Mythical Creatures Series 1: Ah-Jiang Chapter 5

Mythical Creature Series 1 Ah-Jiang

Chapter 05

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Who is Lord Yi of Qinghe? The county magistrate can tell you thoroughly. He was recorded in the historical scroll as the son of a noble who was under the emperor of the former dynasty. A famous general that killed many enemies and protected his own side. But the last Tianzi[1] of the former dynasty listened to the wrong side and believed their words. So Lord Yi was charged with the crime of treason, but Lord Yi refused to submit to it even till his death. He ordered three hundred of his trustworthy men to run out of the capital with him. By the time he had reached the water, he was already surrounded with no power to fight back anymore.

Lord Yi then pointed towards the sky with his sword and shouted in anger, "I served the people. For them to betray me, I will follow the path of evils and ghosts in my death. Until I have sought my revenge, I will not disperse in neither death nor life!"

He jumped in the river and died.

One month later, just as Lord Yi said, the former dynasty was wiped out and the Da Zhao dynasty began.

As the magistrate finished speaking, he picked up his teacup and flitted the lid across it. Sounds of heavy breathing filled the room. Great Master Yun Hai then continued,

"Originally, since Lord Yi accomplished his revenge, his soul should have returned to the Yellow River[2] and passed on to be a greater being. But who knew that since the number of kills he had done in his lifetime were too great and in addition to him walking on the malicious ghost path after death, it shaped his soul into one where the hell's yama from all ten temples[3] would not take responsibility. If he was able to collect nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine more souls, then he would've been able to pass on from a malicious ghost to an asura. Then, even if the deities from the heaven tried to take him down, they at least have to see if the heavenly fortune would aid them or not."

"This big of a ghost – he was just one step away from forming into a demon. Yet, a mortal had stepped in and took away nine out of ten of his resentments. This is just like a cultivator who took a martial-scattering pill, destroying all of their thousands and hundreds of years of cultivation in one night."

"Shi Tou, oh Shi Tou, do not blame the east god of the rising sun for not helping you. You really have to repay this debt personally!"

By the time Great Master Yun Hai had finished explaining, he had already drunk five cups of tea. He slapped his stomach once and burped before shaking his head.

"Benefactor Shi, even though that ghost king's resentment has been dispersed, he still had a will remaining in his heart. For this type of powerful creature, how would they just say it so easily? If they did, then it was probably because the ruler of all the gods high above decided to randomly step in. You, as one who has a life of thick bless, have destroyed nine out of ten of his resentments. Even with that one last tenth of power left, he's still able to swallow you and the whole An Ling down. Yet, now he only proposed a yin wedding[4] in front of the east god, and that is already extremely generous!"

Then he looked at Shi Tou in front of him who had a miserable face. He was in a trance of fear for a long while before slamming his palm down on the table and standing up. "No! I'm not marrying!"

Great Master Yun Hai was shocked by his action, and as if he was scared that the malicious ghost had heard, he quickly looked around and patted Shi Tou's shoulder to comfort him to sit down. "My dear ancestor, who told you to marry[5]! The ghost king is giving you enough face and it is obvious that you would be the groom entering the "bride's" house; of course, this is all for the sake of Benefactor Shi. If he really wanted you to have such bad luck, why would he go through all that trouble to have you marry[6] him? He would have already made his little ghost servants come and abduct you back to the underworld and forced you to perform the marriage ceremony[7]."

The old ban head heard the tone and immediately asked, "Great master, does that mean our Shi Tou doesn't have pay with his life? Is that what this means?"

"Of course, of course. It is exactly that meaning! Even if he has to be the one to move to the other's house, Benefactor Shi takes the husband role here. So following tradition, the ghost king still has to cross the underworld to perform the wedding with Benefactor Shi!"

The old ban head let out a breath. "Good, good. That ghost king isn't that vicious."

"Master…"

"Shut it! This was all because of you. See if you would ever run your mouth off again in the future! To propose towards a ghost – you were even able to do such a thing!"

Shi Tou took a smack on the head and did not dare to bicker. He was a true example of one wanting to cry yet no tears would shed. Who was the one that first forced him to go to the river and beg for forgiveness? Ai, ai, ai. In the end, the master is the greatest. What else could he do aside from giving in?

"Great master…"  Constable Shi came close to him and asked in a small voice, "Is there really no other way?" The tears within Constable Shi's heart flew straight down as he thought, bald donkey, oh bald donkey. Twice he had fallen down the hole of these bald donkeys!

Great Master Yun Hai put on a smiling face with bright colors all over his face, showing great blessings as he attempted to persuade, "Buddha is generous and I will not hide from the benefactor: This poor monk has traveled through many lavish lands, and I was able to predict that there would be the birth of an asura around this area to harm the mortal realm. Now there is only one way to save the common people; even the east god of the rising sun has helped the benefactor and agreed to the ghost. For the safety and peace of others, Benefactor Shi you…need to obediently marry it!"

Just as those words were spoken, all the other brothers who heard the whole conversation from below responded with expected replies──

"Handsome, handsome, Bingzi said the ghost king was born with the number one appearance. This kind of blessing isn't for anyone to enjoy. Don't be picky now!"

"Shi da'ge, I have a wife, son, and an old mother at the age of eighty. You have to go along with it. Don't hurt that ghost king's heart and let him drown our whole An Ling!"

"As the saying goes, one does good deeds without their names being known. Shi Tou'er, you are really the role model of all An Ling Constables, a real-life buddha──"

Constable Shi looked at the blue sky with no words as his eyes were full of vicissitude.

Guys, do you guys even know…the ghost king…is a male…?

It was the Apricot month[8] and all the Apricot trees were blossoming and the air was filled with a sense of Spring.

Just as the year had started, something big happened in the An Ling district: our most outstanding Constable Shi was finally taking a partner into his house!

"Hey, isn't Shi Tou'er a nemesis of wives? Which household's lady dared to marry him?"

A woman covered her mouth a little and looked around before replying in a small voice, "What lady! Our Shi Tou'er was born too handsome – even the river ghost fell in love. They've already decided the shichen on the eighth of this month to set a lively yin wedding!"

"Ai yo*, my goodness, to take a ghost wife home to take care of the house. This Constable Shi sure has the impact to shock the sky and shake the ground-enough to scare one to death!"

The news of Constable Shi marrying a ghost bride spread for thousands of miles in the district and even the foreigners of the district found this to be new and interesting. Yin weddings were not too uncommon at the time, but for it to shake up the whole city this much was a rare sight in a hundred years.

Now talking about An Ling, don't know why, but it suddenly changed its whole appearance. Ever since Shi Tou agreed to the wedding, within the next day, the whole district, including areas ten square miles out of the city, had flowers blossoming, fruits ripening, fish lively leaping in the river, and even hundreds of birds were singing in great chorus. These blissful scenes lasted for half of a month and then many good things happened in the district. Sudden turns appeared for the ones who were up against tough situations; the poor made some silver money, women married good husbands, men married good wives. Even the middle-aged wives who could not give birth were now having blessing news, and the happiest people were the boatmen. While fishing these days, there were no wind or waves and every day they would return with great accomplishments.

The whole district was in great joy and no one was scared of the malicious river ghost. Instead, now they thought of him as the river god. Some people even brought worship goods to wish for certain things.

Just like this, the ones who originally disliked the yin wedding a little only had mouthfuls of compliments towards it now. All of them would say that Constable Shi and the river god were an incomparable match in both the heavens and earth. When Constable Shi spread the wedding news, the looks in the other's eyes…it was as if they could not wait to pack Shi Tou'er up immediately and dump him into the river!

Constable Shi saw the joyful scenes and he really had no words for it. Seeing that the date was coming close, the wealthiest man of the district, Wang Yuanwai, was generous enough to let Shi Tou'er borrow his mansion for the wedding. Since the one who's to be crossing those doors is the ghost king of the east, no one dared to be careless. The first thing they did was build a temple beside the river shore for the ghost. They used high-quality sandalwood to make a spirit tablet. Just in case when the time came for them to escort, they wouldn't be lost and knew where to find it.

As the gleeful event inched near, the magistrate gave Constable Shi a huge break so he could focus on the wedding with all his might.

Shi Tou denied Wang Yuanwai's generosity and decided to set the wedding at his little house. Shi Tou only had this little bit of land, so if the ghost king didn't like it, he should not have gone after him to begin with. Even though that was his attitude, Constable Shi still followed the traditional etiquette and renovated his small place and changed every bit of furniture to new ones. And the ghost sure was shameless. One morning just as Constable Shi was about to go and get a new bed, who knew that he would see a giant narra bed when he exited his door. The handcraft skills made Official Zhang compliment it with no end as he shook his head. "This is a craft that probably not even the best craftsman within our kingdom could make."

The whole district heard the news and came to see. All of them shared looks with each other and had mischievous and perverted smiles.

It was natural for a new bride to gift furniture, but a new bed is always set up by the male's family with the meaning for the husband and wife to be happy and have successful bed business. As for the ghost king, sending this big of a bed himself – it was obviously to hurry his husband into bed quickly. It could not have been more shameless!!!

With this huge negative impression from the ghost king, Constable Shi's face became thinner and thinner. After chasing off a bunch of curious people, he squatted on the ground and sighed in sorrow as he supported his chin with two hands while looking at the old furniture he had taken out. There were a table and a book cabinet, and they were still mostly new. Didn't he buy them just last year?

A helper came up to ask, "Do the table and cabinet also have to be changed?"

Shi Tou spaced out a bit and looked towards it for a while until he finally slapped his thigh a few times then spoke, "Let's give it to some other people."

Unknowingly, the sky had turned to a field of red and Constable Shi smiled for unknown reasons. No one knew his thoughts inside.

Ah-Jiang, Ah-Jiang, I'm about to marry. You went away in such a rush. You did not even tell me your name nor home address; I don't even know where to send a wedding invite to.

Then Shi Tou thought with a turn, it is good like this. Ah-Jiang is almost like a sweet dream of his. Come and gone without a trace left behind.

He remembered the cold winter day when Ah-Jiang stood underneath the moon with his hands behind his back, clouds filled the sky, and his gorgeous face held a blurry smile. His beautiful red lips slightly moved as he called out 'Little Rock…'

"Ai yo, Sir Shi, why are you shedding tears?!"

Constable Shi quickly lowered his head to wipe the tears, and then said, "Sand got in my eyes. Irritated me so freaking much."

The eighth day of the second month -successful wishes to everything for the new couple to be wed.

Firelights lit up the whole county at the time of midnight, but it was unknown as to whose household was holding a wedding. Sounds of suona horn and drum-like instruments started to play. The ghosts and gods who passed by all moved out of the way. Then a voice called out, "Lord Yi of Qinghe is having a wedding!"

Seeing thousands and hundreds of red lanterns hanging high above the river, if the gods from up above were to look down, they probably would have thought that the heaven's palace was somehow moved to the mortal realm.

Since it was the wedding of the East Ghost King, many gods showed up to give some face. Looking at the bright moon rising up in the black night, the clouds were pure white and the night color was thick. The An Ling citizens hung up red lights in front of their houses and then went back to their houses to rest. For the ghost's wedding, how could mortals even take a peek at it? Although there were a few bold ones who dared. But upon smelling a heavy fragrance from nowhere, they all felt sleepy and fell asleep on the ground, diving into a good night's dream.

The escorting team had picked out stuff based on the ghost king's eight birth characters. They carried a little red sedan, and Great Master Yun Hai went into the temple by himself to take out Lord Yi's spirit tablet with his own hands. But seeing the three characters "Jiang Yanyun" upon the tablet, he covered it with a red cloth so that the groom could not see it.

On a white gorgeous horse, the groom was dressed in a vivid wedding robe and the quality of it was one that could not be found in either the high heavens or on the ground. The wide sleeved edges of the clothing were lined by gold lace. Looking at Shi Tou's wide shoulders and thin waist, looking at his starry eyes that were like a streak of a star's bright light within the dark, and the white teeth and red lips of his that showed remarkable handsomeness, his great aura could easily be seen without the need to be explained by words.

"Sedan, up──"

After picking up the bride, the suona and drums started again!

In the Shi Household of An Ling, South Lane, some important and respectful seniors were already in their seats. Since Shi Tou'er did not have a father or mother, he depended on them when growing up. Especially the old ban head who sat in the highest status seat. He even wore new clothes that showed great joy for an event like this.

Upon hearing the firecracker sounds from outside, many people shared a look. "It's here, it's here! The sedan's here!"

The groom stepped down from the horse and walked to the front. Just as he was about to raise his foot to kick the sedan door, winds suddenly acted up. Light lanterns shook along with it, and Great Master Yun Hai rolled over like a ball and yelled, "The ghost king is here!!!"

Dozens of people looked up towards the sky and ai yo, good god. They looked as the sky full of clouds were split open in the night sky, and a bright red flying sedan rode down the rosy clouds. Two cloud beasts guarded the front while eight appealing looking servant boys helped to make way. The ding ding dong dong sounds were just like heaven. How was this a ghost king getting married off? It's just like a heavenly being descending!

As the ghost sedan landed, blue-green smoke lingered around, and a gold-child[9]-like servant jumped over happily while raising one of his brows. "Guye[10], aren't you gonna take down the sedan door?"

"Uh, oh, oh!"

Shi Tou went over and lifted his foot up and kicked the door. He then saw a white palm lifting open the gauze curtain. Then a long-haired male walked out of the sedan. He was wearing the same type of wedding clothes. When his red robe touched the ground, it felt like it had just been dropped on Shi Tou's heart and he could not help but raise his head to look. The ghost king had a red veil on, and he could see the ultimate beauty beneath there through the tiny cracks and spaces, but who knows if a mortal's life span would be cut down if they were to take a peek at it?

The child helped him over and held up a ribbon-ball with guye. When the master of ceremony and the others in the house saw, they weren't even worried upon the odd scene. Shi Tou still felt as if he was in a dream and that only the figure holding the other end of the red ribbon was real.

"Instrumentals, the main celebrators of this event, please kneel in front of the incense case. First kneel."

The master of ceremony sang, "Light the first incense, the second, and the third! Kneel with head for once, for twice, and thrice!"

"Up, level, back to position! Kneel, head down! Up, bow! Up, bow! …"

"With three kneels, nine head knocks, and six bows, may the husband and husband bow to heaven and earth, bow to their parents, and bow to each other." At the end, the master of ceremony finally sang, "End of ceremony. Withdraw. Enter the bridal chamber!"

The new bridal chamber was lit up with red candles and everyone else exited the place. The groom slowly closed the door and gulped as he turned around stiffly. The ghost king sat upon the wedding bed and blue fire swayed around inside. Even though his face was covered by the red cloth, it could not hide his incomparable aura. A streak of moonlight outlined his body and there was an indescribable nobleness there.

In the end, Constable Shi was still just a human of the mortal realm so as he came back to his senses, he naturally started to become a bit timid. Originally, he thought he just needed to take the spirit tablet in and it would be done. But who knew the ghost king would actually come out? Bald donkey, oh bald donkey, you've really dug me a deep hole! He thought inside.

According to Constable Shi's memory, this would be the first time he's interacted with the ghost king. So naturally, he felt cornered. He stood by the door and could not leave nor go inside further, making him anxious with no end.

"Ha." A soft chuckle rang and the voice was like the spring wind of the second month. It was more touching than any string-bamboo instrument music[11].

Shi Tou's face immediately turned red. Thinking back to how Constable Shi's previous three weddings ended up a failure, he wasted those times in his life to now where he has no heart for any type of stuff involving love. So even living up to this big of an age, he was still an extremely rare boy-like man.

But things have already escalated to a point where he could not back down, so Shi Tou'er, toughen up and go!

Constable Shi regulated his breathing and squeezed his hands that were already wet with sweat. He walked up to the front of his "wife" and stood still.

A hint of fresh fragrance came over, and again, the thick smell made him hesitate a little.

At last, carrying a bit of nervousness, a bit of fear, a bit of helplessness, and a bit of excitement…he used both hands to lift up the red veil.

The four eyes of theirs met and it felt like the cold winter where the house door opened again. Suddenly, ten thousand years had passed in one look[12].

Looking at those long eyebrows and orchid-like eyes, his lashes were thick enough to leave a slight shadow. Two strings of black hair dropped down on both sides and each strand was distinct from another. He had a strong eagle nose, deep eye contour, and they were as cold as a blade. His lips seemed as if they had rouge on, and it was clean with no edge smears.

Lord Yi of Qinghe, Ghost King of the East, Jiang Yanyun.

Those were all not him. Then who was he?

Shi Tou was shocked still, but his hand had already touched the ice-cold face. He called out deeply.

"Ah-Jiang…?"

Translator: Crispyfry

Proofreader: CSchick911

QC: Xiao

Xiao's Comments: Feels like Shi Tou would have less objections to the marriage if Ah-Jiang would've just told him, ‘hey, it's me. I'm the one who wants to marry you.”

Translator's Notes:

Ai yo*: A form of expression to express ‘surprise, wonderment, shock, etc. For example, ‘oh my lord,” or “oh lord,” or “oh dear,” or “lo and behold” etc.

[1] Tianzi – 天子, literally means "son of heaven" which is a more sacred title for a Chinese emperor, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Heaven

[2] Yellow River – 黄泉, literal translation, it is a place believed to be where the people would live after they die

[3] Hell's yama from all ten temples – 地下阎王…十王殿, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yama_(Buddhism)

[4] Yin wedding – 阴亲, literal translation, describes the situation of finding a partner for the dead to marry.

[5] Marry – 嫁, the 'marry' they used here is specifically used to describe a female getting married off to a male, and it is a word usually used in a sentence along with 'give' almost as if saying that the female partner usually is 'given' to their male partner.

[6] Marry – 娶, the 'marry' here is used when a male 'takes' a female to be their wife.

[7] (kneel) Marriage ceremony – 拜堂, the Chinese tradition where the two partners would perform the marriage ceremony by ritually kneeling to the heaven and earth, then they would kneel for their ancestors, then parents (usually the male side's) and they will kneel to each other.

[8] Apricot month – 杏(花二)月(天), the name of the second month with the Chinese Lunar calendar,

[9] Gold-child – 金童, literal translation. This could be used to describe either a naive, innocent, and lively boy, or it could be used to describe a boy who serves an immortal individual.

[10] Guye – 姑爷, this term can be translated to uncle or grandfather but in this context, this is the title the female's side of the family would address the husband by.

[11] string-bamboo (instrument) music – 丝竹乐, literal translation. The string purely stands for string instruments, bamboo stands for wind instruments made out of bamboo, and you just combine them together and badabam – you get what is called a "string-bamboo music"

[12] ten thousand year had past in one look – 一眼万年, literal translation and here are the few meanings.

When you see someone for the first time and it feels like you've already loved that person for many lives already and you still want to be together with them. Can mean that when you see someone, in just one sight, it felt like 10,000 years had passed. Can also have the same meaning as love at first sight.

                                                                                                     Chapter 6

Chapter end