Chapter 5, the work song and the Nine Character Mantra

I was stunned at that moment; how could such a coincidence occur? No, the dismemberment case happened a few days before that day, right

I said I could, and thus, I forced myself to get out of bed despite my weakness. My father came over to support me. Outside, a police car was parked, and many idle men, women, and children were watching the commotion, pointing and whispering something. The police officer from the local station who brought the people was urging the crowd to disperse, while I was pushed into the back seat of the police car. My mother was crying and saying something to Officer Ma, who was in charge, but he merely responded with nonsense, saying, "We will not miss a good person, nor will we let a bad person go."

However, I truly have nothing to hide; a gentleman is open and honest, yet they do not believe the truth I speak

Only through extreme devotion can one invoke the tremors of spiritual forces with their words and perceive the essence within.

My father held my mother, his hands and feet trembling, overwhelmed by an unbearable sorrow

I am not referring to anyone else; I am talking about an old woman who has spent her entire life in the Miao village

The interrogator is in his twenties, tall and handsome, but his eyebrows are too light. His left eye is larger than his right, and his neck twitches nervously, moving constantly. He repeatedly asks me questions, going back and forth, sometimes inquiring about what happened that night, and at other times asking where I was on September 1. His questioning is very skillful; having spent a few days in a pyramid scheme, I know that there are methods to extract information when one is caught off guard.

I said to let me go, you cannot find the murderer, I will help you find him. Anyway, I also need to look for my uncle's colleague named Li Decai, as I owe him a favor. If you think I am lying, I can prove to you that I am not. Officer Yang slammed the table and shouted at me to recognize my identity, saying that I could do whatever I wanted, so what do I need them for?

They laughed heartily, and the interrogator and the clerk said, "Your uncle said the same thing, are you joking?"

That night was a turning point in my life. Since then, all sorts of strange things have happened. If it weren't for that experience, I might be a completely different person today

In the late hours of the night, as I listened to the alternating sounds of snoring, I recalled the teachings on the cultivation of Gu from the book left by my grandmother. The teachings mentioned that consuming a bowl of merit soup, primarily made from dragon fern, does not kill the golden silkworm Gu, but rather suppresses its malevolence, using poison to counteract poison, ultimately allowing it to be used for my purposes. Upon thinking of this section, I could not help but silently recite its contents in my heart. After drinking a bowl of merit soup, the golden silkworm Gu had already been subdued by more than half; what followed was the need for painstaking effort, continuously using secret incantations to pacify the spirit. Upon thinking of this section, I could not help but silently recite its contents in my heart. After drinking a bowl of merit soup, the golden silkworm Gu had already been subdued by more than half; what followed was the need for painstaking effort, continuously using secret incantations to pacify the spirit.

I told them about the incident where my grandmother had cast a spell on me, mentioning that on the night of the 4th, I caught a short mule, but unfortunately, I let it escape. I was in a hurry to return home to break the spell.

He presented the summons and asked me if I could walk on my own

I pause after pronouncing each character, reflecting on it, and then I pause again after each character, slowly savoring its meaning

The leading officer, Officer Ma, inquired about the incident that occurred on the evening of September 4 in Qingmeng Township, where another dismemberment case took place. The location of this incident was at the foot of Qingshan Cliff (near the forest guard station where my uncle is stationed). After investigation, the county criminal police team discovered that I was at the foot of the cliff that day. Furthermore, according to testimonies, I was not in the forest guard station from 9 PM until 4 AM that night, which coincides with the time the dismemberment case occurred. Therefore, I have significant suspicion of murder.

I tapped on the car window and smiled at my parents, saying, "Don't worry, I really haven't done anything wrong. I'll be back soon, don't worry." The car started to move, the body shaking. They didn't put handcuffs on me, but the smell of gasoline in the car was overwhelming, making me feel nauseous. My body hadn't fully recovered yet, so I drifted off into a daze.

To be honest, I really should be grateful to my grandmother

I am now afraid that they will impose punishment on me

To be honest, even though I do not fully understand the intricacies involved, I am aware that the case handling procedures are somewhat improper

Officer Yang laughed heartily and asked, "Who is Long Laolan? The director of the Public Security Bureau? Or a member of the county committee?"

I have no idea about the situation, damn it, what on earth is going on

I only understood the whole situation when it came time for the review: it turned out that on that night, a murder and dismemberment case occurred at the foot of the hill, about two hundred meters from where I was stationed by the low mule. The victim was a young man from Sege Village, only in his twenties, who had returned home after working away. He said he was going to the neighboring village to drink with his sworn brother, but he did not come home that night. The next day, his family called his sworn brother's house to inquire, saying he had finished drinking and had already returned—thus they reported the case. Coincidentally, the forestry bureau sought the police station's assistance in locating Li Decai, and they found the victim, dismembered into more than a dozen pieces, in a hollow at the foot of the mountain.

At this moment, I had already begun reciting the curse incantations from my grandmother's book

He continued to smile, while I looked at him and saw his smile gradually turn cold, revealing a hint of doubt in his eyes. At that moment, the door to the interrogation room opened, and Officer Ma entered, sitting down next to Officer Yang. He lit a cigarette, fixed his gaze on me, and said: "Do you really know who the murderer of the dismemberment case is?"

Here, I would like to clarify the meanings for everyone, just for your reference: "Ling" refers to the stability of body and mind, indicating an unperturbed demeanor in the face of events, and the will to remain steadfast and resolute; "Biao" signifies energy, representing the life force associated with longevity and rejuvenation; "Tong" denotes cosmic resonance, embodying courage and determination, and the emergence of fighting spirit in the face of adversity; "Qia" reflects the power to freely control one's own body and that of others. "Jie" represents crisis awareness, demonstrating the ability to understand and manipulate human emotions; "Xin" signifies telepathy, indicating the capacity to embody both wealth and reverence. It illustrates cosmic resonance, courage, and the emergence of fighting spirit in the face of adversity; "Qia" reflects the power to freely control one's own body and that of others. "Jie" represents crisis awareness, demonstrating the ability to understand and manipulate human emotions; "Xin" signifies telepathy, indicating the capacity to embody both wealth and reverence. "Lie" refers to the control of time and space, splitting apart all obstacles that hinder oneself; "Qi" aims to equalize all things; "Chan" represents the Buddhist realm, which is a superhuman state, where my heart is Zen, and all transformations merge into the void.

However, I did not dare to speak; our place is not Hong Kong. The lower you go, the higher the authority of public safety experts. That night, I spent the entire night in a room at the Public Security Bureau, alongside a group of ruffians who were causing trouble. At first, these guys were eager to bully me, but as soon as they heard that I was a murder suspect, they immediately kept their distance and dared not move—this has always been the case, where the weak are bullied and the strong are feared. Officer Ma and the handsome interrogator discussed for a long time in the corridor not far from the room. For some reason, my ears were particularly sharp; I leaned against the door and was able to hear snippets of their conversation through the iron door: "The higher-ups are particularly anxious... this guy is reckless... it’s this kid..."

The interrogator was very angry, frequently slamming the table and shouting at me. He questioned me for a full two hours, and then he occasionally took out a cigarette and asked if I wanted to smoke. I had been drifting outside for many years, yet I had never touched alcohol or cigarettes. Seeing him occasionally offer me a cigarette with a friendly demeanor made me want to laugh. I recalled reading somewhere that when a suspect asks a police officer for a cigarette, it usually signals the beginning of a confession. However, I did not smoke at all. I recalled reading somewhere that when a suspect asks a police officer for a cigarette, it usually signals the beginning of a confession. However, I did not smoke at all.

I recalled the missing Li Decai. During those days, I was preoccupied with treating illnesses and dispelling curses, and I did not call my uncle. The fact that he had not returned truly unsettled me, sending chills down my spine. Thinking about those vicious little mules reminded me of what Li Decai had said in a very neurotic tone: "The little mules are mountain spirits raised by the mountain god and the earth god; if you provoke them, you won't even know how you died..."

I pursed my lips and looked at him coldly. After a while, I asked him, "Do you know Long Laolan? I am his grandson."

The next day, when they summoned me for questioning, I directly stated that I was innocent and requested to be released.

I said I didn't know, I can only prove that my purpose in going to Qingshanjie was absolutely not deceitful. If you need proof, I will show it to you. Officer Ma asked again, "Are you really the grandson of Long Popo?" I replied affirmatively. Officer Yang interjected, asking, "Who is Long Popo?" Officer Ma is nearly fifty years old, while Officer Yang has only been out of school for a few years. Officer Ma explained, but Officer Yang did not believe him, saying, "Hmph, isn't she just a fortune teller? What's so crazy about that?" Officer Ma asked again, "Are you really the grandson of Long Popo?" I replied affirmatively. Officer Yang interjected, asking, "Who is Long Popo?" Officer Ma is nearly fifty years old, while Officer Yang has only been out of school for a few years. Officer Ma explained, but Officer Yang did not believe him, saying, "Hmph, isn't she just a fortune teller? What's so crazy about that?"

That night, I couldn't sleep at all, constantly thinking about how they didn't believe me. They doubted my motives for going to the Qing Mountain Realm, thinking I was lying, and even believed that my uncle was also lying about the matter of the short mule. If I could prove that such a thing truly exists, would they reconsider?

I hurriedly asked him, and Officer Ma, with a serious expression, said: "This is a series of dismemberment cases, thus the impact is extremely severe"

Officer Yang (the interrogator) urged me to honestly address the issues and not to concoct any tricks, thinking that I could evade responsibility.

Strangely, I, who have never sensed anything in the past, can today perceive changes in the world that are different. This change is indescribable, yet it exists and does not exist, fleeting and elusive. At the same time, it seems that some organ within my body is responding to these nine characters, stirring with anticipation. I carefully sense it, as if it is located in the renal area of my left abdomen

The so-called secret mantra originated from Buddhism. It is transliterated as "Mandala". It is also referred to as "Dharani", "spell", "brightness", "divine spell", "secret words", "secret language", and "secret name", which signifies a language that is true and without falsehood. The method of exorcism passed down from my grandmother is called the "Heart Mantra of the Three Worlds King". By continuously reciting "Ling Biao Tong Qia Jie Xin Lie Qi Chan", it can be pronounced in the Miao language or in the Jinling dialect. A few days ago, I asked my mother about the pronunciation in Miao language; at that time, I was also in a state of desperation, so I sat cross-legged and sincerely kept reciting: "Ling Biao Tong Qia Jie Xin Lie Qi Chan ... Ling Biao Tong Qia Jie Xin Lie Qi Chan ..." The method of exorcism passed down from my grandmother is called the "Heart Mantra of the Three Worlds King". By continuously reciting "Ling Biao Tong Qia Jie Xin Lie Qi Chan", it can be pronounced in the Miao language or in the Jinling dialect. A few days ago, I asked my mother about the pronunciation in Miao language; at that time, I was also in a state of desperation, so I sat cross-legged and sincerely kept reciting: "Ling Biao Tong Qia Jie Xin Lie Qi Chan ... Ling Biao Tong Qia Jie Xin Lie Qi Chan ..."

I asked about Li Decai. The investigating officer informed me that Li Decai is also missing, and they are still searching for him.

The lights in the interrogation room were several hundred watts, bright like a small sun. An interrogator and a recorder began to question me—when I returned, why I came back, why I went to Qingshanjie, why I left again, what I did on the night of the 4th, ... what I did from a certain hour to another hour ...

Later, Officer Ma, who brought me here, came in and said that it was settled, but I would first be detained for twenty-four hours

The goal is to capture Officer Yang, who is both tall and handsome

I felt an overwhelming chill in my heart, sitting on the ground with a pale complexion. Having been out in the world for so long, I had certainly heard of cases where the impact was severe, and those in power hastily sought scapegoats. If I were to find myself in such a situation, I would truly be at my wit's end. After all, I am just an outsider, and during the time of those two incidents, I was within the Qing Mountain area. Particularly during the second dismemberment case, I was just a few hundred meters away from the forest guard's cabin. As for the witnesses, my uncle was hospitalized due to scratches, Li Decai was nowhere to be found, and I was completely unscathed. If they do not suspect me, then who would they suspect? It is indeed true, I am just an outsider, and during the time of those two incidents, I was within the Qing Mountain area, especially during the second dismemberment case, just a few hundred meters away from the forest guard's cabin. As for the witnesses, my uncle was hospitalized due to scratches, Li Decai was nowhere to be found, and I was completely unscathed. If they do not suspect me, then who would they suspect?