Chapter 8: Seeking Immortality in the Azure Sky (2)

Just as several A soldiers rushed out to grab the flamethrowers, the blood pool began to churn more violently. Suddenly, red shadows the size of monkeys leaped out of the water. Without waiting for Major Zhang's command, the A soldiers fiercely pulled the triggers of their guns, and in an instant, the sounds of "bang bang" echoed throughout the vicinity of Pit No. 7, accompanied by eerie cries reminiscent of a baby's wail.

Gu Zhen Ting continued, "The ancient texts from that year have dwindled down to the last remaining volume; the others were all personally destroyed by significant figures. However, he hesitated to part with this one. He once commented that these ancient scrolls were 'bewitching and strange.' This last, tattered ancient book eventually found its way to the No. 3 archive room of the W Bureau. It was not until a few years ago that it was extracted again for expert decryption. After years of arduous efforts, the experts managed to decipher a few sections, the first of which introduced the Weeping Blood Spring. It was said that the Weeping Blood Spring contained the Bi Luo Ling Zhi, which possesses extraordinarily miraculous medicinal properties. Therefore, the bureau decided to conduct exploratory excavations under the guise of archaeological digs, hoping to discover something that transcends traditional thinking. However, we ended up unearthing what you referred to as the 'Tian Shu Town Demon Feng Shui Bureau.' Yet, the Corpse Blood Monkey was only mentioned in the second section, which stated that this creature existed only north of Kunlun. I never expected to find it here!" After finishing, Gu Zhen Ting looked at Liu Wen Sheng, implying that he had said all he needed to say, and it was now up to him to decide the next steps.

Suddenly, a series of rapid gunshots rang out, and the three quickly turned to look at the blood pool. It turned out to be a corpse blood monkey leaping into the air above the water, but it was instantly struck by the A guards' gunfire and fell back into the blood.

Liu Wensheng nodded and then shook his head, feeling half-convinced by Gu Zhenting's words. However, he also understood that Gu Zhenting had said what needed to be said and what should not have been said. If he did not clarify everything he knew today, Gu Zhenting would not let it go easily. Thus, he organized his thoughts and began to recount in detail, "In the remnants of my family's teachings on feng shui, it is recorded that the Queen Mother of the West in Kunlun Mountain possesses an elixir of immortality. Consuming it can grant eternal life, and this elixir is the Nine-Leaf Biluolingzhi. The Biluolingzhi is extremely precious and requires the blood of a thousand-year-old divine turtle for nourishment to prevent it from withering, hence it is also known as 'hidden in blood.'"

As he watched the tide of corpses and blood surge forward, Gu Zhenting's head buzzed. He could not comprehend how there could be so many in this small grave pit

Gu Zhenting pondered for a moment and felt something was amiss. The profession of the fangshi should have become popular starting from the Warring States period; however, the ancient tomb here dates back to the Yin and Shang dynasties, indicating a significant temporal discrepancy. To attribute it to the fangshi seems implausible. Could it be that the theories and techniques of fangshu had already matured significantly during this period?

The incomplete manuscript in my family is titled "Records of Unusual Landscapes and Tales". It endeavors to document all extraordinary events to the best of its ability, but unfortunately, many have been lost; otherwise, there would certainly be even more bizarre occurrences. What I possess is merely the result of studying this book. Liu Wensheng said aloud, seemingly very proud of his ancestral craft.

In a state of shock, Major Zhang could not help but ask, "Is the incomplete manuscript from your family a book on feng shui or one on alchemy? It even includes content from practitioners of the art, which seems rather unprofessional, doesn't it?"

It is too late," Liu Wensheng said sadly

"Burn it with fire," Colonel Zhang said fiercely. "There are no creatures that fear fire but not sunlight. In all my years, I have yet to see a living being that is not afraid of fire!" Colonel Zhang's ferocity was evident. He made a gesture, and six or seven A guards rushed outside to fetch the flamethrowers. The A guards were well-prepared, carrying enough weaponry to stage a coup in some small countries.

"Not good!" Liu Wensheng's expression suddenly changed dramatically as he said urgently, "Tonight, the heavy rain is pouring down, the yin energy is too strong, and the Big Dipper is obscured by dark clouds. The yang energy at the other six star positions has also been disrupted during the excavation. This feng shui situation is broken, and the corpse blood monkey has no means to restrain it. It is breeding uncontrollably, leading to endless killings. This place is dangerous!"

"Are there any methods to restrain it?" Gu Zhen Ting asked calmly

Gu Zhen Ting spoke very sincerely, but Liu Wen Sheng still knew that many details were deliberately omitted by Gu Zhen Ting. However, that was necessary for Gu Zhen Ting to protect the secrets of Bureau W. The organization within Bureau W is tightly structured, and it is best not to interfere in matters that do not concern one, otherwise it generally becomes quite troublesome

Gu Zhenting and Zhang Daxiao felt a chill run down their spines; this bizarre and cruel method of seeking immortality was beyond comprehension, truly unimaginable. Gu Zhenting recalled that ancient texts mentioned the blood of corpses and the blood-sucking monkeys originating from north of Kunlun. Could it be that the legendary Biluolingzhi of the Queen Mother was also related to this?

"Professor, Mr. Liu, you should leave quickly," Colonel Zhang urged Gu Zhenting with a push, then drew his military dagger and shouted, "Use the dagger and the book knife, and do not accidentally injure our brothers"

Gu Zhen Ting nodded slightly after listening. However, it is not very difficult to fabricate such mythological stories. He gestured for Liu Wen Sheng to continue. At least he had now clarified the alias of the Bi Luo Ling Zhi, which had not been mentioned in ancient texts.

The corpse blood monkey fears the light and prefers the dark; under sunlight, it would be directly scorched into blood. However, it is now nighttime! At this moment, they are afraid of the light and do not dare to come ashore; otherwise, they would have already pounced. Yet, the intelligence of the corpse blood monkey is certainly not low. Once they realize that the light cannot harm them, they will attack in groups. With the few of us here, we are not enough to fill their gaps. Look, they seem to be stirring restlessly now!" Liu Wensheng felt a wave of fear at the thought of the corpse blood monkey's sharp claws. Although he had encountered people, his courage was not great.

Liu Wensheng noticed that Gu Zhenting had spoken at length without addressing the main topic. However, he vaguely guessed that the reason the prominent figure had gathered those experts and scholars might be that he encountered difficulties while interpreting the text and needed someone to discuss it with. Yet, upon further reflection, he felt something was amiss, as the returnees at that time were predominantly from engineering and science backgrounds, which were far removed from the study of ancient scripts. Thus, after a moment of thought, he understood the reasoning, as Gu Zhenting had already hinted very clearly. Liu Wensheng's breathing suddenly became rapid, and he realized why this archaeological endeavor was shrouded in such secrecy.