Chapter 4: The Merit Soup and the Dismemberment Case

The phone call lasted a long time, and it was not connected until nearly twenty minutes later. My uncle reported the situation, and the people on the other end became anxious, saying that my uncle and I should hold our position at the forest guardhouse while they immediately notified the colleagues at the county forestry station to come for assistance.

Without further ado, the new glutinous rice in my left hand spilled out all at once, like rain falling from the sky, landing directly on the heads and bodies of those short mules. Suddenly, a burnt rice smell wafted through the air. I was overjoyed, as the book mentioned that short mules are most afraid of glutinous rice mixed with egg whites and incense ash; when it touches them, it feels like a red-hot iron. Indeed, it was true. As soon as my left hand was free, I immediately coordinated with my right hand to throw out the hunting net. The hunting net was purchased from nearby mountain dwellers, specifically designed for gathering grass and catching rabbits. It was difficult to throw, and I had practiced for a long time during the day without any success. Unexpectedly, this time it was remarkably successful. I was overjoyed, as the book mentioned that short mules are most afraid of glutinous rice mixed with egg whites and incense ash; when it touches them, it feels like a red-hot iron. Indeed, it was true. As soon as my left hand was free, I immediately coordinated with my right hand to throw out the hunting net. The hunting net was purchased from nearby mountain dwellers, specifically designed for gathering grass and catching rabbits. It was difficult to throw, and I had practiced for a long time during the day without any success. Unexpectedly, this time it was remarkably successful

Most importantly, it truly has a red straw hat on its head

When this fellow stopped struggling, I took out the red line and, through the net, wrapped it around his entire body. Then, I secured the net tightly with a rope as thick as my little finger. Looking around, the escaped little mule had already vanished.

If it weren't for ... I wouldn't even know how I died

Uncle endured the pain and said, "This kid has gone mad, actually letting that short mule go. I don't even know where he ran off to. He also said that this time he was caught by that dead short mule, which was quite fierce. I immediately felt a wave of regret; if I hadn't brought this cursed thing back, Uncle wouldn't be like this. After I hastily finished bandaging him, I helped him dial the phone number for the duty room of the county forestry bureau.

After drinking it, I felt a wave of relaxation throughout my body, and my heart seemed to feel much more spacious.

After clarifying the situation, they agreed that two people would stay behind to wait for Li Decai, while the other two would first escort my uncle down the mountain

When these shadows appeared in my line of sight, a lump in my left abdomen began to tremble slightly. This time it was not painful, just uncomfortable, and a sense of inexplicable fear rose from my heart. This awareness was unfamiliar to me, yet at that moment I could clearly discern that it was the consciousness of another being within me

Later, he could no longer tolerate it and placed the water container aside; he first went outside to get some fresh air

So I squatted there, drinking water while pulling, and that night, I was almost completely exhausted in the bathroom, nearly passing out

I shook my head and said I hadn't thought about it. My uncle said excitedly, "Tomorrow at dawn, we will take it down the mountain to the forestry bureau. This is a rare animal, right? If we offer it up, there might even be a reward. Xiao Zuo, you are really something; I've heard the elders talk about this creature, but in my lifetime, I've never seen one until you caught it. Impressive, really impressive." I smiled wryly; if it weren't for the method of catching the dwarf mule in that old book, and if I hadn't scattered a few handfuls of glutinous rice, how could I have possibly caught this swift little creature that moves like a shadow.

Dong, dong, dong

They have been quite noisy, making sounds like monkeys in a zoo, chattering with short, yet rhythmic syllables.

After a while, my door was pushed open and several police officers walked in

Since my aunt and my cousins did not welcome me, I did not visit again after those events. I returned home and, following the instructions in the book, procured the blood of a black donkey, black dog, and black cat, along with vermilion, bupleurum, toad venom pills, purple snow, amber, silkworm cocoons, ox gall, scorpion, and rhizome of the southern star. I boiled these together with the torn dragon fern for three days and nights, reducing a large pot of herbal water to a bowl of black tea soup. After chilling it with well water from behind the Dunzhai Temple, at midnight, I swallowed it in one gulp, suppressing my nausea. I boiled these together with the torn dragon fern for three days and nights, reducing a large pot of herbal water to a bowl of black tea soup. After chilling it with well water from behind the Dunzhai Temple, at midnight, I swallowed it in one gulp, suppressing my nausea.

I stayed at home for three days, just like women during confinement, not stepping outside and avoiding the wind. My mother made old hen soup for me every day, without adding salt, and the taste... Even now, whenever I go out to eat and others order chicken soup, I cannot bring myself to drink even a sip, as I was so scared of it back then. On the morning of the fourth day, I felt a bit more energetic and prepared to go out to see the sunlight. However, I heard voices in the living room, the voices of several people.

It was almost five o'clock by this time; summer days dawn early. In just over half an hour, it would be light. I had kept watch all night and was utterly exhausted, so I asked my uncle to help keep an eye on things while I climbed into bed to sleep. Before sleeping, I carefully wrapped that straw hat in a plastic bag and placed it in the travel bag I had brought with me. I was so tired that as soon as my body touched the bed and my eyes closed, I fell asleep. I had no idea how long it had been when I vaguely heard a loud rumbling noise from somewhere. At first, I thought I was dreaming, but then I was shaken awake by a warm, large hand. Struggling to open my eyes, I found my uncle standing in front of me, his face covered in blood.

I held my breath and waited for the shadows to approach and then stop. I counted, there were five of them, bouncing as they walked. The night was too dark to see their faces clearly; at first, they looked around a bit, and after a while, they began to grab and eat. As the clouds drifted by, the moon emerged, and in the moonlight, I saw these legendary dwarf mules—they seemed to have faces that were a blend between human and ape, covered in hair, a grassy green; their hands were very long, measuring over 30 centimeters, almost equal to their height. As the clouds drifted by, the moon emerged, and in the moonlight, I saw these legendary dwarf mules—they seemed to have faces that were a blend between human and ape, covered in hair, a grassy green; their hands were very long, measuring over 30 centimeters, almost equal to their height.

They informed me that I am related to a dismemberment case, and this time they are asking me to return to conduct an investigation

I don't know why, but I feel that their eyes are very bright and full of spirit

More than an hour later, I began to experience diarrhea. It started with loose stools, followed by the expulsion of thick black blood, which was mixed with unknown chunks of flesh, thin sloughing skin, fibrous material, and keratin. Eventually, there was almost nothing left to expel; it felt as if there was a direct line from my throat to my anus, with air being drawn in from above and foul gas being released from below. Additionally, I was sweating profusely and experiencing significant dehydration. My father was beside the toilet, scooping water for me and feeding me a spoonful every few minutes. It felt as if there was a direct line from my throat to my anus, with air being drawn in from above and foul gas being released from below. Additionally, I was sweating profusely and experiencing significant dehydration. My father was beside the toilet, scooping water for me and feeding me a spoonful every few minutes.

After much ado, we finally arrived at the county people's hospital around 1 PM.

What are you afraid of? m.hetushu.com? '' The uncle said nonchalantly

Due to our fear of going out alone, we waited for three hours. By nine o'clock in the morning, the door was finally knocked on, and four of my uncle's colleagues entered, drenched with dew, one of whom was carrying a hunting rifle. During this time, Li Decai had not returned, which made us even more anxious

Yet a surge of ecstasy welled up within me: the book states that the golden silkworm gu is a most spiritual entity, unafraid of fierce beasts or humans, but it fears only the ten-year-old rooster with a golden crown and claws, as well as the short mule in the deep mountains and forests. Since it has such awareness, the shadows that have arrived must undoubtedly be the short mule I have been searching for.

Under the bright light of a 100-watt incandescent bulb, I finally saw its appearance clearly—aside from its face being full of wrinkles and darkened, it resembled an old man's face. Its eyes were large and bright, with pupils that were purplish-red and expanding. Occasionally, it would open its mouth, revealing a set of snow-white fangs, densely interlaced. There was not much hair on its face and neck, but its body was covered in soft green fur, now mixed with grayish-white rice-like fibers, appearing charred as if burned. It resembled a monkey, with a small tail, sharp claws on its limbs, and five fingers on its hands. Occasionally, it would open its mouth, revealing a set of snow-white fangs, densely interlaced. There was not much hair on its face and neck, but its body was covered in soft green fur, now mixed with grayish-white rice-like fibers, appearing charred as if burned. It resembled a monkey, with a small tail, sharp claws on its limbs, and five fingers on its hands.

During the waiting period, my uncle recounted the situation at that time, saying that the two of them were originally standing by, smoking and keeping watch. However, for some unknown reason, Li Decai suddenly went wild, tearing off the red line and freeing himself from the ropes, and they couldn't stop him. My uncle tried to intervene but was knocked to the ground by a punch from him. Before he could react, he saw that green-haired short mule springing out from the net, swiping at his face. That guy was also extremely weak and did not continue to attack, but instead ran down the slope. When my uncle got back up, the scene was in disarray, and even that scoundrel Li Decai was nowhere to be found.

Li Decai rubbed his hands nervously and said, "This short mule is a mountain spirit raised by the land god of the forest. We should let it go. If they take notice of us and come back for revenge another day, we might not survive it."

I also feel quite regretful in my heart for not saying more about it

I stayed at the hospital until after 7 PM. After my uncle completed the suturing surgery and regained consciousness, he advised me to go home first, emphasizing that treating the illness was of utmost importance. My uncle has two children, an eighteen-year-old son and a fifteen-year-old daughter, along with my aunt. Their gazes towards me were somewhat unfriendly. The doctor mentioned that there might be scars left on his face, and they probably believe that my uncle's condition is all my fault. My uncle has two children, an eighteen-year-old son and a fifteen-year-old daughter, along with my aunt. Their gazes towards me were somewhat unfriendly. The doctor mentioned that there might be scars left on his face, and they probably believe that my uncle's condition is all my fault.

This straw hat is woven from the roots and stems of a type of red fern, appearing quite rough and haphazard, as if a child had made it. However, if it were crafted by a short mule, it would be astonishing. The hat has a helmet-like shape, snugly resting on its head like a bird's nest. It is covered with a lot of white and black viscous mud, bird feathers, animal fur, and many unknown substances. Although these look quite disgusting, I am very pleased and carefully pull the hat out from the net, shaping it for collection. My uncle looked at it for a while and asked me, "What do you plan to do with this thing?"

The two were at an impasse, and then my uncle asked me how to handle it, after all, it was I who had caught them. At that moment, all I could think about was quickly taking this straw hat home to procure the necessary items to dispel the curse; I had no time to concern myself with these matters. Seeing them argue until their faces turned red and their necks thick, I said, "Don't you have a leader? Why not just call them tomorrow morning for guidance?" With that, the two stopped arguing. My uncle agreed, while Li Decai remained silent, looking worried, lighting a Jiaxiu cigarette and squatting on the threshold to smoke.

It seems to be pleading with me: stay away, stay away...

I waited for about five minutes, allowing them to gather a bit, and then slowly stood up. In my left hand, I held a handful of new glutinous rice mixed with egg whites and candle soot, while my right hand grasped a hunting net. I moved forward inch by inch, following the route I had previously determined, making not a sound, with only my heartbeat echoing loudly. ... Fifteen meters, ten meters, eight meters ... . ... When I reached the eighth meter, suddenly the short mules all stopped, turning their heads to look in my direction. I moved forward inch by inch, following the route I had previously determined, making not a sound, with only my heartbeat echoing loudly. ... Fifteen meters, ten meters, eight meters ... . ... When I reached the eighth meter, suddenly the short mules all stopped, turning their heads to look in my direction.

I knocked vigorously on the door, and I heard my uncle and Li Decai asking from inside. I replied, "It's me." The light in the room turned on, and then the door opened. My uncle, wrapped in a coat and still half-asleep, asked what time it was and why I had just returned. I lifted the net in my hand and said, "I caught a short mule!" My uncle perked up immediately, pulling me inside, closing the door, and looking closely under the light.

A coarse polyester net studded with thorns descended upon them like a dark cloud

In the deep of night, with heavy dew, I hurried towards the forest cabin, carrying a net. The furry creature inside the net appeared small, yet it was quite heavy, weighing at least thirty to forty pounds. It emitted a foul odor, a mix of burnt rice and the pungent smell of urine, causing my heart to rise to my throat. I felt phlegm in my throat, unable to spit it out, which made me feel uncomfortable. The pitch-black night resembled the gaping mouth of a devil, and in an instant, my heart was gripped tightly by fear, making it hard to distinguish whether it was myself or the golden silkworm curse within me. My steps quickened, and I covered the few hundred meters of mountain path with little effort.

I did not expect these short mules to react so swiftly. Except for one slightly taller fellow who was covered, the others quickly crouched down and scattered in all directions. Those still in the net were struggling fiercely, squeaking loudly. I hurried over, stepped on the edge of the net, and dumped all the new glutinous rice from the bag onto it. This rice weighed more than 2 jin, and as soon as it landed on it, a puff of black smoke emerged, which was simply astonishing.

Although my uncle's injury is considered an occupational injury and is covered by public medical insurance, I still gave my aunt 20,000 yuan the next day as a form of nutritional support

Upon hearing that I had caught a living dwarf mule, Li Decai, who was originally lying in bed asleep, quickly got up and, draping his clothes over himself, leaned in to take a look

I hurriedly got up and asked what was wrong. My uncle was groaning in pain, clearly in extreme discomfort. I remembered he said there was some medicine in the drawer of the table. I jumped out of bed barefoot, first went to the washstand to get a towel to wipe his face, then opened the drawer and found a white powdery hemostatic medicine. I mixed it with a little water and helped him clean the blood off his left cheek. Upon seeing four bloody and mangled scratch marks, I applied the powder to his wounds bit by bit and asked, where is Li Decai?