Chapter 2, call me "madam" and let me hear it

I made a sound of acknowledgment, turned around, and returned to my room to continue reading the book. Mo Xi went to the hall to receive the guests.

Mo Xi

Who are you? He walked up to me

Ah! The woman's scream sounds so distant to me, and the repeated admonitions of the King of Hell are as ethereal as floating clouds

That is to say, starting today, I will be your wife. According to the customs of mortals, I can be considered your child bride. However, this is not important. What matters is that from now on, with me by your side, no one will be able to bully you. His eyes brightened slightly, and I patted his head: "Call me 'wife' and let me hear it."

I approached the small courtyard slowly, and the golden seal on my wrist glimmered once more. Before I could step through the gate, I saw a dirty child holding a broom much taller than himself, sweeping the desolate yard. The sound of "shasha" was quite mournful.

I crouched down to meet his gaze, and in his clear eyes, I saw my own reflection. I used my sleeve to wipe the dust off his face: "My name is San Sheng, and I am here to flirt with you"

But he is now just a lump of flesh, having forgotten his past life, and is still unable to recognize people. How should I approach him? Perhaps I should stay by his side, protect him as he grows up, and absolutely must not allow other women or men to take advantage of him while he is still young

"San Sheng, would you be willing to wait for me for two years? On the day I achieve success, I will return to marry you"

Demon? You have mistaken me, I am not...

I said: "You are also approaching the age of twenty, and I have been thinking that after all these years of being your child bride, it is time for me to be formally recognized. Why not choose a date and marry me?"

I will always remember that day when he called my name countless times, insisting on receiving my response each time. It was only later that I learned the reason for his actions: there was a day when he too called out his mother's name countless times, and never received any answer.

He let out a cold snort: "I thought you, this demon, were seeking to convert to my Buddha to atone for your sins, but it turns out you have come to provoke me!"

Mo Xi shook his head: "I am not an official for any ambition..." His cheeks flushed slightly, "As you said, I am almost twenty, and I have been contemplating a day to propose marriage to you."

Mo Xi listened to my words and let out a hesitant "hahaha" sound

In the end, it was not he who gave up on killing me, but rather my old acquaintance, the brothers of the Black and White Impermanence, who came to take his soul away

I was stunned, holding the teacup.

I picked up the cup, but my eyes did not leave the script, and I replied perfunctorily: "The sun is nothing but poison to me, it does my body no good."

He thought for a moment: "Perhaps it is because your temperament is quite similar to this plum blossom." I paused in my steps, stared into his eyes, shook my head, but smiled without speaking

It is not acceptable to just lie in the house; one must still go out and bask in the sun.

Have you been bullied back?

He still does not regard me with any esteem. I scratched my head, finding it quite difficult to communicate with a child, especially one who is somewhat reclusive and not very articulate. I decided to explain things to him in simple language.

I tended to his wound and asked, "Where does the person who bullied you live?"

It was a sunny and pleasant morning, and I was reclining on the couch, reading a newly published storybook. It was a detailed depiction of a talented scholar and a beautiful woman who, after enduring numerous hardships, engaged in a series of affectionate exchanges. Just as I was getting engrossed in an emotional part, Mo Xi walked in from outside, picked up the cloak and jacket I had carelessly thrown on the floor, neatly placed them aside, and poured me a glass of water, saying:

Hmph! You demon, just now you took advantage of my unpreparedness to launch a surprise attack on me. This time, I shall definitely capture you!

After nine years of experience in the world, I have come to know that the fragrant red flower is called plum blossom

Perhaps my indifference left Mo Xi feeling somewhat at a loss. He carefully scrutinized my expression and, as if having made a certain resolution, said: "I want to go"

After a moment of silence, he called out, "Three lifetimes."

I called out to him three times, but apart from the rustling sound of the wind outside, I heard nothing. Unable to fall asleep any longer, I simply turned over, got out of bed, left everything as it was, and stepped out wearing only a white nightgown, heading straight to the capital in search of my husband

Well

Mo Xi nodded

Under my meticulous education, Mo Xi has unsurprisingly grown into a gentleman as warm and gentle as jade. His appearance and stature are exactly as I saw him in the underworld, such a celestial demeanor is exceedingly rare in the mortal realm. Moreover, Mo Xi is exceptionally intelligent, and he has become a well-known figure in the surrounding town.

I received the signal, turned my head, and ran away. The monk chased me over an entire mountain. I ran until I was exhausted, only wanting to punch that bald donkey and make him sleep without waking up.

I am a stone, the Three Lives Stone. The hardest part of my entire being to grow is hair. After watching it grow for over a thousand years, it finally showed some signs of improvement, and this old bald donkey actually dared to shave me! In a fit of anger, I kicked him away, but unexpectedly, this monk turned out to be quite skilled, and he easily dodged my kick.

Time in the world passes swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, Mo Xi has reached the age of twenty.

He stared at me in silence, allowing me to wipe his face clean with my sleeve. I glanced at his tattered clothes, as well as the faint bruises on his neck and hands, and recalled what his mother looked like nine years ago; she did not seem like a destitute person. How could she have raised Mo Xi in this manner? "Where is your mother?" I asked.

is a lady

Driven by a hint of curiosity, I pushed open the courtyard gate and stepped inside. As soon as I entered the small courtyard, the golden mark left on my wrist by Mo Xi suddenly flickered, stirring my heart. I approached the main house in the courtyard and suddenly heard a gentle voice of a woman: "Sway, sway, sway."

Yet I did not know that nine years could transform the once beautiful Meilin into a withered appearance.

The kind smile on his face faded: "What do you mean, benefactor?"

Three Lives

I was startled and hurriedly lunged to the left, crashing through the door with a "bang" and tumbling into the room. As the razor glided by, I could only watch in horror as a lock of my dark hair fell to the ground.

died

Mo Xi, do you know that my favorite is the subtle fragrance of the red plum blossoms and the crystalline beauty of the clear snow, but do you know why?

... ... Alright. "I concede, then let it be called 'Three Lives'."

The child suddenly turned around, seemingly sensing someone entering.

I am curious: "What do you mean, bald donkey?"

With a sideways thrust, I struck the beam of the door, causing the entire wooden house to tremble three times. I performed a somersault and leaped outside. The bald man seemed to be greatly frightened by my strike, taking a while to regain his composure. He glanced at me, then at the terrified woman resembling a meatball, and suddenly said to her, "With vermilion at the center of your brow, your child is an ill omen, born to attract such monsters, and will surely bring misfortune to those close to them"

I like it. I measured the distance between the top of his head and mine with my hand; he is a whole head taller than me. I tilted my head and thought: "Moxi, call for my lady to come and listen."

Wang Xiaopang is the son of a local landlord in the small town. His family is well-off, and the backyard is spacious. I looked on with great delight, and after igniting a fire in his family's wood shed, a gust of south wind happened to blow, making the fire burn very fiercely. The entire sky of the small town was set ablaze with a red hue.

Today, the governor has arrived

The world that only appears in storybooks is even more lively, more interesting, and even... dangerous than I had imagined

When he returned home in the evening, his face bore injuries, with red and blue marks. I asked him, "Were you bullied?"

I saw a pair of clear eyes and a spot of bright red cinnabar on the forehead. My heart tightened, my hand trembled, and the candy I bought for Mo Xi fell to the ground

Three Lives

At that moment, I truly wished to be an ordinary woman, willingly waiting alone in an empty room for him to return and softly call me "San Sheng" at the door

I was furious: "Bald donkey, do not speak nonsense!" The people of the human realm all believe in the prophecies of these monks and Taoists. With such a statement, he truly ruined Mo Xi's entire life

On the day he entered the academy, I styled his hair into a bun. He looked at me in the bronze mirror, his eyes filled with a hint of apprehension. I spoke gently: "You are to live in this world for several decades; this time is not considered long. I can certainly protect you for a lifetime, but I hope even more that you become a person of responsibility, living those decades with distinction. Studying is essential. Once you enter the academy, listen to the teachings of the masters. Although they may not be true sages, they at least put on a proud facade in front of their students. Study diligently."

Upon hearing these words, the woman was so shocked that her face turned pale; holding her child, she was at a loss for what to do

He... he said to me to go to the capital to hold an official position

Indeed, the saying "People fear becoming famous, just as pigs fear becoming fat" has endured through time, and there is certainly a reason for its persistence.

Hmph, I could sense the malevolent aura on you from three miles away, do not attempt to argue!

Not far from where we live, there is a small town, which has only one academy. The scholars in the academy are aware that when Mo Xi was young, an old monk prophesied that he would bring misfortune to those close to him, so they are generally reluctant to accept him.

I quietly turned to the last page of the book, which told a story of a talented scholar and a beautiful woman who married due to an unexpected pregnancy, forever united in their aspirations. Only then did I turn to Mo Xi, and saw him gazing intently at me with his pair of eyes. I sighed and said: "A man's ambition lies in the four corners of the world; you are to become an official, not a bandit... Well, although the nature of the two is not much different... However, the court is also a place to realize one's ambitions. I have always hoped you would become a man of great stature. Now you have the talent and opportunity... Just boldly pursue it, why are you looking at me like that?"

He shook his head

Madam

I initially thought that my confrontation with this monk would not last long. I am like a rock, steadfast and unyielding. Once the monk tires from our struggle, he will naturally retreat, and at that time, I can return to accompany Mo Xi as she grows up. However, I did not expect that this monk from the human realm would be even more stubborn than I am, viewing the extermination of demons and evil as his lifelong mission. Perhaps I am the most formidable 'demon' he has encountered in his life, which is why he regards me as the ultimate task in his quest to eradicate evil and uphold righteousness.

Suddenly, a waft of an unusual fragrance passed by my nose. I had never encountered such a wonderful scent in the underworld, and my mind was immediately drawn towards it. The closer I ran, the more a sea of flowers resembling red clouds appeared before my eyes

The voice of the newcomer grew louder, and Mo Xi also heard a bit: "San Sheng, it seems someone is coming, let's go back to the house first"

Nine years

I was lost in thought when a loud shout suddenly came from behind me: "Where do you think you're going, you monster!"

Although he did not understand the reason, he allowed me to look at him, and gradually his brows and eyes began to curve: "Does San Sheng like to watch me?"

His ears turned red, spreading to his cheeks, and his Adam's apple moved slightly. After a while, a hint of annoyance appeared in his eyes: "San Sheng, you, you always..." Before he could finish his sentence, I suddenly heard someone speaking outside the plum grove. Since Mo Xi gained some fame, there have often been people coming to find him. Usually, I wouldn't say much, but today they interrupted our discussion about marriage, and my expression fell, feeling extremely displeased

As noon approached, Mo Xi finally saw off the guests and returned to my room. He sat in silence, and I leaned back in silence as well. My patience has always been commendable, and in the end, he was unable to outlast me.

Well

The razor in the monk's hand flashed with golden light, transforming into a Zen staff that came charging at me. The monk's skills were not particularly high, yet the Buddha's light emanating from the staff compelled me to avert my gaze. In the underworld, the most feared is the sacred light of the Western Buddha. I was unable to withstand it and was forced to retreat repeatedly.

He smiled faintly, filled with joy

Mo Xi, you must learn to discern. What the Master said is clearly nonsense meant to deceive you. Just listen to it; do not take it seriously.

It truly comes without any effort

I have been in a struggle with him in the human realm for a full nine years

He nodded

Since your mother has passed away, you are now in charge of your own affairs. Remember that from today onwards, I consider myself to be involved with you.

I sniffed around myself and truly did not feel that the negative energy on me was particularly heavy; the negative energy of those fish in the River of Forgetfulness was more than a hundred times heavier than mine. However, the monk did not listen to my explanation and once again swung a razor towards me. I felt a surge of killing intent but suddenly recalled the countless warnings from the King of Hell before I entered the human realm, strictly advising me not to take anyone's life

When I encountered acquaintances, I was hiding in the deep mountains, in a state of utter disarray. Looking at them, I felt as if I had captured the soul of a bald donkey. In a moment of joy, I embraced their long tongues and wept bitterly for a while. I also took the opportunity to remind them to inform Meng Po to ladle out more soup for this monk, so that in his next life he would be foolish and dull-witted, enduring a lifetime of misery

Lying despondently on the ground, I gazed vacantly at the lock of black hair that had gracefully fallen to the floor

After I had taken care of all matters in the underworld, the King of Hell personally stamped three marks on the back of my neck, each mark representing a lifetime on earth. Once all three marks have disappeared, I must return to the underworld and guard the River of Forgetfulness

Well

His direct and candid response caught me off guard for a moment. Aren't ordinary people usually very concerned about matters of life and death? Perhaps he is still too young and does not yet understand the significance of life and death. I can only explain it this way

I was taken aback, still unable to grasp the meaning of his words, when his razor came directly at my hair.

He smiled helplessly: "But, San Sheng, you always seem to be one step ahead of me." He said, "I want to build a home with you, but as a man, I cannot allow you to support me for a lifetime. I wish to provide you with a lifetime of happiness and fulfillment through my own abilities."

On the third day of my arrival in the world, while searching for the path to Moxi, I passed by a temple. In a fleeting glance, I caught sight of the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva enshrined within. I entered with reverence to pay my respects, kneeling down before the statue. Before I could complete my prostration, an elderly and capable bald monk suddenly emerged holding a razor. He smiled kindly at me and said, "Amitabha, it is indeed a good deed that you, the benefactor, can find your way back from confusion and take refuge in the Buddha."

I held his hand and strolled step by step through the plum grove; he did not deceive me, for the plum blossoms are indeed splendid today

After dealing with the monk, I took the time to meticulously organize my makeup, which had not been sorted for nine years. After traversing through a thousand mountains and rivers, I finally found the small courtyard where I first met Mo Xi.

In this season, people refer to it as winter, and the crystalline objects covering the red petals are called snow. However, I do not know the name of these red flowers. Passing through this fragrant sea of flowers, a small courtyard quietly sits amidst them

Three Lives

Mo Xi was originally the God of War in the heavens. Although he has descended to the mortal realm to undergo tribulations and has become an ordinary person, he should still conduct himself as a refined and courteous individual. Therefore, I contemplated sending him to the academy to pursue his studies

Mo Xi fell silent for a moment, then looked at me and said: "San Sheng, the Master said to repay enmity with virtue"

Well

Three Lives

I had Mo Xi carry a gold ingot and walk around the academy, and in the end, the Master still accepted him

However, he wants me to wait for two years, and this time, my patience, which is usually as good as a stone, has worn thin. One restless night, I suddenly sat up in bed: "Moxi." I knew he was not there, yet I still wanted to call his name, as if by doing so, he would appear before me.

I cannot say no

He did not believe my words: "It snowed this morning, and the plum blossoms in the courtyard are blooming beautifully; let's go take a look." I looked at him and saw the glimmer of hope in his eyes. I put down the book that I was happily engrossed in and said, "Alright, I will accompany you for a walk."

I leaped up, channeling the spiritual energy in my palms, and struck towards the old monk with the malevolent aura of a thousand years from the River of Forgetfulness, fully intending to shatter his skull. Just as it seemed that my strike would burst his brain, the sudden wail of an infant jolted my reason back to life

I found it quite spectacular, so I led Mo Xi to a great viewing spot and pointed at the towering flames from Wang Xiaopang's house, saying: "Laugh with all your might"

His ears suddenly turned red

I gently pushed the door open a crack and quietly peered inside. A young woman was sitting on the bed, cradling a baby in her arms. As I took a closer look, I smiled; those brows and eyes, that nose and lips, were they not the fleshy version of Mo Xi!

Amidst the envious gazes of various spiritual beings, I finally arrived in the human realm, dressed in a long white cotton gown