Ascending Towards the Sun

Chapter Sixteen Parting of Ways

As they talked, they arrived at the village. Lan Jingyi and Lan SiZhui impatiently scurried inside and carried out a few random incense sticks, candles, and paper money. Walking over to the side, they built something that resembled a stove using bricks and rocks. The boys then squatted around it and started to burn paper money, muttering as they fanned the fire. Hua Ying wasn't in a great mood either. On the way here, he didn't even tell many jokes. Seeing this, though, he finally couldn't bear it any longer. He turned to Lan Zhan.

Lan Zhan, look at what they're doing right in front of other people's doors. You're not even stopping them. Whined Hua Ying

You can stop them. Said Lan Zhan indifferently

Fine. I'll discipline them for you. Said Hua Ying, am I seeing things? All of you are disciples of prominent sects. Your parents and relatives must've taught you that dead people can't receive paper money, right? Why would dead people want money? They can't receive those. And, you're in front of somebody's doors.

Shoo, shoo. You are blocking the wind. It will not be able to burn anymore. And, it is not like you have died, so how do you know that dead people do not receive paper money? Said Lan Jingyi

With a face covered in tears and ashes, another boy turned to him and agreed, That's right. How do you know? What if they can actually receive them?

How do I know? Of course, he knew! The dead did receive paper money, even on the day if their death each year. Hua Ying never received such but then again, he didn't think much of it.

Even if you could not receive them, it was probably because nobody burned them for you. Said Lan Jingyi

Was there not a single person who burned paper money for me? Was it really because nobody burned them that I didn't receive any? He asked himself in silence. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that it was impossible. He turned around and whispered to Lan Zhan.

Lan Zhan, have you burnt paper money for me? At least you've burnt paper money for me, right? Whispered Hua Ying

Lan Zhan glanced at him. He looked down, dusting away the ashes that stuck to the bottom of his sleeve, then stared quietly into the distance, giving not a single word in reply.

Looking at his calm face. Really? You hadn't burned anything for me Hua Ying asked shocked

You returned once did you not? So why not return a second time. Said Lan Zhan

Before Hua Ying could answer a villager walked over with a bow on his back. He seemed rather annoyed. Why are you burning these here? It's in front of my house. How ominous! He cried

These boys hadn't done anything like this before and didn't know that it was ominous to burn paper money in front of someone's house. All of them apologized. Lan SiZhui hurried to wipe his face, Is that your house over there?

Hey, brat, look at what you're saying. My family's been here for three generations. How can it possibly be anything but my house? Said the villager

How dare you talk to us like this? Shouted Lan Jingyi

Hua Ying pressed his head and held him down again.

I understand now. Sorry, I did not mean anything else with the question I asked. It was just that, the last time we passed this house, we saw another hunter, which was why we were confused. Said Lan Sizhui and bowed

Another hunter? What do you mean another hunter? Asked the villager confused

He made a "three" with his fingers, this house was passed straight down through the three generations. There's only me, no other brothers! My dad passed away long ago and I haven't even married much less had a child. Where on Earth would there be another hunter? Asked the villager