Tales of Folk Feng Shui Mysteries

I took all the cigarettes from Cui Hai without asking and grabbed his lighter from the car. Then, I opened the car door and stepped out.

Most people don't realize this, but in ghost stories and horror films, hauntings often occur at midnight—the "zi" hour. What they don't mention is that midday, or the "wu" hour, is just as dangerous. In traditional metaphysics, the twelve Earthly Branches correspond to the twelve months and also the twelve hours of the day. "Zi" hour (11 PM – 1 AM) is represented by the hexagram Thunder/Fu, symbolizing the birth of yang from extreme yin. "Wu" hour (11 AM – 1 PM) is represented by Heaven/Wind Gou, when yin begins to grow from peak yang.

These are the turning points between day and night, yin and yang, like the apex of a parabola—when it reaches its peak, it must fall. That's why noon is just as eerie as midnight.

I approached the two drivers. As I got closer, I overheard their conversation.

The taller one in the bowler hat snapped,"How the hell do you drive? Think you're the only one in a hurry? Such a fine day ruined because of you!"

The other man, wearing old-fashioned landlord robes, grumbled,"You think I wanted to block you? I was forced out. Couldn't even sleep in peace. She told me I had to pick someone up, said if I did, I'd get to move on. But I've been circling three times already and still haven't found anyone. Maybe she lied."

They spoke like they couldn't even see me.

The bowler-hatted one barked,"Finding a substitute to die in your place is your business. I've got a schedule, a proper timing. You've screwed that up—I ought to end you!"

Landlord Robes snapped back,"End me? You think I'm scared? I'm staying right here. Don't like it? Take it up with that old hag yourself!"

By now, it was obvious to me—and probably to you too—who they were.

The bowler hat ghost was eager to reincarnate but missed his timing.The landlord-robed ghost had come under Huang Daxian's command to collect a soul—Cui Hai's. That rabbit we saw crushed earlier? That was supposed to be Cui Hai. The land-robed ghost was here to fetch his soul for delivery. If successful, Huang Daxian could bypass retribution.

But I had ruined their plan, and now the land-robed one was wandering, lost and confused, which led to him bumping into the other ghost—thus blocking the road.

I stepped in with a smile, holding out the cigarettes."Gentlemen, gentlemen, please calm down. We're all in a hurry, aren't we? No need to fight."

They stopped mid-sentence, turning their heads in eerie unison to stare at me.That stare chilled me to the bone.

Their faces were pale as paper. The landlord-robed one even had folds on his clothes—clearly burial robes. And drawn on his cheeks were red circles, like painted makeup. It hit me then—he was wearing a death shroud!

"You can see us?" the land-robed one asked coldly.

Even the bowler hat ghost looked unsettled.

I let out a sleazy little chuckle, deliberately putting on an oily demeanor."Of course I can. Noon's the best time for my business. We're all just trying to make a living. Look, see that guy in the car? I've got a delivery to make."

The land-robed ghost narrowed his eyes. "You're a soul trafficker?"

I nodded and pointed to the far end of the road."There's a spirit market down there tonight. I was planning to take him there. But now it's almost past the prime hour, and I don't want to miss the window. So please, give me a break. I'll burn some extra paper money for you both. And when I get better stock, I'll let you know first."

The two ghosts exchanged a look.The bowler hat ghost had clearly missed his reincarnation window.The land-robed ghost still desperately needed a replacement.

When I saw them hesitate, I pulled out some talismans.

"We're all in the trade. Let's not play dirty. That guy in the car? He's been booked by a real heavyweight. If you interfere now, and the higher-ups find out, it won't go well for any of us."

They froze, visibly uncertain.Whether alive or dead, nobody likes making enemies if they can help it.

I smiled again and offered them the cigarettes."These are spirit-blend—very high-quality. Go ahead, try one. I've got more good stuff where that came from."

The land-robed ghost sighed."My son blew through all my savings after I died. It's been a year since anyone visited my grave. I don't even know how things are back home."

The bowler hat ghost chimed in,"I had a savings account at the Construction Bank. Still have a passbook hidden. We should talk."

As they put the cigarettes to their lips, I sneered inwardly.I had considered striking them down right away, but at high noon, yin and yang are tightly intertwined. My techniques wouldn't be at full power.Worse, if I failed to take out both and one escaped, they might cause chaos on the highway.

So I waited.

Cigarettes are often called the "fourth fire" of mankind—but it's a demonic fire. It can burn ghosts, but it also harms the living.That's why it's said smoking is bad for your health.

But against ghosts—it's incredibly effective.

These cigarettes had been wiped with yellow prayer paper to strip them of human yang energy.

Once they bit down and took their first puff, I stepped in.

I lit each one personally—then, with a flash of silver, I drew my Seven-Star Sword.

Its sharp, sacred gleam sliced through the air.

The two ghosts let out a high-pitched screech as their forms exploded—collapsing into two lifeless paper dolls.

But I wasn't done yet.

From beneath each paper figure crawled out a grasshopper and a spider—the true forms of their lingering spirits.I wrapped them in talisman paper, bound them tightly with willow branches, and stuffed them into my Green Satchel.

When I looked back into the car, Cui Hai had fainted completely, eyes rolled back in terror, slumped over the steering wheel—

His life hanging by a thread.