Seven days passed in the blink of an eye. That day, the main hall of the Xiao Clan residence had been solemnly decorated, with red silk hanging overhead and wisps of blue smoke curling from the incense burners. It was hardly grand, but it carried a certain air of formality.
The Xiao Clan's principal members and several elders gathered once more. This time, however, their gazes held neither scrutiny nor calculation, but a more complicated, unfathomable emotion as they waited for the day's central figure to appear.
For once, Crazy Ghost had tidied himself up as well. He still wore the same ragged clothes that allowed him to move freely, but at least he had washed away the grease and dust and loosely tied back his tangled hair, leaving him looking considerably more spirited. He walked into the main hall alone. Facing a room full of Xiao clansmen, he showed no sign of nervousness. Instead, he looked like a tourist visiting some interesting attraction, peering this way and that with eyes full of curiosity.
The first step of the adoption ceremony was not the incense burning and prostrations he had imagined, but a so-called "assessment." The First Elder, who presided over the ceremony, produced a stack of papers. Most of the questions concerned matters such as "What is a clan?", "The meaning of loyalty," and "How to contribute to the clan." Crazy Ghost picked up his brush and looked at those high-sounding questions, his lips twisting involuntarily.
He wrote casually, doing his best to make his answers look "politically correct" and fit the image of an orphan eager to join a large family. Unexpectedly, apart from the fairly detailed questions about loyalty, the rest were remarkably simple, even perfunctory, as though this was merely going through the motions. It left him muttering inwardly, Why does it feel... like they can't wait for me to pass?
His answers were soon collected. The First Elder gave them a few token glances, then stroked his beard and nodded. "Mm, his disposition is acceptable. The lad can be taught." Next came the part everyone cared about-the Dou Qi test. Following the instructions, Crazy Ghost approached a pitch-black testing stone that gave off faint fluctuations of energy.
"Child, place your hand on it and pour in your Dou Qi."
Following the First Elder's instructions, Crazy Ghost drew a deep breath and pressed his palm against the cold stone. The Dou Qi within him, neither particularly abundant nor especially refined, flowed slowly into it. Light shone across the black stone's surface-fifth stage Dou Qi.
The result caused a faint stir in the hall, but none of the anticipated shock or uproar. Most people looked calm, some even as though it were only to be expected. Whispers arose. "Fifth stage... he does have some ability." "How could he have traded blows with that bunch from the west side of town without a solid foundation?" "Still, I thought it would be higher. Fifth stage... seems a little low compared with how fierce he was that day."
Seated at the head of the hall, Xiao Zhan looked at the result on the stone, then at that unperturbed face. His eyes shifted slightly, but he said nothing. Neither high nor low, this result occupied a delicate middle ground. It proved that the boy was no worthless good-for-nothing without potential and deserved some investment of the clan's resources, yet it was not so dazzling as to invite excessive wariness or attention. To him, this might well have been the best outcome.
The Dou Qi test caused little commotion, as though everything had fallen within everyone's expectations-or perhaps they each had their own concerns and little attention to spare for this middling fifth stage Dou Qi. The First Elder signaled for the ceremony to continue.
The procedures that followed became tedious and drawn-out. First, a maid led Xiao Yi to a side chamber to bathe and change. Steam rose from hot water infused with herbs that gave off a delicate, refined fragrance, supposedly capable of calming the mind, focusing the spirit, and dispelling ill fortune. Unaccustomed to being waited on, Crazy Ghost stiffly allowed the maid to wash him and dress him in a brand-new set of everyday clothes worn by the Xiao Clan's younger members.
When he returned to the main hall, the sandalwood incense burned more vigorously, filling the air with solemnity. Under everyone's gaze, Crazy Ghost stood before the First Elder. The First Elder unfurled a prepared parchment scroll, densely covered in oaths written in neat clerical script.
"Child, repeat the oath after me." The First Elder's voice was not loud, but it reached every person's ears clearly.
Crazy Ghost took a deep breath. His gaze swept over phrases on the scroll such as "loyalty to the clan," "reverence for the ancestors," "upholding clan rules," and "unity of heart and purpose," and he tried hard to look solemn and devout.
Halfway through the oath, Crazy Ghost lowered his voice further, making it steadier and more dignified as he carefully repeated after the First Elder, word by word: "I, Xiao Yi, willingly enter the Xiao lineage today, honored to be taken as the adopted son of Clan Head Xiao Zhan. Here I swear that, throughout this life, I shall keep the Xiao Clan in my heart and take its honor and disgrace as my own responsibility, revere the Xiao Clan's ancestors, strictly observe its rules, cherish my brothers, and work together with one heart..."
He recited the lengthy oath in a clear voice and steady tone, though a barely perceptible trace of oddness flashed deep in his eyes. Inwardly, he muttered, These words really do go on forever. It's just like chanting scriptures in the temple... Still, Xiao Yi has a pretty nice ring to it.
At last, the lengthy oath was finished. The First Elder nodded in satisfaction, rolled up the scroll, and turned to Xiao Zhan. "Clan Head, the ceremony is complete."
Xiao Zhan rose and walked up to Xiao Yi, a rare trace of warmth appearing on his face. "From this day onward, you are my adopted son and a member of the Xiao Clan. The younger members of our clan belong to the 'Yi' generation. Xiao Yi... this name... belongs to you now."
The name seemed to have been decided long ago, yet also felt like a natural conclusion. "From now on, cultivate diligently. Do not squander this opportunity."
Only then was the adoption ceremony truly complete. Xiao Yi officially received the name "Xiao Yi," replacing the mocking appellation "Crazy Ghost" he had borne before. An overseer then stepped forward and handed him a pouch of silver and a jade token representing his status before leading him to his assigned quarters-a small courtyard on the outskirts of the Xiao Clan compound, but a reasonably clean and tidy one.
Night deepened, and the clamor faded. Just when everyone thought the newly adopted son had fallen peacefully asleep, Xiao Yi slipped quietly out of his room. Knowing the way well, he crept to the place where he had hidden his belongings and carefully brought out the Bicycle that had accompanied him through so many "campaigns."
He glanced left and right like a thief. Once he was certain no one was around, he tiptoed back to his courtyard with the Bicycle and his two other "treasures." He casually tossed the two treasures into a corner of the privy, concealed them carefully, then parked the Bicycle beneath the eaves.
The Bicycle is what puts food on my table. I can't afford to lose it... The Xiao Clan's privies are pretty clean, though. Those other two things won't be much use anymore.
Xiao Yi finally lay down on his bed and rolled over, musing inwardly, Wasn't my name chosen a little too casually? They called me Xiao "Yi" just because I'm an adopted son-an "yi" son?
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