Ping

**Ping** is a partial genderbend of Disney's Mulan.

Ping chooses to disguise himself as a woman in the hopes of getting married off to a wealthy, clueless man in order to save his poverty-stricken family; or more specifically, his sick mother in need of surgery.

Meanwhile, the Huns are invading China and the army is failing at keeping them in check. Ping sees his chance to defeat them when he and his friends get kidnapped.

The remake was conceived somewhere between 2017-2019, but first publicized on February 6, 2020, in the form of an answered question at Tumblr.

Artwork was first uploaded at Deviantart on October 26, 2020.

## Story

> Ping is a lazy, but kind-hearted teenager from a poor household that struggles every day to get by, also thanks to his mother's bodily ailments that require medical attention, which their budget can only numb with pain reducers.
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> Right when he gets recruited for the army, it becomes life-threatening and his mother sees no other way than to get a job and collect the money for her needed surgery herself -for as long she can still move- and release her stressed husband from the financial burden that is her.
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> Ping's father is displeased by her decision, but can't deny he's failed to provide for his family. Ping is more vocal and thinks it to be unwise to go around the neighbourhood to beg and play everyone's maid-servant. He argues it not to be worth it if she won't be looked at the same way again and questions her stamina.
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> His mother insists there're no alternatives and each one of them will eventually die of illness and starvation if she doesn't make herself useful. Ping offers to work multiple jobs, but his parents say his duty is to fight the Huns as their only son.
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> He speaks of neglecting his duty, angering his mother. Not wanting to be the reason he dishonours himself, she tells her lax child they all have to make sacrifices and it's time he knew his place. Not knowing what retort to give, he flees from the dinner table.
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> The following morning, he starts his day by oversleeping and his grandfather gifts him a "lucky cricket" before heading off to the army. While most of the recruits there are first-timers, they're noticeably better prepared, while Ping is called out for his bad manners and soft, skinny physique. He tries his best to take the criticism and focus on the exercises, but with his mind with his mother, can't focus very well.
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> His clumsiness in combination with his escaped cricket leaves his captain harmed and humiliated in front of the men. Ping is unceremoniously discharged and ordered to go home.
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> He is saddened to have made a fool out of himself and his family's name, and doesn't dare to face his parents. In the deep of the night, he decides to sulk under The Great Dragon statue in the garden, then sees the silhouettes of his parents though a window. His father appears heartbroken and walks out of frame, whereafter his mother takes off a multilayered costume Ping doesn't recognise and is seen washing her face of make-up. She struggles to keep herself conscious because of the pain. Ping's anger grows watching her go through it all, but, so does his determination to take action.
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> Remembering his captain's insults about his appearance, he decides to disguise himself as a woman and attend the most well-known matchmakers station in the area. It promotes "worthy" girls to high society men and Ping hopes to meet a wealthy bachelor to fund his parents' living, while trying to keep his true gender a mystery for as long as possible.
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> When his parents have gone to bed, he prays to his ancestors for protection in their garden shrine, then takes the clothes and make-up his mother purchased for himself; ensuring she won't be able to buy more and dress up like this again. He rides off on his horse.
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> The noise wakes up his grandfather, who goes to notify his parents. Ping's mother finds his army scroll where her box of make-up used to be, however, the family is unable to put the pieces together on what his plan is. Nevertheless, his mother feels shame for her son having seen her.
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> The Fa ancestor spirits awaken and lament Ping's odd decision, but conclude the family has reached their limit and need help. They call upon the dragon, Mushurou, to send their best guardian to follow and protect Ping, but Mushurou accidentally destroys the statue supposedly housing it.
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> The cricket that was given to Ping then shows up and agrees to guide her to where he went, so she can play his guardian instead.
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> Ping arrives at the matchmaker's establishment and dresses himself up in some bushes before heading over. His crazy plan starts to spawn doubt within him the more layers he applies to his face, but at that moment, Mushurou arrives to introduce herself and talk courage into him. They head over and she gives some basic advice on how to appear female, but soon causes an argument to start between Ping and some of the other girls in the waiting room. They are mean, quick-witted, and braggy, and he has no idea what any of their accomplishments entail, as he can't relate. They begin to argue amongst each other on who is the best and most talented wife material, until they're throwing around slaps and pulling hair.
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> Their teacher, lady Shuang, then shows up and commands silence. The unruly girls obey and follow her outside for a mystery assignment.
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> They're brought to a chasm where a long pole is placed from one side to the other, and Shuang shows them an impossibly small pair of shoes. She describes one to symbolize honour, the other dignity, and explains both need to be worn while balancing safely to the other side.
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> The assignment raises questions, but Shuang insists the shoes need to be worn with a straight back and a fearless demeanour, as they are a loved item amongst the elites. The girls try their best to reach the other side, but keep nearly falling to their death.
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> Regardless of their failure, Shuang notices this batch of girls to be especially clumsy, crude, and unappealing. Since the owner of her organization, her mother, informed her there to be a large waiting list of noblemen bachelors, she feels she can't send them away and has to prove her expertise by raising them properly.
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> Again, Ping is worst of his class and tests her patience after many unfruitful weeks. On the night he's asked to leave, he comes up with a plan to alter the unconquered lotus shoes. He adds laces to secure them around his ankles, and a thick layer inside to raise his heels and make the shoes "fit" around his toes. As his kimono is long enough to cover up his makeshift project, Shuang accepts his victory and the other girls celebrate his cleverness. With his newfound motivation and made friends, he finally begins to get the hang of things.
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> Still, with his friends being clueless women, many situations he finds himself in aren't the best. They casually join him during a bathing session and their talk about their ideal future husband is something he can't add much to. Mushurou saves him out of crucial moments.
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> When the Winter season arrives and snow starts to fall, Ping's friends insist they should go out and take a break. Since Mushurou also argues for it, he agrees, and soon all girls drop their work and head out to mess around in the snow.
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> Mushurou is happy to see Ping this relaxed after so long, and wants to set up a little party atmosphere for everyone. While trying to stay out of sight, she and the cricket take the expensive carpets from indoors and create little seats and a few campfires. The girls respond positively to the unexplained change of scenery. Mushurou thinks it to need a little more, and steals some fireworks from a nearby store to give them a little show with. Ping is confused by it all, and some easy detective work leads him to Mushurou firing off the rockets.
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> The noises outside catch Shuang's attention and she shows up angry at their childish tomfoolery. Ping is given the blame when spotted near a recently lit piece of fireworks. As she seems unusually loud and irritated, the girls hastily scurry inside. Shuang picks up on her own overreaction and tries to calm herself down. Ping comes over to ask if she's alright.
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> She tells him she's just been informed that her mother and the women she was delivering to an upper class city have fallen victim under a mass incineration caused by the Huns. Ping asks if they should leave the area, but she assures him this city is near the border and China can still stop them, while trying to keep herself composed over her mother's death. He wants to console her, but she prefers to continue their lessons for the day.
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> Everyone is ordered to wash up and get back to studying, while she stays outside to clean up the mess.
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> Not long afterwards, the Huns barge in, holding Shuang in their grip. The girls have little time to act shocked and are ordered to step into a cart waiting outside, insinuating they wish to keep them as goods. With no way to defend themselves, they obey.
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> Outside, they see the infamous Shan Yu standing, watching the women get loaded in like cattle, while the rest of his men slaughter and burn down town. When Ping catches his eye, he calls dibs and wants him tied onto his horse instead. Mushorou and the cricket try to follow them, but lose them out of sight during a storm.
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> After some time, they unload at a Hunnic camp, but the women are given little freedom and only stale, minimal amounts of food. Ping receives better treatment and is taken to Shan Yu's tent to enjoy some roasted pork. The tent is surrounded by cautious bodyguards and he can only try to look around for weapons to claim, but wasn't even given chopsticks. After what feels like forever, Shan Yu himself appears.
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> He gifts him beautiful kimonos, likely stolen during a bloody raid, and places down the equipment needed to make tea. Ping understands what is expected of him and plays along.
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> Shan Yu watches him intensely, worrying Ping he might be coming to the conclusion he's a boy, but instead, receives a compliment about his beauty. He says nothing. Shan Yu continues that his quarters might not be a proper stay for a woman like him, but states he's better off being his wife, whereafter he reveals his psychotic plan of slaughtering all of China; a scenario where Ping would've been killed if he had already married a nobleman. Ping can only give a half-baked smile, then returns his gaze to the floor.
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> His silence is not what Shan Yu wants and he expresses wanting to hear his voice and know more about him. Ping argues women should be silent, but he says that rule not to exist here and commands him to answer.
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> Ping introduces himself as "Mulan", a name the large man recognizes from the Chinese song about a disguised female hero who defeated China's enemies. The irony of it is picked up on.
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> Ping grows nauseous with anxiety the longer they interact. When he's about to refill Shan Yu's beaker, he gets pointed to the fact its still full and his own cup empty. He sheepishly grins with trembling hands, while his otherworldly enemy stares him down with a confident grin.
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> Not knowing how else to act in front of a threat he has no defense against, he tries his best to remember Shuang's training and not raise suspicion of being an ill-intended crossdresser. His nervousness makes his familiar clumsiness show, though appears to entertain Shan Yu, who starts to approach.
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> Thinking he wants to kiss, Ping swiftly pulls his fan from his sleeve and blocks his face. He excuses himself by saying a woman is not allowed to engage with a stranger like that, and her matchmaker has not yet taught her "this". Shan Yu says he can practise with him, but right then, gets summoned outside by his men.
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> At the exit, he asks Ping to change clothes and have his make-up washed off before his return, as he has no interest for the traditional look. He agrees and uses the chance to beg him to let him see her friends, which he allows after some nerve-wracking silence.
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> Two bodyguards guide him through the freezing air to the large cart where the girls are still being held. Ping asks them if they're alright, a question they think is more proper to ask him. He climbs inside to give them more privacy to talk, which the surrounding Huns allow, and speaks of conducting a plan to take them out. They don't understand why he's bothering and would rather wait for the Chinese army to come save them, but Ping doesn't think the army is doing so well.
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> His friends ask if running away doesn't make more sense, but he believes they won't be able to get far. He suggests they start collecting whatever they can use as a weapon for self-defense, while he uses Shan Yu's interest in him to learn more about their camp's set-up.
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> The plan sounds like madness to everyone, but they decide to trust his capabilities and wait for the next cue.
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> Back in the tent, Shan Yu isn't showing and Ping can only think of going to sleep. Refusing to use the one bed available, he lies himself in a cold corner and uses one of the gifted kimonos as a blanket. Shan Yu appears late at night and comments on the odd choice for a rest, but Ping repeats it's not proper for strangers to mingle, thus can't take his bed.
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> In the light of the lantern and with his make-up off, Shan Yu comes closer to take a better look at his face. Every one of his pores is seemingly being judged and Ping's panic grows with every second, but like last time, no suspicion is raised and Shan Yu believes to have scored a gorgeous woman. The bulky Hun then tells him not to care for Chinese etiquette and wants him to come to bed.
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> Ping feels to be running out of excuses, so can only think of putting on a laughably bashful performance, even going as far as to pinch his own cheeks as to fake blush. It gets received surprisingly well and Shan Yu puts on a gentlemanly act as he offers his huge bed for him to claim, whereafter he departs.
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> Knowing he won't be able to save anyone if he gets sick, he lies himself down under the warm sheets, though with one eye open.
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> The following days, he fakes interest in Shan Yu and earns himself more privileges every time. He gets to inspect the camp and its location, and a large snowy mountain nearby gives him an idea on how to take out his enemies.
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> The infatuated Shan Yu answers to his inoffensive gift requests, and unknowingly brings him the ingredients needed to make a fireworks cannon with. As gunpowder is the only ingredient Ping can't ask for, he asks his friends to do whatever they can to get near the Hun's raid stash and find some there.
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> More stressful days pass, but his friends manage to ensnare two men, who give them a tour of the camp. Ping's friends keep their eyes open for what could be gunpowder and almost begin to lose hope, until they see familiar Chinese barrels. They take on an oblivious act and compliment the craftsmanship, to which the men confirm it to be Chinese gunpowder kegs. The girls go over to touch the wood, while dropping some gunpowder in their chest every time the men look away.
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> When Ping is allowed to visit again, they hand it over to stuff in his own clothes.
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> One night, Shan Yu suddenly asks him for more personal details. Ping thinks he's become suspicious and wants to find him out, so gives an obedient smile and says that none of that matters as his future wife.
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> Shan Yu clarifies his army will reach his family and friends soon, if they haven't already, and wishes to spare them as an act of care. Ping answers all of China to be his family and friends; a plea of mercy that's taken as a clever joke.
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> Shan Yu responds by speaking ill of the Chinese, and criticizes their racial superiority complex and "rotten" customs and laws. He insists that taking over the country and replacing its residents is for the best. Ping is baffled by his belief to be the hero of the story, but as he worries for his family, can't resist describing his village and asks if he's been there yet. Shan Yu says not to have conquered that area and promises to turn a blind eye to his home town. Ping isn't sure if he's being honest, but the info on what areas are still safe is valuable and he shows his gratitude. Shan Yu asks if there's a reward for this gratitude and appears set on staying for the night, to Ping's dismay.
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> The idea of the Huns getting close to his home at all is undesirable and he wants to assemble his explosive before they move out. Needing to get rid of Shan Yu first, he asks him for another favour, but is told there's no time to find him more presents. Ping takes a mental breath, then strenuously pulls the giant towards him for a kiss and asks again. As hoped, he cares to listen.
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> Ping describes a lucky cricket he used to have, but lost since he arrived at the camp, and claims wanting to give it to him for his trip tomorrow. Shan Yu calls it an impossible task in this landscape and weather, but promises to have a quick look outside.
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> In case he wants to kiss again, Ping hastily heads over to a huge mirror that was gifted to him prior and pretends to fix his hair. He gives his foolish admirer a lazy smile as he leaves.
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> When alone, he begins to silently break apart pieces from his presents and puts together his rocket. While there are still bodyguards around, they now trust him and obediently leave their post to fulfill his requests of helping to make so-called romantic preparations for Shan Yu's return.
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> With his rocket hidden under another kimono, he sneaks through the dark and abandoned parts of the camp and places down the covered-up weapon where no casual visitors will find it. He then heads over to his friends, gives them a heads-up, and turns around again. With sharp objects in hand, they prepare themselves to stab their way to the horses when the rocket goes off.
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> Ping tries his best to light a match, but the cold air isn't helping. Mushurou shows up to warn him about something, but then, Shan Yu is already standing in front of them. He asks what he's doing with that rocket and Mushurou urges Ping to point it at him. After a stare-down, Ping squeezes a flame out of the shouting Mushurou and aims for the mountain anyway. Shan Yu watches the fiery cannonball fly through the air with confusion, until it hits the mountain top and he understands what the intention was. He draws his sword and hits Ping's stomach, who manages to get away when people and horses start running around in a panic.
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> Ping's own horse picks him up and they ride off, following the other girls.
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> The avalanche quickly catches up and Shuang gets dragged down in the moving snow. Ping turns around to save her, and after some trouble keeping their footing, they all manage to come out of it alive. With the camp wiped clean, everyone cheers for Ping's madness. Shuang thanks him personally for turning around for her, whereafter he collapses from blood loss.
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> The girls run over and quickly rip off pieces from their clothes to use as bandages, but upon undressing him, come to learn the truth. There's hesitation and some of the girls wonder if he's a pervert who just wanted to peep on them, but Shuang says they can't afford to sit around and guess his intentions, as he needs to be taken care of first.
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> When Ping awakens, he realizes he's been found out and goes on to explain himself, but Shuang doesn't care for his weird reasoning and says his time as her student is over. She thanks him again for saving everyone's life, whereafter she takes her remaining students to the imperial city to report Shan Yu's death. Ping is abandoned, with only his horse, cricket, and guardian Mushurou staying behind.
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> He complains to himself about his stupid plan that left him with no money, and how he's continuously embarrassed himself in public. Mushurou reassures him she's a bigger failure and compliments his willingness to take creative risks.
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> Suddenly, they hear a shout and discover a handful of Huns have survived and are heading for the palace, Shan Yu being one of them. Ping quickly rides off to warn the emperor.
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> When he arrives, he meets up with his old friends, who're being kept from speaking to the emperor. They say they've been told their dirty, ripped attire not to be up to scratch and the guards are skeptical of the good news they're bringing. Ping tells them there's no good news and some of the Huns are coming over. The girls rapidly knock the gates and try to let the guards know, but their changed demeanour only helps convince them it's an improper prank.
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> Ping suggests stealing a few uniforms and make the report dressed up as soldiers. With him doing the word, they're believed and let in. Right at that moment, they hear noises coming from inside and further entrance to the emperor is barred by the Huns.
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> Ping and the girls manage to get higher up, but their only means of getting to the next room is over some rubble with a thin pole leading the way. Ping is joined by Shuang and his friends as they gracefully balance to the other side on their toes.
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> From above, they see five Huns guarding the room where the emperor and Shan Yu are heard talking. Shuang says there's no time to deal with them and goes off to find another way in, but Ping's friends recognize two of them as the ones they charmed back at the camp. With no hesitation, one decides to call for them from the other side of the room -the familiarity of her voice getting them to sheath their weapons- while the other two throw their full weight onto them with swords out.
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> Shuang managed to get inside before them, though, and they haste themselves to her while she's getting flung around by the angered Shan Yu. The girls clumsily swing their heavy swords at him, allowing Shuang to escape the abuse, whereafter Ping instructs his largest friend to carry the tall emperor away to safety. After pushing back Shan Yu far enough, the others follow, but the exhausted Shuang is again grabbed by the angered powerhouse and Ping can't get himself to leave her behind again.
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> He calls his attention and removes his helmet, revealing to be the woman who took out his army. Shan Yu charges at him, destroying the palace as he tries to land a hit on the deceiver.
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> Ping then notices a tower nearby with stored fireworks for an upcoming celebration, and asks Mushurou to head over and grab a piece. He climbs onto the roof and Shan Yu follows. When he stabs his sword at him, Ping disarms him by flipping his blade around with a simple fan still sitting in his sleeve. The sword is used to pin Shan Yu in place and Mushurou fires a rocket at him. The rescued emperor witnesses the Hunnic leader flying into the tower with a great blast.
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> He thanks and congratulates the soldiers, who proceed to take off their helmets and reveal to all be women, with exception of the young Ping. The emperor is baffled, yet pleasantly surprised, but one of his court ladies then shows up to tell on Ping. She reminds the emperor of her given task to list potential concubines for his sons at Shuang's school, and says the young, perverted boy pretended to be a woman there. Ping assures everyone it was to help his family and couldn't think of another way to obtain large amounts of money.
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> The emperor asks Shuang if she knew about this, and she says to have learned today, but insists only his bravery to be relevant. He decides to agree. The girls are given an honorary title and are recognized as China's heroes, while their leader Ping is offered a position in the palace, which he gladly accepts.
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> Ping returns home and finds his mother sitting in the garden. He kneels down, presenting her the enemy's sword and the royal crest gifted by the emperor. He adds to have accepted a well-paid job and that their suffering is over. His mother responds with relief seeing him back and gives him an embrace, while his father and grandfather reveal to had been informed of his army discharge and were worried about what happened to him. Ping promises to tell them another time, but a visiting Shuang decides to do it for him.
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> She claims to have come to bring back "his clothes"; a kimono his mother recognizes all too well. Ping says it's no longer needed, as he'll buy his mother a better one after her surgery. Shuang greets the old woman with a graceful bow, but seemingly wants to keep speaking with Ping. As she's having trouble keeping the conversation going, he invites her to stay and try one of his family's "creative dinners", a term invoking her curiosity.
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> Mushurou celebrates her own victory in the shrine and is granted the role of official guardian.
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## Characters

### Ping

The male Mulan.

He's a boy from a poor family, recently turned 16, who makes a difficult choice for the sake of his dying mother.

Though somewhat lazy and careless, he's creative and quick to think of solutions to make his given work easier. He always does his chores with a smile and cares about pleasing his parents above anything else.

Throughout the story, he feels shame for not having done better at the army, but his frustration motivates him to work harder towards his current goals and is also put to use when given the chance to kill the leader of the Huns.

He convinces the other women at etiquette school to fight alongside him and no actual Chinese army men aid them during their quest.

He has a crush on his teacher, Shuang, but starts out socially awkward around the noblewoman, as he doesn't know how to present himself while dressed as the same gender. Shuang appears fairly tolerant to his antics, which allowed for them to bond. She's closer with him than with any of the other students.

Ping's face is identical to Mulan's, and he has half-long hair and a slender body that needs little adjustments in order to pass for a girl's. Malnourishment made him a late bloomer and look younger than most his age, though it's his delayed development that helped him convincingly play the role of a young woman.

### Mushurou

The female Mushu.

Mushurou (*pronounced: "Moo-shoe-ro"*) is the wisecracking, self-proclaimed guardian of Ping after she failed to awaken the dragon that was supposed to take on the role. She felt it was her chance to impress the critical ancestor spirits she works for, especially after she failed to protect a Fa woman who wanted to fight in the Chinese army. Her lingering decapitated spirit is a reminder of Mushurou's incompetence.

As Ping's sidekick, she caused more trouble than she fixed and was the reason the Huns visited the mountain city, catching Ping and the girls off-guard. Still, she stuck by his side during the most crucial moments and Mushurou received no blame from Ping -a reflection of their friendship and appreciation for each other.

She also befriended the discarded "lucky cricket" that was given to Ping by his comically superstitious grandfather, who lead her to his whereabouts in the first place.

Mushurou is small, has a pointed muzzle, red scales, a yellow stomach, blue horns, long ears, messy blonde hair, blonde eyelashes, and blonde tufts on her elbows, back legs, and tip of her tail.

### Shuang

The female Captain Shang.

She works at her mother's famous etiquette school and has been tasked to educate young women into becoming the perfect wife, specifically for noblemen and royalty. Her position is similar to that of the matchmaker from the original movie.

When her mother and the women she was transporting are reported dead, Shuang grieves her loss away from everyone, but remains focussed on the job and stays optimistic the Huns will be stopped.

Shuang is an efficient teacher, but stern and not very approachable, though tolerates Ping the most. She's closer with him than with any of the other students.

She is tall, curvy, has long black hair, and angular facial features.

### Shan Yu

Shan Yu is the leader of the enemy Huns and one of the few characters who didn't receive a gender change.

Ping was supposed to fight him as an army soldier, but sees his chance to do so when the two meet up face to face and Shan Yu keeps him as his wife. He's shown to be fond of his beauty, "innocence", and "humor", which Ping uses to his advantage during his imprisonment.

When he learns "Mulan" tricked him and killed the majority of his once great army, his love turns into rage, which only grows when he meets his ex-love interest again and reintroduces himself as a boy.

His hostility towards China is claimed to be because of his disdain for their culture, under which he and his people have suffered, though he never gave Ping examples or cared to consider other solutions besides total genocide.

### Ping's friends

Ping's friends consists out of three women; **Ya**, the female Yao, **Liling**, the female Ling, and **Changpu**, the female Chien Po.

They were one of Shuang's more challenging students, yet picked up the pace sooner than Ping and were not discarded by their teacher. They had a rocky start with Ping, and Ya and Liling especially loved to sabotage his efforts, but after traversing the pole on the impossible lotus shoes, he earned their respect.

**Ya** is short, stout, confident, though not especially pretty and has a short fuse. She dreams of marrying a man who'll worship her beauty and talents, but as she's noticeably not a young girl anymore, her presence at etiquette school is either an act of self-awareness or forced upon her by extremely worried family members. This is something she never cared to talk about.

**Liling** is cheerful, mischievous, and lanky. She dreams of marrying someone handsome and doesn't seem to care for much else, though is confident she'll impress any man she meets. She and Ya are pretty similar in that sense, though Ya ridicules Liling over it, while ignoring her own flaws.

**Changpu'**s love for food turned her overweight, but she has a collected demeanour and is the most easy to interact with. She dreams of marrying a man who'll let her cook huge meals for him and doesn't care about what he looks like, though admits wanting to eat most of it herself.

The way all three girls dress is identical to the concubine outfits the original characters wore in the last act of the movie.

### Ping's family

Ping's family consist out of his parents, **Zhong** and **Liu**, the genderbent Zhou and Li, and his nameless grandfather, the male grandmother of Mulan.

**Zhong** has an unexplored defect in her leg and is extremely ill all of the time. She's soft-spoken, but a very proud woman at the same time. In her youth, she was beautiful and wanted wife material and many towns still remember her name, making the life she ended up living feel very unlucky.

The desperation of her family situation urged her to consider becoming a servant for hire, and she invested money in items to doll herself up with for the job; implying she was mainly going to approach male residents, to her husband's dismay. Ping realized this also, which was the last straw for him.

**Liu** is a hard-working man who struggles with his inability to care for his wife. He feels to have done her wrong, knowing she used to have high-calibre pursuers at her doorstep she would've been better off with. Nevertheless, she and her father never blamed him for anything and the two have a loving marriage.

**Ping's grandfather** is much like the original and is the father of Zhong. He is optimistic, tolerant, and upbeat, despite the impoverished life he's sharing with his small family. While he criticises the practise of praying to their dead ancestors and doesn't believe it to have any use, he was superstitious enough to give a live cricket to his grandson for luck, which only ended up causing him to get thrown out of the army when it escaped and wreaked unintentional havoc.

Still, he prayed when discovering Ping had returned home and found his mother's clothes; wishing to reunite the once close family that was drifting apart.