Chapter 127: The Sun and Moon Cult

In this world, the primary method of burial is interment. The dead are held in the highest regard, and it is believed that one finds peace only when returned to the earth; all living beings must die, and in death, all must return to the soil.

After a person passes, they are placed in a coffin, shrouded in layers of fine garments, and buried in a grave dug into the ground, marked by a mound and a tombstone. The funeral rites are typically elaborate and grand in scale. Beyond this, there are other practices such as cremation, water burial, sky burial, and pagoda burial. Generally, in all these rites, the deceased is dressed in burial robes—often of the finest material available. Regardless of whether the family is rich or poor, they exhaust their means to ensure the departed leaves with dignity and grace. This is the essence of the saying, "a peaceful end in one's own bed."

Li Sanjian had never before witnessed a "naked burial," where the deceased was stripped bare. He found it quite novel. He mused that for impoverished families, such a practice was not a bad solution, as it simplified the rituals, saved on expenses, and eased the financial burden on the bereaved.

"We thank the Demon Lord. We implore the Demon Lord to establish the altar and preach the Dharma, to deliver the souls of the departed," the grieving children chanted, bowing together toward the Demon Lord Huang after the ceremony concluded.

Demon Lord Huang nodded at these words and, surrounded by a group of figures dressed in white, headed toward the inner hall. The crowd of believers followed.

"Shall we head back?" Li Sanjian asked Cai Rongxue after casting a glance at the crowd.

Li Sanjian had no interest in sermons or religious doctrines and did not wish to join the spectacle. He intended to leave, but suddenly, he noticed two familiar faces among the white-clad figures. One was a young woman, barely in her teens—could it be Chen Ke'er? Yes, it was her. Even though he hadn't seen her in years, he recognized her instantly. Beside her was a man in his twenties; Li Sanjian felt he had seen him before, but could not immediately place him.

What was Chen Ke'er doing here? By the looks of it, this was some sort of sect, and the white-robed people were its followers. But why was Chen Ke'er, also dressed in white, mingling with them? Confused, Li Sanjian followed the crowd inside.

"Why... why aren't we leaving?" Cai Rongxue asked, puzzled, though she followed him in nonetheless.

"Stop," two white-robed men blocked their path just as they were about to enter.

"What is the matter?" Li Sanjian asked, surprised.

"Go over there," one of the men gestured with his chin, his expression arrogant, as if Li Sanjian were desperate to enter.

Li Sanjian looked and saw that everyone entering was receiving a piece of white cloth to wrap around their heads, as if in mourning.

"Oh, so that is how it is." Li Sanjian turned to Cai Rongxue and said, "In that case, shall we return?"

"What exactly are you trying to do?" Cai Rongxue could no longer contain herself. One moment he wanted to go in, the next he wanted to leave—this was too erratic. She gave him a light, natural push. Neither of them noticed the intimacy of the gesture.

"Ha!" Li Sanjian laughed. "Wrapping one's head in white cloth is no way to treat guests. I would rather not go."

With that, Li Sanjian turned to leave with Cai Rongxue. He had no interest in their doctrines and only wanted to see why Chen Ke'er was here. Since they were being difficult, why stay and suffer the indignity?

"Wait," the two men said, feeling slighted. The devotees who came here were usually submissive, doing whatever they were told. They had never encountered someone like Li Sanjian, who would turn and leave at the slightest provocation. "Do you think this is a marketplace? You come and go as you please?" They blocked him, flushed with anger.

"Oh? And what instruction do you have for me?" Li Sanjian felt a flicker of irritation. What kind of sect was this, so rude and overbearing? He had been indifferent to them before, but their arrogance now bred a sense of disgust.

"Kneel and kowtow three times to the Demon Lord before you leave," the man said coldly.

"Ha!" Li Sanjian laughed out loud. "I, Li Sanjian, kneel only to Heaven and Earth, to my Sovereign, my teachers, and my parents. Others are not worthy of my kowtow."

"Is the Demon Lord not a sovereign?" one of the slower-witted men asked stupidly.

Fortunately, they were in the outskirts, surrounded by believers. If this were known to the authorities, the implications could be grave—tantamount to treason, or at the very least, the ramblings of a madman.

"A demon king who brings chaos to the world dares to call himself a sovereign?" Li Sanjian found this even more ridiculous. Did this "Demon Lord" really think he was a ruler? There was only one sovereign in the world, the current Emperor; this man was nothing more than a charlatan and a swindler.

Li Sanjian only knelt sincerely before his parents. As for the Emperor, he had only seen him once and had not yet had the chance to perform the full rite before the man departed. As for the rest, they could all step aside.

His words caused a stir among the guards. They viewed their leader as a god; how could they not be enraged by Li Sanjian calling him a "demon king"? The guards rolled up their sleeves, ready to teach the arrogant, pedantic scholar a lesson.

"Ha!" Li Sanjian laughed toward the sky, showing no fear. "What do you intend to do? Is there no law in this place?" He shielded Cai Rongxue behind him and signaled for her to find an opportunity to escape.

Cai Rongxue rolled her eyes at him. If you didn't want to go in, why say such harsh things? Why not just walk away quietly? Now he had stirred up trouble. She worried for him in silence.

"Is the man outside truly Li Hanren from Lingnan?" The commotion caught the attention of those inside. A leader in white stepped out of the Dragon Mother Temple and looked at Li Sanjian.

"It is I. How could it be otherwise?" Li Sanjian replied, surprised.

The leader was tall and sturdy with a square face and thick facial hair. He seemed young, but Li Sanjian could not recall ever meeting him. Why did he know his name?

"It is you indeed," the leader said, bowing. "I am Lü Shinang from Xianju. I greet you, Master Li."

"Brother, spare me the title of 'Master,'" Li Sanjian said, nodding. "I am no longer a candidate for office, merely a man who failed the examinations. Do you know me?"

"Ha, who has not heard the name Li Hanren?" Lü Shinang laughed. "I heard of your reputation while I was in Tokyo for the exams. Your poetry and essays are exceptional, you created a unique method of punctuation, and you won the lantern festival. I witnessed these things with my own eyes."

"Trifling skills, not worth mentioning," Li Sanjian said, glancing at Cai Rongxue. "The lantern festival was just play. As for my poetry and essays? They were not enough to pass the exams. It is truly laughable."

"Step back, show some respect," Lü Shinang scolded the followers who were still looking to settle scores. "This is no place for conversation. Master Li, please, come inside."

Li Sanjian nodded and followed him into the temple. "What are you doing inside?" he asked as they walked.

"The Sect Leader, Demon Lord Huang, is preaching. Would you like to hear?"

"Indeed. What sect is this?" Li Sanjian asked, curious.

"The Manichaean sect," Lü Shinang replied.

Manichaeism? Li Sanjian searched his memory but could not place it. Was it Buddhist? Taoist? Something else? Then, Lü Shinang added, "The Manichaean sect is also known as the Ming Cult."

"The Ming Cult? The Sun Moon Holy Cult?" Li Sanjian blurted out in shock.

"The Sun Moon Holy Cult?" Lü Shinang asked, puzzled. "Why do you call it that?" He paused, then said, "The name is quite fitting. Our sect has two principles and three ages; the two principles are Light and Darkness. We worship Light and loathe Darkness. Light shall triumph over Darkness, and Goodness over Evil. We worship the Sun and Moon, which bring light. Morning prayers to the sun and evening prayers to the moon are required of all followers."

"Master Li, you are truly brilliant to sum it up so well," Lü Shinang said, giving a thumbs-up. "The Sun Moon Holy Cult—the name is perfect."

Li Sanjian muttered to himself, *I didn't name it.* So this was the Ming Cult. Who hadn't heard of the Ming Cult?

He wondered to himself: *Do they have Dharma Kings, Holy Envoys, or Protectors of the Left and Right?*

"The holy fire shines bright, the holy fire glows. All my disciples, work with one heart. Pity the suffering people, wandering and helpless. Grace covers all things, for the sake of the Light?" Li Sanjian asked aloud.

Lü Shinang was stunned, then beamed with joy. "Could it be that you, too, are one of us?"

*So it is true,* Li Sanjian thought. Fire was indeed the sacred object of the Ming Cult, or at the very least, something of vital importance to them.