When the villagers of Xiushan Village learned that Zhang Enpu not only had the ability to subdue zombies, but also to read land formations and tell fortunes, they were astonished and gazed at him with deep respect.
This invisible attention might have been his greatest gain. Indeed, this old Taoist priest, who had wandered from place to place, finally gained fame.
Although he refused the dowry offered by the Zhao family, the resulting advertising effect brought him more opportunities to make a living. It was, without a doubt, a wise and shrewd move by a mastermind. This greatly impressed Liu Dashao.
“Master,” Liu Dashao couldn’t help but tease the old man, seeing him accomplish nothing, “I think you’re being too noble. Why did you refuse the dowry money Zhao Shan offered you? Look at us now—we only have one yuan left, and we can’t even afford basic daily expenses. Oh, and by the way, was it really true what you said last time about someone dying in the southeast? Why hasn’t anything happened yet?”
After hearing this, Zhang Enpu did not get angry but smiled gently and said, “Dashao, it’s understandable that you doubt my abilities, but doubting my feng shui skills deserves a spanking. When have I ever lied to you? Xiang Yu’s defeat at Jiangdong was due to timing and destiny. Without the right fortune, why are you in such a rush?”
Liu Dashao’s face showed deep disbelief: “Still, you should give me a clearer idea. Tell me exactly which day it will be. If you can predict it accurately, I’ll truly respect you.”
Zhang Enpu smiled slightly: “Hmph, I’ve roamed the world half my life. What use would I have for impressing a little brat like you? If you’re trying to trap me, I’ll deliberately disappoint you.”
Liu Dashao walked over and began tickling Zhang Enpu’s armpits: “Are you going to tell me or not? If you don’t, I’ll tickle you until you die laughing!”
Although Zhang Enpu usually maintained a refined, immortal demeanor, tickling was his greatest weakness. Still, he tried to act indifferent: “I won’t say it. Not a word.”
Liu Dashao tickled harder: “Are you going to tell me or not? I don’t believe it! Even a cat used to sneaking around for fish would still eat meat. You’re bluffing!”
Unable to endure any longer, Zhang Enpu finally jumped away, laughing, and begged Liu Dashao for mercy: “Alright, alright, you win, you little rascal. I’ll explain it to you. Look at that pine tree over there. Yes, the greenest one. When the largest branch on that tree withers, that’s when our business will arrive!”
Liu Dashao was stunned and looked in the direction Zhang Enpu pointed. Indeed, there stood a pine tree of the size Zhang had described: “Really? Is there any story behind it?”
Zhang Enpu flipped his sleeve and pointed dramatically: “The story is that it’s a ‘soul-summoning tree’!”
“A soul-summoning tree?” Liu Dashao had never heard of such a thing.
Zhang Enpu nodded and explained, “That tree stands in the northeast direction of this area. According to the Eight Trigrams, the northeast is the ‘Ghost Gate.'”
“The Ghost Gate is a place where yin energy gathers. Therefore, whenever anyone in Xiushan Village dies, that tree will react. North is up, south is down, west left, east right. Whichever direction shows signs means someone has died there. I said someone will die in the southeast, so all you need to do is watch for changes in the largest branch in that direction.”
After saying this, Zhang Enpu smiled proudly: “In real life, dogs and crows are animals with spiritual sensitivity. When dogs bark at night, people die and zombies jump. When crows cry out of place, souls scatter. But few know that trees also possess spiritual energy. In fact, such trees are all around us—we just don’t understand them.”
Liu Dashao’s eyes lit up: “Old man, you said the northeast is the ‘Ghost Gate’—does this Ghost Gate follow the same principle as the one in residential feng shui?”
Zhang Enpu nodded: “Exactly the same. When building a house, one must pay special attention to the negative energy of the northeast Ghost Gate. The toilet and kitchen must not be placed in this position, or the household will suffer great misfortune.”
“What kind of misfortune? Is it the same as described in the ‘Secret Manual of Residential Feng Shui’?” Liu Dashao had recently studied many of Zhang Enpu’s ancient feng shui texts, and his mind had become sharper. Now, he couldn’t help showing off his knowledge.
“Exactly,” Zhang Enpu confirmed.
“I remember! Toilet in the Ghost Gate brings illness and early death. Kitchen in the Ghost Gate brings calamity to women.” Liu Dashao recited fluently.
Zhang Enpu nodded: “Yes. In modern terms, if a toilet is placed at the northeast Ghost Gate of a house, and metal and fire clash, the male head of the household will certainly suffer from cirrhosis or liver cancer. If the kitchen is placed in the northeast, since the kitchen is yin and represents femininity, the female head of the household will suffer from chronic illness. If metal and fire clash, she will definitely die from incurable uterine cancer.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Dashao couldn’t help laughing: “You speak so convincingly, I wonder if all this is true or not.”
Zhang Enpu smirked: “Things passed down for thousands of years by our ancestors must have their reasons. Alright, the weather is nice today. I’ll take you outdoors to verify the teachings in the ‘Secret Manual of Residential Feng Shui.’ Let’s go!”
Liu Dashao said happily: “You should’ve said so earlier! We should combine theory with practice. Otherwise, when will I ever understand?”
Zhang Enpu patted his head affectionately: “Haha, you clever little devil. Now pick up the bag.”
“Sure thing!”
The two walked out of the house and followed the rural path downstream. Zhang Enpu said, “Recite for me. I want to check if you’ve forgotten anything. Last time, I forgave you, but if you can’t recite it this time, I won’t be so lenient!”
Liu Dashao’s heart sank. Oh no, how could he remember so many verses? He usually felt dizzy just looking at books and often ended such refined mental activities by falling asleep. He stammered:
“Residential and ancestral sites share the same dragon,
But differ in the ease of finding a proper location.
A yin site may be small and still suitable,
But a yang site must be wide and level.
The courtyard must be grand enough to hold ten thousand horses,
The main hall and pillars must be placed first.
Eastern and western halls, kitchens,
Courtyards, terraces, and gardens.
Thirty-six ridges divided into sections,
Three hundred and sixty foundation positions determined.
Wood, water, metal, and earth dragons bring good fortune,
But fire dragons are unsuitable, only fit for burial grounds.
Sharp peaks and pointed ridges are of no use,
Unlike graves, which seek beauty and grace.
If discussing a house, first consider the gate,
And avoid water flowing directly into the courtyard.
Family discord begins from here…”
“Taking these principles as examples,
Further illustrations and diagrams will clarify.
When examining a house, water flow must be understood,
Avoid placing towers or pavilions on the roof.
The back and front halls can be arranged,
But the main hall must not overpower the front.
Side corridors can be added next,
And dragon and phoenix heads must be raised.
The central hall must not be dimly lit,
Darkness brings illness to the heart.
If the longevity star does not appear,
Shortened life and misfortune occur.
A beam pressing down is also inauspicious.
If people do not raise their heads,
Many die young, and women become widows.
A courtyard shaped like the character ‘一’ (yi) is considered inauspicious.
As it brings negative energy and no vitality.
If the two sides open widely and merge into one,
它两侧的形状都类似于汉字“人”（ren）。
This is called ‘Sword-Water,’
Which brings misfortune and rebellion.
If water flows from both sides and converges ahead,
It forms a ‘person’ shape when exiting.
This is called ‘Crossed Swords’ and brings calamity.
Initially prosperous but later declining,
Wealth is lost and injuries occur.
Ten families gathered together,
Same entrance, same exit, same place.
Water flows crisscross from both sides,
All misfortunes gather in the center.
Two alleys are called ‘Sword-Water,’
Which kills people and produces recklessness.
Water from a kiln flowing diagonally into the courtyard
Is called ‘Gun Throwing,’ a divine curse.
Water flowing behind the courtyard
Is called ‘Backstabbing Gun.’
Family discord, few children,
Wealth declines inevitably.
Avoid opening on the Green Dragon’s head,
As it brings ‘Reverse Feeding,’ causing loss and emptiness.
It also brings constant disputes,
With men and women suffering defamation for long periods.
Avoid opening on the White Tiger’s head,
As it brings ‘Devouring,’ causing death and injury.
It’s called ‘Difficult to Nurture,’
With women often bedridden.
If there’s also a pedestrian path breaking the flow,
Legal trouble will be unavoidable at the door. If… if…”
“Old man, I really can’t remember the rest. It’s just too long!” Liu Dashao racked his brain, trying hard to recall the next lines, but failed. Fearing Zhang Enpu would punish him by making him copy talismans again, he quickly put on a pitiful face and begged for mercy: “Master, you’re not really going to hit me, are you? I’m already grown up. Show me some respect, okay?”
“I was just kidding with you. To be honest, I can’t remember it all either. We’re not students, right? We have books, so why bother memorizing? There’s no written exam. Making you copy ‘Laojun’s Talismans’ was just a motivational slogan!” Zhang Enpu turned around and pointed at a house on the mountaintop across the way: “Look, can you tell whether the people living in that house are prosperous or declining?”
Following Zhang Enpu’s finger, Liu Dashao looked toward the mountaintop and saw a house facing east, built of earth. Using his limited knowledge, he was about to show off his analysis when Zhang Enpu suddenly tricked him—he took advantage of Liu Dashao’s distraction to give him a sharp rap on the head and then ran up the mountain as fast as he could: “You didn’t listen to your teacher, so you deserve a beating!”
Liu Dashao’s eyes widened in shock, unable to react for a moment. By the time he realized what had happened, Zhang Enpu was already halfway down the mountain.
“Damn it, old monkey! You big fraud! I never thought someone your age would play such a trick on a young guy. This is like the Jade Emperor doing a strip tease—old age with no shame! Just you wait. If I fall for your tricks again, I’m not worthy of being called Dashao!”
From below the mountain came a reply: “Dashao, hurry down! Let’s go up to the mountaintop and check out that house.”
Liu Dashao quickly ran down the hill: “Take it easy! You’re old. If you fall and break something, who will teach me feng shui? Wait for me!”
“Slow down, kid!” Seeing Liu Dashao rushing down the hill like an arrow, Zhang Enpu feared an accident and stopped to wait for him.
At that moment, something stirred deep inside Liu Dashao. For some reason, he felt an unexpected emotional warmth. When one is lonely for too long, even the simplest care can easily move them.
He touched his slightly moist eyes, slowed his pace, and approached Zhang Enpu calmly: “Earlier, I took a look. That house on the mountaintop must be in bad shape. It lacks the basic natural conditions of mountains at the back and water in front. There’s a Green Dragon Mountain on the left, but only a deep ditch on the right. A house on the mountaintop is like a temple—exposed to wind and lacking water, it cannot gather energy. It must be very bad, definitely very bad.”
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