Chapter 235: Ghost Walker Rules
Chapter 235: Ghost Walker Rules
"Aunt Zhang, you picked such a unique little servant ghost..."
Hu Ma had been observing Aunt Zhang's actions and words since they set out, his curiosity growing. Now, he couldn't help but ask, "Unique? Why?"
"I thought Ghost Walkers would always choose more obedient ones," Hu Ma continued.
"..."
He remembered Yang Gong telling him about the Red Lantern Society, where many little servant ghosts served different purposes: some moved wealth, some delivered messages, some scouted for danger, and some even prayed for their masters' well-being. Of course, there was also Yang Gong's little servant ghost, which could only say auspicious words, and his own Little Red Apricot, who could do almost anything...
But what about Aunt Zhang's little servant ghost? It didn't seem particularly smart, with no head, and it looked like it could lose its paper head at any moment. It didn't seem very clever either.
Was it just meant to scare people?
After burning incense, Aunt Zhang returned and took out a piece of flatbread from her bag. She slowly nibbled on it, and when she saw Hu Ma's question, she explained, "If I didn't pick it, a big ghost would have eaten it. But I saw that the shopkeeper's little servant ghost was quite cute..."
Hu Ma turned to look and saw Little Red Apricot curiously squatting next to the headless little ghost. Aunt Zhang's posture was honest, and the headless little ghost was equally honest, just squatting next to the incense Aunt Zhang had lit, continuously inhaling the smoke.
Little Red Apricot poked it with a stick, but it didn't react.
"I inherited this one from my grandmother," Hu Ma said, filled with pride. "My grandmother was also a Ghost Walker, but she passed away early and didn't have time to teach me."
"You can tell that your little servant ghost has been well cared for and has developed a spirit," Aunt Zhang nodded. "But not every little servant ghost is so fortunate. Their fates aren't always good."
Hu Ma was slightly stunned, "What do you mean by that?"
"Raising little servant ghosts started with Ghost Walkers. Later, people from various sects and paths learned the practice," Aunt Zhang explained. "Initially, Ghost Walkers started raising little servant ghosts out of pity."
"My mother used to say that at some point, the Netherworld Gates opened, and the world suddenly saw an increase in evil spirits and malevolent auras. The increase in evil spirits not only made life harder for the living but also for these little ghosts. They are pitiful, having not enjoyed much of human life, and after death, they can neither enter the Netherworld nor the cycle of rebirth. They wander at night, bullied by larger ghosts, and some are even eaten by other evil spirits."
"That's why Ghost Walkers started taking in these pitiful little ghosts, raising them and feeding them incense and offerings. Over time, they developed some spirit and could help with errands and tasks. As more people started raising little servant ghosts, they discovered the benefits—how obedient and easy to please they are, and how diligent they are in their tasks."
"Of course, some people specifically raise powerful ones."
"..."
Aunt Zhang looked at Hu Ma curiously, "Why haven't you lit incense? What does your little servant ghost eat?"
Hu Ma was momentarily at a loss for words...
...Our little servant ghost doesn't eat incense anymore. It even refuses Green Food and only wants Blood Food.
"You've had a tiring day, Aunt. I appreciate your hard work."
He politely took out a water pouch and some dried meat, offering them to her, "Here, have some of this."
"No need," Aunt Zhang said, "I made several pounds of flatbread last night, and I haven't finished them yet."
"Then let's share. I'll try the flatbread you made."
Hu Ma smiled and took half a piece of flatbread from her, then gave her the buns and dried meat. The buns were a bit cold, but they could be warmed up by the fire.
Even if they were cold, it wouldn't be a problem. Ghost Walkers and Age Keepers who had tempered their five viscera were used to rough conditions. Even Zhou, the manager, who came from the Play Sect and had traveled extensively, was no stranger to such conditions.
Seeing Hu Ma's kindness, Aunt Zhang couldn't refuse. After taking a bit of the dried meat, she was clearly surprised but didn't overreact, just thanking Hu Ma quietly.
That night, they each slept beside the carriage, surrounded by the branches Aunt Zhang had planted and the incense she burned. It was Hu Ma's first night out, and he didn't dare sleep too soundly, keeping his weapons close.
But as the night passed, no evil spirits came near, which was quite surprising.
Usually, when people travel at night, they are more likely to encounter evil spirits, especially when carrying a coffin. Yet, nothing happened that night.
The next morning, they shared some food, each taking care of their own needs, and prepared to set out. As they were about to leave, Aunt Zhang pulled up the branches she had planted, dismantled the "Yang House," and burned some paper money on the spot.
She held a stick of incense in her hand, burning it while praying.
Hu Ma waited for her to finish and then curiously asked, "Aunt Zhang, you burned incense last night to ward off evil spirits, and I understand that. But why are you burning incense again today before we leave?"
"..."
Aunt Zhang explained, "I'm burning incense for the surrounding wronged spirits, thanking them for not disturbing us last night."
Hu Ma was curious, "Is it necessary to be so considerate?"
“
If we don’t burn and just leave, what would happen?”
“……”
“Probably nothing bad would happen….”
Zhang Agu’s dark, ruddy cheeks showed a hint of doubt as she said, “But these are the rules. My mother taught me this way, and the Ghost Walkers I met later also taught me the same. As long as a method works, we use it.”
Hu Ma, who had been curious about some issues during the Blue-robed Ghost disturbances, took the opportunity to ask, “It seems Ghost Walkers are very particular about rules?”
“Whether they are Ghost Walkers or from any other sect, everyone must follow the rules….”
Hearing this, Zhang Agu looked at Hu Ma with some surprise and said, “Without rules, we can’t get things done. When I help people exorcise evil spirits, I always start by following the rules.”
“If they listen to reason, you can have a chat with it, and it will leave. If it wants incense or offerings, we give it what it wants, and it will leave.”
“Everyone has a hard life. By following the rules, we can communicate more easily, and no one will make things difficult for each other.”
“……”
Hu Ma said, “But what if the living follow the rules, but the enemy doesn’t?”
Zhang Agu looked at Hu Ma and said, “When you encounter something that doesn’t follow the rules, you need to know how to deal with it.”
“If you can’t handle it, you can’t be a Ghost Walker.”
“……
“So, these rules… are for better communication?”
Hu Ma seemed to understand a bit.
If communication is the main goal, then having rules in place makes it easier to communicate.
Using dusk as a boundary, anything that comes out in broad daylight is considered to be breaking the rules. When you reason with it, it is already at a disadvantage.
By dividing yin and yang, evil spirits dare not disturb the living, and the living should not disrespect the ghosts and gods.
It’s about both sides taking a step back for mutual peace.
Of course, this is just the basics. Perhaps when Ghost Walkers set up their altars and make offerings, they also follow rules, such as giving offerings to forgive and doing what is required after receiving something.
But rules need to be maintained by power. Where does the power of Ghost Walkers come from?
He hadn’t figured it out yet, but he wasn’t in a hurry.
He felt that finding a Ghost Walker this time was the right decision, especially Zhang Agu, who, despite her plain appearance, seemed to be a Ghost Walker with a family legacy. She was knowledgeable and honest, and didn’t guard herself, telling him everything he asked.
They set out again, traveling on the main road, moving during the day and resting at night, heading straight for Anzhou.
To be honest, traveling in these times is always arduous, and even if you spend money, you might not find a comfortable place to stay.
Often, you can’t find lodging and have to stay in a roadside inn or borrow a place in a village.
Having a basin of hot water to wash your feet at night is already a luxury.
Moreover, Zhang Agu is an extremely pious and honest person, always following the rules in her actions and movements. Everyone respects her as a Spirit Escort, and they all follow her rules, making the journey even more challenging.
Watching her many actions along the way, Hu Ma found some of them reasonable, while others seemed overly rigid and even dull, but he listened to her.
He reminded himself that this trip was to gain knowledge and learn, so even if it was tiring, he didn’t complain.
One day, a sudden rainstorm in the afternoon caused the donkey cart to get stuck in the mud. Hu Ma helped lift it several times, and although the rain stopped, the delay meant they couldn’t reach the village thirty miles away to find lodging.
With no other choice, the group found a small, sunken rock hollow at the base of a cliff by the forest to rest.
The wet wood was hard to ignite, and the sky was overcast. It took a long time to start a small fire. They dried their clothes and heated their food by the fire. The rock hollow was small, and the dry spots were first given to the donkey, while the rest of them huddled in a corner, naturally feeling uncomfortable.
But after a tiring day, the warmth of the fire and the hot food made them drowsy, and they soon fell asleep.
Since the start of the journey, Hu Ma had been vigilant at night. He woke up in the middle of the night, feeling a cold wind on his face and instinctively reaching for his knife.
Suddenly, a hand pressed down on his arm, and he heard Zhang Agu whisper, “Don’t move….”
Hu Ma reacted quickly and stopped, looking out.
It was deep night, with no stars or moon. Hu Ma hadn’t refined his eyes yet, so he couldn’t see clearly. All he could see was the darkness around him. In the distance, deep in the forest, two lanterns floated out.
Focusing his eyes, he realized they were two maids carrying lanterns, their hair neatly combed.
They floated lightly to the edge of the forest, circled around, and softly said, “Are there any travelers?”
“It’s cold outside. Come with us to the village, have a bowl of hot soup?”
“……”
As they spoke, they circled around and went back into the forest. Hu Ma was about to speak, but Zhang Agu’s hand still held his arm. Sure enough, not long after, the two maids reappeared from the forest.
This time, they were paper figures, still floating and holding lanterns, their voices wooden as they said:
“Are there any travelers?”
“It’s cold outside. Come with us to the village, have a bowl of hot soup?”
(End of Chapter)
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