The old man was already chanting as he walked forward, and we quickly followed after him, calling out, "Master, please wait!"
"Turn back now, before it's too late to turn back, don't continue down this path," the old man sighed.
"But it's too late to turn back."
"What?!" the old man exclaimed in surprise. "The demon has already emerged?"
We all nodded in unison.
"It has happened after all. It seems that all of this was destined," the old man shook his head. "A disaster is about to occur."
"What should we do then? Could you please give us some guidance, Master?"
“I can’t, but the Qiang chieftain should be able to help you. Come with me to Qinglong Cliff and let the elders there take you to the chieftain.”
We quickened our pace and hurried toward Qinglong Cliff. The old man chanting had a very heavy expression on his face. “I always thought this legend was passed down among our Qiang people. I never thought it would actually happen. The legend says that this was a demon that was suppressed and sealed by the ancestors of the ancient Huaxia people. This demon was born in the Netherworld and was extremely terrifying. Back then, it caused a tragic scene of mountains of corpses.”
Upon arriving at Qinglong Cliff, we went directly into the Qiang village, a village built halfway up the mountain that still retains its ancient style. When we arrived, there happened to be a wedding of a young Qiang man in the village, so the whole village was bustling with activity.
When the Qiang people get married, it's usually a multi-couple affair. There aren't many traditional customs; all that's needed is the blessing of the clan. As we entered, the hospitable Qiang people pulled us into the celebrating crowd, and we started dancing hand in hand.
I originally wanted the chanting master to take us to the elder quickly, but he was helpless. It was a Qiang people's wedding, and if we didn't attend, it would be considered disrespectful and we would not be welcomed.
Helpless, we could only join in the dancing. Fortunately, Xiang Fei had been here before and knew the local customs well, so he knew what to do. I, on the other hand, was completely clueless and just stood there like a block of wood, being pulled along by the Qiang uncle next to me.
Today, the Qiang people sing and dance, dressed in their finest attire. I estimate that each outfit weighs about 30 to 40 kilograms and is covered in ornaments.
Soon, several newlywed couples came out. It was somewhat similar to an ancient Han Chinese wedding, with the bride dressed in red, wearing a red veil, and led out by the groom. Then, some ceremonies were held.
At this time, the Qiang people were all speaking their own language, which I couldn't understand at all. I just followed along and danced.
Then I saw Qiang men and women throwing embroidered balls in the arena, just like in ancient Han weddings. I don't know who threw it, but it landed on me. Before I could react, two Qiang men pulled me into the arena.
Then, as if they were egging me on, they brought a woman to my side and made us hold hands. When I saw the woman, I was immediately stunned. Wasn't this Xie Xiaoyan? She looked very much like her, especially her eyes, which were exactly the same.
My heart was pounding. I thought I was seeing things, so I quickly rubbed my eyes. Yes, it really did look alike. "What a coincidence!"
For a moment I was stunned, until the girl blushed before I came to my senses. The people around us immediately started to jeer, as if they were telling us what to do.
Of course, I was completely baffled. Luckily, the chanting master came to my rescue, saying that I was Han Chinese and didn't understand these things since I was new to the area. However, the girl stuffed an embroidered pouch into my hand and then ran away blushing.
Xiang Fei came over, patted my shoulder, and said with a smile, "You're quite the lucky girl, aren't you? She's got her eye on you, why don't you go after her?"
I immediately felt overwhelmed. "Forget it, I don't have the mind to think about these things right now. It's more important to get down to business."
The chanting master chuckled, "That girl was the daughter of an elder from Qinglong Cliff. Countless people would kill to get engaged to her. She's taken a liking to you, you should really seize the opportunity."
The so-called elders are similar to those in our village. Because they are ethnic minorities, the country has regulations that allow them to have their own members manage daily life and internal affairs.
My heart is filled with mixed feelings. There are many things in the world that cannot be explained by common sense. Just like now, I have met a girl who looks so much like Xie Xiaoyan. Is this an arrangement of fate or a cycle of cause and effect?
Sometimes I think that she has disappeared, she has disappeared from my life. The grudges and affections of a thousand years have vanished with the passage of time. I am no longer the same person, and she is no longer the same person. We are destined to pass each other by in this world like strangers, leaving only a fleeting shadow. Looking back, it seems that the fragrance of her hair can still be heard in the wind.
I remember saying, "If time could turn back, what would happen to us? Would we have a happy ending?"
But now none of that matters anymore. Everything from the past is gone. I've thought that if time could turn back, I would hold her hand and walk together until we grow old. But I understand even more clearly that time cannot be turned back and I can't change anything.
It all feels like a dream, so unbelievable. Now, a girl who looks so much like her is standing in front of me. My mind is in turmoil. Could it be that she is really obsessed with bad things and wants to have a resolution with me?
"Let's go, now we can go find the elders," the chanting master led us into the village.
The elders usually live in the center of the village. When we arrived, we saw the girl come out of the door, and when she saw me, she turned around and went back into the house.
According to the chanting master, her name is Tajirma, she is eighteen years old this year, and she is the youngest daughter of Elder Qinglongya.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
