Sunshine Boy nodded, sat before the wooden name plaques, and looked toward the six Night Guards outside the threshold.
The six Night Guards stared wide-eyed at one another, none of them knowing what was happening.
Even Book-Listener shook his head helplessly.
Good Fortune Born lowered his head slightly, the corners of his mouth curving into a faint arc.
Sunshine Boy sat on the carpet, racking his brains.
No one urged him. He remained motionless.
Sunshine Boy knew full well that this naming, along with the coming treasure-grasping ceremony, would affect his future.
Although I don't know what naming does, it must involve some kind of Eerie power or rule. Once I choose a name, my Eerie taint will surely deepen. The question is, how do I break it?
Sunshine Boy had still made no choice by noon.
"My son, if you do not wish to choose, then sleep for a while. When the sun sets, Longevity Mother will choose one for you."
"I'll choose for myself. Let me think a little longer."
"Good." Weird Mother's two great white arms slithered slowly behind Sunshine Boy like giant pythons. Her large hands lifted, then gently fell, softly patting Sunshine Boy's back.
Weird Mother's gentle humming echoed through the hall.
A gust of wind suddenly blew outside, and miscellaneous items clattered to the ground.
On the incense table outside Fifth Lady's main hall, the incense flames swayed violently.
Then, the character "Longevity" on the fifth "Longevity Mother" tablet suddenly cracked, its red paint flaking away.
When the red paint had entirely fallen away, the character for "Longevity" vanished, leaving behind the character for "Rebirth."
The five Divine Tablets were, respectively:
Goddess of Birth.
Midwife Mother.
Birth-Protection Mother.
Birth-Celebration Mother.
Rebirth Mother.
Inside the Black House, Xiang Nanny and Wang Laoshi exchanged a glance