Chapter 3: Sifting the Sand

The lotus, unsullied as it rises from the mud, stands as a symbol of purity. When such a motif is tattooed on a woman who holds herself to high moral standards, it only serves to amplify her virtue. Yet, if inscribed on someone whose heart is already restless, that very tattoo can magnify her inner turmoil, leading her down a path she might not have otherwise chosen.

Nowadays, tattoos no longer carry the heavy stigma they once did. Many adorn their bodies with images they find beautiful, and some go further, seeking a thrill by tattooing words on the most unexpected parts of their bodies. What few understand is that these markings, like the principles of geomancy, can alter one’s fate. A well-chosen tattoo can attract good fortune and ward off harm, but a poorly selected one may invite disaster, just as those stories warn—of someone tattooing a dragon across their shoulder, only to meet a violent end days later.

There is much to be considered; tattoos are not matters to be decided on a whim. This is especially true now, as traditional methods of tattooing have come back into vogue, with their ancient blue and red inks. Though these methods bring images to life with vivid clarity, the blue brick powder and peach blossom used in such inks are both substances that attract yin energy, making it easier for harmful influences to settle.

"This is because of your tattoo. It may hurt a little, so bear with me," I said.

"Okay," He Yiwen replied softly.

I pulled a copper coin from my pocket and placed it gently on her back, scraping slowly over the tattoo.

"Ah! That really hurts!"

Though I was not using much force, her reaction was intense. Her body, turned away from me, twisted desperately, sweat beading instantly on her skin.

I did not stop. Copper, being of the fire element, is highly yang. Scraping a tattoo with it can neutralize the yin energy within the ancient blue and red ink. Because the yin had already seeped into her body, the reaction was severe.

After some ten minutes, I finally stopped. The yin energy within the tattoo had been completely neutralized.

Casting a glance at He Yiwen, who had collapsed into a deep sleep on the bed, I saw she seemed fine. A good night's rest would set her right by morning. With the talisman paper affixed to the window, no further malevolent energy could enter. The problem was resolved.

I hurried downstairs and left, afraid that if I lingered, I might lose control of myself.

...

Upon arriving home, I found a strange man in the house.

He was peculiar—wearing a thick black jacket and a black bowler hat in the height of summer, as if he came from another world entirely.

My father seemed much better than when I last saw him. His voice was strong, his manner lively.

"I've already told you—I've washed my hands of all that. Besides, look at me—do I even look capable?"

He was stern and resolute, nothing like the sickly man I’d seen that morning. It was as though he were a completely different person.

The man in black cast him a sidelong glance. "Brother Zhang San, I know you’ve retired. But this time, the sand we’re searching is special. Hear me out, and I think you’ll be interested. Come with me just this once. In addition to your share, I’ll give you another hundred thousand."

Brother Zhang San? Sand searching?

He must be asking for my father’s help. The name 'Brother Zhang San' was new to me, but it was clear they knew each other.

My father waved him off. "Don't waste your breath. I’ve retired, and I’ll never return to that life."

Seeing my father’s resolve, the man in black hesitated, then pulled a business card from his pocket and set it on the table.

"Brother Zhang San, if you change your mind, contact me." With that, he turned to go, glancing at me as he left.

After he was gone, I hurried to my father’s side.

"Dad, you—?"

I had thought, seeing him just now, that he had been feigning illness.

He was seized by a fit of coughing, his energy suddenly drained. It was clear now—he had been forcing himself to appear strong.

"Dad, what’s going on? Why are you doing this?"

He managed to lift his arm, pointing toward the cabinet. My sister rushed over and brought back a worn cloth bundle.

"Open it," he said weakly.

Without hesitation, I unwrapped the bundle. Inside was a book bound in oilskin and a jade seal.

"Dad, what is this?"

"That book is our family’s ancestral 'Dragon-Seeking Manual.' The jade seal is the Touch Gold Talisman..." My father began his tale, his speech halting and broken.

What he revealed left me wide-eyed in shock. I had never imagined our family descended from a long line of tomb raiders—one of the ancient official clans, no less.

In the era of Cao Wei, the term 'official clan' referred to a special corps under Meng De, tasked with sand searching. When the empire stabilized, Meng De disbanded them, and the nine leading captains returned home, passing the craft to their families. These nine became the official clans.

Our Wang family was one of those nine.

This trade was always a gamble, and at the height of its prosperity, our family’s annual profit might have rivaled the GDP of a modern county. But disturbing ancestral graves is a serious transgression against fate, and by my grandfather’s generation, retribution had come. Our family was scattered—most dead or fled. Only our immediate line remained. My father had abandoned the trade and squandered the family fortune, all to ensure my sister’s and my survival.

"Xiaodong, just now..." My father took a deep breath, steadying himself. "I forced myself to appear strong so that those in the circle would know I’m not dead. But my time grows short. These things are yours now. Guard them well—never let them fall into the wrong hands."

"Dad, don’t say that. Once I've saved enough, I’ll take you to the capital for treatment."

"Dad? Dad!"

He lost consciousness and no matter how I called, he did not respond. In a panic, I gathered him in my arms and ran to the hospital.

...

"Yameng, I have to step out for a bit. Watch over Father. If anything happens, call the doctor immediately."

"Okay."

The cost of the emergency treatment alone had already exceeded ten thousand. I was out of money for the deposit and wandered out of the hospital in a daze, overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness I had never known before.

Suddenly, I remembered the man in black. I hailed a cab home and called the number on his card.

...

Inside a villa in the western suburbs.

"You said you’d give me a hundred thousand for this trip. Is that true?"

The man nodded. "Of course. And another hundred thousand as your share. But this job isn’t easy. You’ve never done this before. Think carefully before you answer."

"I don’t need to think. I’ll do it," I replied.

All I could think of was saving my father. For his sake, I would do anything.

The man in black stood and pointed westward.

"Kid, what do you make of the mountain in the western suburbs?"

I immediately understood what he was asking.

"Are you testing me?"

He let out a chilling laugh. "Of course. I’m paying a hefty price. I have to see if you’re worth it."

My gaze followed his finger to the western mountain.

"A solitary peak sits amidst the shifting clouds, revealing its true form at sunset. Alone, it seems unremarkable—not even touching the veins of the earth, certainly not a site of geomantic power. Yet, at dusk, as the sun sets behind it, its silhouette appears unmistakably like a dragon’s head.

Being a solitary mountain surrounded by flatlands, it forms the image of a dragon soaring skyward—a legendary site of auspicious feng shui."

Though my father had taught me some basic spells, he had never spoken of feng shui. I had only picked up knowledge from a battered book I’d found in his study, and now that learning had proved useful.

"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!" The man’s tone changed completely, his excitement clear. "A hidden dragon ascending to the heavens—few feng shui masters could see it. You truly are from an official clan. You may come with me."

Just then, his phone rang. He answered, listened, then replied, "Alright, I’m on my way. I’ll be bringing a friend—think of it as a surprise."

After hanging up, he turned to me. "Let’s get going. You’ll have your money when the job is done."

"Alright."