Chapter Seventeen: The Secret of the Millennia-old Huang Manor (Part 3)

A thousand years ago, the Huang Mansion was nothing like it is today. By a twist of fate, the Yellow-Browed Immortal transformed it into its current form. In those days, the Yellow-Browed Immortal was arrogant, believing that with some cultivation and skill, he was already a master, not realizing he had only just stepped into the lowest rung of the celestial realm.

Emboldened by self-importance, he ventured into all manner of ancient ruins and clan forbidden lands. It was not long before he arrived at the site of the present-day Huang Mansion. Upon discovering this place and driving away its original inhabitants, he began to reshape it, building upon its foundations to create what would become the Huang Mansion of legend.

But good fortune is fleeting. Beneath the land, separated by a single layer, was the secluded chamber of the clan’s ancestor. When this old patriarch emerged from seclusion and found what had become of his home, he was driven to madness. After a battle that raged for three days, both he and the Yellow-Browed Immortal perished together at this very site.

That old patriarch, clinging to life by a thread, dragged his divine body into a coffin, while the Yellow-Browed Immortal’s divine form had long since been obliterated by the murderous formation within the ruins below. Such was the fate the Yellow-Browed Immortal deserved; after all, it was he who destroyed the clan’s foundation, leaving the patriarch solitary and bereft. So, in the end, the old ancestor chose mutual destruction over a pitiful survival.

Were it not for the fact that their battle did not take place within the mansion proper, the ancient manuals and weapons hidden here would never have survived so intact; they would have long since been reduced to dust by their celestial arts, leaving nothing for those who came after to inherit.

Now, within the Huang Mansion, a man stood at a distance, tense and barely daring to breathe, his attention fixed on the mysterious stone platform and the exquisite box resting atop it.

The Fire Qilin, having heard a sound, leapt beside a pillar, wary of further strange occurrences that might rob him of control. He was truly fearful—having already been ensnared once, the saying "once bitten by a snake, ten years shy of a well rope" suited him perfectly.

But, unexpectedly, nothing untoward happened with the stone platform. Instead, the box hovering above it opened of its own accord, revealing a treasure unseen for a thousand years.

What could be inside that box?

The Fire Qilin still hesitated to approach; the uncanny feeling the box had previously given him was simply too dangerous. He truly felt a tinge of cowardice.

After an internal struggle lasting the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the Fire Qilin finally decided to see for himself what this so-called treasure was.

He advanced cautiously, and when a mere arm’s length away, he drew his blade and probed the box with its tip. After confirming there was no danger, he peered inside—but as he leaned closer, he abruptly jerked back, fearing for his head. Such a loss would be irreparable.

Yet, all was well. He remained unscathed; perhaps he truly was overthinking it, and the danger had passed. Otherwise, at this rate, he would have died a senseless death already.

Fire Qilin: Let’s see, then, what exactly are you, to be so well protected?

This time, he leaned in and did not retreat. Upon seeing the contents of the box, he actually felt a tinge of disappointment. What was this?

Inside the box lay a piece of tortoise shell, upon which were inscribed countless markings.

It was uncertain whether they were characters or not; up close, they resembled various forms of animals, and perhaps they were some kind of runic patterns. In any case, with the Fire Qilin’s current cultivation and knowledge, he had no way of understanding their meaning.

Still, whatever this thing was, given that it had been so highly valued by those before, it must be a treasure. He would be foolish to let it go to waste.

With a flick of his storage bag, the tortoise shell was drawn in by a surge of suction and vanished. Thus, the events here came to an end.

As for the other estate with the coffin, out of respect for the mysterious old ancestor’s divine body, the Fire Qilin and Xiao Qing paid their respects and departed, continuing their journey in search of a master and the Dao.

Yet, upon leaving the Huang Mansion, the Fire Qilin was beset by uncertainty.

Would seeking a master and the Dao truly benefit him? After his journey through the Huang Mansion, he had gained a new understanding of the Great Dao. In this world, all followed the traditional path of cultivation, but how many could comprehend the truths hidden beneath the mansion? Yet, he could not abandon his quest. He had promised both the village chief and Uncle Yang Zilin that he would seek a master and learn the arts. How could he become someone who broke his word?

The village chief had always taught him to be honest and trustworthy. If he broke his promise, would he not be betraying the chief’s teachings?

With this in mind, he resolved to seek a master as planned. But first, he decided to return once more to Flamefire Village and bring back all the resources he had gathered to help strengthen his people.

This round trip took several more days. Only after returning to Flamefire Village did he and Xiao Qing set out for the Free and Easy Pavilion.

This time, they followed their original route, hoping to reach the pavilion early and begin their studies.

During these days, a certain yellow-furred spirit was not idle either. When it arrived at the Huang Mansion and witnessed the devastation, its rage was uncontainable. It even swore to grind the Fire Qilin’s bones to dust.

Of course, should they ever meet, it would be most unfortunate for the Fire Qilin and Xiao Qing. But if their paths never crossed, there was nothing to fear.

At this moment, outside Xuanlin City, the Fire Qilin and Xiao Qing arrived, heading toward the bustling city gates.

Fire Qilin: Xiao Qing, what do you think? Isn’t this place much livelier than our Flamefire Village?

Xiao Qing: Yes… Um, brother, what is that?

She pointed at a strange mask, curiosity sparking her question.

The city was as lively as ever. Cries of merchants filled the air, children ran about with pinwheels, laughing gleefully—a picture of prosperity and joy.

Fire Qilin: I think it’s just a mask or something…

Xiao Qing: Brother, what’s that?

Fire Qilin: That… um…

The next moment, Xiao Qing dragged him over to the vendor, eager to select something new.

He could hardly be blamed for not knowing—last time, he had stayed only a day, focused entirely on rescuing Xiao Qing, with no time to explore the city’s amusements.

But now, swept up by Xiao Qing’s curiosity, he too began to enjoy himself, wandering through the city’s delights.

Soon, the Fire Qilin brought Xiao Qing to the place where he had previously traded with a shopkeeper, intending to exchange goods once more.

This time, however, the shopkeeper directed the Fire Qilin to attend the Grand Gathering, for it was the site of the city’s auction—held specifically because of the Fire Qilin’s previous trade in spiritual treasures, the city lord had established this auction house.

The city lord was shrewd indeed. Since the Fire Qilin incident, he had profited immensely from the auction house, which was the only one in this remote region. Pooling all his resources into building it, he had reaped extraordinary wealth.

At first, he worried about security, but to ensure the auction’s safety, he joined forces with the city lords of two neighboring cities.

In fact, only a few days had passed since the auction house opened, yet business was booming. In these few days, the city lord had already recouped his entire investment.

Guard: Away with you, little ones! This isn’t a place for children to play.

Fire Qilin: Sir, we’re here for the auction, not to play.

Guard: You two? You’re not joking?

Xiao Qing: Of course not.

Guard: In that case, please, go on in.

Once they entered, the guard outside whispered quietly to himself.

Today’s Grand Gathering was especially lively, with a remarkable selection of lots—not only elixirs and divine weapons, but even manuals and secret arts, ensuring the auction would reach a fever pitch.

By the time the Fire Qilin and Xiao Qing entered, the auction was already underway, with the second lot about to be sold.

Master Qin: Quiet, everyone, quiet! Now, the second lot—please bring it out!

A beautiful woman emerged from behind the scenes, carrying a wooden tray draped with a cloth.

This was the second lot. When it was placed on the round table for all to see, the crowd erupted in excitement.

It was a pair of beast horns. Under the greedy gaze of many, the hall became a cacophony of bids.

Fire Qilin and Xiao Qing casually found a seat and began watching.

Though merely beast horns, they were no ordinary material—perfect for forging a high-grade divine weapon, and many coveted them.

Within moments, the bidding soared to ten thousand silver taels, and the price continued to climb, the auction growing ever more heated.

When the bidding reached two hundred thousand silver taels, fewer dared to raise the stakes; for most, that was their entire fortune.

In the end, the horns were sold for three hundred and fifty thousand silver taels. Thus, the second lot was won.

Next came the third item. At the same time, the Fire Qilin approached one of the hostesses to explain his purpose in coming.

He had been observing the auction’s rules all along, and only now did he speak with the auctioneer, presenting his own item for sale.

Master Qin was an old hand at this. Once he confirmed the authenticity of the Fire Qilin’s treasure, he agreed to add it as the final item after all others had been auctioned.

Once their conversation concluded, the auction continued.