Chapter 2: The Shirogitsune of Nanao
Bai reached out to grab Chen Youfu's back, but the bamboo page net enveloped Bai even faster. The sound of the demon-subduing mantra emitted by the green bamboo resonated like a great bell, and Bai howled and rolled within the bamboo net. Within the net, Bai revealed his true form, which turned out to be a seven-tailed white fox.
The woman known as Bai is approximately in her thirties and moved to Chenjia Village only a few months ago. She claims to be surnamed Bai but has not revealed her full name to anyone, which is why the villagers refer to her simply as Bai. The only reason she has gained recognition in the village is her ability to assist in childbirth, making her the sole midwife in the area. As for Bai's previous occupation, no one is aware of it.
It was just past noon, and the sky was clear and bright, when suddenly dark clouds rolled in, accompanied by flashes of lightning and thunder. At that moment, Tian shouted loudly from inside the house, and Aunt Zhu came out saying, "Aunt Cui'e is about to give birth, hurry and call the midwife."
Chen Youfu received the *tut* book wrapped in white silk, and the midwife, Bai, shouted: "Close your eyes, rise up." Chen Youfu felt as if he were soaring through the clouds, with the sounds of wind and thunder ringing in his ears. Amidst the wind and thunder, there were numerous cries, heart-wrenching and soul-piercing. Chen Youfu silently recited: Amitabha, praying for the protection of the heavens.
Days passed one after another, and as spring turned to summer, Tian Cui'e had already been pregnant for ten months, with labor imminent. Chen Youfu had early on made arrangements with the only midwife in the village, Bai, and paid a deposit. She was to come to Chen Youfu's home the next day to assist with the delivery. Once the midwife received the deposit, she had to prepare for the delivery, setting aside any other matters, as she was required to respond whenever called upon for the birth, as per custom. Chen Youfu had early on made arrangements with the only midwife in the village, Bai, and paid a deposit. She was to come to Chen Youfu's home the next day to assist with the delivery. Once the midwife received the deposit, she had to prepare for the delivery, setting aside any other matters, as she was required to respond whenever called upon for the birth, as per custom.
Chen Youfu hurried to call the midwife, Bai. Just as he stepped out of the house, he noticed that the dark clouds in the sky seemed to be pressing down, and thunderclaps struck one after another beside him
On the second day, as dawn broke, Chen Youfu began to busy himself at home. Neighbors, aunts and uncles came to help, some boiling water, others preparing dough... The inside and outside of the house became a flurry of activity. The aunts and uncles pushed Chen Youfu out to the yard, saying that the presence of men in the house was not suitable when a woman was giving birth due to the heavy yin energy. Chen Youfu could only anxiously pace in the yard, where the green bamboo had already grown over a zhang tall, and he leaned against the bamboo, feeling as if his heart was being fried in oil.
Upon arriving at the door of the midwife Bai, it was already dark, and one could not see their hand in front of their face. Chen Youfu was just about to knock when the door opened by itself. Bai, holding a lantern, said to Chen Youfu, "You have arrived, let us go. In a moment, no matter what you hear on the way, you must not open your eyes, remember this well." After speaking, Bai handed a piece of white silk to Chen Youfu. Although he felt suspicious, he could not voice his concerns and had to comply with Bai's instructions. Perhaps this was a custom of Bai's when delivering babies?
Chen Youfu understood that this midwife, Bai, was certainly not an ordinary person. If Chen Youfu were to open his eyes at this moment, he would surely be terrified, for in front of his house was a ghastly scene, teeming with a multitude of demons. There were hanging ghosts with their tongues sticking out, headless ghosts holding their own heads, swift-moving ghosts that did not touch the ground, and Rakshasa demons with pitch-black bodies, crimson hair, and green eyes... All these demons were blocked by a layer of green energy and could not enter the house. Bai took a handful of silver needles from a small basket in her hand and chanted incantations, shouting: "Swift!" In an instant, the silver needles transformed into a shower of silver light, piercing towards the multitude of demons. The demons howled in pain, but upon seeing Bai, they all fled in disarray.
When one encounters joyful events, their spirit is uplifted. Chen Youfu is cheerful every day, not expecting that, having already been buried in the earth for more than half his life, he would still have children. Thus, on the first and fifteenth of each month, he goes to the temple to pay homage to the gods, leading people in paving roads and repairing bridges in Chenjiazhuang. The villagers of Chenjiazhuang greatly praise Chen Youfu. However, there is one person who is filled with resentment, and that person is Chen Youfu's cousin, Chen Yougui. Chen Yougui used to frequently visit his elder cousin's home, enjoying meals and drinks. He thought that once his elder cousin passed away, the house and land would naturally belong to him. Now that Chen Youfu suddenly has a child, all his calculations have fallen through. Nevertheless, Chen Youfu treats this cousin, who is eleven years younger than him, with the same warmth as before, as they are family, showing no signs of suspicion towards him.
The sky resembled a dark ink wash, with intense lightning striking the Chen family village. Those returning to the village from outside could not help but exclaim in astonishment. Outside the village, the sky was clear and bright, yet within the village, it was as dark as midnight, filled with thunder and lightning. The entire village was deserted, with every household's door tightly shut.
The green bamboo in the courtyard swayed without wind, and the bamboo leaves rustled, faintly emitting the chanting sounds that could only be heard in a temple. Upon hearing this chanting, the Bai family member trembled uncontrollably, as the bamboo leaves formed a giant net in the air, crashing down upon the Bai family member.
The midwife Bai smirked disdainfully, secretly thinking: This kind of person dares to covet the body of an immortal! Truly unaware of the consequences. Bai then patted Chen Youfu and said, "Go in." Only then did Chen Youfu timidly open his eyes. The Bai followed closely behind Chen Youfu as he entered the main door, and the azure energy outside parted with his entrance, all of which Chen Youfu could not see.