Chapter Sixty-Four: The Secret Scrolls of Kunlun, the Trail of the Six Stones

“Tang Sect?”

Hearing this name, Yuan Hao’s brows furrowed slightly. The Tang Sect was a most peculiar presence in the ancient martial world. Their ways were enigmatic, wavering between good and evil, and they were famed for their ingenious mechanisms and hidden weapons. Yuan Hao himself had clashed with the Tang Sect’s young master before; to retrieve anything from their hands would be even harder than persuading the Kunlun elders.

The master of Xuantian Sect nodded, his expression solemn. “Indeed, it is the Tang Sect of Shu, unrivaled in the craft of mechanisms and hidden weapons. Among our Kunlun’s predecessors, one had a friendship with a Tang Sect elder. According to his writings, the Tang Sect’s miraculous devices are powered by a core they call the ‘Thousand Mechanisms Box,’ forged from a meteorite from beyond the earth. This meteorite moves on its own, providing endless energy. Its attributes, as described, are nearly identical to the core of our Kunlun’s Haotian Mirror.”

He seemed to discern my intention, and after a moment’s contemplation, made a weighty decision.

“Mr. Jiang, Kunlun owes you a debt beyond measure. I, Xuantian, have no way to properly repay you.” He turned to an elder and instructed, “Go to the Pavilion of Heavenly Machinery and fetch the sealed scroll of the ‘Record of Rare Treasures’.”

The elder obeyed, soon returning with an ancient beast-hide scroll, which he respectfully presented to the master. Xuantian Sect’s master gently unrolled it before me, releasing a breath of antiquity and solemnity. Upon the scroll, in ancient script and simple illustrations, were recorded the rumors and clues gathered by generations of Kunlun predecessors regarding the world’s wondrous treasures.

“Please, sir, look.” The master pointed out several entries and explained them to me one by one.

“Besides Shu Mountain and the Tang Sect, this ‘Record of Rare Treasures’ lists four other possible locations of the ‘Celestial Divine Stones’.”

His finger rested on the first illustration—a uniquely shaped katana.

“The first is in the land of Kou. Legend has it their Shinto lineage possesses a cursed demon blade, named ‘Muramasa.’ This blade is sentient, able to beguile the heart and thirst for blood. It is said the blade’s soul is a glowing red stone.”

Next, his finger moved to a lavish cup.

“The second is in the Western Church. They venerate a supreme relic known as the ‘Holy Grail.’ Legend holds that the Grail bears a drop of undrying ‘Tears of God,’ with miraculous healing power. The form of these tears is much like a spiritual stone.”

Then came the illustration of a heart.

“The third is with a venerable bloodline family in Europe. It is said they guard the heart left behind by the first vampire, Cain. That heart has never decayed and still beats faintly to this day, as the source of their power.”

Finally, he pointed to a Buddha statue.

“The fourth is in ancient Indra. In their age-old Buddhist temples stands a ‘Statue of Brahma,’ with a gemstone set in its brow called the ‘Eye of Brahma,’ reputed to see through the cycles of past, present, and future.”

“The fifth might relate to the Devil Sect, but the records are scant…”

In one breath, the master of Xuantian Sect revealed five sites, each belonging to a powerful and mysterious force.

“These five are, to Kunlun’s knowledge, the likeliest places where the ‘Celestial Divine Stones’ might exist.” He rolled up the scroll and spoke with solemnity. “As for other clues, there are none. Perhaps they have been lost, or hidden in places unknown.”

I nodded, committing each of the five locations to memory. Shu Mountain, Kunlun, Tang Sect, Kou, the Church, the Blood Clan, Ancient Indra… and the enigmatic Devil Sect, altogether eight possible stones.

The map for our treasure quest had become clear.

“Thank you.” I withdrew my gaze and offered my gratitude to the master.

“You are too kind, sir.” He smiled. “Should you need it, Kunlun is willing to send our finest to assist you.”

“That won’t be necessary.” I shook my head. “This is my own affair. Besides…”

I glanced down at Yi Yi, who was curiously examining the now-dull bronze mirror from Kunlun, and smiled, “This is more like a world journey for me and Yi Yi.”

We parted from Kunlun and returned to the supply station at the foot of the mountain.

Night fell, and the starry sky above the snowy lands was especially clear and bright, as if within reach. We did not hurry to leave, instead lodging at the station’s inn.

The room was warm, with the heater running high. After her bath, Yi Yi, dressed in adorable bear pajamas, climbed onto my bed, her little head resting on my chest, holding and turning over the bronze mirror that had lost its mystique.

“Daddy, this mirror isn’t fun anymore. It doesn’t shine,” she pouted.

“Because it gave its brightest thing to Daddy,” I teased, gently tapping her nose.

“Daddy, are you thinking of Grandpa Guixu?”

Warmth spread through my heart. This child was always so bright and sensitive.

“Yes.” I held her, making her more comfortable. “Grandpa Guixu has gone to a place very far away, much larger and more beautiful than here. Daddy wants to see what kind of world he went to.”

“Are we leaving here?” Yi Yi asked softly, a trace of subtle nervousness in her voice.

I was silent for a moment, gently stroking her hair.

“Yi Yi, do you like it here?”

She thought for a moment and nodded vigorously. “I do! And I like Sister Bamboo too!”

“Mm, Daddy likes her as well.” I smiled, but my gaze wandered to the profound night sky outside the window. “But this world is a bit too small for Daddy. Like a beautiful fish tank whose water is nearly gone. Daddy is a big fish—it’s hard to stay inside.”

I tried to explain in a way she could understand.

“Most importantly, Yi Yi, you’re a little fish too. You’ll grow bigger and swim farther than Daddy. I don’t want you to be trapped in this tiny tank someday.”

Yi Yi blinked, half-understanding.

I held her and pointed to the sky full of stars, speaking softly, “Look, Yi Yi, every star up there could be a world much, much larger than ours. In some worlds, people can fly as freely as birds. In others, there are singing flowers and trees that glow. There are mountains ten thousand times taller than Kunlun, seas ten thousand times bigger than ours.”

Yi Yi’s eyes grew wide, her mouth slightly open, captivated by my descriptions.

“Daddy wants to take you to see them,” I said, my voice filled with longing and tenderness. “To swim in true starry seas, to see singing flowers, to meet many, many interesting friends. Not to grow old in this world, watching it slowly fade away.”

“Will we be able to come back? I’ll miss Sister Bamboo,” Yi Yi whispered.

“Of course.” I answered without hesitation. “Once we become strong enough to travel freely between worlds, whenever you want to return, Daddy will bring you back. Then, we can bring lots of fun things for Sister Bamboo and our friends.”

At these words, the last trace of worry vanished from Yi Yi’s face, replaced by boundless anticipation and excitement.

“Okay! Daddy, let’s go find the spirit stones! Let’s see those singing flowers!”

Looking into her sparkling eyes, my heart softened and grew resolute.

Everything I did was not for some elusive immortality, nor to satisfy a desire to stand atop the world.

I only wished to open up a broader sky for my daughter.

So she could freely explore all the beauty and grandeur of this universe.