Chapter 006: Legal Affairs

Master, could it be that... there really are ghosts

Brother Miao, the malevolent energy in your courtyard has not been present for long and can be easily dispelled without my master needing to intervene

The old priest shot a glare at Ye Tian and then said, "Later, go over there and recite the 'Sutra of Deliverance' a few times to dispel those malevolent energies."

Hearing Miao Laoda's loud voice, Ye Tian quickly placed his index finger on his lips and whispered, "Master is a bit tired and is resting. Brother Miao, please dismantle this mourning hall. Then I will recite scriptures here to exorcise the malevolent energy."

Although Ye Tian is young, he is quite perceptive. He noticed that Miao Laoda did not seem to trust him much, so he said: "With the Yangfan white rod, it can naturally suppress and seal off evil spirits, dispelling any foul atmosphere. If not, shall I wait for my master to rest and have him come?"

To speak frankly, Ye Tian was truly taken aback by the old Taoist's words. If he had not heard them with his own ears, he would never have believed that such words could come from the old Taoist, who spent all day insisting on the use of archaic language and forcing him to study classical literature.

Upon seeing Boss Miao walk out of the room, the two disciples, who had been eating in a refined manner, discarded their chopsticks and each grabbed a pig's trotter to gnaw on. They devoured the entire table of delicacies like a whirlwind, leaving the wife of Boss Miao with a strange look in her eyes when she came in to clean up after them.

The old Taoist glanced sideways at Ye Tian and said, "I once lectured on architecture at Peking University, and even that young fellow Liang Sicheng attended my class."

It seems that the old man recalled the events of the past, and his mood was somewhat low. Despite his good health, he was still a centenarian. At that moment, he leaned back against the chair and took a short rest.

As for whether the "Duren Sutra" has any effect, Ye Tian did not take it to heart at all. In any case, the mourning hall has been dismantled, and the malevolent energy in this place will naturally dissipate within three to five days.

Architecture should have some relation to Feng Shui, right? But who is Liang Sicheng?

The offerings are ready, and white wooden poles are easy to find in the countryside. Before long, Miao Laoda had arranged everything that Ye Tian needed in the location where the mourning hall had been dismantled.

Perhaps fearing that Master Li would not wholeheartedly assist him in dispelling the malevolent energy in the house, Old Miao hastily finished a bowl of rice and went out to contact the construction team

People of the mountains and fields can eat anything

Can the "Durenjing" eliminate the negative energy? Isn't that area obstructed by the spirit hall?

"If you don't want to say it, then don't. By the way, teacher, is it true that reciting the 'Durenjing' can eliminate negative energy?"

Of course, the efficacy of the "Durenjing" is no less than that of the Buddhist "Diamond Sutra". You can just follow the instructions later. Master, I will take a rest...

What is it? Do you look down on me, a scholar from the former Qing dynasty?

In this day and age, regardless of the industry, appearance is of utmost importance. Just as patients prefer to consult experienced doctors, factories specifically seek skilled technicians, such as those with an eighth-level qualification in machining. Given Ye Tian's young age, it is understandable that Miao Laoda harbors some doubts.

Ye Tian suddenly recalled a zombie movie he had watched in town last year. In a moment of playful spirit, he puffed out his small chest and continued, "Prepare a square table, four sacrificial offerings, and then take nine white wooden poles..."

"If there are no ghosts, then how does resentment arise?" Ye Tian asked in confusion, as he had previously been unaware that his teacher was a staunch atheist

Upon hearing this, Master Miao was momentarily taken aback and hesitantly asked, "Little Master, are you... capable of this?"

Ye Tian was quite bold; when he was seven or eight years old, he dared to go to the old graveyard in the village alone to catch crickets. Upon hearing this, he did not feel afraid; instead, he became excited.

Upon hearing his master's words, Ye Tian couldn't help but be taken aback. Could it be that this malevolent energy truly originated from the transformation of the spirit of Old Miao's second brother?

Under intense concentration, Ye Tian has finally seen clearly this time that the mysterious patterns on the turtle shell are actually individual bird seals. However, in the center, where the magnetic needle should be, there is a Taiji yin-yang diagram

No, Master, I will do as you say and go find the items now

In rural areas, weddings and funerals are generally organized at home. Just yesterday, a funeral was held, and the family had prepared some food. Before long, Miao's eldest son's wife brought the prepared meal up.

You are not foolish, regardless of whether it is Chinese or foreign architecture, they are all inextricably linked to Feng Shui and geomancy. As for Liang Sicheng, sigh, why am I even telling you this

The old Taoist shook his head and said, "Who told you it was the spirit hall that caused this? It is the manifestation of human resentment. Otherwise, with sunlight able to shine there throughout the day, it would have been dispersed long ago"

The old man explained a few things to Ye Tian but soon grew impatient. If he were to tell Ye Tian that Liang Sicheng was the son of Liang Qichao, it was likely that the young man would immediately ask who Liang Qichao was. In that case, he would probably have to recount the story of the "Six Gentlemen of the Wuxu Rebellion" to him.

After the shelves were properly arranged, Ye Tian began to recite the "Duren Jing" in a seemingly proficient manner, resembling a small but enlightened master. This sight instilled a sense of confidence in Miao Laoda, who was watching from the side.

Lao Dao is indeed not boasting; he and Gu Hongming can be considered close friends across generations. He was once invited by Gu to serve as a lecturer at Peking University for a period of time, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that he is well-versed in both Chinese and Western knowledge.

At that time, Lao Dao intended to go to the Peking University Library to find the original text of "Tui Bei Tu". After failing to locate it, he resigned from his position at Peking University and wandered the world like a carefree hermit.

Upon hearing Ye Tian's words, Miao Laoda stamped his foot. After all, they were going to repair the temple tomorrow. The Taoist might run away, but the temple would remain. If things did not go well, then Master Li would still have to intervene. There was no need for him to offend this clever little fellow.

To the scholars, reciting it ten times, the demonic essence loses its sight, the ghostly spirits are extinguished, aiding those on the brink of death, severed yet gaining life

Upon seeing the teacher, there was no further discussion. Ye Tian did not inquire further, but he did keep the name Liang Sicheng in mind

Mr. Li, you and the young master have not eaten yet, have you? Are there any dietary restrictions?

After having eaten and drunk to his satisfaction, Ye Tian contentedly patted his little belly. Although his father occasionally caught some fish and shrimp to improve his diet, dishes like today's were not something he could usually enjoy

After returning to the house and sitting down, Miao Laoda asked Ye Tian and the others. During this period, there had been a series of incidents at home, which had left him with little appetite. Now that he had found the source, Miao Laoda felt somewhat hungry.

Since Ye Tian came to believe in the old Taoist's age of over one hundred years, he has been filled with curiosity about the stories that have unfolded in his life. However, the old man no longer boasts about his past as he used to; he only occasionally lets slip a few remarks.

Although these two had eaten quite a bit in the morning, after walking for several hours, they were now so hungry that their stomachs were touching their backs. If it weren't for the need to maintain the identity of a disciple of a master, Ye Tian would have almost taken the steamed bun in front of the black-and-white photo in the room to eat.

Ye Tian was initially taken aback, then took a deep breath, reciting scriptures continuously, while his attention was focused on the turtle shell. "It really is a compass, but... it is somewhat different from my master's."

Seeing this, Ye Tian stood up and walked out, gently closing the door behind him. Although he sometimes acted mischievously and often referred to the old man as "that old guy," Ye Tian held a deep concern and respect for the elder in his heart

Just as Ye Tian was reciting halfway, he felt a slight dizziness in his mind, and that palm-sized little turtle shell suddenly reappeared

You little rascal, do you dare to ascend Mount Liang without having three parts of courage? There is profound knowledge within this.

Ah, young master, where is Master Li? Have all the builders been found?" As Ye Tian just stepped into the courtyard, Miao Laoda excitedly pushed open the courtyard door

Moreover, to put it another way, if the neighbors were to find out that he hired a child of around ten years old to perform a ritual, wouldn't that be a source of great ridicule?

"Little Master, the offerings are easy to prepare, but... what is this white wooden rod for?" Although Ye Tian spoke convincingly, Miao Laoda still had doubts, his gaze constantly darting towards the closed door of the main room.

The old Taoist presented himself with an air of nonchalance and wisdom, yet beside him, Ye Tian distinctly heard a series of "gurgling" sounds emanating from the old fellow's stomach.

However, the gate of one's own courtyard is firmly shut by Old Miao. In this day and age, promoting feudal superstition could easily lead to being taken to the police station

When the world recites it, one will extend their lifespan and ultimately attain the path of body dissolution. The soul and spirit will temporarily extinguish, bypassing hell, and will be able to return to form, hmm? It has emerged again.

Upon hearing Ye Tian's question, the old Taoist cast a disdainful glance at him and said: "From a scientific perspective, this can be referred to as a magnetic field. The factors that produce it are related to human brain waves. When many people concentrate their thoughts on a particular person or event, it can alter the strength of the local magnetic field. If we explain this using the principles of Buddhism and Taoism, it can be described as the power of faith, which, through the prayers of believers, can also generate a similar magnetic field. Young man, do you understand now?"

Understood, I understand now, but... Teacher, are you sure you studied in a private school before

Li Shanyuan lived for over a hundred years, and his experiences were undoubtedly extensive. He even specifically went to learn from the Tianshi Dao to acquire the skill of ghost-catching. However, he never encountered such an opportunity, and he actually hoped that a ghost would appear before him.

The old Taoist, upon hearing this, curled his lip and disdainfully said: "What ghost nonsense is this? I have walked through mountains of corpses and seas of blood in my time, yet I have never seen a single ghostly shadow..."

Master, no wonder you look down on those street vendors; it turns out it's so easy to deceive and take advantage of them

Ye Tian was inherently a spirited individual, and at this moment, he indulged himself completely, quickly becoming engrossed in the activity. He dismantled nine white wooden rods in the sinister place, then sat upright at the table, feeling a deep sense of regret in his heart. If only there were a peach wood sword, it would be even more enjoyable.

You little rascal, it's fortunate that you are a student who has received modern education; let me broaden your horizons.