Zanxing (Retranslated)

Chapter 149 - The Ji She Festival (1)

The sky gradually darkened.

In the earthen house, oil lamps were lit. Douniang and Xu Fu, dressed up in their finery, emerged from the inner room.

Since it was a festival, everyday clothes were not suitable. Douniang had changed into a brand new black floral tube skirt, adorned with colorful embroidered flowers and plants. The skirt reached only to her knees, and her black cloth boots were warm and lightweight. Around her neck, she wore a string of silver beads. Her two braids, tied with velvet flowers, hung down to her chest, and with a touch of lip rouge, she looked charming and lively.

Xu Fu had also washed his face and changed into a black robe. This robe seemed rarely worn, as its embroidery was still vibrant. Tian Fangfang, observing their attire, asked, “Are these the clothes for the Ji She Festival?”

Douniang nodded with a smile. “The Snake Shaman Clan reveres black. During the Ji She Festival rituals, everyone wears black robes.” She fiddled with the colorful beads around her neck. “I strung these beads myself. Wealthier families wear gemstones on their chests.”

Xu Fu handed a few lamps to Tian Fangfang and the others. “During the Ji She Festival, everyone must carry a Sacred Serpent Lamp. Here, take them, immortals.”

Zanxing took the Sacred Serpent Lamp and examined it closely.

The lamp was not large, about the size of a soccer ball. It was a lantern made of white cloth, with a totem either embroidered or painted on it. This totem was the same one they had seen at the city gate when they first arrived in Wufan City: a woman holding two snakes. Now, with the lamp lit inside, the shadow of the snakes flickered on the cloth, as if they might slither out of the lantern at any moment.

“It’s getting late,” Xu Fu said, looking at the sky. “Immortals, let us go to the Ji She Festival now.”

Everyone left the house together.

In the desert, the daytime heat was oppressive, but at night, without the sun’s rays, it grew cold. A dry, cool breeze blew from afar, and along the narrow dirt path, warm-colored lanterns hung at every household’s doorway. The night sky seemed low, the silent heavens and bright lights dividing the world in two. In the vast, boundless desolation, this bit of light brought a sense of human habitation and liveliness.

Douniang explained with a smile, “The city is usually lively at night, with food and drink stalls along the road and lantern shows with various performances. But today, because of the Ji She Festival, everyone has gone to the Wudanlin Desert, so it’s a bit quiet here. We left late, but when we arrive at the Ji She Festival, you’ll see how lively it is!”

As she spoke, she was somewhat proud, as if the Ji She Festival were a grand and remarkable festival.

However, Zanxing and the others were not as lighthearted as her. They hadn’t even met the Holy Maiden of the Snake Shaman Clan yet, and they couldn’t be sure if the Ji She Festival would bring good or bad fortune.

As they walked along the long dirt road, the further they went, the fewer houses they saw. The road became increasingly wide, almost blending with the distant desert. However, more people began to appear. Zanxing saw several men and women dressed in their finest, chatting and laughing as they walked forward, as if they were heading to a rare festival.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the road beneath their feet disappeared completely. If it weren’t for Xu Fu and Douniang, Zanxing and the others would have thought they were about to get lost in the desert. Yet, in the pitch-black desert, some twinkling lights gradually appeared. These lights were fiery orange, making the desolate night come alive.

Douniang ran ahead, waving vigorously into the distance. She turned back to them and said happily, “We’ve arrived, the Ji She Festival is here!”

Zanxing looked into the distance, and the lights became clearer.

They weren’t starlight, but burning torches. The larger “stars” were bonfires gathered together, while the smaller ones were torch branches arranged in floral patterns in the sand.

Countless people dressed in their finest crowded around the torches, singing and dancing fervently. Some were playing drums, their drumheads painted bright red and intricately carved with patterns of birds, beasts, insects, and fish. The drumbeats were intense, and young girls in black long skirts danced gracefully to the rhythm. The girls’ elaborate skirts were embroidered with lifelike butterflies among flowers. With each twirl, the colorful butterflies seemed to flutter before the eyes, and with each wave of their arms, their beautiful long hair seemed to enchant the onlookers.

Zanxing murmured, “It really is a dance party…”

This was quite different from what she had imagined.

In the distance, a young man in black saw Douniang and called out with a smile, “Douniang, you’re late! We’ve already finished the roast beef!”

Douniang pouted at him and then turned to Zanxing and the others, saying, “Immortals, you must be hungry. Come and try the feast at our Ji She Festival!”

She grabbed Tian Fangfang’s hand and ran ahead, with Zanxing and the others following behind. Halfway there, they caught the aroma of food carried by the wind.

Near the bonfires in the desert, many long wooden tables were set up. The table Douniang led them to had untouched food on it: melons, fruits, candies, and rich, aromatic wine. On a nearby wooden rack, a young calf was roasting, its meat sizzling and releasing a tantalizing scent. Men dong’s stomach let out a loud grumble, and everyone turned to look, making the boy’s face turn red.

Truth be told, since Zanxing and the group had left the secret realm of the Li’er Country, they had only drunk some of the Xu family’s water and hadn’t eaten anything. Although cultivators can endure hunger well, often fasting during their training, their energy had been depleting rapidly since entering the desert. Without access to their Qiankun Bags, they felt hunger like ordinary people.

“This kind of roast beef is rare even for my father and me,” Douniang said, picking up a finely carved knife. She selected the juiciest part of the beef, cut a piece, and placed it on a plate, which she handed to Tian Fangfang. “If the immortals don’t mind, please try it.”

The beef on the plate was steaming slightly. Tian Fangfang swallowed and looked at Gu Baiying.

Gu Baiying glanced at the delicious spread on the table and said indifferently, “Disciples of the sect cannot eat mortal food.”

“Ah?” Douniang was momentarily surprised, a hint of disappointment on her face. “That’s really unfortunate.”

Zanxing also felt it was a pity. The veal looked tender and smelled delicious, and in their current state of hunger, it seemed even more appetizing. However, given the peculiar nature of the place, they dared not eat the local food indiscriminately and had to suppress their craving.

Not far away, other young men and women in festive attire were competing.