Lanpu

Kapitel 42

So I tolerated her chatter and let her ramble on as she pleased.

Fortunately, her battle was so powerful that it shook the entire north. Although demons and gods don't get along, a "great demon" this "powerful" cannot be underestimated. It is said that the City God was troubled for a long time, and it was his advisor who offered a solution.

It was indeed improper for Him to personally host a banquet for Huang E... but there was no problem with His wife! So, the City God's wife invited Huang E to a small banquet at her residence, with the City God in attendance. Since the City God had already hosted the banquet, other temples and shrines, large and small, couldn't wait to curry favor with him, lest the "great demon" cause trouble in the future.

So she was constantly on the go, and had much less time to bother me.

I just hope that with her tail held so high, she doesn't develop sciatica.

With the start of the new school term approaching, Tang Chen and Yu Zheng are extremely busy, running around outside all day.

The Tang and Xia families had an overwhelming number of relatives and friends. With fewer children in modern times, these two beautiful young people were especially pampered. Yu Zheng secretly complained to me that she was exhausted. From her grandparents and great-grandparents to her uncles, aunts, cousins, and younger cousins, she had to go and greet everyone.

"It's not like we're going to war, it's just the start of school!" she wailed.

Tang Chen never complained, but his bag full of amulets grew increasingly full. I always felt he wasn't saying goodbye, but rather restocking. It was funny to think about, but when he asked me to "restock," I ran away as fast as I could.

Their Tang family has many hidden talents; one uncle is enough. If I happen to encounter someone who takes it upon themselves to slay demons and monsters, I fear I won't even have a chance to say a second word.

They were always out socializing, attending grand banquets and drinking parties, while I finally had some peace and quiet.

That evening, even Mr. Tang had a dinner party, leaving only Mrs. Tang and me at home—a rare occurrence without any guests. Mrs. Tang called me to her room and happily presented me with a piece of jade, its surface a vibrant green. "This was given to me by my mother-in-law," she said, smoothing out the worn red thread. "It was originally given to me by Lianjiang's (Mr. Tang's) grandmother. Here, take it."

Wait, wait. Why should I get someone else's family heirloom jewelry?!

"Uh, well..." I broke out in a cold sweat, "Well, the rules forbid wearing jewelry!"

She was puzzled at first, "I noticed you wear a bracelet, and you never take it off."

A bracelet? I looked down at the bodhi seeds on my wrist. "These are prayer beads, prayer beads."

"Really?" She examined it closely. "These prayer beads seem to be handmade by me. They really are... the old glass in the middle is mine."

I reluctantly admitted, "...It was a gift from Tang Chen."

She pressed her lips, wanting to laugh but not daring to. "That's true, it's more polite. The gift may be small, but the meaning is profound. It's quite romantic." She wrapped up the jade.

…Mrs. Tang, there's really no such thing as romance…

“We really have to talk about Xu Bai. Why take a young girl as a disciple? Just like Feng Yin said, it's a waste of her time.” She complained softly, and I didn’t dare to say a word. “At least wait until she has experienced the world and knows what it’s like before making a decision.”

Fengyin? It took me a while to realize. Wu Fengyin, Auntie.

She smiled like a little girl and whispered, "I was just flipping through jade and came across our college photo album. Want to see it? Your mentor is in it~☆"

Uncle? Yes, was he this serious and proper when he was young?

Tang's mother excitedly flipped through the photo album. "This one was taken when Fengyin came back to China for summer vacation..." A faint blush appeared on her face.

I recognized him immediately, but I was so shocked my jaw dropped. Even though it was a university twenty or thirty years ago, nobody would wear a long gown, right? But he was wearing one, looking at the camera with a hint of defiance. His hair was short, but longer on his forehead, giving him a somewhat innocent look.

A dashing and spirited young Taoist priest.

"He started university a little later, a year or two older than us. He became a monk while he was in university," Tang's mother pouted slightly. "Why would someone like that become a monk? But nobody had the courage to say it. Fengyin was brave enough to pursue him all summer. He was truly unyielding, completely unmoved. But he... he just loves to tease people..."

Auntie was going home, so the group went for a walk on campus. Uncle told them to wait for him at the pavilion by the lake, while he went around to the other side of the lake.

As we were chatting, a melodious flute tune drifted across the water.

The lake wasn't very large, and people could be seen on both banks. The moon was half-full but still bright. The young Taoist priest stood on the shore, elegant and graceful, leaning on his flute, playing with varying pitch and rhythm.

A gentle breeze and the moon's reflection stirred his robes. The distant sound of the flute was like a sigh. Everyone fell silent, listening and watching in a daze.

It's as if this moment is deeply engraved in my heart.

It must be etched into her very soul, hasn't it? She's lived such a happy life, and her children are all grown up now. In a small corner of her heart, Tang's mother still tightly cherishes the sound of the flute and that green figure.

So clear, without any noise at all.

A memory of pure and beautiful youth.

"That flute music has ruined me and Fengyin's lives," Tang's mother sighed sweetly. "I'm already a sophomore, and I'm still cramming like crazy to transfer to the music department. Fengyin also dropped out of business administration to study music. That awful person of his, he's really ruined us..."

Oh.

Uncle... you've really committed quite a few sins.

Tang's mother also told me a few small things about my uncle, which made me chuckle.

Some professors disapproved of my uncle dressing up in a long gown and impersonating a May Fourth Movement youth on campus. In that era, science was valued and superstition discouraged, so the presence of a Taoist priest in the class who pretended to be a medium made them even more uneasy.

Once, a professor who taught an introduction to literature reprimanded my uncle, telling him to dress more formally.

Uncle Shi did indeed come to school dressed very formally... but the professor was so angry he almost had a stroke.

Wearing a crown and turban, a robe and ceremonial garments, nothing was missing. He wore cloud-patterned shoes and held a whisk. All that was missing was an altar; he was ready to perform the ritual.

"...What's wrong with you?! Do you think you're acting in a TV drama?" the professor yelled.

Uncle Shi remained calm and composed, flicking his whisk. “The Daoist text Yuan Shen Qi says: ‘The clothing of Confucius’s followers changed with the customs of the country. The clothing of Laozi’s followers did not change with the customs.’” He stroked his chin. “I suppose it’s not easy to understand if I explain it in words, and my use of classical allusions is too obscure.”

He walked gracefully to the podium, wrote these words on the blackboard with vigorous strokes, bowed to the professor, and returned to his seat.

Tang's mother laughed until tears streamed down her face. "Look at this guy! The professor was so angry with him, and he couldn't say anything nice back. After that, no one bothered him about the clothes anymore."

I laughed too. So this is what my uncle was like as a young man – so dashing and unrestrained. No wonder my aunt both loved and hated him, calling him a "heartthrob."

Later, Tang's mother sent me a letter, saying that she had just received it that morning.

Besides my uncle, who else would write to me? I know more dead people than living people, and the dead don't write letters.

But the contents of this letter made me laugh continuously.

This time, he didn't talk about rituals and taboos; instead, he discussed the origins of Taoism with me. He specifically mentioned Ge Hong of the Jin Dynasty, this epoch-making figure, and his book "Baopuzi" and its inner chapters. I must say, my uncle's writing is truly excellent. He can explain such an awkward practice as "bedroom arts" so clearly, citing classical texts and using his eloquent pen—it's really impressive.

He further explained why it was later abandoned: it was too easy to "indulge in licentious worship and sensual pleasures," which contradicted the principles of sexual techniques, such as "striving for moderation in desires in order to prolong life." Therefore, it was added to the precepts.

…Is this considered Uncle Shi's defense statement?

"He just said it directly: he was so infatuated that he broke his vow. Why say so much?" Huang E, who had just returned from the banquet, still had a faint smell of wine on him.

"What do you mean by breaking the rules? Don't talk nonsense." I shoved her. "Uncle and his sect are just strict, not forbidden."

"Ha! What a charlatan!" Huang E sneered.

"You're not allowed to talk to him like that!" I yelled. "Next time he comes to see me, watch your mouth! Give your uncle some face, okay?"

"Who is he to me? Do I have to save face for him? I finally managed to catch him doing something wrong..."

Fine...you're trying to argue with me. We'll see who has more weaknesses.

"Desolation." I forced out a single tear. "I'm begging you... could it be..."

Before I could finish speaking, she had already rushed out the window, shattering the glass in the process. Now, how am I supposed to tell Tang's mother...?

This trick has side effects.

***

However, when we were about to leave, I insisted on dragging Yuzheng along and asked Tang's father to take a picture for us.

Right, they were both embarrassed. Now everyone uses digital cameras, and nobody's into making photo albums anymore.

But I want to capture this moment. This noisy, chaotic, laughing, and crying summer vacation.

A "friend" I never thought I could have.

But that photo became a ghost photo, with not only Huang E vying to be in the frame, but also Master Zhao and passing spirits and ghosts. Does this mean my precious memories have to be mixed with these things...?

I rubbed my temples and tried to cheer myself up.

I will definitely survive third grade safely. Come on, come on, come on!

“I can make ends meet, as long as I’m safe…” Huang E shook his head solemnly.

I really want to strangle her.

(Uncle finished)

The Four Kings

When we got off at the train station, we caused quite a stir. Luckily, it was daytime, and it wasn't a large station. But some passengers whispered that there was some kind of commotion or religious ceremony taking place.

Amidst the deafening sounds of gongs and drums, our "Golden-Winged Roc King, Heavenly Goddess," with her tail held high and nostrils pointing to the sky, swaggered off the train. On the platform, unseen by mortals, she was greeted with respect from local deities, Buddhas, and demons, who greeted her with either friendly or venerable greetings.

He turned around and said arrogantly, "Go back and close the door properly, don't wait for the door to close." Then he walked away triumphantly.

"Yes, yes, yes." I bowed my head behind her back. "Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty."

Tang Chen laughed so hard he almost choked. After the battle with the Northern Demon, his divine power had slightly awakened, though it lacked any offensive capabilities, but he was closer to the inner world. Although he still couldn't hear very well, his figure was much clearer, especially beside me.

She blushed slightly at his laughter and touched her nose. "It's rare for her to be in such a glamorous situation. As the host, I may not have much else, but shouldn't I at least give her some face?"

“Yeah, she worked so hard she almost lost her life.” Tang Chen helped me carry my luggage. “Does she need to donate blood? I’ll donate some more for her.”

I declined. Huang'e would have asked if she needed it, but she refused; she must have her reasons. Perhaps she's afraid of addiction, or perhaps she needs to cultivate her realm layer by layer—who knows? I know nothing about the cultivation methods of demons.

Although this "Golden-Winged Roc King and Heavenly Queen" is far more cunning and silver-tongued than possessing supernatural powers, she's also prone to flattery and has a strong regional bias. Let everyone misunderstand if they want; a few compliments and she'll be dizzy and forget who she is. Isn't that a good thing, avoiding so much conflict and bloodshed?

Tang Chen is under her protection, so even the most powerful and lesser monsters are wary of her, which makes things much easier for me.

Most importantly, she is happy.

This is the first time she's felt so proud and elated since she's been with me for so long. She used to be so sullen because she was my shikigami, feeling looked down upon. Now, when I lower my head, everyone thinks how amazing she is, having subdued her master, and they admire her even more.

I explained to Tang Chen, and he laughed the whole way. "You two are just bickering, but actually you care about Huang E, and Huang E loves you quite a bit."

"Don't say that to her, or she'll throw up right in front of you." I laughed as I walked into Shuo's coffee shop.

As soon as I stepped inside, I took a deep breath. This is still my favorite place in the world. A "home" filled with the scent of the forest.

"Shuo!" I rushed to the counter and climbed onto the high chair.

Shuo rested his chin on his hand, smiling as he looked at me. He wasn't particularly unhappy, but I liked it that way.

"I'll carry the luggage upstairs." Tang Chen greeted Shuo, "You two haven't seen each other in a long time, chat for a bit, I have to go now."

"This child is still so thoughtful." Shuo brewed the herbal tea. "Have all the things that needed to be settled been settled?"

I knew it. That damned witch knows everything, that's why she forced me to come to Taipei. "It's over."

She pushed a cup of tea towards me and poured herself another. "Still want to go up north for summer vacation?"

That question startled me. Do you still want to go? To be surrounded by kind people and live the life of an ordinary young girl?

"...One summer vacation is enough." I said, sipping my herbal tea.

She looked at me, and I calmly looked back at her.