Beginning with the Ubume Bird

Chapter 239: Chapter 76: Lady Dan and the Fiery Cauldron

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One might say that the most influential deity in the South Seas, was none other than Heavenly Mother Mazu.

Beyond her, there were Emperor Baosheng, the Ice-Sealed Ancient Buddha, and so on.

The Fiery Cauldron Couple also ranked among them, not as influential as the former, but still with widespread renown. In the region of Quanzhou, they wielded extraordinary influence.

Over the years, the spiritual sway of the Fiery Cauldron Couple among the common folk had grown increasingly formidable, and the Cai Clan played a significant role in this.

The Cai Clan’s tradition spanned over a hundred years, worshipping the Fiery Cauldron Couple generation after generation, with nine subordinates below them, who had received divine enlightenment and protected the descendants of the Cai Clan across ages. Cai Qian’s ancestor had once been a mere servant in the clear water government office, when suddenly he acquired wealth worth ten thousand guan. It was rumored that he had come into possession of a treasured cauldron, a comical couple engraved upon it, which could miraculously produce treasures from thin air. Later, as Cai Qian’s ancestor ventured out to sea and found his fortune, he had countless servants and expanded his business. He vowed to worship the Fiery Cauldron Couple for generations, so he enshrined the family’s Fiery Cauldron in the Ryukyu Islands. Before the passing of Cai Qian’s ancestor, he instructed his progeny to ensure the manifestations of the Fiery Cauldron Sir and Fiery Cauldron Madam in the flesh would be revealed to the world, even if it required the last of their bloodline…

The glory of the Tianbo Division lasted a hundred years, all due to the divine powers of the Fiery Cauldron.

The Ryukyu Islands, the ancestral hall of the Cai family.

“Congratulations to Fire Cauldron Lady for revealing herself in the flesh. The century-old wish of our Cai family is finally fulfilled today!”

Cai Qian’s eyes reddened, and he hurried forward with large strides, “This unworthy disciple, Cai Shunguan, pays his respects to Fiery Cauldron… Fire Cauldron Lady.”

He blinked and quickly corrected himself.

The image on the Fiery Cauldron, depicted a woman past her fifties, in a large red jacket, hair coiled into a bun, wearing thick-soled embroidered cloth shoes, one hand holding a red handkerchief, the other a large round fan, cheeks dotted with red, and if one had to describe her with kindness, it would just barely do, but to say she was beautiful or dignified, would be entirely inappropriate…

However, the figure before them had brows like paintings, her form graceful, with endlessly soft beauty exuding from her watery eyes, akin to the indigo of mountains, blending into the ink on paper, irresistibly captivating.

Clothed in a fiery red cheongsam with a double opening, with yellow embroidered buttons, split up to her calves, she held a small dark cauldron in her hands, her brows now furrowed thoughtfully.

Without doubt, this was the deity whom the Cai Clan had worshipped for centuries, no other than Fire Cauldron Lady.

Although Cai Qian was a businessman, he was no frail scholar, possessing mastery of the secret arts of the Fiery Cauldron, which he never revealed. Surpassing even his father’s skill. Thus, how could Cai Qian fail to recognize the deity his family worshipped?

The nine subordinates had each received divine guidance, their abilities all stemming from the Fiery Cauldron Couple. There was no question of misrecognition; this woman, as if she had stepped out of a landscape painting, was undoubtedly their benefactor, Fire Cauldron Lady, who had opened his enlightenment and bestowed the grace of recreation. Yan Ajiu, the youngest among the subordinates, had been the most sensitive to the aura of the Fiery Cauldron in his ignorant days, and although usually emotionally reserved, he now knelt down with a choked throat.

“Cai… young Cai?”

The woman tentatively spoke.

Cai Qian showed agitation: “My great ancestor passed away over a hundred years ago. I am the fourth generation great-grandson of Cai Yi, Cai Shunguan.”

“Passed away…”

The woman massaged her brow, and after a long while, her gaze cleared up: “Where have you just come from?”

“I came from the Tianbo Division, attending to some mundane affairs, fearing to disturb your sacred hearing.’

“You may all rise,” the woman’s voice had barely faded when a gentle force lifted Yan and Cai Qian to their feet. She looked at Cai Qian, her red lips parting slightly: “What is the current situation at Tianbo Division?”

“Some mundane disputes, trivial compared to welcoming Your Ladyship. I have somewhat failed, but it doesn’t matter, we will deal with it later. For now, it must be the time when that Tianbao is shining alone at Tianbo Division.”

“You said… Tianbao?”

After Cai Qian explained, the woman hesitated before speaking, “Mr. Cai…”

Cai Qian, struck as if by thunder, stood with his mouth agape, unable to speak, then Fire Cauldron Lady corrected herself: “Uh… Cai… little Cai, could you invite that Tianbao to meet with me?”

…

The decision to form an alliance was set, but there remained a host of troubles. Fulin was pushing them to act fast and dispatch troops. None of the major pirates, though they didn’t become the alliance hierarchs, could be simply cast aside; each clan’s demands, troop deployments, provisions, distributions of rewards, and such had to be carefully negotiated.

Zheng Xiu’er had stayed awake all night, and unable to endure any longer, the prideful little girl kept silent. Li Yan noticed and ordered Gu to take her to sleep. He had just given the instructions when he caught a glimpse of Lin Yuanfu staring out at the sea. Li Yan approached and patted his shoulder: “Elder Lin, you’ve also been stressing yourself. Why not go and get some rest?”

At sunrise, the old man’s pupils flared like flames, then blinked and dulled again. Li Yan, who had noticed, squinted his eyes imperceptibly.

Lin Yuanfu rubbed his eyes and exhaled a sigh: “Alas, the Emperor is far, and here I am, the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, who’s become like the Taibai Jinxing of the Flower Fruit Mountain; no one takes me seriously…”

“I heard that these days, you’ve been tutoring Xiu’er in her studies. Ha, raised among us country bumpkins, she’s fortunate to have a profoundly learned person like you as her teacher,—Xiu’er is truly lucky.”

“This girl possesses the potential to outshine even the sun and the moon, she is a fine young seedling.”

The old man smacked his lips, remaining silent thereafter.

“Fulin made it clear, he would send troops against the Red Hair only after Cai Qian delivers the ransom and documents to me. I should have the money in a couple of days. For now, there’s nowhere for you and your disciple to stay. Once we chase away the Red Hair, I’ll send someone to take you back.”

“What has Fulin promised you?”

“Ha ha.”

“`

“Hehe.”

Both of them smiled.

“Having been with you for so long, I’ve picked up a bit of ruthlessness. Sometimes, I think it might be better if, instead of Fulin paying the ransom, I had you silence me instead.”

“Even officials have the guts of bandits, but not the air of them. He must be pondering that impeaching him wouldn’t be so easy. He belongs to the imperial clan, and even the most exaggerated memorial would be discounted upon reaching the court. But if the special envoy were to just die like that, he’d be truly finished, right?”

“Tianbao, do you harbor ambitions of being ennobled or becoming a general?” Lin Yuanfu spoke up.

“Not at all. If you don’t provoke me, I won’t trouble you.”

Li Yan said so aloud, but inwardly he sneered incessantly.

“What a pity,” Lin Yuanfu sighed, then added, “When the ransom arrives, could you release my protégé Zhang Dong first?”

“No problem.”

Li Yan finished speaking and fell silent.

While they were conversing, a tall woman glided over, supporting herself with a long pole. She wore a conical hat and lifted her face to reveal a tear mole under her eye.

Yan Ajiu.

“Tianbao Dragon Head, the Fire Cauldron Lady requests your presence.”

Li Yan’s heartbeat quickened, and he feigned contemplation for a moment, “The Fire Cauldron Lady is…”

“Once the Dragon Head arrives, you’ll understand. Our boss, he’s also waiting.”

“All right then.”

Li Yan motioned to Cha Xiaodao and Elder Gu, then stepped onto Yan Ajiu’s wooden boat.

The Ryukyu Islands were not far off, and Cai Qian, who had waited on the shore for a long time, greeted Yan Ajiu’s return with a face like the spring breeze.

“Tianbao, you’ve worked hard.”

“Mr. Cai, what’s your game? You might as well speak frankly.”

Li Yan didn’t disembark.

Cai Qian restrained his smile, “My family has worshiped the Fiery Cauldron Couple for generations, known to everyone in the South Seas. Today, I’m not jesting with you; the Fiery Cauldron Madam would like to meet with you alone.”

Li Yan acted as if he didn’t understand and then, after a long pause, exhaled, “Alright, lead the way.”

“Elder Yan, please take Tianbao Dragon Head to the Cai family ancestral hall.”

Yan Laoda responded with a sound of agreement and walked with Li Yan into the island.

Cai Qian stood on the shore, breathing the early morning sea breeze, motionless for a long time.

“Ajiu…”

“Boss.”

Yan Ajiu remained as usual, but the spark of excitement in her eyes hadn’t yet faded.

“Give the order. The Tianbo Division is to host a grand feast for nine days. Also, I’m in good spirits today. Fetch the ‘Taiqing Hongyun’ from my cellar. I’m going to break my liquor fast.”

“Boss, for such a task, let me ask Fourth Brother to do it. I’m not at ease with you being here alone.”

“What’s there to worry about?” Cai Qian deliberately stiffened his face, “Hurry up.”

“Well, all right then.”

Yan Ajiu agreed and then left.

On the shore, only Cai Qian was left.

Facing the proud sun, he squinted, allowing the sunlight to shine down.

“Fire Cauldron Lady…” he enunciated slowly, “Fire… Cauldron… Lady!”