Chapter 22: Big Sister's Request

  "Oh no——" The fat dog's mournful cry echoed through the quiet mountain village, and suddenly all the dogs in the village started barking too. The whole village was thrown into chaos, but then the fat dog ran back into the house in a flash, and for a while everything was in an uproar, yet nobody came out to take a look.

  I didn't see why the fat dog would bark like that behind me, but actually it was because Third Sister saw that the fat dog wouldn't budge and felt a bit annoyed in her heart. She picked up her own head and brought it to the front of the fat dog, staring at it with cold eyes, and spat out two words: "Scram!"

  In such a bizarre scene, how Fat Dogzi didn't scare away three souls and seven spirits is not worth mentioning. He didn't even bother with me, he just took off running, leaving only me and Third Sister behind. As for Third Sister's appearance, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't afraid at all in my heart. However, knowing the situation as I did, I didn't feel too much fear. Looking at the person whose head she was holding, I couldn't help but sigh: "Do you think this is fun, Big Sister? Do we have some deep grudge or something? Can you just leave me alone?"

  "Stop being so arrogant, who's bothering you?" Sanmei gave a sideways glance and hummed, putting her head back in its usual position. Only then did she say coldly: "Our business isn't over yet, that account will be settled sooner or later. But today I'm not looking for you, it's my older sister who wants to see you about something. Follow me."

  Big sister looking for me with something? I was stunned for a moment, seeing Third Sister already turning around and leaving, I didn't hesitate much either, just followed her out. I wasn't afraid because I thought the three girls were still pretty good ghosts, especially Big Sister. But what did they want to find me for this time?

  Although I was full of doubts, I still followed Sanmei and left. At this time, no one came out to stop me. Panggouzi had already been frightened out of his wits, and as for Dazhuizi, he just hugged Panggouzi tightly, naturally believing in what Panggouzi said without a doubt. As for the Yang family, my life or death was none of their business, so no one cared.

  The elder sister was not in some secluded place, but on the main road of the village. There was a woman beside her, who couldn't be seen from behind, probably the second sister. At this time, she was standing there looking westward, also didn't know what she was studying.

  When I made a noise, both my elder sisters turned their heads around and I finally got a clear look at the second sister's appearance. Compared to the eldest sister and the third younger sister, the second sister is much more beautiful, absolutely a typical beauty. However, this isn't the time to be thinking about these things. The faces of the two elder sisters didn't have a hint of smile, only thick solemnity. Seeing that I had arrived, the eldest sister nodded: "Calling you over at this time has caused you trouble."

  "What's the matter, just say it directly." I tilted my head and didn't want to get entangled with them too much. In my heart, I was still thinking if it was because of what I did to Sanmei that day, now they've come looking for me, but looking at Dajie again, she doesn't seem like it.

  The elder sister fell silent for a moment, hesitating, when the second sister spoke up in a soft voice: "You may not know this, but my elder sister is the land spirit of San Gu Niang Mountain. Although this place doesn't belong to us, there's no land spirit here, so we have to take care of things that happen here. The other day, your third sister came to bother you, and we've already scolded her for it. However, she didn't come in vain - she sensed the intense resentment in the village, which is a sign that an evil spirit is about to emerge. So, we rushed over yesterday and have now figured out the cause of everything. It's all because of the Yang family at the west end of the village. The old lady was accidentally pushed by her son and fell from the wall into the valley below, where she died. This family has never been filial to their mother, so in her final moments, the old lady's accumulated resentment exploded into a curse, using her resentment to create an evil spirit that will return to haunt them. Although it hasn't fully formed yet, the resentment is too strong, and we spirits don't dare approach carelessly. That's why we've asked for your help."

  So it was, I looked up at Big Sister and just forced a smile: "So Big Sister is the land of San Gu Niang Shan, that..."

  I really don't know what to say, it feels a bit strange, but I immediately changed the subject: "Okay, no problem, I just don't know how to help you."

  Nature wouldn't refuse, anyway I'm going to find Yang Xiufeng, if I can handle Yang Lao TaiTai, nothing will happen, I naturally won't oppose it. When my sisters heard me agree, they finally let out a sigh of relief. However, Sanmei gave me a fierce glare from the side, making me feel suffocated in my heart. Thinking back to that night, my heart felt a bit messy again. Luckily, no one noticed her expression. Dajie bowed to me: "Thank you so much! If not for you, we really wouldn't know how to deal with that old lady. We've already set up a trap outside the village, it's just troublesome for you to lure her over. However, we can't move together with you, it's truly embarrassing. As ghosts like us, no matter how many years of cultivation, we don't dare to be tainted by resentment. If the resentment is too heavy, it will devour our divine consciousness. And you are the only person I know who can fight ghosts, your yang energy is also flourishing, that's why we came to trouble you. You don't have to worry too much, as long as the yin and yang of the human body are balanced, it can eliminate resentment, naturally it won't be affected by resentment, unlike us. Moreover, now that Lao TaiTai's head seven hasn't passed, although she is a fierce ghost, it's not that difficult to deal with. If we can't take care of her now, once she becomes a calamity, it will bring disaster to the surrounding villages, and who knows how many villages will be affected."

  "I get it, big sister. You mean to say that I should lead the old lady into the trap outside the village, but you guys can't take action, so I have to do it myself." Raised an eyebrow, in his heart he said a little scared was fake, but more of it was excitement.

  The elder sister's face turned slightly red, and she just nodded, letting me go through this danger alone. It was a bit unbearable, but there was no other way out. If I hadn't been there, they would have had to take the risk too, which meant I was going in their place. The elder sister sighed: "We won't let your help go unrewarded, we'll return this favor someday."

  I didn't pay attention to this and just nodded: "Is there anything else you want to entrust? If not, I'll go over first and wait."

  "It's all over—" Second sister let out a sigh, just lightly saying, was pondering how to say it, but didn't think I heard that nothing was wrong, and had already forcefully set off with her feet, rushing towards the Yang's house in a flash.

  Let's not mention San Gu Niang for now, I rushed to the Yang family all the way. The main gate of the Yang family was wide open, and all the lights were on. Today is the seventh night of the soul returning, so it's impossible to close the door. However, there was only Yang Xiufeng in the house, but I didn't know where she was. Anyway, the courtyard was quiet.

  As I entered the gate, I saw that the yard was also sprinkled with a layer of lime. All the way to the house, on the edge of the yard, there was a paper-made ladder, which I knew was called the "ladder to heaven", prepared for the relatives who came to pay their respects on the seventh day after death. But would it be used by Old Lady Yang? I didn't linger and flowed from one side along the wall root of the wing room to the door of the house, which was also open. In the center of the outer room, a table was placed with two white candles lit on it, and a table full of good food was set up, including roasted chicken, pig's head, several stir-fried dishes, wine, cigarettes, and Old Lady Yang's favorite melon seeds before her death.

  The TV was also on, playing a soap opera about the entanglements of a wealthy family. I remembered that Old Lady Yang loved watching TV dramas, but she didn't have one herself, so she would often go to her neighbor's house to watch. Even until her death, she hadn't seen the ending. However, I noticed two VCD players under the TV, probably playing discs. Otherwise, who knows when Old Lady Yang would come back? It was likely that the show would be over by then.

  I walked in, and the floor was also sprinkled with lime. In the corner of the room, there were several pots of flowers that the old lady had raised before she passed away. The old lady would often fiddle with these few pots of flowers when she had nothing to do. Behind the table, the rocking chair where the old lady used to sit was still placed, and on the rocking chair lay the shoe soles that the old lady had not finished sewing before she died. In the whole room, all the things from before were cleared out, now everything white is related to the old lady.

  "Xiao Feng, are you there?" I didn't dare to shout loudly, but instead called out softly while walking towards the house.

  It seemed to have heard my shout, a sound came from the house, it must be Xiaofeng, I quickly walked inside, seeing the door curtain being lifted, I didn't think much, just stretched out my hands and hugged that person: "Xiaofeng, don't be afraid, I'm here to accompany you."

  It wasn't until the words fell that I realized something was wrong, because I saw Xiaofeng still behind me, so who was I hugging? I was stunned for a moment, and instinctively hurried to let go. Only then did I realize it was Second Master. I couldn't help but be stunned again, fortunate that I hadn't recklessly gone to kiss Yang Xiufeng earlier. Luckily I hadn't done that, or the joke would have been huge.

  Looking at the second master's face that was about to go crazy, I didn't wait for him to get angry and said: "Master, don't scold me first, it wasn't me who came secretly, someone invited me. Do you know the legend of San Gu Niang? It's all true, San Gu Niang has become a land god now, they're the ones who asked me to come and help."

  "Help you? You little rabbit - " Second Master obviously didn't believe me at all, he had heard the legend of Third Sister, but when it came to land matters, he didn't know anything, and thought I was just talking nonsense. In a fit of rage, he slapped my face: "Get out now, even if I die, I won't let you stay."

  Rubbing the place where I was hit, this is still the second master's first time really hitting me. However, I didn't feel resentful because this was the second master's worry about me that caused his anxiety. It's precisely because he cares too much about me that he would hit me. But this taste of love isn't pleasant to receive. Seeing the second master get excited, his old face started turning red. I hurriedly supported one of his arms, but my face was firm: "Master, you've watched me grow up since I was a child. You can say I'm too naughty or that I don't understand things, but this time I'm telling you seriously, I didn't deceive you. What I said is all true. It's really the third daughter who called me over. The matter is even more severe than you think."