Thousand Dusts Ferry Me - Chapter 35

Upon hearing these words, Yun Qing asked, “What mountain?”

“Linglong Mountain, of course.”

“Are you sure?”

“Definitely. Every year the bridal offering to the mountain god is sent to Linglong Mountain. My nephew escorted a bride last year, and he said that place is terribly eerie… tsk, tsk, tsk.”

The fat man shook his head as he spoke, frightening everyone at the table who let out a collective gasp.

Yun Qing narrowed her eyes. “Bridal offering?”

The fat man nodded, “Yes, in Linglong City we send a bride to the mountain god every year on the fifteenth day of the eighth month. Are you gentlemen and ladies visitors from elsewhere?”

Yun Qing smiled, “Yes. This is the first time I’ve heard of the custom of sending brides to a mountain god.”

The fat man grinned, “You’ve come at just the right time! This year’s bridal offering will begin soon. When the time comes, you can watch it. There will be three days of theatrical performances at the dock, along with acrobatic shows. It’s very lively!”

As he said this, his face beamed with pride as he nodded his head and stroked his beard with his plump fingers.

“Is that so? Thank you… I’d also like to know how Linglong City offended the mountain god in the first place?”

“Well, there are many versions of the story. Some say the people of Linglong City stole the mountain god’s treasure, others say a hunter accidentally shot the mountain god’s leg while hunting. Some even say the people of Linglong City insulted the mountain god—heaven help us, who would dare insult a mountain god! Tsk, tsk, tsk…”

Another thin man at the table said, “These are all ancient stories from hundreds of years ago. Who would remember?”

Cheng Suiyan asked, “What exactly does ‘sending a bride to the mountain god’ mean? You send an actual bride?”

“Exactly right.” The fat man, perhaps because his relative had participated in a bridal offering, knew the details quite well and enthusiastically described the bride selection process, spittle flying.

They had to select her based on her birth date and time, appearance and temperament. She had to be raised for a full year beforehand, dressed in fine clothes, fed the best food, and her feet couldn’t touch the ground… and so on.

Fu Xue asked, “Do these brides ever return to visit their parents and family after marrying the mountain god?”

The men at the table suddenly fell silent at this question.

After a moment, the fat man laughed awkwardly and shook his head, “Of course not. Once she becomes the mountain god’s wife, she’s the mountain god’s lady.”

Fu Xue pressed further, “As the mountain god’s lady, shouldn’t she be able to go wherever she pleases? Linglong Mountain isn’t far from Linglong City, so why doesn’t she come home to visit?”

“Uh…” The fat man became somewhat flustered. “If she doesn’t want to return, she doesn’t return. Why is a little girl like you worrying about such things?”

Yun Qing asked, “Are all these mountain god brides willing to become brides?”

“Of course! Who wouldn’t want to be the mountain god’s lady?”

“Oh? If you were asked to be the mountain god’s lady, you’d be willing too, right?”

The fat man was completely angered now, “What nonsense are you spouting? Are you insane? Looking for trouble?!”

All four men at that table stood up abruptly. Among them was a man as tall and broad as an iron tower.

Jiang Baiyu rested his chin on one hand, not even looking at them, while his other thumb pressed against the sword guard, giving it a gentle push.

With a “zing,” he pushed out two inches of gleaming steel blade that reflected a cold, sharp light.

The men’s faces changed, and they sat back down as if nothing had happened, waving over a waiter to move them to another table, as far away as possible from these lunatics.

The waiter placated the customers with a smile, eagerly moving them to another table and bringing plates of fruit to both tables.

Cheng Suiyan, with a grim face, asked, “Yun Qing, we should do something about this, right?”

The waiter, who was placing a plate of fruit on their table, couldn’t help interjecting, “Esteemed guests, forgive my intrusion.”

“Hmm?”

“The one on Linglong Mountain… is extremely powerful! In the past, some warriors tried to intervene, went up the mountain, and none ever returned. Linglong City has been sending brides for hundreds of years. You distinguished guests are just passing through; there’s no need to risk your lives over this matter. In my humble opinion, it’s best not to get involved.”

“Is that so?” Yun Qing trailed her index finger around the rim of her wine cup and smiled. “Thank you for the warning. However, our Way of Compassion has just one principle: meddling in others’ affairs.”

When Cheng Suiyan heard this, his blood instantly boiled, his eyes bright with determination. “Right, we’re definitely getting involved!”

****

After finishing his meal, the fat man went to listen to music. While walking to the theater, he suddenly realized he was being followed.

His followers were none other than the four lunatics he had met at the inn.

The fat man’s face changed, and he began to trot away, his fat jiggling. However, the four caught up to him in just a few steps, grabbed him, and dragged him into a nearby alley.

The fat man repeatedly begged for mercy, very cooperatively taking out his money and offering it to them.

Yun Qing smiled, “We don’t want your money. We just have some questions for you.”

“Good sirs and ladies, please ask away. I will tell you everything I know, without holding anything back!”

The group then asked him various questions related to the bridal offering: where the bride would depart from, what rituals were involved, what precautions existed, how many people would be in the procession, who had been chosen as this year’s bride, and so on.

The fat man answered all their questions.

One detail caught Yun Qing’s attention.

During the bride selection process, they would take the bride’s birth date and time to the mountain god’s temple to seek approval. Only after obtaining the mountain god’s consent would they officially send the bride to the Chongshen Society.

This was very interesting.

Finally, Yun Qing gave the fat man a few copper coins and said, “Thanks, buy yourself a drink.”

With that, the four of them walked away.

The fat man watched their receding figures, then looked at the few copper coins in his palm. The coins were bright yellow and shiny, as if newly minted.

Dazzlingly stingy, impressively cheap.

The fat man wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and muttered to himself, “Are they crazy?”

….

When Yun Qing and her companions returned to the inn, they found someone waiting for them.

The person claimed to be a servant from the City Lord’s mansion and respectfully presented a calling card. Yun Qing opened it and saw it was from the siblings Chu Yanchuan and Chu Yanhe. So these two were from the City Lord’s family.

Considering the siblings’ demeanor and bearing, Yun Qing found this unsurprising.

No wonder they had found them so quickly—they must have also heard about the dispute with the diners, especially since Linglong City belonged to the Chu family.

The Chu siblings asked if they were free in the coming days, as the siblings wished to visit and apologize, and also show them around Linglong City.

After a brief discussion, since they had several days before the bridal offering ceremony, they decided to explore Linglong City first.

So Yun Qing sent a reply saying they would be available tomorrow.

The servant received the reply and respectfully departed, which needs no further elaboration.

****

The next day, the Chu siblings arrived as promised. Both were riding horses—Chu Yanchuan on a tall black steed, and Chu Yanhe on a pure white pony.

Both horses’ heads were adorned with openwork pure gold ornaments. The black horse’s ornament featured two dragons fighting over a pearl, while the white horse’s portrayed goldfish playing among lotus flowers.

Today, the siblings hadn’t brought guards, only some attendants to hold the horses and carry gifts.

The siblings were naturally handsome and beautiful, and their dazzling attire and grand manner attracted many glances from passersby, but they seemed accustomed to being stared at and paid no attention.

Chu Yanhe kept her small face downcast, while Chu Yanchuan wore a spring-like smile on his lips. Some women who passed by blushed after just one glance at this young lord.

When they reached the inn and met everyone, the Chu siblings learned the names of Yun Qing’s group for the first time.

Chu Yanchuan, impressed by their distinguished appearance and extraordinary demeanor, had already desired to befriend them. Now he conversed with them smilingly, as if they were old friends.

Chu Yanhe still felt somewhat awkward. Today she was dressed magnificently in a sky-blue outfit, wearing a gold lock and necklace on her chest, and a ruby hairpin, all dazzlingly beautiful.

She remained silent until Chu Yanchuan called to her, “Little sister, what did you promise me at home?”

Only then did Chu Yanhe reluctantly stand up, walk over to Yun Qing, curtsy slightly, and say stiffly, “I’m sorry about yesterday.”

How could Yun Qing hold a grudge against her? She smiled and replied, “It’s fine. How are you feeling?”

Chu Yanchuan quickly said, “She’s already seen a doctor and there’s nothing serious.”

Yun Qing thought to herself, quite resilient indeed.

She took a paper crane from her sleeve, handed it to Chu Yanhe, and smiled, “I was too impulsive yesterday too. This is my apology to you.”

Chu Yanhe accepted the crane with a pouting mouth, her eyes full of disdain. This kind of thing for amusing children seemed so insincere! And the paper was so rough, making it seem even more perfunctory!

Yun Qing knew she couldn’t recognize its value and explained, “Tell it, ‘Immortal crane with spirit, hear my words.'”

Half-believing, Chu Yanhe did as instructed.

As she spoke the last word, the paper crane suddenly trembled, then slowly flapped its wings and actually flew up.

Chu Yanhe’s mouth fell open as she stared at the crane in disbelief.

Chu Yanchuan’s eyes were also full of amazement.

Yun Qing smiled, “You can tell it something, and after you’re done, say ‘Immortal crane with spirit, deliver my words.’ While saying this, think of a person, and it will take your message to that person.”

Chu Yanhe was so excited her face turned red. She said to the crane, “Big brother, today I met an immortal sister!” Then, following Yun Qing’s instructions, she sent the crane off.

The crane flapped its wings and flew out the window. Chu Yanhe leaned out the window to watch, exclaiming loudly, “It really flew away, it’s flying to find big brother!”

Yun Qing smiled, “It will return after delivering the message. One crane can fly a thousand li in total.”

“Wow!”

With this, Chu Yanhe and Yun Qing were thoroughly reconciled. She sat back in her chair and began to chatter, asking Yun Qing about her sect and how to become an immortal.

Yun Qing had to explain that they weren’t immortals and that these were just small tricks.

Chu Yanhe was somewhat disappointed, but after hearing Fu Xue tell some interesting stories about demons, she soon became excited again.

She talked far more than her brother.

After sitting for a while, Chu Yanchuan suggested taking Yun Qing and her friends for a walk around Linglong City.

Chu Yanhe asked, “What would you like to do?”

Fu Xue smiled, “First tell us, what fun things are there to do in Linglong City?”

“There are so many fun things to do—cockfighting, dogfighting, cricket fighting; listening to music, songs, and storytelling; viewing flowers, lanterns, and gardens; playing ball, cards, and hunting; appreciating tea, wine, and incense, and also—”

Fu Xue quickly interrupted her, “Don’t say any more. You’re making my spiritual resolve unstable.”

Chu Yanchuan laughed, “How about we first go for tea and music, then take a boat ride on the lake? We can do other things later, since you’re not in a hurry to leave. I was also hoping to invite you to my home for the Mid-Autumn Festival to admire the moon.”

At the mention of Mid-Autumn Festival, Yun Qing felt her heart sink.

However, she didn’t show it on her face and simply smiled and said, “Alright.”