Rebirth of Wu Tong

Chapter 9

Li Village, an ordinary and seemingly insignificant mountain village. While the villagers are currently just maintaining a basic standard of living, their demeanor is simple, warm, and hospitable. They extend their hospitality generously to Wu Tong, an outsider who has come seeking family roots. In reality, Wu Tong's ancestors hailed from this very place. However, at that time, they were known as the in-laws with the surname Li, and their connection to the village was not widely known.

As business flourished, the Wu family gained prominence. Yet, due to personal reasons, the ancestors of the Wu family were reluctant to let their cherished land be tainted by political adversaries or business rivals. They kept this place a closely guarded secret, concealing it from the outside world. Over the centuries, through dynastic changes and the tests of time, the homeland of the Wu family's ancestors gradually faded into the river of history, known only to the chosen successor of the Wu family, who inherited this secret – Wu Tong.

"Oh, your visit, my dear, couldn't have come at a more unfortunate time. Old Li just left us less than two years ago. He had no children and left without any proper farewell. But don't be too saddened, dear. Old Li passed away peacefully, without suffering. People, after all, seek tranquility. It's a blessing..." The friendly aunt shared the rough details of Old Li's life and passing. Old Li, whose real name was Li Zhong, had been a loyal servant of Wu Tong's grandfather and chose to retire to the village after his master's death. Originally from Li Village, he was selected by the Wu family and became Wu Tong's grandfather's attendant. Despite living a solitary life, he gained respect in the village for his contributions.

Invited warmly by the aunt, Wu Tong temporarily stayed at her house. After a simple yet heartwarming lunch, Wu Tong, under the guise of paying respects to her great-grandfather, ventured into the mountains. In the midst of summer, with lush vegetation covering the hills, and guided by a local resident, Wu Tong soon arrived at Li Zhong's grave. The villager, considerate and thoughtful, cautioned Wu Tong not to wander deep into the mountains before leaving her alone to share some family stories.

Having visited this place in her past life, Wu Tong was familiar with the surroundings. After quietly offering her respects, she skillfully moved the entrance stone blocking the secret passage into her family's treasure trove. The dark and cold tunnel inside gave off a spooky vibe, yet Wu Tong felt no fear. Having traversed this path alone several times in her previous life, it now evoked a sense of familiarity, although still terrifying. After a short walk through the narrow, gloomy passage, she faced five diverging paths. Wu Tong, accustomed to the route, chose the leftmost path and soon reached the convincingly crafted "dead end." For those unaware of the secret, it appeared as if there were no more paths, discouraging further exploration. This deceptive setup, a far cry from the splendid walls and doors imagined for a treasure trove, showcased the cunning and wisdom of Wu family ancestors.

Carefully navigating through the scattered rocks, Wu Tong, with the aid of a flashlight, began to manipulate what seemed to be an ordinary stone. After turning it left and right for a few rounds, the uneven and mottled stone wall gradually opened a narrow crevice that allowed a person to pass through. Once inside, she found herself in what looked like an ancient library and museum, with rows of ebony bookshelves filled with books and various antiques. The treasure trove exuded an atmosphere of antiquity and sophistication, contrasting sharply with its location inside a cave. Despite being deep within a mountain, the space remained surprisingly dry and comfortable. Several large pearls illuminated the entire treasury, creating a bright and calming environment.

Appreciating the vast collection amassed by her ancestors, Wu Tong began swiftly moving the items into her spatial realm. Although transporting entire bookshelves consumed time, it was a satisfying and joyful hour for her. The Wu family's penchant for collecting treasures seemed to have been inherited – at least genetically.

Observing the now empty treasure trove, Wu Tong, after securing the last few pearls in her spatial realm, swiftly opened the stone door and exited. In the dim and chilling passage, Wu Tong burst into laughter, filled with a sense of contentment. The treasures from the Wu family's generations were now safely stored in her secret garden. Let those who covet these possessions make their moves! The illegitimate offspring and branches who sensed a hint of the truth, the influential families eyeing the Wu family's wealth, and the once grateful but now greedy servants plotting against their naive young mistress – with her mysterious spatial power and the guidance of past memories, Wu Tong was eager to watch them all fail.

Checking her watch and finding that it was still early, Wu Tong, in high spirits, decided to leisurely explore the fresh and green forest. Occasionally, she transplanted some aesthetically pleasing wildflowers and grass into her spatial realm, or picked some branches with an unknown number of leaves to toss into the space. Before long, she reached the foot of the mountain, returned to Li Zhong's grave to silently express her gratitude, and then cheerfully made her way back to Little Li Village.