Forbidden Read!
Chapter 15

Chapter 15: Redder Clothes than Maple Leaves, Snow White Skin

The white-clothed group had no head above their necks, only wearing the clothes of a prisoner as each of them carried their skulls. They seemed to be the ghosts of a group of decapitated convicts, slowly heading towards the ox cart while the heads in the curves of their arms continued to chat nonstop.

Xie Lian lowered her voice and said to the other two, "In a moment, as they approach, don't make a sound."

San Lang tilted his head to the side and asked, "It looks gege[1] this, a person who has extraordinary talent and is expert in strange things."

[1] ⁇ (gege): means elder brother, in Chinese, the term is not just for people who are actually related by blood to each other, but also to each other, and a younger boy or girl can use it as a greeting or nickname to call an older boy.

With him sounding extremely curious, Xie Lian replied, "I wouldn't say that I am a person who has extraordinary talent and is expert in strange things. I just know a little. Now they can't see us, but as they get closer, it'll be hard to say."

Upon seeing the white silk cloth fly itself into the air, the old man riding the ox cart was stunned. Moreover with how he looked at the headless people in front of him, he almost died of fright. He shook his head in great worry, "No, no, no, I can't! I won't be able to shut up! Dao Zhang[2], what should I do?!"

[2] ⁇ (Dao Zhang): can be roughly translated as Cultivator Pastor.although it has been decided that the next version will use his pinyin.

"..." - ".Xie Lian replied, "Well, there's another way. I'm sorry." After saying that, he quickly patted[3] the old man's back. The old man instantly fell onto the wagon, fainting. Xie Lian gently caught and set him into a sleeping position, then sat himself in the driver's seat.

[3] This was not a cutting move like karate moves, Xie Lian cast a spell on the man as she patted him to make him faint.

Suddenly, he felt a movement behind him. Turning his head to look, Xie Lian saw that the youngster had followed him and sat behind him as well, so she asked, "Are you okay?"

San Lang propped his chin up with his hands. "Of course not. I'm scared."

Although there was not the slightest bit of fear in his voice, Xie Lian still comforted him, "There is no need to be afraid. If you stay behind me, nothing will hurt you."

The teenager smiled, and remained silent. Xie Lian suddenly realized that she was staring at him. Or rather, staring at the cursed shackle around his neck.

This damned shackle looked like a black necklace around his neck. It was almost impossible to hide and would easily lure others into making bad assumptions regarding that thing. Xie Lian gently pulled on her collar though it would not hide anything.

With the sky getting darker, he could not see the expression of the teenager anymore. Xie Lian took control and tried to secretly urge the cow to move forward. The group of ghosts wearing prisoner clothes approached, wanting to pass by, before they realized that something was in the middle of the road blocking their path.

"That's weird! Why can't we pass?"

"really?! Road blocked? What the fuck is this! Is this ghost work?"

"Damn it, aren't we ourselves ghosts? So how is it possible?"　　　

Xie Lian finally managed to make the cow move, and had just passed the ghosts of the headless convicts. He felt all of that was a bit funny as he listened to them quarrel while holding their heads. The group of ghosts still had a lot to complain about.

"Hey, are you wrong? Why does it feel like the person holding your head is my body?"　

"It must be your body that took the wrong head!"　

"You guys, let's trade it..."

"Why is the cut wound on your head so rough?"

Sighing, the ghost said, "Hah~ algojoku is a beginner. It took him five or six attempts to cut off my head. I'm even starting to suspect he did it on purpose."

"Your family didn't offer him money? Next time, remember to bribe him first so he will cut quickly and cleanly!"

"Next time your ass!"

On the fifteenth day of the seventh month[4], the Ghost Festival, is the largest and most famous ghost holiday in the ghost world. On that day, the gates of the ghost realm would open, allowing ghosts that normally hid in the shadows to freely come out and celebrate without control. Living things must retreat, especially on that night, and the best course of action is to close the door and stay indoors. If one went out, the chances of finding something unpleasant would be much higher than usual.

[4] It corresponds to the Lunar calendar so it is not actually equivalent to July 15, more like August or September in real time.

Xie Lian, someone who was always followed by misfortune, was someone who would even meet a ghost while wearing her cultivator robes[5]; in fact, it was happening. Surrounding them was filled with floating green ghostly flames, along with a number of dead souls chasing after the moving flames. Some people wearing expressionless funeral clothes muttered to themselves, all kneeling before a circle as they reached out to receive the banknotes, silver and gold rods were burned by their descendants for them.

[5] The point here was that it was extremely impossible for a Dao Zhang in a cultivator's robe to meet a ghost, but with Xie Lian's luck, it was still the case.

The scene could be described as a festive feast. Xie Lian moved while dodging amidst the crowd, thinking that from today onwards, she should remember to check the calendar before traveling, when a shrill voice resembling a dying chicken sounded screaming.

"It's bad! It's bad! Ghosts killed!"

The warning made the ghostly crowd into a frenzy. "Where? Over where? Where's the murder?"

The ghost who first shouted said, "That scares me to death! I was there when I found a lot of ghostly flames scattered; they were all brutally torn! That's so cruel!"

"Everything torn? That is mutilation! Really horrible!"

"Who did it? There is no way...there are enchanting masters[6] or cultivators hiding among us, right?!"

[6] ⁇ (fang shi): Can be roughly translated as master of allurers, as the layered term for Water Masters mentioned in previous chapters.

The headless inmates from earlier also shouted, "Ah! Now that you just said it, earlier on the road, something was blocking us so we couldn't get through. That's lest... "

"Where is it?"

"Just right there!"

Xie Lian shouted, 'this is not good'. In an instant, a swarm of demons and ghosts surrounded the ox cart, each revealing their ferocious faces, filled with evil intent. "I smell that energy[7]..."

[7] ⁇ (jng): Yang of yin and yang, representing 'positive' /male/sun.

They can't hide anymore!

During the ghost festival, it would be considered unreasonable for the living humans in the human world to meet the dead[8]. Xie Lian had no intention of starting a fight with all these ghosts, so she could only speed up the path of the wagon she was riding on. "Go!"

[8] During the ghost festival, ghosts get "rights of the road" because it is their day. So if a human met them and caused a commotion, it would be the fault of a human.

The cow was already very frightened. Shifted restlessly in place while scavenging the ground with his toenails, so upon hearing his orders, the cow hurriedly darted away. Xie Lian did not forget to hold onto the teenager who was behind her. "Hand!"　　

Recovering Ruoye while easily making their way out, they darted out of the crowd, illuminated by the ghostly ring of fire. The ghost that lost its hands and legs was furious and screamed, "There really is a Dao Shi[9]!!! This damned Dao Shi was definitely too impatient to die!!!"

[9] ⁇ (dao shi): Unofficial way to say Dao Zhang.

"Because the living dare to disturb our Ghost Festival, then they can't blame us if anything happens!"

"Strike them!"

Xie Lian grabbed control with one hand and used the other to pull out a handful of talismans. Throwing him to the ground, he shouted, "Hind it!"

What helped them escape was the 'Attemptive Barrier'. A series of consecutive thumping sounds rang out, during which each of them would send obstacles towards the ghosts, inhibiting their movements but only for a while. However, even though it was only for a short period of time, using this many talismans, it would take about half an incense stick worth of time before the ghosts could catch up. As the flames had burned his butt, Xie Lian rode a wagon and fled to the mountain road, before she suddenly said, "Stop—!"

As it turned out, the old cow pulled the wagon towards the branching road, and after seeing there were two dark mountain paths ahead there, Xie Lian immediately withdrew her control.

This is where they need to be very careful!

On the day of a ghost festival, sometimes humans will find themselves walking along a path only to suddenly find another path that was not there before. Such a path is not meant to be traveled by humans. Once one takes the wrong path and enters the ghost realm, it will become somewhat difficult and don't expect them to return!

Xie Lian was a newcomer, and was unsure which mountain path to take. He then remembered what he had bought in the city. In addition to the large bag of trash he had collected, among the other items he had bought, there was a cylindrical container containing a lucky reader stick. He decided to use the stick to choose a path, so he took the container, held it in his hand and shuffled it while praying, "Heavenly officials bestow your blessings on me! Take me to the right path! First stick to the left, second stick to the right! Whichever path has better luck is the one I will take!" After saying that, two sticks fell into his hands, but, seeing the results, Xie Lian had no words.

Token bad luck; great misfortune[10]!

[10] This stick signifies a great misfortune in this regard and in this context. Under a different context, a bad-luck token could mean other things unrelated to misfortune.

The two sticks had bad luck, both roads were unlucky. Doesn't that mean that whichever path they take will lead to death?　　

Feeling helpless, Xie Lian gripped the container with both of her hands, and shook it firmly. "Container, oh, container, we just met today, so don't be so cruel! I'll try again, so don't embarrass me, will you?" When he finished saying that, two sticks fell down again. Again, both are shit!

At that moment, San Lang who was next to him, suddenly said, "Let me try it?"

It was not like he could get worse results from her, so Xie Lian gave it to him. San Lang took the container with one hand and shuffled it casually. Out, two sticks fell. He picked it up and handed it to Xie Lian without seeing the results. Xie Lian took the two sticks and seeing that they were both lucky sticks, she could not help but be amazed. Because of its enormous bad luck, it tends to negatively impact the luck of those around it. He wasn't sure if it was true, but quite often, the complaints he received would always say so. However, this young man was not affected at all, and he even got two lucky sticks!　　

Since the two tokens were lucky, he carelessly chose one of the streets. As the carriage hit the rocks and shook, Xie Lian exclaimed in admiration, "My friend, your luck is not too bad."

San Lang threw the lucky stick back into his container, and said with a smile, "Really? I also think my luck is not so bad. It always is."

Hearing him say "always so", Xie Lian thought that the difference between two people could not be more different from heaven and earth.

Out of nowhere, they again heard the cries of the ghosts, "We have found them! They're here!"

As the ghost heads appeared one by one, Xie Lian commented, "Ah, it seems like we still chose the wrong path."

The effect of the 'Barrier Amulets' was long exhausted, so they were once again surrounded!

Hordes of demons and ghosts should have members of at least a hundred or so. They barricaded them inside a barrier that was several layers thick, with their numbers constantly increasing. He was not sure why there were so many nonhuman beings gathered here, but there was no time to think about it now. Xie Lian softly said, "People who have been offended by my actions, I humbly ask for your generosity and forgiveness."

A headless ghost spits, "Ha! Dao Shi is rotten, you who should be generous! Back there, weren't you the ones who scattered the ghost fire?"

Xie Lian innocently said, "To be honest, it wasn't us. I'm just a collector of scrap."

"Of course, stop lying! How can you be a collector of used goods? You are clearly a Dao Shi! And other than you, is there another Dao Shi around who would do such a thing?!" 　

"Dao Shi isn't the only one who can scatter the phantom flame," Xie Lian said in reply.

"Who else can do it? A ghost?"

Xie Lian quietly slipped her hands into her sleeves. "That's not impossible."

"Hahahahahahaha, fucking Dao Shi! You.. you.. you..."

The ghost that let out a laugh loud enough to shake the sky suddenly stuttered, unable to continue with its words. Xie Lian whispered, "What's wrong with me...?"

Just as he asked, the ghosts seemed to have lost all ability to speak, and even the stuttering stopped. They stared at Xie Lian with dazed gazes, either with their jaws dropped or their lips tightly closed, as if they had seen something extremely frightening. Many of the ghosts of headless convicts are too scared to drop their heads.

Xie Lian asked in a probing tone, "You guys...?"

Unexpectedly, even before he finished asking, the crowd of ghosts spread out like flustered birds fleeing in all directions, as if a whirlwind had shot through the scattered clouds.

"Can't it???" xie Lian said, stunned.

He had not even taken out a handful of talismans he was holding, which were hidden in his sleeves. Could they have known the talisman? Are they clever? Moreover, his talisman was not even that strong. Xie Lian was completely confused. What are they afraid of? Is that really him?

Or is there something behind it?

With that in mind, he turned around to see what was behind him.　　　　

There was only the wagon owner who fainted behind him, as well as the teenager in red, who was still sitting casually with his hand propping his chin.

Seeing him looking back, San Lang smiled weakly once again. He lowered his hand and said, "Dao Zhang is so dashing and tough, those ghosts are all running away from being feared by you."

"..."

Xie Lian also smiled back. "Is that so? I never realized I could be this brave."

After which, he pulled the reins a few times and the wheels of the cart started to spin again. The rest of their journey went well. In less than an hour, the ox cart slowly walked out of the forest, onto a wide, flat footpath in the hills. Pu Qi Village was located at the base of the slope, warm and radiant.

It was indeed a 'luck' road, equipped with surprises, but there was no danger.

The night wind blew fiercely as Xie Lian looked back. San Lang seemed to be in a good mood. He lay down and arranged his arms to cover his head as he observed the turn of the moon. Under the gentle moonlight, the teenager's appearance seemed almost unreal.

After hesitating for a while, Xie Lian smiled and called out, "My friend."

"What?" ask San Lang.

"Have anyone ever read your luck before?"

San Lang looked over. "Nothing."

"Then," Xie Lian asked, "Do you want me to read your luck?"　　

While looking at him, San Lang smiled and said, "You want to read my luck?"

"Yes, a little bit" he confessed.

San Lan lightly nodded, "Alright."　　

He sat down, slightly tilting his body towards Xie Lian. "How are you gonna do it?"　　

Xie Lian replied, "Reading the hand line. Is that okay?"

Hearing his reply, San Lang's lips curved upwards, smiling, the meaning behind it was incomprehensible. "Sure," he agreed, extending his left hand.　

The fingers on his left hand were long and slender with clear knuckles, beautiful enough to be seen. It was not beautiful in the gentle sense, but attractive with hidden strength. No one expected this pair of hands to strangle them to death. Xie Lian recalled how San Lang reacted to his previous touch, and made a mental note not to make direct contact with this person. Thus, he did not directly touch his hand but simply looked down and observed it.

The white moonlight is neither dim nor bright. Xie Lian inspected the teenager's palm for a while, the ox cart slowly walked through the mountain road with wheels and a creaking wooden shaft. San Lang asked, "How is it?"

After a short pause, Xie Lian slowly replied, "You have a very good life."

San Lang said, "Oh? Good at what?"　　

Xie Lian lifted her head, softly saying, "You are persistent, very dedicated, and despite many bitter encounters with frustration and dashed expectations, you remain true to your heart. More often than not, your misfortunes will turn into blessings, doom into prosperity. You will continue to have good fortune, my friend, your future shines and will develop spectacularly."

Everything he said was made up, so it was just nonsense. Xie Lian did not know how to read palms. Previously, when he fell, there was a period of time when he often regretted not learning the art of palm fortune telling and physiognomy from the priests in the palace. If he did, then he wouldn't have to contend with other street performers like those who smashed rocks into their bare chests during a time where he struggled to survive in the mortal realm.

The only reason why he asked to look at San Lang's palm, was not to say his fate, but rather to ascertain whether he had stripes and fingerprints.

Ghosts in general can make a body of flesh to disguise itself as a human, but finer details on the human body, such as palm stripes, fingerprints, and hair tips, can be seen, it cannot be replicated to such detail. But, not only did the teenager's body not have any signs of charm, no further clues could be detected. In addition, his palm line was also very different.

If he was a ghost or a ghost in disguise, then he should have a rank of at least 'Entertainment' to be able to create such a flawless disguise. But if he was the demon lord, why would he choose to ride the ox cart with him in the small mountain village to waste time? Just like how the Heavenly Officials in heaven were preoccupied with so many important things and burdened with work day after day without rest to the point where their feet never touched the ground though how much they ran; the Demon Lords would be just as busy!　　

Xie Lian pretended to be very confident and convinced by his lies, forcing herself to continue with more lies, until she was finally unable to say any more nonsense. During that time, San Lang continued to watch over him, listening to all his nonsense while laughing softly. His laughter was enough to make people wonder.

"Is there anything else? Hm?" ask San Lang.

Xie Lian was afraid to imagine having to continue with her nonsense. "Is there anything else you want me to read?"

San Lang replied, "Because this is divining, shouldn't you tell me about my destined soul mate?"

Xie Lian coughed softly, and solemnly said, "My knowledge is limited, I don't know how to read about a destined soul mate. But I don't think you need to worry."

San Lang raised his eyebrows. "Why do you think I shouldn't worry about this?"　

Xie Lian smiled. "Surely there must be a lot of girls who like you."

San Lan replied, "Then why do you think there must be so many girls who like me?"　

Xie Lian intended to follow the flow of the conversation and was about to reply, when she suddenly realized. This kid was planning to make Xie Lian praise him willingly. Xie Lian felt a little helpless, but also found this funny. Not sure what to say, he pinched his brows, before saying in a defeated tone, "San Lang―ah."　　

This was the first time Xie Lian had called him by the name of San Lang. When the teenager heard him, he laughed out loud and finally stopped teasing him. At that moment, the cow seemed to be panting when she was still pulling the wagon to the village. Turning around, Xie Lian quickly got off the wagon. San Lang also jumped. When Xie Lian raised her head, she realized that earlier, San Lang continued to lie lazily on top of the wagon all the way. But now, standing beside him, he realized that the teenager was actually much taller than him, and their line of sight did not even come close to the same. San Lang stood in front of the wagon and stretched his hand.

Xie Lian asked, "San Lang, where are you going?"

San Lang sighed, "I don't know. I'll probably sleep on the streets, or I'll find a cave in the mountains and settle there."

Xie Lian replied. "It won't work."

San Lang stretched his hand again. "There's nothing else I can do, and I have nowhere to go." He glanced and laughed again. "Thank you for reading my luck. I humbly accept the blessings you have told me and hope that it will come true. I hope we can meet again."

Hearing her thank him for the prophecy, Xie Lian's face flushed with embarrassment. When San Lang turned to leave, Xie Lian hurriedly said, "Wait, if you don't mind, do you want to stay in my temple?"

San Lang's footsteps came to a halt as he half twisted his body. "Can I?"

Xie Lian said, "The hut wasn't originally mine. I also heard that earlier, the wanderers would use it as a shelter for one or several nights. It's just that, the condition might be worse than you imagined, so you might not get used to it."

If this teenager was really a rich young master who ran away from home, he could not just leave it unattended. Xie Lian felt somewhat skeptical about how she had only eaten half a loaf of bread this whole day. If young children took advantage of their health like this, sooner or later they would definitely faint on the streets. Hearing him speak, San Lang turned around without answering and walked forward before slightly bending forward. Xie Lian still did not know what she wanted to do and only felt that the distance between the two of them was so close. He was a little overwhelmed, unable to do anything to prevent it.

Then, the teenager took another step back, revealing that he had only taken a large bag of trash that Xie Lian had carried on her back.

"Then let's go" he said.

Seriate...