《鬼水瓶录》 - 陈坤 / “Demon Aquarius Chronicles” by Chen Kun - English Translations
As there’s a new cohort of Chen Kun fans here, particularly non-Chinese fans due to the popularity of Rise of the Phoenixes, I wanted to raise his profile not only as a talented actor, but also a superb writer.
There’s no English sources on his second book, “Demon Aquarius Chronicles” (or “Strange Aquarius”), a collection of micro folk tales on the theme of Chinese mythology, but rooted in humanly concepts. All very bizarre and thought provoking, a figment of the author’s imagination. So I thought I’d pick 5 of my favourite stories and translate them here. If people here like them I’ll considered translating more!
On Penglai Mountain (t/n legendary land of Chinese mythology) there lived two fox spirits.
One wanted to become an immortal,
The other simply desired to taste love.
The former cultivated for three thousand years and finally succeeded.
When she reached the realm of heaven, she found that the other fox was waiting for her,
And already waited for two thousand years.
In ancient times, there was no separation between virtue and evil.
The heaven and earth were muddled, yin and yang were as one.
Gods, demons, faeries and humans lived together as one race.
They loved and cared for each other, living long and prosperous.
One day, from the ground sprouted worry-free plants (t/n orange daylilies).
From then on, humans possessed shadows.
Ever since they had shadows and worry-free plants,
Their seven senses suddenly came to light, dividing the four races.
This is known as: the world!
Flowers in the looking glass and moon reflected on water (t/n Chinese idiom used to describe an illusion or fantasy).
He separated from his body,
Poured a cup of fragrant tea,
And roused him from his slumber,
To share this tea with him.
The one who woke was reticent and silent,
He unsheathed a long sword from his chest,
Smiling at the one who woke
Inviting him to admire those extraordinary fantasies between the cracks!
The demon king came to visit his retreated disciples,
Using his supernatural powers to observe their inner minds.
In order to better instruct them on cultivation,
He said to his disciples with a gentle voice:
“You must build a fortress in your inner mind,
With many rooms and alleyways,
Every time someone passes by those alleyways by chance,
You must use the prestige of morality to coax them into these rooms,
Collect their resistance and resentment and offer them to the master of the fortress,
Otherwise known as yourself!”
A weak maiden was abducted by a mountain elf.
Who wanted to force her into marriage.
The weak maiden would not comply so angered the elf.
He used his powers to take away her ability to move.
But she still did not comply.
The elf then sealed her senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch.
The weak maiden lost all her six senses but still remained indifferent with a calm demeanour.
“How fortunate that my disposition is not affected.
You can seal my six senses,
But I’m the only one who can seal my own disposition.
It’s easy to gain my body, but not my heart.”
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