Chapter 18: Two Matters

Does Uncle mean that practicing with this Daoist Book is also specific to certain people?

Otherwise, could such a good deed fall to you?

Then how did Master know I could cultivate? Master gave me the Daoist Book without even asking, how did Master know I could cultivate these three Daoist Books?

Uh…

Uncle was stumped by my question for a moment, and then he said:

I don’t know about that, you should ask that Old Taoist.

Seeing Uncle’s eyes darting away, I realized he wasn’t being entirely honest about this matter, and was definitely hiding something from me. But if Uncle wouldn’t say, I couldn’t do anything.

I could only look at Uncle with the calm, dead-fish eyes of a corpse. Seeing my meaningful gaze, Uncle teased:

Tsk, tsk, Little Child, why do I feel like you’re becoming more and more like that Old Taoist? Why do I, your Uncle, feel that your emotions have become more stable after experiencing these things?

My heart suddenly jumped. I realized that what Uncle said seemed to be true. At first, I would be scared, but now I’m quite invested in these matters.

Don’t learn from that Old Taoist who misleads people, learn from Uncle like me.

Although I knew Uncle was changing the subject, I also knew it would be difficult to force him to speak if he didn’t want to, so I had to let it go.

Uncle, what is the effect of Spirit and Ghost Technique and Great Peace Clear Heart Incantation?

Uncle threw the prayer beads into the brazier, casually lay down on the ground, closed his eyes, and said softly:

I’ll tell you when you can recite all three Daoist Books backwards. Otherwise, I’m afraid you’ll overthink it and disrupt your state of mind, ruining your Daoist Cultivation.

Fine, but Uncle, isn’t lying like this disrespectful to the dead?

We just helped him, he won’t mind these small things. You should also take a nap, don’t burn yourself.

It must be almost five in the early morning now. I was so tired I could die after staying up this late. After hesitating for a moment, I stood up, walked to a nearby stool, sat down, and closed my eyes to rest.

About an hour and a half later, there was a soft knock on the door. I opened my eyes groggily. Uncle had already gotten up and gone to the door.

Uncle opened the door and looked. The person knocking was Mr. Hong. Seeing Uncle open the door, he asked:

Master, was it successful?

Your father has passed. Bury him well.

After hearing Uncle say it was done, Mr. Hong kept thanking him gratefully. Uncle replied with some polite words, saying it was what they should do.

I don’t know if Mr. Hong was being polite or genuinely grateful to us, but none of that matters. Some things are necessary. Regardless of whether we were performing for him or not, this process of performing was essential. Otherwise, it would be difficult for him in front of the Old Woman, and he wouldn’t be able to convince her. I suspect the one making a fuss was most likely the Old Woman.

Uncle changed the subject again, and said seriously to Mr. Hong:

Mr. Hong, your father asked me to tell you to do two things before he passed.

Mr. Hong looked visibly stunned by Uncle’s words, but still asked with surprise:

Blade Master, what did my father entrust me with?

The first thing is that your father left behind a wooden puppet that closely resembles him. He only said it was hidden in his room, but didn’t specify where. Go find that wooden puppet, and after you find it, seal its seven orifices with vermilion, then burn the puppet.

The second thing is to go buy a brazier, the more expensive the better, and buy a lot of paper money, the more the better. Burn it in front of the kitchen stove. Then, put the ashes into a box and place the ashes outside the door. The denominations of the paper money should be neither the largest nor the smallest, but somewhere in the middle. Do you understand?

Mr. Hong seemed to have understood clearly, but appeared to have something to say. However, Uncle didn’t bother with that and said directly:

We’ve finished our part. Please try to complete these two tasks as quickly as possible so your father can rest in peace. If there’s nothing else, we’ll be leaving now.

Mr. Hong pushed up his glasses, hesitated for a moment, and then agreed.

We’re leaving.

Uncle said to me, turning back. I stood up from the chair, picked up my suitcase, and followed Uncle.

I saw a look of unease on Mr. Hong’s face, but he didn’t say anything and saw me and Uncle out the door.

I’ll drive you. Two Masters.

Mr. Hong said politely.

No need. Mr. Hong, you should prioritize completing the tasks your father entrusted you with.

Uncle refused softly, then led me in a certain direction.

It was still dark as the sky had not yet brightened.

I dragged my suitcase behind Uncle and asked him, puzzled: Uncle, are those two things you mentioned really what that old man entrusted you with?

Since I was present the whole time and didn’t see the old man entrust Uncle with anything, I asked him in confusion.

Entrust what? The Nightmare Binding Technique is a wicked technique, a wicked technique that harms others and benefits oneself. If it were the Charm Binding Technique, it wouldn’t be so troublesome. After the binding object is broken, the repercussion would have to be borne by the caster. But the Nightmare Binding Technique is different. Regardless of success or failure, the consequences must be borne by the practitioner, and secondly by their descendants or spouse who will bear the corresponding karma. Although I don’t know what conditions that old man traded with that practitioner, the consequences are not something an ordinary person can bear.

Since it harms others and benefits oneself, why would that person help this old man?

People die for wealth.

Then what’s the point of burning paper money?

After doing this troublesome deed, we have to give them some benefits. If the Underworld Official comes back and accepts the money, then this matter is settled. If the Underworld Official doesn’t accept it, then within fourteen days, misfortune will befall Mr. Hong’s family. In severe cases, death is also possible. We’ve done what we can, and whatever happens afterward is not our concern. These are the troubles caused by that old man, and the consequences will naturally be borne by his family. I hope Mr. Hong believes what I say and completes those two tasks quickly. If Mr. Hong doesn’t believe it and lets it go, then something will surely happen later.

After listening to Uncle, I looked back in the direction of the old Ancestral Hall and then closely followed Uncle.

After walking for a while, Uncle hailed a three-wheeled cargo truck. The uncle driving the truck collected used appliances.

According to this uncle, he comes out to collect at this hour every day, first going to farther places and working his way back home, which is why he has to wake up so early. Then he sells the collected used appliances at the second-hand market. Today, he was out collecting used appliances as usual.

Since Uncle and I were both carrying suitcases, and it was difficult to get a taxi at this hour, although there were motorcycle taxis, they were not comfortable to ride. So Uncle hailed this used appliance collector.

Initially, the uncle, seeing Uncle in a Taoist Robe and having heard about the strange things happening at Mr. Hong’s house recently, didn’t want to get involved and refused to give us a ride. However, Uncle offered a high price, and the uncle reluctantly agreed to drive us to a nearby hotel.