[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h":3,"chapter-devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-32":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Devouring Evil, Exterminating Demons Across All Heavens",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2266977,4426,"Chapter 32: Three Teas, the Colorful Cloud Flute","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-32",32,"\u003Cp>“The husband of the Cave Goddess?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu looked curiously at Cai Shanjun and noticed that Lao Yu and Xiao Hu also wore unmistakable expressions of inquiry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, though they were Cai Shanjun’s bodyguards, they knew nothing of the matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Shanjun dismounted from his donkey, wearing a look of helplessness, and explained at length.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than ten years ago, he and a group of friends accidentally entered this Wu Family Village and found the people here warm and hospitable, simple and cheerful; after trekking through the mountains, they were truly hungry and exhausted, so they rested here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It turned out that the festival they had assumed was a celebration was actually the Cave Goddess’s Bride Selection Ceremony being held in the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to a friend’s recklessness, they were forced to don wooden, painted masks and went along with the ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a series of rituals, it was ultimately this outsider, Cai Shanjun, who was chosen as the Cave Goddess’s husband.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this was no blessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Cave Goddess’s Bride Selection Ceremony was performed to invoke blessings and avert calamity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every ten or several decades, the waterfall near the Wu Family Village would dry up, revealing a cave beneath the cliff, from which colorful clouds would spew forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At such times, the Wu Family Village would hold a ceremony to select the Cave Goddess’s husband and send him into the cave; otherwise, even if they relocated elsewhere, the entire clan would suffer disaster and misfortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Shanjun’s friends protested but were detained; at the time, Cai Shanjun was essentially forced into the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet after two days and two nights, he successfully emerged from the labyrinthine cave, bringing with him the Colorful Cloud Flute left behind by the Wu Family’s ancestors deep within the cavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He claimed it was the Cave Goddess’s guidance that allowed him to escape unharmed and returned the Colorful Cloud Flute to the Wu Family Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The villagers thus believed he was especially favored by the Cave Goddess, bestowed him with generous gifts, and respectfully saw them all off from the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...At the time, I was about to lay down my brush and take up arms, but the connections in officialdom and the military were deeply entangled and perilous; these gifts greatly aided me in my early days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Cai Shanjun spoke, Chu Tianshu’s expression grew subtly uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This did not sound like a man without enemies—only one whose enmity had been resolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu gazed at the waterfall on the mountain: “Back then, they could send you into the cave—what if the waterfall dries up again this time you’ve come back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It won’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Shanjun smiled mysteriously, then sighed, “After I left here, I collected much local history and folk legend, and learned that long ago, the legend here was of the Cave Goddess marrying a wife.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever the waterfall dried up and colorful clouds appeared, the village would choose its most gifted maiden, give her the village’s most precious gu insect, and send her off in a procession to be wed into the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At some unknown point, the maidens could no longer appease the Cave Goddess’s anomalies, so they switched to selecting the village’s bravest warriors—changing from the Cave Goddess marrying a wife to the Cave Goddess selecting a husband, yet the outcome remained the same: all who entered never returned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they had been able to unite when the colorful clouds erupted, gathering many warriors and gu women together to enter, perhaps calming the calamity need not have cost anyone’s life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu pondered, “But that might have cost even more lives—they dare not change tradition. What exactly is inside that cave?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Shanjun mused, “I don’t fully understand. The cave is filled with pillars, some upright, some inverted, extending endlessly downward, vast beyond measure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Given our current situation, we should not lightly explore the cave’s depths—at least for these few years, the waterfall won’t dry up; everyone still has time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, the Miao girl had already rowed the bamboo raft back to the village side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, continuous drumming echoed from within the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearly every household on the mid-slope’s stilted houses sent out able-bodied men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hundreds of people surged down to the riverbank, drumming enthusiastically on the opposite shore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The women mostly wore head wraps and embroidered aprons; the men dressed in either animal hides or cloth garments, all appearing rather plain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outsiders assume Miao villages abound in silver ornaments, but aside from festivals and grand ceremonies, they rarely adorn themselves elaborately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver tarnishes easily; if worn constantly during labor and daily work, it accumulates stains that even washing and polishing cannot fully restore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the hundreds, a dozen men split off, rowing five or six bamboo rafts across the river—all barefoot and barearmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One stood out particularly, standing nearly two meters and twenty centimeters tall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His scalp bore only stubble, a hemp rope wrapped around his forehead, his face square and blunt, his limbs long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poling the bamboo raft across the river seemed to him like merely three or four lazy sweeps—the raft shot forward like an arrow, reaching their shore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Shanjun!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wu Tugu!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Shanjun laughed, “Back then, if not for me, everyone in the village believed it should have been him sent into the cave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tugu grunted, his voice muffled as if trapped in a giant wooden barrel, vibrating with resonance: “You stole my glory—but you walked out of the cave. I admire you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly sniffed with his nose, his expression turning strange. “Why have you grown so weak?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Shanjun sighed helplessly. “I should be far stronger than I was back then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tugu’s gaze swept over the group, his nose wrinkling again as he grinned. “Your companions, however, are far more dangerous than those you brought before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu asked curiously, “Brother, did you figure this out, or did you smell it? Can scent really distinguish strength?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bears can smell crocodile scent, but foolish men cannot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tugu slapped his chest proudly. “Only five people in the village have noses like mine—and I stand the tallest, smell the farthest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other bamboo rafts had also reached the shore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man with narrow eyes, thick beard, dark skin, and a short knife at his waist called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re not the tallest—you’re just the longest. If it’s about climbing high, you can’t beat me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The short-knife man stepped forward and performed a village greeting. “Wu Zewa, here by the clan chief’s command to welcome our benefactor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The term “benefactor” did not refer to Cai Shanjun having taken the village’s place in the cave, but to his recovery of the ancestors’ Colorful Cloud Flute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was a treasure once ranked alongside the Barbarian King’s Drum and Zhuge’s Qin—but since then, whether direct or collateral descendants, no one in the Wu Family had retained the knowledge to craft it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group was ushered onto the bamboo rafts—even the donkey was not left behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu turned to look back the way they had come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Endless dense forest stretched beyond sight; distant mountains loomed like giant bowls pressing down upon the earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The foothills were deep green bordering black; halfway up the slopes, the color gradually whitened, and the peaks—whether snow or mist—were indistinguishable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From this view, no path was visible at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Cai Shanjun had guided them here so effortlessly suggested he had studied this village deeply, pondering it many times in secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s rained for days, yet today we see evening clouds—surely the Cave Goddess is pleased.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd waiting on shore clearly looked to an old man as their leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hair and beard were streaked white, his eyelids swollen, his belly slightly round, a knee-length russet cloak hanging from his back; his voice was loud, commanding, and warmly enthusiastic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our benefactor, who recovered our ancestors’ relic, has come—the husband chosen by the Cave Goddess has come!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Light the bonfire, bring out the fine wine—tonight, let us dance and sing without restraint!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd on the shore erupted in cheers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A graceful maiden stepped forward, placing a wreath of supple branches on the chief’s head; another wreath was offered to Cai Shanjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wildflowers with yellow stamens and white petals added rustic charm and warmth to both men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bond between them instantly drew closer; Chu Tianshu and his companions were immediately surrounded and ushered up the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the chief and others spoke Mandarin, as the crowd pressed around them ascending the mountain, Chu Tianshu realized many of their words were incomprehensible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he understood the feeling of joy and festivity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Has the Governor made such a deep impression on them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Hu was flattered. “After more than ten years, they still welcome him so warmly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Jinqiu replied calmly, “The girl who recognized Cai Governor at first glance truly remembered him; these people now? Most are just excited for tonight’s dancing and wine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he loved this lively, joyful atmosphere, so his face wore a bright smile, unlike Zhong Shu’s stiff demeanor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as they neared the stilted houses, the crowd suddenly scattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zewa explained: “They’re gathering firewood for the bonfire, preparing fish to roast, and collecting insect tea, flower tea, fragrant bamboo, and sour cabbage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To enjoy a joyful night requires much preparation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu nodded, noticing the group had been led to a higher ground—apparently the village’s assembly hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While other stilted houses were bamboo and wood, this hall was built of nanmu and brick-tile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside stood a dozen chairs; in the center, a six-legged black iron pot held stacked, unlit firewood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had they seated themselves than the girl who first spotted Cai Shanjun approached, each hand holding a wooden tray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Which tea would the guests prefer—insect tea, oil tea, or flower tea?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl smiled, her eyes sparkling, and brought the first tray to Cai Shanjun. “I remember—the Cave Goddess’s husband only drinks flower tea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chief said, “This is Abang—back then, you helped her drill the flute.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Shanjun recalled, smiled, and accepted a cup of flower tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl passed among them all, serving each a cup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu noticed many more tea bowls on the trays and asked, “Can I have one of each?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abang laughed. “Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu took three bowls: oil tea looked like noodle soup, smelling faintly salty and savory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flower tea appeared to contain candied winter melon or similar ingredients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Insect tea, surprisingly, looked most ordinary—just like steeped tea leaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu had expected to see centipedes or other insects—he’d have liked to try.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Jinqiu beside him leaned over and whispered, “Insect tea is made from insects that eat tea leaves, then excrete them—dried into tea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu’s face changed slightly. He might have eaten a centipede—but this tea? No thanks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked Zhong Shu two more questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oil tea was made by stir-frying broad beans, glutinous rice, and wheat flour, then mixing them with tea seed oil—it kept well and emitted a rich aroma when brewed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flower tea was made from winter melon and green pomelo rind, cut into finger-sized strips or slices, carved with floral auspicious patterns, soaked and processed to remove bitterness, then sweetened and pickled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu silently picked up the flower tea, drank two gulps, then two more of the oil tea—both were indeed excellent—but his gaze couldn’t help flicking toward the insect tea, then he quickly looked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, he saw Uncle Ma drinking the insect tea with clear delight, and he glanced at it again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While he was studying these teas, Cai Shanjun had already exchanged pleasantries with the clan chief and gotten to the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve come this time to borrow the Colorful Cloud Flute.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clan chief, whose face had been smiling and voice boisterous, fell silent at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, that’s why you’ve come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clan chief still retained a trace of a smile on his face, but his voice had grown slow and heavy, as if weighing his words with great difficulty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though you did bring out the Colorful Cloud Flute from the cave, the generous gifts we gave you back then were already taken by you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, the Colorful Cloud Flute was once dull—it was only in the past dozen years, after we enshrined it in our ancestral hall, that it seemed to regain its luster…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2061,"2026-06-19T20:45:51.976Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9215f1bbce3abce08bd11892d3be93464b9fea289018ed88d025c09ec9f2dfc1","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-33","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-31",155,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdevouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-cover.jpg"]