It seems that what is considered "cleaning up" by n could be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty as part of the "Si n" ritual, which includes anings such as driving away evil spirits, protecting ho safety, aiding in success and wealth, and bringing good fortune.
However, given tonight’s ritual, it appears that the purpose of these Door Gods is to ward off evil spirits. Yang Xiao couldn’t help but frown as he stared at the two Door Gods, one on the left and one on the right. The pasted Door Gods looked very ancient, with crumpled edges, and much of the color had flaked off, giving them an almost pale texture.
Normally, new Door Gods are preferred over old, and red is the dominant color, either depicting joy and celebration or a mighty and domineering presence. Yet, the two Door Gods in front of him were a huge taboo.
Door Gods are divided into civil and martial categories. The representative of martial arts Gate God is Qin Qiong and Yu Chigong, clad in armor and wielding weapons, embodying a mighty and domineering spirit.
Civil Door Gods, such as Wei Zheng and Bao Gong, were revered as Door Gods for their uprightness and incorruptibility. They are usually depicted wearing court attire, holding a Hu board or a Treasure Gold Basin, signifying a joyous and auspicious disposition.
However, the two Door Gods on the door didn’t fit into any category: they wore clothes resembling court attire, indeed, but the left Door God held a heavy ax, and the right one was even leaning on a Tiger Head Sickle—creating an indescribable and bizarre scene.
Yang Xiao’s gaze was inadvertently drawn to the court-like clothing of the left Door God. The pattern was complex and intricate, dizzying after a long gaze. Suddenly, a strange feeling erged within him, as if... as if he had seen sothing similar before.
The weird pattern, like a vortex, seed to be pulling Yang Xiao in. Realizing that sothing was amiss, he imdiately closed his eyes. After the sense of confusion slowly subsided in his mind, he took a deep breath and gradually opened his eyes again.
"White Fortune Door God, I didn’t expect such a treasure in the Earl Mansion," Xiang Fengchen recognized the clue, and was startled.
"What did you say? Is this the White Door God?" Yang Xiao knew about the White Door God, referring to Qin Shubao, who, due to his distinguished appearance, was depicted with a white face and thus, along with the black-faced Yu Chigong, was known as the Black and White Door Gods.
However, according to the rules, it should be Yu Chigong on the left and Qin Shubao on the right. But now, the one on the left had a ghastly pale face, with an expression that was neither smiling nor not smiling.
"Not the White Door God, but the White Fortune Door God," Xiang Fengchen corrected, his voice lowered as if worried about disturbing the Door Gods, "This is the Human Skin Door God, first painted on the body, then peeled off."
"This person is not just anyone, but one with spiritual practice—a Monk, a Taoist, a Magician, or soone prominent from the Yin Eight Gates. We’ve seen one not long ago, though unfortunately, it was alive." Xiang Fengchen’s words had hidden anings.
With that statent, Yang Xiao was abruptly enlightened; he rembered why the Door God’s pattern looked familiar to him. Now he recalled seeing similar body paint patterns on Jiang Qingluan’s back, only the color hadn’t flaked off as severely.
During the self-introduction, Jiang Qingluan had ntioned her profession as a Body Painter.
"It’s Jiang Qingluan!" A chill hit Yang Xiao, "Who... who exactly is she? How can she have such a thing on her back?"
"This girl has an extraordinary background; if I’m not mistaken, she should be a young priest of the Yi Sect, and only they could have such markings tattooed on their back." For Yang Xiao, Xiang Fengchen maintained a high level of patience and tolerance, ready to explain everything.
Seeing the ignorant look on Yang Xiao’s face, Xiang Fengchen couldn’t help but sigh, "The Yi Sect, fundantally, cos from the sa lineage as the Japan Ghost Sect, and the two are archenemies. The ’Netherworld Records’ states that when a person dies, they beco a Ghost; a Ghost, when it perishes, becos a Ki; a Ki, upon death, becos a Xi; and a Xi, when dead, becos a Yi. Yi is the end of the cycle of human and ghosts, hence the na Yi Sect, symbolizing the end of the Japan Ghost Sect."
Xiang Fengchen shifted his tone, "When it cos to fighting, the Yi Sect is insignificant, but in terms of the craft of making White Fortune Door Gods from human skin, the Yi Sect has the superior skill. It is said that the High Priest of the Yi Sect can skin an enemy’s hide without them noticing and make human skin kites. The skin flies in the sky while the people remain on the ground to watch."
"The Yi Sect sounds like a cult, doesn’t it?" The thod of flaying human skin to make kites sounded far from what an upright sect would do.
Unexpectedly, Xiang Fengchen shook his head at this, "What cult? They are rely Saints. In my eyes, there is only one real cult, Black Buddha Mother."
"So... the problem lies with this Door God. As long as Jiang Qingluan cos over, we will have a way to break through this barrier," Yang Xiao felt confident.
"Wrong, her coming here would an dying even more miserably than us." Xiang Fengchen shook his head.
"Why?"
Xiang Fengchen pulled Yang Xiao along, pushing the door together and striding in, "The problems here are complex, too much to explain in just a mont."
The two stord into the courtyard, which was eerily quiet with not a soul in sight.
"You dare to co in when the situation isn’t clear?" Yang Xiao wondered if this Xiang Fengchen before him was even real, if not for the Divine Turtle Shell in his hand.
Turning around, Xiang Fengchen looked at him, "I’m saving you. Didn’t you notice the Door God’s face changed just now?"
Seeing Yang Xiao’s expression change, Xiang Fengchen patted his shoulder, looking at him aningfully, "Fear not, your ntor will protect you."
Yang Xiao brushed his hand away, returning with a warning look, "We are just partners, and I’m the captain under Director Nalan’s command. Our standpoints are like fire and water, incompatible."
"What future do you have following Nalan Shuo? I think highly of you, Yang Xiao. After we leave this place, co with . I guarantee you a life of luxury. You care so much about Jiang Qingluan, you must like her. After getting out, I’ll capture her and give her to you. A young priest, I can handle that for you," Xiang Fengchen stared at him, "What do you say?"
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