Zha Wenbin stated firmly, "I'm not here to report anything. I just noticed there might be an issue with that car, so I wanted to ask. Everything's fine, thank you, Director Zhao. You're busy, so we'll take our leave!" He signaled for Mr. He to exit.
Mr. He stood to leave, but Director Zhao insisted they stay for dinner. After polite refusals, Mr. He looked to Zha Wenbin for guidance. Noticing the respected Mr. He showing such deference to this young man, Director Zhao quietly asked, "Uncle, this young person seems extraordinary, doesn't he?"
Mr. He smiled. "He's a remarkable person. We need to return to the countryside this afternoon."
Director Zhao, curious about this extraordinary young man, grabbed a bag from the table and followed them out. "You two, please take care! Since it's related to the bus, let me drive you both; it'll be more convenient. Given that Uncle He is older, I think it's best if I drive you back."
Zha Wenbin glanced at Director Zhao and nodded his agreement.
Director Zhao, excited as a child, quickly fetched a Santana from the team and drove them toward Wang Village.
On the journey back, Director Zhao learned Zha Wenbin was a Daoist practitioner, so he continuously asked questions about metaphysics. Whether from journey fatigue or lack of interest, Zha Wenbin simply fell asleep. Mr. He, more engaged, shared some experiences with Director Zhao, who listened with great excitement, feeling this trip was worthwhile. He'd have impressive stories to share with his colleagues later.
Upon reaching Wang Village, Zha Wenbin first visited Laohan Zhang's house. The ashes had been returned that morning and placed before the altar. Director Zhao witnessed something bizarre for the first time: a scarecrow lying in a coffin, surrounded by people crying and mourning! While somewhat ridiculous, it also felt eerie.
When villagers saw Zha Wenbin return, they asked about his next steps.
Zha Wenbin instructed Laohan Zhang to gently place the urn inside the coffin, preparing for tonight's burial.
A burial for a scarecrow? Director Zhao found the sight fascinating.
Zha Wenbin treated the scarecrow as if it were a real person and proceeded with the traditional ritual walk across the Immortal Bridge. Here's what happened:
Everyone knows a scarecrow's weight, and while Laohan Zhang was sixty, he wasn't too weak to carry one. Yet as he carried it, he was drenched in sweat, signaling several times for Zha Wenbin to let him rest. This made everyone break into a cold sweat at the thought: could the elderly lady's spirit truly be attached to the scarecrow?
They worked until early evening, after which Zha Wenbin returned to rest. Director Zhao, excited and unable to sleep because this was his first time witnessing such events, kept questioning Mr. He until he finally dozed off to the sound of Mr. He's snoring.
Early next morning, Laohan Zhang's group carried the large coffin containing the scarecrow and urn for burial. This time, the coffin wasn't laid flat but stood upright in the ground.
Many witnessed this burial method for the first time, especially Director Zhao, who immediately pestered Zha Wenbin for an explanation. Though Zha Wenbin wanted to rest, he eventually explained: for normal people, after death, their bodies decay gradually. Even as just a skeleton, the soul recognizes it as their body. However, a scarecrow is different—it's merely a substitute. Nobody can guarantee its spirit will remain attached. To prevent it from becoming a wandering ghost, it must be buried standing, effectively trapping the lady inside.
Everyone knows the saying: "Enter vertically, exit horizontally." Generally, when someone dies, they should be placed horizontally; being buried upright signifies great misfortune!
This vertical burial method in Maoshan, called "dragonfly touches the water" , was originally used in auspicious locations suitable for merchants or officials. It predicts that future generations, like a dragonfly skimming water, will flourish, turning calamity into safety. It requires water veins below the burial site, qualifying it as a precious plot—quite rare. This is referred to as "Yin among Yang". Some mark graves with three stones, while others place a rectangular stone protruding one foot from the surface. If the deceased is male, the stone goes on the left; if female, on the right. Some even place a jar of sweet wine atop the grave, covered with a stone—a "ten-thousand-year jar".
In truth, this location's feng shui wasn't particularly outstanding. However, Zha Wenbin must have had reasons for choosing such a complicated burial method.
In ancient times, there were burial styles where one's head faced the sky and feet stood on the ground, known as vertical burials. Inverted burials had feet facing toward the mountain peak where the grave sat. Both vertical and inverted burials symbolized helping the deceased soul ascend to heaven. Since this lady was attached to the scarecrow, the best way to ensure she didn't realize her body was destroyed was to help her enter reincarnation sooner, hence this method.
Hearing this explanation, Director Zhao exclaimed in delight, nearly wanting to kneel and become Zha Wenbin's disciple.
After lunch, the three drove to the county funeral home. Having someone with connections made things easier; though Director Zhao was just a vehicle management chief, he came from the provincial capital. The funeral home director, surnamed Jin, was a large bearded man with a shady businessman vibe. Upon learning someone from the provincial level was checking vehicles, he was quite courteous, inviting them into his office and serving good tea.
Director Zhao, accustomed to authority, wasted no time. After sipping his tea, he stated their purpose: they were looking for the spirit car.
"Director Jin, from what I know, that car was originally scrapped. How did it end up serving as a hearse in An County?"
Director Jin chuckled while lighting a cigarette. Zha Wenbin waved his hand, declining to smoke. Jin then lit one for Director Zhao. "Director Zhao, you may not know, our An County has limited finances; we really can't afford a new car. This funeral home provides community service, and the civil affairs bureau found us a used vehicle from the provincial capital. Is there a problem?"
Director Zhao took a puff, leaned back with crossed legs, glanced at Zha Wenbin, and blew out a smoke ring. "That car had an accident years back resulting in several deaths. By regulations, it should have been scrapped. Now, Director Jin, you're using this car to transport corpses—ironically fitting, isn't it?" His tone was sarcastic. "However, this scrapped vehicle shouldn't be on the road. By regulation, it should be towed back for forced scrapping, with a possible fine!"
Director Jin, accustomed to dealing with the dead, spoke plainly to the living and ghosts alike. He thought this must be an extortion attempt. A new vehicle would cost at least 200,000 yuan. After mental calculations, he said, "Director Zhao, you're a provincial leader. How about this? This afternoon, I'll treat everyone to a meal. We're all family; everything is negotiable..."
Before Director Zhao could respond, Zha Wenbin coldly scoffed, "Director Jin, that car must not be replaced. As long as it isn't replaced, I fear business will continue to thrive!"
Jin had been watching this person but couldn't determine his identity. Now that he'd spoken, Jin engaged: "Brother, what do you mean by that?"
Zha Wenbin said gravely, "That car has claimed seven lives. It's very ominous; such a baleful object should have been destroyed. Keeping it in this funeral home only nourishes the Yin energy, making it evolve into a spirit!"
"That car can evolve into a spirit? Brother, please don't joke!" Director Jin replied.
Zha Wenbin stood and walked around Director Jin. "While you carry plenty of protective talismans from various mountains and rivers, they cannot fend off this place's evil energies. I've observed the feng shui of this funeral home; constructed according to Yin-Yang and Eight Trigrams, it seems designed by a master. It should have balanced local evil energies, but due to road construction, the river was diverted, losing its Yang energy. I see a dark line forming between your brows, Director Jin. These days, I fear you haven't been sleeping well!"
Speaking of the funeral home, Director Jin had spent significant money contracting it from the civil affairs bureau, making it the county's only such operation, filling his pockets. However, dealing with the deceased puts even the boldest at unease, inevitably leading one to seek supernatural guidance. This strange man had accurately identified things; Jin had indeed been having recurring dreams where someone urged him to drink, though he could never clearly see the person's face.
After hearing Zha Wenbin, Director Jin was drenched in cold sweat. No wonder he'd felt constantly exhausted lately. If this person could discern the feng shui here, could he truly be a master?
Jin stood and recounted his dream.
Zha Wenbin calculated briefly and said, "Director Jin, the feng shui here was originally suitable for a funeral home, attracting water from the city, turning it into a water dragon—a clever move. Unfortunately, it's been disrupted. To break this kind of baleful energy, only the essence of dragon and phoenix can help!"
Director Jin now regarded Zha Wenbin as his lifeline. He stepped forward, clasped his fists, and said, "Please, sir, instruct me!"
Zha Wenbin smiled. "It's not difficult, but I'm afraid Director Jin might gain another profession."
"What profession?"
"A farmer!"
"Please elaborate!"
Zha Wenbin nodded as the curious group watched him closely. He stepped forward and pointed to a small hill before the office. "What is that piece of land used for?"
Director Jin replied, "Good eye, sir! That land is supposedly a treasure plot. I planned to make it a public cemetery."
Zha Wenbin shook his head. "If you use that land for a cemetery with the current feng shui configuration, misfortune will surely come faster! If you create a cemetery there surrounded by Yin energy, this place will be more than haunted; it could lead to your death or even your entire family's calamity!" He emphasized "death" heavily.
Director Jin suddenly knelt before Zha Wenbin. "I beg you, please save me!"
Zha Wenbin helped him up, signaling him to sit. Jin, already sensitive from profiting off the dead, was terrified to the point his legs felt weak.
Zha Wenbin continued, "That land is flat, called Falling Phoenix Slope. If Director Jin plants phoenix trees there, they can attract phoenixes to suppress the Yin energy in this area. That should suffice! Now, whether a phoenix comes, I don't know. But first, put some roosters there. Remember, when those roosters die, they cannot be consumed; they must be properly buried!"
Director Jin nodded eagerly, absorbing every word like a chick pecking rice, eager to implement these plans immediately. It felt like meeting a living deity!
"Thank you for your life-saving guidance. May I ask your name?"
Director Zhao, impressed yet looking down on this nouveau riche, chuckled, "Who is he? He's Zha Wenbin, head of the Zheng Tian Dao sect and holder of the Maoshan ancestral seal. You've met a living deity!"
Zha Wenbin shot an annoyed glance at Director Zhao, who promptly turned away and fell silent.
Upon learning Zha Wenbin was the sect leader, Director Jin knelt again and performed three bows and nine kowtows. Zha Wenbin tried stopping him but couldn't and simply shook his head, sighing at Director Zhao who laughed in the corner.
That evening, Director Jin insisted on treating them to dinner in the county. Zha Wenbin mentioned being vegetarian, so Jin found a vegetarian restaurant for everyone.
They toasted with tea, taking turns showing respect to Zha Wenbin. Midway through the meal, Director Jin brought up the car: "Sir, is it true that car has a ghost?"
Zha Wenbin nodded. "It's better not to drive that car; something serious will happen sooner or later!" Just as he spoke, Director Jin's phone rang. He stepped outside to answer it, then rushed back in shouting, "Sir, something bad has happened..."
Director Zhao stood. "What happened?"
"The car has had an accident! Just as you predicted, it really did!"
Zha Wenbin's heart tightened. "Calm down. Take your time explaining."
"A manager called reporting the car crashed and several people died! Details are unclear, and they want me there!"
Zha Wenbin stood and grabbed his coat. "What are we waiting for? Let's go!"
After hastily settling the bill, they rushed to Director Jin's car. They soon arrived at an intersection where traffic police were already present, and ambulances were transporting the injured. Seeing a vehicle management official's car, police approached to greet them. Upon learning Director Jin was responsible for the vehicles, they detained him on the spot.
Director Jin protested, "I'm the county funeral home director; why detain me?"
The officer replied, "This is a major traffic accident with four confirmed deaths. Director Jin, you'll need to make a statement at the bureau."
Hearing four people had died, Zha Wenbin hurriedly asked what happened.
The officer glanced at him. "I can't share details right now."
Director Zhao presented his credentials. "I'm from the provincial vehicle management department and friends with Director Jin. Could you please explain what happened?"
Learning he was a provincial leader, the officer softened his tone. "According to the driver, the bus was heading to a repair shop for maintenance. It was empty at this intersection when a farm vehicle came from the left, carrying four people, all of whom died. According to their documents, the deceased were a family. We're notifying relatives. An entire family gone—such bad luck!"
This made Zha Wenbin's heart sink further. "Do you know where this family is from?"
"From Wang Village! The village chief is on his way!"
Upon hearing "Wang Village," Zha Wenbin collapsed to the ground.
Wang Village—once again, Wang, He, and Zhang family members, plus this family of four, totaled exactly seven people! He'd been thinking about finding the car and devising a solution, but why did an incident occur just when he found it?
Zha Wenbin felt fear toward the Dao for the first time. Even though he confronted fate and defied heaven with his abilities, could he truly win? What could a Daoist do beyond performing rituals and reading feng shui? His daughter was gone, seven lives lost in Wang Village, yet he felt utterly powerless. He clearly understood the problem but felt helpless. Was it true that fate couldn't be changed? He was engulfed in deep frustration.
Soon the village chief arrived on a tractor. Seeing Mr. He and Zha Wenbin, he didn't greet them and simply shook his head at the horrific accident scene. After reporting to police about the family—who lost all members except a small child—he said the village would handle arrangements.
The driver sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital. Director Jin followed police to make his statement, while the village chief agreed to visit the village next day to discuss funeral arrangements. Director Zhao drove Zha Wenbin and Mr. He back to Wang Village.
The three rode in silence. Director Zhao no longer showed his earlier excitement. Though accustomed to accidents, he'd never witnessed one so horrific. Four people were in the three-wheeler: a man, woman, elderly man, and little girl. The girl was mangled beyond recognition under the wheels; the man was thrown over twenty meters; the woman was trapped beneath the three-wheeler with a wheel against her neck; and the elderly man lay beside his granddaughter, one leg completely severed. Blood was everywhere, like a slaughterhouse scene...
The next morning, Wang Village buzzed with activity. The deceased family shared the Wang surname—the man named Wang Weiguo. They'd gone to the wife's family for dinner. Their daughter was only six, and their eight-year-old son had stayed home due to illness. Everyone gathered in the Wang family's yard. The bodies remained at the funeral home, but someone needed to take responsibility for the situation.
In this village, eight out of ten households were related. A small meeting was held, recommending the village chief represent the Wang family in handling funeral affairs. Director Zhao offered help as a personal favor, insisting on taking Mr. He and Zha Wenbin, and the four drove to the county.
Director Jin, capable as ever, had written his statement the previous night and returned home. Knowing he had to handle the incident today, he arrived early at the traffic police station. When they arrived, they found the driver had been detained from the hospital and brought to the police station. Someone always takes blame in such situations.
Director Jin called several county leaders. The village chief thought, "These bigwigs rarely appear together!" He dared not speak initially.
In the conference room, the traffic police chief presided. County leaders announced the accident's seriousness, mentioning higher authorities were taking note. Everyone knew they were supporting Director Jin alongside Director Zhao. Even a village chief wasn't bold enough to speak before such officials. The traffic police indicated compensation would be 5,000 yuan per life, covered by the county funeral home, with the matter managed by them. The driver would face fifteen days detention. They asked for everyone's opinion.
The village chief remained silent. When asked, Director Jin naturally agreed to follow the traffic department's mediation. Hearing no objections, the chief concluded, "Then it's settled. We'll have lunch, and you'll sign the processing agreement; this matter will be resolved."
In that era, 50,000 yuan was considerable—a staggering figure for rural families. However, just as everyone thought it was over, one person objected!
Zha Wenbin spoke up: "Five thousand yuan for a life? What about the eight-year-old orphaned child? How will they survive?"
The traffic police chief, seeing an unfamiliar face, assumed he was a village representative. "Comrade, please share your thoughts!"
Zha Wenbin addressed Director Jin directly: "Fifteen thousand yuan per life, all expenses for raising the child until eighteen covered by the funeral home, and funeral arrangements for all four victims handled by the funeral home. Do you agree, Director Jin?"
"Fifteen thousand yuan?" The room erupted in chatter. In that era, households with 10,000 yuan were considered wealthy. The entire county's annual fiscal income was only a few million. Before Director Jin could respond, a civil affairs official objected: "Comrade, your demand is excessive! The traffic police are following national regulations!"
Zha Wenbin ignored him, fixing his gaze on Director Jin. "Do you agree or not?"
Large sweat beads formed on Jin's forehead. They'd shared a meal just yesterday; why was this man confronting him today? Sixty thousand yuan—the funeral home couldn't earn that in a year! Seeing Zha Wenbin's cold stare, an inexplicable fear rose within him. Being in the business of profiting from the dead, Director Jin felt vulnerable, especially after yesterday's guidance. He gritted his teeth: "Fine, we'll do as you say!"
Another wave of murmurs swept the room. The traffic police chief, having handled numerous accidents, had never seen such large compensation. He asked again: "Director Jin, are you sure?"
Director Jin nodded: "That's what we'll do!"
Upon hearing this, Zha Wenbin stood and headed for the door. Director Zhao and Mr. He followed, leaving others staring in bewilderment. A bureau chief asked Director Jin: "Old Jin, who is that man?"
Director Jin wiped sweat from his forehead: "He's a deity!" Then he hurried out, seeing Director Zhao starting the car. He blocked their path and handed Zha Wenbin a red envelope: "Please, sir, perform a ritual when you return, to help the deceased find peace..."
Zha Wenbin waved dismissively. "I'll perform the ritual. Take good care of that child! Come to Wang Village tonight. We're leaving now." He signaled for Director Zhao to drive.
Leaving the village chief with Director Jin to finalize details, the three headed back to the village.
Upon arriving at Wang Xin's home, Director Zhao remarked: "Daoist Zha, I truly admire your courage today!"
While entering, Zha Wenbin replied: "I'm just doing what I still can." Director Zhao wanted to say more, but Mr. He placed a hand on his shoulder, shaking his head to silence him. Director Zhao gazed thoughtfully at Zha Wenbin's tall figure.
Zha Wenbin slept all afternoon. Bored, Director Zhao played chess in the courtyard while trying to learn more about Zha Wenbin from Mr. He. Mr. He explained that Zha Wenbin was seriously frustrated and shouldn't be disturbed. Director Zhao persisted, asking how Zha Wenbin predicted problems with the car. Mr. He joked that if he knew that, wouldn't he also be a deity?
Director Zhao's admiration grew so intense he found himself thinking: he'd almost quit his job to follow Zha Wenbin and become a Daoist!
Around four that afternoon, firecrackers from the village woke Zha Wenbin. Looking outside, he saw the spirit car had returned. He changed clothes and headed over with Mr. He and Director Zhao. Many people gathered at the village entrance. The family's death was tragically brutal. The eight-year-old boy lay sobbing uncontrollably on the white-shrouded bodies. His cries pierced everyone's hearts, causing many villagers to join in. Eventually, everyone broke down, and the entire village sank into profound grief. Many couldn't accept the reality—in a village of just over a hundred households, seven people had died this month! Who knew who would be next?
Director Jin arrived with traffic police and the village chief. People helped carry the bodies into the courtyard. Door panels had been removed and placed on long benches. The four bodies filled the already small main hall. A truck following them carried wreaths sent by the county, and four coffins were brought into the courtyard. Everyone looked to the village Daoist for direction.
The traffic police chief had the village chief gather villagers in the courtyard to announce the settlement: sixty thousand yuan compensation would be temporarily held in the village account until the child turned eighteen. A guardianship committee comprising the village committee and relatives would oversee this. Any withdrawal before the child turned eighteen would require unanimous guardian approval. Director Jin would cover the child's living and educational expenses. After the announcement, the traffic police chief bowed three times to the deceased, glanced at Zha Wenbin in the crowd, and departed.
Director Jin tried leaving with them, but Zha Wenbin stopped him: "You can't leave. Stay for the night!" Looking at the row of bodies, Director Jin, though accustomed to corpses, felt weak in the knees. Hearing Zha Wenbin's words, he reluctantly stayed.
The eight-year-old Wang boy, face swollen from crying, recognized the fat man with gold-rimmed glasses as responsible for his parents' death. He lunged forward and bit Director Jin, who howled in pain. People couldn't pull the boy away until a chunk of flesh came off. Director Jin was in an impossible situation—unable to stay, yet afraid to leave. With the entire village ready to beat him and Zha Wenbin's cold stare, he dared not leave the courtyard. After a simple bandage, he sat on a stool in the yard.
Zha Wenbin ignored him and planned to prepare the bodies for burial. Lifting the white cloth, he saw mangled flesh and blood—no one dared handle this. After consulting relatives, they decided to place the bodies directly into coffins.
Several young villagers carried the bodies out. The coffins were ordinary paper coffins. Some brave souls placed the bodies inside without removing the cloth, and soon four coffins were lined up in the main hall.
As Zha Wenbin prepared the ritual table, he heard a "drip, drip" sound. Someone suddenly shouted, "Blood!" Looking down, they saw blood seeping from the coffins. Soon, the floor was covered in red, and the stench of blood filled the courtyard. Many began vomiting. Zha Wenbin frowned—such violent deaths would definitely create vengeful spirits.
Seeing the bloody scene, people were uncomfortable staying but unwilling to leave. Zha Wenbin called the village chief over, asking him to collect unused greenhouse plastic sheets from the village. He also instructed Wang's relatives to buy more yellow paper.
Soon, the items arrived. Zha Wenbin spread plastic sheets on the ground and called back the men who had carried the bodies. He asked them to wear gloves and place the bodies on the sheets. These men, surrounded by onlookers, hesitated to touch the blood-soaked bodies. The corpses, refrigerated earlier, had now thawed.
Left with no choice, Zha Wenbin gathered relatives and offered five hundred yuan per person, but still no one dared move. At that moment, the sobbing child suddenly knelt before everyone, kowtowing heavily. Seeing the child's understanding, the men finally agreed. They removed the bodies, revealing blood-soaked coffins.
Zha Wenbin shook his head, lined the coffins with layers of yellow paper, covered the bodies with more paper, then had plastic sheets tightly wrapped around the bodies before placing them back in the coffins.
Traditionally, once a body enters a coffin, it shouldn't be removed, as this disturbs the soul. Those who handled the bodies tonight would face misfortune tomorrow. Seeing the chaos, Zha Wenbin couldn't worry about that now—they'd deal with cleansing the ill fortune later. The ground was mopped, and by then, it was completely dark. Cooks brought in the "upside-down rice" meal and chicken and duck offerings. Zha Wenbin, seeing everything was ready, gave the first incense stick to the child, who remained kneeling before the spirits. Zha Wenbin picked him up, helped him place the incense, then signaled for an adult to take the child away.
After lighting incense, Zha Wenbin directed everyone to eat dinner, as they'd been busy all day with more work ahead. Fortunately, with the recent deaths, borrowing cookware and furniture was easy. An outdoor platform was set up, firecrackers were lit, and dinner began. Director Jin, exhausted, sat with Zha Wenbin near Director Zhao and Mr. He, nervously eating a few bites before stopping.
The meal was somber, with no alcohol. Silence prevailed, except for tableware sounds. The atmosphere was oppressive, with incense and blood scents killing appetites. Everyone ate little before the meal ended.
After dinner, the crowd awaited the Daoist's next move. Zha Wenbin calculated using finger divination, listed several zodiac signs, and instructed those people to take their elderly and children home, close windows, and lock doors. Others could stay or leave.
Some departed, including more timid villagers. Zhang Laohan eagerly boasted about his mother's experience to those nearby, fascinating Director Zhao. Many who had witnessed previous rituals knew tonight would be extraordinary and waited expectantly.
For those who died violently, Zha Wenbin understood the grave danger. According to his information, seven would die this month, but there was no guarantee more wouldn't die in coming months.
The most vicious curse one can utter is "may your entire family die!" Now, with only an eight-year-old boy left, the family line was nearly extinguished. If today's ritual failed, Wang Village would surely face more disasters! Those who die unjustly aren't immediately reincarnated; they must wait until their natural lifespan concludes before entering the cycle. During this waiting period, they often become wandering ghosts.
Do ghosts have consciousness? Generally, when the soul leaves the body, it retains awareness briefly but loses memory over time. Those with strong attachments might remember them after death, especially if triggered by significant trauma, like this family's car accident. The deceased might transform grief into vengeance—the likelihood of them becoming malevolent ghosts was high, potentially harming neighbors.
Zha Wenbin understood these dangers. Spirits are easier to handle when resentment is still weak; however, this family committed no great sin yet suffered a tragic fate. Being kindhearted, he wanted to help them enter reincarnation quickly. Tonight's ritual wasn't about containment but salvation!
Performing four separate rituals, one for each person, would exhaust him and take too much time. If anyone remained unsent by dawn, disaster would follow. Zha Wenbin made a tough decision—he'd perform one massive ritual for all four simultaneously.
Zha Wenbin instructed everyone to stay outside. After giving instructions to Mr. He, he went to Wang Xin's house to bathe and change clothes. When he reappeared, he wore a Daoist robe embroidered with gold and silver threads. The Eight Trigrams pattern on the back shimmered under lamplight. Director Zhao, eager to participate, carried the Seven Stars sword, strutting proudly through the gate. He shot a disdainful look at Director Jin cowering in the crowd, respectfully handed over the ritual sword, then stepped aside as an assistant.
Four tables were set before the four coffins, with four long sleep lamps flickering, illuminating the red paper coffins. A large basin sat in the center. Zha Wenbin took a deep breath, spread black paper, quickly wrote two Celestial Master talismans, took out a large seal, stamped them, and handed them to Director Zhao to paste on the main door's inner walls, one on each side. These talismans weren't restraining outsiders but the coffins' occupants.
Those familiar with feng shui know door orientation's importance. During Spring Festival, people paste door gods for protection—traditionally Shen Tu and Yu Lei, or sometimes Qin Shuobao and Yuchi Gong. Door gods have specific purposes: expelling evil, repelling ghosts, protecting homes, ensuring peace, attracting fortune, and bringing blessings. But simply pasting door gods isn't effective without proper feng shui design. When building a door, one must distinguish between four auspicious and four inauspicious directions.
According to Five Elements and Eight Trigrams, door orientations can be categorized as follows:
East-facing west houses (Zhen houses): Doors should open west, southeast, north, or east for good fortune; other directions bring misfortune.
Southeast-facing northwest houses (Xun houses): Doors should open north, east, south, or southeast; other directions bring misfortune.
South-facing north houses (Li houses): Doors should open east, north, southeast, or south; other directions bring misfortune.
Southwest-facing northeast houses (Kun houses): Doors should open northeast, northwest, west, or southwest; other directions bring misfortune.
West-facing east houses (Dui houses): Doors should open northwest, northeast, southwest, or west; other directions bring misfortune.
Northwest-facing southeast houses (Qian houses): Doors should open west, southwest, northeast, or northwest; other directions bring misfortune.
North-facing south houses (Kan houses): Doors should open south, southeast, east, or north; other directions bring misfortune.
Northeast-facing southwest houses (Gen houses): Doors should open southwest, west, northwest, or northeast; other directions bring misfortune.
If two families share a main door, the entire building should be considered when determining auspicious directions. If they build separate doors, both should face auspicious directions but not directly face each other, as this causes neighbor discord.
The four auspicious directions are Shengqi(Life-Generating Energy), Yangnian(Nourishing Years), Tianyi(Heavenly Doctor), and Fuwei(Hidden Position), with auspiciousness decreasing in that order. The four inauspicious directions are Juming(Absolute Death), Wugui(Five Ghosts), Liusha(Six Killings), and Huohai(Disaster and Harm), with inauspiciousness decreasing in that order.
Different house orientations correspond to different trigrams and thus different auspicious and inauspicious directions.
Wang Weiguo's house faced south, like most rural homes, for good sunlight. Probably because a crooked jujube tree in the courtyard cast shade, they had placed the door in the southwest direction. Zha Wenbin noticed on his first visit that this door orientation corresponded to the most inauspicious direction: Juming (Absolute Death)!
With such an inauspicious door orientation, even surviving this calamity would likely bring more troubles. With four unjustly dead bodies in a house with such a door, negative energy would accumulate! The two Celestial Master talismans acted as door gods, blocking external negative energy while keeping spirits inside temporarily calm. Zha Wenbin instructed the village chief to prepare food and drink for everyone to consume in the courtyard until dawn, using human energy to suppress overwhelming negative forces.
After finishing, Zha Wenbin beckoned the dazed Director Jin over. Director Jin reluctantly entered. Zha Wenbin handed him three incense sticks, instructing him to offer one to each coffin, greeting them sincerely.
Director Jin dared not disobey. He kowtowed twelve times total, paying respects as if to his own family, and knelt to burn yellow paper. As today's second incense offerer, Director Jin's actions had a clear purpose: telling the spirits he came to pay respects, second only to their son, and they shouldn't trouble him. After finishing, Director Jin retreated outside.
Just as Zha Wenbin was about to call others to offer incense, Director Zhao shouted: "Something's wrong! There's a fire!"
Zha Wenbin's heart skipped. Looking back, he saw unburned yellow paper had floated up with rising heat and caught the tassels hanging from a paper coffin in the middle. Zha Wenbin rushed forward and patted it out, extinguishing the flames. Just as he was about to sigh in relief, he heard a clatter—the two candles before another coffin had simultaneously fallen to the ground.
People outside witnessed this clearly. The incident happened the moment Director Jin finished offering incense and stepped out. Everyone's eyes focused on him. Director Jin had seen it too and desperately wanted to flee this haunted place. But with village men watching, he couldn't move. He could only look toward Zha Wenbin, who was deep in thought inside.
Zha Wenbin frowned but remained composed. It wasn't even midnight. He simply stepped forward to set the candles upright and relight them. Noticing everyone staring in, he explained, "It was probably just wind. Don't make a fuss."
Being honest and not good at lying, his explanation was immediately challenged by the Village Chief: "But there's no wind outside..." This caused an uproar, with several people turning to leave. No one wanted to stay longer. As people began filing out, Zha Wenbin was about to stop them when Director Zhao came running out, shouting, "Something's wrong, Wenbin! Look, all four incense sticks have gone out!" Zha Wenbin turned back but before seeing for himself, collided with Director Zhao. Those about to leave looked: the four incense sticks, burned about a third way down, had all extinguished simultaneously without even smoke wisps rising.
Someone shouted, "It's haunted!" People pushed toward the courtyard gate. In such situations, one ghost shout creates absolute terror. Suddenly, darkness descended—the power had gone out. Those already outside were enveloped in darkness, too afraid to move forward, forced to stand still. The entire scene descended into chaos.
Some timid ones had probably wet themselves, like Director Jin, crouching on the ground, clinging to a table leg, repeatedly mumbling, "Gods protect me."
Zha Wenbin couldn't worry about that. He rushed to the courtyard and shouted, "Everyone, stay calm! If you want peace in this village, stay here. If you want more deaths, then leave—I won't interfere. No one knows whose family will be next!"
This announcement momentarily quieted the crowd. He called again, "Don't panic! Those with flashlights, turn them on. Light torches in the courtyard center!"
In critical moments, the Village Chief proved his worth. He immediately found people to follow instructions. Soon, several bonfires were lit, revealing people trembling, gritting teeth, and weeping...
The firelight illuminated Zha Wenbin in the middle, his Daoist robe gleaming. At that moment, he was the savior in many hearts. Zha Wenbin looked at everyone and spoke: "I could have chosen not to get involved. If I leave, greater disasters will befall this village. If we make it through tonight, I can ensure three years of peace. Stay together, and I guarantee nothing will happen to anyone who remains. But if anyone goes home, I can't say what they might encounter on the way!" With that, he swept his sleeves and turned back into the main hall, where only four long sleep lamps remained lit.
His words were deliberately half-persuasion, half-intimidation—a necessary tactic. It worked; the Village Chief addressed the crowd: "Weiguo was one of us. How could he harm us? Let's listen to Daoist Zha. With him here, we're safe. If not for any other reason, then for that child—we should help him!" Proving his leadership skills, the Village Chief had someone bring the boy over. The child kowtowed three times to everyone. With this combination of firm guidance and emotional appeal, no one wanted to leave anymore. Even the fearful ones had to appear brave; otherwise, they'd face lifelong village ridicule.
After returning inside, Zha Wenbin stared at the four flickering long sleep lamps and made a bold decision. If they wanted to intimidate him, they shouldn't blame him for retaliating. He took out the Celestial Master's seal, dipped it in cinnabar (zhu sha 朱砂), and firmly stamped each coffin lid.
Stamping coffins with such a seal was unprecedented—not just for him, but likely for the entire Daoist tradition!
This great seal, mentioned earlier, was the Maoshan founding seal, secretly passed from Master Cang Jin to Ling Zhengyang. It was a divine tool for subduing minor spirits. After stamping all coffins, Zha Wenbin didn't put the seal away. Instead, he dragged over a stool and placed the seal facing the coffins.
Strangely, just minutes after applying the seal, there was a sudden flash, and electricity returned. The room reverted to its previous state. Outside, people sighed with relief when lights came back. In the pitch-black night, light provided security nothing else could, especially here.
Seeing electricity return, Zha Wenbin also breathed easier. He called relatives from outside to come in—to offer incense, burn paper, and kowtow. A few braver ones entered first. When nothing unusual happened after their offerings, others gradually entered too.
Wang Weiguo's brothers and sisters began ritual mourning. During this time, Zha Wenbin kept his eyes fixed on the four lamps. He knew that as long as these lamps remained lit, there would be no trouble. If they went out, it meant they wouldn't survive the night.
After the last person offered incense, Zha Wenbin glanced at Director Jin, sitting with his head down in a corner. He called him forward again to repeat his earlier actions. Director Jin was reluctant—a million times unwilling—fearing he might be haunted, but he had no choice.
This time, Zha Wenbin noticed that when Director Jin finished offering incense, all four long sleep lamps flickered simultaneously before quickly returning to normal. He then called Director Zhao over, instructing him to stay by Director Jin's side all night and not go anywhere. Director Zhao agreed and escorted Director Jin to find a spot among the courtyard crowd, where they sat smoking quietly.
Zha Wenbin, finally able to rest briefly, found a stool and sat before the main door, appointing himself as door guardian. He remained seated until midnight. Without needing Mr. He's reminder, Zha Wenbin stood up on time, adjusted his clothes, strode into the hall, and signaled for the mourners to stop.
Chinese Words/Phrases in Chapter 8 The Spirit Car
Daoist Practitioners and Sects
- Righteous Heaven Way (Zheng Tian Dao 正天道) - A Daoist sect led by Zha Wenbin in the story
- Maoshan (茅山) - Famous Daoist mountain and tradition known for its magical practices
- Celestial Master (Tianshi 天师) - An important Daoist title and lineage
Divination Tools and Objects
- Talismans (Fu 符) - Paper charms with magical writing used for protection or exorcism
- Seven Stars Sword (Qixing Jian 七星剑) - Ritual sword used in Daoist ceremonies
- Celestial Master Talismans (Tianshi Fu 天师符) - Powerful talismans created by high-ranking Daoists
- Strange Gate Divination (Qimen 奇门) - A form of finger divination used to calculate auspicious timing
Ritual Practices and Techniques
- Feng Shui (风水) - Chinese geomancy practice for determining spatial arrangement and orientation
- Yin-Yang (阴阳) - Complementary cosmic forces in Chinese philosophy
- Eight Trigrams (Bagua 八卦) - Eight symbols used in Daoist cosmology and divination
- Yellow Paper (Huang Zhi 黄纸) - Ritual paper used in Daoist ceremonies, especially for the dead
- Cinnabar (Zhu Sha 朱砂) - Red mineral used in Daoist rituals and alchemy
- Three Bows and Nine Kowtows (San Gui Jiu Koutou 三跪九叩头) - Formal ritual prostration showing highest respect
- Long Sleep Lamps (Chang Mian Deng 长眠灯) - Special lamps used in funeral rituals
- Upside-down Rice (Fan Jin Fan 翻筋饭) - Ritual meal served at funerals
- Five Elements (Wuxing 五行) - The five phases or elements in Chinese philosophy
Cultural and Historical References
- Dragonfly Touches Water (Qingting Dian Shui 青蜓點水) - A specific burial method from Maoshan tradition
- Yin Among Yang (Yang Zhong Yin 陽中陰) - A feng shui concept for burial sites
- Ten-thousand-year Jar (Wan Nian Gang 萬年缸) - A jar of wine placed at graves as part of burial customs
- Life-Generating Energy (Shengqi 生气) - Most auspicious feng shui direction
- Nourishing Years (Yangnian 养年) - Second most auspicious feng shui direction
- Heavenly Doctor (Tianyi 天医) - Third most auspicious feng shui direction
- Hidden Position (Fuwei 伏位) - Fourth most auspicious feng shui direction
- Absolute Death (Juming 绝命) - Most inauspicious feng shui direction
- Five Ghosts (Wugui 五鬼) - Second most inauspicious feng shui direction
- Six Killings (Liusha 六煞) - Third most inauspicious feng shui direction
- Disaster and Harm (Huohai 祸害) - Fourth most inauspicious feng shui direction
Locations
- Falling Phoenix Slope (Luo Feng Po 落凤坡) - A piece of land near the funeral home in the story
- Wang Village (Wang Cun 王村) - The main village where much of the story takes place
Character Names and Titles
- Zha Wenbin (查文彬) - Protagonist, a Daoist master and head of the Zheng Tian Dao sect
- Master Cang Jin (苍金) - A Daoist master mentioned in the story
- Ling Zhengyang (凌正阳) - Daoist master who received the Maoshan ancestral seal
- Laohan Zhang (老汉张) - A villager whose mother died and became attached to a scarecrow
- Wang Weiguo (王卫国) - A villager who died with his family in the tragic accident