Chapter 90: Strange Tales From The Records Of Disasters, Xi Yue
The Great Yin Dynasty has always been winning.
After thoroughly reading over a dozen versions of《 Yin Book》, Hong Yuan had only this one thought.
The Great Yin Dynasty has always been declining, in continuous collapse, but it has always been winning.
Over eight hundred years, depraved gods and evil sacrifices, Dragon Emperors and demon lords, all sorts of ambitious figures rising one after another, succeeding one another and causing the Great Yin Dynasty to tremble and suffer calamity time and again.
Yet in the end, the only winner has always been the Great Yin Dynasty.
Hong Yuan raised his brows.
Winning for a moment is nothing; winning for eight hundred years is truly unbelievable. The waters of this Great Yin Dynasty are far deeper than imagined.
Hong Yuan felt that slowing his steps and settling himself was the right choice.
Not only to digest the essence of martial arts, but also to take this opportunity to learn more about the history of this world.
That《 Yin Book》 at the level of noble clans and powerful nobles is just a popular read, but for the middle and lower classes, it is monopolized knowledge.
While pondering, Hong Yuan flipped open the《 Records of Disasters》 in his hand.
Compared to the《 Yin Book》, this book is even more bizarre and strange, similar to the booklet《 Miscellaneous Records》 left by Qin Fuzi.
However, the《 Miscellaneous Records》 are recorded quite scattered, haphazardly here and there, while this《 Records of Disasters》 mainly tells of some supernatural events in the Land of Mingzhou.
Hong Yuan flipped to a page, and it happened to be about Linjiang Prefecture.
“In the thirteenth year of Jingming, in Wushan County of Linjiang Prefecture, a dry well suddenly surged with clear spring water. When people went to see it, they saw the shadow of scales and claws in the spring… In three days, one hundred and twenty people inexplicably threw themselves into the well, so Vajra Temple high monks were sent to set up a ritual site for suppression… Filled with quicklime, it became silent.”
Hmm? Wushan County?
As the first stop for Hong Yuan to challenge various masters, he naturally remembered it vividly, but upon a slight recollection of the ‘Jingming’ reign era, it was already over a hundred years ago.
Flipping further back, this time there was no specific time record, and the event occurred in Mingzhou Prefecture.
“Three hundred boys and girls missing in Mingzhou, searched to a desolate temple and saw human oil lamps with white bones as wicks, candle flames like blood… In the blood flames, shadows of the group of children playing on the wall could faintly be seen… A sword master swung his sword and cut down the candle flames, immediately eliciting shrill cries, heart-chilling to hear!”
The pages rustled as they turned, almost all similar tales of evil and monstrous events, often causing massive casualties—no wonder this book is named《 Records of Disasters》.
There was dim sum and fine wine on the small table beside him. Hong Yuan poured a full cup of wine, took some pastries, ate and drank while savoring the reading with great relish, unaware of the passage of time.
Until a light footsteps sounded outside the door, and as it neared the door, the steps slowed and breathing was held.
Hong Yuan’s gaze did not leave the book, but in his mind, the image of a young girl had already appeared on her own. She stood at the door, hesitating, wanting to knock but not daring, not even daring to breathe.
“The door’s not closed, come in!” Hong Yuan turned the page without lifting his head.
Immediately, a young girl’s panicked low cry came from outside the door. After about one or two breaths, the door was gently pushed open, and a woman with delicate features, curved brows and eyes, wearing a bright red dress, walked in.
The young girl kept her head lowered, holding a box in her two fair little hands, stealing cautious glances at Hong Yuan with a somewhat complex look in her eyes.
The young girl was named Tao Xiyue. She had once seen Hong Yuan strike with a single knife at the Yangquan County Wharf while boating with Tao Jingxing.
Whether it was that ruthless and decisive strike, or the poem he laughed and recited after beheading with one knife, it had left a considerable shock on her at the time.
At that time, Tao Xiyue had even thought of finding out his identity and recruiting him into the Tao Family to serve while he had not yet risen to prominence.
Unexpectedly, upon meeting again, hmm… they were indeed ‘family’ now, except that the Tao Family had become the vassal.
Even though she had been repeatedly instructed by her father Tao Gongwang, Tao Xiyue still could not hide her shock. She curtseyed gracefully: “This young lady pays respects to the Lord.”
Hong Yuan closed the book, shifting his gaze over. When his sight fell on her, he could clearly feel the young girl tremble lightly.
“No need to fear me. I won’t eat people. Lift your head.” Hong Yuan said indifferently.
Tao Xiyue hurriedly raised her head. Her eyes, carrying some panic, met Hong Yuan’s, and she immediately froze, suddenly feeling not so afraid.
Hong Yuan said: “What is the young lady’s name?”
“This young lady is Xiyue. By order of my father Tao Gong, I have come to deliver this box to the Lord.” Tao Xiyue averted her eyes and answered softly.
In this life, customs are open. Whether noble ladies or common women, the bold ones will confess on the spot to a man they fancy even if met on the street; there is no taboo against asking a woman’s given name.
Of course, even if there were, it wouldn’t constrain Hong Yuan.
Moreover, with so many servants in Tao Mansion, anyone could deliver things. If he wanted to show eagerness, Tao Gongwang could come personally.
Yet he sent his own daughter to deliver it—his intent was self-evident.
Clearly, after fully demonstrating martial power, there was no need for Hong Yuan to painstakingly cultivate forces; the Tao Family would themselves find ways to attach and become his confidants.
This was also unavoidable.
The prefecture city had been divided between Hong Yuan and Manor Lord Song of Crouching Tiger Manor. Even great clans like the Guo Family, Hua Family, Wei Family, and Xiang Family, whose forces far surpassed the Tao Family, had toppled overnight. How could Tao Gongwang not feel fear?
For the family’s continuation, he could only attach to Hong Yuan’s great ship. What was offering one daughter?
Hong Yuan carefully sized up the young girl and saw her appearance quite resembled the county princess from a certain version of Reliance of Heaven, bright and rosy like a rose, extremely alluring.
He then looked at the box and asked: “What is it?”
Tao Xiyue hurriedly said: “This is the ‘thank-you gift’ sent from Crouching Tiger Manor.”
“Oh! Manor Lord Song is a man of his word. Bring it over.”
“Yes!”
Tao Xiyue moved with light steps, her fiery red skirt swaying, soon placing the box on the desk. She then took out three brochures from her sleeve and said respectfully: “These are the force methods collected by my Tao Family. Father knew the Lord likes such things and had this young lady bring them as well. But the Tao Family is weak and has no Microscopic Level Force Technique. Please do not blame us, Lord.”
“Commander Tao is thoughtful.”
Hong Yuan nodded, waved his hand to open the wooden box, and saw five silk books inside, faintly carrying the scent of fresh ink, clearly copied not long ago.
Hong Yuan took one in hand; the cover was marked with ‘Mang Niu Jin’.
This was just an ordinary force method, but its contents had already been ‘translated’, with cryptic language removed.
Hong Yuan roughly skimmed the ordinary force methods and turned his attention to those two booklets of Microscopic secret techniques.
One was named《 Earth Vein Listening Force》.
One was named《 Liver Burst Heart Destruction Force》.
Hong Yuan took one in hand and saw Tao Xiyue still standing respectfully holding the booklets. He lightly tapped the table with his finger: “Put them down. Pour me wine.”
“Yes!” Tao Xiyue did as told, gently placing the booklets down and taking the wine pot with graceful movements to slowly pour a cup of wine for Hong Yuan.
Hong Yuan opened the《 Earth Vein Listening Force》, reading while having a beauty pour wine by his side instead of red sleeves adding fragrance—quite leisurely indeed.
