Chapter 64: The Ghost Infant! (Part 5)

Alang said, “If my child can have a good fate, that would be wonderful. But even if not, I still must 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 embarrassed Ma Sandao so much that his face turned red. Seeing Alang’s willingness to help, Madam Fan was overjoyed. She took out a jade piece from her bosom, dabbed it slightly on Ma Sandao’s blood-stained right hand, and smiled at Alang, saying, “Then accept it, please.” Alang transformed into a streak of green light and vanished into the jade.

Liu Dashao, curious, leaned over to take a look. By now, dawn was breaking and he could clearly see eight characters engraved on the jade: “Evil spirits keep away; blessings of yang come forth.”

Liu asked, “Master Yuan, why won’t you allow her to reincarnate and instead capture her like this? Won’t this Li氏 soon dissolve into a pool of thick blood?”

Ma Sandao suddenly slapped his head, “Oh right… my wife… my wife…”

Madam Fan understood his concern and explained, “I captured her for her own good. This jade is a spiritual jade that can temporarily contain her. If she stays inside longer, both she and the child might benefit. Besides, we might need her tonight to deal with the demonic fetus.”

Liu Dashao was puzzled, “Why is that? Are you really going to bring a fierce female ghost from my body to my future father-in-law’s house? That would surely kill my future mother-in-law!”

“Get lost!” Ma Sandao kicked him.

Madam Fan said, “Don’t worry. You will eventually learn this craft from me. How could I possibly harm you?”

Liu replied in surprise, “But I never agreed to learn from you. Honestly, I don’t have the heart to learn this skill, and even if I did, I wouldn’t have the courage 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.

Madam Fan sighed and followed him. Ma Sandao was anxious and kept urging them to hurry, while Madam Fan remained calm and unhurried. After walking less than ten li, Madam Fan spoke again, “Actually, I don’t really want to do this work. People call me Immortal Girl, but behind my back, they still fear and avoid me. I know this well… sigh!”

Liu comforted her, “Just from what you explained last night, I can tell you are a genuine master with real skills, not a fraud like those fake shamans.”

“Exactly, exactly! After we return, I will definitely spread the word about you, so people know we have a living immortal here,” Ma Sandao nodded enthusiastically.

Madam Fan chuckled, “That’s not necessary. When I go to people’s homes to perform rituals and chant sutras, I know it’s mostly ineffective. But the hosts pay well. Last time, the Yang family in town held a three-day mourning ceremony for their grandfather, and they gave me a hundred dollars as incense money. Another time, the county magistrate’s mother passed away, and we chanted for two days. There were four Taoist priests, and each received a hundred dollars.”

Liu was stunned, “So much money just for chanting sutras?”

Madam Fan smiled bitterly, “People worry that if they pay too little, the chanters might make mistakes, preventing the deceased from resting in peace. What do they take us for?”

Liu muttered, “So much money? I thought it would just be a few cents…”

Madam Fan continued, “Many people come to me wanting to learn my skills, but I never find their aptitude suitable. Now that I’ve found someone decent like you, you don’t want to learn. It’s really hard to find a worthy apprentice. As for me, I mostly chant sutras and draw talismans. Events like last night’s, which require real effort, are rare. Making a young man like you learn this from me might be stifling your potential.”

Liu asked in surprise, “So you don’t usually exorcise ghosts? I thought performing rituals involved fighting ghosts…” Madam Fan replied, “There aren’t that many evil ghosts in the world. That’s why I worry about keeping you idle. Mao Xiao Liu from Xiushan Village has asked me several times to take him as an apprentice. He seems sincere. I think I’ll accept him as my apprentice to assist in my final days.”

Liu was alarmed, “That kid never does anything productive. I heard he even smokes opium. How can a figure like you, practically a celestial immortal, accept such a person as your apprentice? That won’t do at all! Earlier, I was afraid I was too dull and would disappoint you, Madam, but since you think so highly of me, I, Liu Dashao, am naturally willing to learn from you and carry forward the old Taoist master’s skills. I only ask that you don’t blame me if I learn slowly.” He finished, gazing at Madam Fan with an expression of utmost sincerity, loyal like Guan Yu to Liu Bei or Li Kui to Song Jiang.

Madam Fan was delighted, “Are you truly willing to become my disciple?” Seeing the opportunity, Liu Dashao, overjoyed, immediately knelt on the ground in the manner he had seen on stage, and kowtowed three times, saying, “Master, please accept this apprentice’s bow!” As Madam Fan accepted his bows, she joyfully sighed, feeling relieved that her legacy would continue. She kept repeating, “Good, good…”

Liu Dashao had already been exhausted for two days and nights. After kowtowing, his vision swam with golden stars, which quickly transformed into swirling stacks of banknotes in his mind’s eye.

As soon as Liu Dashao agreed to become her apprentice, Madam Fan quickened her pace significantly, leaving Ma Sandao panting like a tired donkey. Soon, they arrived at Ma’s home. Seeing Zhang Zhao Di still in a coma, Ma Sandao anxiously sought Madam Fan’s help to exorcise the demonic fetus. Madam Fan said solemnly, “Exorcising the demonic fetus will definitely mean losing your child…”

Ma Sandao was stunned, “Madam, what do you mean?”

Madam Fan explained, “Your child has lost its soul. Even if you somehow manage to keep the pregnancy, the child will likely be born an idiot and won’t live past one year!” Hearing this, Ma Sandao burst into tears, regretfully slapping his own face. Gambling truly had ruined him!

Madam Fan continued, “Exorcising the demonic fetus can only save your wife’s life… and it must be done tonight, the sooner the better… You must prepare yourself!” Ma Sandao looked at his unconscious wife, tears streaming down his face. Madam Fan patted his shoulder, “Rest a bit. Tonight, you’ll need to help.” Then she signaled Liu Dashao to distract Ma Xiaoyan and take her outside. Since Madam Fan was now his master, Liu had no choice but to obey. Madam Fan sighed and returned home to prepare.

How could Ma Sandao possibly fall asleep? But after two days and nights without sleep, even an iron man would collapse. Soon, he dozed off. In his dream, Madam Fan suddenly appeared and told him that both his wife and child could be saved. Overjoyed, Ma Sandao jumped up, only to wake up startled. It was just a dream.

As night fell, Madam Fan and Ma Sandao carried Zhang Zhao Di into the main hall. By then, Liu Dashao had already pasted talismans around the bed. Madam Fan instructed Ma Sandao, “Now we will set up the Ten Directions Celestial Venerable Rescue the Suffering and Expel Evil Spirits Formation. No matter what happens to your wife, you must not approach her. Remember this!” Ma Sandao nodded solemnly.

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 in case any outside spirits tried to intrude. Liu held the sword tightly, his palms sweating.

Madam Fan lowered her head and began chanting spells. Suddenly, she pointed the sword at Zhang Zhao Di and shouted, “Evil spirit, come out!” Instantly, a strong wind blew through the hall, making the talismans around the bed flutter violently. Liu Dashao, frightened, held the sword tightly across his chest. Madam Fan’s chanting grew more urgent, and the wind stronger, until Liu Dashao could barely keep his eyes open. Ma Sandao stumbled backward, nearly falling flat on his face. Liu squinted and saw some talismans about to blow away, when Madam Fan suddenly roared, “Still won’t come out to die?!”

The wind stopped abruptly, and a chilling silence fell over the room. Ma Sandao turned around and saw his wife slowly sitting up on the bed, her expression eerie. Startled, he asked, “Wife, are you healed?”

Madam Fan slapped him hard and shouted, “Don’t speak! Just keep watch!” Ma Sandao had no idea what was happening and was anxious beyond words.

Zhang Zhao Di sat upright, staring blankly ahead, twisting her neck in a grotesque manner while her eyes remained fixed. Ma Sandao’s scalp prickled. Was his wife gone forever? Liu Dashao, watching closely, felt increasingly uneasy. Thinking it best to strike first, he spat into his palms, gripped his sword, and prepared to attack.

But then Zhang Zhao Di spoke, “Who dares drive me away?” Her voice was neither male nor female, and somewhat childlike. Liu Dashao’s skin crawled with goosebumps the size of mung beans, and he dared not move. Madam Fan glared at him and shouted, “Blind demon, how dare you try to steal someone’s child? Today, I won’t just drive you away—I will capture you!”

Zhang Zhao Di laughed eerily, “Hehe, the real owner isn’t even worried. Why are you so anxious?”

Ma Sandao, furious, grabbed a stool to smash it down, shouting, “Damn it, who isn’t worried?” But as he raised the stool, he remembered it was his wife’s body. Like a tiger biting a hedgehog, he had no idea where to strike. Madam Fan bit her index finger, and while Zhang Zhao Di was looking at Ma Sandao, she rushed forward and drew a Six Ding Spirit-Cleansing Talisman on her forehead.

Immediately, Zhang Zhao Di’s body on the bed began trembling violently, making the bed creak loudly. She tried several times to speak but failed.

Madam Fan urged, “If you want to beg for mercy, nod your head…”

Before she finished, Zhang Zhao Di suddenly laughed, “Haha, haha…” Then, in a mix of her own voice, she cried, “Sandao… Sandao… what’s happening to me?” Hearing this, Ma Sandao’s heart twisted painfully. He asked anxiously, “Madam, what should I do now?”

Madam Fan sighed, “Your wife loves this child too much. She’s been bewitched by the demon.” Ma Sandao stomped his feet, “Then hurry and save her!”

Madam Fan snorted, lit a soul-calming incense stick, and muttered angrily, “Let’s see how long you can laugh.” On the bed, Zhang Zhao Di rambled on, “Oh, that must be Daddy… Let me call him a few times… Sandao, where did you go?… My head hurts… Oh, Mama’s head hurts. What should I do, Daddy…? Hahaha…” Ma Sandao covered his ears, thinking, “Once you come out, I’ll make you scream for three days and nights, and then let the old woman destroy your soul completely.”

The incense smoke drifted toward the bed, and suddenly the jade piece glowed. A green light floated into Zhang Zhao Di’s belly.

Zhang Zhao Di felt dizzy and her stomach hurt. Her husband was nowhere to be seen. In a daze, she arrived at a place. Opening her eyes, she realized: wasn’t this the same marsh she had visited before? How did she get here? Dazed, she thought, “I should go home. My husband and daughter must be worried about me, and my unborn child too.” Thinking this, she instinctively touched her belly, only to find that the slight swelling was gone.

It was like a thunderclap. Zhang Zhao Di collapsed to the ground, clutching a tree by the roadside. Without her child, what was the point of living?

“What’s the point of living without this child?” she thought bitterly. Crying, she stood up and cried out, “My child… Mommy is coming for you…” She prepared to jump into the marsh…

Just as she was about to jump, a hand grabbed her. She turned around and saw a chubby, fair-skinned child holding her hand. Seeing how adorable the child was, she gently asked, “Whose child are you? Why are you holding my hand?” The child smiled, revealing two small dimples, and called out, “Mommy, Mommy!” Zhang Zhao Di’s heart ached, “How could you be my child? Look how big you are…” She looked again, and couldn’t take her eyes off him. The child’s mouth looked exactly like Ma Sandao’s, and his eyes and nose were exactly like hers.

If this wasn’t her child, how could he look so much like them? Overcome with joy, she hugged the child tightly, “My treasure, my treasure.” The child also seemed delighted, calling her Mommy repeatedly. Suddenly, someone spoke from behind, “This is not your child. Stay away from him!” Zhang Zhao Di turned around and saw a woman dressed in a red wedding gown, also pregnant. She said, “This child is a ghost. Stay away from him!”

Zhang Zhao Di protectively pulled the child into her arms, “Who are you to come here spreading lies?” The woman sighed, “I’m a poor woman your husband saved. The child in your arms is the evil spirit who killed me…”

Zhang Zhao Di looked down and saw the child staring at her with big eyes full of fear. Her heart softened, and she hugged him tighter. The woman grew anxious, “Sister Ma, don’t be deceived by him. Look carefully—see who he really is…”

Zhang Zhao Di looked again. Suddenly, her child’s face transformed into a bloody, terrifying man’s face. She was startled, but then it turned back into the child’s fair face. She refused to believe the woman’s words.

The child in her arms suddenly spoke with a sinister expression, “Mommy, she can’t have a child, so she wants to take me as hers.” Zhang Zhao Di stood up protectively, “I won’t listen to you. Go away!” The woman sighed and suddenly lunged forward, trying to snatch the child.

“Ma Sister, think! How could your unborn child be this big? Give him to me quickly, or he’ll take your life too!” The woman grabbed the child’s shoulders, trying to pull him away. Zhang Zhao Di, driven by some unknown strength, pushed the woman away. The child kept crying, “Mommy, if she takes me, you’ll never have a child again…” While dodging the woman, Zhang Zhao Di kept comforting him, “Mommy is here. No one will take you away…”

The woman grew desperate and quickened her movements. Several times she grabbed the child, only to have him snatched back by Zhang Zhao Di. Suddenly, she grabbed the child’s arms and pulled him up. Zhang Zhao Di panicked and grabbed the child’s legs, pulling back with all her might. With this force, the child was torn in two.

The woman sighed in relief, but the half-boy in her hands suddenly turned and bit her, snarling, “You ruined my plan. You don’t deserve to live!” His face was filled with malice. As the child’s teeth approached her, she panicked and flung the half-body into the marsh water. Zhang Zhao Di was so frightened she stood frozen, staring at the two severed legs in her hands, her heart turning cold.

She heard the half-body in the water cry out, “Mommy, I’m so cold. Come save me! Mom… mom…” She turned and saw the child’s head spewing black blood from its mouth, clearly dying. The head floated on the water. The woman muttered, “This is bad,” and reached out to pull Zhang Zhao Di away. But Zhang Zhao Di, holding the two severed legs, cried out, “My treasure, Mommy is coming…” and leapt into the marsh, sinking into the water and never surfacing again.

After a while, when Madam Fan extracted Alang’s soul and heard her story, she realized that Zhang Zhao Di had loved her child too much, unable to let go, and had been lured to her death by the demon!