030 The Jianghu Legend of the Immortal of the South China Sea

Jian Yumei glimpsed the beautiful woman from the Western Xia dynasty in his contemplation. He struggled to remind himself not to let his subjective consciousness interfere, to avoid errors, and to allow the scene to unfold naturally.

Jian Yumei knew well that yielding to subjective thoughts would lead to delusion, the gravest error for a practitioner, risking irreparable consequences. He repeated in his mind, "Neither elated nor sorrowful, neither born nor extinguished, neither defiled nor pure, neither clear nor obscure."

Gradually, as Jian Yumei scrutinized the maiden in the ancient tomb, the image began to blur and distort. He understood the necessity of remaining composed.

He recognized the insufficiency of his abilities, the inadequacy of his energy. Though he maintained composure and avoided hallucination, the clarity of the image, so vivid and sustained, was already a remarkable feat.

The image fragmented and vanished, leaving only a brilliant white light before him.

Jian Yumei acknowledged the need for rest, focusing on nurturing his Tianmu acupoint, replenishing his energy and spirit.

Perhaps viewing such scenes for the first time had taxed him; Jian Yumei felt a lingering headache and dizziness. He devoted ample time to recuperation, gradually feeling relief.

He resumed the rotation of the Microcosmic and Macrocosmic Circulation as prescribed by his Daoist lineage, gradually feeling his body grow lighter.

Upon completion, he entered a state of emptiness, transient and transcendent, until the boundary between self and surroundings dissolved.

When he awoke, dawn was breaking. Jian Yumei noticed the crimson sun preparing to ascend beyond the horizon.

He gently rubbed his hands together, concluding his practice, and rose to leave the room.

Stepping outside, he observed the sun rising over the mountains, the mist of Mount Zhongnan lingering in the valleys.

Jian Yumei wandered leisurely through the mountains until he reached a stream behind a hill. There, he found his master seated motionless, possibly having meditated throughout the night.

Perhaps hearing Jian Yumei's footsteps, the master opened his eyes.

"Meier!" the master called out to him.

"Master!" Jian Yumei responded.

"How has your recent training been? What progress have you made?" the master inquired.

"Very good. I had an extraordinary encounter yesterday, stumbled upon something left behind by a person named South China Sea Immortal!" Jian Yumei replied.

"Oh, the things in that cave?" the master asked.

"Yes, Master," Jian Yumei confirmed.

"I've long known of the presence of an adept there, but most adepts dislike being disturbed easily. Hence, I've always kept my distance. I haven't seen any traces of him lately. How are things there? Did you say he left something behind? Could he have truly passed away?" the master questioned.

"Yes, he has passed away, leaving behind a book and two snakes," Jian Yumei disclosed.

"Oh, South China Sea Immortal is quite renowned. He was a senior adept, always accompanied by two Golden Crowned King Snakes, venturing into tombs as if in an unpopulated realm. His exploits were the talk of the martial world!" the master reminisced.

"He truly visited numerous tombs?" Jian Yumei asked.

"Yes, many tombs indeed. Yet, he was not covetous, not indiscriminate in taking treasures. He only took a portion of the artifacts, and it's unknown why he always seemed blessed. After all these years, he has remained unscathed. He was never seen squandering money. Among the tomb robbers, the lowest class comprises villagers banding together to dig graves, selling whatever they unearth for a pittance. Their ignorance leads to undervaluing even valuable finds, with middlemen profiting from their naivety. Then there are the 'so-called scholars' from the south, claiming expertise in various tombs, rushing to plunder upon discovery. Their fates vary, but few strike it rich. Limited in expertise and knowledge of artifacts, they struggle to command high prices. However, the shrewder ones among them may fetch a handsome sum for their own discoveries, affording them a comfortable life. Yet, their fortunes often fluctuate wildly, akin to gamblers who either squander or amass wealth quickly. Thus, many among them experience cycles of wealth and poverty. South China Sea Immortal was different. He was an idealistic man, born in the waning years of the Qing dynasty, witnessing upheaval and dispersal from an early age. Despite receiving an education, some say he even passed the imperial examinations, he ultimately chose to wander the martial world, making a living by robbing tombs!" 

"Yes, his book mentions this!" Jian Yumei interjected. Yet hearing the master recount the exploits of South China Sea Immortal, Jian Yumei felt there was more to learn, a broader understanding to be gained.

"Yes, he was said to possess extraordinary skills, navigating tombs as if they

 were uninhabited, blessed with exceptional luck. Though he faced peril in his lifetime, he always managed to evade danger. Despite amassing countless treasures, he never hoarded them for himself. Rumors abound about his frugal lifestyle, predominantly vegetarian. Some claim he was a disciple of Buddhism, while others suggest he devoted his wealth to philanthropy, thereby achieving longevity!" the master continued.

"Philanthropy?" Jian Yumei murmured to himself, struck by the significance of the phrase.

The words echoed in his mind like lightning, providing him with a profound revelation.

"Master, did South China Sea Immortal truly use tomb robbery as a means to fund philanthropy?" Jian Yumei inquired.

"Yes, indeed. He shunned women, luxuries, urban life—everything. He had a fondness for tomb robbery. According to some accounts, he utilized his wealth to benefit humanity, undertaking many extraordinary deeds! However, these claims remain unverified!" the master concluded.

"Extraordinary deeds?" Jian Yumei repeated. "Can tomb robbers accomplish such extraordinary feats?"