Chapter 8, Walking in the Shadows

Old Wang was pushed by a ghostly figure and stumbled into the house. Qian suddenly woke up, and then they heard a chilling wind in the courtyard, accompanied by the sound of a coffin lid thumping, as if someone were knocking at the door. Li was so frightened that her soul seemed to leave her body, trembling as she muttered: "It’s all that peddler’s fault for inciting me to harm you... I was blinded by greed, I’m sorry for you, I know I was wrong, please don’t come to find me; if you must, go find that peddler instead... For the sake of our marriage, spare me this time... I was blinded by greed, I’m sorry for you, I know I was wrong, please don’t come to find me; if you must, go find that peddler instead... For the sake of our marriage, spare me this time..."

The one who acted in the shadows was indeed that young doctor, a pretty boy who was doing this for the first time. Seeing Old Wang rolling his eyes and staring at him with unblinking eyes, he was instantly frightened and fell to the ground. However, Qian, who was nearby, let out a cold snort, got up from the ground, straightened his clothes, and sternly scolded the young doctor to help push Old Wang down the mountain stream.

Merchants are inherently of low status, let alone those who peddle goods from street to street. This peddler is also a lazy individual, unable to endure the hardships of tilling the land for sustenance. He makes a living by selling small items as he roams the streets, and his association with the Qian family is motivated by their favorable circumstances, hoping to swindle some money from them. Upon hearing her speak, he was indeed tempted.

The ghostly official appeared vague and indistinct, yet the chilling aura instilled a sense of dread. When the two reached the door, they did not enter. The ghostly official said to Old Wang: "The Lord of the Manor appreciates your honesty and integrity, and since your death was unjust, you are permitted to return to your soul. However, you must be at my beck and call for any future tasks. Once you become a ghostly official, you will not be able to marry or have children in this lifetime, nor can you accumulate any wealth. Should you violate this, you will face eternal damnation. And do not forget the paper money you promised me; make sure to burn it." After saying this, he gave Old Wang a strong push, and he vanished completely.

In the village, when a family experiences a death, they set up a canopy to accommodate visitors who come to pay their respects. The Qian family wears white garments and pretends to mourn loudly, while secretly hoping that these seven days will pass as quickly as possible. Each region has its own customs, but the practices surrounding the first seven days are generally similar across the board. In this area, it is believed that after a person dies, their soul attaches to the bones. On the seventh day, the soul encounters the celestial and earthly forces, and due to the death of the physical body, the soul is stimulated and thus departs from the bones. At this time, the soul still possesses awareness and understands that its physical body has died. As the soul experiences this stimulation for the first time while being conscious, it feels an intense sensation and has a desire to seek protection. Therefore, there is a belief in the return of the soul on the seventh day, followed by burial after this period.

At the moment when Old Wang was completely bewildered, a figure suddenly leaped out from behind the towering tree, brandishing a sharp stone and striking fiercely at the back of Old Wang's head. This blow instantly knocked the unsuspecting Old Wang's three souls out of his body and scattered his seven spirits, leaving a dent in the back of his head.

Speaking of Old Wang's legendary experience with the shadow path, it dates back over a decade. At that time, Old Wang was still young and had not yet mastered the shadow path. He married a beautiful wife from the Qian family and spent his days joyfully, wholeheartedly focused on living well. He was also quite capable, and one could always see his figure in the fields and countryside.

Old Lin held a deep reverence for the spirits, and upon considering such a person, he felt a bit uneasy. After discussing it with Li, they decided to wait and see.

At this point, Qian realized that the doctor was merely a pretty face, a decorative pillow that was of no real use. Following someone like him would not lead to a better future, and she felt a twinge of regret. However, at this stage, there was no choice but to continue down this path. The two of them agreed that after Old Wang's seventh day of mourning and burial, they would have the doctor come to seek her again

Old Wang felt happy in his heart, thinking that his wife was so understanding, truly a blessing earned from a previous life. He did not think much of it, and after dinner, he followed his wife home. However, he did not expect that Ms. Qian would lead him towards a nearby small mountain. Old Wang, puzzled, asked her where they were going.

Strangely, Zhang Basi from Xiaozhang Village came back to life after the spider silk was broken. Old Wang, who had walked the path of the underworld, woke up to find a large bruise on his thigh. After enduring considerable pain for a while, he claimed it was a punishment from that side. From then on, the story of Old Wang's journey to the underworld began to spread. Moreover, Old Wang's ability to traverse the underworld proved to be quite effective; after two years, not only did the nearby villages know that Old Wang could walk the path of the underworld, but even people from the town came to seek his services.

Li was infuriated by his foolishness and threatened that if he did not comply, she would accuse him of seducing her and reveal their affair. Such people were the most despised in the village, and he would surely be killed. She then made a promise that once the matter was settled, all of Old Wang's property would belong to the two of them. They could live together in harmony without the need to wander the streets and endure that kind of hardship, wouldn't that be wonderful

In the first half of the night, the wind was calm, and Mrs. Qian felt a sense of relief, gradually falling asleep. In a daze, she sensed the front door being pushed open by a gust of cold wind. This chilling wind came suddenly and was icy cold. When Mrs. Qian opened her eyes, she saw a ghostly figure wearing a white pointed hat escorting Old Wang to the doorstep.

The words of Doctor Li left both Lin Laoshi and Li Shi feeling a chill in their hearts. Li Shi thought that the child was born at an inauspicious time; a baby born on the fourteenth day of the seventh month is prone to attracting malevolent spirits. Lin Laoshi, however, understood that it was the black fox at work. He wanted to explain the cause and effect of the situation but was afraid of frightening Li Shi and even more afraid of being driven out of the village. After holding back for a long time, he found himself unable to utter a single word.

Qian felt embarrassed and said that in these years of marriage, she had not given the Wang family even one son or daughter. Anxious in her heart, she sought someone to calculate the auspicious date. Today presented a greater opportunity, so she came to find him, intending to return home early. The remaining tasks could be completed tomorrow without any rush

When the villagers arrived at Old Wang's house, they were astonished to find that Old Wang had come back to life. However, after his resurrection, he had become exceedingly cold and eerie. He sold off all his possessions and moved to the abandoned City God Temple at the edge of the village, where he opened a coffin shop to make a living

A few days later, I heard people say that the doctor suddenly died of a heart attack while selling goods in another village. The manner of his death was extremely tragic; he had strangled himself with his own hands, and when he died, his eyes were bulging out as if they were about to pop out.

The next day, Qian's family went around the village saying that their old Wang had not been seen for a day and a night, asking everyone to help look for him. In the search, they found old Wang's body in the ravine. By this time, old Wang had already been dead for quite some time. The villagers thought that he had accidentally fallen into the ravine. Besides helping to handle the funeral arrangements, they also lamented old Wang's unfortunate fate

After sending off Doctor Li, the couple discussed and realized that among the nearby villages, only Old Wang from Guai Zi He Village, who practices divination, could help them. Guai Zi He Village has an interesting origin; it is said that there used to be a river flowing from west to east, but it suddenly turned here, which is how the village got its name. In the southwest corner of the village, there are bridge tunnels underground, where many ancient bricks have been excavated. In the northwest corner, a sunken ship has also been discovered beneath the ground.

On this day, the bereaved family must prepare incense, candles, and food, laying a layer of charcoal or ash on the ground to check for the footprints of the deceased's return. A bamboo pole is placed at the entrance steps, with a piece of paper money attached every foot, or inserted under the eaves of the house where the deceased passed away, as it is said that the wandering soul will enter upon seeing this. A cooked egg is placed in a clay pot at the corner of the house to bribe the calamity god, commonly referred to as the chicken-foot god, allowing the spirit of the deceased to linger in the home a little longer. After completing these rituals, the entire family hides far away, and once the designated time has passed, they first throw a string of firecrackers into the house; only after they have exploded can they enter, with the burial taking place the following day. A cooked egg is placed in a clay pot at the corner of the house to bribe the calamity god, commonly referred to as the chicken-foot god, allowing the spirit of the deceased to linger in the home a little longer. After completing these rituals, the entire family hides far away, and once the designated time has passed, they first throw a string of firecrackers into the house; only after they have exploded can they enter, with the burial taking place the following day.

During those days, there was a peddler who was quite handsome, articulate, and sweet-tongued. He often came to the village to sell needles and threads, and he became involved with the Qian family. While Old Wang worked in the fields during the day, the peddler would come by. When Old Wang went to help out in other villages, the peddler would visit during those times. As time passed, it was inevitable that some rumors and gossip would circulate. The peddler was timid and wanted to end this ill-fated relationship, but little did he know that the Qian family had developed feelings, which even nine horses could not pull back. The peddler would come during the day while Old Wang was busy elsewhere, and as time went on, rumors inevitably spread. The peddler, being timid, wished to sever this ill-fated bond, but the Qian family had already fallen in love, a situation that could not be easily undone.

Qian mentioned that an old Taoist passed by her door and pointed out that today is a good day for Huai Zhu, but it is essential to be at Dongshan Lingao to conceive a boy. The two followed a small path to a mountain stream, where there was a large tree. Qian shyly said that it was right here. Old Wang, unsuspecting, was overjoyed and eager to engage in intimacy. Qian also employed her methods, enchanting Old Wang as if he were floating in the clouds. The two followed a small path to a mountain stream, where there was a large tree. Qian shyly said that it was right here. Old Wang, unsuspecting, was overjoyed and eager to engage in intimacy. Qian also employed her methods, enchanting Old Wang as if he were floating in the clouds

As she realized that she was about to lose contact with the handsome young man, Qian's heart felt like it was being cut by a knife. She contemplated eloping with the peddler but was reluctant to part with the more than ten acres of fertile land that Old Wang had accumulated. After several days of deep thought, she finally made up her mind to harm Old Wang, intending to live together with the peddler in a blissful union. When she shared this idea with the peddler, he was instantly terrified and paralyzed.

Since then, Lao Wang sometimes speaks or walks, suddenly sitting down or lying down, ignoring calls, yet still breathing, just not moving. After a while, he wakes up, and everything returns to normal. People ask him what happened. He says, "If I do this again, don't touch me. Otherwise, I won't be able to come back." When everyone asks where he went, he simply replies, "I went to catch people." He reiterates, "If I do this again, don't touch me. Otherwise, I won't be able to come back." When asked where he went, he again states, "I went to catch people."

Old Wang is not much different from Old Lin; he treats his wife well in his heart, knows how to work hard, and ensures she has no worries about food and clothing, yet he lacks any romantic flair and is rather clumsy with words. He keeps everything bottled up inside. His wife used to be a maid in a wealthy household, so she has seen the world. For the first two years with Old Wang, she was relatively well-behaved, but as time went on, the isolation of the mountain village took its toll. Old Wang is not someone who understands emotions or nuances, and thus, other thoughts began to arise in his wife's heart. His wife used to be a maid in a wealthy household, so she has seen the world. For the first two years with Old Wang, she was relatively well-behaved, but as time went on, the isolation of the mountain village took its toll. Old Wang is not someone who understands emotions or nuances, and thus, other thoughts began to arise in his wife's heart.

Li felt guilty in his heart, and he dared not keep vigil; he had gone home early to lie down. He felt a bit scared, unsure if that dead ghost of Old Wang would come back. However, he thought about what he could do, fearing that something might happen. He forced himself to wait for dawn.

Old Wang lived a solitary life, running a coffin shop, selling items such as paper money and burial clothes. Lin Laoshi was not unfamiliar with him; a few years ago, he had helped capture the yellow fox, which earned him considerable respect. However, it was said that Old Wang was quite eccentric, with a stubborn temperament, making him difficult to invite. If he took a liking to you, he would come to help you with feng shui, dispelling evil spirits, and selecting a burial site for just two taels of millet. Conversely, if he did not take a liking to you, even if you offered him gold and jewels, he would never assist you in choosing an auspicious time for funerals or weddings.

Qian was muttering while reciting Amitabha Buddha. After a short while, the sound of the coffin banging outside the courtyard suddenly stopped. She secretly glanced outside the door and saw Old Wang standing at the entrance, his face pale and his cold, dark eyes fixed intently on her.

The two of them made a plan together. On that day, Old Wang was weeding in the field when Qian brought a willow basket filled with food to find him. Usually, Old Wang brought his own meals, and Qian had never delivered food to him before. She felt quite happy and asked Qian why she had brought food today

Someone asked him what it meant to capture a person. He replied that it was to take away the soul of the damned. He often spoke this way, and later someone asked if it was true. He said, "How could it not be true? I just captured one, under a big willow tree, tied up and not yet sent away; the person is Zhang Basi from Xiaozhang Village." Curious individuals went to verify this, and upon visiting Xiaozhang Village, they indeed found that Zhang Basi had just passed away. They then went to the willow tree to search, but could not find the tied-up soul; instead, they saw a green fly caught by a spider's silk. Curious individuals went to verify this, and upon visiting Xiaozhang Village, they indeed found that Zhang Basi had just passed away. They then went to the willow tree to search, but could not find the tied-up soul; instead, they saw a green fly caught by a spider's silk. Someone then broke the spider's silk, and the fly flew away.

Qian had a guilty conscience to begin with, so she could not withstand such a fright. She immediately went mad, running into the village, shouting and screaming. She claimed to everyone that it was the doctor who had incited her, becoming increasingly incoherent, repeating the things she had done in a jumbled manner countless times.