Chapter 2, Daba Religion

Are you not aware of my drinking capacity? Those who get entangled with me are certainly not living beings

In the Mosuo ethnic group, such a village is referred to as a "cong," and each "cong" must have a Daba. Dabaism is a form of primitive religion that is little known to outsiders

Upon seeing the female ghost, Daba immediately began to chant. As the sound of the chant resonated, the female ghost let out a terrible scream and crouched down, clutching her head. In contrast, none of us ordinary people were affected at all.

I nodded in partial understanding, but to my surprise, the female ghost stood up after a short while, swaying unsteadily as if in a daze, and began to walk towards Daba. Daba kept muttering to himself, continuously chopping wood with the knife in his hand; with each chop, the female ghost took a step closer.

I am overwhelmed by a sense of despair, feeling as if death would be a release. After waiting for approximately half an hour, a sudden gust of wind swept through the dark forest, causing the surrounding trees to rustle ominously. The towering trees on either side of the road stood like terrifying sentinels. Suddenly, a figure appeared along the darkened path, with long hair obscuring its face, its graceful form reminiscent of a young girl, yet now it only instilled fear within me. The towering trees on either side of the road stood like terrifying sentinels. Suddenly, a figure appeared along the darkened path, with long hair obscuring its face, its graceful form reminiscent of a young girl, yet now it only instilled fear within me

As I waved my hand, the female ghost hesitated and followed me. Seeing her reaction, I quickly stepped back, waving my hand as I walked, and she closely followed me, approaching slowly

I immediately clenched my fists; although I was not lacking in courage, my legs trembled with fear at that moment. My body wanted to retreat, but I heard a shout from the bushes behind me: "Don't run, or all your efforts will be in vain"

I appear calm, but inside I am extremely anxious. Throughout history, it has always been ghosts that lure people; where have there been people luring ghosts? As I take my steps, I constantly glance back with my peripheral vision to see how far I am from the thicket behind me

Just when I had a glimmer of joy, upon hearing these words, my heart immediately churned. Isn't this asking me to bring a female ghost home? My head shook like a rattle drum as I spoke, "If it really doesn't work, I can just run away, stay in a temple for a year or so." Fatty Cui also knew I was unwilling; he talked with Daba for quite a while, and in the end, that old man actually became a bit angry and left with an unhappy expression.

After Cui Pangzi finished speaking, he immediately slipped into the bushes. I was left standing alone in the woods, unable to see anyone around me. The weather was still a bit cold, and I could occasionally hear sounds coming from the grass. I cautiously looked around, but there was nothing to be seen; all that met my eyes was the dark, shadowy forest.

Do not be afraid, we are right behind you

After Daba sat down, he glanced at me and then spoke a few words to Cui Zhen. I couldn't understand, but I vaguely felt that the language Daba was speaking was very similar to that of the strange female ghost.

I have already given my assurance between the lines

The female ghost appeared before me, swirling back and forth in front of my eyes, softly whispering something that I could not understand and did not respond to. Seeing my lack of reaction, she reached out to grab my arm, but as soon as she touched the red cloth wrapped around me, the cloth showed no reaction; however, the moment the female ghost made contact, she immediately recoiled, as if our flesh had touched a flame.

That night, around 7 o'clock, Daba, I, Fatty Cui, and a few villagers along with some daring researchers walked into the small grove. After listening to Daba's instructions, Fatty had red cloth wrapped around my waist three times, and then he laid the red cloth all the way into the dark thicket behind. Daba and the others hid in the bushes.

At this moment, Daba finally stopped chanting and Chui Fatty hurriedly pulled me over. Daba handed over the stick in his hand and spoke at length while pointing at it. After listening, Chui Fatty turned to me and said: "Daba said that the ghost is in this divine stick, and the divine stick is a magical tool taught by Daba. He has given this stick to you, and we must also take the female ghost away. Moreover, we need to leave as soon as dawn breaks"

Daba also mentioned that before we leave tomorrow, he will perform a divination for us, so you should be in the clear now

Daba said, you cannot escape, that ghost will seek you for a lifetime. Moreover, if you do not agree to him, he will no longer care about you

When Cui Fatty shouted like that, it alleviated some of my psychological pressure. The figure with long hair gradually walked over, getting closer and closer, and soon the only sound left was the wind. I hurriedly took a deep breath and then tried to hold my breath as much as possible

After listening, Cui Zhen nodded repeatedly and then said to me: "Daba mentioned that you are being targeted by the 'You' from outside. By the way, the meaning of 'You' is somewhat similar to the concept of a ghostly figure in our Chinese language."

Cui Fatty explained a few things, and my expression turned quite grim. Previously, I was uncertain whether it was a female ghost combined with the effects of alcohol that had given me such courage. Now that I know the true identity of the other party, I must face it with a clear mind, and my entire heart is suddenly filled with fear

After much difficulty, I finally reached the thicket. The moment I stepped in, Cui Fatty suddenly pulled me back, causing me to fall to the ground. The female ghost, seeing me suddenly disappear, hurriedly followed. At that moment, I turned back to look, and Daba along with several members of the Mosuo tribe had already set up. In front of them was a large offering tray, beside which stood a flag of the sun and moon. A villager was holding a handbell nearby, while Daba himself was dressed in iron armor, wielding a knife about one meter long, and wearing a cloth amulet around his neck. At that moment, I turned back to look, and Daba along with several members of the Mosuo tribe had already set up. In front of them was a large offering tray, beside which stood a flag of the sun and moon. A villager was holding a handbell nearby, while Daba himself was dressed in iron armor, wielding a knife about one meter long, and wearing a cloth amulet around his neck.

I took a step back, but the female ghost did not follow, clearly becoming cautious as well. I furrowed my brows; if I let her escape here, it would truly be a waste of all my efforts. She is a menace; perhaps she won't haunt me in the future, but if she attaches herself to someone else, it would harm others. Suddenly, an inexplicable surge of courage arose within me, and I found myself waving at the female ghost. To quote the words of the fat man later, my demeanor and gestures at that moment were strikingly similar to a beautiful girl on the street trying to attract customers. He was hiding in the shadows, nearly bursting into laughter.

Walking these ten or so meters felt like running over ten kilometers, and by the end, I was nearly exhausted

Around the afternoon, Fat Cui brought the elder from the village to meet me. This elder is named Walur Niu Ruo, with Walur being his surname. He is the Daba of this village, which means he is the shaman of this settlement. The elder was dressed in a green coat, wearing a hat on his head, and his grizzled hair was slightly curled. His skin was as rough as rock, yet his eyes were sharp like the hawks soaring in the sky.

I slowly took the stick from Cui Panzai's hand, and there was no unusual feeling as I held it in my palm. Looking down, I saw that the stick was engraved with numerous patterns of birds and beasts, as well as images of humans and ghosts, which at first glance appeared quite extraordinary

After Cui Pangzi went out, I lay flat on the ground, and a few nosy fellows gathered around, incessantly asking questions. Some even inquired whether I found it comfortable to engage in such activities with the female ghost. I was so irritated that my teeth itched, and I had no intention of responding to them.

Cui Pangzi scratched his head, and I furrowed my brows, pondering for quite a while. At that time, I was still young, and there was always a sense of fearlessness within me. I thought, since I had already encountered this situation and had slept with that female ghost for three nights, what was there to fear from her harming me again? Thus, I steeled my resolve and agreed to Daba's request

Daba said that this red cloth is to protect you from being approached by the female ghost. One end of the red cloth is tied to you, while the other end extends into the bushes, where we will hide. Daba will chop wood inside; that is one of their methods of casting spells. What you need to do is not to respond to anything the female ghost says, and do not inhale the fragrance too much. Slowly lead the female ghost backward; as long as she enters the thicket, Daba will deal with her. Do you understand

Cui Pangzi whispered, "This is called 'Yao Mi', a scripture for exorcism in the Daba religion. This scripture will open a path for the deceased, allowing them to enter the place prepared for them within the text"

What is being sung here

Cui Zhen was also encountering such a thing for the first time, with a face full of disbelief. I hurriedly recounted the events that occurred during the night, and everyone gasped in shock

Cui Zhen remained silent, his brows tightly knitted together. After a long while, he said: "The matter has already arisen. I will go find some friends in the village to discuss and see if there is a way to resolve it. You should rest well..."

Indeed, I immediately furrowed my brows, feeling anxious in my heart, and my complexion grew increasingly grim.

Then Daba spoke with Fatty Cui for a while. Fatty Cui turned to me and said, "However, Daba said he could help you get rid of that 'You'."

While speaking, Fatty Cui patted my shoulder. I came to my senses and hurriedly tucked the stick inside my clothes, repeatedly nodding at Daba to express my gratitude.

Why haven't they arrived yet

Are you sure? Isn't it that you, young man, drank too much and had a nightmare?

I was astonished as I watched from behind, when suddenly the female ghost walked up to Daba and halted in her tracks. Daba held a wooden stick, about the thickness of a forearm, and pointed it at the female ghost. She let out a terrible scream, and a strong gust of wind blew past, causing the female ghost to vanish in an instant.

I asked curiously

Upon hearing this, I was overwhelmed with joy, and tears were about to flow down my cheeks. However, I noticed that Fatty Cui changed his tone and continued, "However, Daba said that he helped you get rid of that 'You'. He locked 'You' in an object, and the object cannot remain in their village; it must be taken away by us. As for how to deal with it afterward, that is our business. In any case, he will not take responsibility for it..." As for how to deal with it afterward, that is our business. In any case, he will not take responsibility for it...