[{"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-77":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},2317357,4532,"Chapter 77: Lantern Festival (Gratitude to","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-77",77,"\u003Cp>Arriving at Yixian before dusk, the city gate still had a few soldiers with spears on guard, but upon seeing the trio—a man leading a donkey and accompanied by a fox—the guards’ demeanor softened instantly; before Seventh Senior Brother could present his credential, they let them pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Venerable Daoist, please enter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The city was busier than ever before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even before night fully fell, the streets were lined with lanterns—of all shapes, colors, and kinds. Many from outside the city had come in today; wealthy young ladies, once confined to their inner chambers, now appeared in full finery, strolling the streets, while numerous literati and young gentlemen wandered aimlessly, hoping for a chance encounter and a romantic connection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Yuanxiao Festival—on a night like this, even if a demon slipped into the city, it’s probably just here to admire the lanterns,” Seventh Senior Brother, a man fond of play, harbored his own romantic whims. “Let’s head to the county office first!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Agreed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lin Jue walked along, glancing left and right, he felt as if he had stepped into the lantern-lit scenes described by poets—those encounters between literati, those fated meetings between talented scholars and beautiful maidens, as if born right here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet some cast glances his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either a passerby on the street, or a merchant from a shop by the roadside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some bowed respectfully from afar; others greeted him outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Venerable Daoist, you’ve come to see the lanterns too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Lin! Greetings!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue usually returned their bows in kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others were merely astonished by the fox at his side, or by his fame within the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When did you become so popular in town, Younger Brother?” Seventh Senior Brother couldn’t help asking in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Younger Sister also looked at him curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was last time, when the city merchants asked us to help exterminate demons with Third Senior Brother—we fought a demon-man the next morning, and many townsfolk saw it, since the street was packed,” Lin Jue said, embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now that I think about it, it’s been several months—they still remember you. Clearly, you left a deep impression.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s all thanks to Third Senior Brother,” Lin Jue said, glancing down at the curious little fox beside him. “Besides, they don’t remember me—they just remember a Daoist with a fox.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Regardless, this makes our task much easier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s best…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three soon reached the Yixian county office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To perform magic tricks in the city, one usually needed the magistrate’s permission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magistrate was surely off duty today; even if he weren’t, he’d have closed shop by now. But magistrates typically lived within the office compound, and Lin Jue’s party had come regarding the temple for Fourth Auntie of Jian Dao Peak—Fourth Auntie had been recognized by the Nine Heavens’ True Deities, not for personal gain, but involving divine matters, so they decided to inquire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they reached the gate, the main door suddenly opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A constable stepped out, sword at his side, apparently on patrol—he looked up and froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“True Immortal!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the constable who had delivered the letter to the mountain that day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The constable stared at them—clearly, both Lin Jue and the fox at his feet left a strong impression; as he hurried toward them, the Daoist temple on Wind-Snow Mountain seemed to surge before his eyes, the warmth of the tea and the scent of the rice wine rising again in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time he reached the trio, he was utterly reverent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reverent, yet with a hint of concern:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What brings the Three True Immortals here? Has some demon or ghost reappeared in the city?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“True Immortal? That’s too much…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue explained their purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The constable sighed in relief and immediately said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perfect! Just now, the magistrate gave us instructions—he hasn’t left yet! A few days ago, he was muttering that once spring came and the snow melted, he’d invite the prefect to visit you all on the mountain. If he learns you’ve come, he’ll be overjoyed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The constable led them inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They happened upon the magistrate just as he was about to leave for the lantern festival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Magistrate Chen!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pan Yi? What’s this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Honor, these three are Daoists from Fuxiu Peak’s Fuxiu Temple on Yishan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, upon hearing they were the Daoists who had fought the demon-man in town and had been sent word to by the Daoists of Qiyun Mountain’s Xuantian Temple, the magistrate’s demeanor instantly turned courteous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What brings the Daoists here…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magistrate, like the constable, first feared the worst—his brow furrowed with worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Honor, don’t worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seventh Senior Brother explained their purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magistrate’s frown gradually eased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magistrate gasped, eyes wide: “If a true immortal with perfected virtue is building a temple, why should the Daoists raise funds in the city? The county will provide the funds!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That would work, but it’s not ideal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seventh Senior Brother smiled, a polite refusal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue roughly understood why—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Daoists of Jian Dao Peak were originally demons; for demons to become deities—even mere mountain spirits—required stricter conditions and greater caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the temple were built by public donation, it would naturally need stronger protective powers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, Your Honor, tell us: how much silver must we raise through performing Daoist arts in the city to gain approval for building the temple for Fourth Auntie?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hss…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magistrate thought carefully, then said: “You three are true Daoists from famed mountains, possessing real power. If you demonstrate your arts in the city, won’t you add joy to tonight’s lantern festival and frighten away hidden demons, ghosts, and evil-doers? And since this is for a deity’s temple, it’s an act of righteousness—why should you pay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone grew firm:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Choose any spot in the city you like—I’ll have Pan Yi accompany you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magistrate had already made up his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He intended to go see it himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Your Honor,” Seventh Senior Brother bowed, then added with a smile: “Oh, I forgot to mention—last time, when my Younger Brother and Senior Brother descended to exterminate demons, the rat demons hiding in the caves were all slain by Fourth Auntie’s descendants, and later, the Qiyun Mountain Daoists even asked them for aid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magistrate’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was her!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group turned and walked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Winter’s nightfall came swiftly—just stepping in and out of the county office, the sky had darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The colorful lanterns along the streets all lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearly every household had lanterns at its door; most pedestrians carried lanterns too, differing only in size, color, and shape. These lanterns illuminated the night, yet far from bright as day, crafting an atmosphere profoundly classical, dreamlike, and enchanting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This way, Three True Immortals,” said the constable named Pan Yi. “This side is the liveliest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stepped deeper into the sea of lanterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd grew denser.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This annual grand event held immense appeal for common folk, who lacked entertainment—officials, merchants, laborers—all came, weaving through the dim lights and shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking among them, one noticed the lanterns, not the darkness; one sensed the joy of those holding lanterns, while their hardships, flaws, and former restraint vanished into the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lin Jue walked, he contemplated the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?￠o\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His peripheral vision flickered to the side—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw Younger Sister’s eyes wider than his own—and since her face was small, they looked even larger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was she feeling?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Magic tricks are ornaments of a golden age. Third Senior Brother often boasts to you, doesn’t he? Says your alchemy is useless, that his bean soldiers are so fascinating. Honestly, hahaha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seventh Senior Brother laughed as he walked ahead:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cultivation doesn’t have to be for combat. Spells aren’t all meant to slay demons. Bringing joy to the people is good enough!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed ahead to the thronging crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go there!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seventh Senior Brother’s eyes gleamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several literati wandered the lantern festival, savoring the rare annual festivity, their glances sweeping everywhere—were they admiring the lanterns, or the people?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wasn’t there a demon scare recently, stealing people’s silver? I thought this year’s lantern festival would be quiet, but look at all these people,” one said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Tang, you’ve just returned to Yixian—you don’t know. The Xuantian Temple’s True Immortals have already summoned deities to purge the demons from the city,” another replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes! That night there was thunder—terrible thunder! It was midwinter, yet bold souls opened their windows and saw the divine lord in the night. Besides, the village shrine was removed by Liu Gong and replaced with the Yili Divine Lord, surely to calm the people’s hearts. The Yili Divine Lord has manifested several times recently. Who’d still fear demons?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Has the Divine Lord truly manifested?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone claims to have seen divine signs. I haven’t seen it myself, so I can’t say. But with so many people here tonight, even if demons came, what could they do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the dim lantern light, amid the flowing crowd—who knew who passed by was human, ghost, demon, or deity?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I only hope tonight I meet a kindred spirit among a noble maiden—if I can leave behind a romantic tale, ah, how blissful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Tang? Among the noble maidens I know, some admire poets and scholars—they even hold private poetry gatherings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The literatus named Tang glanced left and right, whispering: “I wonder if anyone will perform magic tonight…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not you again…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Tang, as always, you’re fascinated by the strange and supernatural!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t you gentlemen interested? Back in Jingcheng, I saw a master perform a trick—he cut off his own head, placed it on a plate, and showed it to every spectator. That head, still attached to bone and scraps of flesh, could speak and even drink wine! Truly an eye-opening sight! A feast for the eyes! Extremely fascinating!” said the scholar surnamed Tang. “I wonder if we have such people in Yixian!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm… that does sound interesting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But such extraordinary masters must surely be true cultivators. They’re more common in Jingcheng—here, we probably won’t see one easily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But a few months ago, bandits stole silver from merchants in town. Someone summoned a master from Yishan to exorcise the demon. That master had real ability—he performed a spellfight right on the street. Blades flew wildly through the air, and the Daoist even slashed through a closed wooden door with his sword…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s real skill…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, they suddenly saw a crowd ahead growing wildly dense, with people shouting in alarm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s going on over there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone’s performing a trick!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just as Tang brother wished!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go see!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of them walked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they even got close, they heard the voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ladies and gentlemen, please don’t throw coins! Don’t throw coins! Look at the banner—we are Daoists from the mountains, not entertainers. We’re not here to beg for rewards…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group heard this but paid it no mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most street performers across the realm did this: besides their physical tricks, they also used clever words—just another way to squeeze out more money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially this scholar surnamed Tang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had returned from Jingcheng and was accustomed to watching tricks and seeking unusual figures—he’d seen plenty of these.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as they drew nearer and saw that the central figures wore Daoist robes, he felt nothing unusual—there were simply too many such “tricks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t notice that his several friends, who had always lived in Yixian, had all paused when they saw the three Daoists and the donkey and fox beside them, exchanging stunned glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, from the center of the crowd, the Daoist recited a poem:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In dreams, sometimes I transform into a crane;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In this world, countless blades of grass become fireflies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This verse caught his attention.\u003C\u002Fp>",1950,"2026-06-20T14:45:35.226Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e9b958fe6e0f05692c7a99878ef58026c1f3d07618cf63c3a39913df043cef02","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-78","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-76",608,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-book-of-strange-tales-cover.jpg"]