When we are liberated from shackles, discarding petty concepts and desires, standing naked in the sunshine, all terrors will seem extremely childish.
Title:
In this vast universe, how could there be ghosts and demons? It is none other than the evil that arises from within! The authors of ancient texts, such as Qianbao's "Soushen" and Liu Quan's "Liaozhai", both use ghosts to illustrate human nature, revealing the world of yin and manifesting the world of yang... No exception. Using bronze as a mirror can help one adjust one's attire, while using ghosts as a mirror can help establish human relationships. I, Qing, am not talented, and my writings are no exception. I imitate the wisdom of the past and highlight the present, hoping to use the mouths of demons to clearly express the spirit of the world, and to use the bodies of gods and monsters to eulogize the spirit of bravery. It is not a mere idle talk about ghosts and gods, but a true expression of my heart. Everyone should take heed.
Walking alone beside the bamboo mountain
The cross-shaped pagoda represents a loyal heart
There is no spring and autumn in the human world
"With unwavering sincerity, I stir the winds and clouds."
- Pen-spirit claiming lives
"Hua Xia University of Science and Technology" is located in the urban-rural transition zone of H City. Its predecessor was a coal mine club originally opened by the Japanese during the Pacific War. After being occupied by our army, it was converted into a school. The age of the school remains to be verified in detail by archaeologists.
When I first arrived here, I only had one suitcase with me, containing a copy of "A General Discussion on Landscapes" that I have been flipping through for over a decade without fully understanding. Everything else, including my past, was left behind in Zhongnan Mountain.
As we were about to leave the mountain, Master said, "That place will be your 'blessed land'. Your true life, whether it's as a Taoist or an ordinary person, will begin there. If you cling to the worldly affairs, the worldly affairs are not real. If you break through the worldly affairs and transcend the void, you will see the three pure beings of my Tao. You have no roots and no destiny, so you will naturally be as light as a swallow..."
Seeing my confusion, Master explained further: "What I mean is, don't rely on your senior apprentices just because they are there. They may not be able to help you in critical situations. As for your living expenses, I will send them on time. Since you have no connection with the Three Pure Ones, don't come back in the future, and I will no longer recognize you..."
I have to admit that I was extremely scared at that time. Master has been practicing Dao for decades and has long opened his "Heavenly Ear", which means he possesses the legendary ability of foresight and precognition. In our Daoist tradition, we call this "the Venerable". Naturally, the Venerable would not say something strange or peculiar for no reason, unless he predicted something bad. But unfortunately, he never agreed to tell others what he had predicted. Even when I pleaded with him at that time, he still said the same thing to me: "The destiny is predetermined, life and death are determined by fate. I just know it in advance..."
For such an answer, I can only marvel at it... The more he says that, the more uneasy I feel, always feeling as if something big is about to happen. It seems that when disaster strikes, it can instantly turn my life into nothing. Therefore, my fear has grown with each passing day. Logically speaking, as a Taoist priest, my reaction to things like demons and monsters should not be so strong. But if I know that something will happen, but I don't know what kind of thing it will be, and there is speculation, sometimes all I can feel is fear. Just waiting helplessly for disaster to come, seemingly looking forward to its early arrival, but also very afraid of its arrival
Hua Xia University of Science and Technology is located at the foot of a high mountain and beside a great river, with scenic views and excellent Feng Shui. According to the records in "General Discussion on Landscape", "Where there is water, there must be prosperity. Where the land is auspicious, there will be no shortage of talents, and those who are capable will flourish like the sixty-year cycle of the Chinese lunar calendar. I don't quite understand classical Chinese, but the meaning is that a place with good Feng Shui will surely produce a succession of talented individuals. However, as far as I know, this school has never produced a single person who is famous or impressive since its establishment. The only notable graduate was a county magistrate who was imprisoned for corruption last year.
A few years ago, when the leaders of the school's admissions office introduced the school, they would always say, 'Hua Xia University of Technology has produced a county mayor. Among schools of the same level, no other school has had such a thing happen. This has also brought many students who came to admire the school's reputation. They said, 'If we can't make a lot of money, we will strive to become the next or the next county mayor. At that time, we can earn some spare money for food, drink, sleep, and so on... and be satisfied and happy.' However, since the county mayor who had always been talked about by the school went to prison for corruption, when people mention this person again, it has become an unhealed scar on the school. The school leaders secretly scolded that person a lot. Later, after there was no other way, the school actually unanimously announced that the school never had that person.
I deeply sympathize with this situation. After all the efforts, a figure who boasts impressive achievements was finally produced, who could bring some glory to the school. However, before the glory was fully achieved, he tarnished the school's reputation, leaving it in a mixed state. I am also very puzzled about this... I wonder if the school's feng shui is not good, and it has incurred the wrath of some deity or spirit
Later, my senior brother told me that the reason for this was because the school happened to be built on the "dragon's head". Despite its excellent Feng Shui, it has always lacked someone who can tame the dragon, and naturally cannot enjoy its blessings. He suddenly changed the topic and said, "Maybe you are the one. Only you can tame it when you come.".
Nonsensical talk always pleases the ear. I admit, after hearing my senior's words, I felt quite comfortable. I genuinely wish I were the one who could "tame the dragon". People all hope to be special and stand out, which is a common fault.
But I have no idea where that "dragon" is. What I'm facing now is a more realistic problem:
My senior forced me to live on campus or rent a house by myself. This is the first unchangeable fact I encountered here. Despite the beautiful scenery and advantageous geographical conditions of the school, everyone came here with a good attitude of "never getting tired of seeing green mountains and enjoying flowing water". However, the accommodation conditions in the school are really poor. The small dormitory has ten people in one room, and the large dormitory has twelve people in one room, which aptly demonstrates the "spirit of collectivism". More people mean more work. The old man who cleans the sanitation thinks that the work is too heavy and the salary is too low, so he went to the mountains to break stones for thirty yuan a day. Due to the harsh conditions and low salary in the school, there was no one to apply for the cleaning job when it was advertised. Not long after, the dormitory building was filled with mountains of garbage and sewage, and the response from everyone was not effective. Therefore, the number of people renting houses outside the school doubled every day. However, within a week, there were no houses available near the school. We, the revolutionary comrades who were slow to move, had to inquire and continue living from the "ocean of garbage" to the "ocean of books" on a two-point line.
Reality is like a train that is constantly accelerating, heading towards a dark direction that we cannot foresee. We sit on it unaware, mistaking the journey for the destination.
I thought life was like this, constantly accepting new systems, adapting to new environments, and making new friends. These are unavoidable, but it doesn't necessarily mean they're good things. For instance, I spent three months becoming good friends with Si Mao and others from strangers. Then, with the determination of "where there's a will, there's a way", we walked through the streets and alleys near the school, hoping to rent a suitable house. By suitable, I mean a place that is spacious enough and reasonably priced. Undeniably, such good things don't happen often, just like how someone might win a five-million-yuan jackpot every month, but it seems like you'll never win. It's the same principle. Of course, if my senior brother is willing to help, I believe things will be much easier. But every time I go to him, he always says: "It's better to rely on oneself than on others. I don't know many people in this place, so how do I know where to rent a house? You should look for it yourself slowly.".
I feel that he must be perfunctory with me for some reason, and I even think it's the master's intention. However, facing his perfunctory attitude, what can I say? After all, it's my own business. Later, I thought, why didn't I ask to live directly at his house in the beginning? This way, not only can I save on rent, but I can also enjoy free meals. Why not? When I was about to implement it, I thought, am I not being a bad person, disturbing the happy and harmonious life of the young couple? So I gave up this idea.
Unable to find a house, we have no choice but to put on a smile and pretend to be happy as we continue to navigate through the 'ocean of garbage' in search of knowledge. Strange to say, although I eagerly hope to fly out of this ocean of garbage, I still feel at ease living here, perhaps because there are so many people. Isn't there a saying that goes, 'When there are many people, you won't be afraid of ghosts'? This saying applies to me now. Although my knowledge is not deep, based on what my master has said and my own predictions, I feel that something major is about to happen to me. Therefore, with so many friends accompanying me in this 'ocean of garbage', in such a popular place, perhaps demons and ghosts dare not come. At this moment, I actually feel at ease. Perhaps this is what is called, when you can't get what you want, you have to console yourself by putting on a brave face and letting others think what they want.
Such days passed, and it was half a month. Heaven helps those who help themselves. When I could no longer console myself, unexpectedly, a piece of pie fell from the sky, as if someone deliberately didn't want me to starve to death..
One day after school, I was lying on my bed in the dormitory, idly thinking, when Si Mao ran into my room unusually excited and told me:
"I found a nice house, but it's a bit far, about three miles away from the school."
My eyes immediately lit up, and I sat up excitedly, feeling that a happy life was about to begin.
"It doesn't matter if it's far away, the key is how the house is!"
"No need to say more, it's a three-bedroom, one-living room apartment, guaranteed to meet your satisfaction.".
"Three bedrooms and one living room? How much would that cost?" I touched my pocket and wondered.
Simao said rather smugly:
"100 yuan per month, prepaid for one year. How does that sound? Not expensive, right?"
"What? Is there such a good thing?"
"Don't stare at me yet. I'll take you to see it after school, and then you'll know."
Simao is right. The house is indeed very nice, with three bedrooms and one living room, and all the furniture is made of antique rosewood. On the living room wall, there are several oil paintings of the Venetian school from the Renaissance period, including works by Giorgione and Titian.
Upon first sight of this house, the four of us were secretly delighted, thinking we had struck a bargain. I whispered to Simao, "Is the price you mentioned real?"
Simao patted his chest and said, "Bro, when have I ever cheated you?"
When I called the landlord and asked why he would rent out such a nice house, the old man, hunched over, replied calmly, "I'm getting old and can't take care of myself. I'm preparing to move to a nursing home. The house is empty anyway, so I might as well earn some pocket money..."
Such a bargain fell upon us! It seems that when luck comes, one can't even hide from it! However, amidst our excitement, we all forgot the old saying: "Cheap things are rarely good." The cheaper something is, the more problematic it tends to be
Everyone joyfully passed a week without any significant events. As the saying goes, "Still waters run deep." This was indeed true. This dispelled everyone's concerns and worries, and they lived their lives with peace of mind,
I never believed that pie would fall from the sky. But when it actually happened one day, I still didn't believe it, because by then, I had already been stunned by the pie, and in fact, I was eating the pie that had fallen from the sky. There were four of us, and we were reveling in the joy of having found a great bargain.
On Friday, after school, I opened the door to my room with a heavy heart, preparing to go inside and think about things. Before I could even walk over, Simao rushed out of his room and pulled me back. I was already suspicious, and his sudden appearance scared me a lot. Before I could even criticize him, he actually spoke before me.
"Qingzi, have you heard that Juanzi is dead? She was studying Buddhism and was said to be a girl who could perform magical spells."
I was stunned and asked, "You also know?"
"Of course, I'm a student leader. I just came back from the scene."
"I also went to the scene, and there were so many people, with dozens of police officers alone."
"Yes, but why didn't I see you?"
"Forget it, the police stopped us from entering. I just watched from outside for a while and then went out to play. Sigh... At such a young age, why would you take your own life? It's really..."
"Qingzi..." Si Mao suddenly looked at me with a strange gaze and asked a random question: "Do you really think she committed suicide?"
"What... do you mean?"
Simao said coldly, "The police can't find the cause of death, so they have to claim it was a suicide to the outside world. That's why the school has to strongly seal off the news. Juanzi's death is too bizarre!"
"Strange? How so?"
Simao began to speak eloquently, and the more I listened, the more chills ran down my spine. I didn't know there were so many stories behind this incident. The afternoon before Juanzi died, someone saw her coming down from the "Yingzuishan" behind the school with a nervous expression, wearing a bright red dress and walking very fast. No one knew where she came from or where she was going... The next day, when someone saw her again, she was lying peacefully with her eyes closed in the bathtub of the rented house, already dead. Strangely, forensic medical examination showed that Juanzi had no injuries on her body, nor were there signs of illness or poisoning, making suicide or homicide impossible. What's more, when people found her body, it was already stiff and smelly. According to medical common sense, the person had been dead for at least three days, yet yesterday afternoon, more than one person saw her coming down from the mountain
After Simao finished speaking, I was completely stunned: Juanzi is the second disciple of the esteemed "Xibo Sect", and her Taoist cultivation is presumably not inferior to mine. Therefore, the possibility of her being "killed by a monster" (a term used in the magical world to refer to being killed by a monster while subduing one) is unlikely. Moreover, in such an ordinary place, there shouldn't be any powerful ghosts lurking around. So, what could have caused a person from the magical world to die in such a mysterious way, and without any clues? This matter is definitely not ordinary. Scratching my head, I asked Simao in a daze
"Is what you said true? How do you know it in such detail?"
Simao replied, "I am the president of the student union, so of course I rushed to the scene immediately when such an incident occurred. Now the school has sealed off the news, so please don't spread it around."
"Enen." I responded absent-mindedly. Secretly, I wondered if I should report this matter to Master and listen to what he had to say, but the thought of Master's tone and expression when he lectured me before leaving the mountain immediately put an end to this idea. Perhaps, I could first try to investigate, but... I'm sure that the thing that killed Juanzi is definitely not an ordinary monster. You know, ordinary ghosts can only scare people at best, and they can't even harm ordinary people, let alone someone like Juanzi, a "Xibo faction" enlightened person.
"What are you thinking?" Simao waved his hand in front of me and asked,
"Do you know what the other girls who live with Juanzi say?"
Ah.
Simao cleared his throat and said:
They said that about a week ago, several people played a game called 'Bixi' together, and some strange things happened at that time. The next day, Juanzi changed. For several days, she was not seen during the day. When asked where she went, she always replied that she went up the mountain. At night, she came back and went straight into the bedroom, closing the door and ignoring everyone
"This is even more strange," I mumbled
"But... why are you telling me this? Do you want me to take revenge for her?"
"What revenge?" Simao pursed his lips and smiled
"It's not because I think you're too bored, but because I want to find something for you to do. Besides, I'm also curious to know why Juanzi died."