Vocabulary

open-minded; receptive; free from preconceived ideas

buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)

morning star; Venus; rarity

rivalry of local warlords; a number of powerful (talented, influential) persons standing by themselves in a given field

older brother and older sister

"awakening of insects" solar term (approx. March 6, the day on which hibernating insects are said to come out of the ground)

light metal

to hit each other; to exchange blows; to fight

gap; opening; room; space

blood relative; close relation; (one's) flesh and blood

pathetic; plaintive

bad road

phase (e.g. wave, electricity, moon)

low spirits; depression; dejection; discouragement; despondency

at the same time; at a time; at one time; simultaneously

wholeheartedly; with heart and soul; intently; with undivided attention; with intense concentration; single-mindedly

sitting; feast; speech

sword; blade

reserved; introverted; reticent; shy; withdrawn

metre (of a poem); meter; rhythm

to flap (wings)

sweltering heat

to deify; to enshrine

to arrive; to come to pass

last night

becoming complicated; becoming involved; being intricate; becoming entangled; becoming jumbled; becoming mixed up

threefold; folded in three

leaflet; flyer; handbill

to be scattered about; to disperse; to be littered (with)

to embezzle; to misappropriate; to peculate

continuously; from beginning to end; from first to last

to re-think; to think back upon; to change one's mind

to re-think; to think back upon; to change one's mind

to point

patron god; tutelar deity; guardian deity; local deity

greatest treasure; most valuable asset; pride (of)

affection (esp. parental); love; fondness

merciful eye (of a Buddha or a bodhisattva watching humanity)

hard (on the ears); offensive (to the ear); rasping; rough; harsh; grating

self-support