Volume Three – The Fox Spirit’s Tomb Chapter Twenty-Three – Setting Out for Goutou Village

After Li Kun and Xu Tian finished lighting their incense, I walked to the front of the ancestral hall, picked up a few sticks, bowed toward the nine ancestral tablets above, and then placed the incense in the censer.

At that moment, Qiu Longshan said, “Last time when Li Kun joined, we didn’t have this ceremony. This time, it completes the initiation ritual. Now I can rest easy.”

Turning his gaze to the nine tablets above the altar, he spoke softly, “Fellow leaders, with this, the Dragon-Seeking Heavenly Masters’ lineage continues. I have fulfilled my trust.”

Xu Tian’s participation in the ritual was also complete, and next, we needed to prepare for a visit to Goutou Village.

The four of us returned to the front room. Once seated, I asked Qiu Longshan, “Senior Qiu, do you know the place called the Fox Immortal’s Tomb?”

Qiu Longshan blinked slightly and asked, “Why does the chief suddenly ask about that place? Are you planning to go there?”

I nodded lightly. Seeing this, Qiu Longshan continued, “Chief, you should already know where the Fox Immortal’s Tomb is. Do you remember the place you located last time using the Dragon-Seeking Compass?”

Hearing this, I recalled faintly and then nodded, pointing toward the right side of the doorway, “Yes, it’s somewhere in those mountains over there.”

Qiu Longshan nodded in agreement. “Exactly. That’s where the Fox Immortal’s Tomb lies.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Tian and Li Kun hurried outside. Seeing the distant mountains, both were stunned. They hadn’t expected that those mountains were the site of the Fox Immortal’s Tomb. Such a feng shui treasure was right before our eyes. Without the Dragon-Seeking Compass to calculate this location, no one would have guessed a tomb of such significance lay here.

Qiu Longshan then said, “If I’m not mistaken, the Fox Immortal’s Tomb is near a place called Goutou Village. That village is not safe at all now. I’ve heard there have been fierce hauntings lately. If you want to reach the tomb, you must first pass through Goutou Village.”

“Furthermore, all your food, drink, lodging, and travel arrangements will have to be made there. But staying in the village carries its own dangers.”

I nodded. “We understand that. But since the three of us are willing to go, we’re not afraid of those filthy spirits. If they dare trouble us, they’ll never leave alive.”

Qiu Longshan was momentarily taken aback. “It seems, Chief, you have ways to deal with such entities. But those spirits that terrorize villages are rarely easy to handle. I heard several Taoist priests were sent there, but some died, others fled. It shows just how powerful those spirits are.”

At that moment, Xu Tian and Li Kun reentered. Hearing Qiu Longshan’s words, both were surprised. Xu Tian asked, “Senior Qiu, does that mean this spirit has already harmed many people?”

Qiu Longshan nodded. “Yes, it’s likely killed more than ten.”

Xu Tian turned to me. “Old Liu, I’m afraid the three of us may not be able to defeat it.”

I asked, “Oh? Why do you say that?”

Xu Tian explained, “Ghosts come in different kinds and ranks. I heard from my grandfather that common ghosts rarely escape the capture of ghost wardens, but some souls who died unjustly can evade them.”

Qiu Longshan nodded. “Exactly. And this ghost isn’t an ordinary one or just an unjust soul—it’s a wronged spirit. They say it’s a headless ghost.”

Xu Tian gasped, eyes wide. “A headless ghost?”

Li Kun looked puzzled and asked, “Old Xu, what’s so special about a headless ghost?”

Qiu Longshan replied, “A headless ghost is much stronger than a regular ghost or even a wronged soul. Such a tragic death means even in the underworld, this spirit might secure a high-ranking post. At minimum, they become a ghost warden.”

Hearing this, I felt as though a new world had opened before me. Qiu Longshan continued, “Ghosts have three levels: low-ranked ghosts are ghost soldiers, stronger ones are malevolent spirits, and headless ghosts are already malevolent spirits upon death.”

“The number nine represents the utmost. When a malevolent spirit kills ten or more people, it transforms into a fierce ghost. Such ghosts usually possess formidable skills and are the hardest to deal with.”

I nodded. “It seems we’re destined to confront this headless ghost.”

Xu Tian agreed. “Indeed. If we go, we must prepare carefully. I’ll gather some items shortly. Though we can’t guarantee killing that ghost, we can at least hold it off. Once we enter the Fox Immortal’s Tomb, it won’t dare follow us inside.”

I nodded and turned to Qiu Longshan. “Senior Qiu, we’ll take our leave now to prepare and then set off.”

Qiu Longshan nodded. “Very well. Be cautious. If you can’t deal with the headless ghost, don’t act rashly. After all, you’re Dragon-Seeking Heavenly Masters, not ordinary Maoshan Taoists.”

After bidding farewell, Xu Tian began preparations. Qiu Longshan handed me some more incense for praying to the spirits. I then drove toward Xu Tian’s home.

Xu Tian consulted his grandfather on several matters, and afterward, the three of us returned to the Liuyun Inn.

The next morning, Li Kun, Xu Tian, and I arrived early at the inn’s entrance. Xu Tian was already busy organizing the tasks for the coming days. After briefing his cousin, he hurried over to us.

Pointing at a nearby van, Xu Tian said, “Everything’s ready. We can leave at any time.”

Li Kun smiled. “Old Xu, you’re efficient. It didn’t take long to pack.”

I said, “Then let’s head to Goutou Village. We should find lodging there tonight, then explore the mountains to locate the entrance to the Fox Immortal’s Tomb.”

Both nodded, and we approached the van. I took the driver’s seat, while Xu Tian and Li Kun settled in the back.

Glancing at my phone, it was just past eight o’clock. The two chatted quietly in the back as I drove straight toward Goutou Village.

The journey was long—about three hours—before we finally reached the mountain base near Goutou Village.

Xu Tian and Li Kun opened the doors, and we all stepped outside. We found ourselves in a small village with only a handful of households—fewer than five houses along the way—clear evidence of its remoteness. Before us lay three forked paths.

Looking up, we saw mountains stretching like a mighty dragon. Yet a problem confronted us: we didn’t know which path led into Goutou Village. Simply put, we seemed lost.

Xu Tian stepped down from the driver’s seat, having driven for a long time. He handed me the wheel.

Surveying the mountains, Xu Tian asked, “Old Liu, can your Dragon-Seeking Compass point us toward the Fox Immortal’s Tomb?”

Li Kun asked, “Even if it can, it’ll probably just point from here to the tomb’s location. That means we’re hiking. Is the compass really able to guide us on the exact path to take?”

I was uncertain but had no other choice—like a desperate last resort.

Xu Tian complained, “This Goutou Village is really hard to find.”

Li Kun crossed one hand on his waist and shaded his eyes with the other, looking around. “Yeah, this place is so desolate. Not even a soul to ask for directions.”

I took out the Dragon-Seeking Compass from my pocket, holding it in my palm. Looking at the mountains ahead, I softly recited, “Seeking the earth’s veins splits yin and yang; two principles and four forms fix a thousand mountains. Mastering yin and yang’s laws, heaven and earth lie within one’s palm—combine.”

Xu Tian and Li Kun, hearing the incantation, moved close and stared intently at the compass needle.

The single needle on the compass spun several times, then stopped, pointing southwest.

Seeing this, we all looked up toward the southwest. Just as Li Kun said, the compass pointed to a location deep within the mountains.

Li Kun gave a wry smile. “Well, I was right after all.”

Just then, the compass needle began turning again.

I glanced down and saw it flicker a few times before pointing due east.

Xu Tian noticed my reaction and looked at the compass in my hand. His eyes widened in astonishment. “Could it be the Dragon-Seeking Compass can guide us on the path?”

Hearing this, Li Kun quickly turned to look at the compass. The needle pointed to the rightmost path among the three forks ahead.

With that, our direction was set.