Exploring the Illusory Tomb Part 1 [Ancient Times Version] - Chapter 1: Visitor in the Bamboo Grove

Chapter 1: Visitor in the Bamboo Grove

I have been in the land of Shu for ten years now. Yet, not a single word has come from over there. Of course, I’ve also grown content with this peaceful life as calm as still water. No schemes and deceit within high walls, no careful plotting. In the end, I even managed to keep my life—how could I not be grateful?

Every day I follow Kunlun in studying the obscure arts of the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams, mechanisms, and geomancy. I roam within the Xuanhua Pavilion, where ancient texts abound. Day by day, the tattered scrolls grow thinner in my hands. And my body gradually stretches taller as I grow. Those secret arts of traps and mechanisms nearly consumed most of my time.

Sunlight rarely touches Kunlun’s bamboo house. I spend my days in Xuanhua Pavilion reading and practicing. My skin is always pale, devoid of bl00d. I used to keep my hair very long and didn’t like to tie it up. I would let it fall over my shoulders. Sometimes Kunlun would help me groom it. When I was sixteen, she gave me a jade hairpin. The whole piece is translucent. It’s carved simply with the image of an ancient beast. I could tell it resembled a *Bi’an*.

(Note: 狴犴 (Bì’àn) is one of the legendary sons of the Dragon King in Chinese mythology, often grouped under the category of the “Nine Sons of the Dragon” (龙生九子). Bì’àn is the guardian of prisons and law.It’s said to have a tiger-like or lion-like appearance, fierce and righteous. Because it represents justice and punishing evil, Bi’an images are often carved above prison gates or law courts to symbolize authority and moral judgment.)

Bi’an governs prisons—too cold and fierce to suit a girl—but I loved the gift dearly. Since then, I’ve always tied my long hair simply with that small jade pin. I avoid the lazy look of loose hair.

From childhood, my impression of Kunlun has always been that of a quiet woman. She wears green all year round. She is like a lotus that never withers in summer, serene and dignified. I haven’t met many people, but I still believe Kunlun must be the smartest woman in the world. Her lightness skill was already transcendent long ago—what a pity that now she can only move about in a wheelchair.

For some reason, these past few days she has kept looking at me with a stern face, clouds heavy on her expression. Her gaze made me uneasy. I guessed she was upset because I had been lax in my studies recently. So, I made a few small dishes and brought a pot of wine to apologize. At dusk, when the sky was bathed in glow, she would usually sit in the bamboo grove.

“Yi’er, I could smell the fragrance of Green Jade Elixir from far away.”

Kunlun sat quietly in her wheelchair, eyes closed. Her profile was dusted in golden sunset light. It was rarely so peaceful and tranquil. I quietly approached and arranged the wine cups and jade chopsticks for her. She loved aged Green Jade Elixir wine. There were several jars stored in the cellar, gifted to her by a late old friend. Which she liked to sip in her leisure.

“Kunlun, are you angry at me?” 

I cautiously asked beside her. She slightly opened her eyes, a hint of a smile on her lips. And she said, 

“No. I’ve just been anxious lately, waiting for someone.”

From her gaze, I read a kind of release. Somehow, that expression scared me. After a moment of silence, she suddenly said, 

“But there’s no need to wait anymore. That person is here.”

Just as she finished speaking, I heard a sharp whistle pierce the sky. My body jolted—I realized someone had broken the Five Elements Plum Blossom Shifting Array I had placed in front of Xuanhua Pavilion. Though it wasn’t as powerful as Kunlun’s arrays, it was one of my proud achievements after years of study.

Shocked, I was about to rush over to see who dared trespass into my formation. But Kunlun grabbed me and shook her head. She motioned for me to look ahead.

The thick ferns parted suddenly with a rustle. And out of it stepped a tall, slim figure.

The woman wore a conical hat. She was dressed in plain white. Her face was covered with a veil. It showed only her tightly pursed thin lips through a slit. Her neck was white and clear like light snow on a branch.

She stepped forward and bowed. 

“My master invites you.”

The words were few, precious as gold. Her voice was as pale and cold as her skin, like drifting smoke.

I was still worried about my array being broken and felt hostile toward her. My eyes locked on her with anger. She seemed to sense my displeasure and turned to look at me. Even through the veil, the pressure of her powerful internal force stunned me. I considered myself not weak. Yet this uninvited guest’s array skills were far above mine. Clearly, I had stayed too long in this tiny place and forgotten how high the mountains could be.

Kunlun, however, looked calm. She waved and said, 

“Please wait a moment.”

As if all of this was within her expectations. Then she said to me, 

“Yi’er, come with me to the room. I need to prepare.”

I said nothing and pushed her back. Before leaving, I glanced back—the woman still stood motionless in her original spot. What should have been a graceful presence for a woman appeared stiff on her. In a daze, I noticed she was missing a small finger on her left hand.

Back in the room, I helped Kunlun change clothes as she instructed. Indigo blue matched her pale face. It made her look like a woman in mourning.

That thought startled me and made cold sweat break out. Kunlun, however, pulled out an old book at some point and handed it to me. She gently instructed, 

“Read it carefully.”

I took the book. The cover was tattered, but I could barely make out two ancient characters: “Exploring the Tomb”.

I flipped through it casually. It recorded in detail mechanisms, geomancy, and esoteric arts in ancient tombs. I had seen many books like this before. But this one was different. It felt more like a personal account. It had a pungent smell, as if it had been abandoned for a long time.

Seeing I was engrossed, Kunlun raised her hand to stop me and said, 

“Come out with me. Read it later.”

“Kunlun…” 

I tucked the book away, wanting to ask but hesitating.

“I know what you want to ask. Just do as I say. Don’t ask questions—or I will be displeased.” 

Kunlun looked at me calmly. She was wearing the usual sternness I was used to.

We had depended on each other for ten years. I respected her the most and never dared defy her. So I stayed silent. When we stepped outside, that woman was still standing exactly as before—hadn’t even shifted position.

Kunlun nodded at her, signaling they could go. Naturally, I began pushing the wheelchair. But Kunlun said, 

“Yi’er, stay here.”

I froze, still gripping her sleeve. I was unable to believe her words. My eyes turned red. I blamed my own dullness—this woman’s master was clearly no good. Kunlun was being taken away by force.

I stepped in front of Kunlun and glared angrily at the woman. 

“Where are you taking her?”

The woman didn’t answer me. She only said to Kunlun, 

“My master merely sent me to fetch the elder. But this young lady is rather unfriendly. If she keeps blocking the way, I won’t be responsible for what happens.”

Kunlun’s face went deathly pale. She shouted anxiously at me, 

“Go back right now! You think you can disobey me now that you’re grown?”

Her tone was harsh, and even her body trembled. I was silenced. The woman walked over, placed her hand on the wheelchair, and began to push. I rushed forward and angrily grabbed her wrist. 

“Try taking her—I dare you!”

She snorted coldly and twisted her hand. She grabbed mine in return. Her touch was as cold and hard as ice. Just as I tried to push back with internal force, I realized it was locked in my wrist—I couldn’t use it. Cold sweat poured as I recognized the *Ghost-Binding Hand*. It was a technique meant for restraining spirits, as described in ancient books. Even spirits could hardly escape it, let alone a mortal like me with no combat experience.

Thankfully, she only used slight force—if she had gone all out, my hand would have been crippled.

“Let go!” 

Kunlun shouted, glaring fiercely at her. 

“If you harm her, your master gets nothing!”

The woman let go coldly. 

“Relax. I won’t hurt her. Are you coming with me now?”

Kunlun pressed her lips, face pale. She was giving me a somewhat sorrowful glance. 

“The book—read it well.” 

She emphasized the word “book”.

Startled, I instinctively touched the “Exploring the Tomb” in my chest. Looking up, I saw Kunlun being wheeled away by the woman. She never once looked back. I clenched my lips. I was unable to understand where this sudden change had come from. I stood frozen until her green figure disappeared from my sight, leaving no trace.

Only then did I realize the sun had set behind the western hills. Xuanhua Pavilion, always lacking sunlight, grew even colder at dusk. The sky was ringed with black lined with gold.

My mind was numb as I staggered back inside. The room was just as before. The flowers Kunlun had planted still bloomed quietly on the windowsill.

I instinctively looked toward the bamboo chair in the hall. Kunlun would often lie there with eyes closed, resting. Now it was empty.

I crouched down, heart aching, and stared at the chair in despair. It was like waking from a dream—only to find it was already too late.

Trembling, I pulled out the book from my chest and flipped through the pages carefully. Those strange symbols flashed past my eyes. My head throbbed with pain. As I turned the pages, a small note fell out. It was in Kunlun’s elegant handwriting:

“Leave this place immediately. Do not delay.”