Feng Shui Chapter 158: Binding the Hair and Donning the Crown

Shen Yanxing volunteered to take charge and handled most of the preparations for the coming-of-age ceremony. Since Chen Xiao was honestly unfamiliar with these customs, he didn’t insist on doing anything himself and left everything to his disciple.

He woke up early that morning and didn’t eat until nine o’clock, taking only a light cold meal. Although the food was cold, Shen Yanxing had carefully prepared dishes that were easy to digest and gentle on the stomach.

At half past nine, Chen Xiao went to the garden’s hot spring bath. Normally, he was served and bathed in a tub, but this was his first time visiting the spring pool here.

Standing waist-deep in the warm water, Chen Xiao carefully washed himself. Compared to when he had first taken over this body, he had grown taller, his legs longer, shoulders broader and rounder, and his chest thicker.

As he gained a clearer sense of his current body, his thoughts drifted to Xi Yunqing’s form from the dream. Having spent years away from sunlight, Xi Yunqing’s skin was fair and smooth. Hidden beneath his clothes, one couldn’t see it, but his shoulders were broad and strong, and his abdomen bore a distinct V-line, truly the mark of a man’s pride. As Chen Xiao’s mind wandered, the warmth from the bath grew into a more intense heat.

To avoid embarrassment, Chen Xiao quickly stepped out of the pool and splashed cold water over himself to cool down. Damn it! He was already twenty, so why was he still so easily flustered?

After drying off, he changed into a high-collared, form-fitting Daoist robe, said to be the most formal and ritual-appropriate garment in the cultivation world. Leaving the bathhouse, he sat on the l in the outer hall, where two female attendants, both at the Body Refinement stage, carefully dried his hair. Each held half of his hair, weaving their fingers through it while circulating their inner energy to warm and dry the strands. Had it not been such a busy day, Chen Xiao wouldn’t have allowed such extravagant treatment, he felt pampering like this would weaken one’s willpower.

Once his hair was dry, the top and sides were simply gathered and tied into a bundle at the back, while the rest was left flowing down. This was a hairstyle Chen Xiao had never tried since arriving here; the loose hair around his neck itches unbearably. But today, he had no choice but to get used to it.

Just before ten o’clock, Chen Xiao followed his guide to an open space in the garden. The area had been set up simply for the ceremony, with quite a few people already gathered.

Though there had been no grand announcement, Shen Yonghe, the former city lord of Jin City, Hu Qingyun, several officials from the capital’s government, and the head of the city guard, Dragon Commander, had all made the effort to attend Chen Xiao’s coming-of-age ceremony.

It wasn’t just to show face for Chen Xiao. Typically, promising cultivators celebrated their coming-of-age either within their family sects or alongside their masters. Few, like Chen Xiao, held such a ceremony far from home. Upon hearing the news that Chen Xiao had just reached adulthood, they all marveled at his youthful achievements and promising future.

Nodding greetings to those around him, Chen Xiao stepped forward to the center of the gathering. At exactly ten o’clock, the cages holding the snow geese nearby were opened, and the birds flapped out in a flurry.

Chen Xiao had originally thought catching five or six would suffice, but Tong Nuonuo’s words shattered that idea. She worried that if too few were caught, Chen Xiao might not have the skill to shoot down at least three during the ceremony. His archery skills had only been crammed in recently after learning about the ritual. Lacking confidence, he obediently listened and ended up with more than twenty geese.

Ordinary people would starve the geese beforehand so they wouldn’t fly too fast or be too agile during the ceremony. But since Chen Xiao carried the title of a Body Refinement cultivator, he couldn’t resort to such shameful tricks. Instead, he made sure the snow geese were well-fed and lively.

The twenty-plus geese flapped anxiously in the sky, chased by cultivators to keep them within the grounds. Standing in the center, Chen Xiao drew a bow and shot seven or eight arrows, finally completing the shooting ritual.

With time left before noon, Chen Xiao busied himself with guests congratulating him. They all arrived bearing small gifts, not extravagant, given their status, but practical. Some brought pairs of bracers, others a piece of close-fitting armor, and a few brought waist protectors. It seemed they had coordinated in advance, combining their gifts into a full set.

Chen Xiao thanked them and instructed Shen Yanxing to accept the gifts on his behalf. If it weren’t for the custom that coming-of-age gifts be practical items for daily life, these nobles might have sent far grander presents.

Before noon, the guests were seated. Since the master of ceremonies was scheduled to appear right on the hour, Chen Xiao still hadn’t seen Xi Yunqing. He wondered why the timing was so strict, perhaps it was to avoid wasting the time of such important figures. After all, if he showed up exactly on time, other guests wouldn’t have a chance to speak with him.

Just as Chen Xiao’s mind wandered, Xi Yunqing arrived. He wore a ceremonial Daoist robe similar in style to Chen Xiao’s. The cut emphasized the curve from neck to shoulders, while the fitted design made his waist and legs appear especially upright and striking. The crisp collar accentuated Xi Yunqing’s square jaw, lending him a heroic air. The flowing hem swayed like clouds or water, graceful even as he strode forward.

When Xi Yunqing’s somewhat cold eyes landed on Chen Xiao, they immediately softened, and the corners of his lips curled into a faint smile. He stepped onto the stage and stood before Chen Xiao. Following prior instructions, Chen Xiao bowed in greeting. After waiving the formalities, Xi Yunqing recited a series of ancient verses. Even with Chen Xiao’s background in classical studies from his previous life, he barely understood the meaning, only grasping that it was a blessing, a caution, and some guidance directed toward the one performing the ceremony.

After this was completed, Chen Xiao bowed again in thanks. With the formalities dismissed, Shen Yanxing stepped forward holding a cushion.

Chen Xiao took a deep breath and, with a solemn expression, knelt on the cushion facing the guests, while Xi Yunqing moved behind him to stand. Shen Yanxing loudly introduced the identities of both parties to the audience.

The introduction was thorough, covering their lineage, cultivation levels, and sect affiliations. The focus was less on Chen Xiao, the one receiving the rite, and more on the host, Xi Yunqing’s background. Until now, Xi Yunqing had kept his sect affiliation secret. Hearing that he was a second-generation disciple of the Chongxuan Sect, and not just any disciple, but an official in the Sect’s Administration Institute, caused a ripple of quiet excitement. The Chongxuan Sect, directly under the Grand Celestial Realm, was the most prestigious sect, the pinnacle of power for many minor realms. Being a second-generation disciple and an official in the administration carried immense weight.

Shen Yanxing, of course, had known this earlier and now stood a little taller with pride. From this day forward, Xi Yunqing and the powerful Chongxuan Sect behind him were Chen Xiao’s greatest backing, and as his disciple, Shen Yanxing would benefit greatly by association.

Shen Yanxing stepped forward and gently untied Chen Xiao’s hair. His long, thick, black hair, which reached the middle of his back, flowed smoothly. Xi Yunqing bent slightly and took a comb from a tray held by an attendant, methodically combing Chen Xiao’s hair. The number of strokes was precise, usually a multiple of nine. For casual acquaintances, nine strokes sufficed, but Xi Yunqing patiently combed ninety-nine times.

The guests did not grow impatient. In fact, the longer it took, the more solemn the atmosphere became. The more strokes given, the closer the relationship symbolized.

When the ninety-nine strokes were complete, Xi Yunqing twisted Chen Xiao’s hair into a bun and placed a jade crown on top. Then he secured it with a green Lanwei jade hairpin he had prepared earlier.

Chen Xiao fought the urge to touch it. The jade crown was heavy, and with his hair tightly bound, he felt a distinct tension on his scalp. Although Xi Yunqing’s touch was gentle and did not hurt, it was still unfamiliar and uncomfortable.

Perhaps noticing his unease, Xi Yunqing whispered softly in his ear, “If you’re not used to wearing the crown, you can take it off after the ceremony and just keep the hairpin.”

Chen Xiao immediately relaxed and turned to smile at him. Shen Yanxing gave a quiet reminder nearby, prompting Chen Xiao to rise and perform a third bow to Xi Yunqing. After this final bow, the coming-of-age ceremony was officially complete.

There had been plans for a celebratory banquet afterward, but everyone’s busy schedules meant that just half a day was the limit. They all politely declined the invitation to stay for the meal. Even if some wanted to change their minds and use the opportunity to get closer to Xi Yunqing, no one had the nerve.

After the guests left, only a few people sat down in the round table. Since Chen Xiao had a good appetite, the lunch was especially lavish. Not only were there dishes he had praised before, but the three snow geese he had shot earlier were also served on the table.

After toasting to Chen Xiao’s birthday, Tong Nuonuo sighed, “This is the most grand coming-of-age ceremony I’ve ever seen. When I came of age, it was just my master and a few familiar wanderers from the sect nearby. The host was an old friend of my master, invited from another realm.”

Then, recalling something, he asked Tang Ru, “Aròu, do your people hold coming-of-age ceremonies in your tribe?”

Tang Ru gave him a side glance, sipping the fragrant snow goose soup. “Of course. Don’t think we outsiders are uncultured. Not only do we hold ceremonies, but mine was very grand! The whole tribe came, and the old clan chief himself was my host.”

Tong Nuonuo looked a little deflated. Compared to him, Xi Yunqing and Shen Yanxing’s ceremonies were clearly much more elaborate, and among his friends, his own ceremony was probably the simplest.

Chen Xiao comforted him, “When your big birthday comes, I’ll make sure to throw a big celebration to make up for the fact we didn’t know each other back then.”

After the ceremony, Chen Xiao learned that cultivators don’t celebrate their birthdays every year but have smaller celebrations in the tens and major celebrations in the hundreds.

Tong Nuonuo quickly brightened, “My hundredth birthday isn’t far off. Promise me you’ll all come to celebrate properly!”

Chen Xiao immediately withdrew the hand resting on his shoulder. This kid still looked young but was about to have a major milestone birthday. That meant, considering what Tang Ru said about her ceremony, Tong Nuonuo was actually the youngest among all of them, even younger than Chen Xiao’s own disciples.