Chapter Twenty-Two: The Secret Formula

Three days later was the day I was to meet Gu Anqi. Early in the morning, I noticed that Xiao Lianshan had been absent-minded since waking up, pacing back and forth in front of my door more than a dozen times. Smiling, I asked him, "Lianshan, are you... are you eager to see Gu Anqi?"

"Who... who wants to see her?" Xiao Lianshan pursed his lips in embarrassment, trying to appear indifferent. "Whenever I see that girl, it's never good news. I'm worried because you’ve been researching those two items night and day. Didn't she say she knew something about the Dragon Turtle? Maybe she can help you, so you won't have to work so hard."

I finished dressing and shook my head with a wry smile. "You clearly want to see her, yet insist it's for my sake. Come on, I'll take you now."

The car stopped below the Jinjiang Hotel, the finest international hotel in Rongcheng. Except for the foreigners, those coming and going were all either wealthy or influential.

We knocked on the door of room 302. Gu Anqi greeted us at the door with a radiant smile. Today, she wore a pale yellow dress, looking fresh and charming.

I sat on the sofa, and Xiao Lianshan, who had been excited on the way, now kept his head down, awkward and restless as he sat beside me.

"Anqi, I brought the Divine Strategy of Luo Xuan and the Golden Dragon Turtle with me. See if you can discern anything." I placed the two items on the tea table.

Gu Anqi carefully cradled the Divine Strategy of Luo Xuan in her hands, exclaiming in awe, "They really exist! When my father told me about the legend of the Fourteenth Ming Tomb, I always thought it was fake. So the Nine Heavens Hidden Dragon Manual really exists!"

"I thought the same as you at first. But after seeing the Divine Strategy of Luo Xuan, I’m convinced—the legend of the Fourteenth Ming Tomb is not unfounded, and the Nine Heavens Hidden Dragon Manual is likely hidden within it," I nodded in agreement.

"Lianshan, there’s not even a clue about the Fourteenth Ming Tomb. How do you know that Nine Heavens whatever book is inside?" Xiao Lianshan asked, puzzled.

"After Zhu Yuanzhang seized the throne, Liu Bowen told him there was the Nine Heavens Hidden Dragon Manual. Whoever obtained it could not only achieve immortality but ensure the dynasty’s prosperity for generations. What emperor wouldn’t want that? So Zhu Yuanzhang had Liu Bowen search for it secretly," Gu Anqi explained confidently.

"Unexpectedly, Liu Bowen really found the Nine Heavens Hidden Dragon Manual and presented it to Zhu Yuanzhang. But he couldn’t decipher its mysteries, and grew increasingly despondent," I added.

"Wasn’t Liu Bowen, Zhu Chongba’s adviser, renowned for his knowledge of astronomy and geography? He couldn’t understand it either?" Xiao Lianshan tilted his head in inquiry.

I shook my head. "In fact, the Nine Heavens Hidden Dragon Manual was always in Liu Bowen’s possession!"

"What, he kept it all along?"

"Liu Bowen was Zhu Yuanzhang’s founding strategist, an extraordinary figure of the early Ming. The History of Ming describes him as 'versed in the classics and history, with expertise in astronomy.' That means he could predict fortunes by observing the stars. Legends say Liu Bowen surpassed even Zhang Liang and Zhuge Liang, able to foresee the future, command the winds and rain, a sage among men, known as 'Emperor’s Mentor' and 'King’s Aide,' reputed to know five hundred years before and after."

"Oh, I get it now. Liu Bowen could foresee the future because he learned from the Nine Heavens Hidden Dragon Manual," Xiao Lianshan realized.

"Liu Bowen was likely mythologized. We can’t trust all the legends. If he really deciphered the manual, he wouldn’t have died so mysteriously," I said, still shaking my head.

"That doesn’t make sense. If he knew how rare the manual was, why give it to Zhu Chongba?"

"How can you be so dense?" Gu Anqi snapped at Xiao Lianshan’s question. "If he mastered it, would Zhu Yuanzhang still be emperor? There was a saying at the time: 'Zhuge Liang divided the land; Liu Bowen unified it.' Imagine how Zhu Yuanzhang felt hearing that?"

"Oh, I understand..."

"You always say you understand, but you understand nothing!" Gu Anqi glared at him.

"I really do! Self-preservation, right...? Did I step on your tail? Why do you bite everyone you meet?" Xiao Lianshan retorted, brow furrowed.

I chuckled helplessly. He’s restless when he can’t see Gu Anqi, but as soon as they meet, they start bickering.

"Lianshan’s right. Liu Bowen presented the Nine Heavens Hidden Dragon Manual to avoid suspicion—showing loyalty and avoiding gossip," I explained.

"Then why did he still die so mysteriously?"

"Oh, weren’t you the one who understood everything? Why don’t you understand now?" Gu Anqi seized the opportunity to tease him.

"I... I’m too lazy to explain."

"Zhu Yuanzhang was inherently suspicious. He couldn’t decipher the manual, but he couldn’t let others see it either. The only one who knew was Liu Bowen. Regardless of whether Liu Bowen mastered it, with his talent, Zhu Yuanzhang believed that after his death, no one else could control it. So he decided to eliminate him, fearing future trouble for his descendants."

Xiao Lianshan nodded, no longer daring to speak.

"Even when seriously ill, Zhu Yuanzhang was obsessed with the manual. He couldn’t bear to destroy it, so he ordered it hidden in the Fourteenth Ming Tomb, hoping that a descendant might someday unlock its secrets and ensure the dynasty’s longevity," I continued calmly. "Among the soldiers tasked with guarding it was one deeply interested in Daoist arts. He recognized the manual’s brilliance and secretly told his Daoist master. Thus the secret was passed down, though very few knew of it. Over time, the legend faded, and many doubted the manual’s existence."

Gu Anqi gently set down the Divine Strategy of Luo Xuan, shaking her head. "Yan Hui, I can’t see any mystery in this book. But my father told me something about the Golden Dragon Turtle. I’m not sure if it’s helpful to you."

"What is it?" I asked eagerly.

"My father said the Golden Dragon Turtle and the Divine Strategy of Luo Xuan must be together. To find the Fourteenth Ming Tomb, both are indispensable."

"I’ve studied the Golden Dragon Turtle for a long time and found nothing remarkable."

"The Golden Dragon Turtle has another name: the Scarlet Fire Water Beast."

"Scarlet Fire Water Beast?!" I repeated softly, hearing the name for the first time and feeling puzzled.

Gu Anqi nodded seriously. "It was a device invented by the Eastern Depot during the Ming dynasty to transmit secrets."

"Eastern Depot?!" I murmured, suddenly understanding. "No wonder the craftsmanship is flawless—it was made to safeguard secrets."

"This object is hollow inside, with mechanisms. If forced open, its contents are destroyed automatically. The Eastern Depot wanted to transmit messages without outsiders knowing. They created ten such items based on the ten legendary beasts. The Golden Dragon Turtle, or Scarlet Fire Water Beast, is one of them. Each has a unique method of opening, along with a secret phrase."

"A secret phrase?! Anqi, do you know the phrase for opening the Scarlet Fire Water Beast?"

Gu Anqi nodded, calm and certain. "Divine Dragon’s golden body from ancient times, Turtle submits to the sea to offer the celestial count."

I softly repeated the phrase Gu Anqi had spoken, unable to grasp its meaning.

"Anqi, is the phrase only those two lines?"

"Yes, just those two. My father said the method for opening the Scarlet Fire Water Beast is hidden in those lines. If you can decipher them, you can unlock it."

I pondered in silence for a long time before speaking. "If that’s so, there’s no need to rush. If the phrase were easy to decipher, the Scarlet Fire Water Beast would hold no secrets. Yuan Chonghuan used it to preserve clues to the Fourteenth Ming Tomb—it must contain something extraordinary."

"Yan Hui, I know you’re a good man and capable. Since you obtained the Divine Strategy of Luo Xuan, it shows you’re destined for the Fourteenth Ming Tomb. If you really find the Nine Heavens Hidden Dragon Manual, please don’t try to learn from it. My father said those who defy fate will surely suffer heavenly retribution," Gu Anqi said earnestly, looking at me.

"Anqi, don’t worry. I want to find the book not for the Daoist arts it records, but because I believe if it falls into the wrong hands, disaster will follow." I paused, then smiled. "Anqi, we’ve only met twice. Why are you so certain I’m a good person? Why did you share the secret phrase for the Scarlet Fire Water Beast with me? Aren’t you afraid I might succumb to temptation if I get the book? After all, it promises immortality and foresight, and I study fate and destiny myself. This book is far more tempting for me than anyone else."

"Yan Hui, you wouldn’t do that, truly!" Gu Anqi blinked confidently.

I was even more surprised. "Why are you so sure?"

"Because I... I read your fortune..." Gu Anqi lowered her head, speaking softly.

"You read my face?" I laughed.

Gu Anqi nodded shyly. "Your face shows loyalty and righteousness. You’re not one to betray trust."

"Oh, interesting. A healer cannot heal himself," I laughed. "I’ve always read others’ faces and fortunes, never my own. Since you know fate and physiognomy, tell me, what is my face like?"

"No... I can’t say!" Gu Anqi shook her head in distress.

"Why not?"

"Your fate is heaven-determined. My father said people like you—no one dares to read your fortune. If they do, they must never reveal it, or their own virtue will be diminished."