Tales of Folk Feng Shui Mysteries

As soon as my pickaxe struck the ground, sunlight pierced through the dull, gray sky. Of course, the weather hadn't actually changed—natural phenomena don't shift because of evil spirits. Scientifically speaking, it was the malevolent energy disrupting the brain's electromagnetic fields, creating illusions. But now that I had broken the evil aura, the illusion lifted, and the bright sun once again shone overhead.

I told the village head to organize the villagers to start digging—no one was to stop until they hit something. After giving instructions, I stepped aside, lit a cigarette, and took a long drag while observing the soil. The dirt changed from black to yellow, then yellow to red. After an hour, the earth turned deep crimson. Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted, "We found something!"

I flicked my cigarette and strode forward. In the pit lay an object wrapped in yellow cloth, about the size of a palm. I knew instantly we had found the culprit. "Nobody move!" I barked.

I recognized the yellow cloth as a five-direction cloth infused with curses—proof the person who laid the trap was skilled in Daoist sorcery. I jumped into the pit, squatted beside the cloth, and saw that the talismans on it had already been damaged—evidence that most of the evil power of the corrupted Tai Sui had been neutralized.

I picked up the Tai Sui: it looked like a lump of knotted flesh, ugly and pocked. Some elderly villagers recognized it immediately, gasping in awe. In today's society, Tai Sui is shrouded in superstition, said to fetch prices upwards of 300,000 yuan for a fist-sized piece.

But I paused. The Tai Sui had grown in Ma Village—it rightfully belonged to them. Since I had come here to do good and eliminate evil, taking it without permission would be unjust.

I climbed out of the pit and handed the Tai Sui to the village head, explaining what it was and its potential value. Seeing the villagers hesitating, I said, "This object has no medicinal value for ordinary people. And since it came from a grave's evil aura, it's useless to you. But to Daoists like me, it can break curses and neutralize negative energy. If you want it, I won't insist on taking it."

I offered the Tai Sui to the village head, but he shook his head repeatedly. He insisted it was mine by right, since I had eliminated the village's curse, and took it upon himself to gift it to me.

I accepted, slipping the Tai Sui into my pocket. Tai Sui is like a nemesis to certain feng shui traps—it can disrupt any feng shui pattern involving the earth element in the five phases of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.

"Is the temple safe now?" the village head asked.

I nodded. With the corpse bridge destroyed and the Tai Sui unearthed, the temple had reverted to an ordinary structure. I gripped my Seven-Star Sword. "But we can't demolish it yet. There are still a few vile things inside to deal with. Mix the realgar powder with lime, and come with me."

"Master, is there really a snake in there?" some young men called out nervously.

"You brats, shut your mouths and get over here to work!" the village head yelled, scolding them harshly.

A boy of seventeen or eighteen swaggered over with a few friends, saying, "Second Grandpa, we helped call souls last night but didn't see any ghosts. We're just here for the fun—what a waste if we don't see something!"

"Shut it! Isn't it a waste you don't study?" The village head kicked him square on the backside.

The boy laughed sheepishly, covering his butt. "I heard there's ghost-hunting today—just wanted a look. I've never seen a ghost. If I do, I'll have a story to tell."

Most people are like that—curious, reckless, and unconcerned with danger until it strikes. I didn't stop them. "What's your name?" I asked.

"They call me Doggie," he replied.

"You four want to see ghosts?" I continued.

"Of course! Let us see," they chorused.

"Are you all virgins?" I asked bluntly.

They stared, dumbfounded, then glanced at each other. Finally, Doggie puffed up his chest. "Of course! A gun and two bullets, but never fired in eighteen years!"

The village head raised his foot again, but I stopped him. I looked the boys over. "As long as you're virgins, it's fine. Otherwise, you'll never see ghosts—maybe a zombie, though. Want to try?"

"Do they hop around? With long braids whipping around?" they babbled excitedly. "Hey, are you related to Uncle Ying?"

I smiled wryly, realizing I was getting old compared to their antics. Lighting a cigarette, I told the village head to keep everyone else outside. I led the four boys carrying realgar-lime mix into the temple.

Bringing these virgin boys had a purpose: their pure yang energy would bolster my own. Last time I'd lost vital essence; even with Daoist energy sustaining me, lingering in a temple built with grave soil could harm my health. I gave each boy a protective talisman, creating a shield of yang energy around me.

Entering the temple again felt different. The place was decrepit, the central Buddha statue rotting. Spider webs filled the corners. Moldy roast chickens and fruits sat on the altar. The Guanyin statue still stood, facing the wall.

"Where's the zombie?" Doggie asked.

"Spread the powder all over the floor first. Then I'll show you," I said.

"Got it!" Doggie snorted, glancing around with bravado. "Listen up, everyone—if you're tricking us, don't blame us for roughing you up."

I didn't argue, watching as they scattered the powder, filling the temple with choking fumes. After half an hour, they were coughing and cursing as they stood beside me. "Where's the zombie? If you're messing with us, you'll pay!"

"Almost there," I told them, letting them wait with me. When the sun reached its zenith, the temple darkened. I stubbed out my cigarette. "Alright—knock the Buddha's head off, quick!"

Doggie, fearless, climbed onto the altar and turned to smirk at me. "If nothing happens, you'll regret it!" With that, he shoved the Buddha's head off and leapt down with impressive agility.

That's when it happened. From behind the Guanyin statue, three figures—two women and a man—emerged with wide, murderous eyes, screaming as they lunged for Doggie. The boys beside me trembled uncontrollably.

Doggie fell and scrambled toward me, shrieking for his mother and grandmother. I only chuckled. As the saying goes, people who laugh at talk of ghosts know true fear when ghosts come calling.

But the three zombies only charged a few steps before halting mid-air. The middle-aged male zombie glared at me viciously. "I didn't kill you last time—now you've come to meddle again! Do you think a little Daoist trickery makes you invincible?"

I calmly lit another cigarette, inhaling deeply as I strode toward them. "Was it you, disguised as a Daoist, who sought out the shepherd? Don't think controlling corpses makes you safe. Once I find your real body, you'll regret your arrogance." I flicked ash at him.

I casually drew my silver needles. The two female zombies glared murderously. They were corpses animated by evil spirits. Realgar and lime powder had immobilized them—only flying-level zombies could break free.

The man pleaded, desperate. "I can pay you! Let me go! In three years I'll reach human form—I swear I won't harm anyone again!"

"Bullshit," I spat. "You've killed. Thinking an apology erases your sins?" I stabbed a needle into his abdomen, draining his last trace of energy. His body collapsed into a rotting pile of flesh.

Next, I dealt with the two women. They were likely the shepherd's bought wives who'd died. But dead is dead—sending them to the afterlife was a mercy.

Looking at the rotting corpses on the ground, I exhaled. "Boundless longevity and fortune. Those who do evil will be slain." I turned to the four dumbstruck boys. "Do you believe in ghosts now?"

They nodded, pale and speechless. I took a drag from my cigarette, lecturing them gently. "Fear is good. Let's go—the temple can be demolished now." I walked out. As for the giant snake's hiding place—some might have guessed: the Guanyin had turned itself to face the wall when I was attacked before. The snake had hidden in the wall cavity between layers of grave soil, evading both heaven and earth's gaze.

Ask any rural elders—many tales of strange white or green snakes coming from walls. They'll confirm it. The realgar powder outside kept the snake trapped, unable to emerge without risking exposure. In nature, every creature has a nemesis. Bai Suzhen, for instance, revealed her true form from one cup of realgar wine. Cultivated demons fear realgar even more.

The Guanyin "guarded" the wall, the wall hid the snake from heaven, helping it escape the heavenly tribulation. But I'd come to deal with the three zombies first—otherwise, a disturbance during demolition could have killed people. Even at high noon, the foul energy in a corpse's mouth can steal decades of one's lifespan.

Outside the temple, Doggie and his gang walked away, heads down, silent no matter who questioned them. Once they were clear, I told the excavator operator, "Start."

The driver revved the engine. The bulldozer smashed into the temple. As the walls collapsed, a streak of black mist shot out from the rubble. Before it could flee far, thunder rumbled across the bright sky. A bolt of lightning struck. In the distance, a wisp of blue smoke rose.

I didn't bother explaining to the villagers. This was heaven's will. The snake thought it could cheat the heavens with dark arts—heaven's thunder answered. Just as I was about to return and rest, urgent shouting stopped me.

Someone ran up yelling, "Bad news! Old Yu's father and son were eaten by sheep!"