Book 14 Chapter 2 - Extraordinary Treasure of Thousand Years
The three took a different route this time, they went up the mountain from the direction of the monastery's rear wall. Naturally there would not be 808 steps leading up to the top here, instead, there was steep hill and dangerous cliffs.
While crossing a brook winding through the foot of the cliff, Xu Ziling made a suggestion, "If the three of us rob that thing together, later on when those monks describe the heist, I guarantee that anybody would know that it was the three of us who did it. Presently we have enemies everywhere, if added to that number a bunch of monks and nuns with superior martial art skill, so much so that we provoked Ning Daoqi, our days would definitely be not easy.”
Ba Fenghan and Kou Zhong nodded in agreement.
Due to the fact that not too long ago the three of them made public appearance at the Man Qing Yuan, plus their body build was different than ordinary people, if in the latter half of the night there were some people stealing something as a group, only the world's greatest idiot [orig. stupid egg] would not be able to guess that it was them.
Frowning, Kou Zhong said, "But some things are going to be difficult to conceal. For example, our spiraling energy has become a wonder skill that is well-known throughout the world; we can't simply disappear after all these are done.”
Xu Ziling smiled and said, "On that, you don't have to worry. My spiraling energy has reached the level where I could send and withdraw at will, with the speed that is according to my wishes. To deliberately deceive people, I guarantee that there won't be any flaw.”
The other two were emotionally moved.
With envy in his voice, Kou Zhong said, "When will I be able to achieve a level like that?”
Ba Fenghan said, "There is no need for you, Zhong Shao, to imitate Ziling. Everybody's talent is different, and everybody utilizes unique method in his growth, so it is best if you let everything runs its natural course.”
When Kou Zhong nodded acknowledging the instruction, Ba Fenghan said to Xu Ziling, "We'd better lie low someplace, and then when you succeed in snatching the treasure, we'll cover you to retreat.”
Xu Ziling shook his head and said, "In any case, you must not show yourselves and fight, or it will reveal our true identity.”
After a short pause, he sighed and said, "This time we must not use force, we can only rely on the Jade Annulus of He Clan's unusual capability, to wait for an opportunity and make our move. If a fight broke with all those monks, there won't be any difference whether I am alone or the three of us fight together. Therefore, we can only have me, alone, to do the job, alone to try our luck. You two wait for me here. When I jump down the cliff, then you promptly cover for me. This kind of support will be most effective.”
Kou Zhong was greatly amazed, "Xiao Ling, you have always been uninterested in the Jade Annulus of He Clan and my desire to vie over the world; why this time you are so proactive?”
Xu Ziling was nonchalant, "The most fundamental reason is that at the bottom of my heart I agree with the Jade Annulus of He Clan, this kind of unusual treasure: virtue is the only thing worth talking about. Next, I am also curious; the Jade Annulus of He Clan might represent our three persons' three different dreams.”
Ba Fenghan nodded, "In my opinion,” he said, "The Jade Annulus of He Clan represents a stepping stone, which would make me take a step to the highest peak of martial art way. In Zhong Shao's opinion, it is the crucial point in his strive for the world; he would rather toss the treasured jade annulus into the sea than to let it fall into Li Shimin's hands.”
And then, staring at Xu Ziling, he asked, "But Ziling, what vision do you have with the Jade Annulus of He Clan?”
Xu Ziling took a deep breath and said, "When I sensed the presence of the Jade Annulus of He Clan, there was a mysterious tranquility welling up in my heart, as if hidden deep within the jade annulus was some kind of secret truth of the universe that cannot be measured; therefore, the desire to seek it grew in my heart.”
From the bundle on his back Ba Fenghan took out a set of tight nightwalker outfit, which he handed to Xu Ziling and said, "There's not much time, you need to make your move right now. Perhaps tomorrow Liao Kong will have the Jade Annulus of He Clan moved out someplace else.”
Kou Zhong said, "You'd better make yourself look a bit older. After you leave, we will chant sutras for you, while thinking about how to handle the aftermath of the stolen treasure at the same time. The most important thing is that the three of us are unanimous: we will categorically deny everything. Just be careful! My good Xiongdi.”
Xu Ziling crouched down on the glazed roof tile at the top of a temple building. The Copper Hall was already in sight, while the main gate and the brightly illuminated White Stone Plaza were on the other side. He did not see even half a shadow of another human being.
At the same time, he clearly sensed the Jade Annulus of He Clan inside the Copper Hall.
It was a very strange feeling.
It appeared that this rare and precious piece of jade, which name has been passed down throughout the ages, was emitting some kind of energy that was beyond anything that anybody could understand.
In just a short period of a dozen breaths, the emission of this strange energy seemed to be doubled.
Even with his level of self-cultivation, Xu Ziling was affected that a sense of restlessness appeared in his heart, so that he nearly wanted to turn around and leave.
It was only now did he truly understand why all the monks in the monastery must keep away from the jade annulus.
This moment he put on the mask, transforming himself into an old man. As long as he hunched his back a bit, he could guarantee that even an acquaintance would find it difficult to identify him. Moreover, with the hood covering his jet-black hair, there was no flaw at all. On his back was a solid wooden sword that Kou Zhong carved for him, to confuse others' ears and eyes even further.
Xu Ziling took a deep breath. The true qi rose up from the yongquan acupoint on the sole of his right foot, and in an instant it roamed around his entire body.
The jittery feeling disappeared.
He could not help wondering inwardly and clicking his tongue in amazement, but was also greatly puzzled.
If the Jade Annulus of He Clan's influence could be dissolved this easily, why did the monks in the monastery dread it like a tiger?
But this moment he did not have time to worry about it. Raising a mouthful of true qi, he flew down the Hall and wound his way around the Copper Hall toward the main door facing the White Stone Plaza.
The names of Buddha sprang up everywhere.
The sound of fluttering clothes came from four sides, eight directions.
‘Dang! Dang! Dang!'
The Dhyana Hall's bell tolled.
Xu Ziling already anticipated all of these; without paying the slightest attention he dashed toward the door, grabbed the two large brass rings and, exerting his energy, yanked them out.
The Hall's door began to open.
A burst of cold stream assaulted his face; so cold that his blood nearly froze, the true qi in his body was dispersing randomly, making it hard for him to breath.
Xu Ziling made a split-second decision; hastily he scattered the wandering energy and raised his inner power. The cold air immediately disappeared, everything was back to normal.
Not daring to tarry, he immediately rushed inside the Hall.
He felt as if he had just entered a copper shield, or perhaps wandered inside a bronze bell.
The walls on all four sides were densely packed with tens of thousands small Buddha images made of cast copper, none was not exquisitely carved, lining the Hall's wall between the cast copper column with no beam, bringing out the richness of the texture, resulting in splendorous and majestic, glistening with golden light, hallowed ambience.
The light from the outside shone in from behind, casting his long shadow on the wall of the middle of the Hall, as well as to the door on the opposite side, making him suddenly overcome with a peculiar feeling of a ‘thief-lacking-in-confidence'.
And his shadow also fell onto the small copper table in the middle of the Hall, as well as several round meditation mats sitting behind the small copper table.
A pure white, flawless, glittering-jewel like jade seal [orig. ruler's seal, symbol of authority], was sitting nicely on the copper table, aloof from worldly affair.
The seal was engraved with five intertwined dragons, the craftsmanship was superb as if it was made in Heaven, but other than lacking a horn, the splendor was inferior to gold.
Xu Ziling's spirit was shaken.