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Living Funeral
I suddenly remembered why I was able to talk to Ling Yu that day; perhaps it was because I had a connection with the Ghost Messenger.
Ling Yu is the Ghost Messenger, that is beyond doubt.
If the Book of Ten Thousand Ghosts was written by me, then was there still a secret scroll involved in this matter? Does my master have a secret scroll? I pondered this question in my mind, but I was quickly interrupted by Xiao Tongwen, who said, "Why isn't the food here yet?"
At that moment, there were only a few of us in the room. I replied, "It should be here soon."
Xiao Tongwen said, "You have to eat well before doing anything."
I asked Jiang Changsheng, "Is the Book of Ten Thousand Ghosts meant for the spirits?"
Jiang Changsheng replied, "Yes. Right now, people are suffering greatly; there are too many deaths, and the Yin-Yang Ghost Path remains closed. As a result, many souls are trapped."
I asked, "Can this Book of Ten Thousand Ghosts open the Yin-Yang Ghost Path?"
Jiang Changsheng nodded and said it would definitely work.
Hu Qingming chimed in, saying that regardless of whether it would work or not, they had to try. Xiao Tongwen added, "If it doesn't open, we'll just beat that bastard until it does. I don't believe he won't open it." Xiao Wentong's words were quite imposing. At that moment, a knock sounded from outside: "Young Master, the food has arrived."
I said, "Come in."
Five or six servants entered with dishes. Xiao Tongwen stood up and remarked, "You wealthy families really pay attention to presentation; not only must the food taste good, but it must also look good. In my opinion, as long as it tastes good, that's enough." With that, Xiao Tongwen chuckled a few times.
The three of us fell silent as the dishes were set on the table and the servants withdrew. Xiao Tongwen began to wolf down his food as if he had been starving for ages. He said to me, "I've been surrounded by dead bodies for so long; now I can finally enjoy a good meal."
I addressed Hu Qingming and Jiang Changsheng, suggesting they have some as well.
Hu Qingming was not polite about it, while Jiang Changsheng said, "Senior Brother, there isn't much time left. The Book of Ten Thousand Ghosts still requires your writing."
At that moment, I was still in a daze, completely unaware of what the ghostly text was. Jiang Changsheng quickly took out paper and a pen for me. Looking at the paper and pen, I thought it should be a graphite board instead. After a moment of confusion, I realized that these characters must have been later imprinted onto the graphite board.
Jiang Changsheng spread the white paper on a tea table and said, "Please use your blood to grind the ink." He then took out an ink block and instructed me to let my blood drop onto it. Taking a deep breath, I cut my fingertip, letting the blood fall onto the ink.
As Jiang Changsheng ground the ink for me, I held the pen, facing the blank sheet of paper. At first, I felt bewildered. However, it was as if another person sighed within me, urging me to lift the pen and begin writing.
In that instant, it felt like two souls resided within my body, separated yet intertwined. One soul began to write, strokes flowing effortlessly as thousands of characters were completed. In that moment, I sensed a faint aura of compassion.
Crimson characters began to form on the white paper, and I felt a wave of sadness wash over me. Gradually, I understood what was written on the page.
The opening lines began with a Petition for the Living...
As I comprehended the words on the white paper, I sighed deeply. The other soul also sighed, eventually dissipating into nothingness. Once finished, Hu Qingming asked what I had written. After a moment of silence, I recited the contents of the paper in one breath. Upon finishing, Jiang Changsheng remarked, "Senior Brother, you are truly remarkable."
Xiao Tongwen added, "It’s well-written."
At that moment, Xiao Tongwen's mouth was full of grease as he said to Chen Fei, "Your writing is quite good; you could become a teacher."
Hu Qingming replied, "You could become a butcher with how much you're eating."
After hearing this, Xiao Tongwen just laughed heartily without any further comment.
Jiang Changsheng said, "Senior Brother, I'll take this Book of Ten Thousand Ghosts now so those spirits can take a look."
Xiao Tongwen said, "Is it really necessary to rush? We just had a hearty meal."
Hu Qingming replied, "Are you coming or not?"
"Of course I'm coming," Xiao Tongwen responded.
The group then walked outside. I wanted to call out to them, but it seemed they couldn't hear me as they quickly disappeared from my sight. It was almost deep into the night, and my previously injured finger was still oozing blood.
I wiped the blood on my clothes, and the night passed in this manner. The next morning, Feng Li came to find me early. She said, "Chen Fei, I had a nightmare last night."
I asked, "What kind of nightmare?"
Feng Li replied, "I dreamed that you were going to die."
I was taken aback.
The five or six-year-old girl spoke so seriously that her eyes turned red, and silent tears began to fall. I reassured her that I wouldn't die.
Feng Li continued, "I once dreamed that my parents would die, and then they did. Last night, I dreamed you would die, Chen Fei. Does that mean you're going to die too?"
I insisted, "I won't die."
I held Feng Li in my arms, but deep down, I wondered if I would die. This uncertainty lingered in my heart. A gust of wind blew outside, carrying a sense of desolation and gloom, as if it were about to rain. Soon enough, I saw my father and Li Guang in the courtyard, walking and talking together.
Though I didn't know what they were discussing, I guessed it must be about our Chen Family's plans for refuge. As I watched Li Guang, I felt as if there was some hidden conspiracy behind his hollow gaze. I called out to my father, who waved his hand at me.
Feng Li remarked, "Your father and that ugly man both look very serious."
I nodded and said, "Yes, it's very serious." I then asked, "Feng Li, is there something you want to do?"
Feng Li replied, "Yes."
I inquired, "What is it?"
Feng Li said, "I want to bury my parents." I glanced at Feng Li, who was about five or six years old. Suddenly, she tightly grasped my hand and asked, "Can you help me, Chen Fei?" Thinking of all those dead people, I pondered for a moment before finally saying, "Alright."
I called for my servant, who followed behind me. At first, he seemed reluctant, but who could refuse me as the young master? I took Feng Li to the place we had been before. The stench there was overwhelming. I searched through the pile of corpses and found Feng Li's parents.
I then buried Feng Li's parents. In the afternoon, a light drizzle began to fall. Feng Li knelt in front of the simple grave mound.
My servant and I stood behind her as the wind blew, chilling us to the bone.
The servant said, "Young master, now that it's done, let's leave quickly. Staying here among the dead is bad luck."
I replied, "Wait a moment."
The servant continued, "You've always been kind-hearted. Not only did you save this girl, but you've also provided for her well. Now you've buried her parents too."
I told him to be quiet. Feng Li was crying very sadly. As the rain fell harder, after a moment I took Feng Li away from there.
Feng Li said, "Now I have nothing left."
I replied, "But you still have me."
Feng Li gave a small sound of agreement that was tinged with sobs. We left and returned home. Once we got back, we received news that three days later, the Chen Family would be moving away.
As soon as I arrived home, I saw the servants starting to pack things up; they had already begun to disperse. One of the attendants said to me, "Young Master, I don't want to leave you." I replied, "There's nothing to be reluctant about. I'll have the accounts office give you some money when the time comes."
Thus, the Chen Family disbanded.
Three days later, my father, along with Li Guang and Feng Li, set off on our journey. The route was planned by Li Guang, and we followed it diligently. Along the way, we encountered many corpses.
My father and Li Guang were engaged in lively conversation, and as we moved further along, the population around us dwindled.
Suddenly, Li Guang called out to me, saying, "Chen Fei, what do you think of the scenery here?"
I replied to Li Guang, "I haven't had a chance to look yet."
After a long day of travel, we hadn't reached our destination yet. We had a simple meal of dry rations and lit a bonfire in the evening. Before long, the wind picked up, causing the flames to flicker wildly. Then I saw someone walking towards me.
As the figure came into focus, I was somewhat surprised. However, Feng Li was asleep on my lap, and my father and Li Guang were engrossed in their conversation, oblivious to what was happening here.
She spoke up, "I hope you don't mind if I sit down."
I asked her, "Are you Ling Yu?"
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