Chapter Seventy-Six: The Maiden of the Falling Blossom Cave

Legend has it that in Miao territory, there once lived a family whose matron kept a life-bound Gu within her body. Under ordinary circumstances, this Gu required only the flesh and blood of animals to sustain itself. Yet one day, when her son married a beautiful bride, the life-bound Gu began to stir restlessly within her, demanding that the matron plant it upon the new daughter-in-law and feast on her flesh and blood.

The old woman, naturally, refused. But the torment of the Gu gnawing at her heart and liver proved unbearable. In the end, she succumbed, seizing the chance while preparing a meal to slip her Gu into the food.

At dinner, her son discerned the Gu’s presence in the dish. If the Gu were not planted in his wife, his mother would surely suffer agonizing pain from its backlash. But if the Gu were transferred to his wife, she would die a wretched death. Helpless, the man made a desperate decision. When his mother was distracted, he switched his wife’s meal with his own and ate the rice containing his mother’s life-bound Gu.

The next morning, the old woman’s son was found dead in bed, with small snakes crawling from his mouth, eyes, and nostrils. His wife was so terrified that she became mentally unhinged. Realizing what had happened, the old woman was overwhelmed by grief and threw herself into the river to end her life.

Some may ask why anyone would rear such a ferocious Gu—do they not fear its backlash? In truth, the art of controlling Gu is a unique craft of Xiangxi. Raising a life-bound Gu inside oneself serves both as protection and as a means to command the Gu to perform one’s bidding. The benefits, it is believed, outweigh the risks. Moreover, since these practices are handed down from ancestral Gu clans, most people in Xiangxi willingly plant a life-bound Gu within themselves to defend their villages and uphold tradition.

The old woman before him had likely suffered the periodic torment of her Gu. Animal blood could pacify it for three months or more, but human blood would sustain it for at least a year. Her family was destitute and had no livestock to feed her Gu. To avoid the agony of its backlash, she sought to use Fang You as an unwitting victim, intending to plant her Gu upon him.

Seeing the hardship in the old woman’s life, Fang You did not pursue the matter further. He removed the sealing talisman from the bowl, and it trembled as if something within had fled in an instant.

“I am a disciple of Maoshan,” Fang You said, taking up a coarse bun and eating hungrily. “I have come to Miao territory today in search of someone. Please grant me your assistance.”

“Who might that be?” the old woman asked cautiously.

“My uncle—Old Zhang,” Fang You replied.

“Could it be Zhang Tiandao, the Daoist Zhang?” The old woman seemed to understand.

“You know my uncle?” Fang You asked.

“Yes, of course,” she said. “Three months ago, the Gu clan’s chief summoned the remaining four elders for a council. There are seven villages in Miao territory, each guarded by an elder. Six villages surround the chief’s village at the center, which the clan chief and elders protect. Recently, one elder secretly stole the forbidden Gu text, ‘The Ten Thousand Gu Methods.’ Discovered by the others, he fled but returned with the aim of stealing the Gu King from the forbidden grounds behind the clan. On his way back, one elder was killed. Now, with the chief, only five elders remain.

“Not long ago, a paper-crafting Daoist named Zhang entered the Gu clan’s territory, seeking an audience with the chief. It seems he was acquainted with several elders and the chief. Together, they guarded against the traitorous elder He Bi’an trying to steal the clan’s prized Gu King insect. I expect they are now gathered in the main village at the center, deliberating with the chief and elders.”

She looked at Fang You. “If you are a friend of the village, we should treat you with respect. But all the elders are now at the main village, and the deputy elder is deep in sleep at night. Perhaps tomorrow I can introduce you.”

Fang You finished his bun and said, “Then I must trouble you.”

He then took out twenty thousand yuan from his bag. “Maoshan practitioners never eat a host’s food without recompense. I may stay for several days, and your life-bound Gu needs livestock to feed. Let this serve as lodging fees.”

The old woman, seeing the money, knelt in gratitude. “Thank you, young Daoist. You have saved my life. These days my Gu has been restless, but I had no chickens or ducks to feed it. Today I nearly made a terrible mistake, trying to plant the Gu on a person. I will surely treat you well in these days.”

Fang You smiled and nodded. “No need for formality. Just introduce me to the deputy elder tomorrow.”

“Yes, yes, of course.” The old woman gave Fang You the master bedroom, made up the bed, and began preparing food for the next day with the money.

At dawn, Fang You awoke to find the house surrounded by villagers. The village lived in isolation, rarely encountering outsiders, so news of a stranger had stirred their curiosity.

Fang You straightened his clothes and stepped outside. In the living room stood an elder dressed in Miao attire, sporting a nose ring and deep-set eyes—a man at the door.

Seeing Fang You, the elder stepped forward. “I am Deputy Elder Ye Xie of this village. Young Daoist, you may call me Elder Ye or Old Ye if you prefer.” He spoke with deference, likely due to Fang You’s uncle’s previous assistance to the Gu clan in times of crisis, earning their respect.

“I am searching for my uncle and wish to understand the situation here. Please, Elder Ye, show me the way to the main village,” Fang You said directly.

“Of course, of course,” Elder Ye replied. “But I am presently occupied. Might I ask you to wait a few days?”

“What business?” Fang You inquired.

“One family’s daughter has been chosen by the Cavern God. We are preparing her wedding—she will be wed to the Cavern God.”