Chapter 120: The Furnace and the Haunting (Seeking Monthly Votes at the Start)

Time flies, as summer passes into autumn. One observes the cold cicadas chirping against withered willows, the "Great Fire" star moving toward the west, and the heart constellation setting.

Out of caution and fearing he might miss the emergence of the Ding-fire essence, Cao Kong left the Hidden Mist Mountain in the autumn, intending to travel to the Furnace Mountain. Driven by a restless spirit, Cao Xiang decided to accompany him, leaving Hu Yan and the others to guard the mountain. Before departing, Cao Kong brewed a large quantity of strong spirits, instructing Hu Yan to give them to the Yellow Lion Spirit should he come to collect them. Princess Iron Fan was known to be generous, and he figured they could be traded for quite a few spiritual materials.

The brothers traveled twelve thousand two hundred miles to the southeast, following the directions of the Yellow Lion Spirit. Along the way, they crossed mountains and seas, witnessing varied landscapes and infinite natural beauty. Stopping and starting, savoring the scenery, it took them about a month to reach Furnace Mountain.

Standing upon the clouds and looking down at the massive mountain range below, Cao Kong could not help but show surprise. It was truly a magnificent mountain.

Who forged this heavenly stone furnace?
A tripod of the Milky Way, formed of its own accord.
If not carved by the hands of ghosts,
It must have been chiseled by divine craft.
Such a place is hard to find in the human world;
Likely, it was a cinnabar furnace dropped by the Old Lord himself.

Though Cao Kong sensed the spirit of the mountain, he could not perceive where the Ding-fire was hidden; it appeared to be merely a mountain of spiritual resonance. Beside him, Cao Xiang stared wide-eyed, secretly channeling his inner energy into his pupils—a technique he usually employed during alchemy to gauge the heat.

Cao Kong’s mind stirred, and he exhaled two swords, one of Metal and one of Wood. The two swords separated, transforming into the essence of Geng and Xin metal, and Jia and Yi wood. He then discarded the Xin and Yi, keeping only the essence of Jia and Geng. Ding-fire is an "Yin fire," metaphorically represented as the flame of a lamp, which thrives when nourished by Jia wood; as the saying goes, a fire without wood will not burn. Furthermore, when Jia wood meets Geng metal, the metal can cleave the wood to ignite the Ding-fire, creating a phenomenon where wood and fire illuminate each other.

Cao Kong controlled the two swords with his mind, their meeting like that of the golden wind and jade dew.

Clang!

In an instant, the energy of wood flourished and descended into Furnace Mountain. A flash of fire flickered for a moment—not grand in scale, but possessing an endless, persistent quality—before it vanished back into the mountain valleys.

Cao Kong smiled at the sight. The Ding-fire essence was indeed there, merely hidden deep within the mountain due to the lie of the land and the flow of celestial energy.

"Very well, I shall wait a few years," Cao Kong said with a laugh. To him, staying here was no burden; as they say, where in life can one not cultivate?

"Brother, I keep feeling as though there is something in this mountain."

Cao Kong was slightly taken aback. "What thing?"

"I often practice alchemy, and I know a technique—a 'Dharma eye' for inspecting the heat. Just now, when I used it, I felt this place was extraordinary. Winds blow from all eight directions, fueling the fire as if something is being forged within."

"And just now, when you drew out the subtle fire, I sensed even more clearly that whatever is inside is nearing its completion."

Cao Xiang added, "It won't take more than two or three years."

Upon hearing this, Cao Kong replied, "The Ding-fire essence is hard to find, so I have decided to wait and see. If this mountain's configuration was truly crafted by someone, I shall trade treasure for treasure when they arrive. If no one comes, I shall take it for myself."

Cao Xiang laughed, "Good. Then I shall stay with you, brother. I find this place quite wonderful; perhaps I will gain some insight by observing it."

Cao Xiang looked around and suddenly said with delight, "Brother, there is a city over there. Why don't we go and live there for a few years?" Having spent three years among mortals with the Golden Horn, he felt a certain nostalgia for the red dust of the human world.

Cao Kong thought that after so many years of quiet cultivation in the mountains, living in the human world might be a unique experience, so he nodded in agreement.

Cao Xiang was overjoyed. The brothers landed ten miles outside the city, found a secluded spot away from prying eyes, and walked toward the city. The city was not small, but it lacked any flags on its ramparts, and they did not know its name. The brothers did not care and walked straight in. They saw bustling tea houses and wine shops on both sides, with people coming and going in the grain and oil markets; the restaurants and singing houses were prosperous and lively.

As soon as they entered, a sharp-eyed broker—a burly man—approached them. Other brokers who were a step too slow clenched their fists in regret, for in their eyes, the two brothers in their Taoist robes looked extraordinary, possessing an indescribable air that suggested they were men of means.

The burly man grinned and said, "The two Taoists look quite unfamiliar. Is this your first time in Qingyun City? Do you need food and lodging? I am Zhao Zhong, and I can arrange everything for you. Of course, this requires a small... heh heh."

Cao Kong nodded. Since they intended to stay, they needed a place to live. "That would be troublesome," he said.

"No trouble, no trouble at all! I will take you to see some properties right now."

Zhao Zhong led them through many turns until they arrived at a prosperous area, where a grand residence appeared before them.

"How is it, Taoists? This residence is located in a bustling area, but it is well-arranged inside, soundproof and quiet. Come, let me show you around."

Zhao Zhong walked ahead, while the two brothers followed, observing what was indeed a fine human dwelling. Cao Kong nodded, thinking it was not as quiet as the mountains, but acceptable. He held out his hand to Cao Xiang.

Cao Xiang looked at his brother, bewildered. "Brother, what is this for?"

"Money. Let's take this one."

Cao Xiang’s face paled, and he leaned in to whisper, "Brother, you didn't bring any money? Haven't you always had everything arranged?"

Cao Kong’s heart skipped a beat. He looked at Zhao Zhong ahead and whispered back, "You didn't bring any? Isn't gold and silver what you've liked most all these years?"

"I spent it all while playing with the Golden Horn."

The two brothers stared at each other, at a loss for words. There is a saying in the mortal world that a single copper coin can stump a hero, and now the brothers truly understood the feeling.

They remained silent. One quietly rummaged through his sleeves, while the other reached into a leather pouch. Finally, Cao Xiang fished out two taels of broken silver. Clearly, two taels of silver were far from enough to rent such a grand courtyard.

Just then, Zhao Zhong looked over enthusiastically, "Two Taoists, what do you think? Is it to your liking?"

Cao Xiang’s eyes drifted. Sometimes, poverty can rob one of confidence, even if that person is capable of riding the clouds.

Cao Kong’s expression remained unchanged as he made a quick decision. He mused, "My good man, you can see from our attire that we are men of the Tao."

"So?"

"So, are there any haunted houses in the city?"

Zhao Zhong’s expression shifted, and he looked at Cao Kong in astonishment. "Are you serious, Taoist?"

"Naturally."

"Well, there are indeed a few places in this city that aren't quite clean. Anyone who has lived there either fell gravely ill or fled in terror. Which one would you like to go to?"

"The one with the most active spirits."

Hearing this, Zhao Zhong’s expression changed again, revealing a look of admiration. He silently bowed to show his respect.

An hour later, Zhao Zhong led them to a quiet corner of the city, then stopped and said cautiously, "Taoists, I can only take you this far. Walk three hundred paces forward and turn east, and you will see it."

"And the price..."

"Hardly anyone lives in that house. Please, go ahead and stay as you please."

Cao Kong nodded slightly, then, in front of Cao Xiang, broke off a small piece of the two taels of silver and handed it to Zhao Zhong.

"We have taken up much of your time. Please, accept this."