Chapter 80 Ghost Mask

The more Wang Qizhi thought about it, the more uneasy he felt.

No, we have to find a way to completely cut off these people's path...

He rolled his eyes: "You also know Sanskrit?"

Lin Sicheng quickly added, "I only read a little bit from the book!"

"hehe!"

Wang Qizhi gave a forced smile, "Try to find some free time sometime and come to the capital with me and your teacher's wife!"

Lin Sicheng immediately became serious: "Huh?"

"What do you mean 'ah'? I just need to familiarize myself with the place!"

Which door? Your father-in-law's door?

Lin Sicheng immediately fell silent.

Fearing he might get nervous and make excuses not to go, Wang Qizhi changed the subject: "It's almost 11:30, is there anything good to eat around here?"

"Just around the corner is the Muslim Quarter!"

"Huh, so close?"

Wang Qizhi pressed his face against the window, peering out through the glass.

Sure enough, he spotted the Drum Tower at a glance.

Having not been here for many years, Wang Qizhi was indeed not very familiar with the area. But he knew that past the Drum Tower was the Bell Tower, and Ye Anning's company was located at the Bell Tower Restaurant next door.

"Since it's on my way, I'll go see Ye Anning, so people won't say that I, as her uncle, don't care about her!"

Lin Sicheng nodded and turned the steering wheel.

Bell Tower Restaurant is a branch of Xi'an Restaurant, specializing in business hospitality. The annex is available for rent, but the rent is exceptionally high.

However, for Pauli, this was just a drop in the ocean, so even though it was just an office, he still rented an entire floor.

Having called ahead, Ye Anning waited in the lobby. Upon seeing Lin Sicheng, she smiled gently.

"Uncle, where have you gone again?"

"I didn't go anywhere, I came here specifically to see you!"

"Oh?"

"Oh!"

Ye Anning pursed her lips. "Perfect timing, I'll treat you to dinner. Lin Sicheng, what would you like to eat?"

Lin Sicheng thought for a moment: "The Shaanxi restaurant next to the Bell Tower is pretty good: gourd chicken, beef tripe and tofu skin, Shaanxi seafood, and crispy fried dumplings are all good..."

It would have been better if she hadn't mentioned it, because once she did, Ye Anning couldn't stop swallowing: everything Lin Sicheng mentioned was something she loved to eat.

Her Adam's apple bobbed, and she licked her lips: "Another steamed pot, and preferably two braised pig's head meat sandwiches..."

What a coincidence!

Lin Sicheng was about to speak when Ye Anning interrupted him.

He then looked at Wang Qizhi: "What would you like to eat, teacher?"

Wang Qizhi scoffed: "You two have already made your decision, and now you're asking me?"

He was about to suggest another fish and mutton dish and steamed pork with rice flour when Ye Anning clenched her little fist and waved it: "Let's go!"

We decided to go right away; it was just a short walk, so we didn't drive.

The two foodies got along famously and talked non-stop about food the whole way: one said the meatballs from the second and fourth brothers' shops weren't as chewy as those from the third brother's, while the other said the steamed rice cake from the fat guy's shop was the best. The only problem was that it was always crowded, and you had to queue no matter when you went.

While drooling, Wang Qizhi cursed inwardly: Does he know why Ye Anning insists on staying in Shaanxi?

She's such a glutton.

Well, now there's one more?

We walked and talked, and after passing the Bell Tower, we arrived at Yisu Street.

The booming opera vocals drifted from afar, making my eardrums itch. A dazzling array of delicious foods were on display, their aromas irresistible.

There are also many shops selling ethnic handicrafts along the street, from Hui, Mongolian, Manchu, and Tibetan.

It wasn't time to leave work yet, but there were many people, mostly tourists, so the three of them had to patiently follow along.

As she walked, Ye Anning stopped and looked at a shop: "Uncle, what kind of god is this?"

I just remembered, you two have an uncle following you?

Wang Qizhi snorted and looked up: a shop with a very distinctive ethnic style, behind which hung a cloth painting:

The main colors are black, blue, and red. The images of deities are numerous and varied, almost filling the entire painting. In the center is a three-faced deity with countless hands.

Judging from the appearance and layout of the cloth painting, it looks a bit like a Tibetan Thangka, but Wang Qizhi really doesn't know what kind of deity it represents.

He gave Lin Sicheng a wink, and Lin Sicheng understood instantly.

"This is one of the five principal deities of Yungdrung Bon religion, Vassa Angpa."

Wang Qizhi and Ye Anning exchanged a glance, their eyes sparkling with a mixture of confusion and clarity.

If they were separated, I would definitely recognize each word, but when they were put together... what was Lin Sicheng saying?

Bon religion, Tibetan?

Ye Anning glanced at the shop entrance: two young women dressed in embroidered white robes and wearing felt hats with long feathers.

She wore a woven belt around her waist and a silver necklace around her neck.

At first glance, it looks like a Mongolian, and also somewhat like a Yi.

"You could say they're Tibetan, but there are differences!"

Lin Sicheng nodded. "These are the Baima Tibetans of Hanzhong, who evolved from the Di-Qiang people. Sima Qian's *Records of the Grand Historian*, 'Biographies of the Southwestern Barbarians'..."

"West of Shu, northeast of the Ranmang (an ancient ethnic minority group distributed in the Maowen region of Sichuan), there are dozens of chieftains, with the Baima being the largest; all are of the Di kind… This refers to the Baima tribe."

"During the Three Kingdoms period, there was a state called Qiuchi, with its capital in Qingshui, Gansu. At that time, Longxian and Fengxian in Baoji, Liuba and Lueyang in Hanzhong were all under its jurisdiction. The state was destroyed during the Northern Zhou Dynasty."

Because they have lived and farmed in the border area of ​​Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces for many years, they have incorporated some Tibetan folk customs and mostly believe in the Tibetan Bon religion. Therefore, after the founding of the People's Republic of China, they were designated as Tibetans and are commonly known as Baima Tibetans.

However, in terms of lifestyle, beliefs, and even culture and language, they are very different from Tibetans... Even within their own tribe, most of them refer to themselves as the Baima tribe..."

Lin Sicheng spoke eloquently, while the two girls stared at him intently with wide eyes.

Perhaps it was because they heard the phrase "Wa Se Ang Ba" earlier, or perhaps it was the first time they had met a guest who knew so much about their culture.

Of course, it could also be that Lin Si is good-looking and young. The two girls whispered a few words, turned and went into the shop, each carrying a felt hat when they came out.

Made from rolled dough, the hat is decorated with flowers on the outside and adorned with brocade feathers on the top. It is a pure handicraft, both exquisite and beautiful.

Her Mandarin wasn't perfect, but she had a sweet smile: "This is for our distinguished guest!"

Ye Anning was overjoyed, said thank you, and quickly took it and put it on her head.

Lin Sicheng didn't move, but bent down to let the tall girl help him put the felt hat on his head. Then, patting his chest, he mumbled something.

It was spoken in the language of the white horse, and the gist of it was, "May Tonpa Shenrab (the founder of Bon, like Shakyamuni in Buddhism) bless you."

The two girls paused for a moment, looking quite surprised.

Then, the tall girl came into the store and brought out a mask.

Made of wood and painted with colorful paint, it has a fierce and majestic appearance with a demonic face and fangs.

Lin Sicheng looked somewhat solemn and was about to refuse when the tall girl bowed and then stood up on her tiptoes.

Left with no other option, Lin Sicheng could only lower his head and let the girl help him put on the mask.

Then, the two girls stared at him without moving, their eyes sparkling with longing.

Lin Sicheng was helpless. After thinking for a moment, he extended his index finger and lightly touched the lips of the mask, then gently tapped the foreheads of the two girls: "Om Mani Padme Hum!"

Suddenly, a light shone in her dark, deep almond-shaped eyes, and a misty vapor rose within them. Her willow-leaf eyebrows creased slightly between her brows, and her pink lips moved silently, like the chanting of a pilgrim.

Ye Anning looked curious and was about to speak when Wang Qizhi gave her a look, signaling her not to move.

Lin Sicheng didn't move either. After about three minutes, when the two girls finished their recitation, he finally removed his mask. He held his hands in his palms and slightly bent his hip.

"Thank you both, goodbye!"

The two girls looked solemn, placed their right hands on their chests, and bowed deeply.