Upon a single glance, Zhao Ce spotted the young gentleman standing behind Zhao Yuanwai. This person was none other than Zhao Anming, Zhao Ce's former schoolmate and a man known for his high principles and exceptional talents. However, he was also the one responsible for Zhao Ce's downfall and expulsion from school, having instigated others to take revenge on him. Despite sharing the same surname, the two were not related, and Zhao Ce had always despised the way Zhao Anming treated him, constantly tripping him up and making his life difficult.
Zhao Anming had a group of followers due to his family's wealth, and they did not get along with Zhao Ce. One day, they decided to take revenge on Zhao Ce by leading him astray and engaging him in worldly pleasures, which eventually led to his expulsion from school. If Zhao Anming had known that his animosity towards one person had caused another's death, he would likely have been regretful.
Looking at Zhao Anming now, Zhao Ce's eyes flickered. "With such despicable behavior, how can he hope to receive blessings from the Buddha?" He was not yet prepared to seek revenge, but he considered the possibility of causing trouble for Zhao Anming's family. Moreover, they would have to thank him for it.
Meanwhile, Zhao Anming stood next to Zhao Yuanwai, growing impatient and questioning whether the starving ghost had truly appeared. Zhao Yuanwai replied that he did not know, but the fasting master had been meditating for six days without food or drink and still looked healthy. Zhao Anming could not explain it and fell silent.
Zhao Yuanwai then approached the master and praised him for his supposed accomplishment of fasting for six days. The master responded with a Buddhist chant and announced that he had lured out the starving ghost. He revealed that he would soon perform a ritual to exorcise the ghost, and Zhao Yuanwai and his wife expressed their gratitude and urged him to do so quickly.
The master agreed, and Zhao Yuanwai was elated, hoping to catch the ghost immediately. The people around them also expressed their excitement, believing that the ghost would finally be vanquished and peace would be restored to the household. However, Zhao Ce remained skeptical, watching the scene unfold with a wary eye.
After speaking, they waited for a while, but Zhao Yuanwai and his family continued to stare at the master. The master grew somewhat displeased. "What's wrong with these donors? Don't they know how to behave?" he thought to himself. "The Buddha doesn't need to eat, but does that mean that I, as a master, should also refrain from eating?"
Zhao Yuanwai, seeing that the master remained motionless, quickly asked, "Why haven't you started yet, Master? Is there something else you need?" The master glanced at the group of clueless people and calmly explained, "To lure out the starving ghost, I have not eaten or drunk anything for six days."
"But this starving ghost has been sucking my vitality for six days! Although I am still fasting, I cannot withstand the loss of my vital energy any longer. If I want to eliminate this starving ghost, I fear that my vital energy will be insufficient. I will have to borrow some power from the Buddha."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuanwai quickly apologized, "It was my negligence. Son, hurry!" His son reluctantly took out a bulging purse from behind him, and Zhao Yuanwai snatched it away, saying, "This is just a small token of appreciation from our family to offer to the Buddha. Please do not refuse it, Master."
The master glanced at the purse in his hand but quickly averted his gaze. A nearby monk accepted the purse on his behalf. The master then nodded in satisfaction and said, "Although these worldly possessions are of little use to me, I can put them towards building a new golden body for the Buddha. Zhao Yuanwai, your family is very virtuous and has great potential for Buddhahood. The Buddha will surely bless you."
Zhao Yuanwai grinned, his eyes almost disappearing into slits. His wife behind him clasped her hands together and bowed to the heavens joyfully. "Please begin the ritual soon, Master," Zhao Yuanwai urged.
The master raised his voice and declared, "Let us commence the ritual!" The servants around them quickly drove away the onlookers, creating a safe distance. Zhao Ce and Su Caier gradually moved to the front of the crowd. Su Caier was thrilled to be able to see the Buddha up close. She was looking forward to paying her respects later. "Surely, the Buddha will hear my wishes," she thought to herself.
At this point, the incense on the offering table had been re-lit. There were three large incense sticks and three small ones, as well as three large red wax candles in front of the incense burner. In addition, there was a piece of white paper cut into the shape of a turtle and an empty yellow paper on the table. A pot of water was also placed beside the offering table.
The master declared grandly, "Bring me my Zen staff made from thousand-year-old iron!" A crisp Zen staff was brought up by a young monk behind him. The master took it and struck it on the ground with a loud thud. The people around him were amazed by his graceful and effortless movements.
The master chanted, "Maharimaharimong, evil spirits, and ghosts, reveal yourselves!" "Behold my great power as the heavenly dragon!" He then struck the Zen staff on the ground again, making a clanging sound.
Everyone around him took a step back and exclaimed in awe. Zhao Ce couldn't help but suppress a smile as he watched the master's actions. This master was indeed a skilled martial artist. Su Caier also followed the people around her and exclaimed in surprise from time to time.
At this moment, everyone was watching the master's heroic posture. No one noticed that Su Caier had raised her head, revealing a pair of eyes that were not quite like those of ordinary people. Zhao Yuanwai saw the master's enthusiasm and was also drawn to him. He took a step to the side to get a better look. In that instant, he seemed to catch a glimpse of a familiar figure.
Once the master finished his half-set of martial arts, his eyes quickly moved in one direction. He pointed his Zen staff and made a clanging sound, shouting, "The ghost is over there!" He then picked up the paper-cut turtle on the table and put it directly into the pot of water next to it, shouting, "Behold my divine turtle guiding the way!" To everyone's surprise, the turtle came to life as soon as it touched the water, swimming frantically in the pot. Finally, the head of the turtle pointed in the same direction that the master had just indicated.
The onlookers all looked in the direction that the turtle was pointing. Zhao Ce, who had just walked over there, looked at the crowd in confusion. Someone exclaimed in fear, "The starving ghost is over there!" "Is Zhao Ce the starving ghost?" "This is not good!"