature rose several degrees compared to before. Upon witnessing this, although the back of everyone's neck felt cool, they were drenched in sweat due to the sudden oppressive heat

The mountain dweller raised his hand and pointed to the dark clouds in the distance, saying, "There will be a heavy rain tonight"

Fei Beixue then asked: "Professor, have you found out?"

Fu Beixue then looked at Takahashi Jiro, who stepped forward and said: "Teacher, today is the first exploration of the terrain, and the basic terrain mapping is nearly complete"

The words of Quan Qianzhang left Fu Beixue and Takahashi Jiro at a loss for how to proceed, and after exchanging glances, they each maintained their silence

Fu Beixue was astonished: "A mountain formed overnight?"

Quan Qianzhang looked at the expressions of fear and difficulty on the faces of the village chief and the villagers, and could only nod in response. However, he immediately cautioned, "Cilang, the people you brought must not disturb the local residents."

Quan Qianzhang hurriedly asked, "Why do you say that?"

Fu Beixue watched the mountain dweller slowly depart and said: "Mountain flood? How is that possible? What season is it? There shouldn't be a mountain flood now, it's not the summer thunderstorm season. Pretending to know when one doesn't understand."

The mountain dweller shook his head: "No."

June 1932, Zhengjia Village, Hou'an Town, Fushun

Fu Beixue nodded and said: "Indeed, the west is the head, the head is blocked by Ping Mountain, and both the north and south wings are also obstructed by mountain ranges. However, I do not understand the meaning of 'broken tail.' The east is an open area, so how can there be a 'broken tail'?"

The mountain dweller replied: "There is much miasma in the mountains; inhaling even a small amount can cause one to lose their sanity"

The village chief replied: "I also take care of collecting some medicinal herbs from the mountains while looking after the graveyard."

Seeing this, Quan Qianzhang furrowed his brows tightly, feeling an immense sense of disgust, and turned to leave

At that moment, the mountain dweller spoke: "It is fortunate that you have returned in time; had you been late, I fear you would never have come back."

The village chief questioned: "Then why do you say that?"

Throughout the entire process, Quan Qianzhang remained a silent observer, not uttering a single word

Quan Qianzhang remained silent, simply maintaining his silence

"Mr. Chu, Mr. Chu," the village chief panted as he caught up with the mountain dweller

The mountain dweller simply said two words: "Corpse Miasma"

Takahashi Jiro stepped forward, holding a ruler that resembled a flexible measuring tape, but with a compass at the front. He looked at it in confusion and asked, "What is this?"

Takahashi Jiro gazed at Quan Qianzhang, awaiting an answer

Just after speaking, a rumbling sound of thunder echoed in the sky, startling everyone to involuntarily look up. They discovered that dark clouds were spreading at a speed several times faster than before, and in an instant, they had reached overhead

At this moment, Fu Beixue asked again: "Then why is it called Non-Similar Mountain?"