Upon seeing Mr. Chu's countenance at this moment, Jian Yu Mei was greatly astonished. Why had Mr. Chu's face transformed into the visage of that ancient lady from the night the lightning struck?
The face before her now, filled with resentment, Jian Yu Mei knew, belonged to that princess from the Han Dynasty.
She extended her arms, reaching towards herself.
Jian Yu Mei was taken aback. He dodged, and the female ghost grasped at thin air.
However, the female ghost was relentless, still reaching out towards Jian Yu Mei with both hands.
Just as it seemed she was about to seize Jian Yu Mei by the neck, he struggled incessantly. Then, inadvertently, Jian Yu Mei flicked his right hand, and the string of prayer beads given by the master suddenly emitted a peculiar light. The female ghost was immediately enveloped by the light, letting out a shrill scream before collapsing to the ground.
Yet, when Jian Yu Mei took another look, she had vanished without a trace, leaving only Mr. Chu lying on the ground, his face gradually reverting to its original form.
"Mr. Chu, Mr. Chu, wake up!" Jian Yu Mei called out.
"I am awake!" Mr. Chu replied, promptly rising to his feet!
"Was I just being held hostage by that female ghost?" Mr. Fan asked.
"Yes, it was quite perilous; you were completely transformed into her!" Jian Yu Mei replied.
"Yes, at that moment, as I was speaking those words, I suddenly saw her, and then she took control of my body! Actually, I was still aware, but she thought I knew nothing!" Mr. Chu said.
"It seems this female ghost is not ordinary!" Jian Yu Mei remarked.
"Yes, indeed. In fact, I deliberately lured her here. While we were talking, she had been by our side all along, so I intentionally uttered those words to provoke her! At that time, when she came, I was fully conscious, and I let her play her hand. I've been curious to see what she would do and what other means she still possessed!" Mr. Chu said.
"Later, she was injured by the master's Buddhist beads and had already lost much of her power. She could no longer harm anyone!" Mr. Chu said.
"Oh, Mr. Chu, you are truly remarkable. Had I known, I wouldn't have worried like this!" Jian Yu Mei said.
"Jian Yu Mei, you are also extraordinary. You remained calm at that time, which surprised me, especially considering your young age!" Mr. Chu said.
"Now, what shall we do, Mr. Chu!" Jian Yu Mei said.
"Originally, I was afraid of causing disturbances to the natural order and had no intention of acting against her. I wanted things to unfold naturally! I hadn't thought of making her disappear from here, but since she acted contrary to that, even the King of Hell would not condone her actions. I believe we can only find a way to help her return to nature and cease lingering here! A tiger doesn't show its might; is it not akin to a sick cat?" Mr. Chu said.
"What about my father?" Jian Yu Mei asked.
"Likewise, he cannot always be confined here. Since he has already departed from this world, let him reincarnate properly. Once the karmic debts of his past life are settled, he will be free in his next life!" Mr. Chu said.
"Thank you, Mr. Chu!" Jian Yu Mei said, suddenly bursting into tears again.
"Don't cry; everything is predetermined. When you understand later, you will view everything calmly! Whether it's life and death, or the coming together and parting of people!" Mr. Chu said.
By now, the sky was already beginning to brighten. Mr. Chu stood on the flat ground, forming various hand seals with his hands, and then reciting numerous incantations.
From somewhere, he drew a peach wood sword, unsheathing it. With a swing of his long sword, a long table suddenly appeared in front of him. Then, with another swing of the sword, some peach wood tokens appeared on the table, along with many yellow paper talismans.
But he muttered to himself, and soon those yellow paper talismans were wafting in the air, and then those peach wood tokens also floated into the air, dancing in the sky.
At this moment, Mr. Chu pointed his peach wood sword, and those talismans and peach wood tokens ignited automatically.
"Spirits of heaven and earth, thousand-year grudge, depart today and be reincarnated as humans! Hasten to be reborn!" Mr. Chu recited!
At this moment, Jian Yu Mei suddenly noticed that the green smoke from the burning talismans had transformed into two human faces.
Jian Yu Mei saw that one was her father's face, and the other was the face of that Han Dynasty princess. The two faces intertwined repeatedly in the air.
The face of the princess, unwilling several times, tried to rush towards Mr. Chu. However, every time she attempted to pounce, Mr. Chu would take out a talisman written in bright red blood from his bosom. Mr. Chu sprinkled the talisman into the air, then pointed his peach wood sword, causing the talisman to ignite and rush towards the princess, who would then scream and retreat.
After several rounds of battle, the princess gradually gave up resistance. It seemed she had exhausted all her tricks.
Then, a gust of wind blew, and the green smoke dissipated, and everything disappeared. The long table vanished, as did the peach wood sword. It was as if nothing had ever happened.
At this moment, Mr. Chu sat cross-legged on the ground, motionless.
After a long while, Mr. Chu opened his eyes: "It's done; they have all gone to be reborn! This karmic bond has disappeared!"
"My father and that Han Dynasty princess have both gone to be reborn?" Jian Yu Mei asked.
"Yes, they are now on the path of reincarnation!" Mr. Chu said.
"Then where has my mother gone now?" Jian Yu Mei asked.
"Your mother has been enlightened by a master and has already been reincarnated as a human! Don't worry!" Mr. Chu said.
But Jian Yu Mei, thinking of being alone, couldn't help but feel sorrowful again, and she cried once more.
"Jian Yu Mei, stop crying. Get up; from now on, you will follow me. Do you agree?" Mr. Chu said.
Upon hearing Mr. Chu's words, Jian Yu Mei hurriedly knelt down to Mr. Chu: "Master, please accept this disciple's bow!"
"Good, Jian Yu Mei, I have a lot of skills that should be taught to someone. Otherwise, I would really be letting down my sect! Get up. From now on, you shall call me Master!"
"Master!" Jian Yu Mei cried again.
"All right, my good disciple, stop crying. Life is predetermined; you must be strong. Look at the countless people in this era living like pigs and dogs, losing their lives like pigs and dogs. Most people are tenaciously clinging to life. We are cultivators; we must live well. We must also help others. That is our mission. Remember that!" Mr. Chu said.
"I will remember! From
now on, I will do my best to help those in need and those families!" Jian Yu Mei said.
"Yes, remember, there is a way even in stealing. That is the highest realm of a thief! No matter what we steal!" Mr. Chu said.
"I will remember. There is a way even in stealing. I will promote Master's skills widely!" Jian Yu Mei said.
Their voices drifted across the land of Central Plains, echoing far away.