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After the college entrance examination, Wei Ning, as in previous years, went to Wang Tuozi's place to learn the Blessing Method. A month later, after finishing his evening lessons, Wang Tuozi called Wei Ning over. This time, Wang Tuozi's expression was solemn, a stark contrast to his usual nonchalant demeanor.
"Wei Zi," he began, "you've been coming here for a few years now. Over these years, you've never paid tuition. Considering how much business you've brought me, I didn't mind. But now, it's time for us to part ways."
Wei Ning was puzzled. "Master, what do you mean?"
"As the saying goes, 'A master leads you to the door; your practice depends on yourself.' I've taught you all I can about the thirty-six skills of the Corpse Driver. Now it's time to see if you've been slacking off all these years."
"What do you mean?"
Wang Tuozi continued, "In our Zhu You sect, there are three trials for disciples. Only by passing these trials can one truly be considered a disciple. They test your sense of direction, strength, and courage. I believe you can handle these three trials without issue, so I won't bother testing you on them. However, there's one final trial left. If you pass this trial, you'll be ready to go out on your own. There's nothing more I can teach you."
"Master, what will you test me on?"
"Welcoming the God of Joy! And you'll have to do it alone. No matter what problems you encounter along the way, I won't intervene. That's the rule in our line of work. You must rely solely on your own abilities to complete this task before you can truly consider yourself a disciple. If you fail, it means you're not capable enough; it’s not that I, Wang Chuyi, failed to teach you well—it's that you're not qualified to be my disciple anymore. So don’t come back to see me after this. I have my own matters to attend to as well. If fate allows it, perhaps we’ll meet again someday."
"Master..." Hearing that Wang Tuozi wanted to part ways with him made Wei Ning anxious.
Wang Tuozi waved his hand to stop him. "That's enough. Also, from now on, you cannot acknowledge me as Wang Chuyi nor tell anyone that I'm your master."
"Why?" Wei Ning was completely confused by Wang Tuozi's words.
"That's just how it is. It's getting late; I need to sleep. Tomorrow you'll come with me to promote our business."
"Promote? Why?"
"Have you lost your mind? What era do you think this is? Can we still operate like we did back then? If we don't advertise, how will we attract customers?"
"Advertising? Where?"
"Naturally, it should be broadcasted during the news on the central channel; that would have some impact."
Wang Tuozi took Wei Ning out and found a crowded area. They located a telephone pole covered in a dense array of advertisements. Wang Tuozi pulled out a crumpled yellow paper and scribbled a few words on it:
"Burial services available, phone: 18745515." He placed it under an advertisement for treating sexually transmitted diseases and above one for infertility treatments. After sticking it up, he returned with Wei Ning, who swallowed hard, realizing this was what Wang Tuozi referred to as a central television advertisement.
Days passed without any news until one day, Wang Tuozi's phone rang. After answering the call, he stopped Wei Ning and said, "We have business."
The caller was an elderly woman in her sixties named Li. Her husband had passed away a few years prior at the age of over eighty, having lived a long life without illness, which could be considered a "happy burial." The couple originally hailed from Changde, but unfortunately had lived in Xiangxi for over twenty years. The old woman's only wish before her husband died was to be buried in their hometown. Although her sons insisted on transporting the body back by vehicle, she stubbornly believed that they should walk the traditional way. She thought that if they used a vehicle, only the body would return while the spirit remained in Xiangxi; only by walking could the spirit also come home. Her sons dared not oppose her wishes and began searching for someone who could help them with this traditional method. Eventually, they heard about Wang Tuozi's advertisement.
The old woman quickly made up her mind and requested Mr. Wang's services.
After discussing the price with her sons and stating that his apprentice would handle the journey, the old woman spoke up: "Sir, I trust you, but can this young man really do it?"
Wang Tuozi naturally praised Wei Ning. The old woman adjusted her reading glasses and remarked, "But I've heard that those who perform this service should look a certain way—like you. This boy looks too handsome; is he suitable?"
Wang Tuozi retorted, "What era are we in? What parents would let their children learn our trade? Just having an apprentice is already fortunate; who cares about looks? Our profession has been declining year after year." He sighed dramatically before adding, "Don't worry; I'll be watching over him." Only then did the old woman reluctantly agree. Her sons then dragged Wang Tuozi outside for further negotiations.
Due to the nature of the Corpse Driver's work, no one was allowed nearby during the process. After clearing the area, Wei Ning applied a special potion to the elderly man's body to ensure its rigidity. He then sealed the seven orifices of the God of Joy with cinnabar to prevent any negative energy from escaping. After offering incense and paper money as tribute, he placed a yellow paper on the God of Joy's forehead and loudly proclaimed using Wang Tuozi's "Soul Retrieval Technique," "I respectfully invite the God of Joy to rise!" To his astonishment, the corpse slowly raised its arms to form a right angle with its body. It was Wei Ning's first time using this technique. Seeing it work brought him joy; he waved his Soul Banner and shouted, "What must be collected shall remain; east comes west goes back east; the deceased transforms into gold bricks; gold bricks are stored in my cabinet. Move!"
To his amazement, the God of Joy stood upright from the bed. With another wave of his Soul Banner, the God of Joy stood directly behind Wei Ning. Wei Ning scattered paper money and declared, "Yin people may pass; Yang persons step aside," leading them forward while the God of Joy followed closely behind.
This Soul Retrieval Technique required precision in every movement and incantation; even each step taken had significance. The God of Joy had no awareness and relied entirely on the guidance of Wei Ning's Soul Banner to move forward. Beneath their feet lay Yin Points every three steps; each jump by the God of Joy had to land on these points to avoid being affected by Yang energy. The scattering of paper money also followed strict rules—wherever it was thrown must be collected properly. Disregarding these rules could offend local deities or evil spirits, leading to separation of the God of Joy's soul from its body.
Every detail mattered: where to go next, where to stop for rest, when to rise, when to chant spells or recite Righteousness Songs—all were crucial elements that made Wei Ning feel tense during his first journey as he feared losing control over the God of Joy.
Following Wang Tuozi's instructed route through secluded rural paths all night long, dawn began to break as Wei Ning realized it was time to enter Fortune Inn.
"I wonder if this Fortune Inn still has guests; I hope it's like Guan Zhuang," he thought nostalgically about Guan Zhuang and his grandfather, feeling a wave of melancholy wash over him.
Following the address left by Wang Tuozi, Wei Ning quickly found the Fortune Inn. Like Guan Zhuang, this Fortune Inn was also dilapidated, but the weathered Vermilion Door Panel seemed to hint at its former prosperity and the current decline of Zhu You School.
According to the rules, Wei Ning waved his Soul Banner, stepped forward, cleared his throat, and said, "No collection, no land left behind, east comes and west goes yet returns east. Today I borrow your establishment; gold bricks will be deposited in your treasury."
After a short while, an elderly voice came from within, "To collect, land must be retained; east comes and west goes yet returns east. The deceased transforms into a gold brick, which will be deposited in my treasury."
Wei Ning felt reassured and exchanged greetings with the person inside. Only then did they open the door panel to reveal an elderly woman with white hair. Upon seeing Wei Ning, she looked surprised and said, "I am but an old lady; I didn't expect such a handsome young man to come by. You must be tired after a long journey; please come in."
Wei Ning thanked the old woman first, then according to custom invited the God of Joy into the treasury. He then lit a Seeking Home Lantern using the very technique he had longed to learn from Wei Qiuxi, though he never had the chance for personal instruction.
Wei Ning began chatting with the old woman. Surprisingly, there were no lights in the room; the old woman lit a Tung Oil Lamp, casting an eerie glow throughout.
Suddenly, Wei Ning frowned and said, "Something's not right, grandmother; there are living people in this house."
The old woman replied, "Impossible! Ever since my husband passed away nearly ten years ago, no one has come to visit. How could that be?"
Wei Ning insisted, "I can sense the presence of life. The Fortune Inn is only meant to receive the God of Joy; you should know this."
At that moment, a gust of wind swept through the corridor, causing the Chen State Talisman on the God of Joy's face to flutter noisily. Wei Ning felt that something was amiss in his heart but couldn't quite put his finger on it.
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