Chapter 82: Guarding Heaven's Pass pt. 3

Luo Xu didn't see Ruyi Lang; he gazed at the River God Temple. The temple's architecture was exquisite, built with layers upon layers of thick, vermilion wooden pillars, creating a complex and intricate structure that seemed almost to hover above the river. The roof spiked upwards, covered with black tiles as fine as fish scales, which faintly gleamed in the light rain, looking as if they were alive.

The matchmaker had already ascended the steps. She turned back and waved her handkerchief at Luo Xu, her face blooming with a smile. "Come, come, Jiang Lang-jun, let's go up this way."

Lin Changming wouldn't have created this illusion for no reason. Since he had lured Luo Xu and Ming Zhu into the array, there must be a specific purpose. Luo Xu stepped onto the stairs, determined to explore this place in the guise of "Jiang Lang-jun."

Seeing him follow, the matchmaker was overjoyed. "We've been in this business for many years, and it's the first time we've seen such a handsome groom as you. Aiya, Jiang Lang-jun, be careful underfoot. These past few days, Ruyi Lang has been marrying nonstop, and there's paper money scattered everywhere. It's bad luck to step on it..."

Indeed, there was a lot of paper money scattered on the steps, in a chaotic mix of red, white, and yellow, more lively than the offerings at Ming Han's grave. But a wedding is a joyous occasion, and there had never been a tradition of scattering paper money at weddings.

Luo Xu asked, "Why scatter paper money at a perfectly good wedding?"

The matchmaker covered her mouth with her handkerchief and laughed, her narrow eyes squinting like those of a Yellow Weasel Immortal. "When Ruyi Lang gets married, the bride is replaced every three days and buried every five days. Many families find it troublesome, so they treat the wedding procession like a funeral, with music and paper money being thrown around. Aiya, aiya, don't worry, as long as we don't step on this paper money, we won't get any bad luck."

Luo Xu naturally wasn't afraid. He was drenched from the rain and asked, "Then who is this Ruyi Lang?"

The matchmaker turned her head halfway, squinting at Luo Xu, her handkerchief smudging the rouge on her cheeks. "Jiang Lang-jun, did you sleep too much? Ruyi Lang isn't just anyone; Ruyi Lang is our river god."

Dīdā.

Rain fell on Luo Xu’s nose as he looked at the matchmaker, sensing something odd—

Ruyi Lang was Lin Changming, the clan leader of the Kuwu Clan in reality. Why would he shape himself as a river god within the Feng Yan formation? According to the matchmaker, he wasn’t even a particularly benevolent river god.

“Ruyi Lang brings rain and saves lives; he’s a jade-faced Lang-jun, much better than those mortal boys outside. Jiang Lang-jun, I’m not just flattering you—there are thousands of young men in the city eager for this match. For your sake, I’ve run my legs off!” The matchmaker beamed, “Fortunately, sincerity brings success, and Ruyi Lang picked you out of all—along with five others!”

Five others?

As if knowing Luo Xu’s thoughts, or perhaps intending to show him, the matchmaker waved her handkerchief and pointed, “Look over there, they’ve all been brought in!”

Luo Xu gazed out, seeing the deserted marketplace. Amid the drizzling rain, several flower sedans were being carried towards the river god’s temple.

“Don’t worry about them; I’ve seen those young men. Although they’re considered outstanding, none compare to you,” the matchmaker laughed as she climbed the steps. “Once Ruyi Lang sees you, he’ll forget all the others.”

Talking thus, the two reached the top of the steps. Luo Xu scrutinized the river god’s temple, finding that up close, it resembled a giant black python with its mouth wide open. At the entrance was a large cauldron with a few sticks of incense slanted inside, and a child in colourful clothes awaited at the door.

“You’re the first to arrive, showing some filial piety,” the child’s voice was tender. Holding a jade ruyi, he looked Luo Xu over, “Ng, this one does have some looks.”(1)

"Little venerable one, it's good that you're satisfied," the matchmaker beamed, making a gesture as if to lead Luo Xu forward. "Let's hurry and let Jiang Lang-jun in; we mustn't miss the auspicious time."

"You've done well. I'll personally report to Ruyi Lang about your accumulated merits. You can go home and think about any other wishes you have. When Ruyi Lang bestows his blessings next time, he will grant them for you," the boy said, placing the jade ruyi in the crook of his arm. He then gestured for Luo Xu to follow, amidst the matchmaker's profuse thanks. "Follow me inside."

Luo Xu followed the boy into the temple. He had long legs, and the boy, who walked ahead of him like a little radish, chattered incessantly, "There are a few rules for serving Ruyi Lang, so listen carefully. First..."

The temple's structure was peculiar, and the interior was even stranger. The large front hall didn't have an incense altar but instead was filled with writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. The walls on both sides were covered with paintings depicting tides and immortal mountains. Beyond the front hall was another large incense burner, and then came the main hall.

In the main hall of temples in the Six Prefectures, there were usually name plaques or statues of deities. However, this main hall had neither a name plaque nor a statue; it only had a semi-circular altar at its centre. The altar was draped with sheer curtains, and surrounded by countless silver lamps.

The boy knelt and said in a crisp voice, "Ruyi Lang, the bride is here."

Through the lamplight, a faint silhouette could be seen behind the sheer curtain. The figure did not respond, but with a graceful motion, lifted the curtain.

“Ruyi Lang" sat alone on the lotus pedestal, one leg crossed, one arm propped up, looking outwards. He was half-naked, his chest adorned with jewelled necklaces, his upper arms decorated with gold armlets and bracelets. Yet all this opulence and splendour could not compare to his face—

Those eyes, like amber, matched the gold leaf on his forehead, exuding a look that both resembled the contempt of gods and buddhas and like the mocking jests of flying immortals.”

"Oh——" Ming Zhuo elongated the final syllable, with a faint smile, "So this is the bride presented to me?"

The Author Has Something to Say

Thanks for reading (tuck in the quilt version)

Good night bubble sounds!

Foot Notes

1. A ruyi is a ceremonial sceptre.