In the village of Huangyu, nestled within the mountainous region of Chongqing, a peculiar tradition has persisted since the 1950s. Every household in the village is engaged in the production of funeral paraphernalia—wreaths, incense, candles, and other items associated with death rites. Strangely, since the village began this macabre trade, not a single male child has been born among its 136 families. Over time, the men of Huangyu have all been outsiders who married into the village, leading to whispers and superstitions among neighboring communities. Envious of Huangyu's prosperity, some claim that the villagers' dealings with the dead have brought upon them a curse, a divine retribution for profiting from mortality.
This belief grew so pervasive that even experts from Beijing, intrigued by the anomaly, speculated that Huangyu might be the fabled "Kingdom of Women" from the classic Journey to the West. However, their attempts to investigate were met with hostility, as the village chief, Lin Fude, led a group of villagers to drive them away. Over time, even the villagers themselves began to wonder if their trade had indeed invoked some supernatural consequence.
Yet, in the latter half of 1990, a miracle occurred. Lin Fude's family welcomed the birth of a baby boy—the first male child born in Huangyu in fifty years. The child, a robust eight-pound infant, was a cause for immense celebration. The entire village rejoiced, flocking to Lin Fude's home to offer their congratulations. Lin Fude, a man of stern demeanor despite his kindly appearance, had once been the fiercest in repelling the so-called "experts." Upon learning of his grandson's birth, he was so overcome with joy that he nearly succumbed to his emotions. To mark the occasion, he hired a troupe of performers and hosted a grand feast for the entire village on the second night of the child's life.
Amidst the festivities, a disheveled Taoist priest arrived at the village outskirts. Clad in tattered robes and bearing a gourd at his waist, the priest appeared unkempt, his face smeared with dirt. Despite his appearance, the villagers, accustomed to seeking the aid of Taoist priests and spiritual mediums due to their trade, welcomed him warmly and invited him to join the celebration. The priest, who introduced himself as Mao, claimed to have traveled from the distant north on unspecified business.
Lin Fude, observing the priest's dignified demeanor despite his ragged attire, approached with his newborn grandson in his arms. "Revered Taoist," he said with a smile, "my grandson has just been born. Since you are passing through, would you be so kind as to read his fortune?"
The priest, having partaken in the festivities, agreed without hesitation. He examined the plump, fair-skinned infant, who lay peacefully in his grandfather's arms, neither crying nor fussing. Yet, as the priest studied the child, his brow furrowed. "Village Chief," he said gravely, "may I know the exact time of your grandson's birth?"
Lin Fude, sensing the priest's unease, felt a pang of anxiety. In a village steeped in the business of death, omens and strange occurrences were not uncommon. He quickly provided the child's birth details: the fifteenth day of the ninth month in the year of Gengwu, at the hour of noon.
The priest, after a moment of calculation, fixed Lin Fude with a solemn gaze. "Chief Lin," he began cautiously, "I must ask—is it true that for decades, your village has only welcomed the birth of girls, with no boys until now?"
Lin Fude, puzzled by the priest's line of questioning, nodded. "Indeed, that is the case. Many say it is retribution for our trade in funeral goods."
The priest waved a hand dismissively. "Nonsense. Those are the words of the envious. Your work brings solace to the departed, earning you merit, not curses. The true cause of your village's plight lies elsewhere. The birth of this boy, after fifty years, is no mere coincidence. He may hold the key to resolving the mystery that has plagued Huangyu."
Lin Fude's eyes widened. "Are you saying my grandson can solve our village's problem?"
"Precisely," the priest affirmed. Yet, his expression darkened. "However, this child will not be easy to raise. His destiny is marked by the Ziwei constellation—a sign of imperial fate. In ancient times, such a child would have been seen as a threat, destined to be eliminated to prevent upheaval."
Lin Fude, though relieved that such archaic dangers no longer existed, grew uneasy as the priest continued. "Do not rejoice too soon. Malevolent spirits and demons covet those born under the Ziwei sign. Without protection, your grandson will not survive past the age of eight."
Desperate, Lin Fude pleaded for a solution. The priest proposed that he take the child under his care, raising him until the age of twelve. Reluctantly, Lin Fude agreed, though he insisted the boy remain in the village until he turned seven.
Years passed, and the child, named Lin Xiaofeng, grew up cherished by the entire village. At seven, as promised, he was entrusted to the priest. Where the boy went and what he experienced during those years remained a mystery, even after his return at twelve. By the time Lin Xiaofeng reached seventeen, he had grown into a young man, his time with the priest shrouded in secrecy, his past a tale untold.