Chapter 29: Slaying Dragons and Severing Phoenixes, an Extraordinary Talent in the Art of Feng Shui (Part I)

Only after Yi Beidou’s figure had completely vanished from the doorway did Meng Qianyuan finally come to his senses.

This man had lived for a full twenty years with these seven needles embedded in his body! He could not begin to imagine how Yi Beidou had endured these years. Despite possessing the innate talent of a Heavenly Demon, he had managed to restrain himself, living in anonymity for two decades, severing all worldly attachments, conquering his inner demons, and walking on thin ice at every moment as he braved countless tribulations. It was difficult to fathom how he had survived it all.

He endured what others could not and accomplished what others were incapable of. Before he understood the truth, he had assumed this man’s sanctification was merely a matter of fortuitous circumstance. Now that he knew the reality, his heart was filled with nothing but profound respect. If it were him, forced to suppress his natural gifts for twenty years just to live as an ordinary person, he doubted he could have managed it.

It seems Mr. Yi saw the inadequacies in my character.

Meng Qianyuan was no ordinary man himself; he immediately grasped the intention behind Yi Beidou’s actions. Why do those with extraordinary talents often harbor deeper inner demons and face greater difficulty in reaching breakthroughs? It is because they have grown accustomed to relying on their natural gifts, and as a result, they lack the varied insights and experiences of an ordinary person. Much like a second-generation heir who inherits a family fortune, they rarely possess the understanding of suffering and human nature—or the corresponding mettle and decisiveness—that a self-made tycoon acquires.

By sealing his vital energy and blood with the Seven Stars Needles of Demon Suppression, Yi Beidou intended for him to temper his character as an ordinary person, thereby gaining mastery over his own talents.

Meng Qianyuan took a deep breath. After adjusting to the immense changes in his body, he stood up and returned to his work, dutifully heading downstairs to continue hauling bricks and leveling the ground.

Meanwhile, after returning to the capital, Wei Cheng retrieved a satellite phone and dialed a number. After several instances of silence, the call finally connected. The signal seemed incredibly poor; even with the most advanced satellite equipment, static crackled through the line for a long time before finally settling into a clear, steady voice.

"Hello? Old Wei? I’m out in the wilderness where the magnetic fields are chaotic. The signal is terrible. I just had to set up a small formation to get this call through. Is there something urgent?"

The voice on the other end was somewhat hoarse, carrying a sharp edge that made one feel as if a blade were brushing against their heart.

"Chaotic magnetic fields? It seems you’ve found the Dragon’s Reverse Scale. It appears the great dragon of Mount Yunlao will not last much longer in this world," Wei Cheng said with a smile.

"It’s not that simple. This is a Hidden Dragon, its subterranean veins connected directly to the twelve veins of the Kunlun Mountains. To move one part is to shake the whole. That is why the location is plagued by surging earth energies and chaotic magnetic fields. To slay it is equivalent to contending with the twelve Kunlun veins; it is not a task I can accomplish alone. I have already petitioned Master Tao of the Maoshan Shangqing sect. He will arrive at Mount Yunlao soon to join me and assist in slaying this great dragon," the voice replied.

"Oh? Is that so? That’s perfect. I recently encountered someone who might be able to lend you a hand. In Wencheng, there is a young man under thirty who has achieved sanctification of the flesh. He is a Heavenly Demon descended into the world, and the baleful energy he carries is no less than your own. If the three of you join forces, you might even be able to slay the Ancestral Dragon of the twelve Kunlun veins. However, this man has one request: he wishes to examine that baleful sword you possess," Wei Cheng said.

"A person of such caliber has appeared in this world? I would certainly like to meet him. If he truly can assist me, what harm is there in letting him examine the Jixin Sword?" the man replied, his voice tinged with surprise.

"Very well, then. I will pass your message to him, and he will seek you out shortly." With that, Wei Cheng hung up.

In the northern suburbs of Wencheng, Zhou Baiwei received a notification. "Sir, the headquarters has sent over some intelligence regarding the item you are looking for. Please take a look."

She brought out her portable professional computer and downloaded the data transmitted from the Special Security Bureau. Meng Qianyuan, who had been working under the scorching sun and was drenched in sweat, set down his tools and curiously leaned in.

"Fang Xiuyuan? The Jixin Sword? Mount Yunlao?" Yi Beidou frowned slightly as he read the report.

"So it is Mr. Fang!" Meng Qianyuan exclaimed in surprise. Having spent years by Wei Cheng’s side, he was well-versed in the secret accounts of many who had achieved sanctification of the flesh within the country.

"You know this man?" Yi Beidou asked.

"He is a peerless, reclusive expert who attained sanctification of the flesh through the path of Feng Shui," Meng Qianyuan explained.

"A Feng Shui master? Isn't that just feudal superstition?" Zhou Baiwei asked in astonishment.

"It is not entirely superstition. Feng Shui theory has its own logic. Terrestrial veins, magnetic fields, and environmental scenery may seem insignificant, but they are constantly influencing people, regulating their moods, and certain configurations can even induce psychological suggestions," Yi Beidou said. Although he had never practiced it himself, he had read books on the subject. For instance, the taboo against placing a bed facing a mirror was to prevent one from being startled upon waking at night by the sudden reflection, mistaking it for a ghost; similarly, not placing a bed with its back to the door was to prevent the subconscious anxiety of being unable to see the entrance while sleeping.

In truth, the principles of Feng Shui are everywhere—the banners hoisted high, the logos on corporate buildings, the emblems on employee uniforms—all exert psychological suggestions over time. It is precisely because of this that malevolent forces exploit these concepts, such as printing suggestive patterns on children's clothing or embedding subliminal imagery in street advertisements. However, these are merely minor paths. The Great Dao of Feng Shui is connected to the mountains, rivers, and the magnetic fields of the earth, exerting a profound influence.

"Mr. Yi is correct. Years ago, during the development of Shanghai, a faction from Japan known as the Nine Chrysanthemums harbored malicious intent. They set up the 'Double Blade Sun-Holding' formation, attempting to sever the city’s Feng Shui. It was this man who intervened, building a 'Pillar to the Heavens' to break it. But that is not his true path. Have you ever heard the legends regarding Liu Bowen?" Meng Qianyuan asked.

Liu Bowen? Yi Beidou’s heart stirred. Legend had it that after the founding Emperor of the Ming Dynasty secured the empire, he feared others would threaten his rule and dispatched Liu Bowen to slay the ninety-nine dragon veins of the land. Of course, this was merely a legend, and the Ming Dynasty eventually fell, so it could not be taken as absolute truth.

"This man is currently doing what Liu Bowen left unfinished. He is not just a Feng Shui master; he is a 'Dragon Slayer' who treats the eradication of the world’s dragon veins and phoenix dens as his Great Dao," Meng Qianyuan said solemnly.

"What?!" Zhou Baiwei’s eyes widened, and Yi Beidou paused, his expression shifting. Dragon veins are the condensation of the earth's energy; in the study of Feng Shui, the secrets of heaven and karma are paramount. How could dragon veins be easily severed? The backlash of baleful energy and the alteration of one's destiny—did history not show that even Liu Bowen suffered a desolate end?

"Have you not noticed how some great dragon-vein mountains have been abruptly cut off? At those critical junctions, they either built reservoirs, power towers, or power plants?" Meng Qianyuan searched on his phone and displayed an image to the group.

It was an aerial view of a mountain range that formed the shape of a phoenix taking flight—the wings, the head, and even the feathers of the tail were clearly visible. Yet, at the tail, several power towers had been erected, pinning the phoenix to the ground like steel spikes just as it was about to take flight. The most ruthless part was the phoenix's chest, which had been hollowed out and flooded to form a reservoir.

Meng Qianyuan then pulled up several more images, also aerial views. In these, the mountain ranges resembled winding dragons, but they were either severed at the body or hollowed out at the head, then filled with various engineering projects.

"These are all the handiwork of this Mr. Fang," Meng Qianyuan concluded.