Chapter 253 - Chapter 253: Chapter 249: Mentally ill_1 (1/2)
Chapter 253: Chapter 249: Mentally ill_1
Translator: 549690339
“What’s the difference between me giving and him giving? Why are you being so nitpicky?” Xiao Chengjun coldly glared at Yingbao.
Yingbao knitted her brows.
Well, there really wasn’t any difference. But it just rubbed her the wrong way.
And every time she thought about the content of these stories, she felt a growing distaste for Xiao Chengjun that she couldn’t quite articulate.
But despite her distaste, she wasn’t foolish enough to provoke him.
Yingbao: “I just wanted to ask about old Mr. Li, why are you getting mad?”
Since Doctor Li and his grandson hadn’t returned with them, it was only natural she would ask. Then, when they returned, she would have an answer for the family.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Chengjun’s expression stiffened and he gradually reined his anger in: “You could’ve asked me the same question”.
Yingbao, seeing him order a cup of wine but not responding to her question after waiting for a while, reminded him impatiently: “Well, aren’t you going to answer?”
Xiao Chengjun lazily ate his food and without lifting his head, he replied: “You haven’t asked yet.”
Yingbao: …
Is this kid mentally ill?
“I, want, to, know, why, old, Mr. Li, didn’t, come!” Yingbao emphasized each word distinctly.
“Now I have asked, so hurry up and answer.”
Saying this, she narrowed her eyes, carefully assessing this youth who exuded an immature aura but behaved strangely.
Xiao Chengjun picked up his wine cup, took a sip, then continued eating. He replied lazily: “I don’t know!”
Yingbao’s face twitched.
Not only was this guy crazy but he was probably quite severely so.
If she were not so young and physically smaller, she would really like to kick him a few times then dunk his head to see how waterlogged his brain was.
Yingbao didn’t want to waste her time arguing with a lunatic. She returned to her cabin, noticing her mother, Chen Zhao, were still sleeping, she sat next to them, took out a book of Zu Yuke and began reading.
While reading, she quietly chanted a calming spell: “A heart as clear as ice and would not be disturbed by the collapse of heaven! Among the myriad changes, the spirit stays peaceful and the energy calm, do not stoop to the level of a fool!”
The first chapter was the Nine Laws, which included Tian, Yuan, Di, Fang, Lu, Ling, Jiu, Kou, and Zhu Chapters.
These Nine Laws were necessary ritual tools for officers and commoners, and also the behavioral norms that constrain them.
Like the first chapter, Tian Chapter: Heaven has nine layers, the earth has eight dimensions. Gentlemen focus on the origin, small-minded people focus on the end, implementing laws and investigating truth to resolve disputes…
Although Lady Wen had taught her this and Yingbao had recited them, she didn’t take them seriously at the time.
Now when looking at them again, she found them rather insightful and understood more from them.
That’s because these were the preludes that the Forbidden Curse Masters would recite prior to drawing their talismans.
For instance, if one was to draw a talisman for curing a child’s nocturnal crying, the introduction would be: Heaven is round, earth is square, the Nine Laws are supreme, as I now pen the talisman, all ghosts must retreat!
Then during drawing the talisman one would chant an incantation: The sun rises in the east, the profound yin and yang, I hereby write this talisman to sweep away all misfortune, mouth spewing the holy fire, eyes shining like the sun, summoning celestial marshals to capture monsters, making use of diamond warriors to fight diseases and disasters, calming monsters and turning ill luck to good fortune!
And the concluding mantra: Heaven is vast, the earth is vast, there’s a creature in my house called Night-lang, its job is to capture crying ghosts at night, with magic talisman safeguarding the room ensuring a peaceful sleep! I, under the command of the Supreme Elder Lord, in dire need like a law requires, capture!”
The drawn talisman would then be affixed to a peachwood sword, whilst the Forbidden Curse Master will continue to perform a set of hand signs. After that the drawn talisman would be set aflame and be placed in a clay bowl.
The burning talisman would be reduced to ash, which would then be mixed with a form of herbal medicine the Forbidden Curse Master brought, and be administered to the child.
As Yingbao continued reading, she suddenly realized that being a Forbidden Curse Master was not easy at all.
One had to memorize various incantations, and also had to master various hand seals and steps, to combine and draw talismans.
Meaning that, for every talisman one has to draw, not only does one have to recite incantations, but one must also perform the corresponding hand signs and steps.
Moreover, every brushstroke corresponds to a different hand sign, and one also has to perform the steps at the same time.
So when a Forbidden Curse Master is drawing talismans, it often looks like they are dancing, moving their feet back and forth, left to right.
At this moment, Yingbao came across a diagram of a set of steps. She stood up and tried to follow the instructions on the diagram.
She first stood with both feet on the Central Palace position, crouched down, directly advanced her right foot forward, stepping on the Qian Hexagram.