Chapter 126: Naked Burial

Wuzhou, in the second year of the Yuanfu era of the Song Dynasty.

Wuzhou, historically known as Cangwu Prefecture, is located in the eastern part of the Guangnan West Circuit. Controlling the confluence of the Xun, Gui, and Xi rivers, it serves as the eastern gateway to the region. Built against the mountains and facing the water, Wuzhou enjoys convenient transportation and acts as a commercial hub for the eastern Guangnan West Circuit, drawing merchants from all corners of the land.

Wuzhou also boasts a unique feature: the "Ancient Salt and Horse Road" that traverses Guangdong, Guangxi, and Yunnan. Salt merchants ship salt from coastal salterns to Lianzhou, where it is transferred to ox carts for transport to Yulin, and subsequently redistributed from Wuzhou to various parts of the Guangnan West Circuit and the southwest. At such times, fleet after fleet of salt-laden boats ride the wind and break through the waves on Wuzhou’s rivers, some heading north up the Gui River and others unfurling their sails to disappear into the distance along the Xi River—a spectacular and breathtaking sight.

"Thank you, Miss Cai, for your care along the way. I shall take my leave here; we shall meet again," Li Sanjian said, cupping his hands in a salute to Cai Rongxue near the Wuzhou city gate.

After more than a month of arduous travel, Li Sanjian, Cai Rongxue, and their group had finally reached Wuzhou. Beyond this point, one could reach Guizhou by following the Gui and Li rivers. Li Sanjian, a native of Lingnan, had traveled this route before when he journeyed from Guizhou to the Eastern Capital (Kaifeng) the year before last. He had assumed he would be the guide, but to his surprise, Cai Rongxue was even more familiar with the routes through Lingnan and the direct path to Guizhou. Moreover, she had chosen the official imperial road, which was equipped with post stations.

The official roads leading from Kaifeng to the various circuits, prefectures, and counties were well-maintained and relatively level, often lined with elm, willow, pine, and cedar trees. Some sections even featured drainage ditches. These roads were marked with "houzi"—stone or wooden markers set in mounds of earth or stone to indicate distances and regional boundaries.

The post stations along these routes were well-appointed. Typically, a horse station for resting mounts was established every twenty miles, while a full lodging station appeared every sixty miles. These stations provided meals, rest, and even fresh horses or carriages. However, these government-run facilities were reserved for envoys, officials, and their families. Commoners like Li Sanjian were relegated to "wild inns" by the roadside.

Lodging at an official station required an official document or a "proof of stay." Since Cai Rongxue’s stepfather, Cai Jing, was the Chief Imperial Secretary, and her uncle, Cai Bian, had recently been promoted to Junior Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and Councilor of the Bureau of Military Affairs—making him a high-ranking official of the "Two Offices"—obtaining such proof was effortless for her. Consequently, throughout the journey, Li Sanjian had enjoyed the benefits of her status, dining and resting at these stations.

However, having reached Wuzhou, Li Sanjian felt too embarrassed to continue "sponging" off her. With no face left to continue relying on her hospitality, he bid her farewell, intending to find his own inn and travel to Guizhou alone to sit for the provincial examinations.

"Young Master, please do not stand on ceremony. Do as you please," Cai Rongxue replied with a gentle bow.

Throughout the journey, the two had conversed freely and pleasantly, yet Cai Rongxue always maintained a polite distance that left Li Sanjian feeling as though a barrier stood between them. He often found the interaction somewhat uninspiring. Regardless, he mused to himself, she was the daughter of a Chancellor, the foster daughter of a high court official, and a young lady of a prominent family; why shouldn't there be a distance between them?

***

After a month of travel, even a man as robust as Li Sanjian felt utterly exhausted. Upon finding a random inn, he slept for a full day and night. After waking and bathing, he grabbed a quick meal and headed out to stroll through the city.

He could have spent his time reviewing his studies for the imperial examinations, but he knew that art is born of life, and so is writing; without the accumulation of daily experiences, one cannot produce a great essay. Furthermore, as a major hub in the eastern Guangnan West Circuit, Wuzhou was worth exploring.

Wuzhou was indeed a bustling center. While it paled in comparison to the Eastern Capital, it was teeming with activity: merchants from all directions, travelers with goods, and wandering poets and scholars created a scene of thriving prosperity.

Beyond the famous "Eight Sights of Wuzhou," the city featured the Arcade City and the Longmu Temple. Li Sanjian wandered aimlessly until he found himself near the Longmu Temple. Built against the mountain, the temple complex consisted of ceremonial gates, a front hall, a central hall, a rear palace, a traveling palace, and a turtle pond.

Legend held that the eighth day of the fifth lunar month and the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month were the birth and ascension days of the Dragon Mother, respectively. Although it was only the third month, the temple was already decorated with lanterns. Devotees and tourists crowded the grounds, vying to offer incense, touch the "Dragon Bed," gaze into the "Dragon Mother's Mirror," use her comb, wash in her water, drink her tea, and toss coins toward the auspicious turtles in a lively, bustling scene.

"Hurry, move!"
"What's happening?"
"The Demon Lord is performing a ritual; let’s go see!"
"Demon Lord? Which one?"
"Who else but Master Huang? Who else is worthy of the title, or dares to claim it?"
"Bah, isn't he just a peasant? A Demon Lord? Does he really think he’s a deity? I heard he used to sell medicinal plasters and tell fortunes. Now he’s transformed himself—does he think he’s the Jade Emperor?"
"Haha, perhaps not the Jade Emperor, but they say he is the reincarnation of the Enlightened Envoy of the World."
"The Enlightened Envoy? Would he reincarnate as a peasant? He’d at least be born into a wealthy family."
"Move aside! If you have things to say, go elsewhere. Don't block our way and keep us from hearing the teachings—can you afford the consequences?"

As Li Sanjian entered the crowd, the noise surged. Driven by the press of devotees flooding into the temple, he was carried along with them. Just inside, he accidentally stepped on something soft—a foot—and heard a groan of pain that sounded strangely familiar.

"My apologies, my apologies! Wait, is it you?" Li Sanjian quickly steadied the person and apologized, only to be shocked when he realized who it was.

It was none other than Cai Rongxue, dressed in men’s attire—a black outfit with a black veil covering her face, topped with a wide-brimmed black hat that obscured most of her features. She looked like a petite, black-clad swordswoman. Li Sanjian couldn't help but find the image amusing.

"Why are you here?" Cai Rongxue asked in a low voice, her face flushing as she kept her head down.

"To see the excitement, of course. And you?" Li Sanjian asked with a smile.

"I... I came to offer incense..." she stammered, looking up briefly.

Li Sanjian was speechless. Throughout their journey, Cai Rongxue had visited every temple they passed. It seemed she was doing the same here. He wondered what she was praying for—was it all for her late mother?

"Stay close to me, and hold onto my sleeve," Li Sanjian said with a grin. The temple was packed, and retreat was impossible. As a tall, healthy young man, he was able to carve a path through the crowd, shielding the petite Cai Rongxue as she grasped his sleeve and followed behind him.

"Thank you for the compassion at the lotus pedestal; without destiny, we part in the blink of an eye. Coming empty-handed, leaving empty-handed, with no attachments. Where shall I find a straw cape and rain hat to travel alone? I leave my straw sandals and broken bowl to follow the path of fate..."

It wasn't a standard ritual—or perhaps it was, but a funeral one. Inside, Li Sanjian saw a man in white robes chanting amidst the crowd. The man’s hair and beard were white, though his face appeared to be that of a man in his prime. Before him lay a coffin, surrounded by seven or eight mourning children wailing uncontrollably.

After finishing his incantations, another man in white robes emerged from behind the "Demon Lord" and gestured toward the deceased, shouting, "Did you have a crown when you arrived?"

"I arrived naked, without crown or finery," the son replied loudly, removing the black headscarf from the deceased.

"Did you arrive with clothes? With shoes?"

The daughter replied, "Only with the caul that wrapped my body, not a thread to my name. The farmer comes barefoot, leaving only purity to face the immortals."

With that, the children worked together, stripping their father until only his undergarments remained. Several followers then stepped forward, wrapped the body in a large white cloth sack, and carried it out to a pre-dug pit. As they shoveled earth into the grave, they chanted Buddhist mantras and scattered rice and wheat until a burial mound was formed.

A burial in the nude? Li Sanjian folded his arms, watching the proceedings with great interest.