Chapter 36: Fellow Apprentice (2/2)

Even Old Wang shook his head. No wonder the village's destruction was heaven's will, and Liu Changsheng its predestined instrument. A village guilty of such 滔天罪孽 (monstrous crimes) deserved retribution. His hatred drove him to override heaven's will when it spared children and elders.

But everything has a cause. Drawn into this 无端 (unjustly), I wondered if stopping Liu was right. The yin wind, the ghost trapped in 糯米粉 (glutinous rice powder), the kneeling spirits—Liu had used Seven-Death Coffins to drag them back for annihilation. But how could spirits escape the netherworld so easily? Was this all heaven's design?

I fell silent. To Zhoujiazhuang's evildoers, I was a savior, but to the wronged spirits, was I a sinner? Ghosts fear yang fire, but humans seldom fear heaven or virtue.

A doggerel says:

"The law - abiding fret each day,

While bullies sing all night.

The cruel ride horses,

While the just go hungry.

Bridge - builders go blind,

Murderers have many sons.

I asked Buddha in the West—

He said, 'Even I can't help!'"

I disagree. Heaven's way is just; good and evil are judged. If justice fails, a cataclysm looms. So never act with 侥幸 (complacency)—the gods see all.

After his story, Liu took a knife from his pocket. Before I could react, he said, "My lifeblood 反噬 (backlashes); I can't fight. But blood vengeance must be paid. I never meant to harm you, but now... I must follow heaven's will."

"What do you mean?" I asked, astonished.

Old Wang interjected, "Heaven wills adults die, not children or elders. Liu defied heaven, so he'll perish. Your intervention aligns with heaven—your lost lifespan will recover."

The 糯米圈 (glutinous rice circle) suddenly caught fire. The ghost stepped out as Liu slit his scalp, blood pouring. He peeled off his scalp, holding it in his hand.

"Zhang Dabao, I was wrong. There's a dragon grave in the mountains—my apology. I buried it under the Five Ghosts Formation."

"Brother Liu!" I shouted, realizing his plan.

Liu held the scalp as the ghost eyed him blankly. "Father, won't we be apart?"

"Right. Come in." Liu's voice was gentle.

Before I could stop him, the ghost merged into the rune - marked scalp. The incantations seemed to come alive. Liu sat cross - legged, chanting: "Heaven and earth natural, qi disperses... Mysteries of the cave, radiance of Taiyuan, eight directions' might..."

Old Wang interrupted, urgent. "Was your master Li Xiaozhang?"

I froze. "My grandpa?"

Old Wang slapped his thigh, sighing. "Too late! This is the Body - Sacrifice Heaven - Purifying Incantation. He's returning spirits to the netherworld, sacrificing his lifeblood and soul to purify Zhoujiazhuang! This spell comes from Maoshan—your grandpa and I are 同门 (fellow apprentices). He was my senior."