Volume 1, Chapter 26: Spiritual Aptitude of the Immortals

There are specific protocols for bringing a Kuman Thong home. It requires a private living space, and one must offer tributes daily—not incense or candles, but food, fruits, toys, and occasionally even tobacco or alcohol.

Those who keep these spirits must also speak to them daily, coaxing them like a child to keep them happy, though the Taoist wasn’t entirely sure what exactly kept them satisfied.

Once the rituals and offerings are complete, the final step is to task the spirit. The practitioner must give clear instructions—praying for peace, wealth, good fortune, warding off evil, blocking misfortune, seeking revenge, or asking for help with errands or intelligence gathering. Simultaneously, one must promise a reward upon the successful completion of the task, such as jewelry or clothing.

As the saying goes, it is easy to invite a spirit but difficult to send one away. An infant turned into a ghost is already filled with deep resentment, and this is only exacerbated by daily offerings. Once you begin feeding a spirit, it becomes nearly impossible to get rid of it. Or rather, once the spirit becomes powerful enough, it will enslave its keeper, forcing them to do its bidding. This is what we commonly know as "backlash."

I might add that those who frequent gambling dens are often among those who keep these spirits. A person’s fate is predestined; when their luck runs dry, they turn to crooked paths, such as keeping a spirit to change their fortune. Thus, sometimes it isn’t a matter of bad luck or lack of skill; it’s just that others are using dark, crooked methods. However, those who practice this usually only enjoy a fleeting moment of glory. The more successful they appear, the more powerful the spirit’s backlash becomes, and the consequences are easy to imagine.

At this point, the Taoist sighed and said, "After the Immortal's guidance, I think I understand. The 'big macaque' in the old forest isn't actually that headless general at all. Someone has simply placed a spirit's head onto the headless general's skeleton. Do you see now?"

I felt a chill run down my spine; what the Taoist described was truly sinister.

The Taoist continued, "It’s possible someone was keeping a Kuman Thong, grew tired of the offerings, and was advised by a master to dump it in the old forest, framing the headless vengeful ghost in the process. This way, the spirit gains a body and can leave in peace—or rather, let its former keeper off the hook."

"Do you have a plan?" the old hunter asked in a deep voice.

The Taoist’s eyes gleamed. "Yes. We find the headless general’s bones, craft a paper head for him, and send him to the underworld for reincarnation. The spirit will naturally dissipate into nothingness."

I said, on the verge of tears, "Master, let’s just find the ghost ginseng and head down the mountain early. I don't want to stay in this old forest anymore."

The Taoist glared at me and said softly, "Xu Duo, I’ve told you about the rules of our trade. It’s too late to back out now. We have to grit our teeth and keep going, understand?"

"I understand the reasoning, but I’ve never heard of a place so haunted. It’s just too evil. I’m scared."

"The village is crowded with people, so the 'yang' energy is strong, and hauntings are rare. The old forest is deserted, lacking that yang energy to suppress demons and ghosts, which is why hauntings are frequent. If you ever make it to the city, you’ll realize that only a few places with low yang energy are haunted. Once you’ve mastered your craft, you won’t even need to fear the underworld."

I was furious inside. What kind of nonsense was he spouting? Mastering my craft so I don’t fear the underworld? What, was I supposed to go challenge the King of Hell to a duel? I, Xu, just wanted to earn a living, work a job for a few years, and live a decent life.

Just then, Hu Xiaozui suddenly spoke. "Little one, have you formed a connection with the Immortal realm?"

"He hasn't yet, he's not initiated," the Taoist answered for me.

Hu Xiaozui said, "Then let us form a bond. I see you have some innate wisdom. Whether you succeed depends on your own destiny."

The Taoist kicked me sharply in the back of the knee and hissed excitedly, "Hurry up and kowtow to the Immortal!"

With that, the Taoist also knelt and bowed to Hu Xiaozui. She accepted the obeisance with composure and said, "The cause planted in a past life brings the fruit in this one. You and I are destined to be connected. How far this connection goes depends on our cultivation."

I didn't understand a word of what Hu Xiaozui was trying to express. I only knew she was beautiful and had a great figure. Regardless of the "connection," I, Xu, wanted to be involved with her. From the bottom of my heart, I wanted to join her path.

Hu Xiaozui continued, "The headless vengeful ghost is nearby. If we can survive tonight, I will open your 'wisdom root' tomorrow."

The Taoist chimed in, "Please rest assured, Immortal. No matter how powerful a ghost is, it is still just a ghost. Evil cannot overcome righteousness. With the hunter and me here, no ghost will get in."

The hunter tightened his grip on his gun, his knuckles popping.

"Xu Duo, come into the room with me."

I looked at Hu Xiaozui in surprise. Why did she want me to go into the room?

Hu Xiaozui ignored me and walked toward one of the rooms. The Taoist gritted his teeth and whispered, "Hurry up and go in with the Immortal!"

"Right." I was full of suspicion.

I pushed aside the heavy door curtain. There was no light in the room, and Hu Xiaozui sat on the heated brick bed like a new bride.

"Come in."

I muttered an acknowledgement, but stood frozen.

"Come in. There are some things I want to discuss with you privately."

I shuffled forward and stood before her.

"Do you want to sleep with me?" Hu Xiaozui asked out of the blue, making my face burn. I hurriedly replied, "No, no."

"I can perceive your every thought. I know exactly what actions you are visualizing in your head."

I swallowed hard, trying to empty my mind—especially of any thoughts regarding her.

"You’re so young, why are you only thinking about bearing children? And it’s not even about the children, it’s about the process."

"Fox... Fox Immortal, I... no, no, I didn't."

Even I didn't sound convincing.

Hu Xiaozui said, "I will undress in a moment. Today, I will teach you some basics that you will find useful later."

I was startled. I didn't need to be taught that—no matter how young I was, I, Xu, certainly knew how to "load the gun and ride the horse."

"Crack."

Hu Xiaozui suddenly kicked me squarely in the knee. I lost my footing and slammed into the wooden wall behind me.

Hu Xiaozui scolded, "You are truly hopeless! I’m trying to form a bond with you, and all you can think about is sleeping with me!"

My face was bright red; I had no idea how to talk my way out of this.

Hu Xiaozui continued, "Can't you think about anything else?"

I didn't know if it was because she said that or what, but my mind was completely filled with fantasies of intimacy with her. In the darkness, I could feel her glaring at me, and I felt quite guilty.

"Xu Duo, there is a time for everything. You are still just a brat; it’s too early for these thoughts."

I thought to myself, "How is this early? There's a guy in our village, only a few months older than me, who's already holding his firstborn. Plenty of people are grandparents by their thirties."

"They are them, and you are you. You have your own goals."

Oh no, she could read my thoughts. I tried hard to keep myself relaxed.

"What is your goal?"

"To sleep with Hu Xiaozui." I don't know why, but as soon as she mentioned goals, that was the thought that surfaced.

I heard Hu Xiaozui let out a heavy sigh; she clearly knew what I was thinking.

I immediately forced myself to think of grander goals, like punishing the wicked or saving the innocent, but the thought "sleep with Hu Xiaozui" remained at the top of the list.

Hu Xiaozui sighed, "We truly have a karmic entanglement. Fine. You have your thoughts, I have mine. Let's just get to the point."

"Fox Immortal, you were the one who said you’d undress and teach me things. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had so many dirty thoughts."

Hu Xiaozui chuckled. "Silver-tongued brat. I know exactly what you’re really thinking."

With that, she began to undress. "There isn't much time left. Some things I must teach you myself. Do you know about the Thirteen Ghost Needles?"

I shook my head. It was pitch black, so I assumed she couldn't see me.