Cataclysm Chapter 120: Blessings and Disaster Relief

Chapter 120: Blessings and Disaster Relief

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

When everyone came out, they instinctively looked at the wall in front of them. The red threads that had been wrapped around their middle fingers and the wall had fallen off. The ornate relief on the wall had vanished, replaced by a gray, hazy surface. President Chen Qingdai informed them, “Congratulations on successfully completing the soul-releasing ceremony and sealing the resentment. This operation was very successful, and the source of the resentment won’t awaken to harm anyone for at least ten years.”

Chen Yang tugged at Du Shuo’s sleeve, prompting the latter to squat down and ask softly. Chen Yang said, “I’m tired. Can you support me?” Du Shuo helped him up, appearing to support but actually carrying him, allowing Chen Yang to fully lean on him.

After Chen Qingdai finished speaking, he looked at Chen Yang with a gentle, comforting smile. “Do you remember the ‘obstacles’ I had you go through before? The Mortality Meter and the dragon-seeking, along with this incident at the haunted house. What have you gained from these experiences?”

Chen Yang pondered for a moment, then looked up directly at President Chen Qingdai, his eyes clear and firm. He said, “Enlightenment.”

Chen Qingdai was visibly shaken, then delightedly praised him. “You truly have more talent than I imagined, and you’re indeed suited for this line of work as a Tianshi.” He stroked his beautiful beard and laughed heartily before continuing, “Ma Shanfeng should have mentioned the vice president election of the Taoist Association. We’ve all been watching your actions, and we know you’re a good kid. Since you’ve passed the tests so far, focus on preparing for the advancement process. Once you pass, the Taoist Association can officially appoint you as vice president.”

In the Taoist advancement system, the Five Thunders Tianshis progress through initial grants, the Alliance Wei Token, the Five Thunders Token, and then the Three Caves Five Thunders Token. Chen Qingdai implied that Chen Yang should skip the Five Thunders Token and advance directly to the Three Caves Five Thunders Token, becoming a second-grade Tianshi.

Chen Yang looked at the purple-gold tassel on Chen Qingdai’s badge, recalling that the second-grade Tianshi’s tassel was golden. He smiled and said, “I’ll do my best.”

“Good.” Chen Qingdai, beaming, went to comfort and encourage the other young Tianshis. When he reached Mao Xiaoying, his expression became uncertain. “Did you bring a soul out of the haunted house?”

Everyone else turned to look, their expressions gradually becoming serious.

Mao Xiaoying scratched his head. “Yes.”

Chen Qingdai asked sternly, “A living soul?”

Mao Xiaoying, “Yes.”

How could there be a living soul in the haunted house? Since Mao Zhen had fallen in the haunted house, the Taoist Association had been very concerned about the matter, striving to protect all young Tianshis. In the past twenty years, no Tianshi had been trapped in the haunted house and failed to come out. So, the living soul Mao Xiaoying brought out could only be Mao Zhen.

Ma Shanfeng, Yi Wuchang, and the other three who had entered the haunted house with Mao Zhen and survived trembled in their hearts. “Is it true? Is that narcissistic bastard Mao Zhen still alive? Not dead, not assimilated, and still sane? His living soul hasn’t been tainted by the resentment and the Yin energy?”

“Yi Fusheng, are you hoping I’ll die soon?” Mao Zhen emerged from behind Mao Xiaoying, just a wisp of a living soul, nearly transparent in the sunlight. Upon seeing him, Yi Wuchang suddenly covered her mouth and crouched down, hugging her knees. Her reaction left Mao Zhen at a loss, hesitating before gently placing his hand on her head and softly comforting her with a few pats.

Yi Wuchang’s elder brother and Ma Shanfeng’s couple stood nearby, smiling with slightly red eyes. Kui Xuan, hearing the news, ran in holding a doll and curiously watched the scene from beside Chen Yang. “Yi Wuchang is crying?”

The doll climbed onto Kui Xuan’s head and sat quietly with legs crossed. In a delicate voice, it said, “Huh? I think I see that narcissistic bastard Mao Zhen?”

Zhang Qiudao confirmed, “That’s right, it’s him.”

The doll, “Really? No wonder Wuchang is sad.”

Kou Xuanling and the others immediately showed a gossipy expression, signaling the doll to spill the secrets of Yi Wuchang and Mao Zhen. The doll explained, “Back then, Wuchang and Mao Zhen were good friends. Later, Mao Zhen couldn’t come out and ended up in a vegetative state. Wuchang has always been very sad and felt guilty, thinking she dragged Mao Zhen down.”

Kou Xuanling, somewhat disappointed, asked, “Just good friends?”

“Yes.” The doll nodded, seeing the disappointed expressions of those around, and suddenly understood. “What are you all thinking? Back then, Wuchang was underage and couldn’t date. Besides, with her brother around, who dared to approach her?”

Chen Yang cleared his throat a few times, waving his hand and saying, “Don’t be too nosy. Go back and rest.” After saying that, he turned and leaned into Du Shuo’s embrace, saying, “Old Du, carry me quietly. I want to go back and sleep. We’ll talk after I wake up.”

Du Shuo gazed down at his side profile, tightened his hug slightly, and then softly said, “Alright.”

Kou Xuanling yawned and leaned on Lu Xiuzhi’s back, mumbling, “I’m sleepy too.”

Lu Xiuzhi, “I’ll carry you.”

Zhang Qiudao sneaked out of the altar to avoid being surrounded by family asking about his well-being. When he was alone, he encountered Big Fatty, who was left and right with beautiful cats. Big Fatty had somehow gotten a cowboy hat and wore it over his bald head, looking quite handsome. Big Fatty greeted him, “Old buddy, no need to leave the window open for me tonight.”

Zhang Qiudao had never opened the door for Big Fatty, as Big Fatty usually stayed outside. Recently, they traveled together, which was why they shared accommodations. But Big Fatty typically climbed through the window instead of using the front door, so only the window needed to be left open. Big Fatty specifically detoured, left and right with beautiful cats, just to show off in front of Zhang Qiudao.

Zhang Qiudao remained expressionless and used a Seven Star Sword to flick off Big Fatty’s cowboy hat as he passed, sneering as he left. Poor Big Fatty, slapped twice by the beautiful cats, didn’t even realize his bald secret was exposed.

In the evening, everyone gathered for dinner. Chen Yang heard Zhang Qiudao mention that shortly after the Taoist Exchange Association ended, the Tianshi’s residence at the foot of the mountain would hold a lively Taoist Cultural Festival at Dragon Tiger Mountain, featuring many performances and the most popular Kongming lantern event.

Chen Yang, “Kongming lantern?”

Zhang Qiudao said, “You could make your own Kongming lantern or buy one at the foot of the mountain. At that time, the entire town’s residents, tourists who came for the event, and people from other towns would come to release the lanterns, praying for peace and smooth fortune in the coming year. Moreover, the Daoist Tianshis would also perform rituals at the Daoist Cultural Festival at the mountain’s base to pray for blessings and avert disasters.”

Praying for blessings and averting disasters is a very ancient and distinctive Daoist ritual, with records dating back to the Zhou Dynasty. It involves praying to the gods to calm all calamities in the coming year, extend blessings and longevity, and ensure peace and smooth fortune. In ancient times, the court held grand rituals with complex and solemn procedures because it concerned the country’s fate, typically praying for national peace and favorable weather.

Nowadays, although many Tianshi families have inherited the practice of praying for blessings and averting disasters, only the great Tianshi families have the complete set and insist on holding it annually. The Tianshi Temple at Mount Longhu held a grand ritual at the cultural festival every year, praying for blessings and averting disasters.

Everyone eagerly anticipated the grand ritual. Chen Yang personally went down the mountain to buy materials to make Kongming lanterns. He brought them back to the Tianshi Temple, calling people from the branch to make their own lanterns. Mi Mi, Hu Yingnan, and others found it interesting and were not to be outdone, buying materials to make their own lanterns.

Chen Yang folded white paper and drew fold lines while saying to Du Shuo, standing beside him, “Hand me the scissors.” Du Shuo handed him the scissors, and Chen Yang took them, cutting along the lines as he asked, “Aren’t you making one?”

Du Shuo shook his head, “No.”

“Shall I make one for you then?”

“Sure.”

Chen Yang looked suspicious, “Are you waiting for me to make one for you?”

Du Shuo smiled, “Yes, I like anything you make for me, even the pig heads you embroidered on clothes.”

Chen Yang folded the three cut pieces of paper, smiling as he chided Du Shuo, “Saying such things at your age. Kui Xuan is still here, watch what you say.” He turned to find glue, “Old Kou, pass me the glue.”

Kou Xuanling was lovingly brushing a lantern with Lu Xiuzhi when he heard Chen Yang, “I’m using it. Ask Zhang Qiudao.”

Chen Yang looked at Zhang Qiudao and found him a bit distracted, applying glue while looking at his phone. So he asked, “Qiudao, are you gluing the lantern or your phone?”

Zhang Qiudao snapped out of it, realizing he almost got glue on his phone, and smiled sheepishly, “Got distracted.” Big Fatty jumped onto the table, trying to scratch his chin with his hind leg, but could only scratch the air despite his efforts. Yet he pretended to scratch his chin, making a contented purring sound, twitching his whiskers as he said, “Mao Xiaoli said she would come the night of the prayer ritual, and Zhang Qiudao is waiting for her message.”

“Wow!!” Instantly, there were cheers and whistles. Zhang Qiudao threatened Big Fatty, “Baldy, don’t think your hair will grow back.”

Hair was Big Fatty’s sore spot. He jumped up to fight Zhang Qiudao to the death. The others clapped and jeered, stepping aside to watch the show. Mao Zhen watched the scene with a smile, raising an eyebrow at Mao Xiaoying, “Aren’t you worried your sister will be taken away by an outsider?”

Mao Xiaoying, “The brother-in-law isn’t an outsider. He has parents, is good-looking, a young talent, and I’m very satisfied.” Mao Zhen rolled his eyes, saying Mao Xiaoying was missing an opportunity to test and trouble him more, but Mao Xiaoying only smiled warmly, “As long as Xiaoli likes him.”

Mao Zhen pouted, huffing. Then he heard Mao Xiaoying ask him, “These twenty years were hard, right?” Mao Zhen shrugged indifferently, “It was fine, I got through it.”

“That’s tough,” Mao Xiaoying said with a gentle, sad smile that seemed to carry a bit of superior sympathy, making it harder to bear than harsh words. About to retort, Mao Zhen met Mao Xiaoying’s serious, sad yet gentle eyes, like clear mountain springs in summer. He swallowed his sarcastic words, drifted to a nearby pillar, and, looking at the crowd’s fun, said, “It was okay.”

All the suffering, temptations, hatred, and grievances were nothing compared to loneliness. Loneliness, like water drops from a cliff, could penetrate hard stone. When time stretched endlessly without hope, loneliness surged from all sides, becoming a waterfall that easily crushed steadfast beliefs.

Luckily, he made it through.

Mao Zhen frowned, disgusted, “So I never want to recite the ‘Taishang DongXuanlingbao Salvation Sutra’ again.” Reciting it daily for over twenty years, busy with the Soul Releasing ceremony to expel his own lingering soul and resentment, made him sick to the point of vomiting at the sound.

Hearing this, Mao Xiaoying smiled warmly, his eyes curving.

While coloring and drawing on his lantern, Chen Yang suddenly tilted his head and asked Du Shuo, “Have you thought about what to draw or write on it? They say the higher a Kongming lantern flies, the more likely the gods will see the wishes written on it and grant them.”

Du Shuo said without hesitation, “That’s fake.”

Chen Yang immediately frowned. Feeling the tension, Du Shuo quickly took up a pen, “I’ll draw something. A drawing represents what I want to write.” Satisfied, Chen Yang nodded, “Then I’ll draw too. I won’t look at yours, and you won’t look at mine. Let’s see if we draw the same thing.”

“Okay.”

Then, the two of them turned their backs to each other, each picking up their pens to draw. Du Shuo finished first, sneaking a glance at Chen Yang’s drawing. When he saw the shape Chen Yang was sketching, a smile of mutual understanding spread across his face. After finishing his drawing, Chen Yang admired it for a few seconds before turning around and catching Du Shuo watching him. “Done?” he asked.

“Done,” Du Shuo replied.

“Let’s see,” Chen Yang said.

Du Shuo showed him the lantern he had drawn. They compared their drawings and found they had both drawn the same green ring-shaped object with a notch, each half forming a pair when put together. Chen Yang chuckled, “We really are in sync.” They had drawn the seal of the Emperor of Fengdu, a ring split into two halves that they had turned into wedding rings.

Back then, when Du Shuo gave Chen Yang the other half of the ring, it was a mutual confession, the day after they officially became a couple.

Kou Xuanling leaned in, puzzled as he looked at the unfamiliar shapes on their lanterns. “What is that? Caterpillars? Deformed caterpillars joined head to tail?”

Chen Yang smiled and told him to buzz off. Kou Xuanling teased, “Your drawing is ugly, and you don’t even let us say it.”

“That’s because you don’t understand the reason.”

“What reason?”

“The reason why my dear Du and I love each other.”

When the Taoist cultural festival began, Chen Yang and his group went to the foot of the mountain, each holding their self-made lanterns. They lit them and watched as they floated slowly into the sky. The town was filled with lanterns, their orange glow warming the night sky, carrying the hopes and wishes for the new year. As they looked up, a clear and melodious sound rang out, as if divine music filled the air. The sound cleansed everyone’s worries, filling their hearts with warmth and joy.

The Taoist blessing and disaster-warding ritual had begun, and people slowly followed the crowd into the Taoist temple. The open space at the foot of the mountain gradually emptied. With Du Shuo’s protection, Chen Yang was not pushed forward by the crowd but leaned peacefully into Du Shuo’s embrace, his head tilted up, able to kiss his chin.

Chen Yang pecked Du Shuo’s lips and softly said, “After we return this time, let’s go to Du Shuo Mountain. I want to see where you live.”

Du Shuo agreed, “Alright.”

Author’s note:
Tomorrow’s special chapter – Ghostly Marriage.

 

 

 

This Title is available for faster chapter releases through paid Patreon membership. Any proceeds go to keeping the website running. Check it out HERE.