Hanguangjun- The Waiting

History

History sells. History sells cheap. The most common trinklets on display at a shop in any tourist location are those that claim some sort of history associated with it. So when it comes to an ancient civilization, most of whose history is shrouded in mystery it is not surprising that the chief draw would be the history of the place.

Suzhou (苏州) is a major prefecture level city in the Jiangsu Province of China. As part of the Yangtze Delta megalopolis, it is a major economic center and focal point of trade and commerce. During the Zhou dynasty, a settlement known as Gusu after nearby Mount Gusu (姑苏山) became the capital of the state of Wu. The name "Suzhou" was first officially used for the city in AD 589 during the Sui dynasty. Su (蘇 or 苏) in its name is a contraction of the old name Gusu. It refers to "Satisfied place" in the Old Yue language. The zhou 州 originally meant something like a province or county (cf. Guizhou), but often came to be used metonymously for the capital of such a region (cf. Guangzhou, Hangzhou, etc.).

"Did you know that once demigods and immortals roamed these very lands?" The tourist guide commented in broken English. He had a wide grin and a deep tan on his face. He had been doing the rounds quite often. Tourism was profitable in Suzhou given the fact that UNESCO had recognized the 60 Classical Gardens as World heritage sites. In fact Suzhou has the largest number of heritage gardens in the world. The area where the tourists trekked wasn't a garden however. It was a hill. An unnamed hill that did not require a pass to visit. Many tourist guides wove stories around such unnamed places and charge exorbitant sums as passes. It wasn't ethical but everyone did it now and then. Guide Qu had a son and his annual fees was due.

"Aren't those just myths and legends? How can immortals exist? " A woman with blonde hair, dressed in ripped shorts and a tank top asked. She looked out of place amidst the rocky pathway that they climbed. Her tank top was wet and sticking to her form, giving her a wanton appearance.

"Legends have to start somewhere," The only Asian man in the group of tourists answered.

"Don't tell me you believe in this stuff, Ian, " The blonde woman commented approaching him and letting her hand run over a stray hair on his head.

Ian Wei was born and brought up in Connecticut. This was his first visiting Suzhou. He barely spoke the language despite his parents' best attempt to keep him rooted to his culture. "I believe that there must be some truth behind every myth. For instance, vampirism stems from an obscure practice of drinking blood to counter hemophilia. Pharoahs of Egypt held immense power and hence seen as Gods and worshipped. Perhaps immortals were there too. And when I say immortal, I mean not someone who can never die but someone who lives for a very long time compared to the contemporaries. " Ian explained to the blonde who nuzzled into him, despite the heat.

"How long is long enough?" Another man from the group asked interrupting their shameless PDA.

"Several lifetimes at least." Ian commented. Ian studied anthropology and had become a professor at the local Soochow University. Before he started his position in the following week, Ian wanted to explore the place he shall be calling a home for at least the next few years.

The travel guide shook his head. "You are a non-believer. I can't help you." The guide commented. "These lands are sacred. Some believe that immortals still walk amidst these rocks," he insisted.

"Why would someone be willing to become an immortal? If we assume history to be accurate and immortals did exist, it was extremely rare to become one and once you did attain immortality you had to witness every single person you know die. What is so good about immortality?" Ian thought out loud.

"Aren't you giving it too much thought? The stories of immortals could be just that- stories that when told over and over again, became legends," his girlfriend, an American named Samantha suggested.

Ian shook his head. "I prefer the theory that immortals existed once and are gone now rather than believing that people just turned stories into objects of worship," she insisted.

"What you are talking about are all myths. Have you witnessed anything real? " One of the tourists asked the guide.

The guide's eyes gleamed with greed and a bit of what could be assumed fanaticism. "We'll be going to the cold springs recently. Those hills around the spring are said to be haunted. If you spend the night around the spring you are bound to hear the ancient music of a guqin playing," he spoke in a conspiratory tone.

Ian's eyes peered into those of his girlfriend as he raised a brow. He whispered in her ears, "What do you think? " She nodded.

When the group explored the rocky formation and listened to the history as the tourist guide made it up, Ian and Samantha soon separated and found a tree behind whose shade they could hide. It took hours for the group to leave. Some even called out for them. But by that time the two had dosed off. When they opened their eyes, dusk had fallen. The couple were excited to test the paranormal on their own.