Chapter 16

The cat-faced old woman stared at Li Zhuyuan in utter shock.

She could not believe that such words could come from the mouth of this child standing before her.

Her hands instinctively released the shoulders she had been gripping, and her body recoiled a half-step.

At this moment, she even began to doubt herself

Why, compared to him, did she feel like the one who was merely a child throwing tantrums?

Between her and him,

Who was the true "dead corpse" (Si Dao)?

He spoke with immense confidence and decisiveness. And he did not stop; he continued

"For the one you maim, pay attention to the site of the injury. It is best to aim for paraplegia. Given the conditions here, it is impossible to provide them with a wheelchair, and no one will dedicate their full time just to push them around for leisure.

Once paralyzed, they can only lie in bed, curled up in filthy bedding, needing constant care for every basic need.

They must be able to speak, they must be able to wail and complain, and their hands must be able to pick things up to smash in frustration.

Only then will there be a spectacle to watch; only then will the interaction be strong and the experience rich."

The cat-faced old woman nodded. Her hands instinctively moved to smooth out the wrinkles in the boy's clothes caused by her earlier grip, but her hands were dirty, making his clothes even filthier. She even felt a sense of trepidation because of it.

"For the one you make sick, pay attention: it cannot be a terminal illness from the start.

It must be a chronic ailment that flares up repeatedly—something that can be controlled periodically with effort and cost, but can never be fully cured.

Control the severity of the outbreaks; it shouldn't be fatal, but it must cause unbearable pain and torment.

You also need to control the frequency of the attacks. After each recovery, let them rest for a while so they can experience the preciousness of health.

But this interval cannot be too long. Do not allow them a complete cycle of productive labor; do not give them the chance to create value for their family.

In this way, the individual and their family will fall into a vicious cycle of internal attrition caused by the repeated torment of the disease and the costs of treatment. This will more easily trigger family conflicts, tear away their masks, and expose the ugliness of human nature."

The cat-faced old woman silently retreated two more steps, her hands folded in front of her, and asked

"Is... is there anything else?"

"The most important part is the one you drive mad. They cannot be completely insane. Total madness would be too easy for her; it would mean she knows nothing, which is equivalent to giving her liberation. That would be boring.

Make it an intermittent madness. For the vast majority of the day, she must be normal, only losing her mind for short bursts. But her madness must possess strong aggression.

I imagine her family will treat her with coercive control measures, much like how she treats her mother.

Give her enough lucid time to curse, to wail, to condemn, and to act hysterically.

She should feel remorse, shouldn't she? We don't need to understand her or empathize with her; instead, we should treat her remorse as one of our sources of joy and enjoy it thoroughly."

At this point, Li Zhuyuan nodded to himself

"Those are the details to watch out for for now. Do you have any suggestions or additions?"

The cat-faced old woman: "No... nothing more."

"Actually, this plan originally carried a certain level of risk. What if, among the descendants of those three, a truly filial child actually appears?

But that shouldn't happen. Judging by the old woman's grandchildren, who all believe she lived too long and sucked away their luck and ruined their futures...

The quality of such offspring should be enough to put one's mind at ease."

The cat-faced old woman: "Yes, at ease. Very much at ease."

"So, what do you think of this plan?"

"Ah? Good, very good, excellent. I will follow your instructions and do exactly as you say."

At that moment, Li Zhuyuan saw black mist beginning to rise from the cat-faced old woman, looking somewhat like dry ice evaporating on a stage.

"What is happening to your body?"

The rising black mist began to retract rapidly.

"It is because this plan is too good. So good that just thinking about it... my resentment actually has a tendency to dissipate."

"Can you still hold on?"

"I can. My resentment is very heavy. I think once all three of them reach their deserved karmic end, I will be able to achieve complete liberation."

"So, you have actually been in pain all along?"

"Every single moment is like being fried in boiling oil, enduring torture.

If I couldn't speak, if I had no consciousness, it might be much easier. Unfortunately... I have both, so this pain is multiplied several times over."

"How pitiful."

"No, not pitiful. Someone like us... no, someone like me.

For a thing like me to exist, to be born, is already quite difficult.

Although every time I look up at the sky, I feel panic and dread, I... am grateful to Him."

Li Zhuyuan looked at the cat-faced old woman before him. In truth, he wasn't looking at the old woman, but at the black cat.

The old woman had worked hard to raise three children and even helped raise their grandchildren.

Yet in the end, the one who truly felt gratitude for her kindness, even going so far as to endure immense daily agony to seek revenge for her, was actually the ugly, crippled old cat she had taken in.

Perhaps the greatest difference between humans and beasts is that a human's lower limit can be even lower than that of a beast.

"Just... are you sure that by telling me this... by tipping me off like this, you won't be in trouble yourself?"

"Me?" Li Zhuyuan shook his head. "How could I possibly be in trouble? I am clearly performing an act of kindness."

"An act of kindness?"

"Yes."

Li Zhuyuan pointed toward the three siblings from the Niu family still kneeling inside the house and continued to explain

"This 'dead corpse' evil spirit wants to kill them, yet I am saving their lives. Isn't that accumulating merit through kindness?"

The cat-faced old woman opened her mouth, revealing a set of rotten teeth.

"It... it can be explained like that?"

"Actually, I haven't even entered the field yet. I'm still reading the basic books. I don't really know if my explanation is correct. To know the result... I'll have to wait until I go back and continue reading."

"I'm still young, you see. My grades in this area aren't very good yet; I have to study hard."

The cat-faced old woman: "You... still need to continue studying?"

"Yes, I do."

"Thank you."

"No need for thanks. My advice to you also stems from my own selfish interests.

My great-grandfather and the others came to the Niu family to hold a ritual meal. If these three were to meet with accidents and die today, my great-grandfather's reputation, upon which he relies for his livelihood, would be ruined.

Great-grandfather... he is truly good to me."

"Actually, your great-grandfather has already made a move."

"What?"

The cat-faced old woman: "Don't worry, I know what to do."

Li Zhuyuan flashed a smile as innocent as a child's: "Thank you, Grandma."

Just then, shouts came from the distance; it was Great-grandfather and the others searching nearby.

Li Zhuyuan waved to the cat-faced old woman and walked out onto the road.

"Xiao Yuanhou! Xiao Yuanhou! Where are you, Xiao Yuanhou!"

Hearing the shouts from the distant figures, Li Zhuyuan felt a sense of comfort and enjoyment. When he first arrived in his ancestral home, he hadn't been used to having "Hou" added to the end of his nickname.

But usually, elders called him this way. Within that local dialect particle was the warmth and affection of his elders.

Professor Xu from the Department of Chinese in the residential compound was from Guangdong, and he once said that with economic development and population movement, dialects would gradually exit the stage of history.

Panzi, Leizi, Yingzi, and the others spoke Mandarin now in school.

Therefore, Li Zhuyuan knew that once the elders gradually passed away, these calls of "Xiao Yuanhou" could only be found and savored in the depths of his memory in the future.

"Great-grandfather! Great-grandfather!"

Li Zhuyuan raised his hand to respond.

Li Sanjiang and Runsheng ran over, followed by Grandpa Shan, Liu Jinxia, and some villagers.

"Xiao Yuanhou, are you alright?" Li Sanjiang checked Li Zhuyuan from head to toe to ensure his great-grandson wasn't missing any limbs.

Runsheng's face was covered in sweat, and he was smiling happily.

The two of them had previously caught Niu Fu and Niu Rui, but a moment later, they discovered they were actually pressing down on two bundles of straw.

Looking up, they saw Xiao Yuanhou was gone, which was why they had rushed out in a panic to find him.

Grandpa Shan was injured, but he felt he could still be of some help. Liu Jinxia hadn't intended to come out, but she didn't dare stay in the shed alone.

As for the villagers behind them, many had come out voluntarily to help look for the boy after hearing the shouts, and even more villagers were gathering from behind.

It must be said that the customs here were quite simple and honest, but no matter how good a fruit tree is, it cannot avoid bearing some crooked fruit.

Some villagers had already started shouting that the Niu family members were missing. Seeing that the three siblings had not returned even after midnight, their family members also began to head out to search.

"Great-grandfather, they're in there, in the old house," Li Zhuyuan whispered from Li Sanjiang's arms, ensuring only his great-grandfather could hear.

Li Sanjiang nodded. He pushed Li Zhuyuan toward Liu Jinxia and himself raised a peach wood sword, his stature suddenly becoming much more imposing.

Li Zhuyuan saw clearly that it was the one he had brought.

"Come, we have many people! Everyone, follow me! Kill the dead corpse and save the people!"

Li Sanjiang led the charge toward the old house. Runsheng followed without a word, and Grandpa Shan stomped his foot and followed with pursed lips.

The villagers behind were somewhat timid. They were willing to help look for the boy, but they were truly afraid of charging at something like a "dead corpse."

However, since there were many of them, after some hesitation, they all slowly moved forward.

But as soon as Li Sanjiang and the other two rushed in, a piercing cat meow and the sound of fighting immediately erupted from the old house, interspersed with the old woman's screams and curses.

Some villagers recognized it—that was Old Lady Niu's voice.

But hadn't Old Lady Niu already died? And died six months ago?

With such a scene, even the bravest villagers didn't dare move forward; they could only stand in place and wait for the outcome.

Fortunately, the screaming gradually ceased. A moment later, Li Sanjiang emerged from under the old locust tree in front of the dilapidated house, carrying one person on his back, while Runsheng carried two.

"The people are saved!"

"Heavens, the Niu family really was here!"

"The dead corpse was subdued!"

Li Sanjiang swung Niu Lian off his back with a "thud," and she landed directly on the gravel road.

Runsheng followed suit, releasing his arms so that Niu Fu and Niu Rui slid down, rolling slightly before lying still.

The crowd of villagers immediately swarmed around to see the spectacle, asking this and that. This was going to be the talk of the town after daybreak, and an important experience to show off to people from other places when leaving the village. They could light a cigarette and say mysteriously

"Hah, what you just said is nothing. Let me tell you about something that happened in our village back in the day..."

The sudden disappearance of the three Niu siblings and their appearance in the old house, now unconscious, clearly indicated they had encountered something evil.

The villagers looked at Li Sanjiang and the others with admiration and respect, constantly offering compliments; these people truly possessed great skill.

Who could guarantee they would go through life smoothly without encountering a miasma? Even if they didn't, what about their family, relatives, and friends? People with such special abilities were treated with politeness, provided they weren't fools.

Grandpa Shan, watching Li Sanjiang being praised at the front, felt his lips itching with indignation.

He had charged in with them just now and saw a cat-faced old woman standing at the entrance of the old house. Li Sanjiang had stopped with his peach wood sword, waiting for him and Runsheng to go first.

Then, for some reason, that cat-faced old woman had lunged at Li Sanjiang, even impaling herself directly on the peach wood sword in his hand.

Then came a bout of ghostly wailing, cat meowing, and the old woman's screaming, and finally... it was just gone!

At that moment, Grandpa Shan had wanted to slap himself twice to see if he was blind. A corpse demon that could bewitch them all into acting like dogs... was just wiped out like that?

Even Li Sanjiang was somewhat surprised. He reached out and flicked the peach wood sword in his hand, remarking

"It must be real peach wood. The quality of the state-run furniture factory is indeed reliable."

...

"Make way, make way!" Li Sanjiang pointed to the three people lying on the ground. "They've been possessed and haven't woken up. Everyone, go to the nearby porcelain jars and scoop some 'golden juice' (urine), heat it up, and pour it down their throats."

Actually, Li Sanjiang knew that Blind Liu was the most skilled at exorcism, but firstly, Blind Liu was injured and in poor condition, and secondly, he knew exactly what those three were—they deserved it.

Immediately, the villagers split into two groups: one responsible for carrying the three Niu siblings back to the ritual shed, and the other responsible for fetching the porcelain jars to prepare the golden juice. The latter group was clearly more excited and jubilant, walking as if they were flying.

The shed was suddenly crowded. Some villagers who were still sleeping were awakened by the commotion or by their neighbors, all coming to watch the excitement.

During the day, when the ritual was being held, the place was desolate, but in the latter half of the night, it became bustling with people.

Grandpa Shan and Liu Jinxia sat in chairs, being tended to by the villagers.

In the eyes of the villagers, their injuries must have been sustained while fighting the dead corpse!

A sharp-eyed child noticed Grandpa Shan's wet trousers and was scolded by his elders, who said he had been soaked by the water on the dead corpse's body during the fight.

Another villager passing by the graves came to deliver news, saying that Old Lady Niu's grave had been dug up and was empty.

This news immediately pushed the discussion in the shed to a climax, making it even more lively than an outdoor movie screening.

The busiest person was Li Sanjiang. He continued to hold the peach wood sword high, moving and waving it as he performed the ritual.

His movements weren't so standard or ethereal, nor were they continuous and elegant; they were far inferior in appearance to the Taoists and monks of funeral troupes. But the villagers knew that those funeral troupes were just performing to deceive people; the old man before them possessed real skill.

Li Sanjiang would chop here and stab there, stopping and starting, while muttering some old incantations.

These words were very muffled. To Li Zhuyuan's ears, they sounded a bit like the *Generals of the Yang Family* playing on a radio while his great-grandfather sat on the terrace to enjoy the evening breeze.

Li Sanjiang had slept well, and with so many people watching and cheering, he danced even more vigorously.

When a foul smell drifted in, Li Sanjiang decisively stopped

"Alright, the ghostly aura is gone, the demonic energy is cleared. Everyone can rest easy; there will be no more trouble here."

Everyone clapped and cheered.

Li Sanjiang stood with his sword, a subtle smile on his face.

He knew himself that the previous sequence of movements was meaningless, but since he hadn't taken extra money, it didn't count as profiting from promoting superstition; it was purely to give the villagers peace of mind and emotional value.

The golden juice in the plastic buckets was brought over, steaming and hot.

Many nearby villagers began to gag at the smell, and some even vomited, but despite this, not a single person moved to leave!

Especially those standing in the inner circle, where the smell was strongest, they still pinched their noses and watched intently, while those in the outer circle kept jumping around, afraid of missing the legendary moment.

It truly was a case of "smelling the stench, but seeing the glory."

Even Li Sanjiang's stomach churned, but he had to force himself to instruct the villagers to pour it.

A few meddlesome villagers had already wrapped wet cloths around their noses. They first pried open the mouths of the three Niu siblings and then used large ladles used for pig troughs to carefully pour it in.

Their hands didn't shake at all; they were incredibly steady, not dropping a single bit or spilling a drop; it was like pouring hot water into a bottle, with a "drip-drop" sound audible.

The first to be poured, Niu Fu, woke up and immediately lay on the ground to vomit.

Then came Niu Rui and Niu Lian.

Soon, the three siblings were vomiting together, and their own children brought fresh water for them to rinse their mouths.

The surrounding villagers were all beaming with joy, offering praise. Although the smell was unpleasant, it was truly effective!

Once the three Niu siblings finished vomiting, or rather, once they gradually adapted, they all burst into tears and ran to kneel before Li Sanjiang, wailing and thanking him while clutching his legs.

They retained some memory of the incident and had seen their own mother coming to claim their lives. If Li Sanjiang and the others hadn't been holding the ritual here today, they might truly have been taken away by that heartless old woman.

They were crying for their escape from death, so their cries were exceptionally sincere. Niu Lian, in particular, went on and on, praising Li Sanjiang as her reborn parent.

Her two brothers, just like they had during the funeral earlier, echoed her words like a chorus.

While comforting them, Li Sanjiang tried hard to push them away—partly because he found the smell on them too overwhelming, and partly because being called their "reborn parent" felt unlucky to him. This wasn't thanks; it was clearly a curse!

However, the firsthand testimony of the three Niu siblings waking up served to add another layer of aura to Li Sanjiang, Grandpa Shan, and Liu Jinxia in the hearts of the villagers.

After this, it was likely that anyone in this village or neighboring villages who encountered trouble would go to Siyuan Village to seek the Li family's corpse retriever.

After the crying, venting, and struggling ended, Li Sanjiang received the final payment from the Niu family.

Actually, the final payment wasn't much, as the custom for such matters was to pay most of it in advance, but this time the final payment was extra thick; it was quite a lot.

It seemed these three Niu siblings were only stingy with their own mother; toward their own lives and toward outsiders, they were quite generous.

Grandpa Shan squeezed the red envelope of profit, unable to suppress his grin, revealing his dark, toothless gums.

But when he turned to look and saw that the one in Li Sanjiang's hand was much thicker than his own, he felt a surge of chest tightness. It was always like this, every single time!

Liu Jinxia was fine; she wasn't particularly happy or sentimental, but she felt her face was still stinging. She didn't know if it was because her skin wasn't as thick as Grandpa Shan's, or if that boy Runsheng had been particularly merciless to her.

The three Niu siblings wanted to recognize Li Sanjiang as their godfathers, but Li Sanjiang refused without hesitation.

To this end, Li Sanjiang even pulled out a theory of fate, saying he was born with a solitary and baleful fate with no children, making him unsuitable for taking on godchildren.

Liu Jinxia found this explanation familiar; people in this profession all had a bit of a commercial image.

Before leaving, Li Sanjiang specifically instructed and reminded the three Niu siblings in front of everyone

"For anyone, whatever they do, every single account is recorded by the Heavens. My saving you this time is already an act of defying Heaven.

From now on, you must do good deeds, act with piety, and strive to accumulate merit. If your hearts are insincere or your intentions are impure, I fear you will encounter more misfortune before long.

That will be beyond my control; I can only help this far."

This was actually just the standard professional jargon of the industry—collecting the current profit and reputation first, then distancing oneself from future matters.

However, these words were recalled by the villagers not long after, causing them to once again give a thumbs-up to Li Sanjiang's skill, with some even calling him "Immortal Li."

As a result, when the Niu family's relatives later invited Li Sanjiang to "examine a patient" again, they did so with great respect.

But that is a story for another time.

In short, when the chaotic events finally ended, it was already past four in the morning.

Runsheng pushed out the cart. Li Sanjiang, Grandpa Shan, and Liu Jinxia sat down one by one. Li Zhuyuan had intended to get on as well, but he heard the sound of a bicycle bell behind him.

Turning around, he saw Uncle Qin.

"Great-grandfather, I'm going to ride in Uncle Qin's vehicle."

"Go on, go on. Go back and rest early."

Li Zhuyuan went to the bicycle. Uncle Qin picked him up and placed him on the front bar, then pushed the bike for a bit before mounting the seat.

Feeling a bit sleepy, Li Zhuyuan simply leaned against Uncle Qin's chest and dozed off.

Uncle Qin looked down at the boy in his arms, somewhat surprised. The boy hadn't even asked if he had been there the whole time.

This meant the prepared explanation went unused.

Returning from Shigang to Siyuan Village, the horizon had already begun to turn the white of a fish's belly.

"Uncle, get some rest early."

"Mm, you sleep early too."

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