From Tingdi’s mouth, Jiang Liu understood the true story of the Cowherd and the Weaving Maiden.
The truth is, the Weaving Maiden ca down to the Mortal World to play, and Long Eyebrow was secretly at work, causing the Weaving Maiden to emit a foul sll all over, so she found a nearby small river to bathe.
Then, he incited a local cowherd boy to steal the Weaving Maiden’s clothes, forcibly taking her ho to be his wife for a few years, and even had children.
Although the Weaving Maiden has the body of an Immortal, with Long Eyebrow hiding in the shadows, how could she, with her cultivation unable to reach the level of a Daluo Golden Immortal, escape?
To ensure the Cowherd could hold onto the Weaving Maiden and prevent her escape, Long Eyebrow even gave the Cowherd a treasure to seal the Weaving Maiden’s cultivation...
And so, three whole years passed, even giving birth to a child, until finally, the Weaving Maiden found an opportunity, unsealed herself, and turned to flee towards the Heavenly Court.
And the Cowherd? Holding his child, with Long Eyebrow’s help, he chased after...
The Weaving Maiden was fleeing for her life, with a man holding a child chasing after her? Naturally, this attracted many people’s attention, even alarming the Empress.
A swipe with a silver hairpin drew a Heavenly River, blocking the Cowherd’s path, allowing the Weaving Maiden to successfully escape back to the Heavenly Court.
Afterwards, the Empress naturally inquired about the course of events.
Upon learning the facts of the matter, the Empress was so angry she nearly fainted.
As her own daughter, she was defiled by a mortal cowherd boy? And even had a child?
By all rights, this Cowherd should certainly be dead.
But now there’s a child born, what should be done with the child? Could the child be killed too?
If the child remains and the Cowherd is killed, how to answer when the child grows up and asks about the father?
There’s no way to keep the truth from the child forever, is there?
Killing the Cowherd is not an option, but recognizing his status? That’s unsatisfying.
So, in the end, the Empress beautified the situation between the Cowherd and the Weaving Maiden, then decreed that the couple could only see each other once a year, thus preserving the face of the Jade Emperor and the Empress.
Otherwise, if their daughter was defiled by a human cowherd in the Mortal World, wouldn’t that be a laughing stock if word got out?
If it were at least for love, that might be sowhat acceptable, right?
"So that’s how it is..." Fully understanding the story of the Cowherd and the Weaving Maiden, Jiang Liu realized it all, yet felt a bit bemused.
Of course, Jiang Liu naturally believed Tingdi’s account of these events.
If the Cowherd and the Weaving Maiden truly loved each other, the Empress would have agreed or not; why would she prevent them from eting, only allowing them to et once a year?
After all, in the world, where is there a mother-in-law who prevents her daughter and son-in-law from eting, with the reasoning that they can only et once a year?
"Is this a mythological version of won being trafficked to mountain villages?" Understanding the true story of the Cowherd and the Weaving Maiden, Jiang Liu sarcastically remarked.
In his previous life, many girls, after being trafficked to mountain villages, were forced to stay, not allowed to leave, and even had children.
This went on for ten or eight years. Even when their parents eventually found them, many girls had beco accustod to life in the village and, for the sake of their children, chose not to leave their husband and child behind.
Now, in Jiang Liu’s view, the Weaving Maiden’s situation is just like the fate of many won trafficked to mountain villages in his past life.
"Alright, I’ve said what needs to be said, and I won’t disturb you further..."
After narrating the story of the Cowherd and the Weaving Maiden, and explaining the conflict between Long Eyebrow and the Empress, Tingdi had no intent to linger further and took his leave.
"Safe travels!"
Jiang Liu nodded, having nothing else to ask, watched as Tingdi returned directly to the Netherworld.
"Alright, Wukong, let’s continue on our way!"
For Jiang Liu, while Tingdi’s appearance was sowhat unexpected, it was within reason. Gaining insight into the truth of the matter, Jiang Liu then spoke to Sun Wukong.
As they spoke, the two of them took to the skies again, flying towards Fengn Village, soon returning to Fengn Village...
At this mont, all the villagers from Fengn Village had gathered together, and a large altar had been constructed. Long Eyebrow True Man sat atop the altar.
"Mage, regarding your trip to the Heavenly Court to seek the Soul-Calming Stone, and then asking to use the Soul-Calming Stone to cure all the villagers of madness, I have already inford all the villagers. Today, these villagers have gathered together!" As Jiang Liu and Sun Wukong descended, Long Eyebrow True Man took two steps forward, whispered to Jiang Liu.
"Thank you, True Man!" Hearing Long Eyebrow True Man’s words, Jiang Liu nodded slightly.
He was quite satisfied with Long Eyebrow True Man’s choice.
If Long Eyebrow True Man hadn’t proactively gathered these villagers, Jiang Liu had thought that he would have to notify everyone himself.
After all, his ultimate goal was to have these villagers from Fengn Village believe in him, build temples for him, and gain the incense destiny.
Recently, Long Eyebrow True Man’s prestige in Fengn Village was high. If he was the one to tell everyone, and pointed out that it was at Jiang Liu’s request, and that Jiang Liu had gone to the Heavenly Court to find the Soul-Calming Stone, this was naturally more appropriate than Jiang Liu speaking himself.
"Holy Monk, Holy Monk, is this the treasure you brought from the Heavenly Court? Can it really eradicate the curse on Fengn Village?" The man who had hosted Jiang Liu’s group in his ho, widened his eyes and asked Jiang Liu excitedly.
"Indeed, this is the Soul-Calming Stone, a treasure I borrowed from the Empress in the Heavenly Court to help you eliminate the village’s curse!" In front of everyone, Jiang Liu would not waste this opportunity to build his reputation, nodded and said.
"To think it’s borrowed from the Empress, thank you, Holy Monk!"
Having watched Jiang Liu rise into the sky, and now confird by him, the man’s face showed astonishnt and admiration, and he thanked Jiang Liu.
"Thank you, Holy Monk, thank you, Holy Monk!" As Jiang Liu spoke, the villagers of Fengn Village chid in unison to thank him.
"Amitabha, there’s no need for this, poor monk’s journey to the Western Heaven to worship Buddha and seek scripture is for all sentient beings. Today, having encountered your Fengn Village’s plight, naturally, I cannot stand idly by. Besides, the matter hasn’t been resolved yet, there’s no need for haste in thanking."
Seeing the villagers of Fengn Village thanking him in unison, although Jiang Liu was secretly pleased, he remained calm and humbly shook his head.
"Regardless of whether the issue can be resolved, Holy Monk, your efforts for us villagers of Fengn Village are appreciated!" The man spoke to Jiang Liu.
"Yes, indeed, even if the curse cannot be lifted, we are still grateful for the Holy Monk’s goodwill!" The villagers of Fengn Village echoed in response.
"Hmm, not bad, these villagers are still quite simple-hearted, they understand who is good to them!" Listening to the villagers’ words and seeing their expressions, Jiang Liu nodded to himself.
Then, Jiang Liu’s gaze landed on Long Eyebrow.
Seeing Jiang Liu’s gaze upon him, Long Eyebrow nodded and said, "Since you have already retrieved the Soul-Calming Stone, no ti should be wasted. Now, I shall begin the ritual to lift the curse of madness from the villagers of Fengn Village!"
"Wait..."
But as Long Eyebrow spoke, Jiang Liu suddenly interrupted him. Seeing Long Eyebrow’s questioning gaze, Jiang Liu did not reply imdiately but called out to Zhu Bajie nearby: "Bajie, fetch a bowl of water!"
"Coming right up, Master!" For anything Master asked, Zhu Bajie obeyed unconditionally, without a single question, he nodded in response.
Soon, he turned around, fetched a bowl of clear water, and placed it atop the altar.
Jiang Liu placed the bowl of water in front of Long Eyebrow, and in his puzzled and questioning gaze, Jiang Liu pulled out a small knife and made a cut on his own finger.
"Holy Monk!" Seeing Jiang Liu injure himself, the white-furred rat demon below the altar showed a worried expression.
Scarlet blood flowed instantly from Jiang Liu’s hand, one drop, two drops, three drops...
After ten whole drops had dripped into the bowl, Jiang Liu then cast a Guanyin Mantra, causing the wound to heal instantly.
Jiang Liu presented the bowl to Long Eyebrow and said, "True Man, this act may cause you significant harm, poor monk uses his own blood as a dium, to reward you, True Man!"
Watching Jiang Liu drip ten drops of blood into the bowl, Long Eyebrow’s eyes lit up.
This was precisely his aim, Long Eyebrow naturally did not refuse, he accepted the bowl from Jiang Liu with both hands, nodded, and said, "Thank you, Master!"
After his words, Long Eyebrow directly tilted his head back and gulped down the slightly bloody water, not leaving a drop!
As he drank the bowl, Long Eyebrow True Man’s elderly appearance did not change much, but closing his eyes slightly, he could clearly sense that much like a wilting sapling receiving a drop of water.
Although it seed a drop in the bucket, it was still better than nothing!
"Bajie, look, Long Eyebrow’s hair has a few strands of black now!" Sun Wukong, with sharp eyes, suddenly pointed at Long Eyebrow’s hair.
"Indeed, indeed! Master’s flesh and blood really does possess the Longevity Life effect!" Hearing Sun Wukong’s words, Zhu Bajie and the others nodded in agreent.
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