Chapter Thirteen: Dueling with Shifu

  "Xiao Jun, Qi Bo's family has invited a Taoist priest. They say he's going to catch a ghost for Xiao Qing's sister. He's performing the ritual now, let's go take a look."

  I had just finished dinner and was about to study Hamlet diligently when my third sister came over with a mysterious look on her face.

  "What's going on?"

  I was taken aback for a moment.

  "Oh no, isn't Little Qing off sick these past few days? Master said it's the evil spirit haunting her, and tonight they're going to perform a ritual to catch the ghost."

  Ah, so that's what it was. No wonder I was stunned for a moment, it's been too long since I last heard about the "Master Wu catching ghosts" incident. What is referred to as Master Wu is actually the term we use here to call "Shen Han". In the 21st century, those who pretend to be gods and catch ghosts have gradually become outcasts, but in the 1970s, they were still rampant. The rural culture was backward, the masses lacked medical care, and when they fell ill, they wouldn't go to the hospital, instead they would invite Shen Han to catch ghosts and drive away evil spirits.

  Seeing me staring blankly, San Jie became impatient.

  "Are you going or not? If you're not going, I'll go with Second Sister."

  "I'm going. There's a lively scene, why not go?"

  "Alright, let's go together, hurry up."

  "It's pitch black outside and can't see the road, how are we supposed to walk?"

  "Oh no, you're really something, have you read too many books and gone silly? Second sister and little uncle are at the fire pit."

  I'm dizzy!

  It seems that even a flashlight is still a luxury, and at night, walking on the road relies on torches for lighting.

  Second sister held up a torch made of dry pine bark to lead the way, fourth brother also lit a torch to follow behind, and I walked in the middle with third sister. Originally, fourth brother was going to walk in front, but second sister was afraid of ghosts and didn't dare to be last, so she swapped positions with fourth brother.

  It's said to be a torch, but it's actually very dim, and the road surface can barely be seen. Fortunately, being familiar with the place, I know where there are ditches and bumps, so I don't have to worry about falling.

  The Liu family has three major surnames: Liu, Ruan, and Zhou. After hundreds of years of growth, most people in the village are related to each other. Seventh Uncle is my father's cousin brother. Coincidentally, according to the genealogy, my dad was the youngest in his generation, ranked 12th, and I am also the youngest in my generation, also ranked 12th. Considering that my dad is already 37 years old this year, his older cousins are all older than him, so it's unlikely that he will have another younger brother of the same clan, and this position as the youngest is basically mine. Therefore, although I am young, there are many nephews who call me "Uncle Ninth". In a few years, there may even be those who call me "Grand Uncle Ninth".

  Haha, what a relief!

  The Qi's home is located at the intersection of Liujiashan Brigade and Matawan Brigade, which is relatively remote. However, when we arrived, both inside and outside the house were packed with people, looking like a scene from an outdoor movie screening.

  It's just that there are too few entertainment activities in rural areas, and a "Master catches ghosts" can attract so many people to watch the excitement.

  I, a small and short kid, pulled Third Sister's hand, squeezed through the crowd like a loach, and entered the house. Young Uncle and Second Sister couldn't squeeze in, they could only stand outside the crowd on tiptoes and look inside.

  I'm not actually fond of joining in the commotion, but I really want to see the methods used by "Master Catching Ghosts". Let's take a look at what kind of tricks he uses to deceive these honest and simple villagers. After all, in my previous life when I was young, Master Catching Ghosts was an extraordinary figure in my eyes.

  In the main room of Qi Ba's house, two kerosene lamps were lit, casting a dim light. In the center of the room, a door panel was set up on two long benches, and a pale and thin girl curled up in a tattered quilt, groaning and moaning with pain.

  "Is this Little Green Sister?"

  I asked San Jie in a low voice.

  Third sister nodded, "uh-huh" and looked at me with a somewhat strange expression, as if the question was very silly. From third sister's demeanor, I should know Little Green Sister. The Liu family mountain big team has only about two hundred households, children of similar age often play together, and it is reasonable to be familiar with each other. Maybe it's just that my memory is too distant, but I don't have much impression of my childhood playmates.

  It seemed that Little Green Sister was only about 13 or 14 years old. However, at that time, people in rural areas generally suffered from malnutrition, and children developed more slowly. Little Green Sister curled up into a ball, making it hard to tell for sure, maybe she was even 15 or 16 years old.

  In the main room, there was another person, about thirty years old, with a fierce face and a sturdy physique, holding a wooden sword. He was probably tonight's protagonist - Shifu. The decorations were not particularly unusual. If it weren't for that wooden sword, his identity would be indistinguishable.

  In front of the master, a long bench was also placed, with a bowl of rice and two bowls of water on it. On top of the white rice were inserted three incense sticks that had been lit. The master swept his eyes around, a few hints of pride appearing on his face, then he raised his wooden sword, his left hand pinched into a sword finger gesture, muttering to himself as he began to perform his ritual.

  Not far from the master's side, there were two middle-aged men and women with white hair standing by, their hands hanging down, their faces solemn. They should be Seventh Uncle and Auntie.

  "Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits, the Great Supreme Elder Lord hastens as if by imperial decree..."

  I nodded secretly. It seems that this master is still a Taoist, and this incantation is not bad. Who knows what's next? The master just kept repeating "Heavenly spirit, earthly spirit" without saying another word.

  I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

  I don't know if he himself didn't learn the skills well or if his master had problems from the start, but it seems like he only learned this one sentence. This is a bit too far-fetched, right? Relying on just this one phrase and a black wooden sword, can he really swindle people out of food and money?

  This master is too unprofessional!

  He's just relying on the reputation of a master to deceive people. I have no interest in watching this unlearned and ignorant half-baked Taoist, I reckon he doesn't have any impressive magic tricks either.

  "Third sister, let's go back. It doesn't look good. I still have to review my lessons."

  I said it loudly on purpose.

  Everyone in the room suddenly focused their attention on me, including that master who only knew one sentence. Seeing me openly stirring up trouble, his eyes were somewhat fierce and his expression was very unfriendly.

  I stared back at him without hesitation.

  Third sister was startled and hastily scolded me: "Don't talk nonsense."

  At this time, the small Qing sister who was curled up suddenly let out a loud groan, covering her stomach and rolling around on the doorstep, with large beads of sweat rolling down from her pale yellow face.

  This is terrible, it seems like an acute attack of enteritis. If not treated in time, the consequences will be serious.

  The Seventh Uncle and his wife also became anxious, and hastily begged Master Shi to continue with the ritual.

  The master grunted, turned his head away, raised his wooden sword, and began to recite the phrase "Ji ji ru lü ling" again.

  "Seventh Uncle, stop listening to him recite scriptures and hurry up sending Little Qing to the clinic. If you're late, it'll be too late."

  Human life is at stake, I can no longer care about Master's face, and shouted loudly.

  "Kids, stop talking nonsense here, get out!"

  The master could no longer bear it, took two steps forward and shouted fiercely.

  I gazed at him coldly and said coldly: "Who's spouting nonsense? You're not a doctor, can you diagnose illnesses?"

  "You... She's not sick, she's possessed by a vengeful spirit, it's harming her. Once I catch the vengeful spirit, she'll be fine naturally. What do you kids know?"

  At this time, Xiao Qing's pain became even more severe, and her voice was a little hoarse.

  "You're talking nonsense. In broad daylight, where did this vengeful spirit come from? Little Qing is clearly seriously ill, if you don't hurry to the clinic and something happens to her, can you bear that responsibility?"

  Seeing him still pretending to be mysterious, I couldn't bear it anymore. I didn't care how others would look at me, a seven-year-old kid who speaks out of turn, and pointed directly at Master's nose, scolding him.

  "You..."

  The master's anger was so great that he clenched his fists, the veins on his neck bulging out. Judging from his demeanor, if I weren't a child, he would probably have swung a punch at me.

  "Whose child is this? Where are the adults at home?"

  "Oh no, Xiao Jun..."

  Qībó recognized me and hastily walked over, wanting to pull me out.

  I stretched out my hand and stopped Seventh Uncle, softened my tone and said to Master: "Master, no matter who you are, saving people is important."

  "Hey, you're quite bold! You're just a little kid who hasn't even grown all your hair yet, and you dare to lecture me? Get out..."

  The master was so angry that he grabbed my collar and pushed me out.

  I shrugged and pushed his hand away with a cold tone: "You don't care where you're from, I'm telling you, this is the Liu family mountain, my dad is Liu Jincai, deputy director of the Revolutionary Committee of the Red Flag Commune. If you dare to touch a single hair on me, tonight you won't be able to leave the Liu family mountain brigade intact! Don't believe it? Try it and see!"

  The master was taken aback at once.

  Although he may not have heard of Liu Jincai's great name, the surname Liu is the largest surname in the Liu family mountain, and he knows it. If I really beat this little kid, I'm afraid I won't be able to leave the Liu family mountain brigade.

  "Oh no, Little Jun, don't cause trouble here at Seventh Uncle's place... Master, master, he's just a child and doesn't understand things, please don't mind him, I beg of you to hurry up and perform the ritual to catch the ghost... My little Qing is almost gone..."

  The Seventh Uncle was so flustered that his words became incoherent.

  "Shifu snorted and said: 'Liu Qiuge, it's not that I don't want to help. With these kids causing trouble here, the rituals won't work.'"

  "Oh dear, Xiao Jun, you should hurry back home..."

  Qībó is a honest person, seeing me being completely unmoved, he hurriedly went to call Sānjiě again.

  "Xiao Yan, hurry up and take your brother back home..."

  Just as they were arguing, a "thud" was heard, and Xiao Qing rolled down from the door panel to the ground.

  I didn't have time to argue with the master, and rushed over. I saw that Xiaqing's face was pale, her teeth tightly biting her lower lip, and she had bitten out blood.

  "Little Qing, where does it hurt?"

  "This... here..."

  Xiao Qing covered her right lower abdomen with one hand.

  It may be acute appendicitis.

  I immediately lifted her clothes, reached out and pressed down on the lumbar region: "Is it painful here?"

  Xiao Qing's sister cried out in pain and weakly said: "It... it's here..."

  It must be acute appendicitis, the pain is so severe, I estimate it may have perforated. Although I wasn't a doctor in my past life, I still have some basic medical knowledge.

  "It's acute appendicitis, surgery is needed immediately. Hurry up and send him to the health clinic..."

  "Xiao Jun..."

  This time Qi Ba, this honest old man, could no longer bear it, let out a loud shout, and with a huff, rushed to my face, his complexion purpling.

  "Don't cause trouble here, go home quickly. Tomorrow I'll tell your dad and he'll give you a good beating!"

  I sighed and said: "Seventh Uncle, I am your nephew, Little Qing is my cousin, would I harm you?"

  Look at you pretending to be a grown-up, still playing the family card here. Seventh Uncle was both angry and amused, stuttering as he said: "Little Jun, what do you know as a child... Listen, go home quickly... Master is good at magic..."

  I was choked with anger. People say that being young is a capital, but being too young doesn't necessarily mean having thick capital. The truth is clear, yet no one wants to listen. I thought for a moment and slowly walked up to the arrogant-looking Shifu, saying: "Shifu, tell me honestly, is Xiaqing really possessed by a vengeful spirit?"

  "I..."

  "You'd better think carefully, this is a matter of life and death, no joking around. I'll be waiting right here for you to perform your magic to catch the evil spirit. If tonight you can't catch this vengeful ghost and cure Little Qing's illness, and someone dies because of it, I'll definitely get my dad to arrest you and put you on trial!"

  "You..."

  The master suddenly became somewhat pale and dared not to speak. It is necessary to know that the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution has been vigorously publicized for many years, and the master and witch doctors like him are the objects of attack. In the countryside, they would deceive and cheat the masses, but if they were really caught by the revolutionary committee, it wouldn't be a joke.

  "Haven't you left yet? Do you really want to go to jail?"

  I know for now, the only way is to remove the fire from under the pot. First, let's get rid of this master and then talk about it later.

  "Alright, alright, I'm leaving. Liu Laoqi, today it's not me, Xu Hu, who owes you an apology. In the future, if there are any more vengeful spirits haunting the Liu family mountain village, don't come looking for me..."

  The master stamped his foot and forced open the crowd at the door, fleeing in disarray.

  Haha, indeed a seasoned veteran, the donkey may fall but the saddle remains intact. Before leaving, still want to say a few harsh words to save face.

  "Hey, Master Xu... wait a minute..."

  Qī bó huáng máng zhuī le chū qù.

  Translation: Seventh Uncle hastily chased him out.

  I didn't bother with him and rushed out the door, shouting: "Young uncle, hurry up and get a few people to take Little Qing to the hospital."

  My little brother-in-law squeezed in, patted my head and scolded with a smile: "Little guy, still want to order me around?"

  "Oh no, little uncle, you're still joking at a time like this. Hurry up and save him! If my dad finds out that you refused to help someone in need, just wait till he scolds you!"

  I know Xiao Shu is usually afraid of Dad, so I had no choice but to bring out his signboard.

  This trick really worked, and Xiao Shu's face changed. He raised his hands: "Okay okay okay, I'll admit it..."