"County Magistrate, I have found the root of the problem."
Qin Yu put away the compass, approached the group, and pointed at the opposite mountain, asking, "Do you see anything special about that mountain over there?"
"The mountain on the right? Thereâs nothing different about it, just a large carved stone."
Qin Yuâs uncle looked for a long time but saw nothing unusual, and asked Qin Yu, "Xiao Yu, have you discovered something? Just tell us directly."
"Feng Shui burial studies emphasize the left as the Azure Dragon and the right as the White Tiger. The left represents the ruler and the right the minister. The ruler is above the minister, so the usual choice for a burial site would be a higher mountain on the left and a lower one on the right. Look at these two mountains; the mountain on the left is a level lower than the one on the right, and the lower part is exactly the height of that large stone."
Qin Yu pointed at the large stone and continued, "This stone protrudes and faces us directly, forming the pattern of the White Tiger looking back. In Feng Shui, there is a saying: 'Better to have the Azure Dragon a thousand feet high than the White Tiger looking back.' A grave on a mountain where the White Tiger looks back will not only cause changes and unrest, leading to corpse transformations, but the descendants of the grave owner will also suffer accidents and domestic unrest."
"This... it really does look like the White Tiger looking back."
Qin Yuâs words made everyone feel a chill. Liu Anshan couldnât help but glance at Hao Jianguo, who had strongly advocated for the development of the large stone on the opposite mountain. The developer was a distant relative of his, and he had received a significant cut.
"Director Liu, how long has that large stone been on the opposite mountain?"
"More than three months."
"Thatâs it, then. The pattern of the White Tiger looking back has formed a malevolent energy in these three months, which has affected the grave of the County Magistrateâs grandfather, causing a series of events. If this continues for a year or two, the White Tigerâs influence will become even stronger..."
Qin Yu shook his head and didnât continue. The White Tiger looking back is one of the ten major taboos in Feng Shui for graves, an extremely malevolent energy. At best, it can cause illness in descendants, and at worst, death. Itâs no wonder that Hao Jianguoâs grandfatherâs grave is having problems.
Hao Jianguoâs face turned grim, and he said in a low voice, "Master Qin is right. When I came to pay respects to my ancestors before, the mountain on the left was indeed slightly higher than the one on the right."
"Master Qin, should we stop the construction on the right mountain and remove that large stone?"
Liu Anshan couldnât care less about the commission now. If the County Magistrate found out that the idea of developing the large stone was his, it would be disastrous.
"Thatâs not appropriate. The pattern of the White Tiger looking back has already formed. Even if we remove the tigerâs head now, the original Feng Shui will be disrupted, turning it into an ordinary burial site that wonât benefit future generations."
"Master Qin, please help. I am deeply grateful."
Hao Jianguo, without any of his usual reserve as County Magistrate, clasped his hands and said sincerely.
"County Magistrate, rest assured. Since Iâm here, I will resolve the issue. There are two methods to deal with the White Tigerâs malevolent energy. One is the suppression method. The White Tigerâs malevolent energy is very strong, and we can place two stone statues of the auspicious Qilin at the sides of the grave to suppress it. However, over time, the White Tigerâs energy will only grow stronger, and the Qilin statues will need to be enlarged, which is quite troublesome. The other method is to relocate the grave."
"Relocate the grave?"
"Exactly. This is the best solution. Find a new feng shui treasure site for your grandfather. Mount Tongba is not only beautiful but also has excellent Feng Shui. It shouldnât be difficult to find a good site."
Hao Jianguo looked troubled and said, "My grandfather has been buried for over twenty years. Back then, we were poor and used a simple wooden coffin, which has probably rotted long ago. Moreover, disturbing the dead is not right."
"Thatâs not a problem. We will relocate the remains and make a new coffin. As for disturbing the earth, thereâs no need to worry. In ancient times, after emperors achieved their thrones, they often invited Feng Shui masters to build imperial tombs and relocate their ancestorsâ remains. As long as the method is correct, it will not be disrespectful to the dead."
Qin Yu explained, but if Hao Jianguo disagreed, he wouldnât force the relocation. Relocating a grave and finding a new feng shui treasure site is no easy task.
"Since thatâs the case, Iâll leave everything to Master Qin."
Hao Jianguo made his decision quickly. If they didnât relocate the grave, they would have to constantly endure the malevolent energy of the White Tiger. Although the Qilin statues could suppress it, it wasnât a long-term solution.
"Before finding a new feng shui treasure site, we should buy two Qilin statues to place at the grave to suppress the White Tigerâs malevolent energy and prevent further accidents."
Qin Yu went to the top of the grave, where there was a patch of grass. He pulled out the longest and greenest blade and handed it to Hao Jianguo, who looked puzzled. Qin Yu explained:
"Your daughter has sand spots. Boil this grass in water and drink it. In a few hours, the sand spots will disappear, and she will be fine."
"Can this grass cure her?"
"Your daughterâs illness is due to the grave. This grass grows at the top of the grave where the yin energy is strongest. After consuming it, she will naturally recover."
Qin Yu didnât say that consuming the grass is like telling the ancestors, "I know about your problem. I will solve it for you, and you can rest in peace."
In fact, there are historical records of similar incidents. It is said that during the Ming Dynasty, a high-ranking officialâs child fell ill for no apparent reason. Many doctors in the city couldnât cure him. Later, a Feng Shui master learned about the situation and visited the officialâs home, informing him that one of his ancestors was dissatisfied and was showing signs of displeasure.
The master took the official to the ancestorâs grave and picked a green blade of grass from the top of the grave, which he gave to the child to consume. The childâs condition immediately improved. The master then left but explained the reason to the official. It turned out that the ancestor was the officialâs great-grandfather, whose grave was in a remote mountain, making it difficult to visit. Over the years, the grave had become overgrown and neglected, causing the great-grandfather to blame his descendants. The master picking the grass from the grave was a way of telling the great-grandfather that his descendants knew of his dissatisfaction and would no longer neglect him. The grave would be repaired. Afterward, the official followed the masterâs advice, not only repairing the grave but also leading his family to pay respects on holidays. From then on, the child never fell ill again, and this became a famous story of using grass as proof.
After everything was done, everyone began to descend the mountain. As County Magistrate, Hao Jianguo couldnât stay, and Liu Anshan took on the responsibility of placing the Qilin statues. Hao Jianguo and Secretary Wang left, and Qin Yuâs uncle, who was also a town mayor, couldnât stay long either. Only Qin Yu remained, as he needed to find a new feng shui treasure site.
"Master Qin, thank you for your trouble. I will have a proper reward for you once everything is settled."
Before getting into the car, Hao Jianguo took a thick envelope from his briefcase and handed it to Qin Yu with great sincerity. Qin Yu didnât refuse and put it in his inner pocket.
"This must be a couple of ten thousand yuan."
As the group drove away, Qin Yu sighed to himself. No wonder Feng Shui masters were always welcome in the homes of the wealthy and powerful. These people were indeed generous. However, Qin Yu felt justified in accepting it. Without his guidance, County Magistrate Hao would have suffered significant financial and familial losses far exceeding this amount.
"Master Qin, I have arranged for you to stay at a guesthouse in the mountains. We will place the Qilin statues tomorrow."
Liu Anshan, who had deliberately stepped aside when Hao Jianguo gave Qin Yu the envelope, said. These officials were indeed shrewd, knowing exactly when to act.
Liu Anshan had also called a stone supplier to deliver two Qilin statues the next day. As the director of the Tongba Mountain Tourism Development Committee, he had many dealings with stone suppliers, and the supplier promised to deliver them the next day.
The two got into the car and had dinner at the guesthouse. Qin Yu declined Liu Anshanâs invitation to relax in the evening and asked to be taken to the guesthouse, where he went straight to his room to rest.
The night was quiet, and the next morning, the sounds of insects and birds woke Qin Yu. After washing up, he went downstairs to the guesthouse cafeteria for breakfast.
As he approached the cafeteria, he saw a man and a woman sitting nearby. Qin Yu couldnât help but think how small the world was. Could this brother and sister also be staying here?
"Hey, sis, isnât that the guy surnamed Qin?"
Mo Yongxing looked up and said to Mo Yongxin, who seemed to be deep in thought. Hearing her brotherâs words, she looked up and saw Qin Yu, her charming face breaking into a smile. She opened her red lips and said:
"Mr. Qin, what a surprise to see you again. What a coincidence."
"Hehe, indeed, quite a coincidence." As the saying goes, one doesnât hit a smiling face. Although Qin Yu didnât have a good impression of the siblings, he couldnât be rude and just laughed it off, intending to leave.
"Mr. Qin, are you here for breakfast? Why donât you join us?"
Just as Qin Yu was about to leave, Mo Yongxin invited him, even moving to make room for him.
"Thank you, I wouldnât want to be a bother."
Since the lady had offered him a seat, Qin Yu couldnât refuse. Besides, it was just breakfast, and with the dragon compass in his possession, he wasnât worried about anything.
Qin Yu sat down where Mo Yongxin had been, feeling a warm sensation on his buttocks, which was clearly the residual warmth from her seat.
Qin Yuâs face showed a moment of awkwardness, but it quickly passed, and he called out to the cafeteria staff, "A bowl of clear soup, please."
"Drinking soup in the morning, must be crazy."
Mo Yongxing, who already disliked Qin Yu, muttered under his breath when he heard Qin Yuâs order.