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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter Eighty-Five: The Tomb
This story is also something I heard. It is said that before the liberation, there was a wealthy man named Zhao Shangshe. In search of a good burial site for his parents, he visited many famous masters and sought out auspicious locations. One day, he met a person well-versed in feng shui, known as the Ground Master. The Ground Master discovered a prime feng shui location called "Nine Dragon Nest." He told his friend, "Nine Dragon Nest is a treasure of feng shui, but only those with great fortune and virtue can benefit from it; ordinary people cannot occupy it."
After hearing this, the wealthy Zhao Shangshe sought out the Ground Master to point out this auspicious site.
The Ground Master said, "This is a serious matter. Your virtue is insufficient; you should not bury your ancestors in this place." He added, "If you truly wish to do so, you must follow my instructions: first, make donations for three years; second, provide three hundred sets of clothing and shoes for the monks in the temple; third, adopt ten fatherless children and treat them as your own biological children before you can choose an auspicious day for the burial."
Zhao Shangshe immediately agreed to these requirements. The Ground Master then took him to see the feng shui site and pointed out the specific location where the burial should take place, advising him on how deep to dig. After identifying the true burial spot, the Ground Master repeatedly warned him not to bury his ancestors there until he had completed the three tasks.
Zhao Shangshe readily agreed and began making donations and preparing clothing and shoes. However, he found it difficult to adopt orphans. As two years passed, he grew anxious and began to doubt the Ground Master's words, suspecting some ulterior motive.
Ignoring the Ground Master's previous advice, he insisted on relocating his parents' remains to the Nine Dragon Nest site. Due to their long acquaintance, the Ground Master reluctantly chose an auspicious day for the burial but warned him that during the excavation, no one could be present at the site.
Zhao Shangshe and his workers began digging. Just as they struck the ground with their shovels, a sudden thunderclap echoed in the clear sky. Ignoring this unusual occurrence, Zhao Shangshe continued digging. About a meter down, they unearthed two stone balls that were vividly colored and had a smooth, moist texture. Curious, he took the stone balls home.
After burying his parents' remains, he brought the stone balls back with him. Over the next few days, they dried out and became hard. Seven days later, disaster struck at home. Zhao Shangshe and his son were sleeping upstairs while heavy rain poured down outside accompanied by continuous thunder. Suddenly, a lightning bolt struck through their house, killing both father and son instantly. His wife, sleeping downstairs, was also crushed by debris from the collapsing building as fire consumed their home.
The neighbors witnessed this tragedy but were unable to help. After the rain subsided, Zhao Shangshe's relatives relocated his parents' remains back to their original burial site and returned the two stone balls to where they had been found before re-burying them. The Ground Master felt uneasy; every time there was thunder, he panicked and hid away until some time passed before things improved slightly.
At this point in my narration, I solemnly told Chief: "This story illustrates that Zhao Shangshe was a man without fortune. The Ground Master arranged a path for him to cultivate virtue; however, he did not follow this guidance and forcibly occupied the prime site of Nine Dragon Nest. As a result, not only did he lose his life but also brought disaster upon his wife and child. Even the feng shui master was frightened by heavenly retribution—truly harmful to both himself and others!"
After I finished speaking, everyone looked astonished, clearly not expecting that there were so many intricacies to Feng Shui. The Chief, who had been clamoring to acquire the Feng Shui treasure across the way, was now wide-eyed in shock. He said, "So you mean, if I were to take that Feng Shui treasure, I might end up with the same fate as Zhao Shangshe?"
I nodded. "I've observed your fortune; you are not yet capable of handling the Feng Shui treasure before you. So it's best not to think about it. Just accumulate good deeds, and in time, you will receive corresponding blessings in return."
The Chief nodded and chuckled, no longer daring to ask me to point out any auspicious spots for him.
After this brief interlude, we quickly arrived at the Yellow Earth Slope. Following the stream downwards, I spotted an ancient locust tree over a hundred years old on a small mound not far from the stream. I thought that must be the location of Ghost Granny's grave! So I headed straight towards the locust tree...
Eventually, beneath the old locust tree, we indeed found a Lonely Tomb. To the right of the tomb was the stream, which seemed to have some leaks above it, causing part of the water to seep onto the tomb. Water was seeping all around the front and back of the tomb, and it was overgrown with water plants. If it weren't for the stones piled in front of it, one might not even see a Mound.
Seeing this, I couldn't help but sigh, thinking no wonder Ghost Granny was so damp; living in such a place was truly pitiful.
That day, we dug open this waterlogged Mound, placed Ghost Granny's remains into a ceramic jar, and sought out a Feng Shui spot that gathered wind and energy to bury her remains.
The new grave finally stood up, adorned with Incense and Offerings. The promise made to Ghost Granny was finally fulfilled. We lit several sticks of incense and bowed a few times at the grave. I said, "Granny, we have completed what you entrusted us with. Look here; with mountains behind and water in front leading to a bright hall, with Azure Dragon and White Tiger flanking on both sides—are you satisfied with this place?"
As soon as I asked this question, a gust of cold wind swept through, swirling up the ashes of the Yellow Paper on the grave. I knew right away that Ghost Granny had been summoned by my words. Seeing this gust of wind, everyone began to understand what was happening; they were not afraid anymore. However, the Chief who had guided us turned pale with fright.
As the cold wind rose, soon Ghost Granny appeared, standing before the grave and nodding in satisfaction as she said, "Good, good; this place is nice."
I smiled; indeed, the location I found for Ghost Granny could be considered top-notch Feng Shui—a site embraced by mountains and water. The bright hall requires mountains in front; these mountains are called morning mountains and case mountains. Having morning mountains is an important principle in Feng Shui for determining whether a place is auspicious. One must check if there are morning mountains and case mountains surrounding it. The presence of case mountains signifies followers or worshippers. If a grave or residence is built on plains with case mountains in front, it indicates success in one's career and gaining public support.
The Azure Dragon and White Tiger also refer to mountains; left is Azure Dragon, right is White Tiger—this represents how the grave is flanked by mountain formations that create an enclosing effect. Mountains gather energy while water nourishes vitality; this is indeed a Feng Shui treasure.
I thought if she wasn't satisfied with such an excellent Feng Shui site, then perhaps she would prefer to be buried in that previous treasure spot we saw. However, even if I were willing to help her get buried there, she might hesitate out of fear that she wouldn't have enough fortune to share and would end up struck by heavenly lightning that would obliterate her remains.
To be honest, the reason I chose such a good location for Ghost Granny is mainly because I didn't want her to be dissatisfied. After all, she has saved the lives of several of us, and not just once. So, whether it was to fulfill the promise I made back then or to repay her life-saving grace, I had to do my best to make her happy.
I said, "As long as Grandma is satisfied, then I can rest easy."
Grandma nodded and then chuckled lightly, as if she had something else to say. So I asked her, "Does Grandma have anything else to instruct?"
Ghost Granny said, "Soon, I will have to be reincarnated. This life has been filled with too much suffering, and I hope in my next life I can be born into a good family. I wonder if you have any good methods?"
Upon hearing this, I couldn't help but frown. I said, "Grandma, whether one is poor or rich in the next life completely depends on one's Fude and deeds in this life. Surely you know this?"
Ghost Granny smiled shyly and said, "Of course I know that. It's just that I've heard people say there are some tricks to reincarnation, so I wanted to ask you for some guidance."
Although I had never been to the Underworld and had no experience with reincarnation, I was still quite clear about the tricks involved. However, there are rules regarding reincarnation; who you were in your previous life determines whether you will be poor or rich in the next life, whether you will live long or short. If I casually revealed these tricks, would it lead to accountability from the Underworld?
While I was thinking this way, Ghost Granny noticed my concern. She then smiled slyly and said, "Do you have a friend named Lin Xiaoqi? Hehe..."
"Huh? How does Grandma know her?" Upon hearing Lin Xiaoqi's name, I was suddenly shocked, as if my heart had been electrified; I became flustered.
However, Ghost Granny only smiled at my anxious demeanor and did not speak further. Seeing Ghost Granny like this, I realized she wanted me to tell her about the tricks of reincarnation first! Clearly, she was doing this on purpose.
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