Chapter 35: The Black Water Ghost

  There's an old saying that goes, "Drinking capacity is developed through drinking, and courage is developed through being scared." Damn it, after going through all these twists and turns, if I don't run into something dirty now, it would be abnormal and unaccustomed.

  As we walked to Zhang Mei's house, it turned out that Hong Yizi and Ling Mao were tightly guarding the front door. Inside the courtyard, there were several small yin ghosts with completely black bodies, which could be identified as lonely and wild ghosts without reincarnation at a glance. There were some black shadows coming in and out of the tree array, and strange sounds could be heard faintly. Judging from the situation, Hong Yizi and Ling Mao had controlled the entire situation and were quietly waiting for our return.

  Look at us getting close, Hong Yizi jumped up and said: "It's finally back, these little evil spirits are going to stir up trouble again."

  "I asked: 'Why didn't you return to your grave?'"

  Hong Yizi said: "I and Ling Mao have been remembering your promise, and we've been guarding this place tightly." I nodded, getting used to the way this guy spoke, which was always prefacing his words with a long-winded explanation of how he heard them. He's always remembering my promise, constantly reminding me.

  "The evil Guan Ling Dao, when he came before, had cast a spell of confusion on us. That's how I and the spirit cat were entranced by him. Now that the spell can be lifted, we still can't return. Just as I was thinking of a way to resolve this, he stirred up the vengeful spirits in the Ghost Spirit Cave to cause trouble. He ran away, but the vengeful spirits who had been misled by him refused to listen, saying it was all our fault for leaving them without a home and that we must return their leader, Ling Miao Ran. They also said that Ling Miao Ran was entranced by me, this little white face, and that I didn't care about them. Earlier, they had caused quite a commotion, almost sparking a big disturbance in the village. Several families who heard strange noises outside came out to investigate with lanterns, but were frightened by me and the spirit cat. We told them that if they continued to cause trouble, they would all turn to dust and no one could save them. Only then did they calm down a bit. They said they wanted to wait for your return to give you an explanation. Where is Ling Miao Ran?"

  Damn it, this Guan Lingdao is just as despicable as Wuyingmen. On the surface, we're fighting openly, but behind the scenes, they're playing tricks like we do in the mortal world, stirring up the masses to create chaos. Once the masses are stirred up, no matter how sound your reasoning is, it's useless.

  I asked in surprise, "Weren't those little demons buried under the rubble of the cave after being struck by the Nanmanzi and Fengchen last time? I've been thinking about how to rescue them all along, but there were too many things going on and I couldn't find the time."

  Hong Yizi said: "It's strange that the village is looking for a group of dead souls, digging what kind of pit, and digging so deep. The underground of Nancun has always been connected to the Guilin Cave. It has always been managed like this, allowing the lonely souls and wild ghosts of Nancun to have a place to settle down. Now the cave has collapsed, and an air hole has been dug out. This is good, under the provocation of Guan Lingdao, they all came out to plead their case."

  Now I understand everything, what projects were blocked and couldn't move forward, and those mysterious things, it turns out that Guan Ling Dao carefully planned them. Thinking about this, I really broke out in a cold sweat. If we can't defeat him, then we're done for. It's clear, the Yin marriage, the big array, all projects stopped, frequently taking action against people around me, and that day, inside the array, desperately trying to put us to death, damn it, step by step, so sinister. However, fortunately, no matter how much he calculated, his daughter still betrayed him at the last minute, and Li Yan's timely arrival broke his meticulous plan.

  "You can go and take a look, the deep pit on the construction site is full of surging black water. If you don't think of a solution, when day breaks, I'm afraid it will cause chaos in the village. Those old villagers won't fight with you to the death?" said Hong Yizi.

  I stepped forward, facing Hong Yizi with a strong feeling and said: "I will remember what I said, in this life, there is no unfulfilled promise."

  Hongyi Zi and Ling Mao said with a smile: "Of course, with us here, it's no big deal."

  The construction site is not far away, tonight it's already delayed anyway, I said let's go take a look and discuss it.

  Everyone arrived at the construction site, just as Hong Yizi had said. The deep pit was filled with surging black water, which seemed to be spreading.

  The construction site was filled with gloomy winds, dark shadows flickering, and occasionally a mournful cry, a scene of restless unease.

  This matter can't be delayed, it will really cause a big disturbance among the villagers. The evil Guan Lingdao has cast a curse on this person and is waiting for me here. Damn, things won't calm down now.

  Zhao Zai's face was solemn, and he said: "Originally some old people just wouldn't stop talking, now it's become a common topic of conversation. Tomorrow morning at dawn, the black water will enter the village, and won't that make the whole village restless?"

  I took a closer look and indeed felt that the Taoist priest Qing Shan opened my eyes, I looked around and suddenly felt a sense of desolation in my heart. It was not a fierce ghost running amok, but just some small ghosts floating around, old, weak, sick and disabled, wandering aimlessly, a scene of desolation.

  This matter is unclear, but for now, we have to find a way to calm them down. Let's wait until the clever one returns and then we can make plans.

  I suddenly turned my head and said to Hong Yizi: "Your new tomb is quite spacious, isn't it?"

  Hongyi's eyes rolled over and he said: "It's indeed broad, I understand what you mean, but as a nobody with no status, I'm afraid it won't be accepted by the public."

  Now that I've got a clear mind and made up my mind, the underworld is indeed like the Yang world. Fortunately, I've managed to become a deputy general manager in the company, which has its own set of relationships and constraints. I understand this clearly, it's all about seeking power openly.

  I said: "Think of a way, tell them all, you are their leader, manage them, and they will remember your kindness. By then, all the good deeds will be credited to you, isn't that so?"

  Hongyi smiled and nodded, but actually hid behind the words: "Actually, it's better to help you clarify things first, whether or not it's famous is secondary."

  Old Qian, who was standing beside him, also understood the implication and smiled: "Then we can call you the Red Robe True Man from now on."

  The lynx on one side is also jumping non-stop, its owner has good fortune, naturally it can't be without it.

  I raised the bronze bell high, and with a thud, I knelt down facing south. "Now, there is one thing to report to Qing Shan Dao Zhang and Dong Zhu: Hong Yi Zi's heart has returned to its rightful place, which is a great blessing for the underworld. Now, I borrow the power of the bronze bell to cover all the lonely souls and wild ghosts, so they can rest in peace. Hong Yi Zi will be their leader, and they will all listen to his commands. The spirit cat will be the great protector, overseeing the communication between yin and yang. Having finished reporting, I shall now take action."

  Hongyi and Lingmiao were overjoyed on the side.

  I still hold the bronze bell, my feet still tread on the lotus flower, approaching the edge of the dark water pool, suddenly I press the bronze bell into the dark water, and in my mouth I recite: The bronze bell has arrived, each one is safe, listen to my orders, enter the southern suburbs, listen for the signal, wait for the fate to arrive, and rise up from the house, each return to their corner.

  The copper bell enters the black water, the waves roll, slightly, quiet and still, suddenly retreats, in an instant it is a deep and deep pit.

  The red-clad boy wielded his staff and danced, shouting loudly: "All you lonely souls and wild ghosts listen up! Follow me to the new graves in the south and settle down. Do not disturb the world of the living. The envoy promised us a place to live, we can quietly wait for an opportunity." With a swoosh, he leapt onto the spirit cat and rushed southward. And a dark shadow suddenly surged forward like a gust of black wind, following behind the red-clad boy's back. I looked closely and saw that all the lonely souls and wild ghosts were supporting each other, following behind the red-clad boy and the spirit cat, disappearing in an instant.

  Lao Qian said on the side: "Let's fill this hole quickly, lest something else happens."

  "I said, 'This is unbearable. You've forgotten that when you were acting tyrannically in the company, weren't you always shouting about following the law for everything? This is the same thing. Clearly it's a pit, and if you fill it up, how can you explain it to the villagers?'"

  Everyone nodded in agreement. I said, now that the urgent situation has been resolved, but for the sake of the project, we still need to give a reasonable explanation to the world, which will have to trouble Director Zhao.

  Zhao Cai nodded and said, "Let's go find that old Taoist priest to put everyone at ease. This village elder will no longer deceive people's hearts, I'll take care of it."

  A lone figure returned to Zhang Mei's home, peaceful and quiet. I glanced at the new grave in the south, Hong Yizi stood tall on the mound, saluted me with a bow, I nodded, and Hong Yizi instantly vanished into thin air.

  On the second day, early in the morning, Zhao Zhai found the old Daoist priest again.

  This time, however, he was low-key and didn't bring anything else except for the compass flag.

  When he saw me, he just gave a slight bow and said, "You're here to bother me again."

  I hastily helped him up and said: "Master Dao has worked hard, I hope to follow the law and reason, everything cannot be simplified, return us a peaceful life."

  The old man leaned in close to my ear and said, "Last time I lost to you, I knew I'd met a master. Don't try to fool me again, those were just tricks, you're the real deal."

  I said softly: "To restore peace in Nancun, construction must begin, you understand?"

  The old man nodded slightly, his eyes gleaming brightly as he stared at me. I knew that both of us understood what was going on. The show must go on.

  Lao Dao said to Zhao, "Just now I heard what the official said. Now, you quickly notify all the elderly people in the village, that is, those who were surrounded by the bonfire last time, and tell them to come with us to the construction site to perform the ritual."

  As soon as I heard the old man's words, I felt at ease. This old guy has been living a good life by cheating and deceiving others, but he's not stupid, he knows what I want.

  I turned to Old Qian and said: "Do you have any money on you?"

  Lao Qian patted his pocket, pulled out a small stack of money, counted it, and found 500 yuan. I also rummaged through my entire body, but only had 300 yuan. Zhang Mei, who was standing beside me, seemed to understand something, took out 200 yuan, making a total of 1000 yuan.

  I handed everything over to Lao Dao and said, "Sorry, we'll make up for it when the project is settled. For now, that's all there is."

  The old Taoist's face showed a happy expression, and he hadn't expected that this time would be greatly different from the last. He pretended to push it away, saying: "How can I bear to accept this? Saving suffering and rescuing difficulties is my duty as a Taoist."

  I said: "The Taoist priest's practice of Daoist inner alchemy damages the true primordial energy, this is for nourishing the body and cultivating the self. Your body is not your own body, it is a blessing to all living things."

  Lao Dao's face lit up with a smile, he pocketed the money, and like a rooster that had been given chicken blood, his voice boomed loudly as he said: "Follow me!" In my heart, I thought to myself: damn it, everyone loves to hear good things, no wonder this old man has such a personality, and can only be a deputy director.

  The construction site is already in a state of commotion. All the villagers have arrived, as this matter is considered a big deal within the village, so everyone is concerned, especially the elderly from within the village, who have all come.

  The old way arrives at the edge of the pit, the compass moves, and the banner dances.

  Highly revered Taoist: I beg the true body of the Great Supreme Elder to appear, I invite the Queen Mother's lotus seat to come forth. The dust on the path of yin and yang is settled. Why summon the wronged souls on the Naihe Bridge? A multitude of lonely ghosts listen, return to the seat and enjoy great peace, hurry up like a law decree!

  I thought to myself, damn it, this can also deceive people, both immortal and ghostly, are not in the same category, nonsense.

  Suddenly, the old Taoist danced with his whole body, I knew that this was a Taoist dance, and he was a Taoist priest. Of course, what is called doing method, similar to a performance, after all, you have to give the audience some visual enjoyment.

  Perhaps this trip has given the old man a shot of chicken blood, and he's dancing with extra energy. Not bad, just from an aesthetic point of view. The onlookers in the back shouted "good" and provoked the elderly people around them to roll their eyes continuously.

  Ignite the prepared paper man incense candles, and immediately flames shoot up into the sky, all thrown into the pit.

  The old man beckoned everyone to hurry up and fill in the earth to cover it up, saying that there would be no more resentful spirits appearing again.

  The old man suddenly walked up to the elderly people in the inner circle, walked a circle, and I was puzzled, what's the point?

  The old man suddenly pulled out a loudspeaker and said in a loud voice: "All of you elders listen, last night there was a lonely soul who entered my dream, saying that the village to the south is building a big road for us, so we can return quickly to see our descendants. But someone has been spreading strange rumors and gossip, be careful or one day we'll find him in his bed and have a good chat with him."

  I almost burst out laughing, while the old men surrounding us were all scared stiff.

  Old Qian poked me and said, "Damn it, having money is not just a ghost pushing the mill, but also a way to push the mill."

  The old way is finished, firecrackers are ringing in unison, Liu Pang's face is filled with joy and laughter, the project has finally started normally, the construction site is bustling again, I can put my heart at ease.

  I dragged the old man to have lunch with us, he pushed me away at first, but after seeing my sincerity, he walked with us. I was indeed sincere, especially for his last sentence, which is more effective than holding several meetings from him.

  When we arrived at Zhang Mei's house, we both yielded to each other to let the elder go first. The old man couldn't yield anymore and was about to step in, but suddenly his face turned black and his mouth was covered with soot, scaring him into a loud shout!