Chapter Four: The Paranormal Circle

When the man finished speaking in a gruff tone, everyone lowered their heads, unsure of what to say. Glancing around, the man added, “You’re from Lin Family Village, aren’t you? Alright, let’s go. I’ll take you home.”

It was only then that the group nodded. The man hoisted me up and carried me on his back. I looked at him, bewildered, wanting to tell him I could walk on my own, but he spoke first: “Don’t be stubborn, boy. The corpse poison has just been drawn out of you—you’re weak as a kitten. Let’s get you all home first.”

After that, he said nothing more, striding out of the mortuary with me on his back. The others followed closely behind.

Later, I learned that this man was named Tan Boqing—he was my master, a figure of great renown in the world of the supernatural, though that’s a story for another time.

Lying on his back, I suddenly felt safe. As we passed the wild graves again, I still heard faint whispers and crying. Knowing this man was no ordinary person, I told him what I was hearing. Upon hearing this, he stopped in his tracks, turned to look at me, and was silent for a moment before saying, “So you’ve been able to see ghosts and hear these voices and cries since you were little, is that right?”

I nodded silently, confirming his words. He nodded too, and though I didn’t notice, a brief smile played at the corner of his lips before he regained his usual composure.

On the road, the group behind us couldn’t stop asking questions, with Fatty being the most talkative. At first, he had scoffed at the idea of ghosts, but after witnessing zombies and watching the man float in midair, even he was starting to believe. Fatty trotted up beside the man and asked, “Uncle, are you an immortal? You were flying just now! And you wiped out those zombies in an instant. Can I be your disciple?”

The man only glanced at him and replied, “When you’ve grown up, we’ll see.”

Fatty grinned, “Alright, I’ll eat more and grow up faster, then I’ll come and ask to be your apprentice. You have to accept me, okay?”

The man just nodded perfunctorily and said nothing more.

Once we had passed the edge of the wild graves, it wasn’t long before we saw flashlights glowing in the center of the village ahead, and from the number of lights, it looked like quite a crowd. The man quickened his pace.

As we got closer, we heard a woman sobbing, “Sanbao, my child, where are you? I’ve searched everywhere and can’t find you. Are you trying to worry me to death?” A man stood beside her, trying to comfort her.

Hearing the woman’s voice, Sanbao ran over, shouting, “Mom, I’m here! I’m here! I’m back!”

At the sound of his voice, the woman stopped crying, looked up, and, seeing her son running toward her, pulled him into her arms. Choking with emotion, she scolded, “You little rascal, where did you go? I thought someone had kidnapped you! You scared me half to death.” She punctuated her words by smacking Sanbao on the bottom.

The villagers nearby hurried over and tried to calm her down: “Sanbao’s mother, stop hitting the child. He’s home safe, isn’t he? If you have something to say, say it at home. Don’t hit him.” Only then did she stop, hugging her son and wiping her tears.

Sanbao’s father, still angry, said, “All you do is run off all day. Just wait till we get home!”

The man carrying me came over and said, “Enough. The child is fine. Don’t take your anger out on him.”

Sanbao’s father, quick-tempered, glared at the stranger, “And who are you? This is my family’s business—none of yours. I don’t recognize you; you’re not from the village, are you?”

“Dad, Mom, this is the uncle who brought us back. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be here. Don’t blame him,” Sanbao spoke up.

Hearing this, Sanbao’s father was stunned for a long moment before awkwardly stepping forward and saying, “Sorry, sorry. We farmers can’t always control our tempers. You saved my son. Thank you.” He glanced at me, frowning, but said nothing further.

The man looked at Sanbao’s father and replied, “It’s nothing. The kids are back, so take them home. And whose children are these behind me? Come take them home—it’s late, and you’re making everyone worry.”

As soon as he finished, a crowd hurried over. I recognized several of them, but what surprised me most was seeing my own grandparents among them. The group ushered their children home. My grandpa came up, frowning as he looked me over, and scolded, “You little rascal, where did you go, running around at night? Do you know how worried your grandma and I were?”

I didn’t dare meet his eyes and lowered my head, sneaking glances at his angry face. Grandma, sniffling, said, “Alright, old man, let’s go home. The child is safe, and that’s all that matters.”

Grandpa, however, looked at the man still carrying me and said, “I know you. Let’s talk at home.”

The man didn’t argue. He chuckled and carried me home with my grandparents. Once inside, he set me on the bed. Grandma, seeing the fingernail marks on my shoulder, was startled but said nothing, just tended my wounds and tucked me in before wiping her tears and leaving. Tan Boqing followed Grandpa into the adjacent room.

My hearing was sharp, and the house had thin walls, so I could hear their conversation clearly.

I heard two clicks of a lighter, then after a shared drag, Grandpa spoke: “If I’m not mistaken, your name is Tan Boqing—the renowned master of the supernatural world. I heard you once single-handedly wiped out a top-tier evil cult. Quite the feat. What brings you here?”

After Grandpa finished, Tan Boqing replied, “It’s just an empty reputation, not worth mentioning. I was simply tired of trivial matters and came out for some air. How have you been, Elder Lin?”

“My health is fine, but my heart is uneasy. You know our Lin family has been in seclusion for years, staying out of supernatural affairs. I thought by withdrawing, my descendants could live as ordinary people. Who could have foreseen that my son would meet with misfortune, and now my grandson Lin Xuan is born with spiritual sight, able to see ghosts? Every time he says he can see things, I pretend I don’t hear him. I don’t know if it’s a blessing or a curse,” Grandpa said with a sigh.

I was stunned, listening to Grandpa talk about the supernatural world and our family’s seclusion. What did he mean about my father’s misfortune? I didn’t dwell on it and kept listening.

Tan Boqing spoke again: “Elder, may I speak frankly?”

After a pause, as if waiting for Grandpa’s permission, he continued, “The Lin family is one of the most powerful supernatural clans—an influential force in the field. Suddenly withdrawing would inevitably set off a chain reaction. As for Lin Xuan, being born with spiritual sight isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The truth can’t be hidden forever. Xuan is a promising child. Why don’t you let me take him as my disciple? At least then, he’ll have the means to protect himself.”

He fell silent, waiting for Grandpa’s response. After a long time, Grandpa finally said, “What, Mr. Tan, you think there’s nothing left I can teach him?”

Grandpa’s joke made them both laugh. After a while, he said, “You’re right. This can’t be hidden forever. If Xuan can follow you, I’ll be at ease. Though I never wanted him to be involved in our world, fate has its own designs. I once tried to remove his spiritual sight, but it wasn’t possible. He’ll grow up, and he can’t escape his destiny.”

Tan Boqing replied, “No need to worry too much, Elder. Perhaps the boy will have his own adventures.”

After a long pause, Grandpa said, “Yes, yes. I’m getting old and worry too much. In that case, let’s hold the disciple ceremony tomorrow. It’s late—you can spend the night in this room.”

I heard Tan Boqing’s quiet assent, and their conversation ended. Soon after, Grandpa came to my bedside. I shut my eyes, pretending to sleep. I heard him say softly, “Ah, boy, being born into the Lin family means you’ll have to bear burdens you never asked for. It really is unfair to you.”

He stroked my hair and lingered at my bedside for a while before leaving for his room. I never fell asleep, watching him walk away, my heart heavy. From his conversation with Tan Boqing, I could tell Grandpa wasn’t truly unable to see ghosts—he just pretended otherwise to keep me from becoming involved in their world.

Lying in bed, I couldn’t sleep. My mind was full of their conversation and the recent events at the mortuary. It all felt as if it had been predestined for me. Perhaps this was the destiny Grandpa spoke of. I didn’t know how long I lay there before I finally drifted off into a restless sleep.