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墨書 Inktalez
The night was particularly cold, mixed with the mountain breeze, giving it a winter-like feel. The two individuals who had finally landed safely were now starving and freezing, huddled around a small flame for warmth. The wooden bird had become a wingless angel due to the forced landing, its broken body fulfilling its last mission on earth.
The forest was filled with moisture, making it nearly impossible to find dry kindling. The raw material used to create the flying bird was wood, which had been stored in a dry cave for years, igniting easily. With the wood readily available, there was no need to search for firewood elsewhere. Considering the wind protection, Luzi sat opposite Chuchu. This arrangement allowed Chuchu to use the wooden bird's body as a shield against the wind.
Thank goodness for this wood! Otherwise, they would surely suffer from rheumatism by morning!
Luzi silently rejoiced while watching the beauty illuminated by the firelight. People often say that beauty is best appreciated under light, and it seemed true at that moment! Thinking this, he couldn't help but sigh; if he weren't such a modest gentleman, he might have been staring openly by now!
Chuchu casually added another piece of wood and noticed someone watching her. She reached out to check her face but immediately remembered that this was indeed her genuine face, though she had long been accustomed to wearing a mask. "Do I have dirt on my face?"
Her question abruptly interrupted Luzi's admiring gaze, and he hurriedly explained, "No... not at all! You look great!"
"The master is the grand marshal commanding the Qin State's troops; I am just..."
In these times, one need not fear intelligence but rather intelligence that is perfectly timed. Luzi nodded in acknowledgment and clarified, "Chuchu may have misunderstood earlier; I wasn't thinking about beauty but rather contemplating the I Ching, a question that has remained unresolved for over a year."
Chuchu was intrigued by this statement and quickly asked, "Oh! What do you mean?"
"Well! Let's start with the mountain we are staying on. It is said to be where Thunderous Child learned his craft, which brings us to an interesting point. I have always been puzzled by the sayings in the divination texts until today when I finally understood. The origins of Qian (Heaven), Dui (Lake), Zhen (Thunder), Xun (Wind), Gen (Mountain), and Kun (Earth) are revealed!"
The Book of Changes is divided into the I Ching and its commentaries, and Chuchu had also read this highly revered classic. According to Luzi's mention of metal, wood, and earth among the five elements, three were already accounted for. Adding water and fire completes the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. What mysteries lie within their interactions?
Luzi glanced at the already broken wooden bird and explained, "If it weren't for this flying wooden bird, this question might still remain unsolved today. Eight centuries ago, Jiang Shang had a fierce general named Thunderous Child. It is said that this disciple of the teaching had wings growing from his ribs and could soar between heaven and earth. As for whether humans can fly—well, that's hard to say now. However, the dream of flying with tools can still be realized. Just like how we managed to land today."
Hearing Luzi divert the topic again, Chuchu paid no mind. Resting her chin on her hand, she listened quietly without asking questions. Regardless of the internal connection between Thunderous Child and Bagua, she had every reason to believe that this person across from her could provide the final answer.
Luzi rubbed his stomach; three meals a day had only yielded some wild vegetables in the evening to stave off hunger. If he continued eating like this, his eyes would soon stop functioning! Seeing Chuchu with such a thirst for knowledge, he felt a surge of pride as if he were a teacher. Clearing his throat, he continued the previous topic.
“The ratio of Bagua to the five elements is fine overall. For instance, water, fire, metal, and earth can all be deduced easily. The only issue lies with the connection of Zhen and Xun to wood. Zhen refers to the thunder and fire in the sky; lightning should belong to fire. And Xun represents wind—what internal connection does it have with wood? How could the meticulous Ancient People possibly link thunder and fire with wind and wood? Through today’s flight and connecting it with Thunderous Child, the entire issue becomes clear. He must be one of your Gongshu Family, not only well-versed in woodworking skills but also an exceptional master!”
One sentence awakened someone from a dream!
Chuchu suddenly understood why she felt so familiar seeing those crafting tools; it was because of this! Truly, those involved are often confused! Now recalling the workshops she frequently visited as a child, she realized they bore many similarities to the workshop at the mountaintop.
The reason for this is primarily due to the inherited styles of tools used by craftsmen. Even if later generations make reasonable modifications, they are still based on the tools left by their predecessors. Before new tools were developed, these old prototypes had fixed internal patterns. It can also be said that modifications were merely changes in appearance for better usability, while alterations to core components were almost nonexistent.
Luzi, a student attending private school, was still attentively listening instead of sleeping, nodding in satisfaction. Such a strong desire for knowledge could lead to benefiting others in governance in the future! While acknowledging this, he continued: “I remember when I asked my master about this issue; he stroked his long beard and said: ‘Zhen and Xun represent wood because they signify tree trunks and roots. As for the true reason, I do not know.’ At first, I couldn’t understand this answer, but now it makes sense. Am I being a bit far-fetched in saying this?”
Chuchu immediately expressed support for the teacher's inference.
“Sir! I believe this interpretation is entirely valid. From ancient times to now, myths and legends—whether celestial or earthly—have certain theoretical foundations behind them. It is said that after the Fengshen Platform Divine Proclamation, Thunderous Child did not follow Jiang Ziya, mainly because he had an unfinished task of his own. However, due to drunkenness leading to mistakes on his return journey, he turned into a stubborn rock at the top of Mountain Peak. So according to what you just said, it can be understood that Thunderous Child, while riding out on official business on a great bird, fell into deep mountains and forests because he didn’t know how to land.”
Luzi nodded in agreement: “Yes! What Chuchu said makes a lot of sense; let’s hope we don’t end up as stubborn rocks!”
Upon hearing this, Chuchu couldn’t help but burst into laughter. No wonder Thirteenth Brother and Eighteenth Brother always liked mixing serious matters with nonsense; it was indeed quite enjoyable!
Seeing Chuchu laugh so heartily, Luzi couldn’t help but think that she must be a man! What woman laughs like that!?
Noticing that it was getting late, Luzi decided to formally end the previous topic. He fell silent and instead looked up at the moon, which occasionally peeked through the gaps in the trees. It was another full moon night! If the two of them were to turn into stone here, as the legends said, and were discovered by future generations a thousand years later, would they be seen as cuddling together or simply sitting across from each other? They wouldn't know the truth of the matter; would they mistakenly think this was a pair of husband and wife stones?
As he pondered this, a cold breeze swept by. Realizing that there was no movement from across the way, he noticed that Chuchu had already fallen sweetly asleep. He hurriedly took off his long robe and gently covered her with it. Then he leaned back against a half-log, gazing up at the starry sky and falling into deep thought.
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