Chapter Five: Calamity Strikes – Possession by a Spirit

The next morning, I got out of bed early, intending to head to the bathroom, when I saw Tan Boqing and my grandfather sitting at the table, deep in conversation. As soon as he saw me, my grandfather called out, “Xuan, go wash your face and bring in a basin of hot water. Quickly now.”

Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I nodded and left. After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I carried a basin of hot water into the room and placed it on the table. Grandfather touched the basin, then said to Tan Boqing, “Perfect timing, and the water’s just right. We should begin, lest we miss the auspicious hour.”

Tan Boqing nodded as well. I was about to head to my room to write when my grandfather called me back. Puzzled, I turned to look at him; he waved me over. When I approached, he said, “Xuan, have a seat first. I have something important for you to do in a moment.”

His words left me even more confused. Grandfather nodded, then called for my grandmother. Once everyone had gathered, Grandfather and Tan Boqing exchanged a look. Then Tan Boqing turned to me and asked, “Lin Xuan, do you want to be a hero?”

I was taken aback—a hero? That had been my dream since childhood. I was sure I wasn’t the only one; who doesn’t hope to one day become like the heroes on television, punishing evil and championing justice?

Without hesitation, I nodded in reply. Seeing my resolute answer, Tan Boqing continued, “But becoming a hero demands sacrifice; there will be endless hardship and dangers. Are you still willing?”

Again, I paused, but nodded without a second thought. Tan Boqing finally smiled, looking over at my grandfather, who said approvingly, “Good, boy. You’re a true son of the Lin family—full of backbone.”

I grinned. Tan Boqing began again, “Lin Xuan, to become a hero is not a matter of a day or two. The trials behind the scenes are known only to oneself. Since you answered so firmly, I will formally take you as my disciple. I know you have eyes that can see the spirits—your fate was set at birth. Last night, your grandfather and I discussed this. Perhaps your entry into the world of the supernatural isn’t a bad thing. In all my life, I’ve never accepted a disciple—you are the first. But I have three strict rules: First, fear neither hardship nor toil; second, with greater power comes greater responsibility; and third, eradicate all evil spirits from the world. The first two are important, but the third is paramount: eradicate all evil spirits. Here, ‘evil spirits’ does not refer only to the specters of the underworld, but also to all evil forces among the living.”

With that, Tan Boqing stood and went to the center of the living room, before a Daoist statue, hands clasped behind his back. He continued, “Though we cannot govern heaven and earth, we can at least manage what comes before us. Having heard all this, are you willing to become my disciple? Are you willing to step into this storm-filled supernatural world?”

I sat on my stool, utterly bewildered by Tan Boqing’s words. My grandfather and grandmother looked at me as if urging me to decide for myself. After a long moment, I finally stood and walked over to Tan Boqing’s side. I said, “You’ve spoken at length and I can tell how perilous this is. But something inside tells me that some things shouldn’t stop me from moving forward. I will become a great hero. Though I am young, I’m not the kind of child who can only grow under the care of parents. I want to forge my own path, even if it means braving storms. Perhaps you adults would call this precocious—but my answer is, I am willing.”

Hearing my reply, Tan Boqing turned and looked at me, smiling. “Good, good. I like your spirit—just like your grandfather, never one to admit defeat. I knew I wasn’t mistaken about you. The Lin family’s younger generation is truly formidable. All right, Old Lin, I’ll trouble you with the next step.”

Grandfather, hearing this, smiled and came over. He took three sticks of incense from beside the Daoist statue, instructed me to light them, and had me bow three times before the statue and place them in the censer. Then Grandmother brought over a cup of tea for me. I took it, looking at her in confusion. She smiled and said, “Silly boy, what are you waiting for? This is the tea you offer your master.”

Coming to my senses, I bowed and handed the tea to Tan Boqing. “Please have some tea.” He laughed heartily, accepted the cup, took a sip, and then helped me up. Once I stood straight, Grandfather said, “Come now, call him Master.”

Startled, I quickly called, “Master!” My new master smiled and patted my head.

And so, in a rather bewildering fashion, I acquired a master. This master would go on to upend my entire worldview and lead me to unravel countless mysterious and strange events.

After Master and Grandfather sat back down and resumed their chat, Grandmother watched me finish the simple apprenticeship ceremony, checked the time, and said, “It’s almost noon. I’ll go prepare lunch. You all carry on.” With a cheerful smile, she walked out.

But no sooner had Grandmother reached the kitchen than a woman rushed in from the courtyard, calling out as she ran toward the living room, “Old Lin, Old Lin, come quickly! Something’s happened to Pudgy—his mother is beside herself!”

At this, Grandfather turned to the woman and said, “Xiuyin? What’s going on—have a glass of water and tell me slowly.” He poured a glass for her. I knew this woman—she lived at the east end of the village, named Li Xiuyin, kind-hearted and respected for always helping others.

Li Xiuyin gulped down the water, wiped her mouth, and finally said, “Old Lin, I don’t know the details myself. I just heard some crashing sounds coming from Uncle Dazhuang’s place and went to look. There I saw Pudgy going wild, smashing things in the room. When I arrived, he was holding a knife, cutting his own hand, yet showed no sign of pain, just grinning madly. Uncle Dazhuang tried to pull him back, even got others to help, but Pudgy broke free each time. Aunt Yumei was so frightened she burst into tears. Uncle Dazhuang asked me to come fetch you, so here I am—can you spare the time to help?”

Li Xiuyin finished, catching her breath, waiting for Grandfather’s reply. But just as Grandfather was about to agree, Master spoke up first, “Old Lin, you stay home and rest. I’ll take Lin Xuan to have a look. It’ll be good experience for him.”

Hearing this, Grandfather glanced at Master and me, and slowly sat back down. “That’s fine, Xiuyin—let this young man go with you. His skills far surpass mine.”

Li Xiuyin stared at Master in disbelief, but said nothing. After another glance at Grandfather, she said, “Alright, let’s go—I’m afraid if we delay any longer, Pudgy will demolish the place.”

She led Master and me to Pudgy’s home. Even before we reached the door, we saw a crowd gathered outside. Master frowned at the sight, muttering, “Such a strong aura of spirits.”

I heard Master’s words and hurried forward, squeezing through the crowd. Inside, Pudgy stood wielding a kitchen knife, slashing wildly, emitting guttural howls. Seeing this, Master rushed in, with Li Xiuyin and me following. Uncle Dazhuang, spotting us, frowned and said to Li Xiuyin, “Xiuyin, where’s the help you went to fetch? And who is this man? Where’s Lin Xuan’s grandfather?”

Li Xiuyin quickly replied, “I did go for Old Lin, but he said this man’s skills are even greater, so I brought them.”

Uncle Dazhuang grew agitated, shouting, “Nonsense! I’ve never even seen this man in the village—how could his skills be better than Old Lin’s? Xiuyin, go back and fetch Old Lin, quickly! And all you bystanders, get out—this isn’t a place to loiter.”

Clearly, he was referring to Master and me. Master didn’t take offense, waved Li Xiuyin off, and turned to Uncle Dazhuang and Pudgy. “Your boy has clearly offended something and is possessed. If you delay any longer, his life may be forfeit. I’m not here out of idle curiosity, but to repay a favor to Old Lin.”

With that, Master stepped aside, pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and leaned against the table, watching Uncle Dazhuang and the others. Uncle Dazhuang, seeing Master’s confidence, hesitated but still insisted on fetching Grandfather. Master’s face grew cold, and he uttered just two words: “Ignorant fool.”

He flicked his cigarette forward and, before anyone could react, darted forward with lightning speed. Even I couldn’t see his movements clearly; suddenly he was in front of Pudgy, kicking the knife away, forming a sword-finger and pressing it to Pudgy’s brow. With a snort, he shouted, “Altar Spirit, I’ll give you one chance—come out now, or I’ll destroy your soul, consigning you to eternal torment!”

Moments later, a black mist seeped from Pudgy’s body, accompanied by a shrill cackle. “Summoner, this boy’s body suits me well as my vessel for rebirth. I’ll give you a chance, too—leave now or you’ll regret it.” More black mist poured from Pudgy, spreading through the room.

Master cursed, “A petty evil spirit, still seeking reincarnation by possessing a body. In life, you committed countless evils; in death, you became an Altar Spirit, still seeking to harm the living. You’re bold indeed. If you crave rebirth so much, then taste what it’s like to be torn apart by vengeful ghosts in the River of the Dead.”

With that, Master stomped the floor. A rumbling sounded from beneath, and a massive black door rose from the ground. The others heard the noise but saw nothing of the door.

As the black door rose, Master chanted an incantation, and a blinding light burst forth from within, drawing in all the dark energy in the room. Strangely, the light seemed only to affect the spirit energy; ordinary people felt nothing at all.

When the last traces of the black mist were gone, Master intoned, “The Gate of the Underworld appears, the divine master strikes—by the Dao, ten thousand ghosts shall be slain.” As he finished, his finger glowed with golden light, casting it onto Pudgy.

Pudgy let out a scream and collapsed. After a moment, a pitch-black evil spirit drifted out—visible only to Master and me. The others seemed oblivious. I had grown accustomed to ghosts from an early age, so I was no longer afraid. I walked to Master’s side and pointed at the weakened spirit, asking, “Master, was that the one inside Pudgy just now?”

Master nodded, lighting another cigarette. “That’s called an Altar Spirit. In life, it was evil; in death, its resentment lingered, unaccepted by the underworld, and so it became trapped in the altar. But how did it escape?”

I nodded, but Master’s last words made me pause—I felt as if something was stirring in my mind, but no matter how I tried, I couldn’t recall it. Noticing my confusion, Master patted my head. “What’s wrong with you, boy?”

I snapped back, dazed, saying nothing. Master shook his head, turned to the Altar Spirit, and said, “I gave you a chance. Never mind—time to put you away.”

He chanted another spell, and a ghostly hand from the black door dragged the Altar Spirit inside. As the spirit was captured, the black door faded away. Master turned to Uncle Dazhuang, glanced at him, and said, “The boy will be fine now.”

Uncle Dazhuang and Aunt Yumei, hearing this, rushed over and carried Pudgy to his bed. A while later, Uncle Dazhuang came back, embarrassed.

Everyone had seen how quickly Master resolved the situation. Their initial skepticism was gone. Uncle Dazhuang, awkward, said, “Master, I apologize for earlier. I failed to recognize your abilities and may have offended you. Thank you for saving my son.” He was about to kneel.

Master, startled, quickly stopped him. “No need for that, brother. I was simply repaying a favor to Old Lin. But tell me, what exactly happened—how did the boy end up like this?”

Uncle Dazhuang straightened up. “Yesterday evening, Pudgy was fine, but this morning he was like that—waving a knife, smashing things, utterly uncontrollable. As parents, we’re beside ourselves. What did we do to deserve this?”

Master immediately echoed, “Last night?”

Uncle Dazhuang nodded. I, too, was struck by a thought. Turning to Master, I blurted, “Master, I remember now—last night, when we were in the mortuary’s courtyard, I heard someone kick over a jar, which made the zombies notice us. Could it have been Pudgy who kicked over that jar, and just happened to release the Altar Spirit?”