According to folklore, the Black and White Impermanence were originally sworn brothers. The White Impermanence was named Xie Bi'an and was known as "Seventh Master," while the Black Impermanence was Fan Wujiu and was known as "Eighth Master."
Once, the two were traveling together when it started to rain. Seventh Master went home to get an umbrella and asked Eighth Master to wait on the bridge. However, Seventh Master waited and waited but did not come. Just then, a sudden downpour began, with thunder and lightning, and the river swelled. Eighth Master did not want to break his promise and continued to wait in the same spot, but he was drowned by the river.
Seventh Master rushed back with an umbrella and was heartbroken to see this scene. He hanged himself on a bridge pillar. King Yama and Jiaxun, who were brothers, were deeply in love, so they appointed the two as "Black and White Impermanence" - because White Impermanence hanged himself, in most movies and TV dramas, "White Impermanence" is depicted as a hanged ghost with a long tongue sticking out.
"Young lady~ We brothers heard from those wandering ghosts that the food at this restaurant is quite different from the offerings in the human world~ It can gather away evil spirits and tastes delicious~ We came here specifically to try it~"
The voice of the White Impermanence was as thin as a whisper, as if he might die at any moment. Even though he tried his best to force a "kind" smile, his long, bright red tongue and sinister face were still somewhat frightening.
What is this thing?
Black Impermanence was much more taciturn, pointing his thick fingers at the menu on the sign, and said in a deep voice:
"Use this to exchange for a meal."
He dropped a small cloth bag from his hand. When he opened it, it contained some round seeds that looked like wheat seeds.
[Small Toon Seed: A perennial woody plant, a spiritual herb, often growing along the roadsides of the Underworld, constantly watered with water from the Underworld. The tree grows tall and reaches into the clouds, the fruit is non-toxic, sour in taste, and consuming it promotes hair growth.]
Does taking it promote hair growth?
Xu Milu found these seeds really interesting and immediately asked:
"Small Toon seeds? I've only ever heard of the large Toon before. Could there be some connection between the two?"
Seeing that she had indeed accepted the seed, Bai Wuchang wore a bitter smile.
"Young lady, you have good insight. The Great Chun you speak of is the divine tree called the Eight Thousand Chun, which grows in the Southern Sea. It has one spring every eight thousand years and one autumn every eight thousand years, and it grows to a height of ten thousand feet—a first-class divine tree. This is the Small Chun, which only grows by the roadside in the Yellow Springs. Meng Po waters it day and night with the waters of the Yellow Springs, but its spring lasts for thirty days and its autumn for thirty days. It withers and flourishes every four months, hence the name 'Small Chun'."
Xu Milu listened intently, marveling at how each seed had its unique origin. She readily accepted the seeds and greeted them warmly.
“I’ll take these seeds. Seventh Master and Eighth Master, if you want anything to eat, just call on whatever’s on the list.”
White Impermanence's face lit up with joy, and he patted his belly, saying:
"My brother and I have just escorted an evil spirit into the underworld, and we are currently very hungry. Do you have any good wine and meat? Please bring them up for us to enjoy with our drinks. The underworld is cold and gloomy, so it would be best to serve some spicy dishes. After we finish eating, we can work up a good sweat before returning to the underworld to report for duty."
"What a coincidence!"
Xu Milu pointed to the sign that read "Extra Spicy Stir-fried Snails with Perilla" and said with a smile:
"The fresh river snails we just got today are perfect for stir-frying and pairing with drinks. We also have braised beef and cold pig's trotters, which are great accompaniments to drinks. As for alcohol, we only have some vegetarian wines at home. Although we don't have strong liquors like 'Fuyangchun' or 'Shidongchun,' 'Xianrenyin' is also very good. Would you like a jar?"
"Hurry up, hurry up!"
Black Impermanence's face was dark and his expression fierce, while White Impermanence immediately explained:
"My brother is usually a man of few words, and this is how he always speaks~ Just pick him if you like, young lady~"
Xu Milu put away the seeds, turned around and went to the back kitchen. After a while, she came out with a short, sturdy jar. The so-called "Fairy Drink" on the signboard was actually cactus drink produced in the Yellow Sugar Desert. Don't talk about alcohol content; you can drink a whole jar and you won't get drunk.
Both braised beef and braised pig's trotters are cold dishes. They are quickly sliced and arranged on a plate to make a dish. The icy cold cactus drink paired with the tender and flavorful braised pig's trotters, and then a bite of braised beef, even Black Impermanence's face will show a smile.
Xu Milu saw it clearly and turned to urge Mo Xuan, who was trimming the tail of a snail:
"Keep it up, cut more, and if there's any left, I'll stir-fry it for you."
Upon hearing this, Mo Xuan almost danced with the scissors in his hand, his mouth watering as he stared at the large pot in front of Xu Milu.
River snails are naturally clean, unlike ordinary field snails which often have a lot of mud and sand inside. If you sprinkle some white wine and sesame oil into the water and soak them for an afternoon, the river snails will be clean inside by evening.
Cut off the tail of the snail and set it aside. Slice the ginger, garlic, and mandalas into strips. When the oil is 70% hot, add the ginger strips, garlic slices, and chili strips and stir-fry. To make the flavor more complex, Xu Milu also added a spoonful of Pixian chili bean paste.
"Sizzle—"
The intense spiciness suddenly wafted out of the restaurant, causing the stray dogs in the nearby alley to bark wildly. However, Bai Wuchang waved his long sleeves, and the spiciness that had spread outside the restaurant was inhaled into his nose as if it were a wisp of smoke!
"Such an intensely spicy flavor! Such an irresistible aroma! Old Hei, it's been so many years since we've had such a spiritually rich meal as an offering!"
Like smoking, Bai Wuchang inhaled all the white smoke into his stomach, then patted his belly contentedly.
"No wonder Ox-Head and Horse-Face have been running around outside Huasheng Temple these past few days. Even if they can't eat the young lady's cooking, just a sip of her essence is enough to satisfy them both."
"Shut up! Shut up!"
Black Impermanence roared, but he wasn't talking about White Impermanence. The iron chains in his hands rattled as he hooked a vengeful spirit that had been spying on the restaurant from the corner of the wall.
Without saying a word, he tore the evil spirit apart and stuffed it into his sleeve:
"Come often."
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