Yao's Curse [Nichu]

Unexpected Encounter

( Yao's Point of View)

     Before World Wars, before the Opium Wars, back then to when I, Yao, could roam freely to wherever my being desired. There was a day, once every two hundred years, where I would cancel any activities planned for the day, cancel any meetings with people, close the doors tight, close the windows tight, and lock myself in my room. Although that proved futile, as it always found a way to break out to feed off of the life essence of animals and people.

     Twas always a terrible day for my people to be outside, as they were all in danger, nobody is safe.

      I become a hopping charm of bad-luck to whomever sets eyes on my figure, a pale dead person, a Jianshi.

(Japan's Point of View)

     I walked down a village in Peking one evening to visit my brother, Yao, but as soon as the townspeople set eyes on the visitor, they did everything in their forces to make me turn back. Or that I'll regret it. Something bad must be happening here. I asked them what was troubling them, and that my katana was sharp enough to take down anything.

"You seem brave, but that sword won't do a thing. Zhang Ling! Bring a peach sword right now!"

"Yes mama!" The child stormed into a shop.

  I figured that they were probably some kind of carpenters as they brought a sword made by the wood of a peach tree.

"Take this"

     The lady handed me the weapon, I've heard that peaches could ward off dark spirits. So it made sense that it was made from a peach tree. It even smells like a peach itself. I stared at it's texture and decoration, trying to get ahold of it but at least it was sharp.

"Ah, ah, ah. You'll have to pay for it."

"O-oh, of course" I handed the lady the amount of money she asked for the blade.

"Now, traveler, today there's a dangerous being wandering around and any one of us is a target. If you're courageous enough, it will be a big help to eliminate it"

     I nodded, if this thing puts Yao in danger too, it has to be eliminated. The lady and her family were alighted and offered me various more items that will help me defeat this 'Jiangshi' they talk about.

     They handed, no, sold me a mirror, Jujube seeds, and Sticky rice. If my attempt fails miserably, the family advised me to drop a handful of coins as it will make the creature stop and count them, useful to have enough time to escape. Or, that I should hold my breath, at it will make me invisible to the Jiangshi.

"Thank you for all this, I'll do my best to make your worrying end"

     I stood from the table as soon as I finished the tea the nice family offered to take haste, so they wished me good-luck. Now that the useful items are with me, that Jiangshi won't stand a chance.

     Some other villagers have reported them spotting the dark being near a temple as it was feeding off of a lost cow. By the looks of their faces, they were terrified. I'll have to be very careful then.

     The temple was abandoned for the night, it was dark, but there were lanterns, and the full moon's light made it easier to look around. My heart raced as my ears heard the sound of some rustling off a bush, then off a tree, then off of another tree. My hands clenched onto the handle of the peach sword as I investigated around casually.

     I gasped as the cow was in sight, my feet rushed up to it to check on the animal. Which laid down on the grass, dead, but there was no mark on it. It looked as it nothing killed it, that it happened naturally. I stepped back, the cow was distracting me, that being could have attacked. But then...

     It was up there, on roofs of the temple! I inhaled deeply, held my breath, climbed up the temple like a ninja, and jumped towards the direction of the Jiangshi in blazing speed and accuracy. However, my eyes widened, and missed the attack on purpose by how familiar this being looked. Without knowing it, my lungs began to breathe again, which made him tilt his head at me. His eyes widened at my surprise presence as well. Then I figured out that...

     Yao was the said Jiangshi!