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墨書 Inktalez
The white-haired High Monk, with a face shrouded in the smoke of incense, bore wrinkles that overflowed with compassion for the mortal world. Holding a string of prayer beads, he slid them through his fingers one by one, creating an atmosphere of profound sanctity and solemnity.
"Good and evil have their causes; too much goodness invites the deceit of spirits," the High Monk said, slightly raising his head to gaze at Ye Chenfeng before turning his attention to Ding Li. His tone was calm and unhurried as he continued, "Benefactor, have you heard the tale that circulates among the people?"
Ding Li and Ye Chenfeng had always enjoyed listening to stories, and they eagerly nodded, expressing their desire to hear this tale that they were unaware of.
The High Monk began: "Long ago, atop a steep and rugged mountain peak, there stood an ancient temple that had fallen into disrepair.
This temple did not worship a Bodhisattva or the Earth God; instead, it housed a nameless clay statue.
An Evil Spirit, who had committed many wrongdoings in life, was truly notorious for its misdeeds. After death, it was destined to endure various tortures in the Underworld before it could enter the cycle of reincarnation. However, this Evil Spirit refused punishment and lingered in the mortal realm, unwilling to descend to the Underworld.
As time passed, the Evil Spirit could not continue this way. It was well aware that whether human or ghost, there was a limit to how long one could remain in a space.
The Evil Spirit dared not harm anyone because the Underworld had issued a warrant for its capture, posters plastered everywhere calling for its apprehension. The local Black and White Impermanence patrolled diligently; should it dare commit any crime, they would arrive swiftly to ensure it faced punishment.
Hiding for an extended period in the dark corners of the Underworld, the Evil Spirit felt its ghostly essence gradually fading. If this continued, it would face annihilation.
Fear gripped the Evil Spirit; it dreaded the thought of losing its soul and never having another chance at reincarnation.
Even being reborn as livestock would be preferable.
Once annihilation occurred, everything would be over.
In a state of constant anxiety, the Evil Spirit finally emerged from its hiding place and possessed the nameless Mud Buddha.
The Mud Buddha was an object of veneration used by the local Mountain People to pray for peace from all directions. What began as a psychological comfort inadvertently became a refuge for the Evil Spirit.
By inhabiting the clay statue, the Evil Spirit absorbed incense daily and gained insights from the Mountain People's worship. Occasionally, it even helped others out of joy, receiving more offerings and sacrifices in return.
The Evil Spirit was quite satisfied with the current situation.
This way, he no longer had to fear the Black and White Impermanence coming to capture him, and he was now doing good deeds.
However, the good times did not last long. The mountain became desolate, and the Mountain People, suffering from disasters and famine, left their homes for other places.
Despite having magical powers, the Evil Spirit could not save himself from the dire circumstances. He watched helplessly as the people who once worshipped him departed, and he saw the Temple turn into ruins.
Later on, a strong man passed by and needed to cross a deep ravine that had no bridge.
The strong man turned around and saw a Mud Buddha covered in Spider Webs inside the dilapidated temple. Not knowing who this Mud Buddha was, he simply picked it up on his shoulder and placed it across the ravine, just enough for him to cross.
The Evil Spirit feared the strong man because he possessed something that frightened him, so he dared not act recklessly.
After the strong man, a Weak Scholar arrived.
Seeing the Mud Buddha being used as a bridge across the ravine, the Weak Scholar was furious. He quickly called for others to help lift the Mud Buddha, cleaned it personally, and declared his intention to restore its Golden Body.
The Evil Spirit was no longer willing to remain a neglected Mud Buddha. Seeing how accommodating the Weak Scholar was, he decided to possess him and forcefully took over his body.
The Evil Spirit transformed into the appearance of the Weak Scholar before the world, while the poor Weak Scholar's soul left his body and drifted to the Underworld.
In the Underworld, King Yan checked and found that the Weak Scholar's lifespan had not yet ended; he should not have come to the Underworld. He sent Yin Chai to investigate further. Upon investigation, they discovered that this long-wanted Evil Spirit had been deceiving people and taking lives while impersonating a scholar.
Thus, all of Yin Chai mobilized to capture the person possessed by the Evil Spirit.
Within a few days, the Evil Spirit was captured. Yin Chai escorted him to the Underworld to face severe punishments in the Eighteen Layers of Hell.
"The story told by the High Monk is meant to teach us to mind our own business, or what?" Ye Chenfeng asked with his hands clasped together, his tone earnest.
The High Monk shook his head and said, "Not at all. What I mean to convey is that we must not let the Evil Spirit go unchallenged, nor should we underestimate the benevolent spirits. We should not rush to accumulate good karma; take your time. Amitabha, well said!"
Ye Chenfeng and Ding Li stood up to bid farewell to the High Monk as they left the Centennial Temple.
"I still don't understand what he meant," Ye Chenfeng explained to Ding Li. "The High Monk's point is that we cannot compromise with the Evil Spirits, nor should we treat benevolent spirits lightly. We must not show weakness towards either the Evil Spirits or the benevolent spirits; after all, they are not 'people' who walk the same path as us."
"Mm."
Ye Chenfeng and Ding Li hurried along Ximen Road.
At this moment, the lights were just beginning to shine, and the night deepened.
Men and women who enjoyed nightlife crowded into their favorite Night Club, creating a cacophony that disturbed the tranquility of this beautiful city under the night sky.
Traffic flowed like a river, and people lingered under the neon lights in this dark world.
Ye Chenfeng and Ding Li rushed forward, their destination drawing closer.
Her heart raced wildly.
She wondered if she would be able to see that woman selling goods on the street, or if she would catch sight of that tree blooming with white flowers.
The Post Office was busy even at night; in just a few minutes, the staff would finish their shifts and close up for the day.
Ding Li did not see the tree with white flowers, nor did she see the woman selling goods on the street. She pointed towards the house that Xiao Qiang mentioned and said to Ye Chenfeng, "It's the third one in that alley."
Ye Chenfeng nodded and took Ding Li's hand.
Her hand was slightly cool and sweaty, a sign of her nervousness.
"Don't be nervous, it's fine."
"Mm."
How could Ding Li not be nervous? Her fingers trembled slightly, and she brushed her hair back in a feeble attempt to hide her anxiety; her hair was damp.
When did she start sweating on her face?
"The season has changed, and we've walked such a long way that we're both sweating," Ye Chenfeng joked as he saw Ding Li wiping her sweat with a tissue. "Didn't you say it was cold here? Do you still feel cold now?"
"Not cold."
"Then let's go." Ye Chenfeng had no intention of letting go of Ding Li's hand. Holding hands like this, they appeared to others as a deeply affectionate couple. However, they had been married for several years now; the seven-year itch had long passed.
"Is this the place?" Ye Chenfeng pointed at the Crimson Door and asked Ding Li.
Ding Li nodded and shook her head, saying, "I don't know either; Xiao Qiang said this is his home."
Ye Chenfeng knocked on the door.
As his hand touched the door, he felt nothing unusual. When the door opened, a fairly handsome middle-aged man appeared. Seeing two strangers at his doorstep, he smiled and asked, "Who are you looking for?"
"Big Brother, I'm looking for someone named Xiao Qiang. Do you know him?"
The middle-aged man shook his head and said, "I don't know him."
Ding Li was surprised. How could that be? Xiao Qiang mentioned he was here. Looking at the man's age, he should be Xiao Qiang's father.
A father who doesn't recognize his own son—was he lying?
"Big Brother, I heard about a child named Xiao Qiang..." Ye Chenfeng wanted to say more, but the man seemed impatient to hear him continue. He apologized and said, "Sorry, we just moved in and really don't know anyone named Xiao Qiang."
Then he closed the door.
New residents!
Ye Chenfeng wanted to ask when they had moved in, but the man had already shut the door.
"Sigh, let's go back!"
"He’s lying; he must be Xiao Qiang's father," Ding Li insisted, turning to look at the Crimson Door.
"Lily, don’t be like this. It worries me, you know?" Ye Chenfeng gently turned her head back and led her away from the crimson door.
Ye Chenfeng told Ding Li that their search for Xiao Qiang would have to come to a halt. There was no point in dwelling on it; they needed to remember High Monk's warning: even benevolent spirits could turn into Evil Spirits because in their world, it was all about satisfying possession.
Ding Li felt heavy-hearted as she frequently glanced back at that place, at the green door of the Post Office.
The Post Office was already closed.
People were rushing home through the streets and alleys, as the nightlife was about to deepen. Those who disliked the night life had to hurry back before it fully set in.
It was now nighttime.
Why could Xiaoqiang come to find me during the day, but not show up now?
Ding Li felt downcast, lost in thought as she walked along.
Ye Chenfeng had come prepared this time, carrying the Ghost-Collecting Gourd with him. Those malevolent creatures, lacking any significant cultivation, had already sensed his presence and fled long before he arrived, too afraid to show themselves in front of him.
Ding Li was unaware of this.
"Ye Chenfeng, just ahead, take a left and we can go to our Paper Craft Shop. Want to check it out?"
Ding Li was not ready to give up; she hoped Xiaoqiang might be able to get help. Perhaps he was hiding in the Paper Craft Shop, possessing one of the paper figures.
The Paper Craft Shop was a place Ye Chenfeng had to visit.
But first, he needed to ensure Ding Li was settled.
During the day, he worked at the company, and at night, he worked at the Paper Craft Shop.
Every night, Ding Li had to drink a glass of milk.
The milk helped calm her nerves and aided her sleep. Only after Ding Li fell asleep would Ye Chenfeng rise and head to the Paper Craft Shop, waiting for those in need of assistance to arrive. He would return home around three in the morning, and when Ding Li woke up, she would have no idea what Ye Chenfeng had been doing during the night.
At night, the Paper Craft Shop was heavy with Yin energy.
"Ding Li shouldn't go."
"This time, it's Ye Chenfeng accompanying her to the Paper Craft Shop."
At the entrance of the Paper Craft Shop, shrouded in darkness, a sign hung displaying various paper products. No deception, no credit.
"I didn't bring the key; we should head back!"
Before coming here, Ding Li hadn't considered this point; she indeed forgot to bring the key.
She and Ye Chenfeng had no choice but to turn back.
If Xiao Qiang is inside, if he can't be seen tonight, he will surely be there tomorrow.
As night fell, the ground beneath the streetlights appeared pale and lifeless.
The tall buildings lay in slumber, devoid of any vitality, giving off an impression of massive tombs. Inside these tombs were living people lost in sleep, with a tall figure casting a shadow that stretched and shrank, reflecting a rapid vertical movement under the light.
That figure was Ye Chenfeng.
Now, he was a Yin Yang Master, working at the Paper Craft Shop.
This kind of work wasn't about earning money during the day; it was about making a living from the dead in the stillness of night.
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