Chapter 24: Return to Original Place
After some deliberation, Shen Luo wrapped the jade pillow in a cotton cloth and walked into a nearby grove. He started to gather dried grass and dead tree branches among the trees, setting up a large stack of firewood. After clearing the surrounding ground of any plants, he placed the jade pillow, still wrapped in cotton, atop the pile.
His thought was straightforward: since the jade pillow couldn’t be broken with an ax, he would try burning it with a large fire.
The fire he used last time was not strong enough and didn’t burn long enough.
This time, he was determined to burn it harshly, just like boiling in a large pot. The ancient book mentioned that most of the ominous objects were afraid of flames. If there was anything unusual in it, perhaps burning it for a more extended period could destroy it.
Shen Luo took out a flint from his bosom, removed the lid, blew on it a few times, and immediately, tiny threads of fiery red sparks along with a wisp of blue smoke wafted out.
Just as he was about to light the firewood, he thought of something and pulled out a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve pocket.
"If there truly is any evil hidden in it, it would be safer to use some cinnabar…” Shen Luo muttered, pulled out the bottle stopper, and poured out some red powder from the bottle onto the cotton cloth wrapped around the firewood stack along the gaps.
Then he used the flint to light the firewood stack.
As the smoke rose, flames gradually surrounded the jade pillow, radiating intense heat.