"Mr. Qin, what are the Feng Shui considerations for this cemetery?"
Mo Yongxin asked as they arrived at the new cemetery. Everyone turned their gaze towards Qin Yu, as the choice of cemetery naturally involved Feng Shui principles. They all awaited Qin Yu's explanation.
"The Feng Shui of a cemetery emphasizes facing a beautiful mountain and having a favorable location."
Qin Yu pointed towards the mountain on the opposite side and said, "The mountain facing this cemetery is called Chao Shan. The tomb should be higher if the mountain is higher and lower if the mountain is lower. If the mountain is too high, it may oppress the tomb, so it should be positioned higher to gather energy. If the mountain is low, there is a risk of dispersing energy, so the tomb should be positioned lower to find the accumulation of sand. Look at that mountain across from us; it is only as high as the peak of Wudao. Therefore, this cemetery should be located on the halfway up the mountain."
Everyone followed Qin Yu's gesture and looked over. Indeed, the mountain on the opposite side was not tall. Qin Yu then pointed to the ground beneath their feet and continued:
"In addition to facing the mountain, cemetery Feng Shui also emphasizes gathering energy in a bright hall. Look at this terrain; it is flat and lacks steep slopes. The slopes on both sides are gently rising, perfectly blocking the wind. The placement of the tomb requires a sitting position facing the empty space. This bright hall is exactly a favorable Feng Shui spot."
As the classic Chinese medical text, the "Zhu Ge's Inner Canon," elaborately explained the significance of a bright hall for a cemetery, Guo Pu's burial book also mentioned, "When energy mounts, the wind disperses, and it stops at the boundary of water." This boundary of water refers to the bright hall, which undoubtedly accumulates wind and gathers water.
"However, the only problem with this place's Feng Shui is the water."
Qin Yu changed his tone and went straight to the stream. A stonemason had built a corridor water channel according to Qin Yu's request, but the stream was not yet flowing into it.
"In Feng Shui, if there is no place for water to accumulate, it cannot be considered an auspicious spot. Look at this stream; it flows out from the canyon and mountain stream, passes through the bright hall, but forms a funnel shape. In Feng Shui, water symbolizes wealth and fortune. This funnel-shaped water is a sign of significant financial loss."
"Since that's the case, why did you still choose this place, Master Qin?"
Someone puzzledly asked, seeking an explanation.
Qin Yu glanced at the person and smiled before explaining, "Genuine naturally-formed Feng Shui treasures are extremely rare in this world. Moreover, with the assistance of Feng Shui masters throughout the dynasties, helping others find such treasures, naturally-formed Feng Shui spots have become extremely scarce."
Qin Yu was not exaggerating. During this period, he had examined the works of many Feng Shui masters and gained some insights. Everyone desires Feng Shui treasures, but over the years, there have been very few naturally-formed ones left. Later Feng Shui masters mostly altered the Feng Shui of the cemetery. As long as it met one or two essential characteristics, they would modify the terrain and increase constructions to change the Feng Shui conditions.
That's why, starting from the Ming Dynasty, many noble families began constructing buildings outside their burial sites, while ancient people's burial sites generally contained more mysteries within.
"In addition to the water formation, the position of this water mouth is also unfavorable. From the compass direction, the water flows from right to left, and exits in the Bing position, along with the Hai position. Such a pattern in Feng Shui is called 'the thief's head is destined to suffer calamity.' After burial, the first generation of descendants will become extremely wealthy and prosperous, the second generation will not produce worthy successors, and the third generation will have many disabled or mentally ill individuals. From then on, it will be passed down to single generations."
"Then, is this newly constructed corridor for changing the water formation and water mouth?"
No one present was a fool. They heard Qin Yu describe the dangers of the water but still chose this cemetery. When they saw the newly constructed water channel, everyone understood.
"Yes, this water channel is indeed intended to change the water formation and water mouth. The water flowing from right to left and exiting in the Bing position is originally good water, but it violates the Hai position. If we guide it towards the Zi position, it becomes a good water vein."
Qin Yu explained this to everyone. However, there were other things to do at the moment. The grave had been dug, and while Qin Yu was explaining, someone had already set up a table with offerings and various props.
Similar to the actions of breaking the soil and digging the grave, Qin Yu performed the customary rituals, paying respects to the mountain deities in all four directions. He then asked an elderly person to insert the ancestral spirit-invoking rod into the central position, symbolizing the return of ancestral spirits.
He lit the Yin Dwelling Deed, indicating that this burial site already had an owner and that other lost souls and wandering spirits should not approach. He recited the sutra for the deliverance of the deceased, and the young members of the Hao family reverently paid their respects before proceeding to the next step: placing the coffin in the grave.
Before lowering the coffin, Qin Yu picked up three yellow slips and set them on fire before tossing them into the grave. This was called "warming the grave." After the warming ritual, he sprinkled the blood-soaked soil from the red hemp cloth bag into the grave and spread the colorful grains. Only after completing these actions did he nod to the others.
Eight young people, who would carry the coffin, received the signal. With one hand tied to the multicolored ropes and the other holding the coffin, they steadily placed it into the grave. Qin Yu stood in the grave and took out the Seeking Dragon Plate, occasionally adjusting the position of the coffin. This was for orientation, where any deviation was unacceptable.
Orientation refers to the direction the head of the coffin faces. It is the most crucial step in lowering the coffin, as the position must face an auspicious direction. There are thirty-six directions in total, and if the direction is mistaken, it can have a significant impact on future generations.
After manipulating it for over ten minutes, Qin Yu finally confirmed the auspicious orientation of the coffin. He emerged from the burial pit, took out two talismans from his pocket, which he had drawn the previous day. They were called "Ancestral Burial Talismans" and originated from the Zhu Ge's Inner Canon.
He attached the two talismans, one at each end of the coffin, and clasped his hands together. He began to chant, starting with a faint voice that gradually grew louder until it resembled the tolling of a bell, echoing through the mountains and forests.
"The gate of heaven opens, the door of the earth is closed, the golden rooster crows, the jade rabbit bites. The living souls disperse, and the deceased souls return. The deceased have gone to the western realm, and the dead souls return to enter the tomb. They encounter the heavenly officials in the east and the heavenly mothers in the west. I pray for the central Wugui earth to bring peace and stability!"
Qin Yu's voice echoed through the mountains and forests. The Soul-summoning Banner fluttered autonomously, while the smoke from the 1.8-meter-high cigarette on the desk drifted towards the grave. The onlookers saw the smoke enveloping the entire tomb, causing the birds in the trees to spread their wings and fly away as if they had seen something terrifying. At this moment, apart from Qin Yu's chanting, there was silence.
"Majestically rising, the sun in the east. I have come here today entrusted by the descendants of the Hao family to pay respects at this grave. Return, golden snake to its den, jade rat to its storehouse. Evil spirits and ghosts, why haven't you retreated? Let the master reclaim his place."
With an angry glare, Qin Yu fixed his gaze deep into the western corner of the forest. As soon as his words fell, the trees in the western corner rustled, and a mournful wind howled, accompanied by a wailing sound filled with resentment.
"This grave belongs to the Hao family. You, wandering spirits and evil beings, how can you bear the scent of incense and dwell in this auspicious place?"
Wu~ Wuwu~
As Qin Yu spoke, the mournful wind in the western corner of the forest intensified, seemingly responding to him.
"Could this truly be a ghost?"
Mo Yongxing's face turned pale. It wasn't just him; everyone present felt their hairs stand on end. The scene was too eerie, and coupled with the implications in Qin Yu's words, at this moment, everyone turned their gaze towards the western corner of the forest, feeling as if something terrifying was lurking there, silently watching over the grave.
The mournful westerly wind persisted for a while before finally dissipating, as if something had departed. The people collectively breathed a sigh of relief; that scene had truly frightened them.
Qin Yu also let out a long sigh. His back was drenched in sweat. As recorded in the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, mountain burials were most likely to attract attention from certain entities, especially in places with excellent Feng Shui. He hadn't expected it to be so accurate. Fortunately, he had prepared burial charms; otherwise, all his efforts would have been in vain if those entities had taken over the grave.
Thinking of this, he felt a hint of relief. He hadn't yet begun to modify the water formation and water entrance of this burial site. It wasn't considered a prime Feng Shui spot. Otherwise, it might have attracted even more powerful entities, and he might not have been able to suppress them.
Next was the burial and sealing of the grave, tasks that the Hao family members would handle. Qin Yu approached the Mo siblings and noticed that Mo Yongxing's gaze towards him was strange, with a hint of wariness and fear.
"Qin Yu, were there really ghosts in the west? Were you conversing with them?"
"Ghosts? I can't really say what they were. I prefer to think of them as a type of energy different from human aura."
"Energy?" Mo Yongxing was puzzled.
"From the perspective of our Feng Shui practitioners, all things in the world are generated by energy. Different species have different energy fields, and even within the same species, there are variations in energy fields. Taking humans as an example, our fundamental energy fields are the same, but they differ on an individual level. From a dialectical perspective, it is the unity of universality and particularity."
"So-called ghosts, in my opinion, are a type of energy that has taken on a special form. The energy field of a person doesn't necessarily dissipate after death. Due to certain reasons, it undergoes mutation and forms a new energy field. Since we don't understand this type of energy field, we label it as ghosts."
"If it's an energy field, why can't we trace it?" Mo Yongxin pondered, continuing to ask.
"It's not that it can't be traced. Whether in modern times or in the past, there have been many legends about ghosts. There is even a belief in rural areas that newborn babies can see ghosts. This indicates that the energy field of ghosts is similar to that of newborns, and in some aspects, ghosts are even more fragile than babies."
Qin Yu explained enthusiastically. These were not contents from the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon; rather, they were his own interpretations. After acquiring the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, he had researched the concept of ghosts and searched for information online, eventually arriving at this conclusion.
"Since ghosts are a special type of energy field, how did Mr. Qin communicate with them?" Mo Yongxin's pupils brightened, showing a keen curiosity.
"We know that energy fields are formed by similar frequencies of energy. It's like our radio waves—different waves have different frequencies. But through certain special methods, we can temporarily adjust the frequencies of the waves to match or communicate with each other."
"The frequency of an energy field can be changed too?" Mo Yongxing was astonished, his mouth slightly agape, displaying an expression of disbelief.
Qin Yu glanced at him, smiled, and said, "Of course, it can be changed. When Feng Shui practitioners assess the Feng Shui of a person, they actually alter the energy field. They create a beneficial energy field for the living or the deceased, and this energy field can be transmitted to the descendants of the deceased, which is what we call ancestral blessings."
"Doesn't that mean a person can also become a ghost?"
"In theory, it's possible, but the conditions are very demanding. It is said that in ancient times, some extraordinary individuals could have out-of-body experiences and roam like ghosts. However, such occurrences are unheard of in modern times."
The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon recorded that Zhuge Liang had once had his soul leave his body at night to gather intelligence on enemy movements. But achieving an out-of-body experience and entering a state of nocturnal roaming is extremely difficult. It requires profound cultivation and the assistance of certain special objects. Unfortunately, such objects have nearly vanished in the present day.