In the mythical land of Dongsheng Shenzhou, there lay an ancient country named Aolai, where people honored heaven and earth, revered gods and feared ghosts. As a result, the social order was well maintained, with clear distinctions between elders and juniors, superiors and inferiors. However, there was one place that stood apart from this harmony—the town of Liu Mang.
Liu Mang Town, a vast city covering hundreds of miles, was unique in its character.
Ever since a sinister beam of light fell from the sky ten years ago, the town became a haven for those chasing fame and fortune. Thieves and scoundrels thrived, ignoring etiquette and defying divine authority. Despite its economic prosperity, the town earned its name as a place of ruffians, drawing miscreants from thousands of miles around, beyond the control of the local authorities.
※※※※※※※※
“Waves crashing…” Faint sounds of the sea echoed in the night, ebbing and flowing like whispers. The wild wind howled, sweeping across Liu Mang Town, ten miles from the East Sea.
Inside a vast but aged mansion, long after the third watch bell had tolled, a dim candle flickered in the study, casting a yellowish glow.
Faint reading voices intermingled with persistent coughs and the rustling of wind against the window, adding to the mansion’s desolate atmosphere.
“My lord, it’s late. Please rest early!” The study door creaked open gently, and a graceful figure stepped in. Dressed in a simple robe and skirt, her oval face, elegant and refined, bore a subtle sorrow. Her delicate beauty stirred the heart.
“Qing Niang, don’t worry about me. Go to sleep yourself! Cough… cough…” The thin scholar, around thirty years old, spoke with a hoarse voice, interrupted by another fit of coughing. Seeing his wife approaching, he felt only bitterness.
“Dear, the imperial exam is still far off. Don’t tire yourself, or else Third Brother will worry again!” On this hot summer night, the quiet house was filled with the soft breeze of night. Clad in a thin summer dress beneath her plain robe, her slender curves, usually hidden, now revealed a rare allure.
“Sigh… It’s all because of my weak body, dragging you down and burdening Third Brother…” Qiao Da covered his mouth while coughing, his face pale with guilt. His once-handsome features were now marred by illness.
A clear laugh echoed from the half-open door as a young man in a tight-fitting outfit strode in. His tall, broad-shouldered figure stood proudly in the candlelight. Though his face was lean and bore a strong resemblance to his elder brother, his aura was far more masculine and vibrant.
“Brother, Father is gone, Second Sister married far away in the East, and both our mothers have passed. Now only you and I remain of the Qiao family. Why must you still speak so formally? If we are to restore our family’s honor, it can only be through your success in the imperial exam—eventually earning the golden name!”
As the door creaked open and shut, the candlelight flickering, Qiao San approached the desk. His hair was loosely tied, strands falling untidily around his face, partially concealing his sharp features.
Before Qiao Da could protest, Qiao San’s lips curled into a gentle yet firm smile. “Sister-in-law, please help Brother rest. If he exhausts himself, our Qiao family truly has no hope left. Don’t you agree, Brother?”
From the moment her younger brother-in-law entered, Qing Niang had retreated into the shadows of the lamp’s dim glow, her golden embroidered hem barely visible in the flickering light.
Though they were family, it was late at night, and she was lightly dressed. Naturally, she had to step aside out of propriety. Hearing Qiao San’s words and seeing her husband nod in agreement, Qing Niang’s beautiful eyes sparkled with warmth. Her delicate nose wrinkled slightly as she smiled inwardly: “Still, Third Brother always knows how to handle him.”
Though Qiao Da put down his book, he did not immediately leave. Instead, he sighed again, “San Di, it’s all my fault dragging you down… Cough… cough… If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have fallen into the life of a common ruffian! Remember when you were only twelve, passing the xiucai exam as a child prodigy? Cough… cough…”
“Why bring up old matters? I was never meant for scholarly pursuits anyway. That xiucai named Qiao Sheng is long gone! Being a ruffian isn’t so bad—freedom, no restraints, it’s quite pleasant actually!”
Qiao San smiled casually, his eyes narrowing into a sly slant. His gaze, windows to his soul, was unique—always veiled in a mysterious haze, stirring endless curiosity about the thoughts hidden within.
Qiao Da understood the bitterness of reality. He gave a bitter smile, his eyes filled with hope. “San Di, it’s been ten years. Have you remembered anything about that day? Perhaps Second Mother just disappeared?”
“A long sigh escaped Qiao San’s lips, revealing his deep sorrow. Thinking of his missing mother and the gaps in his memory, he almost wished to split his head open to recall. “All I remember is a red glow filling the sky. Everything else is blank. I wish I knew what really happened. If only Mother were still alive…”
His voice paused momentarily. Instinctively, Qiao San touched the short knife hanging at his waist. Even in this study filled with the scent of ink and paper, his wild nature could not be suppressed. He quickly changed the subject. “Brother, soon will be the birthday of the Dragon Mother. I heard that burning the first incense stick brings good fortune. Let’s go burn the first stick!”
Of course, such matters of incense and worship were better understood by women. Instinctively tightening her robe, Qing Niang tried to hide her curves, her face slightly flushed as she replied, “The first incense is indeed auspicious, but how could ordinary folk like us ever get the chance? Every year it’s taken by the Li and Wang families of the town!”
“Hehe… It seems even gods favor the wealthy!”
A sigh echoed in the room. Unconsciously, Qiao San looked toward his sister-in-law. Just then, her tongue flickered briefly across her lips, and his gaze flared with a sudden heat. He quickly lowered his eyes, barely avoiding impropriety.
After a moment of silence, seeing the disappointment in his elder brother and sister-in-law’s eyes, Qiao San’s ruffian instincts kicked in, and he had an idea. “Brother, getting the first incense isn’t impossible. All we need to do is…”
But Qiao Da shook his head after hearing the plan. “No, no! A scholar should not stoop to such underhanded methods! San Di, I know your intentions are good, but please never mention this again. Even if I were to die from illness, I would not do such a thing!”
Sighing once more, Qiao San, no stranger to his brother’s scholarly stubbornness, said helplessly, “Fine then. Pity I’m just a ruffian, unworthy to show proper respect to the Buddha. I cannot even offer incense in your place!”
Qing Niang’s red lips barely moved, but seeing Qiao Da’s firm stance, she finally lowered her long lashes.
The lamp was extinguished, and silence filled the room.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage