Chapter Thirty-Seven: Mystery: Fragments of Mythical Artifacts (Part Two)

When the chubby man asked if he wanted to make money, Wood understood his intent immediately and hurriedly replied, “Brother Wang, you want me to forge a translation of these characters, don’t you? I’m sorry, but you know I don’t do that.”

Brother Wang scoffed, “Who in this business doesn’t do fakes? If you want to make big money and keep beautiful women, how could you get by without fakes?”

Wood replied earnestly, “Brother Wang, I can’t speak for others, but I won’t do it, no matter what. That’s my principle.”

Brother Wang grumbled discontentedly, “Serves you right to be poor all your life.” Then, with a laugh, he added, “Wood, you’ve grown a lot lately. Take my advice—go get checked at the hospital. I’ve heard that pituitary tumors cause that sort of thing.” As he spoke, he shoved Wood out the door. Wood could only give a wry smile; the chubby man was as stubborn as ever—if you didn’t do as he said, he’d mock you thoroughly, and the promised lunch was, of course, off the table.

He hadn’t gone far, however, before the chubby man called him for help again, “Wood, the owner who brought that mysterious inscribed item is here and wants to meet you!”

Anyone else, having just been shoved out the door, would hardly give him the satisfaction of returning. But Wood went back—not for the chubby man’s sake, but because his dimensional system had just appraised the item as a “Fragment of a Mythical Artifact.” He was eager to know who had found it, and where. If he could locate the original artifact and use the Demon-Refining Pot’s power to repair it, it would surely strengthen him further.

There were several new faces in the chubby man’s shop. One was an older man in his fifties, dressed in designer brands—clearly a big boss from Hong Kong. Another was an elder with white hair and beard, robed in blue, in the garb of a Taoist priest. The two sat across from the chubby man, with four burly men standing nearby—clearly bodyguards.

Seeing Wood return, the chubby man hurried to his feet and introduced him, “Boss Li, this is Wood, the history prodigy I mentioned. He knows a thing or two about these characters.” Then he said to Wood, “This is the famous Boss Li from Hong Kong’s antique world!” Wood noticed that the tea before them was the chubby man’s best Iron Goddess of Mercy, showing the high regard in which he held this guest.

The older man glanced at Wood, rose with a genial smile, and greeted him with clasped hands, “Having heard from Brother Wang of your expertise, I specially requested your presence. I hope you might enlighten us.”

The Taoist had been sitting with eyes closed, seemingly resting, but now he looked at Wood, clearly startled, as if he could hardly believe what he saw.

Wood hurried to reply, “You’re too kind, Boss Li. As I told Brother Wang, while I know some stories about these characters, I can’t read them. Asking me will be fruitless.”

The old man stepped forward and took Wood’s hand, still smiling, “Ha ha, Wood, you’re refreshingly straightforward. Let’s set the item aside for now—I’d actually like to make friends with you, if you don’t mind.”

From his manner, Wood could tell this was a seasoned old-timer, albeit one with a gentle, cultivated air that was rather likable. It was hard to refuse, so Wood said, “You flatter me, Boss Li; I’m afraid I’m not worthy.”

The old man laughed, “Not at all. It’s settled then. I’ll call you Brother Wood, and you may call me Uncle Li.”

Given the man’s age, Wood didn’t mind and called out, “Uncle Li!”

Uncle Li beamed, “Good! You’re young and talented—let’s find a place to talk further!” He turned to the chubby man, “Brother Wang, thank you for all your trouble. If you’d kindly return the item to me.”

The chubby man agreed at once, hurrying to the back room to fetch the object inscribed with the ‘tadpole script.’ One of the bodyguards took it, and the group took their leave.

It was noon, and Uncle Li led them to a private room at the city’s most renowned Mansion Cuisine restaurant. The four bodyguards dined outside, while Uncle Li, Wood, and the Taoist settled inside. Wood knew the food here was extravagantly expensive, the private rooms often reserved by high officials and the wealthy. From Uncle Li’s manner, his status was clearly exceptional.

The Taoist said little, but his gaze at Wood was peculiar. Uncle Li and Wood chatted idly over several rounds of wine and courses. Eventually, Uncle Li confirmed that Wood was an ordinary young man, a history major with an interest in ancient scripts. In turn, Wood learned that Uncle Li was chairman of a Hong Kong trading conglomerate and a collector of antiques. The Taoist, it turned out, was a cultivator from a famous mountain monastery in China, going by the name Xiu Yuan.

After much small talk, Uncle Li finally came to the point, “Brother Wood, I heard from Brother Wang that you’ve studied these characters. I’d like to know—how much do you understand them?”

At that, Wood realized the chubby man must have exaggerated his abilities. Uncle Li had believed Wood was only being modest. Wood quickly replied, “Uncle Li, to be honest, I know a few stories, but I truly can’t read them, nor have I ever heard of anyone who could.”

“Stories?” Uncle Li’s eyes lit up. “What stories?”

Wood repeated what he’d told the chubby man. When he mentioned that legend held these characters to be the script of immortals, Uncle Li grew more excited, muttering, “The script of immortals, the script of immortals…” He was quite elated. Suddenly, he asked, “Brother Wood, do you believe in immortals?”

Wood was about to say he didn’t know, but then recalled the Space Management Facility and Lu Daoxuan’s theories. He hesitated, then said, “Perhaps they exist.”

“Oh!” Uncle Li exclaimed joyfully. “Please, tell me more!”

Wood was at a loss for words—he couldn’t say, “I’m a dimension agent and, according to theory, immortals really exist in this world!” So, he remained silent.

At that moment, the Taoist Xiu Yuan suddenly spoke, “Brother Wood, who is your master?”

“Oh?” This time it was Wood’s turn to be surprised. “What do you mean by that, Master Xiu?”

Xiu Yuan replied, “From your radiant complexion and the glow upon your face, I can tell you’ve only recently reached the Innate Realm—a state not easily attained at your age without a remarkable teacher.”

Uncle Li smiled, “No need to hide it, Brother Wood. Master Xiu is a famed cultivator—he can see your realm at a glance.”

In fact, Wood had suspected the Taoist was on the path of cultivation, though at a very low level, not even at the threshold of true cultivation, so he hadn’t paid much attention. He hadn’t expected the Taoist’s sharp eye to discern the difference in him, though the man was too inexperienced to recognize Wood’s true status as someone already possessing liquefied true essence.

Wood smiled faintly, “Master Xiu, your insight is impressive. My sect prefers to remain hidden from the world, so I can’t say more.” Then, turning the topic, he asked, “By the way, what exactly is that item inscribed with the tadpole script? Where did you find it?”

Uncle Li smiled and looked at Xiu Yuan, who replied, “I discovered it by chance while reading our Daoist scriptures. It just so happened that Mr. Li was visiting, so I brought it out for inquiry, but so far, no one knows anything about it!”

Wood asked, “It looks like a fragment. Do you know what the original object was? Was it also covered with these characters?”

Xiu Yuan said, “I found it by accident, so I assumed it was part of something larger!” After a moment’s thought, he continued, “As for the origin of this script, I’ve heard a little. According to my master’s last words, these are indeed said to be the characters used by immortals, containing the mysteries of heaven and earth. If one can comprehend their meaning, even those with poor aptitude may live forever, and those with talent may—ascend to immortality!”

If Xiu Yuan had made such claims elsewhere, he’d surely have been ridiculed as a lunatic or a charlatan.

But Wood was no ordinary person. The identification by the dimension agent system confirmed the Taoist’s words—these were no ordinary inscriptions.

They conversed for a while longer. When it grew late, Uncle Li handed Wood a business card, “Brother Wood, it must be fate that we’ve met. If you ever discover anything new about these characters, please contact me immediately.” The card read: Chairman of Far East International Trading Company, Hong Kong: Li Yun.

Wood accepted it and left his own contact information with Uncle Li before taking his leave.

After seeing Wood off and closing the private room door, Uncle Li said, “Xiu Yuan, what do you think?”

Xiu Yuan was silent for a while, then said, “I can sense this young man’s cultivation is extraordinary. His background must be anything but simple.”

Uncle Li replied, “I don’t understand all this cultivation talk, but the lad is still quite green—he has no experience in the ways of the world!”

“Why do you say that?” asked Xiu Yuan.

Uncle Li explained, “Didn’t you notice? When you spoke about these being the characters used by immortals, containing the secrets of heaven and earth, and that deciphering them could grant immortality or ascension, he didn’t look surprised or amused like others would. Instead, he remained calm, as if it were only natural. That’s not the attitude of an ordinary man. I’m certain he knows something about these characters!”

Xiu Yuan clapped his hands, “That’s right! How could I have overlooked it? For him to have reached such cultivation at his age, not only must he possess extraordinary talent, but his sect must also be of great antiquity. Even if he truly can’t read the script, he must at least know its origins.”

Li Yun’s eyes gleamed as he asked, “Then, for the place we’re heading to—should we invite him to join us?”