SWDnovel Chapter 90 Mountain Collision
Chapter 90 Mountain Collision
Chapter 90 Mountain Collision
Renault didn't speak immediately, his gray-green eyes fixed on Zhou Xing.
The pressure was put on Zhou Xing's side.
Zhou Xing understood perfectly well. DuPont wanted to reap the rewards while also undermining their own team. They seemed genuinely desperate. But he couldn't act now; Renault's reputation still held great value.
"Thank you for your kind words, Deputy Director."
Zhou Xing looked up, nodded slightly to DuPont, and then changed the subject, "However, underwater searches are technical jobs. The Haihe River has complex currents and a lot of hidden currents and silt. I'm not a very good swimmer, and I would only be a burden if I went down. I'm even less qualified to lead the team."
DuPont's smile faded, and he gripped the cigar in his hand tighter.
Zhou Xing seemed not to notice and continued, "In my opinion, it's safest to let the experts Captain Renault brought over lead the underwater search. We can try a different approach to cooperate."
Renault finally spoke: "What's the plan?"
Zhou Xing pointed to the winding lines of the sea on the map: "The Daoist path is heretical. They do things, especially large-scale operations, by paying attention to feng shui, terrain, yin hours, and inauspicious locations."
Using Western-style sonar equipment to search is like using a fishing net to find a needle in a haystack—it might not be the right approach.
He looked at Renault and then glanced at DuPont: "I know some orthodox Taoist priests at the Yuntian Temple in the west of the city. They have a legitimate lineage in Taoism. They know all about these things related to feng shui and metaphysics."
I'd like to ask if it's possible to trace back to the source and determine which areas along the Haihe River are most closely related to the River God Festival, based on this birth date and solar term.
"By narrowing down the search area, and then having the underwater team focus their investigation, we can achieve twice the result with half the effort."
DuPont squinted at Zhou Xing, seemingly trying to determine whether he genuinely thought the method was good or was just making excuses.
Renault was silent for a few seconds, then stopped tapping his fingers on the table.
"Can."
He finally nodded. "Hans, take two men with you and go with Detective Zhou. All operations will be conducted at Yuntian Temple, and you will follow Detective Zhou's instructions. But you must report to me daily on the progress."
"Yes," Hans replied.
This is both cooperation and surveillance.
"DuPont Deputy Director,"
Renault turned to DuPont, whose expression was not good, and said, "A joint task force can be formed, but underwater search is too specialized, and command must be unified."
The person you recommended can join and follow the instructions of the underwater team experts. As for Detective Zhou, he has a more suitable assignment.
DuPont's face darkened; he knew that this was the end of the day.
He snorted heavily, stubbed out his half-smoked cigar in the ashtray, said nothing more, and left with the clerk, slamming the door behind him.
Renault, Zhou Xing, Hans, and Chen Qi remained in the conference room.
"Zhou Xing,"
Renault looked at him. "You'd better actually get something out of him."
Zhou Xing stood up: "I'll do my best."
In the afternoon, the sky was somewhat overcast.
Zhou Xing, along with Hans and two policemen, rode in a black police car and headed west out of the city.
The further west you go, the narrower the streets become, and the older the houses get. The car bumped along for about half an hour before arriving at the foot of a small hill outside the city.
The mountain is not high, the trees are withered, revealing gray rocks. A stone path leads up the mountain, crooked and twisted, with withered yellow grass growing in the cracks between the stone steps.
Looking up, at the end of the path, you can see a gray-blue viewing wall with a small eave.
We've arrived at Yuntian Temple.
The mountain gate was deserted, with only a small, thin Taoist priest sweeping the fallen leaves on the stone steps with a worn-out broom.
Zhou Xing stepped forward, explained his purpose, and handed over his calling card.
The young Taoist priest took it, glanced at Zhou Xing, then at Hans in a Western-style uniform behind him, said nothing, turned around and jogged into the temple gate.
Several people were waiting outside the door.
The mountain wind swept through the valley, carrying the chill of late autumn, and felt even colder than in the city.
Hans and the two Chinese constables stood ramrod straight, their leather boots clashing with the moss-covered stone slabs, a stark contrast to the tranquility of the mountains.
Before long, the gate opened again.
Qingxu and Yunqing came out.
Yun Qing was still dressed in a moon-white Taoist robe, her clothes fluttering in the wind. When she saw Zhou Xing, a hint of barely perceptible joy flashed across her face.
Qingxu noticed Hans and the police officers behind Zhou Xing and his brow twitched slightly.
"May the Heavenly Venerable grant boundless blessings."
Qingxu bowed slightly, his voice calm, "Brother Zhou, how have you been?"
"Master Qingxu, Master Yunqing."
Zhou returned the greeting and got straight to the point, "I apologize for disturbing you, but I have an important matter to discuss. It concerns a wicked conspiracy that may have far-reaching implications, so I had no choice but to come."
Qingxu's eyes flickered slightly, and he stepped aside, saying, "Please come inside to talk."
The group followed Qingxu into the temple gate.
The inside looks even more old than the outside. The courtyard is not big, paved with bluestone slabs, and the cracks are full of moss.
The paint on the lintel of the main hall was peeling and faded, and there was only cold incense ash in the incense burner.
The air was filled with the faint scent of incense, a world apart from the bustling city of Tianjin below the mountain.
The side hall was simply furnished with only a few old wooden chairs and a square table.
Yunqing silently served tea in a rough porcelain bowl; the tea was clear and steaming.
When she placed the teacup in front of Zhou Xing, her fingertips inadvertently touched the rim of the bowl before she quickly withdrew them. Her gaze swept across Zhou Xing's face before falling back down.
Zhou Xing briefly recounted the events: the Taoist temple, the River God Festival, the inner and outer altars, and their potential major activities along the Haihe River.
After listening, Qingxu pondered for a long time.
"The fifteenth day of the tenth lunar month is the Lower Yuan Festival, the day when the Water God Emperor relieves calamities."
He said slowly, "This is supposed to be a day for warding off disasters and praying for blessings. The incense is burning brightly and people gather here. If it is exploited by evil forces, who use the name of dispelling misfortune to actually attract evil spirits and gather yin energy, it is indeed possible."
Then he frowned slightly: "Yin and Yang complement each other, light and darkness reinforce each other. Public sacrifices are Yang, attracting people and concealing Yin energy; private altars are Yin, using Yin time and Yin place to commit dangerous acts. The inner and outer altars, one light and one dark, perfectly fit this principle."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Xing asked, "Does the Daoist Master mean that Yi Guan Dao is likely conducting a separate, sinister ritual in another yin and evil place, simultaneously with the public River God Festival? Do you know the specifics of how this will be done?"
Qingxu pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I am too ignorant to make a definitive judgment on what exactly needs to be done. But this Yin altar must be located in an extremely Yin and malevolent place so that Yin and Yang can interact and their energies can resonate."
"Does the Daoist Master have any clues about this extremely Yin and malevolent place?" Zhou Xing asked.
Qingxu shook his head and lightly waved his whisk: "My learning focuses on quiet cultivation and praying for blessings. I only have a rudimentary understanding of the art of finding dragon veins and locating auspicious sites. Tianjin is a vast and complex place, and there are probably many places with yin energy, so it is difficult to pinpoint them."
At this moment, Yun Qing, who had been listening quietly, suddenly spoke softly, her voice like the clinking of jade stones: "My fellow disciples and I are indeed rudimentary in this field. However, our Uncle-Master Xuan Chengzi, who is in seclusion in the back mountain, has been studying feng shui, geomancy, and yin-yang numerology for decades and has achieved profound knowledge. Perhaps we can consult him."
Zhou Xing's spirits lifted: "May I ask if this Uncle-Master Xuan Chengzi could introduce me?"
Qingxu glanced at his junior sister, shook his head with a wry smile, and said with a troubled expression, "Brother Zhou, it's not that I'm trying to shirk responsibility. My master's uncle is eccentric—uh—aloof, he's in seclusion most of the time and doesn't see any outsiders. Especially—"
His gaze swept over Hans, who was sitting by the door, and the two Chinese constables with their hands on their holsters. His tone was troubled: "I especially dislike dealing with officials or those who exude too much of a murderous aura. My uncle often says, 'Turbid air disturbs one's peace.'"
"Please be lenient, Taoist priest."
Zhou Xing immediately took out a cloth bag from his pocket, opened it, and inside was a small, bright yellow gold bar. "A little money for incense, nothing more."
Qingxu didn't take it, but sighed and gently pushed the cloth bag back: "Brother Zhou, it's not about money. If my uncle cared about these valuables, he wouldn't have been living a hard life in this back mountain for so many years."
He looked at Zhou Xing with sincere eyes, but also with a hint of admonition: "My master is extremely strict and eccentric in his examinations. If he finds you agreeable and you are compatible, even an ordinary villager can be discussed with him and gain a great deal from it."
If he doesn't think much of you, no matter if you are a king or general, or as rich as a country, you can forget about getting a single word from him.
Brother Zhou, you exude a menacing aura and arrive with the air of a foreign officer wielding a rifle. Your journey to the back mountain may not be for seeking enlightenment, but rather for crashing into the mountain itself. I urge you to be prepared.”
Hit the mountain.
Zhou Xing silently repeated the two words.
Is this a test for Gonggong?
He put away the gold bars, stood up, and solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute to Qingxu and Yunqing: "Thank you for your frankness, Daoist Master. Now that we're here, we should give it a try. Please show us the way, Daoist Master."