Volume Two: An Eventful Autumn, Twists and Turns Chapter 108: The Feeble Celestial Soul, Practitioners of the Path

Fang Hua approached and looked at Chen San and Chen Xin for a moment. Chen San, dazed, leaned on Chen Xin’s shoulder, fiddling with his fingers like a child, and even smiled faintly at Fang Hua.

“Daddy isn’t like this at all. He never smiles, doesn’t look at people, only stares at something inside the room. We called him, but he didn’t respond. It’s very different from how he used to be.”

“Look at what exactly?”

“There’s nothing special. Whatever he sees, that’s what he stares at. Sometimes it’s a stool, sometimes a dustpan—anything he looks at, but never at people. Just for a little while, then he stops.”

“That sounds like he’s lost his soul. Haven’t you looked for other Taoist priests or monks? If it’s just a lost soul, calling it back is no big deal.”

“We did see a Taoist priest before, but I don’t know if he was a true Taoist. His robes were different from yours. He spoke confidently, but to me, he seemed more like a street fortune-teller than a real priest.”

“What did he say?”

“He said Daddy had lost his soul, but after looking into his eyes, he said no. Then he muttered some things I didn’t understand and left, saying maybe it would get better in a few days. But… it’s been over ten days, and Daddy shows no sign of improvement. This morning, when I went to buy medicine, I heard about you and took the liberty to come find you.”

“Let’s go, Miss Fang. Your family’s situation isn’t simple. We need to see what’s really wrong with your father. Stay here and don’t let Chen San run off.”

Chang Yu pouted, a little unhappy, but she couldn’t leave Chen Xin alone with that beast, Chen San, so she just sulked.

“He’s been like a monkey hanging around for two days; where could he run off to? Come back quickly after you check; we’re not done yet.”

Yang Chengzi looked embarrassed as he followed Fang Hua out. Walking along, Fang Hua asked, “Is she really a girl?”

Yang Chengzi was surprised by the question. “How did you figure that out? She’s disguised as a man because it’s not convenient for her to travel as a woman.”

“From the way she looks at you.”

“Her gaze?”

“Yes. The way she looks at you is like a grandmother looking at her grandfather—though she looks fierce, her eyes are full of tenderness. Just now, it was like calling a late husband home early, worried but unwilling to let him go.”

“Little girl, you might be young, but you’re good at reading people. That sister is a good girl, just a bit crazy sometimes. But I’m a Taoist priest; I can’t marry her. I don’t even know what to do anymore. It’s such a headache!”

“Why not just stop being a Taoist? In ancient times, there were princes who gave up their titles for common women. There are plenty of Taoists; the world won’t miss one. Why not live as a normal person?”

“I can’t. You don’t understand. Taoists bear five flaws and three lacks—dealing with yin and yang comes at a price, usually bringing disaster to wife and children. These flaws don’t just disappear because I quit being a Taoist. I can’t harm her!”

As they talked, they arrived at Fang Hua’s home. The two small rooms were modest, even shabby compared to the bustling Jade Terrace Town. Outside was a small courtyard with her father’s wonton and noodle stall—a simple setup of two bamboo cabinets balanced on a pole, easy to carry and convenient.

With a creak, the inner room’s door opened. A lifeless figure sat in a grand armchair, staring at a bamboo basket hanging on the wall, just as Fang Hua described—motionless, unresponsive even as they entered.

Before Yang Chengzi could step in, an elderly woman hobbled out from the side room, leaning on the doorframe. Her bent back and trembling hands betrayed her years. Fang Hua rushed to support her.

“Grandma, if your legs hurt, don’t come out. I’ve called the doctor. Daddy will be fine soon.”

The old woman nodded, trembling as she looked at Yang Chengzi.

“Thank you for coming to see my son. He’s had a hard life, bearing the family’s burden alone. Seeing him like this breaks my heart.”

“Don’t worry, madam. Good people have heaven’s protection. Your son will be fine, and so will your granddaughter.”

Perhaps she was hard of hearing or distracted; the old woman only murmured “All right, all right” and then Fang Hua helped her back inside.

Inside, only Yang Chengzi and Fang Hua’s father remained. Yang Chengzi approached and observed carefully. Fang Hua’s father looked nothing like her. Yang Chengzi waved his hand before his eyes, but there was no response; he kept staring at the bamboo basket.

Just as Fang Hua said, Yang Chengzi extended his palm before the man’s forehead, sensing his spirit. All three souls were present, and all seven spirits intact. But the celestial soul was so weak, like a flickering lamp about to go out.

With such a feeble celestial soul, it was no wonder he was dazed. But that weakness should be congenital—if he were naturally dull, he would have been so from childhood. How could he have lived most of his life fine, only to become foolish now?

Either someone wounded his celestial soul, or he did it himself. But who would bother to harm a simple wonton and noodle vendor’s spirit? If there was enmity, wouldn’t killing him be easier?

Could it be that he hurt his own celestial soul? Was he once a cultivator?

Yang Chengzi frowned, sensing this case was more complicated than it seemed. Perhaps Fang Hua’s face was a clue.

He took the man’s hand and studied it carefully; the palms were covered in scars—sword wounds identical to Yang Chengzi’s own, even the pattern on the index finger was obscured by scars.

He must have been a Taoist priest! But when Yang Chengzi sensed his soul, he found no trace of Taoist cultivation. How could that be?

If he wasn’t a Taoist, where did those wounds come from? And how was his celestial soul damaged? These questions puzzled Yang Chengzi immensely.

At that moment, Fang Hua came out of the inner room and stood by Yang Chengzi.

“Taoist priest, can my father ever return to how he was?”

Yang Chengzi frowned. “Your father’s celestial soul was injured, which caused his dullness. The three souls are innate; if he were to be foolish, it would have been from childhood, not now. His celestial soul is weakening.”

“Then what about Daddy…”

“Don’t rush. What did your father do before?”

“Before? Since I can remember, he has been running the stall on the street. I don’t know what he did before that. Maybe Grandma knows?” She went back inside to ask.

…

“Your father went up the mountain a long time ago to cultivate Taoism. He didn’t come back for years. Your mother was brought back by him, but that’s what he said. I don’t know if it’s true.”

Fang Hua hurried out, and Yang Chengzi nodded, acknowledging he heard.

“Judging from your father’s scars, I suspect he was a Taoist cultivator, an inner disciple who slayed demons. But he lost all his Taoist powers and injured his celestial soul. I don’t know what happened after he came down the mountain.”

“Please, Taoist priest, save my father. He has lived a life of poverty, and I’m his only daughter. He has never enjoyed a day of peace. Please, I beg you.” Fang Hua grasped Yang Chengzi’s hand and knelt.

Yang Chengzi helped her up and shook his head. “I can’t be sure. If he had lost his soul or life soul, I could help. But his celestial soul is damaged, and that’s irreversible. I have no way to aid him.”

“Taoist priest, please, I’m willing to pay any price if there’s even a glimmer of hope. No matter the cost.” Fang Hua wept and tried to kneel again.

“Don’t kneel. Stand up. No one in the mortal realm can restore a damaged celestial soul. He lost his celestial soul and all his Taoist power. If not his master’s doing, then he must have defied heaven himself.

“I don’t see any evil aura about him; he’s not someone who abandoned Taoism for wickedness. What happened will have to wait until he wakes and tells us himself. I also need to ask him about your face. What exactly happened?”

Fang Hua looked up, shocked. “Daddy can wake up?”

Yang Chengzi nodded. “I can’t restore him to how he was, but I can bring him back to consciousness for a while. It won’t be easy or without cost, but you have a life to live and a marriage to make. If your father had any chance, he wouldn’t want to see you live with that face. So I want to help you find the truth.”

“This…”

“Stop hesitating. What’s done is done. Some things cannot be changed. Go buy a live rooster. Remember, a rooster—a cockerel—with a large comb.”

“I… I don’t have money. All the silver went to my father’s treatment. I have nothing left.” Fang Hua lowered her head.

“Here, take these silver notes. It should be enough to support you for a while. Go buy the rooster first; I need to prepare as well.”

Yang Chengzi handed her several silver notes—hundreds of taels earned from his time as the head courtesan at the Heavenly Fragrance Courtyard—all given to Fang Hua.