Chapter 9, The Water Ghost Drags People

Not knowing what was going on, feeling extremely irritable, he suddenly said something in a daze, as if compelled by some unseen force:

The master of that eerie and sharp voice suddenly lowered his tone in a mysterious manner

If he does not keep watch at night, it is possible that a thief will indeed come to steal the peaches

Moreover, he is simply honest, not foolish

Brother Stone, I quietly tell you that today I have received a revelation, having learned a secret in advance. It is said that by this time tomorrow, I too will have reached the shore

It is evident that the person spoke out because he was generous and kind-hearted, having given the Taoist priest several peaches to quench his thirst

This remark seems to have opened the floodgates for conversation

Otherwise

However, at night, if one steals, they steal a great deal, which is akin to digging into his very life source; the treasures for dining must be well guarded

However, upon observing his surroundings, he did not discover anything unusual or strange

After finishing the meal

There are also several villages by the Xiliang River, isn't it better to have a cup of hot tea? Why must one come here to drink river water instead

At that time, we will pull him down to take our place, so we will no longer be constrained by the river water, nor will we have to exert ourselves just to have a few words with you, Brother Stone...

Could it be that misfortune will come unexpectedly?

Clearly, during the day, he sold a full truckload of peaches, and life at home is getting better and better, which can be described as thriving

Upon careful examination

However, he felt somewhat uncomfortable in his heart

Old Zhang squatted in his small courtyard, smashing rotten peach pits while smoking his homemade dry tobacco pipe, feeling somewhat troubled

What secret insight has the brother obtained? Could you share it with your elder brother?

At this moment

The original sound was quite chaotic

The peach orchard is not close to home

In the latter half of the night, Old Zhang felt himself drifting in and out of sleep

That could infuriate Old Zhang

Furthermore

However, the issue is

Finally

Do not say it is a person

Then Brother Stone seemed a bit curious and inquired in a similarly lowered voice:

It is already past three poles of the sun, is there really no one coming? If I wait a little longer, it will be past a quarter past noon.

Old Zhang is naturally an honest person

Upon hearing his words

At this moment, Old Zhang truly felt increasingly regretful; he must have had his head struck by a stick to engage in such a meaningless endeavor

At that moment, a woman dressed in a floral jacket approached. Although she did not possess a beauty that could topple kingdoms, she exuded a unique simplicity characteristic of the villagers: harmonious and literary.

Feeling truly exhausted, Old Zhang returned home, closed his door, and fell into a deep sleep.

An ordinary person might tell you: "The secrets of heaven must not be revealed"

Today, he must find out whether he was dreaming last night or if he truly heard some strange words.

At noon tomorrow, at a quarter to twelve, a middle-aged man with a somewhat balding head will arrive. He will be swaying his head like a metal pot, and at that time, he will squat by the Xiliang River, desperately thirsty, to drink water

If yesterday was truly a water ghost

Quickly call a few children over to drink soft-shelled turtle soup together

If you have something to say, please be clear about it

We, the ones who work as water ghosts, struggle in the water day and night, constantly in a damp and eerie environment

After all, soft-shelled turtles are not inexpensive items

Just when he thought he could have a good sleep, he discovered that the noisy and indistinct sounds by his ear had actually turned into the conversation of two people

Suddenly

Eating one or two at home during the day is not a concern

However, it is precisely that

Just as he patted the dust off his backside and prepared to leave, he suddenly saw a figure flash by on the opposite bank of the Xiliang River.

Old Zhang, who had just been feeling down, was instantly revitalized.

It is often those at the lowest level who can truly feel the kindness of others

In this neighborhood, who among the ten miles and eight villages does not speak well of him

How have you been lately, my friend? My days are becoming increasingly difficult, with no one coming to pay their respects. Life is becoming more and more impoverished, and I find no flavor in my mouth; I feel as if I am fading away.

Old Zhang tapped his pipe stem, patted his backside, and simply forgot about the matter.

Hurry over for dinner, as I have specially prepared a turtle today

In the end, the sound grew fainter and before long, it became inaudible

What are you whispering about over there, making a fuss and howling like a ghost?

It is better not to mention this

Did you make turtle soup

It seems to be gradually disappearing

Old Zhang also suddenly woke up

After all, that young Taoist priest, at first glance, is someone with a destined connection and considerable ability

After a lively conversation that lasted half the day, Old Zhang also packed his belongings and prepared to head to the peach orchard across the way

This is indeed a great tonic

In a state between half-dreaming and half-awake, I heard a chattering sound beside my ear, as if someone was chatting comcom.

If you encounter a monk, he might even engage you in a witty exchange

During the day, Old Zhang returned home early, quickly finished his breakfast, and then squatted by the Xiliang River.

Guarded through the first half of the night

Not even a shadow of a ghost!

If he were awake, he would certainly pick up his shoe soles and go out to inquire who is howling like a ghost in the middle of the night

The other side

Old Zhang looked up at the sun and wiped the sweat from his forehead

The Daoist priest said that I have encountered some setbacks recently

He opened the small wooden house where he guarded the peach trees and went out holding a peach wood stick in his hand

The water ghost brothers chuckled softly, seemingly quite pleased with themselves

Those who can wear a floral jacket and eat soft-shelled turtle can be considered, without a doubt, to be wealthy farmers, such as the family of Old Zhang

To speak frankly

He took a few puffs of the dry tobacco with a sense of gloom

A very eerie, yet somewhat sharp voice emerged

However, for some reason, the words from last night seemed like a needle, piercing his heart, leaving him with a sense of apprehension.

I have not slept so soundly as before

Elder brother does not know

A middle-aged man, with thinning hair, balancing a cast iron pot, swaying with every step; who else could this be but the protagonist discussed in last night's conversation

The dark clouds in the sky gradually obscure the moon, making it so that one cannot see their own hand in front of them

Then today, this person is truly like this; it is indeed as if they are rushing to be reincarnated

Hearing a constant chatter in his ears, it was so loud that his head felt like it was buzzing

He is certainly not the strange guardian Yi

He insists on seeing whether that person really exists

At this moment, he was in a state of half-sleep, unable to fully awaken despite his desire to do so, while the noise around his ears made it difficult to fall back asleep

What are you mumbling about over there?

The night is quiet and still

There is a specific depiction of a figure, with an iron pot on the head, swaying with every three steps; can this still be considered a normal person

As soon as these words were spoken, the previously chaotic noise suddenly became somewhat lighter

Upon hearing this statement

However, tomorrow will be different

However, I am just a humble peach farmer, spending my days tending to the peach orchard; what kind of twists and turns could there possibly be?

Brother Stone, you are unaware of the blessings you have; you have reached the shore, while I am still in the river

Generations have sold peaches here, which can be said to be living honestly and earning money with integrity

He is our scapegoat

At that time, I will come to rely on you, my brother. We can also live freely and happily, can't we

A voice that is very deep and heavy seems to be complaining somewhat unhappily