While Taoist Ming Yu was performing miracles before the masses, several newly joined old Daoists were still training hard.
Taoist Jing Hong and Taoist Jing Fa tead up, traveling through streets and alleys, Exorcising Demons and Evil Spirits.
Bai Shi Prefecture, Hongliu County.
The sun shone brightly overhead as white clouds drifted lazily by. The wind, at the cusp of spring and sumr, already carried a hint of warmth. Lush green trees lined the road, their drooping branches swaying in the breeze with a lazy yet vibrant energy.
With its blue-tiled roofs, white walls, earthen roads, and stone bridges, the town was bustling with a cacophony of voices. As the two old Daoists walked through the county town, they both felt as if they had traveled back to the ancient days of Celestial Xia.
"If it weren’t for the Divine Spirit Monarch and all the Demons and Ghosts in this world, just looking at this town scene would make think we’ve ti-traveled to the ancient society of a parallel universe," Taoist Jing Fa remarked with a sigh.
"You can say that again," Taoist Jing Hong said, also filled with emotion. He looked around and, trying his best to speak the common tongue, added, "And a rather prosperous ancient society at that."
As the two walked down the main street, they noticed a household in a side alley. It was decorated with red lanterns and festive draperies, appearing to be in celebration, yet waves of sobbing could be heard from within.
At the sa ti, all the pedestrians passing by gave that house a wide berth. The neighboring hos had their doors and windows shut tight in broad daylight, their courtyards deathly silent, which only made the mournful sounds from the decorated house stand out more.
"What’s going on?" Taoist Jing Fa asked, confused. "A daughter is getting married. Even if her family is reluctant to see her go, it shouldn’t be this sorrowful, right?"
Taoist Jing Hong quipped, "If they’re so reluctant, they should just find a son-in-law to marry into the family."
"You two shouldn’t speak so carelessly. It’s not a matter of reluctance for Landlord Chen’s family." An older woman passing by happened to overhear them and quickly whispered a warning. "His daughter has been chosen by Master Fang from the town to the west."
"Master Fang?" Taoist Jing Hong asked. "Is this Master Fang’s family very powerful?"
The woman hesitated, looking around to make sure no one else was nearby before lowering her voice. "That Master Fang is a great expert with Magical Power. He can command ghosts and seize souls. Who would dare to offend him?"
Taoist Jing Fa’s brow furrowed. "He uses his Magical Power to commit evil deeds?"
"Hey! Keep your voice down! If Master Fang finds out, you’ll all be in for it!"
The woman hurriedly lowered her voice even further, warning Taoist Jing Fa, "Master Fang is old but still vigorous. He takes three or four new concubines every year, but all these concubines are in poor health. They marry into his family and die of illness within six months to a year."
As she said this, the woman’s gaze towards Landlord Chen’s house was a mixture of pity and schadenfreude. "Landlord Chen treated his daughter like a treasure. She was accomplished in the arts and a master of needlework, making quite a na for herself. He even declared that he would only accept a live-in son-in-law and that his daughter would never marry out.
"Well, look what happened. With such a great reputation, she caught Master Fang’s eye. And to think Landlord Chen used to say he and Master Fang were friends! In the end, the man showed him no quarter. I reckon his precious daughter is dood to die of ’illness’ too."
Because Master Fang’s fearso reputation was so great, none of the locals who knew the situation dared to discuss it. The woman had been bottling it all up, and now that she had satisfied her urge to gossip, her fear took over again. As soon as she finished speaking, she scurried away.
However, as she hurried off, glancing back over her shoulder, she saw that the two old n who seed to be just passing by hadn’t been scared away. Instead, they were walking toward Landlord Chen’s courtyard.
’Do these two old codgers love a good spectacle even more than I do?’
...
When Taoist Jing Hong and Taoist Jing Fa arrived outside the Chen Mansion, they saw two large red lanterns flanking the entrance. A large, red "double happiness" character was pasted on the plaque above the gate, and next to the door sat a basket of wedding candy, free for the taking.
But all the passersby steered clear of the place. Even when a few children who didn’t know any better tried to take so candy, their parents quickly stopped them and pulled them away.
"Such a fearso reputation," Taoist Jing Fa snorted.
Taoist Jing Hong laughed. "A fearso reputation is a great thing! It ans he’s done plenty of evil, so the rewards we’ll get for ridding the people of this scourge won’t be small."
Chatting, the two walked through the main gate of the Chen Mansion.
Inside, they saw an elderly couple sobbing quietly in the main hall. Next to them were two young boys with sorrowful faces. Ironically, it was a young woman in a wedding dress who was comforting them all.
"Father, Mother, please don’t worry. Who knows, maybe Master Fang will actually like ?"
"Second Brother, Little Brother, Father and Mother aren’t in good health. You must take good care of them from now on."
Several nearby servants were also secretly wiping away tears. Then, one of them turned, saw the two old Daoists, and cried out in alarm, drawing everyone’s attention to them.
"Isn’t Master Fang supposed to fetch the bride this evening? Why is he so early today?" the people of the Chen Mansion whispered among themselves, assuming Taoist Jing Hong and Taoist Jing Fa were Master Fang’s n.
For the seven days since the news broke that Master Fang intended to marry their daughter, no one had dared to visit the Chen Mansion.
Chen Huaitai understood them. After all, he had always doted on his daughter, and the families who had previously tried to refuse Master Fang had all been massacred.
His neighbors, friends, and relatives were afraid he would act rashly and they would get caught in the crossfire.
However...
Glancing at the twelve or thirteen-year-old youth and the seven-year-old boy beside him, Chen Huaitai sighed. Composing himself, he cupped his hands toward the two Daoists. "We are not yet ready. Please, wait a mont while I prepare the dowry."
Taoist Jing Hong let out a chuckle and waved his hand. "Landlord Chen, you misunderstand. We are not with that Master Fang."
Taoist Jing Fa said in a grave voice, "We heard that Master Fang uses ghosts to commit atrocities. We are here to deal with him."
"What!?" Everyone present was stunned. Instead of looking joyful, they were utterly terrified.
Chen Huaitai was also startled. "You are Mages?"
Madam Chen, however, threw her arms around her two sons and pulled her daughter back, retreating step by step. "We don’t want to deal with Master Fang! You’ve misunderstood! If you want to confront him, go do it on your own! Don’t involve our family!"
"Hm?" Taoist Jing Fa was taken aback for a mont, but he quickly understood. He looked at Taoist Jing Hong. "They’re afraid of being implicated. It seems this Master Fang has a history of this."
Taoist Jing Hong nodded. He glanced at the young woman, then smiled at Chen Huaitai. "It’s a joyous occasion for your family. We’ve co to ask for a cup of wedding wine and a seat at the feast. Would that be possible?"
The two Daoists had just revealed their intentions. How could Chen Huaitai dare let them stay? But he didn’t dare offend them either, so he simply ordered a servant to present them with two large silver ingots.
"Thank you both for your kind intentions, but we have not prepared any food in the house. Please, accept this small token and find a restaurant in the city." Chen Huaitai cupped his hands, trying to send them on their way.
Taoist Jing Fa reached out, took the two silver ingots, squeezed them into two flat silver coins, and placed them back in Chen Huaitai’s hands.
Taoist Jing Hong smiled. "Landlord Chen, please rest assured. At our age, we cherish our lives. We’re truly just here for a cup of wedding wine, and perhaps to witness the might of this Master Fang for ourselves."
User Comments
0 comments from readers