The Heavenly Book Box
The Heavenly Book Box: On the way up Huangshi Fort stands an isolated stone peak. On its summit is a small platform holding a three-dimensional stone shaped exactly like a box. However, the lid has been pulled half open by someone unknown. Legend says this is the 'Heavenly Book Box' left behind by King Xiang Tianzi. It is said that after enduring countless hardships, Xiang Dakun finally found the Iron Flute Immortal...
This article has been compiled from historical materials on 'Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network' (33519.com · Specialty Foods / Cuisine / Customs section). Prices, business hours, administrative divisions, and statistical data mentioned in the text may already be outdated. Before traveling, please refer to the latest announcements from merchants, scenic areas, and local competent authorities; the parts involving folk legends and folk customs are local historical and cultural anecdotes, provided for cultural reference.
The Heavenly Book Treasure Box
On the way up to Huangshi Village stands an isolated stone peak. On its summit is a small platform, and on the platform rests a three-dimensional stone shaped exactly like a box. However, the lid of this box has been pulled half open by someone unknown. According to legend, this is the "Heavenly Book Treasure Box" left behind by King Tianzi Xiang in those years.
Now, Xiang Dakun went through countless hardships and finally found the Iron Flute Fairy and obtained Zhang Liang's military book. Thereupon, beneath Dengxin Rock, by the divine light, he read it aloud word by word. Perhaps he was too exhausted—he had read only half when he felt aches all over and utterly weary. After a while, he actually dozed off. At that moment, a turtle spirit crept in stealthily. It thought: "Why not take this chance to steal the Heavenly Book, go to the mortal world, and become emperor for a dynasty—how delightful!" Immediately, it put the Heavenly Book into the treasure box and slipped secretly out of the rock house. It had just crawled down the back mountain when it suddenly heard a loud shout: "Where does this thief come from, daring to steal the Heavenly Book?!" The turtle spirit turned its head and saw none other than the Iron Flute Fairy! It hastily dropped the treasure box and ran off with the Heavenly Book on its back. The Iron Flute Fairy struck with her flute, and with a cry of "Ya!" the turtle spirit hung the Heavenly Book on a hundred-zhang stone cliff and fled for its life toward Huangshi Village. The Iron Flute Fairy locked the village gate, and the turtle spirit could not escape. It was transformed into stone and pinned down on the stone mountain. It is said it must wait five hundred million years before it is permitted to return to the sea. The turtle spirit, longing day after day to return but unable to, had no choice but to keep company with the sea of clouds in Zhangjiajie. Later, people called it "The Spirit Turtle Gazing at the Sea."
When Xiang Dakun woke from his sleep and discovered the Heavenly Book had been stolen, he hurried out in pursuit. He saw that the box lid had been pulled open, the Heavenly Book was gone, and the treasure box had turned to stone, resting on the summit of the stone peak opposite—this is the famous Zhangjiajie scenic spot, the "Heavenly Book Treasure Box." He searched and searched, and finally found the Heavenly Book on a hundred-zhang stone cliff not far from the treasure box. That place was later called "The Heavenly Book Hung on High."
Some say that the reason King Tianzi Xiang's great enterprise failed was precisely because he read only half the Heavenly Book. If you see that empty book box, how can you not sigh with regret for him!