[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-book-of-strange-tales":3,"chapter-the-book-of-strange-tales-the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-553":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Book of Strange Tales",{"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},2317833,4532,"Chapter 553: Today, I","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-553",553,"\u003Cp>Today, in Yangzhoucheng, besides the Ten Li Spring Wind Road with its magic performances, the Dingfeng Temple was the busiest place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a temple in the city, dedicated to the Purple Emperor and many deities of the Southern Pantheon, including local earth gods and even Buddhist deities. When the townsfolk came out to enjoy the lanterns and festivities, they all came here to pay respects, light incense, and make wishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group of Daoists had also come here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temple was packed with people; the scent of incense filled the air, tangible as belief itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Great Emperor, bless me with great wealth next year…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“True Lord, bless my son with success in the imperial exams…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady Yuan, bless my whole family with good health…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some even closed their eyes in silent prayer; their inner voices, carried on the rising incense smoke, seemed audible to the Daoists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How lively!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are we doing here?” asked a pale-skinned female Daoist, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To enjoy the spectacle,” Lin Jue replied. “And to pay respects. How can a cultivator pass by a palace or temple without bowing to its deities?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, it was their turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The senior brother and second brother each took three sticks of incense; one went to the center to worship the Southern main deity, Jade Mirror True Lord, while the other went to the courtyard to bow before the small shrine of the local earth god, then they swapped, thanking Jade Mirror True Lord for his protection during their alchemy and praying that the deities would bless this land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With favorable winds and timely rains, free from demonic disturbances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior sister also took three sticks of incense and bowed before Yi Li Shen Jun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue took three sticks of incense too, first glancing at Ku Nian Shen Jun, then walking to the newly erected Yuezhao Yuanjun statue, bowing with solemn reverence, and inserting the incense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May Yuezhao Yuanjun bless my Fuyao to become the top imperial scholar?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuejing Cave Illuminating Yuanjun stood behind him, expressionless, watching and listening to his prayer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lowering his gaze again, he saw the fox lifting its head, staring unblinking at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the Daoist ahead, having finished worship, turned around:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Friend, why aren’t you bowing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daoist Jiang had no intention of answering him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, a commotion erupted nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh! The Immortals have manifested!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Immortals blinked…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue initially thought it was something else, but upon closer listening, realized it was the statues of the Jade Mirror True Lord and the Earth God, whom the senior and second brothers had worshipped, and Yi Li Shen Jun, whom the junior sister had bowed to—each had briefly opened one eye, glanced at the worshipper, then closed it again; the Earth God whom the second brother had bowed to had even bowed deeply in return before returning to stillness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was indeed possible for Immortals to pay such respects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was also a subtle reminder to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why won’t my Yuanjun open his eyes?” Lin Jue looked down at the fox. “Don’t you think so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fox looked up at him, then turned to look at Daoist Jiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a voice behind them urged:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Daoist! Hurry! The Immortals have manifested over there—if you’re done, let this old woman pass!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue turned and saw an elderly woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly stepped aside and stood watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud! The old woman dropped to her knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, Immortal Lady, my sister-in-law has been haunted by evil spirits for half a month—she’s nearly wasted away. If you manifest, please show mercy and help her…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue and the junior sister looked down at her, then up at Daoist Jiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You two enjoy yourselves,” Daoist Jiang said to him. “I’ll be right back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, she walked away, expressionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, though bustling with crowds and brilliant lanterns, many shadowed dark corners remained; in the blink of an eye, the female Daoist vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Lin Jue walk out with the fox.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disciples dared not speak and hurried after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Time flows like water,” Lin Jue murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior sister nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had come to Dingfeng Temple today not only because they happened to pass by and wanted to see the spectacle, but also because years ago, during the lantern festival, they had once worshipped Yi Li Shen Jun here—and even spent the night in the deity’s temple. Now, they were merely recalling the past, retrieving old memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that had been many years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a short wait, they met up with the senior brother, second brother, and their disciples, descending the temple steps together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing the Ten Li Spring Wind Road, where colorful lanterns glowed before them, the Daoists did not linger; but as they passed the bustling street filled with magic performances, they could not help but stop to watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A burly man sat before a square table and bench—a simple wooden plank on four legs, utterly plain; the bowl before him was ordinary, and his sleeves were rolled up, revealing his arms—but the wine inside never emptied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would occasionally show the crowd the full bowl, then drain it completely, showing them the empty vessel—yet within a breath, the bowl was full again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kept inviting people to come up and drink with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless onlookers cheered, countless were baffled, and countless drunken men rejoiced. Most wine lovers were discerning—if invited to drink, those with coins would toss down a few copper pieces; those without money or with impudence would still praise the wine as exquisite and his magic as wondrous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd grew even more enchanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An old man and his apprentice spat flames upward—no oil, no fire pellets, no igniting tools; after a moment of gathering Qi, they simply opened their mouths and unleashed a burst of flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was New Year’s Eve, lanterns ablaze; with these bursts of fire lighting the sky, the atmosphere grew even more festive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone summoned butterflies that danced in spirals at his command; another called forth a swarm of insects that marched in perfect formation across a table; another exchanged copper coins with the crowd, then, after casting a spell, made every coin held by the onlookers fly into his hands—people scrambled to catch them midair, clutching their own coins tightly yet still feeling an itch to reach out, utterly delightful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Daoists watched not only the performers’ magical skills, but also the crowd’s joyous cheers—the vibrant, living energy of humanity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, even the hard-won feats—the martial artist smashing bricks with one hand, stacking bowls with a kick, or performing the Golden Spear Through the Throat—held their interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the crowd’s clamor, Lin Jue spotted many demons and ghosts mingling among humans, mostly disguised as mortals; he also saw some Immortals who had descended, standing among the people, savoring this era’s prosperity and splendor, this once-a-year festivity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Years ago, during the Yixian lantern festival, they would not have recognized them—but now, they could spot them at a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, whether demon or deity, most paid them no mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At some point, Daoist Jiang reappeared beside them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a Southern deity, she was half-host; on such a grand festival, with old friends strolling the lantern fair, she naturally came to accompany them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, the crowds thinned, the city’s lanterns dimmed, and the group of Daoists began walking back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The younger disciples, who had never witnessed such a golden age or such dazzling festivity, felt unsatisfied and reluctant to leave; the elders sighed with nostalgia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet beneath this revelry lay chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thieves and pickpockets took advantage; malicious men used magic tricks to cause trouble; minor demons and ghosts slipped into homes while everyone was out, stealing silver or offerings; evil cults exploited the occasion to spread their faith. Though many Immortals had descended, the populace was vast—risk and reward coexisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, in Yangzhou’s Juxian Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yunshan Fashi was already ancient, steeped in decay; before him sat a common pastry—the very kind the impoverished boy he once was had longed for but could never afford. He pinched a piece, savored it slowly, and sighed in worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several other monks and mystics sat with him—all high-ranking figures in the Juxian Mansion, all outsiders to Yangzhou, gathered here today, equally troubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shaoying, the North, centered in Jingcheng and Qinzhou, is launching massive hunts for demons and ghosts. Many spirits dare not linger there and have fled south—some even commit crimes and harm mortals. We simply don’t have enough hands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not just the sheer number of demons and ghosts—it’s that the Xuantian Temple on Qiyun Mountain and the Southern deities, though not treating all demons equally, are generally lenient, rarely destroying those who haven’t harmed mortals. The evil demons from the North now mingle with good spirits from the North and native Southern demons—it’s impossible to tell them apart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone immediately agreed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. The Zixiao Palace and Northern deities are ruthless—in Qinzhou, especially Jingcheng—they seize any demon or ghost, regardless of virtue or merit. Here, we’re already few, yet we must carefully investigate and distinguish—there aren’t enough of us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh. Let’s speak of this after today,” Yunshan Fashi said. “Today is New Year’s Eve. Afterward, I’ll petition Jingcheng for reinforcements.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone nodded and fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet none knew that, not far from the office, a Daoist walked through a narrow alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Daoists passed through the alley, slowly returning to their courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place was quieter, more secluded; after two alleys, the noise and lanterns of the market were entirely cut off—looking back or recalling the scene felt like stepping between two worlds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a closer look revealed several flickering figures ahead—none seemed human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faint voices drifted over:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today, in the city, mortals and Immortals alike have flocked to the busiest spots. These quiet corners are perfect for our gatherings…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too bad we’re still short on food.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Short on food today? Aren’t there feasts everywhere? Just pick a big courtyard and go in—there’s plenty of meat and fish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still short of food today? Isn’t it everywhere? Just pick a bigger courtyard and walk in—won’t you find plenty of fish and meat?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue smiled. The junior sister’s face was stern. The two siblings turned their heads simultaneously, left and right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There stood Daoist Jiang, expressionless, in the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right in the middle was the expressionless Master Jiang.\u003C\u002Fp>",1734,"2026-06-20T14:45:37.804Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8efa8b98862576792a49475fb9473efefeba89f864609eb055383a29eabea530","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-554","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-552",608,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-book-of-strange-tales-cover.jpg"]