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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter Two
I trembled as I opened the door, which creaked like old bones groaning. Outside, under the dim yellow light, stood an elderly man leaning on a cane.
The old man's hair and beard were completely white, resembling withered grass covered in frost and snow during winter. His face was lined with deep wrinkles, etched with the passage of time. He wore a faded coarse cloth outfit, and his back was slightly hunched, as if burdened by the weight of life. Yet, his eyes sparkled with vitality, radiating kindness and wisdom, like a deep ancient well—calm and profound.
“Lao Liu? Who are you...?” I asked, puzzled; I did not recognize this old man. The gears of my memory began to turn, but I could not find any fragments that matched the face before me.
“Brother, you forget easily! A few years ago, you saved my life!” The old man chuckled, his voice booming and full of strength, like an ancient bell. Though slightly hoarse, it resonated deeply.
I scrutinized the old man closely, trying to search through the depths of my memory. That sea of recollection felt shrouded in mist—vague and indistinct.
“A few years ago, I collapsed at the village entrance. You carried me back home and took care of me for several days. Have you forgotten?” The old man added with a hint of urgency in his tone, as if afraid I wouldn’t believe him.
His reminder sparked a faint recollection; indeed, I had saved an elderly man who had fainted years ago. However, that man had been frail and on the brink of death, as thin as kindling that could scatter with a gust of wind. How could he possibly be this spirited old man before me? It was as if he had been reborn!
“Who are you…?” I asked tentatively, my voice laced with hesitation and uncertainty.
“Brother, to be honest, I am actually a Willow Spirit who has taken human form. Thanks to your help back then, I was able to survive. Now that you are in great trouble, I have come to repay your kindness,” the old man said in a lowered voice, shrouded in mystery as if sharing an earth-shattering secret.
I was taken aback. A Willow Spirit? How could that be? Having lived for half my life, I had never heard of such a thing. Could this old man be losing his mind?
“Brother, I know you don’t believe me, but it’s all true,” he continued when he saw my skepticism. “Your son Dazhuang’s death was not due to natural causes but was man-made. To be precise, it was destined for this child to face such calamity.”
“Man-made? What do you mean?” A jolt ran through me; could there be more to Dazhuang's death? His words struck like thunder, cleaving through my muddled thoughts.
“It was Liu Banjian who harmed your son,” the old man said, each word cold and laced with a hint of malice, like shards of ice piercing through the heart in the depths of winter.
“Liu Banjian? Why would he want to harm Dazhuang?” I could hardly believe my ears. Liu Banjian was a well-known feng shui master in the area; why would he want to hurt my son? It seemed utterly absurd!
“Because he holds a grudge against you. Years ago, you argued with him over feng shui matters, and he lost face. He has harbored resentment ever since, deliberately toying with you by choosing an inauspicious day,” the old man explained, his voice filled with anger and injustice.
Suddenly, everything became clear! Liu Banjian was so malicious that he would go as far as to kill my son just for revenge! A fire of rage ignited within me, burning fiercely, threatening to turn everything to ashes.
“Brother, don’t worry. I will help you seek revenge,” the old man said firmly, his resolve as unshakeable as a mountain.
I looked at him gratefully, a flicker of hope igniting in my heart. This hope was like a lamp in the darkness—though faint, it was enough to illuminate the path ahead.
“Brother, please take care of yourself and grieve in moderation. I will head into town now to settle accounts with Liu Banjian,” the old man said before turning to leave. His figure stretched long under the dim light and gradually faded into the night, as if merging with the dark backdrop.
I watched him depart, filled with gratitude and anticipation.
The next day, I forced myself to handle Dazhuang’s funeral arrangements. Standing before his grave, my heart felt like it was being sliced by a dull knife, each cut agonizingly painful, making it hard for me to breathe.
I silently vowed that I would avenge Dazhuang!
A few days later, a fortune teller arrived in the village. With white hair yet youthful features and an ethereal presence, he held a feather duster in his hand and walked as if floating on air, like a figure stepped out from a painting. Each step he took radiated an extraordinary aura that commanded respect.
He set up his stall under an old locust tree at the village entrance and began offering fortune-telling services. A cloth banner hung in front of his stall, boldly inscribed with “Iron Mouth Directly Predicts, Guiding Through Confusion” in striking characters that conveyed a sense of authority.
“Sir, could you tell me my fortune?” a curious villager approached him. His name was Li Daniu, known in the village for his simple-mindedness.
The fortune teller calculated with his fingers and slowly said, "Your forehead is dark; there may be bloodshed in your future." His voice was calm yet carried an undeniable authority.
Li Daniu, upon hearing this, turned pale, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He hurriedly asked, "Sir, is there a way to avert this disaster?" His voice trembled slightly.
The fortune teller smiled and replied, "It's not difficult to resolve the calamity; you just need to do this..." He leaned closer to Li Daniu's ear and whispered a few words.
I watched from a distance, pondering whether this fortune teller could be the Willow Spirit. His attire and demeanor certainly suggested something extraordinary.
I decided to test my suspicions. So, I stepped forward and approached the fortune teller's stall.
As I reached the front of the stall, I said, "Sir, could you read my fortune?"
The fortune teller looked up at me with a gaze that seemed to see through everything. He said, "You carry a sinister aura; you may soon experience the pain of losing a child."
I was taken aback; how could he know that my son had passed away? How did he find out? Could it be that he truly is...
"Sir, you are remarkable!" I feigned surprise, adding a hint of admiration to my tone.
The fortune teller chuckled and said, " Laogen, it's good to see you." His voice held a warmth reminiscent of greetings between old friends.
I was stunned. He knew my name!
"Who are you...?" I asked tentatively, my voice filled with confusion and anticipation.
" Brother, it's me," the fortune teller lowered his voice and said, his eyes glinting with a mischievous light.
I finally recognized him as the Willow Spirit!
“How did you end up like this?” I asked in surprise, looking him up and down, hardly believing my eyes.
“I changed my appearance for convenience,” the Willow Spirit explained, a hint of pride in his tone.
“What do you mean...?” I asked, confused about what he was planning.
“I've set a trap, just waiting for Liu Banjian to take the bait,” the Willow Spirit said confidently, as if everything was under his control.
Upon hearing this, I felt a surge of excitement and my heart raced.
“That’s great, that’s great,” I repeated, feeling a weight lift off my chest.
“ Brother, don’t worry. I will make Liu Banjian pay the price!” the Willow Spirit declared firmly, as if making a solemn vow.
I looked at the Willow Spirit with gratitude, filled with hope. My son could finally rest in peace.
But would Liu Banjian really take the bait? He was a cunning old fox, very sly indeed.
My heart was filled with anticipation and anxiety, like water sloshing in a bucket. Oh, Willow Spirit, please don’t let me down! I’m eager to see how you deal with that old rascal Liu Banjian!
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