Chapter Seventeen: Secret Agreement in Private

  On the second day, Zhao Zai and Liu Pang hurried over, followed by an old Taoist priest. His whole body was dressed in a worn-out black robe, and the Taoist hat on his head was also crumpled. He too looked hasty and solemn, with a guiding banner in his left hand and an old compass in his right hand, his eyes rolled back, looking like a dead branch.

  Look at this guy, he really does look like that. Old Qian couldn't help but almost burst out laughing, I quickly used my eyes to stop him. Under my gaze, Old Qian immediately returned to normal.

  I bowed deeply and said: "Elder Dao, you've worked hard!"

  "Whether it's hard or not, I've walked the world of the living to its end. Whether it's busy or not, there will be retribution in the underworld. Don't panic, don't panic, watch me deploy my troops." The Taoist priest was thin and gaunt, but his voice was loud and pleasant to hear. Damn it, I thought, this really is like a play, coming on stage with a few opening lines of poetry.

  Lao Qian also said with a bow: "The Taoist priest has opened up a path for us, we are grateful."

  "Prepare your magical instruments, we'll leave after breakfast."

  Oh, damn it, this dish is either human or ghostly, let's eat breakfast first and talk about it later.

  Zhang Mei had already been preparing, and when we were making a ruckus outside, she came out to take a look. Faintly, it seemed like her nose twitched slightly. And with Zhang Mei's turn into the kitchen, it was as if she had hooked away the old Daoist's eyes. Zhang Mei's plump buttocks, that curved line that rose up, and those protruding twin peaks... heavens! I clearly saw this old Daoist swallow a mouthful of saliva with great effort.

  "What should we prepare for the trip?" I asked loudly.

  This finally brought back the soul of Dao Chang. Dao Chang wiped his mouth with his hand and said, "Nothing else, very simple, a big red rooster, three dou of new millet, and some hell money will do." I nodded my head, looking at Liu Pang, whose face was full of pain at this time. This thing was cutting his flesh again. But I understood in my heart that when I was young in the countryside, it was all about these things. It is said that the blood of a rooster can curse ghosts and millet can help the deceased enter the afterlife. What I didn't understand was that after finishing the ritual, Dao Chang would take everything away. Now I finally understood that besides labor costs, he also had to make some extra money on the side.

  The guy who ate more than us at breakfast, Old Qian whispered that he might be a hungry ghost reborn, I stopped Old Qian from talking nonsense, this guy and I have been through a Netherworld together and are also quite familiar with each other.

  After breakfast, Liu Pang prepared the goods required by Lao Dao with a gloomy face and said to me: "Director Li, it cost me 300 big bucks, plus labor costs, I'm losing money."

  I glanced over and said it's just right for losing weight. Zhao was laughing inexplicably beside me.

  When they arrived at the stone coffin, the workers had already come. As they approached, they still felt a chill run down their spines, and Old Qian shrunk his neck, his face no longer having its previous calmness.

  The old man first walked around the stone coffin in a circle, saw two patterns in the south and north, I carefully observed that he also frowned, it seems that this guy is not purely mixed rice, and also found out that there are some ulterior motives.

  A square table is placed in front of the coffin, locally known as the Eight Immortals Table. A rooster with its legs tied is placed beside the table, and grains are placed under the table. Three candles are lit on the table, called the Three Bright Roads. Hell money is stacked in front of the candles, and a wooden tablet is pressed on top of the hell money.

  The old Taoist drew a circle in the air with his sword, and the banner fluttered with a rustling sound.

  "In the world of light, there are matters that bring darkness; in the realm of darkness, emotions remain in the light. The Supreme True Lord is on my side, and the fierce ghosts listen clearly. One path leads to the Great Yang Road, where the flowers bloom with different emotions. Another path leads to the Great Empty Road, where worries are dispelled and one ascends to the blue clouds. Yet another path leads to the Shedding Spirit Water, where the rippling clear waves wash away the heart's dust. All three paths are the Dao of the Immortals; why must it be difficult for all living spirits? I now humbly request the Square Command, and send you all to tread on the Clouds of the Immortals. Hurry, hurry, as if by order!" With a loud crack, the wooden hall responded, the old Daoist's banner fluttered wildly, the compass needle danced vigorously, and underfoot, lotus flowers began to bloom. The entire person suddenly became incredibly agile, with curved legs and waist, and continuous "heh heh" sounds coming from the mouth.

  That's what happened. I've been watching with a cold eye all along.

  Suddenly, the copper bell in his arms moved slightly. Oh no, something bad is going to happen again! How can this be? Didn't we agree on it last night? Dammit, even the underworld doesn't keep its promises?!

  He suddenly looked up and felt a chill, the trees around him swaying in the wind. The crowd of workers watching the commotion also felt a sudden coldness, thinking it was eerie and abnormal.

  The old man's eyes suddenly lit up, and he seemed to be panting slightly. It seems that this guy is still a bit knowledgeable, I'm afraid he has invited some unclean thing.

  A loud "Ah" sound exploded, and the old Daoist bent down to take out a live rooster. To everyone's surprise, he used his hand to pull it apart, beheading it with a burst of blood. The old Daoist's eyes had already turned red. Holding the rooster upside down, he drew circles in the air, causing the surrounding workers to quickly scatter. However, the chicken blood that soaked into the ground suddenly turned black and emitted black smoke. The scene was so shocking that everyone was in an uproar, exclaiming "Oh no!" amidst the chaos. But I distinctly heard a faint whispering sound amidst the commotion, thinking to myself, "This is not good, something's going to happen." The copper bell was still slightly swaying. I focused my attention, knowing this was not the time to be careless. I quickly moved closer to Old Qian and tightly grasped his hand, making sure he wouldn't get into trouble. I whispered in his ear, "Something strange is happening, don't leave me." Old Qian's entire body trembled violently as he stuck close to me, his eyes fixed intently on the old Daoist along with mine.

  Suddenly the wind picked up and sand flew everywhere, everyone was in a panic. I shouted loudly, "Don't worry, there's a Taoist priest here!" At this moment, such direct words were most effective for the villagers. Everyone huddled together in small groups, slightly calming down.

  But Dao Chang's eyes bulged out, a headless rooster was placed under the table, and his hands held a banner that danced wildly, the wooden clappers slapping loudly.

  The old Taoist suddenly bent down and grabbed a handful of wheat from under the table, shoving it into his mouth in big mouthfuls, but then spat it out again, forming a solitary line. His expression and appearance were like those of a madman or a demon, shocking everyone who saw him. I knew that this must be a hungry ghost begging for food, and the old Taoist had no choice but to try and save him with his life. This old Taoist seemed to understand some principles after all, not entirely a charlatan. My heart tightened, and unlike before, I didn't think he was just pretending to fool people.

  The surroundings were even more gloomy and desolate, with sand and stones swirling in the air. A louder wailing sound echoed in my ears.

  The Taoist priest's breathing was as heavy as a cow's, his body like a withered branch, and in the shade of the wind, it seemed as if he would be blown away at any moment. His eye sockets were cracked, and threads of bright red seeped out, his hands holding a compass to protect his face, the banner being blown by the wind into a straight line, but still being wielded with great force by the Taoist priest.

  "You ruined my plans before, and last night you secretly crossed the Naihe Bridge. You are heartless, don't blame me for being ruthless. Now I'm not afraid of you. If you ruin my plans again, all living things in this land will die with me!" The eerie voice echoed in my ears, startling me to look up. In front of me was still the same miserable scene, it seemed that it was specifically said to me, and it was actually Fengchen's voice.

  "You obstruct the yin and cut off the yang, blocking the path of those who have passed on, causing their descendants to be uneasy. What kind of heart do you have? You use a knife to block the gate of life, and carve a seal to open the gate of death. You trap the spirits, exchange the stone coffin for a roadblock. You lack yin virtue and harm yang numbers. How can you speak of benevolence and righteousness? You repeatedly set up illusions to confuse me, blocking my path with yin energy. I have always maintained a heart of kindness and justice, but you insist on acting recklessly. What is your true intention? Now you want to negotiate conditions with me, wanting the spirits of the land to be buried with me. What do you really mean?"

  "You've shed the blood of ghosts, can't you spare a drop for me? If you just give me your spiritual blood to help me become a sword, I'll let all living beings in this land go!" The dark voice was firm and unyielding.

  Damn it, I finally understand. It's another fake Southern Barbarian who only wants to steal my spiritual blood to become the ruler of the Yin realm. Screw you! My blood is mine, why should I give it to you? Actually, Daozhang also indirectly told me that my spiritual blood can be used to forge a spiritual knife, but there are three different requirements for each knife, and it's not just a matter of using my spiritual blood. I have to personally go through some procedures in order for it to work. This is also the reason why they can't force me.

  "What is it that you insist on?" I asked softly.

  "Agreed!" The dark voice of Feng Chen was even more ominous at this time.

  But on the empty ground, an ominous wind was blowing strongly, and the surrounding crowd was suddenly trapped in place, blown away by the wind, unable to escape. Good heavens, damn it, the Dust Devil was actually casting a Confusion Curse while negotiating with me! This group of people has been trapped for so long, something is bound to happen. Once they scatter, no one will be able to salvage the situation.

  "It's not going to work now, you tell me a time and I'll go meet you. If you don't agree to this either, then there's nothing to talk about. We might as well both go together. I don't believe all the living things in this world will become ghosts and let you off!" I said in a low urgent tone.

  I'm fed up with this, damn it, you want to talk, I'll talk with you, try to coerce me, but I've still been around the block a few times.

  "Will you keep your word? Five days from now, on the night of the full moon, can you come to the top of Chengzi Mountain to meet me?" asked Fengchen.

  "You're too ruthless, and you've also cast a curse on the spirits of the dead. Aren't you afraid of shortening your own lifespan? Alright, I'll agree to it, but first, you have to lift this spell that's affecting all these spirits. Also, you must come and go quietly, without startling anyone, or else I won't go through with it. And another thing, you're not allowed to harm this old Daoist, no matter what he's like, he's a kind soul who's trying to save everyone."

  "Alright, just as you said. Anyway, since you're here, if you don't keep your promise, I'll be in a difficult position. Don't worry that you won't go. Let me remind you kindly again, don't let this madman come and cause trouble. If it weren't for your sake, I would have eliminated him long ago. It's really shameful to the point of death. What kind of ugly person is this in our family? Rest assured, at this moment I'll pretend to let you see that it was this old madman who saved you. You keep your word, right?" The faint voice gradually faded away.

  He looked up at the empty space, and the old Taoist was actually kneeling on the ground, with his banner still dancing straight, blood seeping from his eyes, and white foam spitting from the corner of his mouth. He muttered to himself, as if wailing: The Tao has emotions, but the road is heartless, the yang hurts the heart, and the yin weeps tears. Save the world and open up all directions, let all roads lead to the great yang, my disciples cry blood and beg, and all spirits return to the great light. Still hoping to save the living souls, may fortune and longevity be forever long.

  The old man has gone all out.

  The wind has stopped and the trees are still; everything is quiet.

  The old Daoist suddenly jumped up and bowed deeply: Thank you to the multitude of gods, the little Daoist has recited scriptures for a hundred days with gratitude, still begging to move the spirit coffin, purify the earth, and save the spirits.

  With a loud crack, the wooden beam snapped back into place, and the Taoist priest's banner returned to normal.

  The Taoist priest waved his hand and said: "Move the stone coffin."

  Everyone gathered together and lifted up the stone coffin. Everyone was amazed, and Liu Pang was so shocked that his mouth was wide open.

  "I hastily said: 'The stone coffin has been moved to the south end.'"

  The old man seemed to understand my intention and looked at me carefully, saying loudly: "The stone coffin must not be moved randomly, it's better to re-bury it, let's bury it in the south."

  The south side is Zhang Er's widow's south head, because she is the southernmost household in this village.

  Many hands make light work, seven hands and eight feet, carrying the coffin southward.

  The old man recited the Anning Scripture again as the coffin was lowered into the ground, and the stone coffin did not make any strange noises, but was placed in smoothly.

  Liu Pang this time is happily and willingly wrapped a big package for Lao Dao, looking at the thickness, it's at least one thousand.

  The construction resumed, and the noise returned, leaving this farce aside.

  The old man walked away, but then one person pulled me aside and said, "Thanks, want to share some?"

  This guy really isn't just a name, I can see some skills. I smiled and said, "No need, thanks for your hard work, let's meet again someday." The old Taoist nodded. The broken sky and wild land didn't take away the public chicken, leaving it to us, saying it was a spiritual object for doing Buddhist affairs, which is very nourishing, earlier the two of you were frightened, consider it my heartfelt intention.

  I actually knew that this guy had already seen through my abnormality and didn't dare to make another move.

  The rice is cooked and the chicken is fragrant. But I have no appetite, thinking of the appointment five days later when the moon is full, a chill suddenly rises in my heart, and I start to drum up anxiety.