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Chapter 25

Nie Jiuluo had already suspected that Yan Tuo’s visit had a purpose beyond a mere meal. He seemed intent on uncovering some secrets, but since direct questioning wouldn’t work, he had resorted to this roundabout method. The “gift” he presented was indeed significant, but it also put her in a precarious situation. If roles were reversed, and it was Yan Tuo captured by Jiang Baichuan, she would ensure he was locked away securely, possibly never seeing the light of day for years.

As an adversary, Yan Tuo had the potential to cause harm, but since he hadn’t committed any overt crimes recently, it was impossible to say he was entirely trustworthy. A few probing questions were minor compared to her own safety. She had mentally prepared answers to questions like “What are dog teeth?” and “What does ‘taking root and sprouting’ mean?” to avoid revealing any sensitive information.

When Yan Tuo spoke about knowing people, he used the pronoun “they,” suggesting a group rather than an individual. This shift in pronouns hinted at a larger network, not just one person. Nie Jiuluo felt a chill—if Yan Tuo had come without his group’s knowledge, it meant he was acting independently, keeping his motives hidden.

She asked directly, “They don’t know you’re here, do they?”

Yan Tuo’s response was evasive, “I don’t know. I’m here to ask you directly.”

Nie Jiuluo was taken aback: “So they didn’t ask you about your accident?”

Yan Tuo replied, “I told them it was an accident involving a car that flipped over. Since Gouya is unconscious and there are no other witnesses, it’s my word against theirs. I control the narrative.”

Nie Jiuluo’s pulse quickened. It became clear that Yan Tuo had deliberately kept his actions from his accomplices, revealing that he had a personal stake in this matter. His desire to ask her questions while concealing his true intentions indicated a hidden agenda.

“Is there a conflict between you and them?” Nie Jiuluo inquired, probing further.

Yan Tuo deflected, “Miss Nie, that’s not your concern. I’m here to ask for some information, and once that’s done, the matter will be settled.”

Nie Jiuluo regarded him for a moment, then picked up a pair of chopsticks and poured boiling water over them to sanitize them. Yan Tuo, relieved by her willingness to proceed, relaxed slightly.

He leaned forward and uncapped a bottle of beer, offering her a choice: “Do you prefer wine or tea?”

Nie Jiuluo took the teacup and indicated, “Pour some wine.”

They ate and drank in silence, neither clinking glasses nor engaging in conversation. The atmosphere remained calm and unhurried. Nie Jiuluo was in no rush, and Yan Tuo did not attempt to hasten the meal. The restaurant was open all night, and they had ample time to discuss matters when ready.

After a while, Nie Jiuluo asked, “Do you know Dayu?”

Yan Tuo replied, “I know. Dayu controls the water.”

“What else did Dayu do?” Nie Jiuluo pressed on.

Yan Tuo appeared puzzled for a moment, then clarified, “Dayu is primarily known for controlling water—digging mountains, digging ditches, and managing floods.”

Realizing Yan Tuo’s limited knowledge, Nie Jiuluo quickly moved to the next question, “Do you know Ding?”

Yan Tuo seemed to take a few seconds to process before answering, “The Ding of the Central Plains?”

“Yes. What do you know about Ding?”

Yan Tuo replied, “Historically, it was said to be used for cooking meat.”

Nie Jiuluo responded, “Alright, I understand where your knowledge stands. I’ll start from the basics and explain in detail. I’ll cover all four questions you have. There will be no recording, so just listen and refrain from speaking unless necessary or unless I ask you to. After I finish speaking, you will have time to answer questions as appropriate. Since there will be a lot of information, your mouth might get dry, so remember to pour me tea.” With that, she finished the remainder of her wine.

Yan Tuo was very cooperative, picking up the teapot and pouring her a fresh cup of tea.

In ancient times, travel was limited due to the lack of transportation and the dangers of the road. Most people lived their entire lives near their place of birth and were unaware of the broader world—similar to how someone from a southern tribe might never have seen snow or someone from a perennial drought might not know about rivers and seas. For a king, however, understanding their territory and its customs was crucial.

Yao, Shun, and Yu were not simply handed the throne without preparation. According to the “Historical Records,” Shun’s recommendation of Yu as his heir was followed by a rigorous 17-year period during which Yu was tested and trained. Dayu, tasked with controlling water, also conducted inspections and understood the people’s conditions. As king, Dayu ordered the casting of nine large tripods, not for cooking meat but as ritual vessels symbolizing states. These tripods were essentially local chronicles—depicting maps, local anomalies, and unique beasts. They served as a sort of tourist brochure, allowing people to understand local attractions and specialties even if they had never visited.

Nie Jiuluo emphasized, “No recording, just memorize what you hear.”

Yan Tuo, always prepared, typed “Dingshu” into his mobile phone memo. In an era with limited knowledge dissemination, such a term would have been crucial. He recalled the small bronze tripod his sister-in-law had venerated and wondered if “Uncle Yu” might have actually been Dayu.

Nie Jiuluo took a sip of tea, sampled some more lo-mei, and continued, “Let me ask you another question: Is the soil the same everywhere?”

Yan Tuo pondered briefly before answering, “No, the soil varies. The minerals and fertility differ.”

“What about the color?” Nie Jiuluo asked.

“The color varies as well. I recall that the northeast has black soil, the north of Shaanxi has loess, and the south might have laterite?” Yan Tuo replied.

Nie Jiuluo explained, “Yu divided Kyushu, and the administrative divisions have changed since then. There’s a book called ‘Yu Gong’ which, according to legend, was written by Yu and recorded the terrain, soil, and products. Scholars now debate its authenticity, but Yu did establish tribute standards based on different regional conditions.”

He continued, “Simply put, not every place can be treated the same. Fertile land with favorable weather produces more grain, thus higher taxes. Poor soil with short crops means lower taxes. Dayu investigated the soil color, fertility, and products across Kyushu.”

He elaborated on Liangzhou, a region south of Huashan, near the Heishui, and the present-day Shihe area in the Qinba Mountains. The “Historical Records” describe the land as inferior and average in fertility. The soil here is noted as blue-black, also known as green soil, distinct from yellow soil, white soil, or black graves.

Yan Tuo noted the term “green soil” and typed it into his memo. He remembered hearing it before from Hua’s sister-in-law, who mentioned “green soil spikes, flowers, and fruits” when venerating the bronze tripod.

Nie Jiuluo glanced at his phone as Yan Tuo finished typing and continued, “This ‘green soil’ relates to what is called ‘dog’s tooth’ or ‘Earth Owl’ in ancient texts. It’s engraved on the Liangzhou Ding. I’ll clarify this later; for now, just listen.”

Yan Tuo, surprised by the quick resolution, asked, “What is the Earth Owl?”

Nie Jiuluo replied, “The one with the bird at the beginning and the wood at the bottom.”

Understanding that the term referred to “owl,” Yan Tuo stopped questioning and sampled some tripe, which he found rather bland.

Nie Jiuluo elaborated, “The Earth Owl, or ‘ground owl,’ gets its name because it emerges from the ground, specifically from green soil. If you think of it as a plant, it’s easier to understand. It can’t grow in other soils; only green soil is suitable. Other soils like yellow and white are toxic to it.”

Finally, Nie Jiuluo asked, “Do you know where Jiuding went?”

Yan Tuo responded, “It’s still buried, or perhaps in a museum?”

Yan Tuo was uncertain about Jiuding’s current location, but considering the durability of bronze, it was likely either still buried or had been excavated. Based on Nie Jiuluo’s reaction, he guessed his answer was likely correct.

Nie Jiuluo explained, “Jiuding, much like the Jade Seal of the country, was passed from Xia to Shang and then to Zhou. By the time of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, Jiuding was still present. The Chu king once tried to measure its size but failed, which led to the term ‘Wending’ for attempts to seize power. After the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, Jiuding is generally believed to have returned to the Qin State. Historical records mention Jiuding up to the Qin period, where a legend claims that a Qin king, trying to lift Jiuding to test its weight, was seriously injured and died. After that, historical references to Jiuding vanish.”

Nie Jiuluo continued, “Now, listen to this as a piece of speculative history. After Jiuding entered Qin, it was stored away, not being a mere trinket but something of significance. The Qin Shi Huang era was marked by a quest for immortality, and among the records of such quests, there are two notable stories. One is about Xu Fu’s expedition to Dongying in search of immortality, and the other involves Jiuding’s caretaker.”

He went on, “The caretaker of Jiuding, with ample idle time, noted that Liangzhou Ding mentioned the ‘Earth Owl.’ This creature, known for its two characteristics, is described as a ‘treasure-seeking beast.’ It’s called ‘sniffing gold beast’ because it’s believed to locate treasures by its proximity to treasure veins.”

Yan Tuo, deeply engrossed, realized that the “Lucky Cat” he had asked Bird Tea about seemed to be related to this ‘sniffing gold beast.’ He noted the similarity in their symbolism of wealth.

Nie Jiuluo continued, “Qin Shi Huang, despite his immense wealth, wasn’t concerned with mere treasures. However, the second characteristic of the Earth Owl intrigued him. The Earth Owl was said to be immortal, with no signs of aging. Its texture remained intact and its color unchanged.”

Yan Tuo’s attention shifted as he thought of Lin Xirou, who had not changed over the years. The comparison made him wonder if Lin Xirou’s agelessness might have something to do with this.

Curious, Yan Tuo asked, “What exactly is the Earth Owl?”

Nie Jiuluo responded, “In ancient times, during the mythological age, many superpowered beings and strange monsters existed. The Xia and Shang periods were transitional, lacking detailed records. By the end of the Western Zhou period, detailed records and empirical evidence emerged, revealing more about these beings. Some speculate that there was a purge before the Xia-Shang transition, leading to the disappearance of these creatures from records.”

He continued, “A ruler wouldn’t rely on a single strategy. They’d prepare multiple plans. Hence, besides sending people to supervise treasure ship construction in Dongying, Qin Shi Huang dispatched elite soldiers to find the Earth Owl. By his time, the Earth Owl was already more myth than reality.”

Yan Tuo’s thoughts were stirred by this notion. “So, by Qin Shi Huang’s time, the Earth Owl was considered just a legend?”

Nie Jiuluo confirmed, “Exactly. As I mentioned, it was likely a victim of a significant purge. These mythological beings, once real, might have been driven into hiding or even extinction due to human expansion. Despite the Earth Owl’s reputed immortality, by Qin Shi Huang’s era, it was largely a legend.”

Nie Jiuluo elaborated, “The reason Xu Fu’s story is well-known while the Earth Owl remains obscure is that the Earth Owl is described as a ‘fierce beast’ and an ‘evil thing’ in the Ding Book. It is depicted as bloodthirsty and carnivorous. What makes it even more terrifying is that anyone bitten or scratched by the Earth Owl faces dire consequences. The wound, once infected, grows animal hair, and even if the person survives, they become indistinguishable from a beast. Such grisly details make the quest for immortality sound more glamorous compared to the grim reality of encountering an Earth Owl. Consequently, the Earth Owl’s legend has been kept secret, overshadowed by more romanticized stories like Xu Fu’s search for immortality.”

He continued, “Around 210 B.C., over 2,200 years ago, Xu Fu’s treasure ship set sail to Dongying in search of immortals. At the same time, elite soldiers, known as the Bandaging Army due to their black scarves, entered the Nanba Old Forest in the green soil region, covertly searching for the Earth Owl.”

Nie Jiuluo’s explanation painted a vivid picture of ancient quests and hidden dangers, blending historical accounts with myth and secrecy.


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An Owl Rising From The Green Soil

An Owl Rising From The Green Soil

Love On The Turquoise Land (Drama)
Score 8.0
Status: Ongoing Type: , Author: , Artist: Released: 2020 Native Language: Chinese
Over two thousand years ago on a deep night, Xu Fu* set sail to the eastern seas in a treasure ship to search for immortality, but few people knew that at the same time, a group of black-turban soldiers secretly entered the vast and dense Nanbao forest… A millennium later, the dark legend continues to slowly grow in the shadows. Xú Fú: Qin dynasty court necromancer and was tasked by Qin Shi Huang to look for the elixir of life between 219 BC and 210 BC. He never returned after departing on his second mission in 210 BC.

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