The news of Su Jingmoâs death in the war defending the Northwest Border spread throughout the Empire in just three days, wreaking havoc in the Capital.
The soldiers of the Northern Border Army had remained loyal to Su Jingmo for many years. However, when Su Jingmo sacrificed his life for the country, the soldiers found it difficult to accept that Su Jingyan, who was sitting on the throne in the Capital, would reap all the benefits. After all, how could they be convinced?
Originally, the Northern Border Army had planned to recapture the Northwest, expel the Xiongnu, then follow Su Jingmo back to the Great Xu Capital and reclaim the throne. However, with Su Jingmoâs death in battle, and even though the Northern Border Army had gained victory after many years of warfare, they had also suffered many casualties. Moreover, without a leader to follow, they were unsure where to go and what to do.
At first, the soldiers decided to stay in the Northwest and observe how the situation would progress, but Su Jingmoâs body couldnât be buried in the desert.
At the end of the 10th lunar month, a heavy snowfall fell on the Northwest. At that time, the four Vice-Generals spent the entire night in a tent, discussing their next course of action. Finally, they decided to escort Su Jingmoâs Imperial coffin all the way back to the Capital City.
Su Jingmo was a hero, who even in death, deserved to leave the Imperial Palace in the center of the Capital with great splendor and be buried in his Imperial Mausoleum with the status of a great Emperor. He shouldnât be disgraced!
Therefore, the mighty army hastened their march through the heavy snow for half a month, dressed in plain white robes. Along the way back to the Capital, the cities and towns followed the Imperial funeral etiquette, hanging white linen cloths across the streets and alleys.
It was clear to all that someone else had claimed the title of Emperor in the Capital. So as the army marched, personal guards were assigned to protect Su Jingmoâs coffin.
In the end, the army arrived at the Capital five days earlier than expected. Along the way, the army had anticipated that there would be a fierce battle to break through the Capitalâs defenses and bring their Emperor to the Imperial Palace. However, upon arrival, to everyoneâs surprise, the gates of the Capital were wide open and the entire Capital wore linen robes in mourning.
âSu Jingyan is no fool, I see. Right now, if he were to go against the will of the people, he wouldnât be accepted as the new EmperorâŠ.â Zhang Jin, who accompanied the Northern Border Army the entire way, looked at the solemnity of the Capital and let out a long sigh.
â One mountain cannot accommodate two tigers <sup>1</sup> , but these two resourceful men had to be born into the same Royal Family as brothers. This time, however, Su Jingyan came out victorious. â
The Imperial coffin was taken to the Imperial Palace, where the Funeral Hall was already prepared.
There were a total of 26 funeral rituals, all of which were meticulously observed. From âhastening to mourningâ, âannouncing the deathâ, âpreparing the coffinâ, âthe prelude to the main funeral ceremonyâ, âthe funeral ceremonyâ, etcâŠâŠ
Generally, funeral affairs would be handled by the Qin Tianjin and the Ministry of Rites. However, for unknown reasons, it was bestowed upon Xuyun. The monk Xuyun then rang the bell, reciting the scriptures for seven days and seven nights in honor of Su Jingmo.
On the day of the funeral procession, the four Generals of the Northern Border Army voluntarily requested to be the carriers and protectors of the coffin. The streets of the Capital were filled with subjects dressed in linen clothes, who in mourning, appeared to weep softly.
After all, Su Jingmo had died in battle at the age of 29, in the prime of his lifeâŠ.
The bare branches shivered with the cold wind as the funeral procession slowly moved forward, exuding an even greater sense of desolation.
When the coffin carriage arrived at the Capitalâs gate, there was a commotion before the procession all of a sudden. It seemed that someone was shouting something from up high, so he ended up being wounded by the soldiers. But since that person wouldnât retreat, and kept blocking the processionâs path, it caused the funeral procession to come to a halt.
Qin Cheng, sitting next to the coffin inside the carriage, pulled aside the white curtain covering the coffin, with the intention of seeing what was going on. However, since he was so far away from the commotion, he was unable to see much of anything. Qin Cheng could vaguely make out that there was a person kneeling, with both of his knees on the ground. That person made a sharp contrast with the people dressed in linen robes that surrounded him, for that person was dressed in normal blue-colored garments, carrying a bundle with him. It appeared as if he had just arrived from a long journey.
ââŠ.You canâtâŠ.â
Upon vaguely hearing these words, Qin Cheng felt a bit curious and wanted to go see who dared to block the path of the Emperorâs funeral procession.
Qin Cheng then stood up and tried to take a step forward, however, he found himself unable to move. It was as if an unknown force was restraining his actions.
As he turned his gaze behind him, Qin Cheng didnât really see anything.
At that moment, a terrifying sensation gripped Qin Chengâs heart, who struggled desperately to free himself from that restriction. Suddenly, he heard a faint, indistinct voice in his ears.
âQin Cheng, donât go there. Hurry back here.â
Since the voice sounded rather blurry, Qin Cheng was unable to recognize the owner of the voice. Stunned, Qin Cheng froze in place.
âQin Cheng, come back!â
This time, the voice sounded clearer than before, allowing Qin Cheng to recognize its owner: âQu Zhiwen?â
âYes, itâs me.â
âWhere are you?â Qin Cheng, surprised, looked around, but he couldnât find anything or anyone. Puzzled, he thought: â Shouldnât this be like an after-death illusion? How come Qu Zhiwenâs voice suddenly reached me? â
Using all of his strength, Qu Zhiwen controlled a little ghost across space and time in order to observe the surroundings. When he saw the person kneeling in front of the funeral procession, Qu Zhiwen broke out in a cold sweat: âClose your eyes and turn around! Now!â
âWhy?â Qian Cheng was puzzled.
âDo youâŠ. Do you even know who that person kneeling over there is?â Since the spell to retrieve Qin Chengâs soul had not yet been completed, Qu Zhiwen urgently said: âThatâs your past life! If you stay there any longer, your current soul will scatter and turn to ashes! Not even an Immortal could save you if that were to happen! Leave now, come back here and leave that place. I will bring your soul back in a moment.â
â Past life? Scatter? â Stunned for a moment, Qin Cheng only managed to ask: ââIsnât this nothing more than an illusion? How could my soul scatter and turn to ashes?â
âIllusion? How could this be a mere illusion?! Donât you know your soul has traveled more than a thousand years into the past, to the time when Su Jingmo was still alive in the Xu Dynasty?!â
â Itâs not an illusion? â Qin Cheng was so shocked that he couldnât help, but look around. He looked at the low wooden houses, the ancient streets, and thought: â DidâŠ. it really my soul traveled all the way back to Su Jingmoâs era? â
â I thought that I had lost Su Jingmo. I thought that Su Jingmo was long goneâŠ. But nowâŠ. â As he looked at the coffin in front of him, Qin Chengâs hands trembled slightly. A hidden joy grew in his heart, causing his eyes to redden.
â Su Jingmo will be buried on the outskirts of Changâan, which will become Xiâan in the future, in the Imperial Mausoleum of Ninghua Village, where his soul will remain trapped there for more than a thousand yearsâŠ. If I were to stay here, would I not be able to see Su Jingmo again? If IâŠ.were to stay in that tomb, would I not then be able to accompany Su Jingmo foreverâŠ.? â
When Qu Zhiwen saw Qin Chengâs excited eyes through the eyes of the little ghost he was controlling, he could easily guess what Qin Cheng was thinking: âDo you really think you can see him? Qin Cheng, this world canât accommodate two identical souls! If you stay in the same time and space as your past life just to be with Su Jingmo again, after half an hour, youâŠ..â
âWhat does it matter?!â Qin Cheng interrupted Qu Zhiwenâs words with a bitter voice and smile: âHeâs gone. Qu Zhiwen, donât you understand? Su Jingmo is gone! In this life, and in the lives to come, I will never be able to see him again!â
Qin Chengâs entire body trembled slightly, while his face was tinged with a pain that was hard for him to hide: âI donât know how to keep on livingâŠ. Even if my soul scatters and turns to ashes, what does it matter?â
âListen to me very carefully. Su Jingmo is not gone, alright? You can still see him!â
âWhat?â
âI said, heâs still here!â
Upon noticing that the moonlight began to consciously sway with the formation on Qin Chengâs motionless body, Qu Zhiwen felt a sense of exhilaration, reaching out to explore that time and space through the formation.
However, just as Qu Zhiwen was about to grasp Qin Chengâs soul, there was a sudden commotion in the crowd ahead. The young man, who, until recently, had been kneeling on the ground, abruptly stood up and pushed his way through the crowd, hurrying towards the funeral carriage.
âQin Cheng! Close your eyes!â But it was already too late. That young manâs face had already appeared in front of Qin Chengâs eyes.
In an instant, there was a burst of qi so powerful that it even shook Qu Zhiwen in the temple. At that moment, Qu Zhiwen, who had closed his eyes in the ruined temple, suddenly had his eyes wide open. As his hands fell against the ground, he coughed out a mouthful of blood.
Upon seeing this, Jiag Ping knew that something had gone wrong, so he rushed to assist Qu Zhiwen. With a considerable amount of urgency, Jiag Ping asked him: âWhat happened?!â
Qu Zhiwen, with a paler face than usual, wiped the blood from his mouth and frowned: âI failedâŠ..â
âŠ
Qin Cheng had no idea what had happened to Qu Zhiwen, but the moment his past lifeâs eyes met his, Qin Cheng felt as if every limb of his body and soul had been torn apart! However, such intense pain lasted for no more than a brief moment, as a person dressed in a brown monkâs robe suddenly appeared in front of Qin Cheng. That person quickly and nimbly traced the symbol âćâ on Qin Chengâs forehead.
Qin Cheng felt as if the world had been turned upside down, and after a temporary dizziness, Qin Cheng found himself kneeling on the ground. When he looked up, Qin Cheng saw the monk named Xuyun standing next to the funeral carriage, his hands clasped in prayer.
âYou canât do this to him!â Before Qin Cheng could regain his senses, his mouth opened without him meaning to and uttered those words.
Qin Cheng was stunned for a split second. When he tried to speak, Qin Cheng found that he was unable to control his own voice, or even stand up. It was as if he was unable to control his own body.
As he looked at his own body, Qin Cheng realized that he was wearing a rough blue robe, and it took him a while to realize that it wasnât him who was speaking. It was his past lifeâŠ.
Qin Cheng stopped struggling and simply looked at the monk in front of him. Xuyun didnât speak to him, rather he asked his past life: âBenefactor, where have you heard of this matter? I must repeatâŠâ
âItâs not important where I have heard it from, I simply know that this isnât fair to himâŠ..â As he said this, Qin Zonghuan bowed to Xuyun and said: âIf I can save him, then Iâm willing to do whatever it takes.â
âThen, are you even willing to cut off your flesh and perform a blood sacrifice?â
As soon as these words were uttered, Qin Cheng opened his mouth on par with his past life and uttered the same words he said: âI am willing.â
Xuyun looked at the man in front of him and shook his head as he let out a sigh: âFoolish man.â
After saying that, Xuyun waved his hand and Qin Zonghuan was flown away back to the road, landing steadily on the side of the path.
Now that no one was blocking the way, the funeral procession immediately departed and continued on its way. The now injured Qin Zonghuan continued to follow the funeral procession as he limped along. It took nearly ten days to travel from the Capital to Changâan, and of course, Qin Zonghuan followed the funeral procession all the way during those ten days.
To the Northwest of Changâan, all the funeral objects were transferred to Su Jingmoâs grand Imperial Mausoleum, whose construction had already been completed. When the time for the burial arrived, the funeral procession shouted strange words as they carried the Emperorâs coffin into the Mausoleum, and placed the corpse inside the stone sarcophagus that had been built quite some time ago.
According to Xuyunâs instructions, the moment the sun began to set, the burial ceremony could no longer continue.
That night, Xuyun went to a small cottage where Qin Zonghua had taken lodging. Upon seeing the young man, who had gained a few extra days of life, Xuyun sighed, âAre you still willing to exchange your blood and flesh to prevent âthat manâ from perishing in the future?â
Qin Zonghuan knelt on the ground before Xuyun and replied: âI am willing.â
âIn that case, I will grant your request and protect his soul.â At the thought of the Lin Family ancestor, Xuyunâs brows furrowed. Xuyun then looked at the stars outside the window, and said: âNext to Qiong Mountain, thereâs an Imperial Mausoleum for the ConcubineâŠâŠ At Zi hour <sup>2</sup> , when you see a strange light in the sky, go immediately into the Mausoleum, take out his body, and take it to the Concubine Mausoleum. You will have one hour, and one hour only, to save him.â
âYes!â Qin Zonghuan knelt down and bowed to express his gratitude.
Before leaving, Xuyun gave Qin Zonghuan a bead and said, âPut this bead in his mouth. Perhaps, it might be of some use in the future.â After saying that, Xuyun left without looking back.
By Zi hour, some strange phenomena actually appeared in the sky, as a light emanated into the sky, accompanied by loud thundering sounds. The Guards protecting the great Imperial Mausoleum, surprised by the roar, rushed to investigate. Taking advantage of the slight carelessness, Qin Zonghuan quietly slipped into the Mausoleum, opened the stone sarcophagus, and took out the person lying inside.
For nearly an hour, Qin Zonghuan, still with his injured leg, carried the corpse on his back and walked away from the Imperial Mausoleum. Without caring about what was happening in the distance, and ignoring the spreading smell of blood, Qin Zonghuan concentrated his mind on counting the minutes to make sure he accomplished the task at hand within a single hour.
"
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After having crossed the Qiong Mountain, and climbing the unknown mountainside, Qin Zonghuan had exhausted his strength a long time ago. As he gasped with fatigue, Qin Zonghuan carried the person on his back and continued to climb up to the passage leading to the Concubine Mausoleum.
An hour later, Qin Zonghuan succeeded in getting Su Jingmoâs body into the Concubine Mausoleum. After placing Su Jingmoâs body on the ground, Qin Zonghuan took out a matchstick <sup>3</sup> from his bosom. With a soft blow and gentle puff, a small glittering light was born from it, allowing a faint light to illuminate the gloomy burial chamber.
Qin Zonghuan then pulled up the lid of another stone Sarcophagus. Inside, there was an Imperial Concubine with her arms tied behind her back and the rope around her neck. As she had been buried alive as a sacrifice, the woman was so frightened that she burst into tears.
âDonât cry.â Qin Zonghuan took out a small knife and cut the ropes binding the Imperial Concubine. âYou can go now.â
As soon as the Concubine was released from the ropes, she ran away in terror. Qin Zonghuan then took a deep breath and placed Su Jingmo inside the stone sarcophagus.
After realizing that he had exhaled more air than he had inhaled, Qin Zonghuan took a couple of deep breaths. At that moment, upon seeing Su Jingmoâs peaceful appearance inside the sarcophagus, Qin Zonghuan whispered: âIf thereâs a next life, I will definitely come looking for youâŠ.â
With those words said, Qin Zonghuan closed his eyes, and inside him, Qin Cheng fell into darkness along with his past lifeâŠ.
â In the end, it turned out thatâŠ. the Qiong Mountain was nothing more than a burial mound storing burial objectsâŠ. Although Su Jingmoâs soul remained inside Qiong Mountain, his body actually lies in this Concubine Mausoleum, which we once believed to be the âEmpress MausoleumââŠ. â
TRANSLATORâS NOTE:
AAAAAAAAAAHHHH The dots are connecting !!!!! Su Jingmoâs corpse was in the Concubineâs Mausoleum all along!!!! sdfghjkjk