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墨書 Inktalez
One night in 2014, after finishing my swim, I opened my locker and found over thirty missed calls, all from the same number. The number had a note attached; it belonged to an old client. He was a mature and composed doctor, so I knew he was unlikely to be playing a prank. There must have been an emergency.
When I called back, the phone barely rang before he picked up and said, "Xiao Liu, I have a patient here who seems to have bumped into something. Can you come take a look?" The doctor’s surname was Li, and he was in his forties. Although he was a physician, he believed that some ailments were beyond medical treatment. I had helped him with a case before, so he trusted me to provide insight when he couldn't determine what was wrong with a patient. Usually, I would offer some advice first; only if it was necessary would I go see the patient. This time, however, he didn’t mention any symptoms and insisted that I come over, which indicated that the situation might be serious or strange.
I couldn’t help but ask him what was going on. He replied, "I've never seen anything like this. The patient is almost bursting and keeps wanting to eat. Do you think it's some kind of possession?" I didn’t jump to conclusions but asked him if there were any medical precedents for such a condition. He mentioned something about binge eating disorder but noted that it didn’t manifest like this. The patient was disoriented and only seemed to know one thing: eating. Regardless of whether they liked the food or not, they stuffed it into their mouth.
As he spoke, there were murmurs in the background as if others were reminding him of additional symptoms. His tone was urgent; it really did sound like some kind of possession. I asked Dr. Li to send me the address so I could head over right away. After changing clothes, I received his message with the location in Luoxi. I grabbed my things and prepared to go.
I wasn’t very familiar with the area and had to rely on navigation to get there. When I arrived, I realized it was an affluent neighborhood by the river, filled with large standalone villas. Each villa had gardens spanning hundreds of square meters, and there was even a patch of grass big enough for a soccer game between the houses. Indeed, the environment was not just good; it was exceptional.
Dr. Li was quite skilled and had a wide network of friends, serving as a private doctor for some of them as well. In this era where some people held multiple positions while others struggled to find even a regular job, it wasn’t unusual for doctors to take on private consultations outside their usual practice.
Upon reaching my destination, I called Dr. Li to let him know I had arrived. He told me to wait for him for a moment while he came down. While waiting, I took a moment to observe the feng shui layout of the place. Even though it was nighttime, I could still sense that the design clearly considered feng shui principles—something wealthy people often prioritized more as they became richer.
As I stood at the entrance waiting for them to open the door, two dogs in the yard barked at me aggressively—red Alaskan Huskies that seemed eager to challenge me as they dug at the door trying to get out. Initially distracted by my surroundings, I ignored them until they began barking louder.
I decided to test out the Dog Repelling Spell that Corpse Chasing had taught me earlier; surprisingly, it worked effectively—the dogs stopped barking and retreated into a corner.
When Dr. Li finally came down, he was accompanied by another man—a middle-aged man around thirty-four years old—who opened the door. Dr. Li introduced him as Huang, the owner of the house; for simplicity's sake, I'll refer to him as Brother Huang hereafter. If not for his plain attire and my own reserved nature, someone like him would have made me want to bow deeply and address him as "Lord Huang."
Brother Huang seemed slightly puzzled by how those two Alaskan Huskies reacted towards me but quickly shifted focus back to the matter at hand—the situation with his father.
As we walked through the yard and entered the house's main door, I was taken aback by its lavish decor and layout despite having mentally prepared myself for it beforehand. The living room was spacious with an entire set of square wooden furniture exuding opulence; although those sofas looked expensive, they surely weren’t as comfortable as ordinary ones—wealthy people often prioritized appearance over comfort.
A massive crystal cave meant for attracting wealth caught my eye at the entrance—it clearly held significant value. As we moved through the grand hall toward the elevator—yes, an elevator in a four-story house—I marveled at how even its buttons included levels labeled negative one and negative two.
Upon reaching a room on the third floor, we found an elderly man in his sixties or seventies lying on the bed while a woman in her thirties stood beside him along with a young boy around ten years old. The elderly man appeared lethargic; since it was summer, he wasn’t covered by any blankets either—a frail figure clutching his disproportionately large belly while moaning intermittently or rolling around in bed complaining about hunger.
I turned to Brother Huang and asked how long his father had been in this condition. He replied gently that it started when his father returned home two nights ago—he immediately began eating everything in sight: fruits from the kitchen and leftovers from meals.
"Yesterday during the day he seemed fine," Brother Huang continued calmly, "but last night he ate four big bowls of rice along with plenty of fruits—tangerines and apples—and hasn’t gone to the bathroom since then." He added that after rolling around in bed last night complaining about hunger again today, communication had become difficult.
I nodded thoughtfully; based on this information and observing the elderly man's behavior suggested that possession was highly likely.
"Excuse me," I said respectfully before performing some hand seals and lightly tapping his fontanelle (the soft spot on top of his head). The reaction confirmed my suspicions—it felt unusual; his body twitched as if experiencing cramps.
I requested Brother Huang and Dr. Li to help hold down his father while I examined him further since I had already determined that this elderly man was indeed possessed.
After lifting up his shirt slightly for examination, I felt around under his skin and discovered a hard lump beneath it—a telltale sign of possession that can vary in location but is generally present in afflicted individuals.
I suspected this spirit might be a Hungry Ghost—a soul that died from starvation—so after confirming its presence through touch alone due to my prior suspicions about its nature.
Hungry Ghosts are typically weak and fearful beings who suffered from hunger during their lifetimes; thus they are often depicted as emaciated figures who frighten easily upon encountering humans.
In Buddhism, there’s even a well-known practice called Feeding the Hungry Ghosts aimed at appeasing these spirits.
After locating the hard lump in his abdomen, I used one hand’s control technique along with hand seals while pulling out a talisman which I placed on his belly preparing myself mentally for expelling this spirit forcefully from within him.
After several minutes of manipulation on my part—the hard lump gradually softened while simultaneously calming down the elderly man's thrashing movements—I instructed Brother Huang to fetch hot towels and a basin while asking Dr. Li to find me a stick downstairs.
The hot towels proved useful; however, there wasn’t much use for the stick aside from keeping them occupied so they wouldn’t witness anything beyond their comprehension.
Initially hesitant due to concern over potential harm coming to their father—an understandable sentiment—they eventually relented once realizing this wouldn’t benefit anyone involved.
Once they left the room momentarily after confirming their departure—I quickly pulled out Spirit God from within this elderly man’s body using hand seals combined with talismans previously employed during our session together.
Having spent considerable time battling against this spirit earlier—it emerged weakened due largely because Hungry Ghosts lack strong resentments compared with other spirits; thus when Brother Huang returned shortly thereafter—I had already completed my task successfully trapping it within my vessel tool while also tidying up my hair casually afterward.
Brother Huang entered just as I laid hot towels across his father's abdomen causing him suddenly sit upright retching violently while calling out Brother Huang’s name asking what happened.
Seeing this emotional scene unfold before me—I understood that aside from needing assistance expelling malevolent energies lingering within him—his intestines required cleansing too but otherwise posed no major issues anymore.
Turning away from witnessing such poignant moments—I exited their room vowing not because of aversion towards witnessing someone vomit but rather respecting their privacy during recovery processes involved hereafter.
As soon as reaching kitchen doors—I spotted Dr. Li emerging from elevator holding onto stick which prompted me thanking him before suggesting checking back inside since elder gentleman should be fine after further adjustments made accordingly now needed rest afterward too!
While conversing briefly—I noticed Sister Huang entering room behind us just waiting until touching moments concluded within two minutes or less before she exited carrying basin filled with contents indicating heartfelt scene likely reached conclusion already!
Returning back inside—I observed elderly man lying weakly upon bed once more turning towards Brother Huang stating illness root has been eradicated requiring only rest henceforth while requesting Dr.Li assist prescribing herbal remedies beneficial towards recovery process alongside leaving behind talisman meant ward off evil spirits consumed within water form!
Witnessing Brother Huang seeing elder gentleman appearing lucidly aware along with normal behavior displayed—he began trusting my words now preparing escorting me outside premises!
Upon reaching ground floor—he retrieved shoulder bag exiting courtyard gate expressing gratitude saying “Xiao Liu truly appreciate your help! Without you we wouldn’t know what else could’ve done!”
Then pulling out stack cash from bag placing into hands saying “Take this! Honestly feel like still insufficient!”
Realizing situation warranted acceptance without hesitation—I accepted payment hurriedly making way homeward bound knowing within bag contained Hungry Ghost needing release soonest possible!
Arriving home—I immediately retreated into bedroom summoning forth aforementioned ghost who emerged seeking food desperately prompting ritualistic practices involving Feeding Hungry Ghosts until satisfied fully before sending off onto next journey ahead!
Uncertain regarding previous existence experiences endured—it seemed plausible given circumstances surrounding demise likely harrowing especially considering era faced famine conditions prevalent during 1960s leading many souls becoming trapped within state unable communicate effectively anymore!
Years passed yet still wandering aimlessly searching sustenance without fulfillment evident plight deserving sympathy indeed!
Limited capabilities allowed only providing comfort ensuring departing spirit left smiling contentedly knowing finally satiated upon departure!
Gratefulness fills heart recognizing fortunate circumstances born amidst times devoid worries regarding basic needs fulfilled daily!
Acknowledging blessings bestowed upon us including nourishment received parental guidance alongside all gifts granted throughout lives lived thus far!
While expressing gratitude—is there space within hearts reflectively honoring ancestors endured hardships paving way prosperity enjoyed today?
Amidst indulgences experienced daily can we genuinely remember those perished due starvation?
My wish remains steadfast: may future generations thrive abundantly without fear hunger ever again encountering fellow practitioners never crossing paths again with Hungry Ghosts!
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