Chapter 146: Long Observing the World—A Conscience Unfaded

I glanced back once and spoke, “There are good and bad people, and likewise, good ghosts and vengeful spirits. Though you have become a vengeful spirit, you were once human. In life, you endured countless humiliations, but you share some responsibility. You chose to endure in silence, abandoning resistance—that, you say, is the devil. Here’s a proposal: if you’re willing, I can help remove your grudges and guide you into reincarnation, so you’ll be born into a good family and live a righteous life. Are you willing?”

Dongzi slowly lifted his head, eyes wide with shock as he looked at me. I met his gaze. Without hesitation, he suddenly smiled and said, “Human emotions are innate to human nature. I... am willing.”

Upon hearing this, I smiled. A spirit slowly drifted out of Dongzi’s body, floating in the air as Dongzi collapsed to the ground with a thud. The onlookers at the back of the crowd gasped in alarm and retreated hastily. The vengeful spirit chuckled bitterly and said, “See, this is human nature.”

I sighed and looked back once more, saying nothing. Then I turned to the vengeful spirit, standing upright, and said, “Are you ready? Removing grudges might bring unbearable pain, like your heart being torn apart. When you’re ready, just say so. I’ll give you this moment.”

The vengeful spirit let out a light laugh and said, “The pain has become scars, and those scars have been torn open again and again. I am numb now, there’s no fear left of excruciating agony. But before that, I want to see the outside world once more—I... I miss my mother.”

I was taken aback. From the moment those words left his mouth, my heart trembled. I thought of my own mother—how poignant that simple phrase was. At that moment, memories flooded me. She had neglected me all my life, remarried when I was grown, and left me in the care of my grandparents. Deep down, I hated her. Yet I also missed her. It was a contradiction, born from being treated coldly, like an unwanted child. My nose tingled with emotion. I nodded, my voice trembling, “Go. I’ll wait for you. Just be back before dawn.”

The vengeful spirit nodded and flew away. The villagers around backed off in fear, wary that it might harm someone again. Village Chief Pan, seeing the spirit depart, stepped forward and asked, “Xuan, how is Dongzi?”

I shook my head gently, calming myself, and replied, “He’s fine. You should send everyone home—they’ve had enough excitement.”

Chief Pan nodded and went out to disperse the crowd. Some wept, clutching the bodies of relatives who had been harmed by the spirit. I sighed and pulled out three talismans from my pocket. With a flick, three spirits emerged, eyes wide with terror as they looked around. I focused on Dongzi’s spirit and chanted, “Nine Lotus Roar Seal, Great Sun Buddha binds the three souls.”

As the binding spell took effect, Dongzi’s spirit gradually calmed. Xiuying suddenly rushed in, holding the unconscious Bao’er, crying out to Dongzi’s spirit, “Dongzi, you wretched man! Why did you abandon us? Bao’er is still so young; he can’t be without a father!”

I gently patted Xiuying’s shoulder and said, “Don’t cry. He can’t hear you.”

Xiuying wiped her tears and looked at me. “Then what do we do? Will Dongzi... come back?”

I nodded solemnly. “Take Bao’er to the side room and wait. I’ll call you when it’s time.”

Xiuying hurried off, frequently glancing back. I pointed at Dongzi’s body and commanded, “Soul return, body return, inhabit the vessel!”

Dongzi’s spirit slowly floated back into his body. I exhaled in relief and called out, “Wake up.”

No sooner had I spoken than Xiuying rushed out, looking at Dongzi anxiously. “Master, why hasn’t Dongzi woken yet?”

“Don’t worry. He’ll awaken by dawn. When he does, he’ll think he was just asleep. Don’t mention what happened, and don’t frighten him. His soul has just reentered his body and is fragile. Also, hold off on any fieldwork for now. If you have chickens, it’s best to slaughter a couple to nourish him. That’s all for now.”

With that, I turned and walked outside, the phrase “I miss my mother” echoing in my mind. I sighed deeply. Chief Pan, surprised to see me emerge, asked, “Xuan, is it over?”

I nodded without a word, wandering through the village to steady my emotions. When I returned to Xiuying’s house, the vengeful spirit had already returned. Chief Pan was still there helping out. Seeing the spirit back, the villagers were less afraid. I looked up at the spirit and said, “You’ve lingered long, but your conscience remains. This life has passed—until we meet again in the next. Are you ready?”

The spirit nodded, eyes gleaming with emotion. I turned to Chief Pan and Xiuying and said, “You two should leave now. Let him depart alone.”

They nodded and left, closing the door behind them. I sighed deeply and raised my hand. A pattern of divine light shimmered in my palm and soared above my head.

“All beings harbor grievances; deep grudges are hard to untangle. A lifetime of entanglements becomes a lifetime of retribution. Today, I impart the wondrous method to dispel all grudges and karma. Listen with heartfelt intent, and the wrathful bonds shall dissolve.”

As I finished the incantation, the spirit hovered in pain, clutching its head, but endured the agony. Moments later, black mist began to drift from its body—this was its accumulated resentment. When the mist dissipated, the spirit lifted its head and bowed deeply to me.

“Thank you. I truly feel so much lighter. I’m sorry for what I just did beyond my control. Thank you, thank you.”

He repeated his thanks three times. I knew these words meant more than courtesy—they expressed his overwhelming gratitude for release and rebirth, a hope all vengeful spirits yearn for. I looked at him and said, “You’re welcome. You had no choice before. Now, go on your way. Dawn is near, and the gates of the underworld will soon close. Farewell.”

The spirit glanced outside at the pale dawn light, nodded, and disappeared inside the house. I exhaled and sat on a bench. Chief Pan and Xiuying, hearing the silence, came in and asked, “Xuan, where is the spirit?”

I looked up softly. “Sent off.”

Chief Pan nodded. I collapsed onto the floor, exhausted. They hurried to help me to my room and lay me down.

When I awoke, expecting to leave the trance behind, I was surprised to find myself still in Xiuying’s house, covered by a quilt. I sat up and went outside into the bright morning. Xiuying was in the yard plucking a chicken. Seeing me awake, she said, “Xuan, you’re up.”

I nodded and asked, “How is Dongzi? Is he better?”

Upon hearing Dongzi’s name, Xiuying brightened, stood up, wiped her apron, and took my hand. I was startled. She smiled with joy and said, “Thanks to you, Dongzi woke up this morning. He’s taking a bath now, and it seems he has no memory of what happened yesterday. But perhaps that’s for the best.”

Relieved, I smiled and stretched. Suddenly, heavy footsteps approached behind me. I turned to see Dongzi. He looked puzzled and asked Xiuying, “Yingzi, who is this?”

Xiuying smiled and said, “He’s a distant relative who arrived this morning. I was just killing a chicken.”

Dongzi glanced at the plucked chicken and nodded slowly, then looked toward the distance, asking, “What’s going on? Did someone’s elder pass away? Why are they beating the gongs?”

Xiuying hesitated and answered vaguely, “Old Master Luo at the village entrance passed last night. They’re holding the funeral now. I’m going to help later, but you should stay home and rest, take care of Bao’er.”

Dongzi looked puzzled again, scratched the back of his head, and said, “Alright. I don’t know what’s wrong, but I felt weak when I woke up last night. I won’t go to the fields today. I’ll stay with my little son.”