As I drifted off into a hazy sleep, I felt as if a small, slithering snake was moving back and forth through my meridians. Along with it, five other insects seemed to stir, and I had never slept so comfortably before.
When I woke in the morning, the snow had stopped. It was beginning to melt, making the day much colder than yesterday. Guo Weixin said, “I thought about it last night—let’s head to the western mountains first to search. If the copper jar truly emerged from there, there must be some kind of resonance.”
Guo Qiqi, however, countered, “The mountain snow is melting today; the paths might be treacherous.” Guo Weixin replied, “You girls stay at home. I’ll take this boy out to see the sights.” I suggested, “What if Chong Lao Si shows up? Maybe Miss Guo should come with us. Moving around will keep us from feeling the cold.”
Guo Weixin looked at me and Guo Qiqi, then said, “Kid, stop calling her ‘Miss Guo.’ It’s too formal. Your grandfather and I knew each other—just call her Qiqi.” His words made my face flush red. Hurriedly, I said, “The sky’s getting late; let’s set off.”
The Guo family courtyard was stocked with tools—shovels, ropes—and we took them all. We boiled over a dozen eggs to carry with us for the journey. Leaving Guo Village, we headed west along a highway. Guo Weixin flagged down a car, and after a ten-minute ride, we entered the mountains.
Guo Qiqi widened her eyes and said, “Grandpa, isn’t this the place where legends say Feng Hou was buried?” Guo Weixin replied, “Who knows where he was really buried? Some say his tomb is in the middle of the Yellow River. After his mausoleum was built, all the craftsmen vanished. But let’s focus on our task.”
I took out the golden compass and fiddled with it in my hand. Guo Weixin glanced at it and praised, “This is a fine thing—worth studying carefully.”
Guo Qiqi held the copper jar, as if waiting for some resonance with the mountain. But aside from the mountain breeze and the sunlight reflecting off the snow, turning the slopes into a vast expanse of grayish-white without a single green leaf, there was no reaction at all.
As we ascended, we saw the Yellow River make a dramatic turn at Fenglingdu, bending at a sixty-five-degree angle before continuing straight through Shanxi. The sight was truly magnificent. Guo Qiqi gripped the copper jar, her hands already red from the cold.
I scolded, “Why didn’t you wear gloves? That’s so foolish.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m not foolish. If I wore gloves, how would I sense any changes in the jar?” I laughed. “You actually believe what your grandpa says? Fine, I’ll hold the jar.”
Guo Weixin called out, “Kid, don’t think I didn’t hear that. I’ll have you know, my granddaughter, this boy’s just worried about you freezing your hands off.”
In the chilly wind, Guo Qiqi’s cheeks flushed red. She tossed the jar to me and quickened her pace to catch up with Guo Weixin. Higher up the mountain, a few pheasants darted through the woods, and soon we reached a small mountain shrine in the middle of the slope. Guo Weixin suggested we rest inside. In the dilapidated temple, we gathered our thoughts and agreed that aimless searching wouldn’t work.
Guo Qiqi handed me an egg. Peeling it, I ate it cold—necessary for energy. Suddenly, she nudged me. “Why is there something glowing on you?”
I chuckled. “I’m not a firefly. Nice joke, Miss Guo.”
Her expression darkened. “I’m not joking. Look.”
I reached down—the jade ruler was emitting a blue glow. Guo Qiqi pouted. “Now do you believe you’re a firefly?” Guo Weixin remarked, “Women make men foolish—truer words were never spoken.”
The jade ruler never glowed without reason. Interesting. After finishing the eggs, we set off again, this time tying the ruler to He Qingling’s back with thin ropes, letting her lead the way. Xiao Jian barked, eager to follow, but I patted his head. “Stay back, you silly dog. This terrain’s too rough for you.” Carrying him, I followed the cat.
Our group trailed behind He Qingling.
She was a spirit cat, having spent time with Xie Lingyu, who once slept inside the jade ruler. Naturally, He Qingling was sensitive to its energy. Plus, she *was* a spirit cat.
Following her through the mountains, we soon reached a small, gold-shaped hill. Guo Weixin pulled Guo Qiqi and me aside, whispering, “We’re being followed.”
I scanned the area—no one in sight. Who’d venture into the mountains in this snow unless they had nothing better to do? Guo Qiqi said, “Not people. They’re still out of sight—it’s insects tracking us.”
Guo Weixin nodded. “Exactly.”
I thought, *So Chong Lao Si has caught up.* Eventually, we reached a slope where He Qingling stopped. The jade ruler’s glow intensified, illuminating several meters around us. I picked up He Qingling, and Xiao Jian shifted to make space for her. She nimbly climbed from my hand to my shoulder, settling into my right pocket. Xiao Jian tried to snuggle close to warm her, but she refused. Poor pup.
Near where the cat stopped stood a few tombstones—likely a burial site. Guo Weixin shouted, “Chong Lao Si, show yourself!” After two calls, Chong Lao Si appeared, accompanied by Da Mao and Er Mao. They moved swiftly despite the snow, as if weightless. Dressed in tattered clothes, Chong Lao Si looked like a humble farmer.
Upon seeing Guo Weixin, he bowed. “Master.” Guo Weixin asked, “Did you bring explosives?” Chong Lao Si nodded. “Yes.”
Guo Weixin frowned. “Blast this open.” Chong Lao Si hesitated, then ordered Da Mao and Er Mao to dig a hole and plant the explosives. We retreated before the detonation. The blast left a crater, revealing hard stone beneath.
Guo Weixin eyed Chong Lao Si. “You came to kill me. To take the contract.” Chong Lao Si admitted, “Yes.”
Guo Weixin laughed as if hearing a fine joke.
Chong Lao Si spoke deferentially, “I’ve already fed your three sons the insects of Guo Tianjie. Only I know the antidote. Return the blood contract between our families, or you’ll bury your own sons. I’d hate to see that.”
Guo Weixin smiled. “So, you truly mean to break free from the Guo family. Fine. The contract is yours. ‘Heaven sends rain, dogs eat dung’—no stopping nature.” Chong Lao Si clenched his fists, trembling with fear and rage.
Waiting politely for Guo Weixin to finish, I called out, “Lao Si, weren’t you going to kill me? I’m waiting. If you fail, it’s my turn. You masterful actor.” Chong Lao Si chuckled, mirroring Guo Weixin’s tone. “Master Xiao, don’t even think about it. You’re just a pawn in my game.”
Guo Weixin interjected, “Let’s focus on the task.”
Guo Qiqi began digging at the blasted site, chipping away at the rocky soil. I joined her.
Chong Lao Si demanded, “What are you doing?”
Guo Weixin replied, “The blood contract you want is inside.”
Chong Lao Si’s expression shifted. “Da Mao, Er Mao—help them!” The excavation progressed swiftly, everyone working tirelessly despite the cold. Chong Lao Si, though resentful, couldn’t hide his anticipation. During a break, Guo Weixin had Guo Qiqi hand out three eggs to them.
Chong Lao Si waved them off. “We’re not hungry.” His stomach growled thunderously. Guo Weixin smirked. “Lao Si, if you’re striking out on your own, you’ll need courage. Remember what I taught you—boiled eggs can’t be tampered with.”
Chong Lao Si knew this but still refused. Guo Weixin’s decades of authority lingered. Instead, he and his men ate snow and resumed digging until they uncovered a stone door.
Guo Qiqi asked, “Could this be Feng Hou’s tomb? Legends say he was buried in these mountains.”
Guo Weixin scoffed. “If it were his tomb, we’d never find it. The real one’s in the Yellow River—guarded by eighteen divine beasts.”
Chong Lao Si, angered by Guo Qiqi’s words and Guo Weixin’s earlier deception, snapped, “You don’t even know what this place is. Old man, hand over the contract, or I won’t hold back.”
Da Mao and Er Mao drew silenced pistols, aiming at Guo Weixin.
Guo Weixin sighed. “Lao Si, impatience ruins plans. You’re so close—why falter now? This is where the Guo family hides its secrets. I came to dig out the blood contract and unleash its curse upon your family. Only I know its location—Qiqi was just guessing.”
His lies were so convincing. In truth, we were here for the copper jar’s secrets, not some contract. Yet Chong Lao Si, easily manipulated, fell for it. Compared to Guo Weixin, he was nothing.
Chong Lao Si grabbed a pistol, pointing it at Guo Weixin. “No more tricks, or I shoot!”
Guo Weixin shrugged. “Then open the door and see for yourself. Oh, Lao Si—are you ready?”
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