Fragrance in the Night, the Huang Family Wiped Out

The lights in the crowded courtyard gradually went dark, and the clamor died away as the adults led the children home to bed.

Only the unburned wood in the stove occasionally gave a crack and sent a few sparks flying.

The leftovers had been cleared from the table and replaced with a pot of strong tea.

Xu Chun and the others were somewhat drunk, so they left early, saying they needed to rest up before they began practicing the Wind-Fire Wheel technique tomorrow.

Only Qin Geng and Abacus Song remained in the courtyard.

Abacus Song tucked the Wind-Gathering Record, filled with trivial odds and ends, into his robe. His expression grew serious before he spoke. "Fifth Master, the Third Month, Twelfth Day is almost here. You need to start preparing for the Grand Sacrifice."

He took a booklet with a red-paper cover from his sleeve and presented it to Qin Geng with both hands.

"The procedures and the sacrificial address are in here."

Abacus Song explained in painstaking detail. "This Grand Sacrifice is no ordinary affair. Everyone on Tianjin's waterways and roads will be watching. The procedures are complicated: erect the altar, purify the water, invite the deity, read the address, sink the offering. Not one step can go wrong. A mistake would disrespect the Dragon King and make fools of us."

Qin Geng took the booklet and casually flipped through it.

The address was written in ornate classical parallel prose, full of phrases like "glorious divine power" and "blessings bestowed upon all living things."

"You'll need to learn the procedures, then memorize the address."

Abacus Song went on, tapping the tabletop lightly as he laid it all out for Qin Geng. "That's about it. I'll make sure all the public formalities are handled. You'll also need the proper outfit.