Chapter 31: Old City God Temple

Little Yin Qing’s curiosity led him to secretly watch Ji Yuan for a while, believing his hiding spot was good. The more he watched, the more terrifying it became, until he finally couldn't help but flee.

Startled, Yin Qing didn't dare go back to find his playmates. What do children do when they're scared? They run home to their parents!

And that's exactly what Yin Qing did, running home breathlessly.

The Yin family also lived in Tianniufang, and even from the secluded corner where Ju'an Pavilion was located, their house was only a few hundred meters away in a straight line.

The Yin family lived in a small courtyard with low walls, consisting of a house with a front hall and an inner room. A simple screen separated the relatively spacious front hall, creating a reception area and a study for the father and son. The kitchen was attached to the outside of the main house. Overall, they were a family of slightly above-average means.

Yin Qing ran all the way home, pushing open the courtyard gate with a "bang" and rushing into the front hall, startling his mother, who was weaving cloth.

"Mother, Mother! Over there, there's a master, he, huff, huff... That master and a ghost, huff, huff..."

"Don't rush, speak properly. What master are you talking about?"

Yin Qing's mother took out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat.

"You're a big boy now, what kind of behavior is it to speak so incoherently!"

A stern voice rang out, startling Yin Qing and even suppressing the fear he felt from his supposed encounter with a ghost.

"Father, you're home..."

Yin Qing turned his head and noticed his father sitting on a chair by the window in the hall, holding an open book.

"Qing'er, your father has been recommended by Master Zhu and Master Zhou to be the teacher for the county's new school. From now on, I won't have to be a private tutor at the Zhu residence."

"A teacher? Really, Father? When does it start?"

Yin Qing seemed very excited by the news.

"Heh heh, of course it's true. It will be a few more days, but not too long!"

Yin Qing's father stroked his beard, answering with a hint of pride.

"By then, you'll go to school with me. Stop messing around outside all day. Studying the classics and passing the imperial examinations in the future is the proper path!"

"Oh..."

Yin Qing actually disliked reading, but he dared not contradict his father.

Ning'an County town originally had places for study, but most were private schools run by old scholars whose knowledge was neither great nor terrible.

This new school, however, was considered a relatively formal and respectable place of learning in Ning'an County, theoretically only slightly inferior to academies. Furthermore, the school targeted younger age groups, while academies catered to older students. If conditions allowed, many families would choose to send their children to the school when they were young, and then to an academy as they grew older.

Yin Zhaoxian, as a scholar who had achieved a Class B ranking in the provincial examination, was definitely a prominent figure among the scholars in Ning'an County. He found it quite normal, and certainly a source of pride, to be recommended as a teacher for the school.

"By the way, what was all the fuss about just now?"

Yin Zhaoxian put down his book and looked at Yin Qing.

"Oh, oh, right, Father. That Ju'an Pavilion has a new resident. He's a refined and kind master, but, but he was talking to the ghost inside, boo hoo..."

"Shhh..."

Yin Qing's mother quickly covered his mouth.

"Is that something you should just blurt out?"

Yin Zhaoxian's expression also turned grim. Even though he was knowledgeable and aware of the superstitions of many villagers, he was equally wary of Ju'an Pavilion. That house was simply too eerie.

Then Yin Zhaoxian suddenly realized something and stared at his son, asking,

"How do you know that?"

"Uh... well... the master has poor eyesight. He was just getting water at the Shuangjing Pu head and splashed himself, and his bucket overturned. So I, I helped him carry the water. Who knew he lived in Ju'an Pavilion..."

Yin Qing lowered his voice, somewhat afraid.

"You went inside?"

His mother asked anxiously. Although it should be fine to enter Ju'an Pavilion in broad daylight, the place was too eerie, and Yin Qing was a child with weaker vital energy, so the adults couldn't help but worry.

"No, no, Father and Mother have warned me so many times, how would I dare go in? I just put the pole down at the entrance. But after I ran off, I saw from a distance that the master was talking towards a certain direction outside the courtyard. He carried the water into the courtyard and then left, still chatting as he walked, as if something was following him. He even talked about things like 'before life and after death,' which was really scary, so I ran home!"

After speaking, Yin Qing, still fearful yet curious, asked his father,

"Father, do you think the ghost from inside Ju'an Pavilion came out with that master?"

Yin Zhaoxian felt goosebumps rise upon hearing this, and Yin Qing's mother immediately covered his mouth again.

"Alright, alright, don't go play over there anymore. And this... you absolutely must not speak of it outside, understood?"

"Yes, understood!"

Yin Qing's mother hugged him and patted his head.

"Husband, should we take Qing'er to the City God Temple to pay respects to the City God, to ward off bad luck?"

After all, it concerned their own son, and Yin Zhaoxian was not pedantic. While some extreme scholars might scoff at tales of spirits and anomalies, Ju'an Pavilion was indeed quite eerie.

"Good! After lunch, I'll take Qing'er to the City God Temple to offer incense!"

A few years ago, during a ritual, a trembling old Taoist priest had mentioned that the City God of Ning'an County was keeping things suppressed. Since then, the people of Tianniufang had become much more diligent in worshipping the City God during festivals.

***

Ji Yuan, accompanied by the Day Patroller, traversed half of Ning'an County town to reach the City God Temple in Miaosi Square. As they gradually approached more populated areas, Ji Yuan and the Day Patroller conversed less.

Upon arriving at the bustling City God Temple, they saw an old man standing in front of an incense and candle stall. The Day Patroller quickly stepped forward and bowed in greeting.

"Reporting, Lord City God, Master Ji has arrived!"

Because there were worshippers and common folk passing by, the old City God merely nodded to the Patroller.

The latter, with a "Your subordinate takes his leave!" floated away on his own.

Ji Yuan had expected the City God to appear inside the temple, in a relatively secluded spot. He was surprised to find the City God appearing directly outside the temple in the form of an ordinary old man.

He was somewhat stunned as he observed the City God. However, with Ji Yuan's half-open, clouded eyes, it was impossible to tell if his gaze was focused or unfocused; it was truly like an unruffled ancient well.

There was also a faint scent of sandalwood on the City God, much lighter than that of the four departmental officials earlier.

The City God, in turn, was observing Ji Yuan. Those eyes clearly indicated blindness, yet Master Ji had appeared no different from an ordinary person when he arrived. Despite his blindness, there was no muddiness in his gaze; instead, it held a hint of serene vastness. He was definitely no ordinary mortal!

Their mutual observation lasted only a few seconds before the old man broke the silence.

"Song Shichang, City God of Ning'an County, thanks Master Ji for his righteousness in helping us eliminate the evil creature!"

Seeing the old man cup his hands in greeting, Ji Yuan dared not be arrogant. This was the City God of a county, a major figure among gods and spirits. He quickly cupped his own hands in return, showing even more respect than the old man.

"Lord City God, you flatter me. I merely possess some minor abilities and happened to help the department heads. It's nothing, truly nothing!"

"Heh heh heh, Master Ji is too modest. I know you haven't had breakfast yet, so I've arranged a small meal at the pavilion outside the temple. Shall we go there to talk? Please, after you!"

Ji Yuan quickly mimicked the City God, extending his hand in invitation, not daring to be presumptuous at all.

"It's better to obey than to be respectful. Please, after you!"

Seeing the bustling activity around the City God Temple, with people constantly entering and leaving to worship, and the City God right beside him, Ji Yuan felt even more nervous than when he arrived.

'Relax, relax, don't let your legs stiffen...'

Anyone who could witness a clay statue of a deity in a temple descend and converse with them would probably understand Ji Yuan's current feelings.