Chapter 55: The Drought Demon! (7)

“Please form the Seven Stars Mudra with your hands, pointing the tips toward the Big Dipper in the north, and keep your fingertips pressed tightly against your forehead,” said Master Wang, the semi-immortal, to the Li family. “Once I begin the ritual, do not open your eyes under any circumstances, or you may witness impure things.” When everyone was ready, Master Wang prepared to start the ritual.

“Rise! By the decree of the Supreme Sage, I summon your lonely souls. May all ghosts and spirits, all beings of the four births, receive blessings… Xiao Long, bring the chicken blood.”

“Master, here’s the chicken blood.”

Master Wang picked up a yellow talisman from the tray and shouted, igniting the talisman. Immediately, he threw the burning talisman into the chicken blood. Then, forming the ‘Ten Thousand Character Mudra’, he took a sip from the bowl of chicken blood and slowly approached the grave, spraying it toward Li Yang’s two ‘old firewood’ sticks. Soon, the two ‘old firewood’ sticks slowly lowered themselves.

“End the ritual!” At Master Wang’s command, everyone opened their eyes. Seeing the hands on the grave had lowered, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

“Master, you truly are amazing! Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!” said Old Man Li.

“Not at all, not at all… Old Man Li flatters me!” Although Master Wang spoke thus, he inwardly rejoiced that the technique had worked. Otherwise…

“Old Man Li, the young master has safely departed. Please call a few more people to tidy this up and repair the grave. Then we can go back. Liu Xi, later you should go upstream to the stream and fetch two buckets of clean water. Once you’ve drawn it, cover it immediately. When you return, place the ‘shroud’ into the bucket to wet it, then cover the grave with it. Once that’s done, invite the ‘Water God’ on the east side of the grave. Remember not to mess it up.”

“Yes, Master!”

After Master Wang and Old Man Li and others returned, it was already the hour of the rat. Su Xiaolong had just returned from the stream.

Following Master Wang’s instructions, he placed the ‘shroud’ on Li Yang’s grave and invited the ‘Water God’. Actually, inviting the ‘Water God’ meant digging a half-foot-deep pit in the southeast corner of the grave, then pouring water into the pit until it overflowed. Immediately afterward, he covered the pit with a ‘Ink Cover’ until all the water had seeped in, then placed three sticks of incense in front of the pit. Inviting the ‘Water God’ was to help Li Yang pave a path in the netherworld. The ‘Ink Cover’ was a yellow talisman umbrella, called ‘Ink Cover’ because ink had been splashed onto it. After Su Xiaolong completed everything, he hurried to where his younger brother’s body was placed.

“Little brother, I’m sorry. You… you can rest assured. Li Yang, that scoundrel, has already been dealt with by Master. You can go in peace. Oh, you always liked corn. I passed by a cornfield on the way here and secretly picked some for you. Eat it on your journey!” Su Xiaolong cried bitterly in front of his younger brother’s corpse.

“Brother, rest in peace!” Su Xiaolong said while lighting a torch. This was what Master Wang had told him to do—cremate the body. Actually, Su Xiaolong didn’t want to do this, but Master Wang said there might be a risk of the corpse becoming animated.

Watching the fire gradually die down, Su Xiaolong wiped the tears from his eyes and returned to Li Yang’s grave to help with the repairs. By the time Su Xiaolong arrived, the grave was nearly restored, with only the final cleaning work left. Su Xiaolong took the broom and began sweeping vigorously in front of the grave. He was still immersed in the pain of losing his younger brother, the only family he had left. As he swept, he unknowingly approached the grave mound.

Just as he was concentrating on sweeping, there was a sudden ‘bang’ that startled Su Xiaolong. He looked in the direction of the sound and nearly soiled himself again in fear.

Li Yang’s hand had once again emerged from the grave, the two ‘old firewood’ sticks flailing wildly. As Su Xiaolong tried to run, Li Yang grabbed his ankle with the ‘old firewood’.

“Ahh! Help! Help!” Su Xiaolong screamed in terror. The workers resting nearby heard the cries and ran over to see what was happening. Not seeing was better than seeing; when they did, they were all stunned. There, the two ‘old firewood’ sticks were gripping Su Xiaolong’s foot, and he was desperately struggling but couldn’t break free.

“Quick, go call Master! Hurry…” Su Xiaolong shouted desperately to the workers. Upon hearing Su Xiaolong’s cries, the workers snapped out of their shock and scattered in panic, leaving Su Xiaolong and Li Yang alone at the grave.

“Hey, don’t all run off. Leave one to help me, help me!” Su Xiaolong cried out in agony. No one turned back, not even to stay.

“You’ll suffer retribution for letting someone die! Li Yang! You beast! What did I do to you in a past life! Fine, if you want to kill me so badly, come on! Little brother, I’m coming to join you.”

Su Xiaolong was still struggling desperately when, unexpectedly, Li Yang’s head also emerged from the grave this time! Li Yang’s head could no longer be called a head. It was entirely a ‘dry wooden head’, with the face tightly ‘stuck’ to the skull, the skin like that of an old luffa gourd. The left side of the head was caved in, with sparse strands of hair remaining on both sides of the top of the head. Most horrifying was the large hole in his throat, with the Adam’s apple exposed. With each “huh… huh” sound he made, the Adam’s apple moved up and down. Seeing Li Yang’s terrifying ‘appearance’, Su Xiaolong’s stomach churned violently. He continued to scream for help. But who would be here at this time? Before Su Xiaolong could finish calling out, Li Yang’s two ‘old firewood’ sticks grabbed his neck and pulled him toward his mouth. Su Xiaolong didn’t even have time to cry out “Ah!” before he was bitten to death by Li Yang.

Li Yang seemed very ‘thirsty’, sucking hard at Su Xiaolong’s neck. Blood flowed down from the corners of Li Yang’s mouth and from the hole in his throat, dripping onto the ground and staining a large area red. But Li Yang continued to suck as if he would never be satisfied. Soon, Su Xiaolong became a desiccated corpse, and Li Yang discarded the body, howling at the sky.

Back at the house, the people who had fled were gasping for breath as they explained what had just happened.

“One at a time!” Master Wang waved his hand.

“Master, the grave… the young master has risen again. He’s a reanimated corpse…” one of the workers said nervously.

“That’s impossible! I used the Soul Reunion Formation to send his soul to the netherworld. How could he…?” Master Wang found this unbelievable and said in confusion.

“Master, what’s going on? You said you were paid a hundred coins to bury my son, and now someone says he’s risen from the dead. You… you said my son would rest in peace. What exactly is going on? You have to give me an explanation!” Old Man Li angrily said to Master Wang.

“Son, son. My son isn’t dead, he isn’t dead. Where is he? I want to see him, I want to see him.” Lady Li said excitedly. Never would she have thought that her longing for her son would leave her mentally unstable.

“Yes, dear. Go back to your room and rest first. Later I’ll take you to see him,” Old Man Li patted Lady Li’s back.

“Old Man Li, don’t worry. It was just a small accident. I’ll handle it,” Master Wang smiled to Old Man Li.

“I hope so, or I’ll ruin your reputation!”

“Did you see clearly? Oh, where is my apprentice?” Master Wang asked the worker.

“Your apprentice was grabbed by the zombie. He might already be…” the worker replied, confirming it was what they had all seen with their own eyes.

“My disciples… Xiao Long!” Master Wang murmured in grief. Though these two apprentices were lazy and gluttonous, he had spent several years with them as master and disciples, and Master Wang was deeply saddened.

How could this happen? Master Wang pondered endlessly. Just as he was thinking, a ‘bang’ echoed from the door, and two ‘old firewood’ sticks appeared on the red-painted gate.

“Li Yang is here, and he’s become a zombie,” Master Wang cried in alarm.

“How could this happen, how could this happen! My son!” Old Man Li shouted in pain.

Everyone in the house, upon seeing this, fled in terror in all directions as Li Yang tried to break through the door.

“Don’t panic, everyone. Hide in the rooms. I’ll deal with him!” Master Wang shouted, and everyone quieted down and fled into the rooms. At that moment, the door was knocked down by Li Yang, and he rushed in, making a “huh… huh” sound.

“My son, you’ve come back. Old man, quickly prepare some food. Our son hasn’t eaten yet,” Lady Li said, seeing Li Yang in this state but not running away, instead walking toward him.

“Wife, the young master is already dead! Come back quickly, or you’ll be bitten to death!” Master Wang shouted at Lady Li.

“Dear, come back! Come back!”

Seeing that Lady Li showed no reaction, Master Wang immediately grabbed a stool and charged toward Li Yang.

“Old Man Li, quickly pull your wife away!” Master Wang shouted urgently. Then he struck Li Yang with the stool. The stool shattered, and Master Wang’s palm was numbed from the impact. But Li Yang showed no reaction at all.

“Damn! He’s so strong!” Master Wang couldn’t help exclaiming. Suddenly, Li Yang lunged fiercely at Master Wang. Immediately, Master Wang tore a strip of cloth from his Taoist robe, and using Li Yang’s momentum, he turned around Li Yang from behind and covered Li Yang’s eyes with the cloth. At that moment, Li Yang stopped moving.

Seeing Li Yang stop, Master Wang let out a sigh of relief.

Everyone seeing Li Yang motionless also calmed down.

“Master Wang, what exactly is going on? You must explain it to me today. My son… how did he become like this!” Old Man Li shouted at Master Wang.

“Son, what are you doing there? Come here, to your mother. Be obedient!” Lady Li said longingly, gazing at Li Yang.

“Dear, our son hasn’t come back. That’s just a piece of wood. You go back to your room and rest first,” Old Man Li smiled, coaxing his wife. But his smile was more painful than crying. His son had died young, and he was now burying his child, while his wife had lost her mind. Old Man Li didn’t know what sins he had committed to suffer such a calamity in his sixties.

“Old Man Li, I think the reason why the young master became a zombie might be because there was something unclean at the burial site causing it. I’d like to go back to the grave to check again.” Actually, Master Wang didn’t know why this had happened either. He was asking himself, and decided to go back to Li Yang’s burial site to investigate.

“I’m telling you for the last time, if you can’t resolve this properly this time, you won’t be able to work in this area anymore. I, Old Man Li, may not have any other skills, but with one stomp of my foot, this town will tremble three times!” Old Man Li didn’t even look at Master Wang as he spoke softly.

“Yes, Old Man Li.” Master Wang replied to Old Man Li and then turned to the workers.

“I used a cloth strip to cover his eyes earlier, which can prevent him from sensing the living. But I can’t guarantee he won’t move again, so I’ll now use my blood seal to immobilize him. You all go get a donkey cart and sprinkle water on it. Prepare a large yellow cloth and also wet it. Hurry!”

“What are these for?” Old Man Li asked Master Wang.

“We need to transport the young master’s body back to the grave. Sprinkling water and covering with a yellow cloth is because of the young master’s birth date and time,” Master Wang answered. Upon hearing that Master Wang wanted to transport the body back, the workers were hesitant to move forward.

“Don’t be afraid. I’ll immobilize him right away!” Master Wang took out a seal from his chest. It was brown and the size of a finger. He bit his finger, smeared his blood on the seal, formed a Taoist mudra, drew a few strokes in front of the seal, and then stamped it on Li Yang’s forehead. A vermilion ‘Order’ character appeared on Li Yang’s forehead. Originally, Li Yang’s hands were flat, but after the stamp, his hands dropped. Seeing Li Yang’s hands drop, the workers finally approached Master Wang. Master Wang gently removed the cloth covering Li Yang’s eyes, and Li Yang’s eyes were now closed. He looked as if he were sleeping. When the workers reached Master Wang, they finally saw Li Yang’s appearance clearly and couldn’t help but feel their stomachs churn.

“Hurry up and prepare!” Master Wang urged. Seeing Li Yang immobilized, the workers gained courage and said, “Right away.”

“Old Man Li, what did the young master like most when he was alive?” Master Wang asked.

“My son loved watching operas most. He was an opera enthusiast. Nothing else really.”

“Good, I see. Old Man Li, do you have any red cloth?”

“Of course! How much do you need?”

“Seven feet will be enough.”

“Come, you, go get it!”

“What are you going to do with it?” Old Man Li asked.

“Old Man Li, you just told me the young master loved watching operas most. Now the young master might be controlled by a vengeful spirit. The best way to resolve this is to lure the young master’s soul out. I will use red cloth to cut out three ‘cloth people’, and then perform a spell to transfer the souls of three opera performers into the ‘cloth people’. When the ‘cloth people’ perform opera in front of the grave, the young master will be able to see them. At that time, the young master’s soul will surely be lured out. Once it’s lured out, I will directly perform a ritual to help the young master’s soul be reborn in the cycle of reincarnation, and then cremate the body.”

“Cremate! Cremate… is there no other way?” Old Man Li was shocked upon hearing that he had to cremate his son’s body and reluctantly asked Master Wang.

“Old Man Li, this is the best way. Otherwise… you wouldn’t want the young master to harm people everywhere, right!”

After a long silence, Old Man Li finally replied, “Fine, cremate!”

The foreman, Ma Tiezhu, was now helping prepare the donkey cart and the yellow cloth. He was already terrified upon seeing Li Yang and just wanted to finish things quickly and go home. He didn’t even care about the wages for the two days of work anymore. He still had a wife and children; if something happened to him, how would his wife and children survive?

Thinking about this, the group had already arrived at the grave. Master Wang told the workers to stop the donkey cart in front of the grave, remove the yellow cloth, and spread a layer of lime in front of the grave. Then he took out the already cut ‘cloth people’ and placed them around the donkey cart. From his magical chest, he took out three urns and placed them behind the three cloth people. Needless to say, these were the ashes of the three opera performers. Master Wang held a soul-capturing bell in one hand and walked in a very eerie gait. After a while of moving around, Master Wang stopped in front of the middle cloth person, shaking the soul-capturing bell faster and faster. Suddenly, Master Wang shouted “Hmph!” and the urns exploded. The ashes from the three urns landed precisely on the corresponding ‘cloth people’. Once the ashes had settled, the ‘cloth people’ began to move to the sound of Master Wang’s bell. The workers behind Master Wang were all amazed and watched in fascination. Master Wang put down the soul-capturing bell, took out three yellow talismans, and murmured something softly. After finishing, he pasted the three talismans on the backs of the ‘cloth people’. At this moment, the ‘cloth people’ really began to sing opera, their movements just like real people. Although the singing wasn’t loud, it sounded very genuine. The workers found this even more astonishing.

Master Wang closely observed Li Yang’s corpse. The ‘cloth people’ sang for a long time, but there was no movement. “Could it be ineffective?” Master Wang was thinking. About the time it took to burn an incense stick later, footprints finally appeared on the lime in front of the grave. Immediately, Master Wang took out a ‘soul jar’, opened the lid, and shouted toward the direction of the footprints: “Li Yang.” The footprints that had been continuously appearing stopped at this moment, and Master Wang also covered the jar’s lid. Everyone behind Master Wang held their breath, watching this strange phenomenon unfold.

“Old Man Li, I have already captured the young master’s soul in this ‘soul jar’. Now the body can be cremated.”

“Good! You, you, you, and you, prepare the firewood and light it!” Old Man Li finally regained his senses and said to the few workers around him.

“Yes, sir!” The workers were also still shaken, but then the four of them took torches and walked toward Li Yang.

“Is everything okay this time?” Old Man Li asked.

“When…”

“When what? Why did you stop speaking!” Old Man Li asked again.

“I don’t know, because…”

“You don’t know! Because? Because what…”

“Because I captured his soul, yet he is still moving…” Master Wang stared straight at the direction of the donkey cart. As soon as Master Wang finished speaking, several screams came from the donkey cart. Old Man Li looked in the direction of the sound and saw Li Yang grabbing a worker’s neck and ‘eating’ him with relish. The other three were already lying on the ground; they had been pierced through the chest by Li Yang’s two ‘old firewood’ sticks! Blood flowed all over the ground! Master Wang, Old Man Li, and the workers behind them dared not make the slightest sound. At this moment, Master Wang noticed that the ‘Order’ character on Li Yang’s forehead had already faded. It seemed that Li Yang had now become a ‘zombie’, a living corpse with no consciousness at all, only capable of biting people.

Finally, someone regained their senses and shouted, “Run, run quickly!” Master Wang wanted to stop them but was already too late. Because ‘zombies’ have no consciousness at all; the only thing they can sense is external sound. When facing a ‘zombie’, as long as you don’t make a sound, you’re generally safe. Upon hearing the workers’ shouting, Li Yang threw away his ‘food’, leaped into the air, and in one jump, soared directly over Master Wang and Old Man Li, landing in front of the workers. The foreman didn’t even know what was happening before he was pierced through the chest by Li Yang and died. The workers wanted to run back again, but how could they possibly be faster than Li Yang? In just a moment, without even a scream, five healthy men had fallen to the ground dead.