Chapter 28: Congratulations at the Spirit Hall

After Master had withdrawn the Nether Gate, he turned and walked toward Zhang Wen, placing his hand gently on Zhang Wen’s forehead. Slowly, Master began to recite, “Heavenly Star above, respond to all changes, wisdom clear and pure, heart and spirit at peace.”

As the words faded, a pale green light descended from Zhang Wen’s crown, saturating his entire body. After a moment, Zhang Wen shuddered, his spirits revived. He looked at Master with suspicion and asked, “What…what just happened to me?”

Master patted Zhang Wen’s shoulder, replying, “It’s nothing. Your mother was simply too exhausted and needs rest. Take good care of her.”

He gestured to the woman lying on the ground. Zhang Wen tilted his head for a glance, then sprang to his feet, rushing to her side. He helped her up, calling anxiously, “Mom, Mom, what’s wrong? Please, say something!”

Terrified, Zhang Wen slowly reached his hand to his mother’s nostrils. Master sighed, snapped his fingers, and I saw a stream of invisible spiritual force enter the woman’s body. I turned to look again. After a while, Zhang Wen exhaled a sigh of relief. Seeing this, Master said, “Zhang Wen, your mother is fine. She’s just worn out from these past days and needs proper care. She’ll wake in a few days, don’t worry.”

Master then turned to Zhang Moyun, “Girl, let’s go. We’ll visit your uncle.”

Zhang Moyun nodded. Together with Zhang Wen, she helped her mother upstairs, then returned to join us outside.

On the road, Zhang Moyun remained silent, while I brimmed with questions for Master. I glanced at him and asked, “Master, are you sure you want to keep this hidden?”

Master nodded, casting a glance at the distracted Zhang Moyun, and spoke softly, “This is a kind lie. You heard the little fox just now—her mother isn’t dead, her soul still lingers. But after so long, I don’t know if her mother’s soul still remembers anything. If she returns to her body without memory, she may lose her mind entirely. Let’s check her uncle’s situation; perhaps these two matters are connected.”

I looked at Zhang Moyun, sighed, and nodded. We fell silent, and a moment later, Zhang Moyun, standing beside Master, suddenly stopped. Both Master and I were startled, turning to her. She spoke, “Actually…actually, I saw everything just now. Even though my mother hasn’t treated me well, I still wish for her safety. Uncle, can you save her? You can, I know you can.”

Tears welled in Zhang Moyun’s eyes as she finished. Both Master and I were stunned. Master reached out and examined her back, and even I could sense the reason. Slowly, Master withdrew his hand and said, “Unexpected—girl, you possess a spiritual root as well. Don’t worry, I’ll do my best.”

Zhang Moyun lowered her head and continued walking ahead. I stared at her back in astonishment, but Master nudged me, saying, “What are you gawking at? Let’s move.”

Master snapped me out of my daze. I pursed my lips and followed Zhang Moyun. After traversing a long dirt road, we finally arrived at her uncle’s house. Instantly, the sounds of gongs and drums filled the air. Many people sat outside. Master stopped Zhang Moyun from going further, calling loudly, “Girl, before you enter, shake your feet, then take a stack of yellow paper from the table. Bow three times in congratulation, then burn it. It’s tradition, don’t forget.”

Zhang Moyun replied affirmatively and, under the curious gazes of the crowd, entered the mourning hall. Master and I found a bench and sat down. Inside, I watched as Zhang Moyun followed Master’s instructions—she took a stack of yellow paper from the table, bowed three times while holding half the stack in each hand, then burned the paper in the brazier.

Puzzled, I turned to Master, “Master, what does it mean to bow in congratulation? Isn’t this a funeral? Why congratulate?”

Master glanced at me, saying, “You don’t know. This is an ancient custom passed down through folk tradition. The congratulation isn’t what you imagine. It’s like bowing to the deceased—a gesture of respect. Each has their own interpretation. Come, it’s our turn.”

Master stood up and I followed, imitating his actions—bowing three times in congratulation, then burning the yellow paper in the brazier. Afterwards, Master drew three incense sticks from the table, checked that no one was watching, then lit and placed them in the incense burner. I wanted to do the same, but Master stopped me, “You don’t need to. Let’s go, make room for others.”

I nodded, left my incense on the table, and followed Master outside. Unbeknownst to us, behind the mourning hall’s decorations, an elderly man wearing small glasses and a Zhongshan suit was already watching us closely.

Master and I exited. Zhang Moyun was chatting nearby; I didn’t disturb her and found another seat with Master. He grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds from a nearby table, offered some to me, but I declined. Master began to snack alone. I watched the bustling crowd and listened to the clamorous gongs and drums from the mourning hall.

Master ate a seed, then leaned in and whispered, “Kid, do you sense something familiar here?”

I froze, puzzled, and Master moved closer until almost at my ear, “When I lit the incense, I sensed a strong spiritual aura here, tinged with hostility. But I couldn’t spot the source. Strange—be careful, there may be a peer present.”

I glanced around, but saw no one with spiritual aura besides Master, myself, and Zhang Moyun. Still, Master’s words made me wary, and I kept a careful eye on the crowd.

After a while, I sensed two weaker spiritual presences behind us. Master and I turned to see Zhang Moyun approaching with a man in his fifties. Zhang Moyun nodded at me and led us to a quieter corner, “Uncle, Lin Xuan, this is Uncle Kong, the geomancer handling my uncle’s funeral. You can ask him about the specifics.”

I nodded, exchanged a glance with Master, who shook his head—clearly, this geomancer was not the hostile presence.

Master then addressed the geomancer, “Sir, I know the general situation, but there is one thing that greatly puzzles me. Could you advise?”

The geomancer chuckled, waving his hand, “Don’t be so formal. I’m just a rough fellow, nothing much to advise. Tell me your doubts.”

Master nodded and continued, “I sense you possess spiritual awareness and must know some Daoist arts. Why did you say this matter is difficult to resolve and insisted on finding an expert?”

Even I was curious about this question. After a moment, the geomancer replied, “I wouldn’t dare claim much. I do possess spiritual awareness, but haven’t studied Daoist arts deeply—just some basics of Qimen Dunjia. Everything seems normal now, but you’ll see tonight. I already asked Zhang Wen to invite someone, so I’m less worried. But from your tone, you seem to be in the same field?”

Master didn’t deny it, nodded, and asked, “You’ve invited someone? Can you tell me who?”

“Brother, I’m afraid I cannot reveal too much. I’ve been in your paranormal circles, and too much information might attract enemies. However…”

He paused. Master asked, “However?”

“However, I can tell you his name, though I can't confirm its authenticity.” said the geomancer.

Master nodded, “Please.”

The geomancer looked around, then outside to ensure no one was eavesdropping, and finally spoke, “His Daoist name is Dao Gui. People call him Dao Gui Immortal. It’s said he’s from Dragon-Tiger Mountain, cultivating the Tiger Qi lineage.”

Realizing he’d said too much, the geomancer quickly fell silent. Master didn’t press further, nodded, and gestured for me to leave.

I glanced at Master and asked, “Master, what is Dragon-Tiger Mountain?”

Walking beside me, Master frowned, “Dragon-Tiger Mountain is the second largest Daoist sect. It has two branches—one of the Dragon, one of the Tiger—with many disciples. Zhang Wen managed to invite someone from the Tiger Qi branch. That’s impressive. Interesting, very interesting.”

Master chuckled as he strode toward the mourning hall. We sat idly outside, unsure what to do. After a while, Zhang Moyun came over and sat with us. “Uncle, Lin Xuan, stay for dinner. The cook is ready, and I’m worried about tonight. I’ll be more at ease if you’re here.”

Master agreed. I nodded, and Zhang Moyun and I chatted intermittently. I asked about her relatives, then about her spiritual root’s origin. She answered frankly—she didn’t know when she developed it, perhaps like me, since birth. This made me even more curious. Meanwhile, I saw her aunt, her uncle’s wife.

Her aunt looked unwell, face pale, eyes red, as if she hadn’t rested for days. Zhang Moyun greeted me, then helped her aunt into a room, presumably to comfort her.

I sat beside Master, sighed. Master lightly patted me again. I rubbed my head and looked at him in confusion. Master said, “Kid, why are you sighing? This is a mourning hall—there may be many spirits passing through. A person’s vital energy collects at the throat; sighing might attract wandering souls.”

I rubbed my head, pursed my lips, “I thought only the dead had energy collected at the throat. And it’s broad daylight—where would spirits roam?”

“You know nothing. That’s just movies. Spirits can pass through even in daylight. Look, what’s that over there?” Master pointed to dishes on a distant table.

I followed his gaze—damn! I cursed inwardly. Even in daylight, spirits truly roam. An old man in grey clothes was hunched beside steaming dishes, his ghostly face filled with satisfaction. Clearly, a hungry ghost.

Master patted my arm, “Look, over there.”

I followed his direction and saw several spirits crouched near the mourning hall’s entrance, inhaling the incense smoke. Some stared intently at the brazier’s ashes, swallowing nervously as if they'd found treasure.

I asked Master, “Why do they look at the brazier like that? Isn’t it just ashes?”

Master laughed, “You fool. To you, it’s paper ash, but to them, it’s money. Money is essential to move freely in the underworld. Remember that—don’t forget after today.”

I nodded. Master continued, “But this won’t do. Spirits sense one another; I detect the spirit in the coffin hasn’t left yet. If the spirits outside connect with the one inside, it could spell trouble. Kid, it’s up to you.”

I was stunned. Up to me? I looked at Master strangely. He scolded, “Don’t just stare. Didn’t I teach you? Use the ghost-banishing incantation. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten.”

I nodded quickly, “I haven’t forgotten, Master. Watch this.”

I formed a seal and chanted, “When a man comes, heavy paper blocks; when a ghost comes, heavy mountains block. Thousand evils cannot enter, ten thousand cannot break through.” Finishing, I pointed forward, but the incantation had no effect. Perplexed, I checked my seal—no mistake. How could there be no response?