Zhai Zhu

My grandfather is very eccentric, performing daily rituals of offering incense to himself, standing in front of his own spirit tablet and eating candles.
Villagers are fearful of my grandfather.
I am fearful of him too.
Later, I discovered that what they were afraid of was not my grandfather, but me.
Even grandfather is afraid of me.
...
My name is Chen Shi.
The Chen of honesty, the Shi of sincerity.

Above the Great Dao

Above the Min River, the water shimmered with waves like white scales, layer upon layer, making the Min River resemble a great dragon, its waves akin to the dragon's scales.


A painted boat floated on the river, moving quickly as the Wind Talisman stirred the breeze, rounding the sails.


The boat girl, cracking sunflower seeds, smiled at Chen Shi and Li Tianqing.


Chen Shi, smiling, asked, "Are the seeds tasty?"


"Try some!" the boat girl scooped up a handful and brought them to him.


Li Tianqing hurriedly tugged at Chen Shi's sleeve.


They were two escapees from the underworld.


Still, Chen Shi accepted the seeds, cracked one, and tasted its five-spice flavor, further enhanced by orange peel through stir-frying. It was crispy and fragrant with a refreshing hint of orange peel, soothing the throat unlike other seeds that could dry it out.


"Are they tasty?" the boat girl asked with a smile.


Chapter 188 Chen Shi Achieves Success