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墨書 Inktalez
To be honest, in a modern metropolis, finding a person is much easier than in a mountain village. Despite the small size of a mountain village, a metropolis is dozens of times larger. With investigative techniques, as long as we check the location of his disappearance and the mode of transportation he used at that time, we can locate him.
Setting aside those overly cautious individuals, in a city filled with electronic surveillance, some people don’t even have privacy at home, let alone outside. Zhao Yu is just a young man who graduated not long ago; he doesn’t have strong counter-surveillance awareness. If it were me, I definitely wouldn’t run away and put myself in such a precarious situation.
The Detective Captain went down to arrange specific matters while Yang Shuai pleaded with us to find Zhao Yu; otherwise, all his efforts would be in vain. I shook my head helplessly, unsure where this love came from. It seemed that none of these three were easy to deal with.
After sending Yang Shuai away, Yan Junde asked me, “What’s our next action plan?”
I pondered for a moment and replied, “Until Zhao Yu is caught, we can only wait. But do you remember what I said at noon? During the hour of the pig, we’ll go see the old Taoist catch demons.”
“That old Taoist?” Mary asked in confusion. “I can tell he’s a fake priest; real Taoists wouldn’t act like that. Brother Shao, you don’t really believe this Taoist can catch ghosts, do you?”
I smiled but didn’t answer.
At midnight, during the hour of the rat. It is said that during the ghost month, at this time, the Ghost Gate opens wide, allowing all spirits to emerge from it. This lets wandering souls return to visit their loved ones in the living world. However, many lonely souls or vengeful spirits also return to seek revenge. Those who have committed wrongdoings must surpass the time limit for their souls; otherwise, they won’t survive the ghost month.
Today is August 27th on the Gregorian calendar and July 13th on the lunar calendar; this means that two days later will be the Ghost Festival.
It is said that there are many taboos during the three days surrounding the Ghost Festival. For example, if someone calls your name from behind at night, you must not respond; that’s how ghosts summon people. Also, you should never approach riversides; otherwise, water ghosts may drag you away. Additionally, if you see someone burning paper money, you must not stare; this signifies competition for food with ghosts.
The Yokai Night Parade is currently around eleven o'clock at night. With the Ghost Festival approaching in two days, one can't help but wonder if there are really ghosts out there. However, no one seems to feel that way. Shanghai is a city that never sleeps; streets are bustling with pedestrians twenty-four hours a day. I couldn’t help but think that perhaps in the future even fears of ghosts would require group outings to rural paths for experience.
We drove to the community where we saw the Taoist's disciples setting up a Dao Platform. The old Taoist was dressed in yellow robes and was directing everyone busily. As the platform was slowly completed, he shouted: “Those born under the signs of oxen, dogs, or snakes should consciously avoid watching; otherwise, vengeful spirits may possess you and bring disaster.”
Upon hearing this, many people were unsure whether to believe it but didn’t dare linger and hurried home.
The old Taoist was preparing on the Dao Platform and took out various Taoist items from his Tai Chi Bag: Talisman Yellow Paper, Command Tokens, Banners, Trident Bells, Cinnabar Pouches, and more. Mary whispered: “I didn’t expect this fake priest to be so well-prepared; no wonder he has so many disciples.”
Once everything was ready, the old Taoist didn’t start yet but seemed very happy to see us arrive. He said: “Little Brother! You’re here! Tonight during the hour of the pig, we’ll catch demons on time. These deeply resentful souls possess great power; those who come during midnight are just minor demons and spirits; those still lingering in the living world during the hour of the pig are what we need to catch!”
I nodded and then asked: “I wonder if you could give us a few talismans for protection?”
The old Taoist nodded and handed me five or six talismans saying: “Since Little Brother has asked so earnestly, I cannot refuse. These talismans are personally drawn by me and possess profound power. Especially for you police officers—minor spirits generally wouldn’t dare provoke you—but if any danger arises, it could be fierce ghosts roaming about.”
We nodded, and I said, "In that case, I won't disturb you any longer, Daoist. We'll stand aside and observe. If you need anything, feel free to ask for our help."
With that, we stepped aside. I held the talisman up to my nose and took a whiff; it had a pungent smell, but it wasn't the scent of cinnabar. The talisman was inscribed with something I couldn't decipher. I handed these talismans to a young police officer and said, "Please take these to the Greasy Forensic Doctor and have him check what’s written on them."
Although the young officer didn't understand why, he nodded in agreement.
"Do you suspect that Old Taoist is behind this?" Juan Juan asked.
I shook my head and replied, "Impossible. Just by looking at him, you can tell he wouldn't dare act recklessly even if he had ten times the courage. However, there was something during the dinner that made me think of this. That's why I came to see it for myself. It seems the ritual is about to begin."
It was around one o'clock in the morning, just past midnight. The Old Taoist was preparing to start the ceremony, and many of us stood at a distance, watching him. He first shook the Trident Bell; it's said that bells are used to summon spirits, especially those placed by the bedside.
The Old Taoist chanted: "The altar is set, the offering shall commence. The sea of suffering calls forth its own; those lost in confusion awaken not even a fraction. The mysteries of yin and yang are hard to fathom; two reach home through one’s nine palaces. If one can comprehend the principles of yin and yang, heaven and earth will come within grasp! Urgently as per command, come forth!"
As he spoke, the Old Taoist set down the Trident Bell and looked around as if trying to summon a spirit.
We scanned our surroundings but found nothing unusual. No one dared speak; following the Old Taoist's instructions, we turned off all the streetlights in the area. Only three red candle flames flickered on his altar, casting eerie shadows under the moonlight.
The people around us—young men and women alike—remained silent, not daring to utter a word or even breathe too loudly. At that moment, as dark clouds obscured the moon, the Old Taoist suddenly shouted, "The demon has arrived! Prepare for battle!"
As he spoke, several young disciples prepared a basin of water to place in front of him. The Old Taoist continued chanting while folding a talisman into the shape of a frog. He exclaimed: "First arrange nine palaces on your palm; fifteen lines run through them! Next, discuss eight trigrams in eight sections; unify them into three for authenticity! Urgently as per command! Gather!"
With that, he tossed the talisman into the water. As moonlight broke through again, we saw that the talisman began to move on its own in the still water as if trying to leap out of the basin. Everyone gasped in surprise but bit their lips in silence.
I frowned; it seemed this Old Taoist knew how to put on a show.
At that moment, the frog-shaped talisman gradually stopped moving, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that perhaps the spirit had been captured by the Old Taoist. But suddenly, he appeared flustered and exclaimed in panic: "This ghost has heavy resentment; capturing it with a talisman is proving difficult!"
In an instant, the Old Taoist jumped down, wielding his Peach Wood Sword. He stepped into position and began waving his sword in midair while chanting: "Earthly escape under purple clouds; human escape must know it is lunar. Six from life unite with six from heaven; this is heavenly escape made clear. Open six from earth unite with six from self; earthly escape is thus! Urgently as per command! Attach!"
Then he scattered yellow paper onto his Peach Wood Sword and placed it on an incense burner to ignite it. We watched as flames slowly consumed it, forming an eerie figure in midair! Its limbs twisted grotesquely and its head tilted at an unnatural angle—it looked terrifying enough to chill one’s bones!
Gasps erupted around us as some elderly folks began whispering among themselves; it seemed that the Old Taoist had indeed captured a demon. He turned back and said: "Everyone, this ghost is formed from local resentment; its power is considerable but now has been captured by me! However, as heaven has compassion for all life, I am going against fate by capturing this demon—this is not condoned by heavenly law! Just as nations have their laws and ghosts have their rules—if I forcibly eliminate it now, I fear I might suffer dire consequences!"
Some elderly people nearby, upon hearing the old Taoist's intention to let the ghost go, began to advise against it. One respected elder spoke up, saying, "Taoist priest, Taoist priest. Demons and evil spirits harm the world and must be eradicated without a doubt. I have heard of the five flaws and three deficiencies of those who cultivate the Dao. If you can help us eliminate this evil spirit, we will surely donate generously!"
The old Taoist feigned a troubled expression, then gritted his teeth and stomped his foot, putting on an act as if he were a hero sacrificing himself. He said, "Since that's the case, so be it. As the saying goes, our gathering is fated by heaven. This time, even if it shortens my life, I will definitely rid everyone of this evil spirit!"
As he spoke, the old Taoist plunged the Peach Wood Sword into the basin of water before him and chanted, "If at the death gate what is to be done, only hanging or execution is appropriate; let the winds assist in capturing the Yang star, and let the Ying star's name be known. Urgent as the law commands, break, break, break!"
As soon as he finished the incantation, fireballs ignited in the basin of water, swirling and moving about. The old Taoist pressed three fingers into the Divine Water on the Dao Platform and then waved them into the basin. We watched as the originally clear water turned a vivid red. The old Taoist nodded at this point, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and shouted, "Disciple! Although this evil ghost is dead, its resentment remains. Quickly collect it; do not let others take it away!"
The old Taoist's disciples nodded in agreement and poured the water into a special container while starting to clean up the Dao Platform. The elderly people gathered around him as he slowly said, "After this battle, I am utterly exhausted. But rest assured, everyone; the evil ghost has been subdued. I will return to rest now. As for donations, let's discuss that in detail tomorrow with my disciple."
With that, he nodded at us and swiftly left.
The crowd had little interest; having gotten what they wanted, the elderly people began to disperse.
Mary wanted to say something but was stopped by me.
The young man went hunting in the mountains with his grandfather and unexpectedly encountered Mouse Burning Incense and Wild Cat Worships at the Temple—statues made from human corpses. Upon returning home late at night, he found his biological mother chasing him with a "human," because of his grandfather's misdeeds towards her!
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