Chapter Thirty-Six Entering Yin to Plead One's Case

  That strange cry scared us all to a standstill, and as I went forward to take a closer look, I was shocked to see that it was Zhang Mei's fiancé Li Qing, who had been dead for some time, standing in front of the door with a miserable expression. How did this guy come back?

  This old Taoist may not have any great magical powers, but after years of swindling, there is still some evil energy to be seen in him. No wonder he let out a strange cry; it turns out that he had run into a real ghost.

  I stopped the crowd from advancing and whispered to Zhang Mei: "Your fiancé is back."

  Zhang Mei's eyes welled up with tears at once, and she hurriedly wanted to go forward, asking where it was. I said don't be anxious, it's just inside your door, don't come forward or you might scare away the spirit.

  The old man stood beside me and said, "I really can't do anything about this."

  I smiled and said it was nothing, but I'll ask you clearly.

  Li Qing stared at me with his eyes wide open. I said, "You're back, it's not good to scare people like this, there are the people you love most here, we were all exhausted just now, by the way, what's with the flower sedan and stone coffin? I clearly saw that it was you."

  Li Qing's face suddenly turned pale, and he said to me: "I originally relied on your promise that you would allow me to become a yang spirit in the future, so I didn't do anything. But then an old Daoist found me and said it was you who told him to let me become a yang spirit, and that I could marry Zhang Mei if I followed him. So I went with him. I don't know what he did, but I was dazed and confused the whole time. It's true that I saw Zhang Mei behind my house, but then something happened again and I don't know what it was. I was abandoned and no one paid attention to me, so I came back."

  I finally understand, damn it, the curse of that Lingdao hasn't ended yet. At that time, it was indeed a zombie passing by, and we had to arrange a ghost marriage. We rushed over and saved Zhang Mei, but I don't know where Li Qing went afterwards, I thought he followed us. Because last night's ritual dispelled the Black Water Pool, of course, Li Qing was also freed, and after waking up his spirit body, he knew to run back home at the first opportunity.

  I turned around and said to everyone: "Nothing's wrong, it's Li Qing. I'll call him over right now."

  I said to Li Qing: "You go, to De Zheng Ling Men, find Li Yan there and tell him I want you to come. You can still protect your integrity. At that time, we will think of a way. I know you have been entangled in this matter for a long time and cannot let go of your beloved. But you are always like this, on the one hand, all evil paths want to take advantage of you, and on the other hand, it will also scare the Yang people."

  Li Qing nodded, but her face was still full of tears. She agreed to go, but couldn't move her feet.

  I sighed, alas, in both the mortal world and the afterlife, it's all about a single word "love" that cannot be solved.

  I turned to Zhang Mei and said: "Quickly go inside and look for it, is there still Li Qing's photo, best if it's the two of you together."

  Zhang Mei agreed and said of course there is. After a while, she brought it over to me.

  I'll give you a moment's time, I'll take you into the shade and let you meet Li Qing. When the bell rings, come out immediately, remember.

  Li Qing listened, a young man, suddenly tears fell from the sky, and he actually wanted to kneel down in front of me, saying: "Having met you once, I will go to Zhengling Gate immediately, see Li Yan, and I will repay the great kindness of Master."

  I waved my hand and said no need, too many things are going on, and it's extremely strange. I don't even know what will happen next, you'd better hurry up and leave. Actually, in my heart, I thought that if Li Qingchen is here, one day, with a slight carelessness, he'll turn to ashes, damn, I'm just talking nonsense, I promised his soul, at that time, it would be true words.

  I followed the method I used when I first entered the Yin Qi by the Liu Lang River, took out a red thread and tied one end to Zhang Mei's wrist and the other end to the copper bell in my arms. I started walking in lotus steps, telling Zhang Mei to quickly go outside the Eight Trigrams Tree Array, if anything went wrong, she could pull the thread for help. I told Li Qing to hurry up and set off immediately, don't delay, otherwise his wife would lose her life.

  Li Qing nodded, and a wisp of white smoke went straight into the tree array.

  I gently pulled the red thread, although I had some confidence in my heart, but still had some worries, after all, the yin and yang worlds cannot be messed with.

  The red thread is still and quiet.

  Li Qing saw Zhang Mei in the crowd and rushed forward to tightly hug her. The two of them cried continuously, while Zhang Mei said: "You heartless one, you left without caring for me, do you know how many insults I've endured? I'm worse off than dead."

  Li Qing wiped away Zhang Mei's tears and said, "I know, I've been staying here all along because I couldn't bear to leave you behind. Fortunately, the messenger allowed me to return in spirit, and I will definitely meet you again."

  Zhang Mei nodded and said she would cherish herself until they met again by chance.

  Just as the two were crying and embracing each other, a loud roar came from within the forest.

  Li Qing said: "You'd better go back quickly, after all this is the underworld. I have my own way to deal with it. Your yang energy is approaching, and it's not good for you."

  Zhang Mei knew that Li Qing was telling the truth after what had happened in the past few days. She only said: "I'll go back now, you must listen to the messenger's words and protect yourself properly, I will find you when the time comes."

  Li Qing nodded.

  Zhang Mei pulled the red rope, and I had a feeling on this side. The red clothes were retracted, and Zhang Mei arrived in front of us.

  I saw a wisp of smoke drifting southward. I heard Li Qing's voice in my ear, "Thank you, messenger, I'm leaving. Farewell to longing. Great kindness will be repaid later."

  Zhang Mei came out and cried non-stop, saying that he was very cold. I thought it was because he didn't have enough clothes on. I was foolish earlier for not bringing a few more pieces of clothing to give him. I comforted Zhang Mei by telling him that as a yin spirit, his body had no yang energy, so it was natural that he felt cold. Don't worry, as long as everything goes smoothly here, I will keep my word.

  Zhang Mei nodded and went into the house to cook for us. I took the photo of the two of them that she had brought in earlier and placed it in the main hall, saying to Zhang Mei: "Earlier you met Li Qing, this photo has already captured Li Qing's spirit, you can offer sacrifices to it every day, and when the time comes, there will be a chance."

  Zhang Mei nodded and understood why I asked her to take a photo earlier.

  The old man stepped forward and said: "It seems that I have met a superior person. In the future, if there is anything, I hope you will take care of me."

  I know what he's really getting at is don't expose him and leave him a way out.

  I chuckled and said, "Director Li, didn't you just pay the wages earlier?" I also made it clear to him that I wouldn't do it. We're on different paths, I'm asking you to pay the wages, and at the same time, you can't let those petty ghosts ruin my big deal. You cheat your money, as long as someone can be cheated by you, but for me, engineering is my livelihood, it's my rice bowl.

  At the moment, everyone burst out laughing. They thought this was too much and it's rare to have such a leisure time. Zhang Mei Xi was grateful and cooked a table of dishes. Old Qian's appetite came up and said let's drink a couple of mouthfuls, everyone agreed.

  The dishes are delicious, the wine is warm, and the rice is fragrant. Everyone at the table is having a great time. I'm still worried about Zhang Mei who just entered the forest, how did she suddenly let out a loud roar? Upon closer inspection, there's nothing. It must be like this in the underworld too. I'll put my mind at ease and join in the fun with everyone, it's rare to have such a relaxing opportunity.

  Suddenly, the scene outside became lively. It turned out that many neighbors had arrived, bringing some familiar dishes to share their gratitude for our hospitality and to celebrate the peace restored in Nancun village. A few elderly individuals, who were among the most enthusiastic troublemakers back then, spoke sincerely about how we had truly done a good deed by reviving the village's vitality, saying that now Nancun has a promising future ahead.

  Of course, I'm delighted. I glanced at the old man with my eyes. The old man knew what I was thinking in my heart. All these enthusiasm are for him. It seems that the villagers are still very kind and just want to live a peaceful life as long as there is no disaster or accident. This has also increased my confidence, here, I am destined to make it happen, no matter what difficulties come, they can't stop me.

  Among them, there was a big sister who stared at me with her eyes. I felt hairy in my heart and looked carefully, but there was nothing on her body or behind her. Suddenly, I secretly scolded myself, damn it, this suspicious mind has fallen, in my eyes, I'm afraid the whole world is full of ghosts.

  My elder sister-in-law walked up to me with a smile and said, "Oh my, you're just like in the photo, so handsome! My little girl isn't lucky enough."

  I was puzzled. My sister-in-law smiled and said, "Yuzhen is my distant niece, she came to play at my place a while ago, and saw your photos."

  One sentence reminded me. My ex-girlfriend, who followed that fat rich man, has been busy to death these few months, and I had actually forgotten about her in my heart.

  "No luck, huh?" Big Sister continued, "This young man is much better than that old guy who could be her father. I heard about this and even called to advise her, but later I heard they broke up again. Just the other day, she called me and asked about you too. It was only from her phone call that I knew her ex-boyfriend was among those repairing bridges here. How would I have known? Now that I've seen him, he's indeed better than that man. Sigh, really no luck."

  Big sister said a sentence, and old Qian couldn't help but laugh. Old Qian learned from big sister's words, patted my shoulder and said: "No good fortune."

  I suddenly shook off Lao Qian's hand, my face turned red, damn it, I suddenly heard these words and thought of a past romance, only to realize that I'm also a normal person, after entering this southern village, I almost lost myself, making myself look like a ghost.

  "I asked: 'What's wrong with it? Isn't it good like this?'"

  Sister-in-law said: "Forget it, I'm not very clear either, just heard that the man left once and never contacted her again. Oh, right, almost forgot about the main thing, she also asked me to pass on a message, saying that her phone number hasn't changed, still the same one."

  The elder sister-in-law finished speaking and winked. The villagers are straightforward, that one wink is rich in content.

  As expected, I knew this was just a common TV drama plot. The guy is rich and takes advantage of the girl, gets bored, and dumps her. It's that simple. The girl comes to her senses, thinks about it, and realizes the previous one was more reliable. So, after having fun and going crazy, she wants to live a normal life for a few days and eat humble pie.

  Of course, it can't be shown on the surface. Everyone laughed and dispersed with a smile. Old Qian patted my shoulder and said, "When will you return to Yangjian to visit your relatives?"

  Shut up, go to hell, aren't you thinking of Xiao Mei from Sauna?

  But to be honest, Nancun is temporarily safe and sound, so I should go back and report, and also take care of some things.

  I said to Lao Qian: "Tomorrow we'll go back and have a look, the grandson you mentioned is probably waiting for us to report back."

  Old Qian nodded.