Objects
Things -- big and small, but all inaminate -- that attracted and distracted the characters of DGSD.
1,000-jin boulder, The - located to the north of the lesser Boundless Jade Wall; appeared to weigh at least 1,000 jin (500 kg). Balanced on a smaller rock; hence, could swing open like a door when pushed, to reveal a cave-like opening about three chi (99.99 centimetres) tall (Chapter 2). See Boundless Cavern, The (Places).
Hoe for uprooting medicinal plants and minerals (yao4 chu2 药锄) - tool-of-the-trade that was used by the members of the Society of Divine Farmers as a weapon (Chapter 1).
Gem-set sword, The - initially observed as a colouful silhouette by the grandteacher of Gan Guanghao (3rd edition only); is, in reality, a sword inlaid with precious stones of various colours. Located in a hole many zhang (1 zhang = 3.33 metres) high on the greater Boundless Jade Wall. When the moon shone through the hole and the gems, a colourful silhouette of the sword was cast on the lesser Boundless Jade Wall. This would usually take place during the fourth watch of the night -- from 1.00 a.m. to 3.00 a.m. -- when the moon was setting. The tip of the colourful sword-silhouette pointed to the north, towards a huge chest-high boulder (Chapter 2). See 1,000-jin boulder, The.
Jiumozhi's letter to Benyin - the envelope and the stationery (paper) inside were made from pieces of gold that were beaten until they were very thin; the text on the envelope and stationery were written in Sanskrit, using platinum (Chapter 10).
Stone hut, The - a strange-looking structure that was located in a large clearing on the inner side of the thick and impenetrable wall of ancient trees at the far (rear) end of the Valley of Ten Thousand Calamities. Made from many pieces of large rocks that were put together until a small mountain-like shape was produced. In the 2nd edition, these rocks were described as weighing thousands upon hundreds of jin (1 jin = 0.5 kg). Had a cave-like hole for a door; could be closed with a huge granite (hua1 gang3 花岗) boulder. Furnished with a bed and a table. About one square zhang (11.09 square metres) in size (Chapter 7).
The Stranger in Black had Duan Yu and Mu Wanqing imprisoned in the stone hut, apparently to fulfil the desire of Mu in wanting Duan to turn from brother into husband (Chapter 7).
The huge granite boulder that served as the door of the stone weighed several thousand jin (1 jin = 0.5 kg), but could be pushed away by the combined strength of Zhong Wanchou, Yue the Third, Ye the Second and Yun Zhonghe (Chapter 9).
White Jade Statue, The - a life-sized statue that was carved out of white jade in a sword-wielding pose; located in the room behind the south-western wall of the circular room. Clothed in a light yellow satin dress that was similar to those worn in royal palaces. Had eyes that were made of black gems that glinted as if they were alive. The jade from which the face was made had a reddish glow, just like the complexion of a human being (Chapter 2).
Appeared to be have been carved as an image of an innocent eighteen- or nineteen-year-old girl, with a tiny black mole on its upper lip. This particular line is found only in the 3rd edition (Chapter 2).
Had real human hair on its head. Referred to by Duan Yu as 'Elder Sister Goddess' (Shen2 Xian1 Jie3 Jie 神仙姐姐). Had two hassocks (thick cushions filled with cattails or rushes; for kneeling) -- one large and the other small - in front of it. A person who knelt on the large hassock and bowed until his head touched the small cushion would be able to notice tiny words embroidered on the statue's shoes. The writing on the right shoe said: "He who bows a thousand times avails himself to my commands," while the one on the left said: "He who carries out my commands can die a hundred times without regret."
The cover of the small hassock began to wear out after more than 800 bows by Duan Yu. By the time the 1,000 bows were completed, the tear was big enough for him to put his hand inside and take out a chi-long (33.33 centimetres) satin-wrapped package that had the following message attached (Chapter 2):
"Now that you have made a thousand bows, you will naturally avail yourself to my commands and die without regrets. This scroll contains the pugilistic essence of my School of Unfettered Freedom (see Organisations). You must practise the contents of the scroll diligently thrice a day, during the Mao (5.00 a.m to 7.00 a.m.), Wu (11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.) and You (5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.) hours. If you slacken even just by a little, I will be grieved and hurt.
Once you have mastered the skill on the scroll, you may go to the Library of the Lord of Heaven (Lang2 Huan1 琅嬛, see Places -> Boundless Cavern, The), the perfect place of happiness where you can read all sorts of books and manuals. The pugilistic arts of every school and clan under the sun are available there, and you can use all of them as your own. Make the most of the opportunity. When you have completed your studies, leave this place and kill all the disciples of the School of Unfettered Freedom on my behalf. If you leave even one of them alive, I will spend my days on Earth and in Heaven in eternal displeasure.
"
Considered by Duan Yu to be more attractive and lively than Wang Yuyan, who looked exactly like it (Chapter 12).