Young master, why not become a corpse immortal?

Chapter 159 Past
"The wall was covered with indistinguishable patterns. We traced along the wall for a long time and finally found a staircase at the base that we could climb directly up. We were hungry and thirsty and had no other choice, so we climbed up the iron steps. At the end of the stairs, we found a large door."

Sun Zhong captured Lin Jiang's attention in just a few words.

Lin Jiang never expected that he could actually go inside the coffin wall that appeared to be on the edge of the coast!
Upon closer examination, it makes perfect sense. The coffin is enormous in size, with its outer walls estimated to be 30% the volume of the world. It would be normal for it to have a hollow structure inside.

What exactly is hidden inside the walls?

Upon hearing Lin Jiang's question, Sun Zhong's expression shifted slightly for a moment:

"It was a colossal city shrouded in a dark curtain that blotted out the sky, with the star map carved on the dome completely obscured. The city was full of broken walls and ruins, and it was hard to find even half a complete wall."

Lin Jiang was also slightly taken aback.

What shocked him was not Sun Zhong's description, but that the scene of ruins completely overlapped with the scene he had seen in his divine sense!

So, the huge city I saw back then was located in the wall next to the coffin?

Upon hearing this news, Lin Jiang felt his mind go slightly blank, but Sun Zhong continued his story:

"Although it was dilapidated, we found a strange array platform in the city. When activated, it could generate water and dry rations on its own, which was how we survived our desperate situation. Later, we searched the city carefully and finally discovered a huge palace."

"The palace was in ruins. Behind it was a deserted courtyard with an ancient tree in the center. Coffins hung from its branches. Your grandfather's box was dug up from the roots of the tree."

Upon hearing this, Lin Jiang couldn't help but glance at Sun Zhong a few more times.

He began to doubt Sun Zhong's identity again.

However, this time it's not about doubting whether Sun Zhong is an imposter.

How could one describe such details without firsthand experience?

"The box has two parts: a key and the main body. Inside the box is a fragment of an alchemical text. Your grandfather and I studied its mysteries together. Unfortunately, I am dull-witted and could not understand eight or nine out of ten parts of it. On the other hand, he was well-versed in traditional Chinese medicine and practiced this method with ease. In less than half a year, he had already grasped the basics."

How will you two escape this predicament?

“It all depends on the secret records in the scriptures.” Sun Zhong said, “The cultivation methods record a pill called ‘Returning Home’. With a specific technique, it can be made from ordinary medicinal materials. Your grandfather borrowed materials from the city and spent three months making it. After taking the pill, he closed his eyes and recalled the grand scenes of the capital. When he opened his eyes again, he was already in the bustling city.”

This method may not sound powerful, but it is mysterious and wondrous.

Moreover, upon closer inspection, it seems to be similar to the teleportation technique on his coffin.

"Later, your grandfather's cultivation improved, and together with me, we solved several strange cases in the capital. One day, he sealed this wonderful method in a box and entrusted me with the key. He said that the Ascension Scripture could not be inherited in this world, and if it were to appear in the world, it would surely bring great calamity. Although he did not explain the reason, I have kept it in mind to this day."

Sun Zhong was quite moved, and his tone was full of sincerity.

When Lin Jiang looked up, the deep blue in Sun Zhong's hair had faded, and the crimson, a symbol of hostility, had climbed back up to his temples, pulsating directly between his eyebrows.

Unable to figure out what was going on, Lin Jiang hesitated for a moment before nodding:
"This encounter is indeed mysterious."

“Who says otherwise?” Sun Zhong then looked at Lin Jiang: “I originally thought your grandfather sent you here to retrieve the key from the box and teach you how to cultivate this elixir. Now it seems you knew nothing about it?”

"The old man never used alchemy techniques in his life, so I naturally have no way of knowing about them."

"That's strange. Back then, he was famous throughout the capital for his unparalleled alchemy skills. Why did he abandon them after leaving the capital?"

Sun Zhong was puzzled but didn't ask any further questions. Seeing the kitchen staff approaching from outside the courtyard, he respectfully said:
"Master, the banquet is ready."

"We've been chatting for quite a while now," Sun Zhong said with a smile, stroking his beard. "Xiao Lin, you must stay for a meal."

"Sorry for bothering you."

Later that evening, a banquet was set up at Sun Zhong's residence, and the cooks brought out a variety of dishes and arranged them neatly on the table.

The various Jiangnan delicacies are quite different from the flavors that Song, the cook in Lin Jiang's family, is good at. The celadon dishes are filled with exquisite dishes such as crab meat lion's head and cherry meat.

Lin Jiang only scratched the surface.

Although it tastes good, it can't compare to Song Niang's homemade dishes.

Three people took their seats one after another: a middle-aged couple and a young man who was about two years older than Lin Jiang, all of whom were close relatives of Sun Zhong.

"This is my son Sun Zhao, and my grandson Sun Xing. Come and greet Xiao Lin." Sun Zhong immediately pulled his son and grandson over and introduced them to Lin Jiang.

Sun Zhao was refined and had a scholarly air about him, while Sun Xing seemed uninterested in Lin Jiang and even found it troublesome to speak to him.

Sun Zhong glared at his grandson, but the other boy turned his head away, not even bothering to lift his eyelids.

The old man could only give Lin Jiang an apologetic, bitter smile.

The meal was quickly finished, and as dusk deepened, Sun Zhong wanted to invite the guest to stay, but Lin Jiang politely declined.

As they were being escorted to the porch, Sun Zhong suddenly coughed repeatedly while leaning against the doorframe, and Lin Jiang quickly reached out to support the old man.

"I'm getting old, I'm really useless now."

"Was Grandpa injured some time ago?"

Lin Jiang knew perfectly well what was going on with Sun Zhong, but he still asked a question he already knew the answer to.

Sun Zhong gave a wry smile:
"Last month, I was on a mission to the Emperor and encountered some troublesome matters, which left me with some bruises."

"You must take good care of your health."

"This old man knows what he's doing."

Sun Zhong pushed Lin Jiang away and watched him walk away.

Lin Jiang also waved goodbye to him.

As the city streets came to life under the evening lights, Lin Jiang looked down and opened his palm, revealing a few silver strands lying steadily between the lines.

……

After returning to the hospital, Lin Jiang went straight to his room.

Little Ginseng is practicing martial arts with Chen Dajiang in the yard.

Previously, Lin Jiang had also taught the two of them a finger technique that could target the soul, which he had borrowed from the Dali Temple.

Unfortunately, Chen Dajiang learned slowly and didn't grasp the essentials of most of the techniques. Xiaoshan Shen, on the other hand, struggled because his two small hands were not very convenient for releasing finger techniques.

After all, if she were to use such methods, it would be like poking someone with two chopsticks.

I don't know if it will actually work.

But ultimately, it's a practical skill, and it still needs to be learned. The two of them practiced diligently every night, much more so than Lin Jiang, who stayed up late reading books.

Upon seeing Lin Jiang return, she immediately greeted him:
"Lin Jiang, Lin Jiang! You're back!" Lin Jiang smiled at her.

Little Ginseng blinked and stared at Lin Jiang:

"You're not happy with what you're seeing?"

"Have it?"

Lin Jiang touched his face in confusion.

I felt pretty normal when I came back.

"I've been following you for so long, you can't fool this great hero!" Little Ginseng put his hands on his hips, very dissatisfied: "Did you run into some bad guys? Tell me and I'll avenge you!"

Lin Jiang chuckled and patted the little ginseng's head:

"It's nothing, just a small matter."

After saying that, he went straight back to his room, leaving Xiaoshan Shen fuming behind.

Upon entering the room, Lin Jiang immediately began his internal examination, and within moments he arrived at the palace.

After circling the palace twice, they soon found Liu Fangyue in the western corridor.

Liu Fangyue was moving stones and repairing houses with the little golden figures, but her movements were far less nimble than those golden figures.

Her face was flushed and she was panting heavily. Her soul form should not be bound by power, yet she looked like she was struggling.

Seeing Lin Jiang walking towards her, Liu Fangyue stopped working and curtsied.

"Does the master have any instructions?"

"I want you to help me investigate someone."

"Do you have his birth date and time?"

“He has a name, Sun Zhong,” Lin Jiang said. “I also have some of his hair, but I don’t know how to bring it in.”

"Now that I reside inside your body, I can certainly respond to what you feel."

After much thought, Lin Jiang decided to give it a try.

He closed his eyes and tried to control Liu Fangyue in front of him. Soon, Liu Fangyue's body turned into a faint golden light, which flowed through Lin Jiang's meridians into his palm.

A moment later, Liu Fangyue's body froze again in front of Lin Jiang.

"I've already received it."

Liu Fangyue opened her hand, and Lin Jiang noticed that there were indeed a few hairs in the very center of her palm.

Lin Jiang, who was outside, rubbed his palms together slightly, but the few hairs on his palms did not disappear.

It is estimated that Liu Fangyue only took the essence of the object.

What are you planning to investigate about him?

"Can we verify your identity?"

“This matter may be difficult.” Liu Fangyue’s face showed some difficulty: “Although names are the foundation of destiny, if a false name is used, it will be difficult to make a diagnosis based solely on divination.”

"Can you calculate the approximate location?"

"If I had his personal belongings and his real name, I might be able to put a curse on him..."

"..."

Seeing Lin Jiang staring at her, Liu Fangyue couldn't help but cough lightly:
"If one has the birth date and time, one can deduce one's destiny chart."

"Finding a birth chart..."

Grandfather may have known Sun Zhong's birth date and time.

But how do we contact them?

If a message were to be sent from the capital at this time requesting the birth date and time, it would inevitably pass through Sun Zhong's hands, provided he was so inclined.

Such a calculation is tantamount to exposing one's own shortcomings.

Are you suggesting I go there in a coffin?
It seems that it really is possible.

If one were to use a coffin, it would take about a month to travel from the clouds to the pines, and with a fast horse, it would take approximately one month to make the round trip.

Now that we have met Sun Zhong, it would be fine to stay at home for a day or two, but more than a month would be too long.

Lin Jiang rubbed his temples and pondered for a long while, then suddenly his eyes flickered slightly:
"If I have an object that requires a key, can you be sure where the key is?"

“That’s no problem. It’s not difficult to find the items using standard methods of searching for lost items,” Liu Fangyue nodded.

"I have one in my arms, you should know that, right?"

Liu Fangyue sensed it for a moment, then nodded:

"I know."

Can you find the key to this box?

"Let me try."

Liu Fangyue called out to the little golden figures, then lowered her head and told them what she needed.

In a short while, the little golden figures had used the miscellaneous items they had gathered to build a simple altar on the ground. Liu Fangyue stood in front of the altar with her eyes closed and her lips moving slightly as she silently recited incantations.

Lin Jiang stared intently at the scene before him.

This is also an unpredictable attempt.

If the key is indeed in Sun Zhong's hands, or if it is enchanted with a counter-spell, then all this preparation will be in vain.

After waiting a moment, Liu Fangyue finally opened her eyes:
"Boss, I've found it."

"where?"

“There is a town to the north outside the capital.”

(End of this chapter)