The ghost official in green was so infuriated by Lan He that smoke seemed to billow from his seven orifices as he angrily exclaimed, “Who asked for your help, who did!”
The surrounding spectating ghosts whispered among themselves, all watching the spectacle with amusement. He then stretched his faceโliterally pulling it down to his chestโand scolded, “What are you looking at, what are you looking at! Keep looking and I’ll send you all to the city of wrongful deaths!”
The ghosts scattered instantly, no longer daring to watch the commotion. But Lan He, with his unpredictable nature, was certainly remembered by them.
As if nothing had happened, Lan He leisurely said, “It was you who first said I wasn’t qualified to take the road, so what, can’t you take a joke?”
The ghost official in green: “…”
Lan He was deliberately provoking, “Just a few jokes, don’t mind me, can I go now?”
Since their systems were different, the ghost official in green had no way to deal with him, and complaining might even backfire on himโif he actually called his superior, it would have solved Lan He’s problem instead, as Song Futan was worried about not being able to find an underworld official to prove he was a living soul.
The ghost official in green snorted and cast a gloomy glance at Lan He before turning his back, refusing to speak.
Seeing an opportunity, the greedy ghost official looked around and, with a smile, tried to mediate, “It’s just a few playful words, no need to take them to heart. Brother, calm down…”
Before the ghost official in green could grunt in response, he turned to Lan He and said, “Daddy, you may go back too.”
The ghost official in green: “…………”
He turned his head and glared at his colleague, knowing full well the latter did it on purpose.
Lan He couldn’t help but snicker, appreciating the ghost official’s standpointโregardless of whether one was from the underworld or the underworld court, as long as money was given, one could be his “daddy.” He bowed slightly, “Then, thank you very much!”
…
Lan He and Song Futan led a donkey together, embarking on the muddy and endless road of the Yellow Springs.
“So… your office isn’t located here?” Although Song Futan had been disembodied several times, he hadn’t died many times, so he wasn’t very familiar with the relationship between the Underworld Court and the Eastern Peak Underworld Office.
“In the Eastern Peak Underworld Office,” although Lan He had never visited the Eastern Peak Underworld Office, “Do you know what place that is?”
Seeing Song Futan shake his head, Lan He continued, “But you should know the relationship between local City God Temples and the Underworld Court, right?”
Song Futan nodded, “Local governments and the central government.”
Every city has its own underworld government, which is the City God Temple. City God Temples are graded, including county, state, and prefectural City Gods, roughly corresponding to the county, city, and province levels in the living world. The Underworld Court is the headquarters, located in Youdu, the capital of the underworld.
Lan He said, “Then the Eastern Peak Underworld Office would be considered the previous ruling power, belonging to the Taoist system. The current Underworld Court has a Buddhist background and, after gaining significant power, incorporated the Eastern Peak Underworld Office, making it one of the ten halls of the underworld. Due to incomplete integration, we still prefer to call ourselves by the old name: Eastern Peak Underworld Office. Strictly speaking, it should be ‘the Seventh Hall’ now, with the current Taishan King, formerly the Taishan Fujun, as its lord.
“You see, because of historical issues, those with faith still go to the eastern peak if they are Taoists, and Buddhists go to the underworld court. If you die, you probably won’t go to our Eastern Peak Underworld Office…”
Song Futan: “…”
Death was brought up again, suddenly making him feel a mix of amusement and loss.
Unaware of his thoughts, Lan He pointed ahead, “Hey, look what that is.”
The path they took to arrive and the one they left by were completely different. On their arrival, the road was crowded with overlapping ghost shadows and numerous wandering souls, but the departure path was so empty that Lan He immediately noticed a shop beside the road.
“The yellow springs has no guest houses, at whose home shall we stay tonight?”
There should be no inns on the Yellow Springs Road, but somehow there was a restaurant. Was it specially opened for the ghost officials?
Song Futan thought, it seemed he rarely came to the underworld and was not very familiar with the roads.
The restaurant looked just like those in the living world, with steamers at the entrance and a chopping board. The owner was chopping meat filling and shouted as they approached, “Freshly made meat buns, delicious meat buns!”
This means it’s for free.
The owner smiled at the two of them, “Want some meat buns? Just steamed.”
The owner’s smile was sincere, but Song Futan and Lan He dared not accept the buns.
Eating food from the underworld wouldn’t prevent one from returning, but it would lead to a swift returnโwhat looked delicious now would be a mass of rot left too long once back in the living world, and having such stuff in one’s stomach could cost half one’s life even if it didn’t kill.
“Really not eating? The journey back to life is long; how can you make it without eating?” the owner tempted.
“How do you know he is on his way back to life?” Lan He suddenly asked.
The owner’s gaze flickered, quickly replying, “Well, since you are escorting him, isn’t he returning to life…”
That’s not necessarily the case, what if he was being taken to the Eastern Peak Underworld Office, Lan He eyed the owner with suspicion. Could this fellow… be sent by the vengeful ghost official in green?
Anyway, from his professional perspective, the owner’s act was lacking. Whether sent by the ghost official or not, he bore no good intentions, perhaps envious of someone able to return to life.
The owner, maintaining a forced smile, said, “We also have vegetable fillings…”
He deliberately took out a bun from the steamer and extended it towards Song Futan, his tone full of temptation, “Smell it, just smell it.”
The fragrance was extremely tempting, but Song Futan merely glanced coldly, unaffected.
Having lived among a horde of ghosts for over two decades, how could he be tempted by mere meat buns with added ingredients.
“Let’s go,” Song Futan said.
The owner’s face fell in disappointment, such resolve…
“Wait,” Lan He suddenly refused to leave, “Owner, I’m asking you, can you sell just the meat?”
Seeing a turn in the conversation, the owner brightened but was inwardly puzzled, as they seemed to already be suspicious of him, hence he hesitated, “I suppose…”
Song Futan thought he was confused, but looking closely, his gaze was still clear. Was he planning to eat it himself? Anyway, a ghost official wouldn’t fear such things.
Lan He said, “Then give me ten pounds of lean meat, finely chopped for stuffing, not a bit of fat on it.”
Song Futan: “…………”
Owner: “…………”
The owner almost knelt, “Great lord, I can’t chop it like that, I sell buns, please find somewhere else!”
“Wait, you just agreed, now you’re reneging,” Lan He grabbed his collar, imitating the fierce ghosts he had seen, threateningly said, “Are you making fun of me?”
“I’m wrong, I’m really wrong, I was also entrusted by a ghost.” Seeing Lan He’s fierce look, the owner revealed everything in fear, “I won’t dare do it again.”
“Then chop the meat I asked for.” Lan He was relentless, “Apart from the ten pounds of lean meat, also ten pounds of fat meat and ten pounds of cartilage, all chopped for stuffing, separately packed without mixing. Send it all to that man, say it’s for making dumplings.”
…Still couldn’t escape, the owner, frightened to tears, nodded: “Sob, okay…”
Lan He’s menacing look immediately vanished, his acting skillful: “Then you may go.”
The owner was stunned, then grew even more afraid, this unpredictable nature of Eastern Peak’s emissary, what kind of person was he in life!
“Let’s go.” After venting, Lan He signaled Song Futan to continue on their way.
Song Futan chuckled and shook his head, “Seeing this, you truly are a fierce warrior.”
Lan He burst into laughter, hands on his hips, “Well said, well said.”
Continuing on, they encountered a fork in the road ahead. Lan He looked closely to discern the right path but couldn’t determine which way to go.
The road to the Yellow Springs is difficult, but that’s for ordinary souls.
However, Lan He is an unpredictable spirit; he shouldn’t feel this sense of being lost, as if he wanted to get on the road to the Yellow Springs, he could easily find his way there in just a few steps.
“The dumpling filling hasn’t been received yet, and here I am being troubled again,” Lan He murmured. “Truly, little ghosts are troublesome.”
Song Futan watched him.
Although he didn’t speak, Lan He suddenly understood his meaning: “I’m not a little ghost, remember? You yourself said it, I’m a fierce general.”
Song Futan smiled.
Just then, from one of the paths, a deep and resonant sound could be heard, echoing softly, “Dangโโ”
Hearing the bell, Song Futan said, “My family is summoning my soul.”
Lan He was delighted, “What sound is that, to travel so far?”
Song Futan said, “The sound of a bell.”
The lingering sound of the bell was long and drawn out.
Lan He decided not to dwell on it for now. The two quickened their pace, following the sound’s direction, and unknowingly stepped into the realm of the living, the surroundings suddenly becoming bright.
However, they didn’t appear at the City God Temple but at a crossroads, with Juehui Temple not far away.
“So, it was the bell from Juehui Temple?” Lan He realized.
The ancient bell of Juehui Temple, weighing dozens of tons and known as the “King of Bells,” has a history of six hundred years. It is said that its sound can travel dozens of miles, with the echo lasting more than two minutes.
However, Lan He didn’t know that the bell’s sound could reach down to the Yellow Springs.
Xu Gui was still waiting for Lan He at the original place. Seeing him return, he quickly approached, “Lord Lan, you’re back. Was everything smooth?”
Hearing Xu Gui call him, Song Futan remembered that he too referred to himself as “Lord Lai” to the ghost officials. He thought to himself, so it’s “Lai.”
“Fairly smooth.” Lan He then advised Xu Gui to continue his cultivation nearby and to descend to the underworld as soon as possible.
After speaking, Lan He looked at Song Futan, knowing it was time for him to return too. The lively atmosphere on the Yellow Springs Road was gone, “I still have work to do. You can go back on your own, let the paper donkey lead you…”
It was still the middle of the night, but he had to get up early for makeup and filming, and there wasn’t much time left.
Song Futan felt a sense of loss, “Mm, goodbye…”
Watching him leave, Song Futan’s gaze dimmed slightly. The last time they parted, it was nearly two months before they saw each other again. This time, who knows when they will meet again.
To think, if not for the other being an unpredictable spirit, born a hundred years apart, they likely would never have met. But because of this, they are separated by life and death, not of the same kind. Even after his death, he wouldn’t report to the Eastern Peak Underworld Office.
…
Song Qiyun helped Song Futan up, “Awake? Master Sikong said it was risky this time, fortunately, Master Budong personally rang the ancient bell to guide you back.”
“Mm,” was all Song Futan said.
Song Qiyun hesitated, feeling his son was burdened with heavy thoughts. However, his son never shared what happened in the underworld with them, and asking would probably be futile.
Song Qiyun awkwardly changed the subject, “The outline you wrote last time, the protagonist, that young man, did you name him? I was thinking about a name for him…”
Song Futan cut him off, “Named Xiao Lai.”
ใใ.
ใใ.
“Lan He? Lan He? You sleep like you’re dead.”
Lan He rolled over, saw Cheng Haidong muttering, and realized the alarm had been going off for a while, “How come you’re awake already?”
Normally, Cheng Haidong would linger in bed until the last possible moment.
“I was woken up by the noise a while ago.” Cheng Haidong yawned, “Didn’t you hear it? The bell sound, I even checked Weibo, everyone’s talking about why the ancient bell was rung.”
“Oh,” Lan He hurriedly replied, “Maybe the monks got the time wrong.”
“How’s that possible, the ancient bell of Juehui Temple is 600 years old, it’s not rung casually, only thrice during the New Year. Normally, people ring the ordinary bells provided by the temple for blessings. The sound tonight was long and distant, it could only have been the ancient bell. But how could they get the time wrong, it’s not a special occasion now. The midnight bell sound is quite strange.”
“Is that so…” Lan He really didn’t know about this rule. If that’s the case, then “he” must have a good relationship with the monks of Juehui Temple, after all, he also has a rosary from a high monk.
Cheng Haidong continued mysteriously, “You know, the ancient bell is inscribed with a hundred scriptures, tens of thousands of words, so when it rings, it’s as if all the scriptures are being recited at once. It was originally cast to deliver souls from purgatory. Do you think, last night, it was used to deliver something?”
Lan He replied, “Could be, could be.”
Hearing his perfunctory tone, Cheng Haidong immediately lost interest.
…
During the day, Lan He and Chen Xingyang were filming their scenes as adversaries. During a break, Chen Xingyang’s assistant came over and said, “Brother Yang, Sister Xingyu is here, I’m taking her to the hotel.”
“Okay,” Chen Xingyang nodded, then explained to the curious Lan He, “My sister and Director Liu agreed to make a cameo, as an Easter egg.”
Chen Xingyu had just had a baby and couldn’t participate in the filming, but since she had worked with Liu Chunyang before, she agreed to make a cameo.
Lan He was quite looking forward to Chen Xingyu’s visit; she was his senior in the industry and an actress he admired.
It took a while before Chen Xingyu appeared, first shaking hands with Liu Chunyang, tiredly saying, “Sorry, the child kept crying, just fell asleep.”
The child was too young, currently staying in the hotel with their father and Chen Xingyu’s manager.
Chen Xingyang was approachable and had many friends, unlike Chen Xingyu, who was not very warm to people and could even be considered reclusive, often making headlines for bluntly turning people away.
Therefore, although she looked similar to Chen Xingyang, the vibe she gave off was completely different.
Upon introduction by Chen Xingyang, Lan He shook hands with her and felt as if he was about to freeze.
Liu Chunyang made small talk with Chen Xingyu, “Is your child still crying? I saw your WeChat Moments saying they haven’t stopped since birth, wasn’t that an exaggeration?”
Chen Xingyu rubbed her temples, “Yes, cries for no reason. We’ve seen countless doctors, can’t find the problem nor soothe them. My grandmother said it would get better after crying for a hundred days, but it’s been a hundred days, and it’s still crying every day.”
Liu Chunyang thought for a moment then asked her, “Have you gone to Miao Gan Mountain to fulfill your vow?”
Lan He, who had been resting with his eyes closed, pricked up his ears at the mention of Miao Gan Mountain.
He was also enlightened by Old Bai, knowing Miao Gan Mountain was a place where one could pray for children, or to be precise, any of the palaces of Bi Xia Yuan Jun were places to pray for offspring. The most famous, of course, was praying at Mount Tai, also known as “tying a child doll” or “mortgaging a child.”
Since Liu Chunyang asked at this time, Chen Xingyu might have gone there to pray for a child, a detail not blasted by the gossip news, which had only reported multiple times about Chen Xingyu’s attempts to conceive.
To elaborate on “tying a child doll,” the palaces of the goddess often have many dolls inside. In the past, these were made of clay, but now there are also ones made of plaster, porcelain, and plastic.
Women who wish for children come here to pray and light incense. They choose a doll, and a Taoist priest in the hall ties a red string around the doll’s neck. One end of the red string is tied to a coin. The priest shakes the string, taps a Qing (a type of musical instrument) with the coin while chanting spells. Then, the doll can be wrapped in a red cloth and taken home by the petitioner, marking the completion of the ritual.
If the wish indeed comes true later, the doll must be returned as part of fulfilling the vow.
Chen Xingyu said, “I did return it… but it has nothing to do with this, right?”
She wasn’t particularly a strong believer in these practices herself. She had only participated after failing to conceive for a long time and was told by her elders about its efficacyโMount Tai was too far, so Miao Gan Mountain, being famous in the Beijing area for praying for children, was the chosen spot. Thus, she hadn’t really considered the connection to fulfilling her vow, especially since she had returned the doll.
“Only by asking can we know, why still cry.” Liu Chunyang was puzzled, then suddenly thought of something, “How many times did you pray, and how many dolls did you return?”
“Hm?” Chen Xingyu said, “I prayed three times and returned one doll. The first two are still at home; I only took one back. Why, is there a problem?”
โPraying three times is the limit; nothing should be done thrice. If praying to Bixia Yuanjun didn’t work within three months, one could try again, up to three times. After that, one cannot pray anymore.
Liu Chunyang slapped his thigh, “Of course! If you prayed several times and finally had a child, you need to return all the dolls.”
Chen Xingyu retorted, “Why should I? I only had one child, why should I return three dolls?”
Everyone: “โฆโฆโฆโฆ”
Liu Chunyang, sweating profusely, didn’t know how to argue, “This, this… it’s just the old rule… wow, you’re really stingy! Are you really going to quibble with the goddess over those two dolls!”
“Isn’t the goddess quibbling with me?” Chen Xingyu shrugged, “I was just saying. Since that’s the case, I’ll return the other two dolls some other day, hopefully, it helps.”
She yawned, both she and her husband were at their wits’ end with the child, who spent most of his awake time crying, with no known way to soothe him.
“Really hope we can wrap up soon. I haven’t seen Xiao Miao Miao for so long, this little crybaby, maybe there’s too much ‘water’ in his name, that’s why he loves to cry so much,” Chen Xingyang rubbed his hands.
Miao Miao is the milk name of Chen Xingyu’s child, given by the Taoist priest of Miao Gan Mountain. According to tradition, they write it on red paper, which is taken along with the doll. If one successfully conceives, the name must be used.
“By the way,” Chen Xingyang joked, looking at Lan He, “don’t get close to my sister’s room when you go back. Even pigeons are scared of you, don’t frighten my nephew!”
Author’s note:
Song Futan: I shed tears for my love.