A Life of Attributes Starting as a Nobleman in the Republic of China Era

These words were polite, but the meaning couldn't be clearer: either we go down together, or you wait up here and the stuff down below is mine.

Chen San couldn't help but speak up: "You—"

"Chen San." Chen Che stopped him and looked at Akutagawa. "Mr. Akutagawa is right. Since the land deed has changed hands, the things underground should indeed be considered jointly owned by our two families."

He paused, then changed the subject: "However, Mr. Akutagawa's understanding of the feng shui and dragon veins of the Central Plains is probably deeper than my own knowledge of my own courtyard. If this is truly the core of the dragon vein, things won't be so peaceful. Since Mr. Akutagawa has come prepared, he must have also prepared a solution?"

Akutagawa smiled, a composed smile: "Young Master Chen, rest assured. We Japanese have always admired and studied Chinese culture for many years. If there really is anything—well, something unclean—down there, we have our own ways to deal with it."

Chen Che nodded and said, "If Mr. Akutagawa truly understands Japanese culture, he should know about the concept of auspicious days and times."

Akutagawa paused slightly, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes: "What does Young Master Chen mean?"

Chen Che looked up at the sky. The thin, pale sunlight of early winter bathed the construction site. The pile drivers in the distance were still roaring, and workers were coming and going, but no one knew what was happening here.

"Today is the Dingyou day of the Jihai month of the Xinchou year," Chen Che said slowly. "Ding belongs to Yin Fire, and You is the Metal Rooster, which represents killing and warfare. It is not advisable to disturb the earth, let alone explore the secluded places."

Akutagawa's smile faded slightly, and his gaze fell on Chen Che's face, as if trying to discern the truth in his words.

Chen Che met his gaze calmly: "Mr. Akutagawa has studied the feng shui of our Central Plains for many years and should know the principle of 'not opening on the day of You'. At the hour of You, the sun sets, the yang energy enters the tomb, and the yin energy rises. Today happens to be a day of You, with two Yous overlapping, which is a day of double mourning."

He paused, looking at the dark entrance. "It's still daytime, but neither of us knows what's down there. If we rashly go down and bump into something we shouldn't, I'm afraid..."

Akutagawa was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

"Is Young Master Chen scared?"

Chen Che laughed, a smile tinged with the arrogance typical of youth: "Afraid? If I, Chen Che, were afraid, I wouldn't be standing here today. I just don't want to die without knowing why."

He pointed to the cave entrance: "Mr. Akutagawa, we both brought people down here, all living, breathing human beings. If we choose the wrong time and these people perish inside for no reason, what good will it do us even if there really is a dragon vein down there?"

Akutagawa did not answer immediately.

The few sharp-looking young men behind him exchanged glances, their expressions subtly shifting. Although they didn't understand the feng shui concepts of the Central Plains, the mere mention of "a day of double mourning" sent chills down their spines.

After a long silence, Akutagawa finally spoke: "According to Young Master Chen, when would be a suitable time?"

Chen Che stretched out his hand and did some calculations: "The fifth day of next month. The month of Ji Hai, the day of Ji Hai. Hai represents the pig, which governs water, storage, and containment. Water can carry a boat and also all things. On that day, even if there is anything unclean underneath, it will be suppressed to some extent by the containing energy of Hai water."

He looked at Akutagawa and said earnestly, "If Mr. Akutagawa trusts me, we'll go down precisely at 7:45 AM the day after tomorrow. If you don't trust me—"

He smiled, then changed the subject: "If Mr. Akutagawa wants to go down now, I won't stop him. But I, Chen Che, will not accompany him."

Akutagawa stared at him for a long time.

In those eyes, there was scrutiny, consideration, and a hint of apprehension.

After a long silence, Akutagawa nodded.

"Alright," he said. "As Young Master Chen wishes, the day after tomorrow at 3:45 AM."

He paused, then suddenly smiled, a smile carrying a deeper meaning: "Young Master Chen, you're so young, yet you know quite a lot."

Chen Che waved his hand dismissively, "It's nothing, just a few things I've remembered from the old folks in my family who often nag me. I hope Mr. Akutagawa won't laugh at me for being superstitious."

Akutagawa didn't say anything more, turned around and gave a few instructions to his men, then led them away from the construction site.

Watching the yellow figures disappear around the street corner in the distance, Chen San leaned closer and asked in a low voice, "Young Master, what you said—about the days of the Rooster and the Pig—was it true or just a joke?"

Chen Che glanced at him, said nothing, but a slight smile appeared on his lips.

Chen San was stunned for a moment, then understood what was going on, and a knowing smile appeared on his face.

"So, are we really going down the day after tomorrow?"

Chen Che did not answer, but walked to the edge of the cave and looked down.

A cold wind surged up from below, carrying an indescribable smell of dampness and decay. He stared into the bottomless darkness, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Uncle Qian," he suddenly said.

Uncle Qian jogged over: "Young Master?"

"These past two days, I've had people guarding this place, not leaving for a moment. No one is allowed to approach this cave entrance without my permission."

Uncle Qian responded, then hesitated, "What about the Japanese...?"

"They won't come," Chen Che said. "Akutagawa is extremely suspicious. If I say the day after tomorrow, he'll suspect I'm stalling for time, and he might even send someone down secretly tonight."

He paused, his gaze falling on the cave entrance.

"Let them down."

Chen San was taken aback: "Young Master?"

Chen Che turned around and walked back.

"Let them explore if they want. If it really is a dragon vein down there, then it will recognize its master; it's not a matter of who goes down first and who gets to it." He said as he walked, his voice slightly muffled by the wind. "If it's not a dragon vein down there—that would be even better."

Chen San chased after him, wanting to ask him something more, but Chen Che had already gotten into the car.

The Ford sedan started up and sputtered away from the construction site.

Outside the car window, the dark opening grew smaller and smaller until it disappeared from sight.

Chen Che leaned back in the back seat and closed his eyes.

What he just said to Akutagawa was half true and half false.

It is indeed a rule passed down from the older generation that it is not advisable to break ground on the day of the Rooster (酉). However, that is because the earth's energy sinks on the day of the Rooster, making it easy to dig up things that shouldn't be dug up. It is not a saying that it is a "day of double mourning"—that was something he made up on the spot.

All he wanted was to buy time.

He needs to visit Grandpa Zhong in the next couple of days.

The old man had traveled all over the country for decades and had seen countless strange things. He needed to find out exactly what was at the bottom of this cave.

As the car crossed the Waibaidu Bridge, the wind from the Huangpu River seeped in through the cracks in the car windows, carrying the fishy smell of the river.

Chen Che suddenly remembered the smell he had just caught by the cave—damp, sweet and fishy, ​​like the breath of some living creature.

He opened his eyes and looked out at the gray sky.

The day after tomorrow.

He had absolutely no idea what he would encounter the day after tomorrow.