After a while, Wang Chunhua fetched a pair of scissors and handed them to Zhang Enpu. Taking the scissors, Zhang Enpu grabbed the chicken’s neck that Liu Laoshi had extended, lifted the chicken’s head, and with one snip, cut straight at its comb. The rooster cried out painfully and desperately tried to escape Liu Laoshi’s grip, but Liu tightly held its wings and feet, rendering all its struggles futile. Zhang Enpu then pressed the bleeding comb against Xiaomazi’s forehead, drawing a large, bright red character “赦” (she), meaning “pardon.”
Xiaomazi’s father looked at his son lying on the table and asked Zhang Enpu, “Master Zhang, do you think the child will be alright?”
Zhang Enpu shook his head, “He should be fine. He’ll probably wake up soon.” Everyone gathered around the table, waiting for Xiaomazi to regain consciousness.
After a long while, Liu Dashao suddenly exclaimed in delight, “I think I just saw Xiaomazi’s eyelids move!”
Xiaomazi’s father chimed in, “I saw it too! I saw it too!” His face lit up with joy.
After an even longer wait, Xiaomazi finally opened his eyes. The first words he spoke upon seeing his mother were, “Mom, I’m scared of ghosts.”
His mother immediately embraced him tightly, “Mom is right here, don’t be afraid! I’m here, okay!” Then she burst into tears.
Seeing that Xiaomazi was fine, everyone let out a sigh of relief.
Zhang Enpu asked Xiaomazi, “Child, what exactly did you see?”
Xiaomazi replied to Zhang Enpu, “Zhang… Master Zhang, I heard someone crying outside the brick kiln. I was so scared being alone, and then a woman approached me. I screamed once, and after that, I couldn’t remember anything else.” Everyone understood that Xiaomazi had indeed been frightened by a ghost.
Being scared by a ghost to the point of losing one’s soul means the person’s spirit has been so frightened that it scatters. Someone whose soul has left their body is no different from a corpse, a lifeless body, or what people commonly call a living dead or a vegetative state. Excessive fear causes a surge of adrenaline, directly leading to myocardial infarction and even death, especially dangerous for those with heart conditions.
As for why Zhang Enpu used the rooster’s blood to draw strange symbols, Liu Dashao later explained to everyone that the blood of a rooster, which announces the dawn, carries the strongest yang energy and is a ghost’s nemesis. Once a rooster crows, ghosts dare not appear. Just like cats reacting to the sound of clinking bowls, the rooster’s blood can also be used to summon the soul. By applying the blood to Xiaomazi’s forehead, Zhang Enpu had effectively called his soul back, allowing Xiaomazi to naturally awaken.
After thanking Zhang Enpu, Xiaomazi’s family returned home. Zhang Enpu reminded them that children’s mischief is normal and advised against harsh scolding in the future. From that day onward, Liu Dashao never saw Xiaomazi’s father beat him again.
The cold weather in the northeast began to take a toll on Zhang Enpu’s health, and he gradually developed rheumatism. Recently, his condition had worsened to the point that he could only wander around the village and couldn’t go anywhere else. Coincidentally, since the deaths of Grandma Fan and Master Wang, the responsibility for all the funerals, weddings, and feng shui matters within dozens of miles had fallen solely on Zhang Enpu. Fortunately, Liu Dashao had now become quite skilled and could assist Zhang Enpu. Yesterday morning, a messenger came from a neighboring village requesting Zhang Enpu’s help, as their elderly patriarch had passed away. However, Zhang Enpu’s health was failing, and after much consideration, he decided to send Liu Dashao along with Suona Wang, the suona player from the village, and Luogu Chen, the gong and drum player, to handle the matter and gain some experience.
Along the way, Liu Dashao learned that the village they were heading to was called Huaixi Village, and the family there surnamed Xiang. The donkey cart slowly trudged over the snow, covering the dozens of kilometers in three hours, and they arrived in Huaixi Village around five in the afternoon. The deceased was an elderly man who had passed away peacefully, his hair white and his body already washed and neatly placed in the central hall. Since this was a solemn religious ceremony, Liu Dashao, following Zhang Enpu’s advice, wore a formal outfit with his hair neatly combed. He then changed into ceremonial robes in the room prepared for them by the Luo family.
Liu Dashao turned to Suona Wang and Luogu Chen and asked, “Elder brothers, do you think I can handle this?”
Luogu Chen smiled, “If Master Zhang says you can, you can! Unlike old Wang, who can’t even blow the suona properly.”
Suona Wang couldn’t take it anymore, “Now you’re dragging me into this. My suona playing is definitely better than your drumming!”
Seeing the two about to argue, Liu Dashao interjected, “Both of you, save your energy and stop bickering. In this funeral ceremony, we each play different roles, and all are essential. So, no more arguments—quickly change and come out.” They both realized the truth in his words, so they changed into their ceremonial clothes and stepped out.
Arriving at the central hall, Liu Dashao, dressed in his ritual robe and wearing a ceremonial hat, began writing couplets and drawing talismans at the table in front of the coffin. Suona Wang stood at the entrance playing the suona, while Luogu Chen directed people to dismantle doors, paste couplets, and hang talismans. Everything was carried out in an orderly manner. The two funeral professionals were experienced and familiar with the routine, but for Liu Dashao, this was his first time being thrust into the role, and he was sweating profusely.
An hour later, everything was completed. Liu Dashao approached the Luo family to inquire about the deceased. After questioning them, he was startled to learn that the old man had passed away at midnight, during the transition between the second and third nine-day cold periods. This was a time of intense cold and heavy yin energy, potentially leaving residual yang energy trapped in the heart area. Such a corpse must not be touched by any living creature, or strange occurrences might happen. Naturally, he couldn’t reveal this to the Luo family, but seeing the expression on his face, they asked, “Young master, is there something wrong?”
Liu Dashao replied solemnly, “Have you already prepared the coffin for the elder? It would be better if he could be placed inside as soon as possible.”
Luo Ping’an, the eldest son, responded, “Young master, is there something wrong? The coffin hasn’t been prepared yet. My father was always in good health, and we hadn’t really considered his funeral arrangements. His illness came suddenly, and within a week, he was gone. We only asked the village carpenter to start making the coffin today, and it might not be ready until tomorrow morning. Is there a problem, young master?”
Liu Dashao smiled, “There’s no problem for now, and I hope none arises. Otherwise, the consequences could be unpredictable. Have you arranged for someone to keep watch tonight? It would be better to have more people. Also, make sure no cats or dogs walk over the elder’s body until he’s placed in the coffin tomorrow morning. Don’t worry, nothing serious will happen!”
By the time everything was done, it was already past six in the evening. The three “masters” were invited by the Luo family for dinner. A few elders from Huaixi Village also came and, seeing the young Taoist priest, couldn’t help but ask, “Young brother, you’re so young! We wonder how skilled you are in the arts. The previous masters always performed Taoist rituals during the coffin procession. We’d like to see your performance too. Hehe, don’t disappoint us!” Originally, they had hoped to invite Master Zhang, but instead, they got Liu Dashao, and deep down, they naturally lacked confidence in this young priest.
Liu Dashao had accompanied Master Zhang several times and understood their expectations, so he replied, “My skills are far inferior to my master’s. I’ll do my best, hoping not to embarrass myself! Hehe, I hope I won’t disappoint you!”
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