Tales of Folk Feng Shui Mysteries

So I took a cab to the entrance of their apartment complex. That day was exceptionally sunny. It was already October, and good weather like this was rare in Shenyang—no wind, tall and slender beauties wearing fitted skirts and pants walked back and forth along the streets.

I went to a small convenience store first, bought a pack of cigarettes, then squatted beside a tree across the road. I lit one, inhaled deeply, and slowly exhaled. For some reason, I'd come to like the sensation of smoke burning into my lungs.

Suddenly, someone tapped me on the shoulder."Little nephew, still heartbroken?"I turned my head. Night Patrol God stood behind me, dressed all in black. Then he actually squatted down beside me on the roadside like a street punk."Give me one," he said."You can smoke?" I asked suspiciously."You've never offered sacrifices, have you? Why couldn't I smoke? I'm not a ghost," he said.I was speechless. Great—another blow to my worldview.

I handed him a cigarette. The two of us squatted by the roadside, looking like a pair of muggers lying in wait. Single women passing by sped up in fright when they saw us.

Night Patrol God said, "I know you've seen people from higher up. Leave soon. There's no point dwelling here—looking back will only bring more pain."

I looked into his pitch-black face and sighed."Uncle Qiao (his real name was Qiao Kun), what is heartbreak supposed to feel like? After putting on the Daoist robe bestowed by the Patriarch, I feel like I lost something precious. Even though I know I still love her, why can't I find that feeling of being willing to die for her anymore? Can you tell me what I've lost?"

Night Patrol God took a drag on his cigarette, then pulled out a little notebook."Let's not get so sentimental yet. I've got some good news for you first."

"Good news?" I was stunned. At this point, what good news could there possibly be for me?

He read from his notebook:"You saved a drowning child—7 days added to your lifespan; corrected an incestuous relationship between a mother and son—38 days added; in total, you've saved 13 lives and upheld moral order 21 times, adding up to 2 and a half years of lifespan!"

"What!" I leaped to my feet. Two and a half years—that was a big deal. At this rate, it wouldn't take long before my lifespan was fully restored.

Now, only my love for Shiyu was sealed off. Otherwise, my life was the same as before: I still got hungry, needed sleep, but without the Patriarch's granted rod, I had no way to command ghost kings. If I fought ghost enforcers in the Forbidden City now, it'd be like a child being beaten up.

So hearing that my lifespan had increased made me ecstatic. The Patriarch had made it clear in a dream: only by finding the Nine Dragon Gate could I shed my mortal body, take off the Daoist robe, and reclaim what I'd lost.

"Wait, don't get excited yet—let me finish," Night Patrol God said.

"Uncle Qiao, don't tell me there's more bonus lifespan?" I asked hopefully, thinking it must be thanks to the three talisman papers I crafted.

But he sighed dramatically. "Dream on! The lifespan you gained has already been wiped out… wait, hold on." He took out a small abacus, clacking away in front of me. "Looks like there's still a bit left. Let me calculate."

He smacked his lips, puzzled. "Man, this is tricky—I've never had to calculate it like this before."

"Uncle Qiao, just tell me already! How many days do I have left? I know the monk killed three fierce ghosts—how much lifespan did that cost me?" I asked nervously.

He pondered for a long while, then said, "According to the records, you indirectly caused the deaths of 17 people, so that canceled out most of what you gained."

Impossible! I made those talismans to save people—how could they have harmed anyone? I argued with Night Patrol God for quite a while. But he insisted: he'd been doing this for thousands of years and never made a mistake.

When I kept questioning him, he nearly kicked me in anger. Killing the Li shaman was justified retribution because I was avenging my master Wang Yi—so it wasn't a sin.As for the wind-water duel that triggered the wrath of heaven, the sudden blue light that saved me must have been the Patriarch's intervention. That only left the business with Daoist Shu.

I quickly called Shu Huachun. After a brief chat, I finally understood the reason.

Turns out, of the three talismans I made, two had female ghosts, and one had an unknown spirit. Even if these ghosts willingly entered the talismans, their resentment still lingered. Without proper mantras, the wearer needed to maintain righteous thoughts—otherwise the ghost's resentment could fester.For example, if a man with a history of hurting women wore a talisman with a wronged female ghost, instead of protection, the ghost could lash out at him violently.

As the saying goes: "All evils start with lust, and all virtues begin with filial piety." Wearing a ghost-infused talisman required a pure heart; otherwise, it became a double-edged sword.

I sighed. Human greed invites calamity when dealing with spirits. Break the rules, and death comes swiftly.

After hanging up, I decided with Daoist Shu to put aside the talisman project—it was too dangerous. Instead, Shu would place the talismans before the statues of the Three Pure Ones, letting the ghosts study Dao and seek redemption.

"Uncle Qiao, have you figured it out? How much time do I have left?" I asked.

Qiao Kun looked at his notebook."Three days."

"Damn it!" My eyes widened. "After all this, only three days added?"

"Be grateful. Losing lifespan is easy, but earning it is hard. But because you acted with kindness, these three days are no ordinary days—they're 'fortunate days.'" Night Patrol God explained.

Seeing my confusion, he elaborated:"In a lifetime, you can live in misery or in joy—both are lives. But those who live well and happily gain 'fortunate lifespan.' These lucky days could even save your life when you need it most."

He patted the dust off his pants and pointed down the street."Your ex-girlfriend is here. I have to go. By the way, Zhong Kui's been bragging that the people of Henan built him a temple and offer him daily feasts. That bastard—if I didn't work myself to death inspecting souls, he'd never have a chance to earn so much merit."

I smiled awkwardly. "Uncle Qiao, don't worry—I've still got your spirit tablet. I'll pick a good Feng Shui spot for it."

"No rush—just get to it when you can," he said, then trotted off. In the blink of an eye, he vanished.

I turned back to see Shiyu far away, wearing a white Adidas cap and a ponytail. Her delicate features were breathtaking even from a distance. I hid behind a tree, watching her quietly—unconsciously captivated.

Even though my deepest feelings were sealed away, instinct couldn't be locked. My chest suddenly ached sharply, doubling me over.And at that moment, my eyes met hers.

Jiang Shiyu lit up, pointing at me excitedly. "Dabao!" She ran across the road toward me.

My chest hurt more and more. I wanted to run, but a speeding car was barreling straight toward her. Instinct took over. Without thinking, I lunged, grabbing her shoulders, pulling her into my arms, and turning my back to the car.

The screech of brakes filled my ears, my mind blank.Yes—this was instinct. Even wearing the Daoist robe, I couldn't change it.

Luckily, the car stopped half a meter away. I let out a long breath—she was safe!

But then a searing pain ripped through me, dropping me to the ground screaming. The driver jumped out, pointing at me:"Everyone saw—I didn't hit you! I've got a dashcam! If you're trying to scam me, we'll go to the police!"

Shiyu clutched me, frantic. "Dabao, what's wrong? Do you recognize me?" She screamed at the driver. "Call an ambulance!"

As the driver fumbled for his phone, I shoved her away, sending her sprawling. Onlookers gathered, whispering. The pain was unbearable—I curled up on the ground, pushing her away every time she tried to help.

The Daoist robe, the shackles—it felt like everything was tearing me apart. Even the sealed love was surging back violently.

If the mind is unsettled, the soul shatters.

To ease the pain, I trembled as I chanted the Calming Mind Mantra:

"For ten thousand years, all is still; let heart and qi be still, spirit and mind unite, unmoved by myriad changes… urgent as the law commands!"

People pointed and laughed, but as soon as I finished, Shiyu stopped trying to touch me. Moments later, the searing pain finally faded.

I stood weakly, looking at Shiyu. Tears streamed down her face as she stared at me.

"Boundless Longevity Heavenly Lord," I bowed to her.

"Dabao…" she stepped toward me.

I stepped back, took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. Two years—let's talk after two years."

"I can give up everything and go with you! Don't leave me!" She wept bitterly. I kept repeating the mantra, fighting my own heart.

"I have something important to do—something I can't bring a woman into," I said coldly, drawing scorn from the watching crowd.

"Fine! Leave if you must," she wiped her tears, glaring at me with determination."But before you go—I want you to kiss me."