There was also a saying that those with shallow shadows were prone to illness and early death, and easily possessed by demons and ghosts. Chen Jiuyang had been quiet and not lively since childhood, which worried his father and Zhang Xiuzhen.
Chen Jiuyang was found by them in the ruins, and had been living with them after migrating here for several years.
Night.
Chen Jiuyang sat on the roof tiles, looking at the bright stars in the night sky. In his previous life, he seemed to have been busy with something, and had rarely looked up at this vast starry river.
A breeze with a hint of warmth blew, and he closed his eyes to feel it.
A nameless joy surged in his heart. The spring breeze felt so comfortable.
He looked up, and his eyes met the sight.
A Milky Way stretched across from north to southwest, its starlight brilliant like a torrent, spanning more than hundreds of millions of miles at a glance.
The night sky shone brightly.
Would one of those stars be his homeland?
In this environment, lacking entertainment and backward, Chen Jiuyang liked to daydream after meals, recalling past events.
Whether it was regret, comfort, or happiness, as he thought, sleepiness would come.
The spring weather was unpredictable. A raindrop hit Chen Jiuyang's face, followed by a downpour.
Chen Jiuyang hurried down from the roof and hid in the house. Listening to the rain and watching the countless raindrops, he thought that the villagers near Chenyu Town should be very happy this year.
The rain in the night made Chen Jiuyang sleep more soundly than usual.
When he walked out of his room in the morning, the air he inhaled felt more comfortable than before.
After breakfast, he was pulled out by Li Yatou.
In towns like Chenyu Town, on every other day, farmers and merchants would set up stalls to form a market, commonly known as "赶集" (gǎn jí - attending market day).
Unlike cities, in towns, farmers and merchants mostly bartered. Copper coins were used in restaurants or shops, and silver was rarely used.
"The soil condition is good. I'll pre-order two hundred jin of your rice this year."
"The soil condition is indeed good this year. We have to thank God for keeping us alive."
"Heh, let's exchange things early. The seeds are waiting to be planted."
Li Yatou pulled Chen Jiuyang, "Yang Ge'er, we'll stroll through the market in the morning, and go to Qingcheng in the afternoon?"
Chen Jiuyang nodded.
Li Yatou's gaze fell on the various stalls.
In spring, everything was renewed, and there were many delicious foods. Spring bamboo shoots were so tender, and there were also elm trees. The fish and shrimp caught from the river were the fattest.
The cured meat that was not usually seen, every household would take some out to exchange.
The most expensive items in the market were fish, rabbits, birds, chickens, and ducks.
Throughout the year, spring was also the liveliest time in the towns.
Spring plowing, summer busy, autumn harvest, winter storage.
"It seems a few wealthy families have moved into town. They are quite generous, buying a lot of things and hiring many maids."
"Where did they move from? It seems to be from the east. I heard it was from Hengyu City."
Some elderly people with skills also set up stalls to earn more grain at this time.
Carpenters, blacksmiths, and butchers were all middle-class families in the towns.
A few children holding windmills happily ran past Chen Jiuyang.
The windmills here were made of tough bamboo leaves and branches.
Walking and stopping along the way, the morning time quickly and quietly passed.
"Madam, Master Gu has returned from his travels. We will visit him this afternoon."
At lunch, Chen's father said.
This Master Gu was the only martial artist in the vicinity who was highly skilled in archery.
After lunch, Li Yatou took Chen Jiuyang by carriage, following the merchants who came to the town to collect goods, towards Qingcheng.
This was the second time they came to Yuanyi Ju, and there were more people than yesterday.
The same young servant from yesterday received them. After handing over a dozen copper coins, they were seated.
The old gentleman who told stories had not yet arrived, and the people around were chatting.
"I heard from the merchants who came to Qingcheng today that a war broke out in Hengyu City a year ago. Tens of millions of demon beasts attacked the city, and it was extremely tragic. Hundreds of thousands of people were displaced and became refugees."
"Hengyu City has a martial arts master guarding it, and the demon race dared to attack the city?"
"Can this matter be false?"
"I hope the demon race doesn't come to our place."
"You think too highly of our Qingcheng. This place is remote and sparsely populated. If the demon race attacked here, it wouldn't be enough for these beasts to stuff their teeth."
"That's true. We don't have any treasures here, so the demon race wouldn't be interested."
After sitting for a short while, the old gentleman who told stories arrived.
As usual, he took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, and with a clap of the striking block, he announced, "Everyone, today we will tell a story about a martial Buddha and a demon."
"This is something I personally witnessed when I was a guest constable in Hengyu City."
"It is said that one day, auspicious signs descended from heaven, and a rare treasure appeared, which was obtained by a beggar. The Marquis's mansion in Hengyu City ordered us to find this beggar. Unexpectedly, the news of the rare treasure attracted the martial race, the Buddhist sect, and the demons to act together."
"The rare treasure belongs to the fated person; it cannot be forced. The martial race can let him cultivate the Dao, the Buddhist sect can ferry him to Xuti Mountain, and the demon race can allow him to reincarnate as a demon. This beggar actually said..."
"...The fighting shook heaven and earth, and the mountains and rivers collapsed. In the end, the martial artists of the Marquis's mansion in Hengyu City suppressed the Buddhist sect and the demons. Just as the beggar was leaving with the people from the Marquis's mansion, the demon race suddenly attacked, causing the beggar to die on the spot, his body torn apart... The rare treasure also dissipated into heaven and earth."
The listeners were awestruck by the grand and terrifying scene of the battle between the martial Buddha and the demons, some yearning for it, others fascinated.
Upon hearing the end, everyone was indignant at the demons' treachery.
Only Chen Jiuyang felt that something was not right with the story.
After the story, everyone got up and dispersed.
As the city gates were about to close, Chen Jiuyang and Li Yatou sat in a carriage, preparing to return home. As they passed by, many carriages were still entering the city.
Back home.
"Books? I have heard of such things. It seems that only in the cities of feudal lords are such things found? What is the use of reading? Academies? What are those?"
"Yang Ge'er, although I am happy that you are willing to speak, where did you hear these messy things from?"
Chen Jiuyang was silent for a moment, then said, "I heard it in a story today."
"Oh." Chen's father replied, "Your mother and I visited Master Gu today. Master Gu is old and wants to take a few disciples to pass on his legacy. Are you willing, my son?"
Chen Jiuyang replied without thinking, "This child is unwilling."
"Although you are willing to speak now, you are still very strange. If I hadn't personally diagnosed you, I would have thought you were possessed by demons or ghosts."
Master Gu walked out from the side.
Master Gu was in his early sixties, with white beard and hair. Although his build was not strong, his complexion was ruddy, and his eyes were bright.
"Chen boy, other children at your age are already starting to help their parents with chores."
Chen Jiuyang remained silent.
Master Gu: "Are you sure you don't want to learn from me? Martial arts..."
Chen Jiuyang shook his head and asked the question he wanted to ask, "Master Gu, when you were young, you traveled extensively and were knowledgeable. Why have you returned now?"