DRAGON LONGZE ENCOUNTERS FREYA ( BY BOST, 2026- PART 10)

Asmund had told Longze there were specific moments in time, if modified via sacrosanct incantation, would alter (fluctuate) the timeline and in that case, also change Freya’s doomed destiny.  This, likewise, would vary (alter, transform) the probable future of those about her, which meant that, Longze’s whole interaction with her would not exist.

01-DRAGON LONGZE(59)

Despite his quandary (dilemma), Freya’s future welfare preceding his needs, Longze had not hesitated, and urged his guardian Asmund to impart to him the rest of what he knew.

“ Wery well then,” Asmund thoughtfully nodded, then  begun: “The crucial time here will be the specific summer solstice festival when during which Jedrick’s wanton gaze had fallen on unsuspecting Freya, accompanying her brother through the many stalls that sold custom-made shiny trinkets and treasured items of all kinds; and more precisely, the time when he left her for a moment and went inside a shop to purchase her a surprise gift for her birthday and so Jedrick seizing this moment, accosted her and started the whole terrible sequence of events. This is where the conversion (shift, transition) needs to occur (transpire). And for that, the young man Alec must abort (forsake) his intent of surprising his sister and instead, take Freya along with him into the shop to personally select her birthday gift.”

02- HAGEN KIRK 3

“This small variance will change her fate, for inside that shop at this specific time, another young man, the Mayor Gudmund Kirk’s son Hagen will be present, one who has brought an heirloom broach of his mother’s, to the shop to be repaired. He will chance on her and fall deeply in love…”

03- HAGEN KIRK AND FREYA

 Asmund at this point stopped talking and looked at Longze, He did not speak it, but his worried look conveyed the message: Tell me to stop if this is too painful for you to hear.

This had perturbed (upset) Longze, however, he shook his head; and so, Asmund continued with the rest of the perceived probabilities. He assured Longze in the end, that Hagen Kirk is a handsome, noble, brave, astute young academic, which would be a far better match; a gentler soul, he would be a protective and devoted husband to Freya, and she, as his lawful wife, would live a happy, fulfilled life till ripe old age.  Mayer’s family also being far more powerful than Elof Bijarke’s, Jedrik would never dare to manipulate or confront (go up against) Hagen Kirk or cause trouble to Freya ever again. She would be, thence, perfectly safe.

04-MAYOR GUDMUND KIRK (AT A BALL)

The mayor Gudmund Kirk and his wife Selma, from the first will love their new daughter-in-law Freya, and treat her exceptionally well; and all during these quiet, happy (blissful) years with them, Freya will grow, day by day, into a legendary beauty, and passing from her teens into the bloom of womanhood, she will eventually be blessed with three beautiful children, two boys and a lovely girl, which will look just like Freya. Meanwhile, her brother Asger will also marry and have a bright future also.

“It seems to me this would be the best outcome (solution) for Freya.” Longze reluctantly conceded. Then looked up to ask, “But I fail to understand, if such an incantation (spell) existed, why was it deemed a sacrosanct, forbidden and, kept so well hidden away in the archives.  Why wasn’t it utilized to alter or prevent most devastating catastrophic events and save copious lives in the mortal world? Also, why do I detect certain ambiguity in your voice and a…stipulation (prerequisite). “

Asmund smiled, “You are perceptive. Yes, there is a proviso….” He nodded. This spell cannot be used by any deities, blessed official, immortals, alien, divine creations, celestial warriors or guardians (such as me), save for the two omnipotent entities that possesses (has) the primeval genome (DNA), from an antediluvian (primordial, ancient) bloodline. The only existing two sacred beings in the universe, one being the Heavenly Emperor, and the other… Asmund hesitated for a moment to disclose this, then shrugged and said, “the other recently discovered source, is you, Longze.”

05-DRAGON LONGZE (SEEN THROUGH ASMUNDS' EYES) (39)

Asmund had stopped and waited for this startling revelation to sink in with Longze; then continued: “I know you well enough by now to, in full confidence disclose this to you, knowing it will remain a secret and, it will not go to your head. Haven’t you ever wondered why you were spared your parent’s terrible fate, and why you have been singled out and closely monitored by the Heavenly Emperor…? Why you have been so well guarded, monitored, and specifically tutored (coached, trained, instructed)? Your full potential is not yet manifest, and no one knows what your future might entail (bring about).”

Asmund looked down, then fell silent for a long while. He had never disclosed to Longze, that Longze’s father Ingemar had once been Asmund’s close childhood friend and because of his superior intellect, integrity, and prowess, Asmund had always held him in high regard.

06- LONGZE'S FATHER INGEMAR

Centuries later, even though their different paths had put some distance between them, Asmund had always loved and admired Ingemar; and, he couldn’t be happier when Ingemar had finally married the enchanting deity, Eldrid (fifth daughter of the Heavenly Emperor), for they were a perfect match in every way.

Asmund had always with certain interest followed Longze’s parents’ often nonconformist (eccentric) feats (achievements, deeds) that specifically benefited the lower status deities; unfortunately, this had fostered potent opposition and at times, eternal (perpetual) nemeses (rivals). And when Ingemar and Eldrid were charged with that unpardonable breach (violation, transgression), Asmund had ardently tried his best to convince the Heavenly Emperor to show leniency (modify his decree) and spare them from the extreme penalty.

07-LONGZE'S PARENTS IN THE LIBRARY IN HEAVEN (9)jp

Asmund, akin (close allies and friends of his) the seven deities, had supposed (suspected) that the favorite couple had been deliberately misinformed (deceived, tricked) and then betrayed; later still, they were falsely accused of an offense (sin, indefensible transgression) by those that stood a great deal to gain from their downfall and demise.

There’d been other outspoken supporters that had also rallied to their cause- several divine dragons, the four Heavenly guards, twelve immortals and two ancient guardians, alongside him- all, petitioning to have the well-loved Eldrid and highly regarded Ingemar, to be pardoned, or at least have their sentence reduced; however, the adversarial spokespersons had in the end got their desired verdict. The powerful clique that had initially persecuted them had been meticulous (thorough) in their absolutism and their presented proof had been irrefutable.

08 THE HEAVENLY COURT

Consequently, Heavenly Emperor had reluctantly passed the sentence of (thunderbolt execution), for to do otherwise would have cast Heaven (realm of Heaven) into eons (eternities) of chaos, instability, and civil war. Asmund, looked away (focusing on distant void), for thinking of that day, memories rehashed, he still was outraged and dismayed.

                                                                                 ~      

Longze in the interim, with a terrible understanding dawning on him, he had simply shook his head: He had never asked for any of this; he would have rather been an ordinary Dragon.

His questioning gaze next affixed on Asmund, Longze pensively stared at his guardian, though he had already suspected there was far more to this, which warrant his most stringent upbringing.

09- GUARDIAN ASMUND (10)

“Well, now you know.” Asmund shrugged, and then resumed his say, “Indeed, no other can invoke this incantation (spell, invocation) and survive or, that it would work. However, you must still prepare, there are preliminary steps to take, before you can undertake this. I will leave you the pertinent instructions to learn them well, practice diligently and often, while I abscond (run off) to Heaven, to report your recent success in eliminating Demon Sedit and give full account on the results of your other (wide-ranging) developments…and,” he forbearingly smiled, “ask surreptitious permission from the Heavenly Emperor, on your behalf, to do this. (for this to happen). Plus, I may go back to the Heavenly archives to do thorough research, lest I have overlooked some fundamental aspect (factor, element, dynamic) pertaining to this incantation.”

10- LIBRARY IN HEAVEN (2) jp

“What if the Heavenly Emperor wont’ grant me permission?” Longze asked.

“I’m pretty certain he will.” Asmund reassured Longze; as this will also, serve as a test, gauging (measuring) your present surplus (extra) innate abilities; and I am positive, Heavenly Emperor will be interested to observe this contrived (manufactured, unnatural) aberration (deviation), the anomaly (modification, amendment incongruity) of the timeline.

“After the spell, won ‘t there be questions and possible snub, from others I mean.”

“It will happen within a fraction of a millisecond, and most will miss it; however, you may as well know that natural glitches periodically do occur in the timeline of Earth and thus most will attribute it to that, thinking nothing of it.”

“Thank you, Sir, for your confidence in me…for everything.” Longze, finally (at long last), with a voice filled with gratitude expressed his relief.

“Your thanks are a bit premature Longze…” Asmund smiled, “And, though I don’t need to say this, but I will anyway- make sure Hans Aquila and Alec, recovery goes well and without a hitch; meanwhile, do try to stay out of more trouble!” His advice (voice) resounded in the air, long after he had promptly disappeared.

 

                                                                                       ~

 

The moment he was gone, everything had reverted back to normal and Longze found himself in midst of addressing Freya in his plaintive tone: “You’d left without a word, meanwhile, regardless of my long, avid search, I could not detect any trace of you. This, I discovered the reason later, was due to the fact Demon (Sedit) had woven (knit) a spell over the specific area of the woods (the perimeter), to camouflage his lair’s (hideout, den’s) whereabouts. As you had inadvertently trespassed into that protected sphere, your life signs as well had instantly become hidden from my innate radar (sensor, locater) abilities. And that is why it took me so long to rescue you!” Longze, bit flustered, dismally (grimly) shook his head and next, took in a long, slow drawn-out breath. “I shudder to think all the kinds of malevolence (evil)that might have befallen you; furthermore, you could have been instantly slayed, worst still, turned into Zombie!”

11-  DRAGON LONGZE (23)

“I’m sorry Longze, for having worried you so.” Her genuine sympathetic, sweet response just then, took the winds out of his sails (complaint), leaving Longze’s heart now mollified (placated, conciliated). “Regardless, you’ve still, timely and oh so gallantly rescued me; and for that, I am eternally beholden (indebted) to you! And though we have only known each other for such a short while, I …” She hesitated, lowered her gaze and blushing crimson, not daring to confess aloud, her deep affections (fondness), her burgeoning (budding) love, for this heroic, most attractive benefactor of hers.

Longze (clairvoyantly) construing her feelings, for a second or two, he had felt joy overriding his reason; however, as he did not dare to hope, Longze’s logical, well-disciplined mind quickly supressed, then dismissed all the wayward (disruptive) emotions.

His liberal guardian Asmund back then, as part of his education, had permitted him the rare opportunity, to observe and with limited capacity interact with few human beings. From the first, he had felt different about Freya: he had been inexplicably drawn to her million enchanting ways and same time, experienced her turbulent soup of emotions, her hopes and dreams. Moreover, the overwhelming sense had derailed Longze’s initial resolve, and he had felt unduly vulnerable, as he absorbed the true measure (the depth) of her fears and worries and her deep dismay at not finding her kin.

 

 

                                                                                             ~

 

(END OF PART 10)

 

(Characters: Dragon Longze, Longze’s father Ingemar- Longze’s mother, Eldrid, Elof Bijarke, son Jedrik, Hans Aquila, Alec and Freya, guardian Asmund, the trickster demon incarnate, the ersatz (artificial) black panther Sedit, Immortal warrior Erland, Mayor Gudmund Kirk’s youngest, his still unmarried son Hagen, his wife Selma, his two other sons, the ranchers, named, Agil and Corey Kirk, Olga, Heavenly Emperor’s niece, one selected to be Longza’s future mate)

                                                                                          ……

 

 

 DRAGON LONGZE ENCOUNTERS FREYA (BY BOST, 2026- PART 9)

Dragon Longze was about to explain it all to Freya, to reassure her of her safety and same time declare to her of his true feelings-  for back then when she had gone missing he had starkly realized that she was the paramount important being in his life; moreover, from the first time he’d laid eyes on her, he’d hopelessly fallen in love with her- when everything just then froze and, even the air stilled.

Longze turned to see his guardian standing right behind him, with a deep frown etching lines on his forehead, looking highly displeased and bit perturbed.

01- GUARDIAN ASMUND (7)

“What do you think you are doing? You were about to confess to this mortal, your true origin, and declare your affections?”  It was not a question, but a statement; Asmund’s eyes blazed fire and he scowled (growled): “Are you tired of your existence boy?”  

The immortal shook his head, “Foolish, foolish boy!” Asmund had always referred to Longze, as a boy, whenever he was furious with him; knowing it particularly peeved (riled, irked) Longze, to be called that, when he considered himself an adult ever since he’d reached the age, in human years of seventeen. In dragon years Longze was two.

“Why not?” Longze, for a moment losing his sense, protested. “Am I not allowed to…” But he instead halted his say abruptly in midstream when he saw that his defiance had further outraged (infuriated) the mighty guardian Asmund. For Asmund’s face had just then darkened and his pupils (eyes) became two blazing crimson orbs; furthermore, ominous dark clouds had concurrently (at the same time) congregated overhead, casting Earth in pitch darkness. Longze relenting, respectfully lowered his head and mumbled his sincere apologies, wishing to placate his guardian’s wrath.

The ensued silence (that had reigned for a while) was deafening; Asmund’s ire, gradually simmered down, threatening clouds dispersed and all reverted back to normal. Asmund, then spoke pensively in his strained, however, more moderate, patient, placid vernacular (argot, tranquil tone), summarizing it with:  

“I realize that you meant well Longze and that you wished to spare her undue anxiety, by revealing to her, as well, that you had already rescued her father Hans Aquila and her brother Alec from the clutches of death and that both are now safe and convalescing in a cave. And that soon she shall be re-united with them. I also understand that you have hoped, she will be so appeased, therefore, more likely to throw her arms around you and …. “The corner of Asmund’s mouth lifted in a slight bemused smile, “And you hoped that she’ll reciprocate your affections and instantaneously (straightaway) express that coveted human concept, her love, for you?” Asmund again shook his head. “Sometimes, I cannot believe how naïve you are Longze!”

“But my affections are genuine …” Longze mumbling, chewed on the words, more to himself. Then exhaled and in a resounding voice said: “Yes, I have truly fallen for her.… There, I dared to openly admit it.”

02-DEFIENT DRAGON LONGZE (24)BG

“Stop your nonsense!” Asmund, his anger anew flaring, snapped. The immortal guardian was genuinely fond of Longze and knowing Longze’s weakness for human beings wished to protect him from future harm.

“Why do you persist in these romantic notions, even though you know full well dragons cannot mate with mortal humans. They are too frail; despite your unusual, inherent powers, you are still likely to cause her hasty end (turn her to ash), if you so much as try…” Asmund, swallowed the word “copulate” and looked up, meeting Longze’s intense gaze. “And besides, Heavenly Emperor has already other plans for you. You are to marry his niece Olga when you turn the right age. She has already been chosen to be your future mate.”

03- OLGA- LONGZE'S INTENDED - 2 JP

“But I do not love her?” Longze protested.

“Love is a foolish concept of humans… You are a dragon boy; one that possesses the ancient bloodlines at that. After all my tutoring, haven’t I, not in the least, convinced you yet of your Heavenly Onus? You claim you are mature, yet you act so juvenile… I am fast loosing patience with you Longze! … I command you to abort (terminate) these foolish notions at once!”

But then Asmund regretted his outburst and softening his gaze, tried another angle, to get through to (to reason with) Longze.

“You claim that you love this mortal female, Freya; but loving means you do the best thing for that person. And sometimes, that means, letting them go and allow them to live the life they are destined to do. Your romantic notions are unrealistic, you must know this, yet you dare to dream? Have you even seriously considered what you are contemplating…I mean besides endangering her life, you expect her, a frail mortal being, to live amongst immortals, dragons and other celestial beings; and where would you have her live, on some remote star, or planet in the (galactic, vast) Universe, or are you considering living with her at some remote place, a forsaken island, on Earth?” Asmund let that sink in for a while, before resuming.

04- IMAGINED HOME OF LONGZE AND FREYA)jp

“And, have you considered that if you bound her as your mate, you would be asking her to forever forsake any possibility of her to propriate with another mortal being? Does she not deserve a full human experience, to have children, have a happy fulfilling life among her own kind, till she grows old and eventually passes away? She has her own destiny to fulfill on Earth, and I am afraid that does not include you Longze. I am sorry to be so blunt; but you needed to hear all this, since pragmatism and good nous (sense) seems to have eluded you of late. “

Dragon Longze was silent for a long while, carefully considering Asmund’s words, knowing all the unbiased (unprejudiced), valid (sound) arguments he presented was for his own good; for unlike the rest of his guardians, Asmund did not despise mortal humans nor see them inferior beings (creatures) merely to be tolerated. He, being considerably (a great deal) younger than all Longze’s other guardians (roughly, 5,000 Earth years old), was an atypically broadminded (nonconforming), lenient (compassionate) and astute (incisive) Heavenly warrior/ immortal guardian, which Longze had been fortunate enough to have had well over a year now.  Others preceding Asmund had never been as tolerant (or charitable) of his persistent, youthful foibles (quirks); and because of this, Longze held deep admiration and affections for Asmund, honestly believing that his guardian despite his stringent, most demanding ways, genuinely was fond of him.

05- DRAGON LONGZE  (72)

“I well understand all that you are saying, and as usual (naturally), you are perfectly right; I must let her be what she was meant to be.” Longze, conceding, lowered his head to hide the fresh tears brimming in his eyes.

“I fear, nevertheless, her life will not be a happy one after her nuptial’s (matrimonial) to Jedrick. Besides, result of his engagement (fighting) with the Immortal warrior Erland, Jedrick remains gravely wounded; and, if he were to succumb to his injuries and later expire, I know something of human customs, she will be a ghost-wife, she will be forced to still marry posthumously to Jedrick and so spend the rest of her life, living a forlorn (forsaken, pitiful) existence among the ambitious and heartless beings.  Hans Aquila would be powerless to alter this terrible course (predicament) of Freya’s, as his social standing is far inferior to Elof Bijarke’s, who is a powerful aristocrat. That is no kind of life for her; a delicate yet vivacious (vibrant, lively spirited) flower, within a year she will wither (wilt, fade) and so perish, without ever having loved or truly lived.”

“What an imagination you have Longze,” Asmund could not hide his chortle, how completely you have mapped out her ill-fated future without you.”

06- GUARDIAN ASMUND (1)B

“If you must know, Jedrick will survive his grave injuries… But this matter is neither here, nor there. Now I may get in trouble for even suggesting this but there may be a way, a slight chance, where which her adverse destiny could be reversed.” Asmund, having disclosed this (blurted it out), fell pensively silent for a long while; hesitating to reveal the rest of what had just then crossed his mind. For he had suddenly recalled having gleaned a rare find (info) within an ancient manuscript (book) in the Heavenly Archives once, that provided for the present an apt (best) solution, a single chance that of which, would permanently alter (reverse, change) the course of Freya’s adverse (cruel) fate.

Asmund had a retentive memory and so perfectly remembered the incantation, the spell that would alter the timeline on Earth. However, this had never been done before; as of the consequences…. Hmm!

Immortal Asmund solicitously investigated (probed, examined) for a long while, dragon Longze’s hopeful eyes which silently articulated: Please sir, do not torture me any further and speak your mind at once, is there really a way we could remedy her terrible fate? - and then, however, Asmund deciding to risk it, therefore, softening his gaze, he indulgently nodded.

“Yes, I know of a way; I had read it quite by accident a decade ago in one of the ancient tomes (volumes, books), when I was doing some research for the Heavenly Emperor; and so, I came to know of this sacrosanct, though forbidden, incantation. Once evoked it will alter the mortal timeline on Earth.”

07- GUARDIAN ASMUND AT THE LIBRARY IN HEAVEN (16)JP

“Then, what are we waiting for? Please Sir, …”  Longze, forgetting himself, fiercely grabbed his guardian’s shoulders and looked intently into his eyes; however, quickly coming to his senses, he let go at once and then profusely apologized for his discourtesy (rudeness) and affrontery (disrespect, insolence).

“You are so impatient and …” Asmund shook his head. “Did you not hear me say just now that it was a sacrosanct, forbidden incantation? I will have to first secure permission from the Heavenly Emperor before we can even contemplate (plan) using it. And besides, you have not even heard the pertinent details, or the possible dire consequences, yet you wish to proceed with it. As if, it was as easy a feat as that!”

Asmund, frowning, shook his head, “Your boundless exuberance will be the death of me yet.”  He quickly looked away, however, to conceal his amusement (fun, grin) and glee (excitement, delight).

Asmund fell silent for a moment, then said: “There are certain crucial moments in time, if modified, will change the entire timeline, and along with Freya’s destiny, the probable future of those around her, will also be forever altered (transformed). Which means, your encounter with her will be null and void (invalid, cancelled).”

“Be that as it may, please without delay, tell me!” Longze nodded as his eyes urgently pleaded for him to resume.

 

 

(END OF PART 9)

 

  

(Characters: Elof Bijarke, son Jedrik, Hans Aquila, Alec and Freya, guardian Asmund, the trickster demon incarnate, the ersatz (artificial) black panther Sedit, Immortal warrior Erland, Mayor Gudmund Kirk’s youngest, his still unmarried son Hagen, his wife Selma, his two other sons, the ranchers, named, Agil and Corey Kirk, Olga, Heavenly Emperor’s niece, one selected to be Longza’s future mate)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 JUDGE LU PAN (REVISED 2025) 

Scholar Zhu Erdan ((courtesy name Xiaoming), who lived in Lingyang, was an easy going, good natured, friendly, handsome young man who was studying diligently for the local exams. But due to his honest nature and slow wit, furthermore, not knowing how to fawn (flatter, toady) on the haughty (arrogant) opulent and influential officials or gentry, he had never attained any academic distinction. 

01-CHU ERHTAN - JP 7

Once a study mate dared him to sneak into the Ten Kings Temple in the middle of the night and carry out the statue of the menacing looking judgement god, Judge Lu Pan. Having successfully completed the dare, Zhu Erdan won a feast from his friend, got very drunk and went home.

02- ENJOYING DRINKING WITH FRIENDS JP  16

The next day, when he remembered what he had done the night before, he felt so bad that he, erroneously, tried to drawn his sorrow by indulging in spirits; while Zhu was having a drink in the pagoda, for it was quiet and peaceful there, especially at night, a gust of wind suddenly broke open the door and in came Judge Lu Pan. Zhu jumped up with his heart pounding in fear of his life, and exclaimed, “I committed a great sacrilege last night. For that, I deserve death. You are here to take my life, aren’t you? “

But the judgement god grimaced then shook his head. “Not necessarily. And I accept your inherent (natural, genuine) invitation, from the heart; I was feeling a bit restless tonight, so I came to share a drink or two with you." Zhu felt relieved and at once set to preparing some drinks; Zhu and the judgement god, hence, drank happily that night, landing an ear to the cacophony of insects and the harmonious sounds of other such nocturnal animals. From then on, Judge Lu visited Zhu frequently. In time they become good friends, so much so that they "sometimes slept together with the soles of their feet touching." However, much to Zhu’s dismay, the judge constantly criticized Zhu's essays for being "good for nothing". 

03- JUDGE LU PAN-  JP 1

One night Zhu was startled awake from his deep sleep, because of an unusual, though somewhat annoying pain emanating (originating) from his chest and gut.  Upon opening his eyes, his gaze sharpened, he was shocked to find Judge Lu Pan there, bent over his stomach and rearranging his internal organs. Naturally, Zhu became hysterical and with a trembling voice, asked for the reason for this perceived injury and harm, begging for Judge Lu to stop.

Judge Lu, however, just smiled and said, “You don't write your essays very well. That's because there is a blind spot in your heart. I’ve replaced it with a good one which I found in the world of the living."

04- JUDGE LU   PAN - JP 7

A few days later, Lu returned to review Zhu's latest essays; putting the papers aside, Lu opined (pronounced) that Zhu will be a successful but not outstanding scholar.  Nevertheless, from then on Zhu did make tremendous progress in his studies and not long afterwards even attained first place in the local exam. In autumn he also passed the national exam. His study and drinking mates, meanwhile, were all very surprised, especially when they learn that it was all due to Judge Lu Pan. 

05- STUDY AND DRINKING BUDDIES JP  7

Naturally they all wanted to meet Judge Lu in person, hoping also to gain some favor; and so, they pestered (pressured) Zhu till he acquiesced to take them along, the next time he would go and have a shared drink with Judge Lu Pan.

06--JUDGE LU  PAN- JP 8

However, upon seeing the green-faced, red-bearded Judge Lu and looking into his blazing eyes, everyone was so terrified that they all took to their’ heals (fled, ran away) in sheer panic.

Zhu, feeling responsible, apologized profusely to Judge Lu for their rudeness, then invited him to have another session of drinking with him at his humble abode. Along the way, pressed to speak about the concern on his mind Zhu finally said, "My wife is a good sort, but, as you shall see presently for yourself, is rather plain looking; now that I have achieved a more prominent position, her unattractive (disagreeable) appearance and clumsy demeanour (image, bearing) has become somewhat a liability; can you do anything about it?" 

07- PLAIN LOOKING WIFE JP 11

Judge Lu was silent for a while, then he smiled and said," It so happens that your wife’s life span is nearing an end, and within three days she shall expire because of a freak accident. But there is an error in the books, she wasn’t supposed to die. I think I have a way to remedy this situation. And since you ask so contritely (almost penitently, ashamedly), I shall, therefore, honor your request."

As predicted, two days later Zhu’s wife was suddenly deceased, after having stepped on a carelessly discarded banana peel on the cobble-stoned garden path; Zhu forestalling her funerary arrangements, allowed her body to (albeit temporarily) lie peacefully in repose on her bed, as if in deep sleep.  A day later, expectantly at dusk, Judge Lu manifested in Zhu’s study carrying with him the decapitated head of a beautiful woman and asked to be taken to Zhu ‘s wife's bed chamber. Once there, Judge Lu without delay, took out a sharp knife and severed her head from the keck then adroitly (proficiently, capably) replaced it with the beautiful woman's head. After careful alignment, he mended the cut with his fingers and placed the head back on the pillow.

In the morning, Zhu’s wife suddenly coming to life, opened her eyes, got up and, remembering nothing, was about to comb her hair, when she suddenly found herself looking at a stranger in the mirror. Zhu told her the whole story of how Judge Lu had changed her head. Zhu then took a closer look at his wife. Ah, she was like an enchanting beauty in a silk painting!

08- BEAUTIFUL GIRL - JP 2

It so happened that, the local Magistrate Wu’s daughter’s corpse, was discovered few days prior; she’d been murdered and decapitated in a meadow (field), among the tall grasses (bullrushes), at the edge of town, some distance away from the Magistrate Wu’s posh dwelling.  Previously, Magistrate Wu had been away on urgent business in the capital, this discovery upon his return, greatly perturbed him. There were no clues as to who her assailant (killer, slayer) might be, but in his grief, Magistrate Wu would not listen to any reason and instead, suspected that his daughter had been secretly abducted and murdered by Zhu's black magic, so he filed suit against Zhu, and Zhu was captured and interrogated.

But due to lack of evidence, the court couldn't pass a sentence and released Zhu temporarily. That night, drinking together at his study, Zhu politely asked Judge Lu, curious now, to learn of the details how he’d procured (come by) his present wife’s head. Nodding in understanding, Judge Lu then succinctly recounted the beautiful girl’s somewhat tragic story:

 She’d once been the beloved daughter of Magistrate Wu and beautiful though she’d been, she had remained single, till passed (her prime,) of marriageable age; because some time ago, both of her fiancés had died, rather ominously, before the appointed matrimonial date. Disheartened, she had from then on refused any would be suitors.  Once during a Lantern Festival, the lovely girl had visited the Chamber of Horrors and had been followed back home by a man who first tried to rape her and then beheaded her. When her corpse had been found, but the culprit was still unknown and at large, the grief-stricken family, prolonging (extending) her funeral (burial), had placed her head next to her body, in the hall. And when Lu had taken the head, Magistrate Wu’s family, for reasons known only to them, had concealed this fact, while they determinedly continued with their search of the culprit that had so brutally slayed (murdered) her.

“Now, I understand, “Zhu nodded, when Lu fell silent. “Still, this has landed me in an inexplicable (bizarre, enigmatic) fix. Though I am temporarily freed from castigation (criticism, scolding) and incarceration (jail, captivity) at present, I suspect Magistrate Wu, in his desperation, will persist (remain, continue) in his adamant course of persecuting me. How can we remedy this?”

"It's quite simple, “said Judge Lu. "Tonight, I'll have the Magistrate Wu's daughter’s spirit explain everything to him (her father) to clear away his suspicion."

09- MAGISTRATE WU-  JP  1

That night, the magistrate had a dream, in which, his daughter appeared before him and said, “I was murdered by that brute Yang Tanien of Suhsi. It had nothing to do with Zhu. Zhu was dissatisfied with his wife's looks, so Judge Lu Pan used my head to replace hers; therefore, my body is deceased (departed), but at least my head now lives on. And in this way, I can exist as the wife of a respectable, gentle, thoughtful Zhu. Please don't make any more trouble or hold anything against him. If you must, go after Yang Tanien and avenge my wrongful death."

10 -BEAUTIFUL GIRL - JP 5

Sure enough, more indebt investigation revealed that there was an affluent merchant Yang Tanien in Suhsi, with questionable, debauched (wicked, decadent) innate attributes, living in a rather large mansion, in the adjacent town. He had several lucrative medicinal stores, two of which was established in Magistrate Wu’s town. After being captured and interrogated, Yang Tanien admitted to the crime of kidnapping and murdering Miss Wu, after she’d refused all his painstaking efforts to woo her, saying nothing of, his many improper advances disguised as business transactions.

With the case satisfactorily solved, Magistrate Wu brought gifts to Zhu's house to apologize and found Zhu's wife identical to his deceased daughter. He immediately adopted her as his own daughter, and Zhu acknowledged the magistrate as his father-in-law.

11- MAGISTRATE WU-  JP 5

Thirty years passed in a blinking of an eye, and Zhu, who was still happily married, furthermore, had a young son named Wei, was content. One night during a drinking bout (session) with Judge Lu, however, Lu abruptly turning to face him, with a somber look, informed Zhu: "Your life span is almost over dear friend; and unfortunately, you have five more days left to live."

Zhu, at first aghast, exhaled a long slow breath, then asked: "Is there a way out of this?”

Judge Lu frowned and shook his head; he was rather displeased by this request. "One's life is predetermined. How can I, out of personal favor, save someone who is destined to die? Besides, an intelligent person should feel natural to death; why do people celebrate life only and fear death? “

Zhu thought that made a lot of sense, so he went on to prepare for his own funeral. But of course, the story of Zhu and his friendship with Judge Lu, does not end here.

The day after his death, Zhu visited his wife as a ghost and told her that he was now working for the judge Lu. Subsequently, he continued to visit his family regularly and, moreover, taught Wei how to read and write. Some time after Wei's fifteenth birthday, however, Zhu told his wife that he had been assigned to Mount Hua as its "mountain god" and hence, must bid his family, a final farewell.

Years later, Wei, then aged twenty-five, became an "inspecting commissioner”. He was sent to Mount Hua to perform a series of rituals. On his way there, he was met by Zhu, who praised him for his accomplishments. Before disappearing, Zhu handed his son a sword, on whose blade was inscribed: "Be bold, but cautious; round in disposition, square in action." 

Wei eventually fathered five children: Chen, Qian, Mi, Hun, and Shen. In a dream, Zhu told Wei to give the sword to Hun. Wei complied, and Hun then became a celebrated official.

Finally, let conclude this post with the original author Pu Songling’s famed inscription (verses, stanzas) in his postscript: "To chop short the crane's legs and stretch the duck's is the folly of artificiality, but grafting a flower to a tree is a marvel of creativity." 

He, furthermore, added: "Is Master Lu of Lingyang still around? Does his supernatural power still work as of old? I would like nothing more than to serve, whip in hand, as his charioteer."

Fin

PS- This is an intriguing (fascinating) story, just in time for the Hungry Ghost Period and the Halloween. Judge Lu is a short story originally written by Pu Songling (1640- 1715) and first published in 1766 in Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio. Fortuitously, I chanced upon this remarkable book, and thence (thereafter), these Strange Tales, had made me permanently unafraid of ghosts, goblins and other supernatural phenomenon. 

Readiness

Readiness

When clouds rise in the sky, it is a sign that it will rain.

There is nothing to do but to wait until after the rain falls.

It is the same in life when destiny is at work.

We should not worry and seek to shape the future by interfering in things before the time is ripe.

We should quietly fortify the body with food and drink and the mind with gladness and good cheer.

Fate comes when it will, and thus we are ready.


I Ching

Fin