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Chapter 26

Nie Jiuluo continued, “Xu Fu, as you know, could never return. The Tangtou Army, which has always been loyal, was tasked with locating the Earth Owl. The Dingshu records detail four extremely secret nests in the Nanba region. The Tangtou Army ventured repeatedly into the old forest, encountering indigenous people who lived deep within the dense forest.

To modern eyes, these natives would be considered ethnic minorities. They have adapted to their environment over generations, which has influenced their physical characteristics and way of life. This adaptation is a form of survival of the fittest. Natives who live near the Earth Owl’s habitat have developed keen senses that help them detect and evade the creature, ensuring their survival.

From these natives, the Tangtou Army confirmed the Earth Owl’s existence and proceeded with their mission. They undertook three main actions:

Co-optation of the Natives: The natives’ heightened sense of smell proved invaluable. They were recruited and referred to as the ‘dog family,’ not as an insult but for their exceptional olfactory abilities. This insight helps to connect past observations, like Hua’s sister-in-law’s peculiar behavior, which might have been influenced by such individuals detecting the Earth Owl’s presence.

Blocking the Nests: The Army attempted to seal the four nests and lock their entrances. While the idea of blocking seems simple, it was a brutal process. Similar to the legends surrounding the twelve gold men of Qin Shi Huang, the Army used these gates, called the Golden Man Gates, to contain the threat. Each gate was crafted using a portion of the Jin people, intended to block the Earth Owl’s access.

Entering the Nests: The final step was to enter the nests in phases. Despite the efforts to block the entrances, the task was perilous. The soldiers faced the risk of being trapped inside and attacked by the Earth Owl. The confrontations were intense and resulted in significant casualties. After more than two years of hardship and numerous dangerous encounters, the Tangtou Army eventually discovered the first Earth Owl.”

Nie Jiuluo’s narrative painted a picture of a relentless struggle against a legendary beast, highlighting the challenges faced by the Tangtou Army in their perilous quest.

Nie Jiuluo sighed, “So the story is nearing its end. Tell me, do you think Qin Shi Huang was happy or unhappy?”

Yan Tuo was ready to say happy but hesitated. The emperor was known to be somewhat unpredictable according to historical records, and Nie Jiuluo had asked the question deliberately, so the answer might not be straightforward.

Yan Tuo responded cautiously, “Probably… unhappy?”

Nie Jiuluo’s expression conveyed that she had anticipated this answer. “You’re mistaken. In 210 BC, the very year Xu Fu and the Tangtou Army entered Nanba Laolin, Qin Shi Huang had already died. It took more than two years after his death for the Earth Owl to be found. By that time, the Qin Dynasty was in chaos with Chen Sheng and Wu Guang’s rebellion, followed by Xiang Yu and Liu Bang. The dynasty was collapsing, and Qin Shi Huang was long gone.”

Yan Tuo thought this made sense—if you were dead, would you be happy about anything?

Nie Jiuluo continued, “The Tangtou Army was sent to a remote area where even carrier pigeons couldn’t reach. They were completely isolated, and by the time they found the Earth Owl, the world outside had changed dramatically. The emperor had died, and the Qin Dynasty was disintegrating. The Tangtou Army, having been forgotten, chose to keep their findings secret.”

“The Qin Dynasty had nearly vanished, with no hope of returning to official positions. Wars raged everywhere, and they decided to seal their lips about the Earth Owl and the Nanba Laolin. They integrated into the local community, settling near the old forest and forming a village. Over time, this village evolved into what is now Orion Village, also known as the ‘Bashan Hunter’. Although they lived as ordinary hunters—fighting wolves, leopards, bears, and tigers—they continued their secret tradition.”

“Every hundred years, when enough strong hunters gathered, they would organize a ‘gold worshippers’ expedition to the green soil, hoping to hunt the Earth Owl, an event called ‘green soil spikes, blossoming and fruiting.’ Finding and capturing the Earth Owl meant immense wealth, though most expeditions returned empty-handed.”

Yan Tuo questioned, “But didn’t they ever catch the Earth Owl? It’s supposed to be ‘immortal,’ so capturing one should resolve the problem, right?”

Nie Jiuluo clarified, “The Earth Owls live underground, and their immortality refers to their underground existence. They age and die quickly when exposed to the surface, generally living for only twenty or thirty years. Finding one is not as easy as it sounds.”

Yan Tuo felt a sense of confusion. The story that Nie Jiuluo shared seemed to align with his observations over the years, piecing together the past and its mysteries. However, this narrative diverged when it came to Lin Xirou, who did not exhibit signs of aging or dying like the Earth Owls. This contrast left Yan Tuo with more questions than answers.

Nie Jiuluo saw Yan Tuo’s puzzled expression and began to clarify, “Now, I’ll answer your four questions more accurately. What I said before was only meant to give you a general understanding.”

She continued, “Firstly, about the dogtooth. I previously stated it was an Earth Owl, but I must correct that. I don’t know what it is, and neither do the people of Banya. Many of its characteristics are similar to those of the Earth Owl, and it’s likely that it is very closely related to the Earth Owl, if not a direct relative.”

Yan Tuo tried to interject, but Nie Jiuluo gestured for him to wait and listen.

“There’s a crucial piece of information I didn’t mention before: the Tangtou Army, being Bashan hunters, relied on hunting for a living. The Earth Owl, like tigers, wolves, and bears, was just prey to them. The Earth Owl is a beast, fundamentally different from humans, and thus not a significant concern in their eyes. They see it as a beast, not a human, and in this context, the dogtooth’s behavior was strange but not directly related to the Earth Owl.”

Nie Jiuluo added, “I found the dogtooth’s ability to move freely on high-rise facades and survive even after being stabbed blind unusual. It wasn’t until I learned from Sun Zhou, who had been scratched and experienced root and sprout symptoms, that I suspected a connection to the Earth Owl. Despite bleeding heavily, Sun Zhou’s condition didn’t match the typical symptoms of Earth Owl infection, so I could only conclude there might be a close connection.”

Yan Tuo was troubled by the shifting answers. After years of effort, being so close to the answer but having it change again was frustrating. He wondered why Nie Jiuluo couldn’t provide a definitive answer.

Nie Jiuluo continued, “The second question about root and sprout has been addressed.”

“For the third question, the treatment: The Tangtou Army discovered that the Earth Owl, being an underground creature, fears fire and despises sunlight. Within 24 hours of the injury, applying ‘natural fire’—fire gathered from sunlight using a lens or ancient yang fire—to the wound can force back the roots and sprouts. It’s critical to act quickly; delays worsen the condition. If a red line appears in the eye, it’s usually hopeless. However, Lin Xirou doesn’t fit this description. She doesn’t hate the sun and even enjoys sunbathing, showing no adverse reaction to sunlight.”

“The fourth question concerns ghosts. A ghost is someone who, while not scratched or obviously affected, shows a strange allegiance to the Earth Owl. They act against their own kind to protect the Earth Owl, betraying their fellow soldiers. Such individuals are referred to as ‘ghosts.’”

Yan Tuo understood, “So you think I might be a ghost?”

Nie Jiuluo leaned forward, locking eyes with Yan Tuo. After a few seconds, she said, “Aren’t you?”

Yan Tuo’s heart pounded, and he remained silent, grappling with the weight of the accusations.

Nie Jiuluo continued, her gaze fixed on her teacup. “Gouya killed someone in Xingbazi Township and injured Sun Zhou. You transferred him. Later, you instructed Gouya to rob Sun Zhou at the hotel, blaming him for being careless and getting seen by me. Subsequently, at the small hotel, you had Gouya guard me and Sun Zhou. Even if you’re not close friends, you’re still accomplices. I believe you’re a ghost, and I haven’t wronged you. You’re guilty by association with Panya, and you deserve it.”

She absentmindedly flicked the teacup with her fingers, making it fly across the room. It landed on the ground, unharmed. Yan Tuo glanced at it, realizing that the brief moment of peace and friendship was coming to an end.

Nie Jiuluo then addressed Yan Tuo directly. “I’ve answered all four questions and provided additional information to help you understand. Now, you can ask up to three questions. I’ll decide whether to answer them. Only two questions are left tonight.”

Yan Tuo, still stunned, asked, “You know so much about this, are you a descendant of the Entanglement Army?”

Nie Jiuluo replied, “The descendants of the Entanglement Army aren’t necessarily involved in their ancestors’ business. I’m just an ordinary person who wants to live my own life. I’m not interested in your affairs or those of your accomplices. Next question.”

Yan Tuo’s voice was hoarse as he asked, “How do you kill the Earth Owl?”

Nie Jiuluo’s expression shifted slightly. “It seems you know a bit about the Earth Owl. The dogtooth’s new eyeballs are about to grow, aren’t they?”

Yan Tuo’s expression remained neutral; he neither confirmed nor denied it.

“The Earth Owl has a strong regenerative ability. Even if its head is cut off, it can regrow from the neck cavity. Burning it with sunlight, stabbing the top of the skull, and breaking the spine can inflict more damage, but they only delay the healing process. As for killing it… the Entanglers see Earth Owls as treasures. They don’t want them to die; they wish they could live longer. So, I can’t provide an answer on how to kill it. Next question.”

Yan Tuo felt a profound disappointment like a dark fog spreading from his chest and enveloping his entire being. He had hoped that tonight would reveal a critical answer, but instead, he felt as if he was watching the door of opportunity close.

Nie Jiuluo urged him to ask his next question. Yan Tuo’s mind was in turmoil, unable to focus on even the simplest logic.

The dim light seemed oppressive now, thick and heavy, casting a greasy pall over the room.

Finally, Yan Tuo asked, “Are you telling the truth? Miss Nie, if you’re lying, give me a chance to accept it. I can handle the truth, no matter how harsh.”

Nie Jiuluo sneered. “I’m honest. I’ll return the gift properly; there’s no need to deceive you.”

Yan Tuo sat in silence for a moment, then nodded. “It’s my fault, Miss Nie. How will you be getting back? Do you need a ride?”

Nie Jiuluo was momentarily taken aback but quickly gathered her things. “No need. I don’t want to ride in your car.”

Yan Tuo started to rise to see her off, but then he hesitated. His mood was too dark, and he suspected that his presence might not be appreciated. Despite feeling a sense of obligation, he remained seated.

Nie Jiuluo approached the door and glanced back at him. “Yan Tuo, do you understand now?”

Yan Tuo replied quietly, “I understand.”

“I came here today to eat with you and to explain the origin of the owl because I wanted to return your favor. Now that everything is clear, once you leave this place, our paths diverge. Be careful in the future; I don’t want to cross paths with you again. I’m not going to let myself be deceived twice by the same person.”

Yan Tuo looked at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. “You too. Take care.”

Nie Jiuluo nodded curtly and walked out, leaving Yan Tuo alone in the dimly lit room.


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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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