Book 1: Chapter 12: The West Sea’s Falling Cloud Country

Book 1: Chapter 12: The West Sea’s Falling Cloud Country

We all sat down by the coffin and started eating bowls of instant noodles while listening to Jin Wantangs story. As he spoke confidently, he winked and touched his mouth, indicating that we could give our braised eggs to him if we didnt want them.

The story he told was very unique because it had something to do with a legendary ancient king who was completely fictional. There were only sporadic records of him in The West Sea Notes and Alchemical Commentaries.

It was said that during the Eastern Han dynasty, there were a few alchemists who were looking out at the sea. They suddenly saw a mirage appear by the shore that was so vague, no one could see it clearly. Everyone immediately started guessing what it could be.

One of the alchemists said that it was a building under the sea from a town that was previously submerged by seawater; another alchemist said that it was a fleet of huge ships from the overseas Wuchang Country; another one said it was the back of a sea beast that was basking in the warm sun. In short, there were all kinds of theories, but there was one alchemist named Tianmu who said nothing. Instead, he went back and packed his bags.

When the other alchemists asked him what he was doing, he pointed to the distant cloud and said that the mirage was in the shadow of the cloud so he would follow it. When the cloud reached land and the mirage appeared again, he would approach it and happily meet the celestial beings.

Everyone laughed at him, but Tianmu didn't care. He stood with his bags by the seaside and waited for the cloud to slowly come ashore. Of course, after floating to land, the mirage disappeared, but the cloud miraculously didn't disperse. Instead, it drifted inland as if it had a life of its own.

Tianmu followed the cloud and traveled all the way to western China. It was only when he stood in front of a big stretch of water that he finally saw the mirage again. He found a fisherman who was willing to let him on his boat and then sailed into the mirage. There he found a country that was called the West Seas Falling Cloud Country.

The monarch of this country, called King Qin Huang, said that he was a prince of the State of Qin. After his death, he was named the West Seas Immortal King, so he established the Falling Cloud Country.

When Jin Wantang said this, he lowered his voice, "Do you know what this legend has to do with this tomb? Hand over your braised eggs and Ill tell you."

I didnt like the taste anyways, so I forked over my braised egg while Fatty poured him half a bowl of noodles. Old Jin took a bite of the egg and continued, "Don't you think this legend is very similar to another legend?"

"What do you mean? If the West Seas Falling Cloud Country is in western China, then are you talking about the Queen of the Wests Country? I asked him. "Did this alchemist arrive in the Queen of the Wests Country? Or is the West Seas Falling Cloud Country another name for the Queen of the Wests country? Or is there some other kind of relationship between them?"

"Bone contraction?" Jin Wantang exclaimed.

We watched Poker-Face get smaller and smaller until he could stuff himself into the gap using yoga-like movements.

After entering, he kicked the stone pillar and twisted his body to restore himself to his usual size. We continued watching as he shined his flashlight on the area right under the body.

"Mute Father (1), what are you looking for?" Jin Wantang asked.

"Land deed (2)," Poker-Face answered him.

I got excited as soon as I heard this and looked at Jin Wantang, realizing that our speculation just now was ridiculous. If it really was related to Tianmu, then the Eastern Han Dynasty already had land deeds at that time. We could find out who exactly was in the sarcophagus.

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TN Notes:

(1) Yes, thats literally how it translated. Remember, gotta show respect to your elders lol.

(2) Could also be called land coupon I guess. I was only finding results here on Baidu. They were originally used as inviolable proof that the deceased owned that spot of land (and the tomb) in the underworld. They have distinctive Taoist cultural characteristics and appeared in the middle and late Eastern Han Dynasty. (Its what Poker-face was looking at ~25:16 of episode 3 in the drama).

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Depending on where you are in the world, Happy New Year (or almost New Year)!!!!