Zanxing (Retranslated)

Chapter 153 - Making a Wish (1)

“Those favored by the divine serpent tonight will have their wishes come true,” Douniang finished, seeing the skeptical expressions on Zanxing and her companions. She hurriedly added, “Immortals, don’t doubt it. That’s how I found my father!”

Gu Baiying’s expression shifted. “Your father?”

Tian Fangfang also snapped out of his usual laid-back demeanor, asking with some seriousness, “Xiao Douzi, I never got a chance to ask you. How exactly did you find your father?”

Douniang glanced sideways at Xu Fu, who had already walked over to the wooden table to chat with familiar faces. This man seemed honest and simple, careful even when cutting roasted beef, showing no signs of anything amiss.

Douniang withdrew her gaze and began, “After I parted ways with Brother Tian, I headed north. I had some silver with me, but it was stolen along the way, and I was almost sold off. Later, I managed to escape and traveled for a long time until I reached Wufan City.” She looked into the distance. “I didn’t know anyone then. A kind woman took me into her home and gave me food. That day happened to be the Ji She Festival in Wufan City. The kind woman saw that I had nowhere else to go and gave me a serpent lantern, asking me to attend the festival with her to see the Holy Maiden’s ritual.”

“The woman told me that during the Ji She Festival, everyone could make a wish during the Holy Maiden’s ritual, and the divine serpent would choose fortunate individuals to fulfill their wishes. At first, I didn’t believe it, but I missed my father so much that I wished to find him soon.”

Zanxing looked at her. “And then?”

Douniang murmured, “That night, after making my wish at the Ji She Festival, I went home with the kind woman. The next day, when I woke up, I planned to continue north from the city gate, but I unexpectedly met my father there.” Her expression suddenly became excited, as if recalling it still felt like a dream. “My father appeared right in front of me! It turned out that ever since I was abducted years ago, my mother passed away from missing me, and my father sold our property to search for me everywhere. Who would have thought we would reunite in Wufan City!”

“But, it’s been many years since you were abducted until you met your father,” Mu Cengxiao calmly interjected. “During all these years apart, how did your father recognize you? Or,” he glanced at Xu Fu in the distance, “hasn’t your father changed at all? Hasn’t he aged or become haggard?”

Douniang paused, her gaze becoming somewhat distant. “Aged… I don’t know. There’s been no… My father is just my father, he’s always been like this.”

With those words, Zanxing’s heart skipped a beat, and her gaze towards Xu Fu changed slightly.

Humans change in appearance over many years, yet Douniang insisted Xu Fu looked the same. Could Xu Fu be a demon? But Gu Baiying said there was no demonic aura.

“Not just me,” Douniang quickly dismissed her confusion and turned to Tian Fangfang earnestly. “Everyone in Wufan City who has been favored by the Holy Maiden has had their wishes come true. Brother Tian, remember when we used to eat steamed buns in the firewood room? You once said you wanted to make big money, live a good life, eat meat every day, and sleep on the softest bed. If you were to make a wish to the divine serpent tonight, who knows, it might just come true.”

The young girl’s eyes were filled with unwavering belief. Tian Fangfang chuckled and patted her head. “That won’t be necessary. I’m already living the life I once dreamed of. You know, one must learn to be content.”

“But…” Douniang wanted to insist.

“Young girl, don’t bother,” Gu Baiying interrupted her. “Cultivation for disciples of our sect is about striving for Dao against Heaven. Seeking mercy and favors from gods has long deviated from the original purpose of cultivation.” He glanced at the bewildered Douniang. “Forget it, you wouldn’t understand.”

Men Dong looked at Douniang and then at Gu Baiying. Stepping forward for the first time, he tried to smooth things over. “Ahem, don’t mind him. My senior uncle isn’t intentionally ignoring your sentiments. It’s just that our sect prohibits such acts. Your Ji She Festival is quite impressive and lively, with warm-hearted people. Really, if we weren’t from the sect, we’d probably be making wishes to the divine serpent just like you…”

Gu Baiying cast a cold glance at Men Dong for his verbosity.

After chatting for a while longer, the distant bonfires gradually dwindled, and not a single star could be found in the desert night sky. People from the Ji She Festival began slowly heading back towards the city, the festival nearing its end.

Xu Fu came over to call Douniang. “Douniang, it’s time for us to go back too.”

Douniang hugged the extinguished serpent lanterns to her chest and nodded at Xu Fu.

On the way back, the people of Wufan City chattered in small groups about the day’s festivities. Handsome young men proudly showed off silk flowers they had received that day, while beautiful girls complimented each other on the exquisite embroidery on their dresses.

It all seemed so normal here, just like any ordinary festival. Yet, this “normalcy” mingled with the pervasive “abnormality” created an eerie sense of disconnect, unsettling the mind even more.

Upon returning home, a group of large geese in front of the door was disturbed by someone, flapping their wings and starting to squawk. Xu Fu shouted at them a few times before they gradually quieted down. These geese were indeed good at guarding the yard, fierce and aggressive enough to deter thieves.

Once inside, Douniang lit an oil lamp and started heating water on the stove. She brought out a few pieces of charred bread from the kitchen and placed them on a plate, somewhat embarrassed. “Tonight at the Ji She Festival, you all didn’t eat anything. My dad and I usually eat these burnt breads for convenience while working. They might not taste very good… If you get hungry later tonight, you can have some to fill your stomach.”

Naturally, Zanxing and the others dared not eat the food here, but Tian Fangfang chuckled at her words. “That’s very thoughtful of you, Douniang.”

Douniang’s face tightened slightly, tugging at the hem of her clothes. “Brother Tian, our house is small. Normally, I sleep in the inner room, and my dad sleeps in the outer room. We only have two beds in total. Tonight, my dad and I will sleep outside, so you guys might have to squeeze into the inner room…”

“It’s okay,” Tian Fangfang said. “We cultivators don’t really mind where we sleep or if we sleep at all. Any place with cover from the rain will do. We can sleep on the floor.”

“How can that be?” Xu Fu happened to come out from the inner room carrying a blanket, shaking his head. “You are guests of Douniang. How could I let you sleep on the floor? I’ve already tidied up the inner room just now, though the bed is small… I hope you won’t mind.”

He had already said this much; further refusal would seem deliberate. Gu Baiying glanced at him lazily and said, “No problem. We appreciate it, then.”