Chapter 5: No Solution

I’m a low-key person. Even without Fourth Brother’s reminders, I would naturally avoid discussing it. The Outer Eight Trades desperately lack experts in mechanisms. Even a superficial understanding often gets one called upon for tasks, let alone someone like me who has studied for over a decade.

Both my grandfather and Fourth Brother are in complete agreement about whether I should enter this field. I tend to oversimplify certain issues, and my grandfather believes I sometimes neglect details, which is a significant disadvantage in geomancy.

I quietly retreated to the side of the screen, lowering my head without speaking.

Rogue Tan, who must often appraise antiques, examined the box for two minutes before clutching it in his palm and withdrawing his gaze. He gave Fourth Brother a sinister smile, “This thing has been missing overseas for years, disappearing every time we search for it. How did it end up in the hands of this little brat?”

He snarled, “Or are you Gan Family planning to keep it all for yourselves?! The contents of this box might have already been swapped by you!”

I was so angry my teeth itched, but Fourth Brother remained unfazed by his aggressive questioning. He walked over, flipped his palm, and in the blink of an eye, the Jade Casket was in Fourth Brother’s hand.

“Rogue Tan, don’t spew baseless accusations. Just because the item is with my Gan Family doesn’t mean we found it. What if someone who loves stirring trouble stole the box and hid it with us to frame us? Look at the Nine Rings deadlock on it. My Gan Family knows nothing about Qimen Dunjia or Mohist Mechanism Arts; we don’t have a master capable of solving it.”

His indirect rebuke made me marvel at how much Fourth Brother had honed his verbal skills over the years, far surpassing mine.

Rogue Tan was furious, his face turning red with anger. “You little punk, don’t be ungrateful! The box appeared with you, so you can’t shirk responsibility. I saw with my own eyes that your brother brought it over. Do you think I’m blind?!”

As Rogue Tan moved to grab me, Fourth Brother caught his arm and pushed him, sending him staggering back. His own men had to catch him to keep him from falling.

“This kid just returned not long ago. Dragging an outsider into this isn’t how things are done.” Fourth Brother smiled, scanning the men blocking the door. He stood in front of me, like an impenetrable wall.

Rogue Tan seemed ready to explode again, but Fourth Brother waved him off, clasping his hands in a polite gesture.

“My master has been retired for years. Since his passing, I’ve treated every visiting guest with respect, never offending anyone. Since this box appeared on Gan Family’s grounds, I won’t shirk responsibility. I’ll go to the place you mentioned.”

I caused this trouble. I understood from his words that these unexpected visitors likely came to invite Fourth Brother out of retirement for a specific matter. After all, among the Gan Family’s descendants, I’m the only outsider, and my grandfather’s skills were all passed down to Fourth Brother.

“But this has nothing to do with him. If you target a Gan Family child, I guarantee you won’t leave here unharmed,” Chen Si said.

My grandfather, Gan Rukui, was a renowned Central Plains Geomancer, always approachable and never putting on airs despite his reputation. His apprentices inherited much of his demeanor.

They wouldn’t resort to such harsh words unless the situation truly crossed a line. My mood soured, not out of fear for my safety, but regret for the trouble I’d brought upon Fourth Brother.

This was my doing. If I hadn’t opened that cabinet, none of this would have happened.

Rogue Tan, hearing Fourth Brother’s words, seemed to lose some of his bluster, closing his mouth and no longer as arrogant.

Yu Jingzi, who had been sipping tea in her qipao, finally spoke up.

“Tan Qiu, that’s enough. We have important matters to attend to. Regardless of how this box came to be, it has returned to us. I advise you to put those conspiracies out of your mind. Once the Nine Rings are opened, they can’t be restored. Since the box is intact, there’s no chance it was swapped.”

Rogue Tan snorted, “This worthless box made us come all this way. The contents better include something for the Tan family. Tian Yuqing, do you have anyone who can open this box?”

Tian Yuqing carefully donned gloves before Fourth Brother handed him the box. He examined it thoroughly.

I couldn’t read this man’s thoughts. Our business dealings with his family were the most frequent, and they were typically reserved, meticulous to the point of stubbornness.

Finally, I heard Tian Yuqing sigh. He placed the box on the redwood table, removed his glasses, and shook his head, “I’m ashamed. This Jade Casket is exquisitely crafted, its mechanism complex. Unlocking it completely isn’t a task that can be accomplished overnight.”

Yu Jingzi set down her tea. I wasn’t sure if it was my imagination, but I felt her gaze briefly flicker towards Fourth Brother. She did it so naturally, though, as she said, “If even someone as knowledgeable as you can’t solve it, then perhaps no one can.”

Tian Yuqing slightly lifted his head, sighing, “If only Grandpa Rukui were still around, he might have some methods.”

After speaking, he glanced at me with a gentle expression. This rare display of friendliness brought me a long-lost sense of comfort. Tian Yuqing was far more likable than the perpetually cursing Tan Qiu.

Fourth Brother exhaled deeply, “If it really can’t be done, we’ll have to head east. Maybe Granny Yin has a solution.”

“Granny Yin?” Tan Qiu snorted, “Who knows if her family even has descendants! No one has heard a peep from there for years. They’re a bunch of lunatics, as good as dead.”

His words created an awkward silence.

“Damn it, we’ve been discussing this forever without reaching a conclusion. It’s just a box; how complicated can it be?” Tan Qiu suddenly erupted, lunging forward to grab the Jade Casket from the table. “I’ll smash it open, and we’ll split the contents three ways!”

My body tensed. If my guess was right, the box hadn’t been smashed over the centuries for a reason. It likely couldn’t be forcibly dismantled. As I took an involuntary step forward, Fourth Brother blocked me firmly.

Just as Tan Qiu raised his hand, Yu Jingzi stood up, her eyes sharp and voice commanding despite its softness, “Ancestral items aren’t yours to smash at will.”

I watched in shock as she calmly walked up to Tan Qiu, snatched the Jade Casket from his hands, and stared him down until he dared not move. Then, Yu Jingzi whispered something to him.

When she looked up again, Tan Qiu swallowed his anger, finding an excuse to back down, “Chen Si! I’ve got other matters to attend to today, so I won’t argue with you! Anyway, get ready. We’ll set off in a few days. This box is definitely related to that place!”

I watched as the men opened the door layer by layer, ushering Tan Qiu out. I couldn’t help but admire Yu Jingzi’s skill. Keeping someone like Tan Qiu around would only hinder progress, so sending him away was the right move.

———

—Qimen Dunjia (奇門遁甲) is an ancient Chinese metaphysical system used for divination, strategy, and decision-making. It combines astronomy, astrology, the I Ching, and cosmology to create charts based on time and direction. Traditionally used in warfare and governance, it’s now applied in feng shui, business, health, and personal guidance. Its core idea is to identify the most auspicious timing and positioning to gain advantage in any situation.

—The Mohist mechanism refers to the ancient Chinese Mohist school’s expertise in mechanical engineering and defensive technology, where they designed machines, fortifications, and devices to protect cities during warfare.