Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

The Southern Borderlands are located in Kyushu, to the south of Yizhou. They are famously known as a land shrouded in miasma, sparsely populated since ancient times, yet home to some mysterious tribes.

On the Great Dao leading from Yizhou to the Southern Borderlands, there was an old inn which had been open for many years. The owner of the inn was an elderly man who had lost one eye. Travelers passing by often called him Old One-Eye. Old One-Eye's favorite pastime was to sit on the steps of his inn, take out his smoking pipe, and quietly puff away.

The white smoke framed his aged face, accentuating the wrinkles on his visage, as he enjoyed watching the comings and goings of passersby in silence.

Although remote, the Southern Borderlands were rich in natural resources, especially furs and medicinal herbs. Thus, many merchants risked danger for the prospect of huge profits.

However, during this period, Old One-Eye distinctly felt that the number of people heading to the Southern Borderlands had increased significantly and included some rather odd individuals. Having run his inn for so many years and having witnessed many strange events, he knew that the more such circumstances arose, the more caution was needed.

One day, a Scholar in a green robe with a cultivated demeanor walked leisurely into the inn and greeted Old One-Eye politely upon seeing him.

"Young man, are you heading to the Southern Borderlands?" Old One-Eye, quite fond of this polite Scholar, flicked the ash from his smoking pipe and squinted with his good eye, asking with a smile.

"Yes, I'm planning to write a book about tea. I've heard there are rare tea species in the Southern Borderlands, so I'm intending to conduct some field research," the Scholar replied agreeably, exuding an aura of experience that gave Old One-Eye the illusion that the person standing before him was not a young man but an elder nearly his own age.

"The Southern Borderlands are full of miasma and wild beasts, and there are those cannibalistic tribes living within; it would be better for a delicate Scholar like you not to venture into such perilous areas. Listen to my advice and go back home; don't end up losing your life there."

Old One-Eye earnestly advised the young Scholar, perhaps softened by age, he could not bear to let young people enter such dangerous places.

"You shouldn't underestimate me; I'm quite capable of defending myself," the young man said with a gentle smile. After speaking, he flexed his arm to show off his strength, although his slim arm didn't seem very convincing.

Seeing this, Old One-Eye thought he was just another rash youth who didn't know the gravity of the situation and probably wouldn't heed anyone's advice.

So, he suggested, "If you're set on going, it's best to find someone who is familiar with the Southern Borderlands to accompany you. I know some people who often take risks in the Southern Borderlands; when the time comes, I can introduce you so they can lead you in, which would be safer."

The Scholar thought for a moment and said, "Then, I thank you, elder."

The Scholar followed Old One-Eye into the inn to find that the small establishment was already filled with a diverse group of guests.

They scrutinized the newly arrived Scholar with eyes full of curiosity and caution.

The Scholar, however, paid no mind to the gazes of the crowd and took a seat at an empty table. An attentive Waiter rushed over and diligently wiped down the table, meanwhile saying, "Dear guest, what would you like to eat? Our inn has a lot of Southern Borderlands special cuisine that you should definitely try."

Just then, two people walked into the inn from outside—a man and a woman both dressed in white. Their clothes were of a material that seemed neither silk nor cloth, with cloud patterns embroidered on the sleeves, and above those patterns, a sword was stitched.

Upon seeing the emblem on the sleeve, the Scholar visibly hesitated, as if recalling something, and a smile unconsciously formed on his face.

The pair entered the inn only to find there were no seats left, and after glancing around, they noticed the Scholar sitting in a corner.

The man quickly strode over and, with a bow, said to the Scholar, "Brother, may my fellow apprentice and I sit here?"

"To meet is to share a destined affinity; please, both of you, make yourselves comfortable." The Scholar spoke with a gentle tone, his speech and demeanor exuding an air of elegance.

"I am Yang Wen, and this is my junior sister Mo Chou. May I ask for your distinguished name?" Yang Wen asked with a smile.

"Lu Yu." The Scholar replied softly.

"So you are Brother Lu. I see that you are a scholar; may I inquire why you wish to travel to the miasma-ridden lands of the Southern Borderlands?"

"I am determined to write a book about tea. I have heard that the Southern Borderlands are home to rare tea species, so I plan to investigate this matter. What brings you and your junior sister to the Southern Borderlands?"

"We are searching for an elder."

With a "whoosh," a cup of wine was splashed onto the face of a burly man.

A girl dressed in the attire of a minority ethnicity declared, "That's disgusting!" Her words were filled with revulsion.

"Where did this impertinent girl come from, daring to lay hands on me? What business is it of yours if I speak lewdly?" the big man bellowed angrily.

"I just can't stand the likes of you. You can speak obscenely if you wish, but don't let me hear it. Since I've heard it, naturally, I have to make you pay," the girl retorted with a fierce and relentless attitude toward the big man.

Clearly angered by the girl's defiance, the burly man swung his fists, ready to teach this ignorant woman a lesson.

However, his companions stopped him with lightning-fast reflexes, their eyes wide with terror as they looked at the person beside the girl, their faces filled with fear.

This was a middle-aged man, dressed in a black robe adorned with strange patterns. Most unforgettable was his face, which was covered in eerie patterns that appeared quite frightening.

When the big man took notice of the middle-aged man, his complexion changed drastically, and the fist that had been swinging in mid-air slowly lowered as he quietly took his seat at his table.

Before long, the Waiter brought over the food. Everyone, now starving, began to eat. Suddenly, the big man who had been previously confronted lay on the ground, vomiting. Black worms ceaselessly emerged from his mouth, carrying with them his already-damaged innards.

On his knees, the big man kept kowtowing toward the girl's table, his eyes full of pleading. His mouth was now filled with the black worms, and he was unable to utter a single word.

However, his pleas seemed to have no effect. Blood continued to spill out along with the worms from his mouth, and within a short time, the robust man lay on the ground, lifeless.

"Curse Master!" someone shouted in horror. All eyes turned to the girl and the Mysterious Figure. Given that the man had died shortly after the confrontation, it was hard not to suspect foul play on their part.

Especially the patterns on the man's face, which were unmistakably the mark of one who practiced Cursing Technique.

The Curse Master is a profession unique to the Southern Borderlands; they are skilled in casting Curses and raising Gu. Often killing without a trace, they are among the most terrifying entities in the Southern Borderlands.