Alang said, “If my child can have a chance, that would be wonderful. But even if not, I still need to help this elder brother Ma.” The nearly transparent shadow turned its head and nodded at Ma Sandao, saying, “Elder Brother Ma truly is a good person!” This made Ma Sandao’s face turn red. Seeing Alang’s willingness to help, Old Madam Fan was overjoyed. She pulled out a jade piece from her bosom, dabbed a bit of it onto Ma Sandao’s blood-stained right hand, and smiled at Alang, saying, “Then accept it.” Alang transformed into a green beam of light and vanished into the jade.
Liu Dashao curiously leaned over to look. By now, the sky had begun to brighten. He could clearly see eight characters engraved on the jade: “Evil spirits kept at bay; blessings of yang arrive.”
Alan said, “If my child benefits from this, it would be truly wonderful. Even if there’s no benefit, I must still help Brother Ma.” The nearly transparent shadow turned back and nodded at Ma Sandao, saying, “Brother Ma is such a good man!” This made Ma Sandao blush. Hearing her willingness to help, Granny Fan was overjoyed. She took out a piece of jade from her bosom, touched it to Ma Sandao’s blood-stained right hand, and smiled at Alan, “In that case, let’s proceed.” Alan transformed into a green light and disappeared into the jade.
Curious, Liu Dashao leaned over to look. By now, the sky was slightly lit, and he could clearly see eight large characters on the jade: “Evil spirits be banished, good fortune shall come.”
Liu Dashao asked, “Master Yuan, why are you preventing her from reincarnating and instead capturing her? Won’t Mrs. Li turn into a pool of blood soon?”
Ma Sandao slapped his forehead, “Right, my wife… my wife…”
Granny Fan understood his concern and explained, “Capturing her is for her own good. This jade is a spiritual jade; it can temporarily hold her. If she stays inside for a while, both she and the child will benefit. Moreover, we might need her help to capture the ghost fetus today.”
Liu Dashao was puzzled, “Why is that? Am I supposed to take a fierce female ghost to my father-in-law’s house? Isn’t that asking for my mother-in-law’s life?”
“Get lost!” Ma Sandao kicked him in the rear.
Granny Fan reassured him, “Don’t worry, you’re going to learn this skill from me in the future. Why would I harm you?”
Liu Dashao said in surprise, “I never agreed to learn from you. Besides, you should teach someone else. I don’t have the heart to learn, and even if I did, I wouldn’t have the courage to use it… Let’s go back to the village and check on my mother-in-law first!” With that, he walked away.
Granny Fan sighed and followed him. Ma Sandao was anxious and urged them to hurry, but Granny Fan took her time. After walking less than ten miles, Granny Fan spoke again, “Actually, I don’t want to do this job. People usually call me ‘Immortal Auntie,’ but behind my back, they still have some reservations about me. I know that… sigh!”
Liu Dashao comforted her, “After hearing your explanations last night, I understand that you truly have real skills. You’re a genuine master, not like those fraudulent charlatans.”
“Exactly, exactly. After I return, I’ll spread the word about Granny Fan everywhere, letting people know that we have such a living deity here,” Ma Sandao nodded vigorously.
Granny Fan smiled, “That’s not necessary. When I go to people’s homes to perform rituals and chant scriptures, I know it’s mostly useless, but the hosts pay well. Last time, when the Yang family in town held a three-year mourning ceremony, I chanted for three days, and they paid me a hundred yuan. And when the county magistrate’s mother passed away, I chanted for two days, and each of the four Taoists received a hundred yuan.”
Liu Dashao’s eyes widened, “Granny Fan, you earn so much just by chanting scriptures?”
Granny Fan smiled bitterly, “Some people worry that if they pay too little, the chanter might make mistakes, causing the deceased to not rest in peace. What do they take us for?”
Liu Dashao muttered, “So much money at once… I thought it was just a few cents…”
Granny Fan continued, “Many people usually come to me to learn, but I just don’t see the potential in them. I’ve met someone like you who is quite good, but you’re not willing. It’s really hard to find a decent disciple. As for me, I usually just chant scriptures and write talismans. Jobs like last night, which require real effort, are rare. Asking a young person like you to learn this might be a bit stifling.”
Liu Dashao quickly asked, “So you don’t usually exorcise ghosts? I thought performing rituals was all about fighting ghosts…” Granny Fan said, “There aren’t that many fierce ghosts in the world, so I’m afraid you’d be idle. Mao Xiaoliu from Xiushan Village has asked me several times to teach him. I see he’s sincere. When I return this time, I’ll take him as a disciple to perform funeral rites.”
Liu Dashao became anxious, “That guy never does anything proper. I heard he’s even a drug addict. How can someone as divine as you take such a disciple? This won’t do. I was afraid I was too stupid and would hold you back, but since you think so highly of me, I, Liu Dashao, am naturally willing to learn from you and carry on the legacy of the old Taoist master. I only hope you won’t blame me for learning slowly.” With that, he looked at Granny Fan with utmost sincerity, as loyal as Guan Yu to Liu Bei or Li Kui to Song Jiang.
Granny Fan was overjoyed, “Are you truly willing to become my disciple?” Seeing that the matter was settled, Liu Dashao immediately knelt on the ground, imitating what he had seen on stage, and kowtowed three times, “Master, please accept your disciple’s bow!” Granny Fan accepted his kowtows, sighed with relief that she had a successor, and happily said, “Good, good…”
Liu Dashao, already exhausted from two days and nights, felt his vision blur with golden stars after the kowtows. However, these golden stars soon turned into piles of RMB, swirling above his head.
Once Liu Dashao agreed to become a disciple, Granny Fan immediately walked much faster, leaving Ma Sandao panting like a donkey. In no time, they arrived at the Ma household. Seeing that Zhang Zhaodi was still unconscious, Ma Sandao urgently sought Granny Fan’s help to remove the ghost fetus. Granny Fan solemnly said, “If we remove the ghost fetus, your child will definitely not survive…”
Ma Sandao was stunned, “Granny, what… what do you mean?” Granny Fan explained, “Your child has lost its soul. Even if it survives, it will likely be a mentally disabled child and won’t live past one year!” Hearing this, Ma Sandao’s tears fell, and he regretted his actions, slapping his own mouth. Gambling truly kills!
Granny Fan continued, “Removing the ghost fetus can only save your wife’s life… and it must be done tonight, the sooner the better… You must prepare!” Ma Sandao looked at his unconscious wife with heartache, tears streaming down his face. Granny Fan patted his shoulder, “You should rest for a while. You’ll need to exert some effort tonight.” She then signaled Liu Dashao to take Ma Xiaoyan out for a walk. Since Granny Fan was now his master, Liu Dashao dared not disobey and did as instructed. Granny Fan sighed and went home to prepare.
Ma Sandao couldn’t sleep, but after two days and nights without rest, even an iron man would collapse. Soon, he fell into a deep sleep. In his dream, Granny Fan suddenly appeared and told him that both his wife and child could be saved. Overjoyed, Ma Sandao jumped up, only to wake up and realize it was just a dream.
As night fell, Granny Fan and Ma Sandao carried Zhang Zhaodi to the main hall. By then, Liu Dashao had already pasted talismans around the bed. Granny Fan said to Ma Sandao, “We will now set up the Ten Directions Heavenly Deity’s Rescue and Exorcism Array. Later, no matter what happens to your wife, you must not approach. Remember that!” Ma Sandao nodded in agreement.
Granny Fan took out the jade and placed it beside Zhang Zhaodi. She instructed Liu Dashao to stand guard with a wooden sword, fearing that external spirits might intrude. Liu Dashao held the wooden sword, his palms sweating.
Granny Fan lowered her head and began chanting incantations. Suddenly, she pointed her sword at Zhang Zhaodi and shouted, “Evil spirit, come out!” Instantly, a strong wind swept through the hall, causing the talismans around the bed to rustle loudly. Liu Dashao, frightened, held the sword across his chest. As Granny Fan’s chants grew more urgent, the wind intensified, making it hard for Liu Dashao to keep his eyes open. Ma Sandao stumbled and nearly fell flat on his face. Liu Dashao squinted and saw that several talismans were almost blown off, feeling anxious. Granny Fan shouted, “Come out and face your doom!”
The wind suddenly stopped, and the silence made Ma Sandao’s hair stand on end. He turned to see his wife slowly sitting up on the bed, her expression eerie. Ma Sandao was startled, “Darling, are you okay?”
Granny Fan slapped him hard and shouted, “Don’t speak, just guard!” Ma Sandao had no idea what was happening and was so anxious he scratched his head.
Zhang Zhaodi sat up, her eyes fixed straight ahead, her neck twisting in a bizarre manner, her eyes unmoving as she looked around by twisting her neck. Ma Sandao’s scalp tingled—was this still his wife? Had he lost her too? Liu Dashao, watching from the side, felt increasingly uneasy. Thinking it better to strike first than to suffer later, he spat on his palms, gripped the sword, and prepared to attack.
Suddenly, Zhang Zhaodi spoke, “Who dares to drive me away?” Her voice was neither male nor female, with a hint of a child’s tone. Liu Dashao felt goosebumps the size of mung beans all over his body and dared not act rashly. Granny Fan glared at him and shouted, “You blind evil spirit, daring to steal someone’s fetus! Today, I will not only drive you away but also capture you!”
Zhang Zhaodi merely laughed, “Haha, the real owner isn’t even anxious. Why are you in such a hurry?”
Enraged, Ma Sandao grabbed a stool and was about to smash it down, “Damn you, who isn’t anxious?” Just as he was about to strike, he remembered it was his wife’s body. He was like a tiger trying to bite a hedgehog, unsure where to start. Granny Fan bit her index finger and, as Zhang Zhaodi turned her head to look at Ma Sandao, rushed forward and drew a Six Ding Cleansing Spirit Talisman on her forehead.
Immediately, Zhang Zhaodi’s body trembled violently on the bed, causing the bed to creak incessantly. She tried to speak several times but couldn’t.
Granny Fan quickly said, “If you want to beg for mercy, nod your head…”
Before she could finish, Zhang Zhaodi suddenly spoke, “Haha, haha…” Amid the strange laughter, Zhang Zhaodi’s voice emerged, “Sandao… Sandao… what’s happening to me?” Ma Sandao’s heart ached as if cut by a knife, and he asked, “Granny, what should we do?”
Granny Fan sighed, “Your wife loves this child too much and has been bewitched by the ghost.” Ma Sandao stomped his feet, “Then save her quickly!”
Granny Fan snorted, lit a calming incense, and said bitterly, “Let’s see how long you can laugh!” On the bed, Zhang Zhaodi continued to babble, “Oh, is that Dad? Let me call out a few times… Dao’er… where are you going? My head hurts… Oh, Mom’s head hurts, what should we do, Dad? Hahaha…” Ma Sandao covered his ears, thinking that once the ghost was out, he’d make it scream for three days and nights before Granny Fan destroyed its soul.
The incense smoke gradually drifted to the bed, and the jade suddenly glowed. A green light floated into Zhang Zhaodi’s belly.
Zhang Zhaodi felt dizzy and her stomach ached. Her husband was nowhere to be seen. Soon, she found herself in a familiar place. Opening her eyes, she realized it was the marsh she had visited before. How did she end up here? In her dazed state, she thought, “I should go home. Otherwise, my husband and daughter will worry about me. He’s concerned about me and the child in my belly.” As she thought this, she habitually touched her belly, only to find that her slightly swollen belly was now flat.
This was like a bolt from the blue. Zhang Zhaodi’s head spun, and she sat down on the ground, clutching a tree by the roadside. Without the child, what should she do? She didn’t want to live anymore.
Yes, without this child, what’s the point of living? With this thought, she stood up crying and called out, “My child… Mom is coming to find you…” She was about to jump into the marsh…
Just as she was about to jump, a hand grabbed her. Zhang Zhaodi turned to see a chubby, fair-skinned child holding her hand tightly. Seeing how beautiful the child was, she gently asked, “Whose child are you? Why are you holding my hand?” The child smiled, revealing two shallow dimples, and called out, “Mommy, Mommy!” Zhang Zhaodi’s heart ached, “How can you be my child… Look how big you are…” She glanced at the child again, and her eyes couldn’t look away. The child’s mouth resembled Ma Sandao’s, while the eyes and nose were exactly like hers.
If this wasn’t her child, how could they look so alike? Overjoyed, she hugged the child tightly, “My treasure, my treasure.” The child also seemed delighted, calling out “Mommy.” Suddenly, she heard someone speak behind her. “This isn’t your child. Stay away from him!” Zhang Zhaodi turned to see a woman in a red wedding dress, also pregnant, saying to her, “This is a ghost. Stay away from him!”
Zhang Zhaodi, alert, shielded the child in her arms and said, “Who are you to spout such nonsense?” The woman sighed, “I’m a poor woman your husband saved. The child in your arms is the evil man who killed me…”
Zhang Zhaodi looked down, and the child was also looking at her with big eyes filled with fear. Her heart ached, and she held him even tighter. The woman grew anxious, “Sister Ma, don’t be deceived by him. Look closely at who he really is…”
Zhang Zhaodi looked again, and her child’s face suddenly turned into the bloodied, ferocious face of a man. Startled, she saw the face return to the chubby, fair-skinned child’s face. She refused to listen to the woman.
The child in her arms suddenly said with a sinister expression, “Mommy, she can’t have children and wants to take me as her own.” Zhang Zhaodi’s heart tightened, and she stood up to protect the child, “I don’t want to hear you. Go away!” The woman sighed and suddenly reached out to grab the child.
“Sister Ma, think about it. Your child hasn’t been born yet. How could he be so big? Give him to me quickly, or he’ll take your life too!” The woman grabbed the child’s shoulder and tried to pull him away. Zhang Zhaodi, with a sudden burst of strength, pushed the woman away. The child cried incessantly, “Mommy, if she takes me, you’ll never have a child again…” Zhang Zhaodi, while dodging the woman, comforted him, “With Mommy here, no one can take you away…”
The woman grew more anxious and moved faster. Several times she managed to grab the child, but Zhang Zhaodi snatched him back. Suddenly, with quick reflexes, she pinned the child’s arms and pulled him up. Zhang Zhaodi, horrified, grabbed the child’s legs and pulled back with all her might. With that effort, the child was torn in two.
The woman sighed in relief, but the half of the boy in her hands suddenly turned and bit her, “You ruined my plans. You won’t live either!” His small face was filled with malice. Seeing the child about to bite her, she panicked and flung the half-child into the marsh. Zhang Zhaodi was already petrified, staring at the two severed legs in her hands, her heart cold.
She heard the child’s half-body screaming from the water, “Mommy, I’m so cold. Come save me! Mommy…” Zhang Zhaodi turned to see the child’s mouth gushing black blood, clearly dying. His head bobbed in the water. The woman muttered, “This is bad,” and reached out to pull Zhang Zhaodi. But Zhang Zhaodi, holding the two severed legs, shouted, “My treasure, Mommy is coming…” She jumped into the marsh and sank, never to resurface.
Later, when Granny Fan summoned Alan’s spirit and heard her account, she realized that Zhang Zhaodi had loved the child too much, unable to let go, and was thus lured to her death by the ghost!
Ma Sandao suddenly slapped his head, “Right… right… my wife… my wife…”
Old Madam Fan understood his meaning and said, “I captured her for her own good. This jade is a spiritual jade that can temporarily contain her. If she can stay inside a while longer, both she and the child can benefit. Besides, we’ll probably need her help tonight to deal with the ghost fetus.”
Liu Dashao was puzzled, “Why is that? I mean… you’re taking a fierce female ghost to my future father-in-law’s house? Aren’t you practically sentencing my future mother-in-law to death?”
“Get lost!” Ma Sandao kicked him in the butt.
Old Madam Fan said, “Don’t worry. You will learn this skill from me in the future. How could I possibly harm you?”
Liu Dashao was surprised, “But I never agreed to learn from you. Anyway, you should teach someone else. I honestly don’t have the heart to learn this, and even if I did, I wouldn’t dare to use it… Let’s just go back to the village and check on my future mother-in-law first!” With that, he walked off by himself.
Old Madam Fan sighed and followed him on the road. Ma Sandao was anxious and kept urging them to hurry, but Old Madam Fan remained unhurried. After walking less than ten li, Old Madam Fan started talking again, “Actually, I don’t really want to do this work either. People call me ‘Immortal Girl’ publicly, but behind my back, they regard me with a certain amount of fear and caution. I know this well… sigh!”
Liu Dashao comforted her, “Just from what you said last night, I can tell you absolutely have real abilities. You’re a genuine master who doesn’t fool people, unlike those frauds pretending to be mediums.”
“That’s right, right! After I get back, I will definitely spread the word about you, letting everyone know we have such a living immortal here,” Ma Sandao nodded vigorously.
Alan said, “If my child benefits, that would be excellent. Even if there’s no benefit, I must help Brother Ma.” The nearly transparent shadow turned and nodded at Ma Sandao, saying, “Brother Ma is truly a good man!” This made Ma Sandao blush. Upon hearing her willingness to help, Granny Fan was overjoyed and took out a piece of jade from her bosom. She dabbed a bit on Ma Sandao’s blood-stained right hand and smiled at Alan, “Then, let’s proceed.” Alan transformed into a green light and disappeared into the jade.
Curious, Liu Dashao leaned over to look. By then, the sky was slightly lit, and he could clearly see eight large characters on the jade: “Evil spirits be banished, good fortune will come.”
Liu Dashao asked, “Master Yuan, instead of letting her reincarnate, why did you capture her? Won’t Mrs. Li turn into a pool of blood soon?”
Ma Sandao slapped his head, “Right, my wife… my wife…”
Granny Fan understood his concern and explained, “Capturing her is for her benefit. This jade is spiritual and can temporarily hold her. If she stays inside for a while, both she and the child will benefit. Moreover, we might need her help to capture the ghost fetus today.”
Liu Dashao was puzzled, “Why is that? Am I supposed to take a fierce female ghost to my father-in-law’s house? Isn’t that asking for my mother-in-law’s life?”
“Get lost!” Ma Sandao kicked him in the rear.
Granny Fan said, “Don’t worry, you’re going to learn this skill from me in the future. Why would I harm you?”
Liu Dashao replied, “I never agreed to learn from you. Besides, you should teach someone else. I don’t have the heart or the courage to use such skills… Let’s go back to the village and see how my mother-in-law is doing!” With that, he walked away.
Granny Fan sighed and followed him. Ma Sandao was anxious and urged them to hurry, but Granny Fan took her time. After walking less than ten miles, Granny Fan spoke again, “Actually, I don’t want to do this job. People call me a fairy in public, but behind my back, they still have some reservations about me. I know that… Sigh!”
Liu Dashao comforted her, “After hearing your principles last night, I understand that you truly have real skills. You’re a genuine master, not like those deceitful charlatans.”
“Right, right. After I return, I’ll spread the word about Granny Fan everywhere, letting people know we have such a living deity here,” Ma Sandao nodded vigorously.
Granny Fan smiled, “That’s not necessary. When I perform rituals and chant scriptures for people, I know it’s mostly ineffective. But the hosts pay well. Last time, at the Yang family’s three-year mourning ceremony in town, I chanted for three days, and they paid me a hundred yuan. And when the county magistrate’s mother passed away, I chanted for two days, and each of the four Taoists received a hundred yuan.”
Liu Dashao’s eyes widened, “Granny Fan, you earn so much just by chanting scriptures?”
Granny Fan smiled bitterly, “Some people worry that if they pay too little, the chanter might make a mistake, causing the deceased to not rest in peace. What do they take us for?”
Liu Dashao muttered, “So much money… I thought it was just a few cents…”
Granny Fan continued, “Many people usually come to me to learn, but I don’t find them suitable. Now that I’ve found someone like you, you’re not willing. It’s really hard to find a decent apprentice. As for me, I usually just chant scriptures and write talismans. I rarely do strenuous tasks like last night. It’s a bit unfair to ask a young man like you to learn this.”
Liu Dashao asked, “So you don’t usually exorcise ghosts? I thought rituals were all about fighting ghosts…” Granny Fan replied, “There aren’t that many fierce ghosts in the world, so I’m afraid you’d be idle. Mao Xiaoliu from Xiushan Village has begged me several times to teach him. I see he’s sincere. When we return, I’ll take him as my final apprentice.”
Liu Dashao panicked, “That guy never does anything right. I heard he’s even a drug addict. How can someone as divine as you take such a disciple? This won’t do. I was afraid I’d be too stupid and hold you back, but since you think so highly of me, I, Liu Dashao, am naturally willing to learn from you and carry on the legacy of the old Taoist master. I only hope you won’t blame me for learning slowly.” With that, he looked at Granny Fan with utmost sincerity, as loyal as Guan Yu to Liu Bei or Li Kui to Song Jiang.
Granny Fan was delighted, “Are you truly willing to become my disciple?” Seeing that the matter was settled, Liu Dashao immediately knelt on the ground, as he had seen in operas, and kowtowed three times, “Master, please accept your disciple’s bow!” Granny Fan accepted his kowtows, relieved that she had a successor, and happily said, “Good, good…”
Liu Dashao, already exhausted from two days and nights, felt stars in his eyes after the kowtows, but soon those stars turned into piles of RMB, swirling above his head.
Once Liu Dashao agreed to become her disciple, Granny Fan quickened her pace, leaving Ma Sandao struggling like a donkey. They soon arrived at Ma’s house. Seeing that Zhang Zhaodi was still unconscious, Ma Sandao urgently sought Granny Fan’s help to remove the ghost fetus. Granny Fan solemnly said, “If we remove the ghost fetus, your child will definitely not survive…”
Ma Sandao was stunned, “Granny, what… what do you mean?” Granny Fan explained, “Your child has lost its soul. Even if it survives, it will likely be an idiot and won’t live past a year!” Hearing this, Ma Sandao’s tears fell, and he regretted his actions, slapping himself. Gambling truly ruins lives!
Granny Fan continued, “Removing the ghost fetus can only save your wife’s life… and it must be done tonight, the sooner the better… You must prepare!” Ma Sandao looked at his unconscious wife with heartache, tears streaming down his face. Granny Fan patted his shoulder, “Rest for a while. You’ll need to exert yourself tonight.” She then signaled Liu Dashao to take Ma Xiaoyan outside for a walk. As Granny Fan was now his master, Liu Dashao dared not disobey and did as instructed. Granny Fan sighed and went home to prepare.
Ma Sandao couldn’t sleep, but after two days and nights without rest, even a man of iron would collapse. Soon, he fell into a deep sleep. In his dream, Granny Fan suddenly appeared and told him that both his wife and child could be saved. Overjoyed, Ma Sandao jumped up, only to wake up and realize it was just a dream.
As night fell, Granny Fan and Ma Sandao carried Zhang Zhaodi to the main hall. By then, Liu Dashao had already pasted talismans around the bed. Granny Fan instructed Ma Sandao, “We will now set up the Ten Directions Heavenly Deity’s Rescue and Exorcism Array. No matter what happens to your wife, you must not approach. Remember this!” Ma Sandao nodded in agreement.
Granny Fan took out the jade and placed it beside Zhang Zhaodi. She instructed Liu Dashao to stand guard with a wooden sword, fearing that external spirits might intrude. Liu Dashao gripped the wooden sword, his palms sweating.
Granny Fan lowered her head and began chanting incantations. Suddenly, she pointed her sword at Zhang Zhaodi and shouted, “Evil spirit, come out!” Instantly, a strong wind blew through the hall, causing the talismans around the bed to rustle loudly. Liu Dashao, frightened, held the sword across his chest. As Granny Fan’s chanting grew more urgent, the wind intensified, making it hard for Liu Dashao to keep his eyes open. Ma Sandao stumbled, nearly falling face-first. Liu Dashao squinted and saw the talismans almost tearing off, growing anxious. Granny Fan shouted, “Come out and face your doom!”
The wind suddenly ceased, and the silence made Ma Sandao’s hair stand on end. Turning around, he saw his wife slowly sitting up from the bed, her expression eerie. Ma Sandao was startled, “Wife, are you okay?”
Granny Fan slapped him hard and shouted, “Don’t speak! Keep watch.” Ma Sandao had no idea what was happening, scratching his head in frustration.
Zhang Zhaodi sat up, her eyes fixed straight ahead, twisting her neck in a bizarre manner, her eyes unmoving, only her neck turning to look at people. Ma Sandao’s scalp tingled—was this still human? Was his wife lost? Liu Dashao, watching from the side, grew increasingly uneasy, thinking it was better to strike first than suffer later. He spat on his palms, gripped the sword, and prepared to attack.
Suddenly, Zhang Zhaodi spoke, “Who dares to drive me away?” Her voice was neither male nor female, with a hint of a child’s tone. Liu Dashao felt goosebumps the size of mung beans all over his body and dared not act rashly. Granny Fan glared at him and shouted, “You blind evil spirit, daring to steal someone’s fetus! Today, I will not only drive you away but also capture you!”
Zhang Zhaodi merely laughed, “Haha, the real owner isn’t in a hurry, why are you?”
Enraged, Ma Sandao grabbed a stool to smash down, “Damn you, who isn’t in a hurry?” Just as he was about to strike, he remembered it was his wife’s body. He was like a tiger biting a hedgehog, unsure where to start. Granny Fan bit her index finger and, as Zhang Zhaodi turned her head to look at Ma Sandao, rushed forward and drew a Six Ding Purification Talisman on her forehead.
Instantly, Zhang Zhaodi’s body trembled violently on the bed, making the bed creak incessantly. She tried to speak several times but couldn’t.
Granny Fan quickly said, “If you want to beg for mercy, nod your head…”
Before she could finish, Zhang Zhaodi suddenly spoke, “Haha, haha…” Amid the strange laughter, Zhang Zhaodi’s voice emerged, “Sandao… Sandao… what’s happening to me?” Ma Sandao’s heart ached, and he asked, “Granny, what should we do?”
Granny Fan sighed, “Your wife loves this child too much and has been bewitched by the ghost.” Ma Sandao stomped his feet, “Then save her quickly!”
Granny Fan snorted, lit a calming incense, and said angrily, “Let’s see how long you can laugh!” On the bed, Zhang Zhaodi continued to babble, “Oh, is that Dad? Let me call out a few times… Dao’er… where are you? My head hurts… Oh, Mom’s head hurts, what should we do, Dad? Hahaha…” Ma Sandao covered his ears, thinking, “When you come out, I’ll make you scream for three days and nights, then have Granny scatter your soul.”
The incense smoke gradually drifted to the bed, and the jade suddenly glowed, a green light floating into Zhang Zhaodi’s belly.
Zhang Zhaodi felt dizzy and her stomach ached. She didn’t know where her husband had gone. Soon, she found herself in a familiar place. Opening her eyes, she realized it was the marsh she had visited before. How did she end up here? In her dazed state, she thought, “I should go home, or my husband and daughter will worry. He’s concerned about me and the baby in my belly.” As she thought this, she habitually touched her belly, only to find it flat.
This realization struck her like a thunderbolt. Zhang Zhaodi’s head spun, and she sat down, clutching a tree by the roadside. Without the baby, what should she do? She didn’t want to live.
Yes, without this child, what’s the point of living? With this thought, she stood up crying, “My child… Mom is coming to find you…” and prepared to jump into the marsh…
Just as she was about to jump, a hand grabbed her. Zhang Zhaodi turned to see a chubby, fair-skinned child holding her hand tightly. Seeing the child’s beauty, she gently asked, “Whose child are you? Why are you holding my hand?” The child smiled, revealing two shallow dimples, and called out, “Mommy, Mommy!” Zhang Zhaodi’s heart ached, “How can you be my child? You’re so big…” She looked at the child again and couldn’t take her eyes off him. The child’s mouth resembled Ma Sandao’s, while his eyes and nose were just like hers.
If this wasn’t her child, how could he look so much like them? Overjoyed, she hugged the child, “My treasure, my treasure.” The child also seemed delighted, calling out “Mommy.” Suddenly, she heard someone speak behind her, “This isn’t your child. Stay away from him!” Zhang Zhaodi turned to see a woman in a red wedding dress, also pregnant, saying, “This is a ghost. Stay away from him!”
Zhang Zhaodi instinctively shielded the child in her arms, “Who are you to say such things?” The woman sighed, “I’m a poor woman your husband saved. The child in your arms is the evil man who killed me…”
Zhang Zhaodi looked down, and the child stared back at her with large, fearful eyes. Her heart ached, and she held him tighter. The woman grew anxious, “Sister Ma, don’t be deceived by him. Look closely at who he really is…”
Zhang Zhaodi looked again, and her child’s face suddenly turned into a blood-stained,狰狞 man’s face. Startled, she saw the face return to the chubby child’s face and refused to listen to the woman.
The child in her arms suddenly spoke with a sinister tone, “Mommy, she can’t have children and wants to take me as her own.” Zhang Zhaodi’s heart tightened, and she stood up to protect the child, “I won’t listen to you. Go away!” The woman sighed and suddenly reached out to grab the child.
“Sister Ma, think about it. Your child hasn’t been born yet. How can he be so big? Give him to me quickly, or he’ll take your life too!” The woman grabbed the child’s shoulder, trying to pull him away. Zhang Zhaodi, with unexpected strength, pushed the woman away. The child cried incessantly, “Mommy, if she takes me, you’ll have no child…” Zhang Zhaodi, while avoiding the woman, comforted him, “As long as I’m here, no one can take you away…”
The woman grew more frantic, grabbing the child several times, only for Zhang Zhaodi to snatch him back. Suddenly, the woman, quick and sharp-eyed, grabbed the child’s arms and pulled. Zhang Zhaodi, in a panic, grabbed the child’s legs and pulled back with all her might. In the struggle, the child was torn in two.
The woman sighed in relief, but the half-child in her hands suddenly turned and bit her, “You ruined my plans. You won’t live either!” The child’s face was full of malice. As the child was about to bite her, she panicked and flung the half-child into the marsh. Zhang Zhaodi, already terrified, stared blankly at the two severed legs in her hands, her heart cold.
She heard the half-child in the water cry out, “Mommy, I’m so cold. Come save me! Mommy…” Zhang Zhaodi turned to see the child spouting black blood from his mouth, clearly dying. His head bobbed in the water. The woman muttered, “This is bad,” and reached out to pull Zhang Zhaodi. But Zhang Zhaodi, holding the two severed legs, shouted, “My treasure, Mommy is coming…” and jumped into the marsh, sinking without a trace.
Later, after Granny Fan summoned Alan’s spirit and heard her story, she realized that Zhang Zhaodi’s love for the child was so strong that she couldn’t let go, and the ghost had lured her to her death.
Liu Dashao’s eyes widened in disbelief, “Old Madam Fan, you get that much just for chanting scriptures?”
Old Madam Fan gave a bitter smile, “They worry that if they give too little money, the chanting might have errors, causing the deceased to find no peace. What do they take us for?”
Liu Dashao muttered, “So much at once? I thought it was just a few cents…”
Old Madam Fan continued, “Many people often come to me wanting to learn the craft, but I just can’t find suitable apprentices. I met someone promising like you, but you weren’t interested. It’s really hard to find a worthy disciple. As for me, I usually just chant scriptures and write talismans. Events like last night that require real effort are rare. Making a young man like you learn this from me might be stifling your potential.”
Liu Dashao quickly asked, “So you don’t usually exorcise ghosts? I thought performing rituals meant fighting ghosts…” Old Madam Fan said, “There aren’t that many evil ghosts in the world to exorcise, so I also worry about keeping you idle. Mao Xiao Liu from Xiushan Village has asked me several times to learn from me. I see that his heart is sincere. When we get back, I’ll accept him as a disciple to accompany me in my final years.”
Liu Dashao became anxious, “That kid does nothing all day, and I’ve heard he’s a drug addict too. How can you, a figure like a celestial immortal, accept such a disciple? This won’t do at all. Before, I was afraid my dullness would waste your teachings, but since you think so highly of me, I, Liu Dashao, am naturally willing to learn from you and carry forward the old Taoist’s skills. I just hope you won’t mind if your disciple learns slowly.” He finished by looking at Old Madam Fan with an extremely sincere expression, as loyal as Guan Yu to Liu Bei or Li Kui to Song Jiang.
Old Madam Fan was delighted, “Are you truly willing to become my disciple?” Seeing that the matter was settled, Liu Dashao joyfully followed the example he had seen on stage, knelt on the ground, and kowtowed three times, saying, “Master, please accept my homage!” Old Madam Fan accepted his homage, happily exclaiming that she finally had a worthy successor and could now let go of all worldly concerns. She kept saying, “Good, good…”
Liu Dashao was already exhausted from two sleepless nights, and after kowtowing, he saw stars bursting before his eyes. But soon these stars transformed into piles of Chinese currency, swirling around in his vision.
As soon as Liu Dashao agreed to become a disciple, Old Madam Fan immediately quickened her pace, making Ma Sandao so tired he felt like a donkey. In no time, they reached Ma’s house. Seeing that Zhang Zhao Di was still in a coma, Ma Sandao anxiously asked Old Madam Fan to help remove the ghost fetus. Old Madam Fan solemnly said, “Removing the ghost fetus means your child will definitely be lost…”
Ma Sandao was stunned, “Granny, what do you mean?”
Old Madam Fan replied, “Your child has lost its soul. Even if it survives, it might be born an idiot and won’t live past one year old!” Hearing this, tears streamed down Ma Sandao’s face as he regretfully slapped his own face. Gambling truly ruined lives!
Old Madam Fan continued, “Removing the ghost fetus can only save your wife’s life… and it must be done tonight, the sooner the better… you must be prepared!” Ma Sandao looked at his unconscious wife with aching heart, tears streaming down his face. Old Madam Fan patted his shoulder, “Rest for a while first; you’ll need to put in some effort tonight.” Then she signaled Liu Dashao to take Ma Xiaoyan outside for a walk. Since Old Madam Fan was now his master, Liu Dashao naturally dared not disobey and followed her instructions. Old Madam Fan sighed and went home to prepare.
How could Ma Sandao possibly fall asleep? But after two sleepless nights, even an iron man couldn’t endure. Soon, he dozed off. Suddenly, he saw Old Madam Fan appear and tell him that both his wife and child could be saved. Overjoyed, Ma Sandao jumped up, only to suddenly wake up, realizing it was just a dream.
As night fell, Old Madam Fan and Ma Sandao carried Zhang Zhao Di into the main hall. By then, Liu Dashao had already pasted talismans around the bed. Old Madam Fan told Ma Sandao, “Now we will set up the Ten Directions Celestial Venerable Rescue and Evil-Dispelling Formation. No matter what happens to your wife, you must not approach her. Remember this!” Ma Sandao nodded in agreement.
Old Madam Fan took out the jade piece and placed it beside Zhang Zhao Di. She told Liu Dashao to hold a wooden sword and stand guard to prevent any external spirits from intruding. Liu Dashao gripped the wooden sword, his palms sweating.
Old Madam Fan lowered her head and began chanting incantations. Suddenly, she pointed the sword at Zhang Zhao Di and shouted loudly, “Evil spirit, come out!” Instantly, a strong wind seemed to rise in the hall. The talismans around the bed rustled violently, scaring Liu Dashao, who held the sword across his chest. He saw Old Madam Fan chanting faster and faster, the wind growing stronger and stronger, until Liu Dashao couldn’t even open his eyes. Ma Sandao was nearly knocked off his feet by the force, almost falling flat on his face. Liu Dashao squinted his eyes and saw some of the talismans nearly blown off, growing increasingly anxious. Suddenly, Old Madam Fan shouted, “Still won’t come out to die!”
The wind abruptly stopped, and the hall fell into a silence so profound that Ma Sandao’s hair stood on end. Turning around, he saw his wife slowly sitting up from the bed, her expression eerily strange. Ma Sandao was startled, “Wife, are you alright now?”
Old Madam Fan slapped him hard across the face and shouted, “Don’t speak! Just keep watching.” Ma Sandao had no idea what was happening and was so anxious he began scratching his head and pulling his ears.
They saw Zhang Zhao Di sitting up, her eyes fixed straight ahead, twisting her neck in a strange posture, her eyes unmoving, only her neck turning to look at them. Ma Sandao’s scalp tingled. Was she still human? Had he also lost his wife? Liu Dashao, watching from the side, felt increasingly uneasy. He thought to himself that it’s better to strike first than to suffer later. He spat into his palms, gripped the sword, and was about to step forward.
But then he heard Zhang Zhao Di speak, “Who dares to drive me away?” Her voice was neither male nor female, and somewhat childlike. Liu Dashao’s entire body broke out in goosebumps the size of mung beans, and he dared not act rashly anymore. Old Madam Fan shot him a glare and shouted, “You blind evil spirit, daring to steal someone’s fetus! Today, I won’t just drive you away—I will capture you!”
Zhang Zhao Di only grinned widely, “Hehe, the real owner isn’t even worried. Why are you in such a hurry?”
Ma Sandao, furious, grabbed a stool to smash it down, shouting, “Damn it! Who isn’t worried?” But just as he was about to strike, he remembered this was his wife’s body. For a moment, he was like a tiger biting a hedgehog—with no place to bite. Old Madam Fan bit her fingertip, and as Zhang Zhao Di turned her head to look at Ma Sandao, she rushed forward and drew a Six Ding Spirit-Cleansing Talisman on her forehead.
At this, Zhang Zhao Di’s body on the bed began to tremble violently, making the bed creak loudly. She tried several times to speak but couldn’t utter a word.
Old Madam Fan quickly said, “If you want to plead for mercy, nod your head…”
Before she could finish, Zhang Zhao Di suddenly spoke, “Haha, haha…” In that strange laughter, Zhang Zhao Di’s voice came again, “Sandao… Sandao… what’s happening to me?” Hearing this, Ma Sandao’s heart twisted in pain. He quickly asked, “Old Madam, what should I do now?”
Old Madam Fan sighed, “Your wife loves this child too much, and has been bewitched by the ghost.” Ma Sandao stomped his foot, “Then hurry up and save her!”
Old Madam Fan snorted, lit a soul-soothing incense stick, and said angrily, “Let me see how long you can laugh.” On the bed, Zhang Zhao Di continued to babble incoherently, “Oh, is that Dad? I’ll call a few times… Sandao, where did you go? My head hurts so much… oh, my head hurts, Mommy. What should I do, Daddy? Hahaha…” Ma Sandao covered his ears, thinking to himself that once she came out, he’d make her call for three days and nights straight, and then have the old woman beat her spirit into oblivion.
The smoke from the incense gradually drifted toward the bed, and suddenly the jade piece glowed, emitting a green light that floated into Zhang Zhao Di’s belly.
Zhang Zhao Di felt dizzy and had a stomachache. Her husband was nowhere to be found. Before long, she found herself in a place in a daze. Opening her eyes, she realized: wasn’t this the marshland she had visited before? How did she end up here? Her muddled mind thought: I should go home. Otherwise, her husband and daughter would be anxious if they couldn’t find her. They must be worried about her, and about the child in her womb. Thinking this, she habitually touched her belly, but to her shock, the slight swelling that had been there was now completely flat.
This was like a bolt from the blue. Zhang Zhao Di’s head spun, and she sat down on the ground, grabbing a tree by the roadside. Without the child, what was the point of living?
Indeed, what was the point of living without this child? Thinking this, she cried as she stood up and shouted, “My child… Mommy is coming for you…” and prepared to jump into the nearby marsh…
Just as she was about to jump, a hand suddenly grabbed her. Zhang Zhao Di turned her head and saw a chubby, fair-skinned child holding her hand tightly. Seeing how lovely the child looked, she gently asked, “Whose child are you? Why are you holding my hand?”
The child smiled, showing two little dimples on his cheeks, and called out, “Mommy, Mommy!” Zhang Zhao Di felt a pang in her heart, “How could you be my child… look at how big you are…” She looked at the child again, and this time she couldn’t take her eyes off him. She noticed that the child’s mouth was exactly like Ma Sandao’s, and his eyes and nose were very similar to hers.
If this wasn’t her own child, how could he look so much like them? Overcome with joy, she hugged the child tightly, calling him “My treasure, my treasure.” The child also seemed very happy, calling her “Mommy” repeatedly. Suddenly, someone spoke from behind them, “This is not your child. Stay away from him quickly!” Zhang Zhao Di turned her head and saw a woman dressed in a red wedding gown, also pregnant, who said to her, “This child is a ghost. Stay away from him!”
Zhang Zhao Di became alert and protectively pulled the child into her arms, saying, “Who are you to come here and spread such nonsense?” The woman sighed, “I’m a poor woman saved by your husband. The child in your arms is the evil one who killed me…”
Zhang Zhao Di looked down and saw that the child was now looking up at her with big eyes full of fear. She couldn’t help but feel compassion and hugged him even tighter. The woman grew anxious, “Sister Ma, don’t be deceived by him. Look closely at who he really is…”
Zhang Zhao Di looked again, and suddenly the child’s face turned into a bloody, hideous man’s face, which startled her. But then the face changed back into the child’s fair, chubby face, and she refused to believe the woman’s words.
Suddenly, the child in her arms spoke in a sinister tone, “Mommy, she couldn’t have a child of her own and wants to steal me to be hers.” Zhang Zhao Di’s heart sank, and she stood up to protect the child, “I don’t want to hear what you have to say. Go away!” The woman sighed and suddenly reached out to grab the child.
“Sister Ma, think about it. Your child hasn’t even been born yet. How could he be this big? Quickly hand him over to me, or else he will take your life too!” The woman grabbed the child’s shoulders and tried to pull him away. Zhang Zhao Di, somehow finding strength from nowhere, pushed the woman away. The child kept crying, “Mommy, if she takes me away, you won’t have a child anymore…” While dodging the woman, Zhang Zhao Di kept comforting him, “As long as Mommy is here, no one can take you away…”
The woman grew desperate and moved faster. Several times she managed to grab the child, only for Zhang Zhao Di to snatch him back. Suddenly, she acted swiftly, grabbing the child’s arms and pulling him up. Zhang Zhao Di was shocked and grabbed the child’s legs, pulling back with all her might. With this force, the child was torn into two pieces.
The woman sighed in relief, but the half of the boy in her hand suddenly turned his head and bit her, saying, “You ruined my chance. You don’t deserve to live either!” His little face was filled with sinister hatred. Seeing the boy about to bite her, she panicked and flung the half-body into the water by the marsh. Zhang Zhao Di was so frightened she stood there, dazed, staring at the two severed legs in her hands, her heart turning cold.
Then she heard the half-body of the child crying out from the water, “Mommy, I’m so cold. Come save me! Mom… Mom…” Zhang Zhao Di turned her head and saw the child’s head spewing black blood from his mouth, clearly not going to survive. His head floated up and down on the water. The woman muttered, “This is bad,” and quickly reached out to pull Zhang Zhao Di. But she saw Zhang Zhao Di holding the two severed legs and shouting loudly, “My treasure, Mommy is coming…” She then threw herself into the marsh, sinking into the water and never surfacing again.
After a while, when Old Madam Fan led out Alang’s soul and heard her story, she realized that Zhang Zhao Di had loved the child too much, unable to let go, and had been lured to her death by the ghost!
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage