Chapter 3: The Weeping Soul

I suddenly sat up, my body already drenched in sweat. It was then that I realized I was lying in bed, with a lamp at both the head and foot of the bed, the flames flickering unpredictably. At that moment, my grandmother lifted the curtain and walked in. Upon seeing her, I almost burst into tears. I could not understand what was happening; I had just been at the mass grave behind the village, and I had even encountered a ghost. In the blink of an eye, how had I returned here!

I held a lamp in my hand, sitting at the head of the bed, not daring to move. My grandmother sat beside me, eyes closed, without saying a word. I looked around, but was stunned by a strange sight: there was my grandmother's shadow on the wall, but there was no shadow of mine! I was so frightened that the lamp in my hand almost fell. My grandmother opened her eyes, probably sensing my unease, and told me not to be afraid, that this was a normal phenomenon; my soul was no longer in my body, and it was now in a very safe place. I was so frightened that the lamp in my hand almost fell. My grandmother opened her eyes, probably sensing my unease, and told me not to be afraid, that this was a normal phenomenon; my soul was no longer in my body, and it was now in a very safe place.

I suddenly recalled that terrifying scene, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over me, and I instantly became alert, realizing that I was standing in a mass grave. I was immediately filled with panic. In the dead of night, what was I doing in this mass grave with a *book*? My grandmother was not by my side, and if I encountered a ghost, I had no knowledge of how to exorcise it! Upon this realization, I turned and ran, desperately heading towards the village. However, it was strange; the village was clearly less than a kilometer ahead, yet after running for a long time, I felt as if I had not moved at all. If it weren't for the scenery on both sides rapidly retreating, I would have thought I was running in place. Upon this realization, I turned and ran, desperately heading towards the village. However, it was strange; the village was clearly less than a kilometer ahead, yet after running for a long time, I felt as if I had not moved at all. If it weren't for the scenery on both sides rapidly retreating, I would have thought I was running in place.

As I ran, I was thinking of ideas in my mind, and the sound of crying continued. Upon closer listening, it resembled the cry of a child, which made me even more frightened, completely forgetting the methods my grandmother had taught me to ward off evil. Fortunately, after a struggle, I remembered that my grandmother had said there are three flames on a person's body: one on the top of the head and one on each shoulder. These are the life flames. As long as the life flames do not extinguish, demons cannot approach. The life flames often extinguish due to fear, and at that moment, they can take advantage of the opportunity to invade, either occupying a person's body or capturing their soul. Fortunately, after a struggle, I remembered that my grandmother had said there are three flames on a person's body: one on the top of the head and one on each shoulder. These are the life flames. As long as the life flames do not extinguish, demons cannot approach. The life flames often extinguish due to fear, and at that moment, they can take advantage of the opportunity to invade, either occupying a person's body or capturing their soul.

At the third watch of the night, I heard that wailing sound again, and this time it seemed to be right in our yard. My grandmother suddenly opened her eyes and said to me: "It has come!"

Behind the village lies the farmland, where the lush green wheat ears have grown to a height of two feet. From a distance, it resembles a vast ocean, evoking a sense of oppression. I walk and stop intermittently, afraid to leave the village, yet I am also eager to go over and see for myself. This feeling is quite strange, as if something there is drawing me in.

The figure was less than one hundred meters in front of me, and I desperately tried to catch up to it, but strangely, the distance between us remained unchanged. Exhausted, I simply sat down in the wheat field and lowered my head, trying not to look at it and to keep myself calm. At that moment, the wind suddenly became fierce again. I raised my head and suddenly saw a little girl standing in front of me; she had long hair and was not wearing any clothes

I knew full well that it might not be a person, yet I still mustered the courage to ask her: "Little friend... what... what are you doing here?"

First, I must quell my fear, ensuring that the flame of life does not extinguish, for otherwise, it would be the end. Secondly, I will bite my ring finger, using my own blood to suppress the evil spirits. Any malevolent force fears human blood. The ring finger is connected to many meridians in the human body, and the blood that flows from it is known as pure Yang blood, which is very effective against evil spirits. After biting my ring finger, I will smear the blood on my face and clothes; at that moment, I will resemble a bloodied figure. Furthermore, I will bite my ring finger again, using my own blood to suppress the evil spirits, as any malevolent force fears human blood. The ring finger connects to many meridians in the human body, and the blood that flows from it is known as pure Yang blood, which is very effective against evil spirits. After biting my ring finger, I will smear the blood on my face and clothes; at that moment, I will resemble a bloodied figure.

As soon as I finished speaking, it suddenly stretched out its arms and lunged at me. Those were a pair of icy little hands that gripped my neck, leaving me gasping for breath. In a daze, I seemed to see a vast ocean, floating on the surface of the water, surrounded by complete darkness, even the sky was black.

I recognize one of the items in my grandmother's hand; it is vermilion, used for warding off evil. There is also a yellow paper talisman that I do not recognize; it seems not to be my grandmother's tool, as she does not draw talismans.

After being stunned for a long time, I finally asked my grandmother about the reason. She told me that she sensed I was in danger, which is why she hurried over to save me. Tonight, the cries of a hundred ghosts can be heard; those who hear this crying will face misfortune within three days, possibly even a calamity involving bloodshed. Yet, at this very moment, I am determined to seek the source of that crying, directly walking into the line of fire!

At that time, family planning was strictly enforced, and each family could only afford to raise one child. If there were more, fines would be imposed; if they could not pay, they would face confiscation of property, detention, or even violence. People were generally poor, and everyone wanted a son, not a daughter. If the first child was a daughter, it was certain that she could not be sold. Some parents, in order to evade responsibility, would even take the drastic step of killing their own child and abandoning the body in the wilderness. Their intention in doing so was to hope for a chance to have a son in the second pregnancy, to continue the family lineage.

The wind gradually subsided, and the sound of crying could no longer be heard. Only then did I once again set my feet in the direction of the village, but I suddenly saw a figure appear ahead. Due to the darkness, I could not see clearly. I was once again seized by fear, and my breathing became difficult. A chill crept in, and I was already drenched in cold sweat.

It is still dark outside, and the rooster has not crowed yet. My grandmother said that evil spirits would come to take my soul, and I should hold a lantern tightly, making sure not to let it go out, otherwise, I would not be saved. Additionally, my grandmother told me that she would stay by my side without leaving, and as long as I endure until the fourth watch of the night, those evil spirits would not come again

Although I have a multitude of questions, I cannot ask them; I can only nod and watch my grandmother arranging the props and books in the room

The distance was not far, yet it took me nearly half an hour to arrive. The sound of crying grew closer, and at that moment, I turned back to take a glance; I had already strayed far from the village. When I reached that area of unmarked graves, the crying sounded as if it were right beside me. I broke out in a cold sweat, standing frozen in place, as a terrifying image suddenly flashed through my mind. Many years ago, Niu Er and I often came to this place to play. At that time, we did not know it was a graveyard; after all, we were young and naive, and we only half-listened to the adults, never taking their words to heart. When I reached that area of unmarked graves, the crying sounded as if it were right beside me. I broke out in a cold sweat, standing frozen in place, as a terrifying image suddenly flashed through my mind. Many years ago, Niu Er and I often came to this place to play. At that time, we did not know it was a graveyard; after all, we were young and naive, and we only half-listened to the adults, never taking their words to heart. At that time, I had witnessed the horrifying sight of crows pecking at the bodies of infants.

I was taken aback, and the bowl in my hand fell to the ground with a clatter, shattering. My grandmother gently stroked my head and said to me, "Don't be afraid, I am here with you."

My grandmother placed vermilion on my forehead, then ignited the yellow paper talisman and placed it in a bowl filled with water, instructing me to drink the talisman water. I endured the strange taste and drank the water from the bowl, after which my grandmother said to me: "Tonight, an evil spirit will come to lure your soul; you are not to step out of this room even a single step"

Grandmother held a lamp in her hand; upon seeing that I was awake, she simply told me not to ask, as it was not yet the right time