Start practicing from Mr. Fox

Chapter 106 Qingming Festival and Yinshu
The voice was neither kind nor majestic.

It's like an ordinary old man hearing a child asking questions. Although he may complain, he is mostly curious.

Before I could reply, I heard the saint speak again.

"I didn't want to talk to you, but you kept on talking to me with the talent I gave you. It all went right into my ears, and it really annoyed me. I couldn't even read. So I came to ask you why you were here."

When Chen Ji heard this, he knew that this was a saint, and he also understood why he came here.

I even wanted to laugh when I heard the dialect spoken unintentionally.

It really is that saint.

However, when he looked around, he did not see the image of the saint.

"Don't look at it. This is a place where I study. There are so many academies in the world, and I can't stay in academy all the time. I just thought of talking to you by looking at this stone statue."

Chen Ji suddenly realized that his actions were all under the eyes of the saint, so he bowed politely and explained his purpose.

"Return gift?"

The saint's voice sounded somewhat joyful.

"It's been a while since anyone has said something like this."

"But if you are bringing a gift, why are you here empty-handed?"

"I thought I'd ask first. If the Saint doesn't want to, it would be rude. If he doesn't mind, I will choose an auspicious day and time to invite the Prime Minister to offer sacrifices."

"What is it?"

"A pen once used by a great scholar."

"A pen."

The saint's tone became amusing again.

"You said you wanted to give me something, but I'm afraid it's just for the academy. But since you're thinking about exorcising demons and ghosts, and you have merits in the underworld, you're someone we're destined to be with. Just give it to me."

"We also need to ask the Saint to speak to the academy teacher, so that we don't offend the Saint by doing this."

"good."

When the saint's voice sounded, Chen Ji's eyes went dark and he returned to the academy. In front of him was still the statue of the saint.

But it was as if my eyes were blurry and I saw the corners of the stone statue's mouth curved up, as if it was smiling.

Looking at Miss Bai again, she was also a little surprised.

"What did you just experience, Daoist friend? I can't even feel my soul, as if I'm not in this world anymore."

"Let's talk after we get out."

"Yes, it's not a good idea to discuss this in front of the Saint."

Miss Bai looked at the statue of the saint and bowed respectfully.

After they went out and walked a little further away, Chen Ji told them about his experience.

"I went to the place where the saints studied. It was like the Yinsi of One Thought cast by Lu Pan. There were many books in it, and I could see many figures of scholars. However, they were all below the ground. It was like looking through glass. It was magical."

"Glass?"

"Oh, it's glass that's as transparent as ice."

"That is indeed a rare thing. Do you know such a thing?"

"The last time I went to Zhanshui Town, I heard someone say that there was something like this in Kyoto. It was a rare item that was sent as tribute from another place, and one piece was worth several thousand gold."

"All the skilled craftsmen in the world are doing these things."

Miss Bai shook her head, not knowing what she was thinking.

Then he talked with Chen Ji about his experience just now, and he also felt it was amazing to hear what he saw and heard in the house.

"It's worthy of being the place where saints studied. It's truly magical. I can actually see the scene of the scholars by looking down. No wonder Taoists say that there are gods three feet above my head. It seems that the same is true for Confucian scholars."

"Sir, can you tell clearly whether the people reading below are human or demonic?"

Chen Ji was stunned and shook his head.

"I don't remember. I didn't look carefully."

"It's okay, I'm just curious and asked casually. But if you say that, does it count as hiding something from the Saint?"

"The bamboo monster is indeed the pen used by the great scholar. If I sent it to the academy and it became a monster, it would be similar. It's okay. You can go back and tell Lord Baojie."

"Then you can leave now."

"Not urgent."

Chen Ji stopped Miss Bai.

"We still have to go pick up Bai Qi and the others."

"Why?"

"Go dig Baojiejun out. If they're not here, it will probably take a long time."

The white girl laughed out loud.

"Sir, you forgot that a plant demon can walk on its own once it has reached a certain level of cultivation."

"But isn't that slow?"

Chen Ji did not forget this matter, but he was thinking about what Senior Huai said, and he did not think of letting Baojie Jun come over by himself at the beginning.

Otherwise, not only would it waste time, but it would also be difficult to explain if passers-by saw it.

The movement of the bamboo forest is no less serious than encountering a demon or ghost on the road.

"Why should we let Baojie-kun walk to town on his own? If we can just let him fold his roots and stand on the ground, we can bring him along."

"I was naive."

Chen Ji suddenly realized that this was indeed a good idea.

"It's just that sir doesn't understand the habits of monsters. You're already very kind to think of asking the fox to help dig it out."

"What if it's a bad person?"

"I'm afraid you want to cut down the bamboo that holds Junduo, so you only bring the main body with you."

"..."

Chen Ji was silent for a few breaths and shook his head.

"A single bamboo can produce a whole forest. In reality, it's all Baojie Jun's body. How can anyone else say such things and decide his fate? I have never considered doing anything like that."

"So, sir, you have a kind heart."

Miss Bai spoke with a smile, but there was something strange in her eyes as she looked at Chen Ji.

"Why is Miss Bai looking at me like that?"

"I'm just curious, why would such a kind-hearted person like you say that you were insane after being beaten by a strange force that day?"

"This……"

Chen Ji sighed slightly.

The reason is hard to explain.

As a child who grew up watching public service announcements, I may be useless, but I will not be a bad person at heart.

He paused, and seeing that Miss Bai was still looking at him, he shook his head.

"I don't know either. I just thought that might be a better explanation."

"Sir, you're such an interesting person."

Miss Bai smiled and shook her head, then she and Chen Ji rode the wind back to the mountain where Baojie Jun was.

"You two are back?"

"So quickly... Did Mr. Shuyuan refuse?"

There seemed to be expectation in Baojiejun's eyes, but he was not sure what he was really thinking, and he was trying to lower his expectations.

Chen Ji was not surprised by this.

When the mountain gods gathered, none of the monsters on the mountain had ever thought of being able to enter the academy.

Although Baojiejun is different from ordinary monsters and ghosts, he is still a monster and naturally has the same thoughts.

It can be seen from the questions he asked.

I can only imagine that Chen Ji and others asked the teacher in the academy.

So he smiled.

"We haven't seen Mr. Shuyuan."

“Is that so…”

Baojiejun sighed, and even the bamboo forest around him drooped its branches slightly.

"I should have expected this outcome earlier. How could it be so easy to get into a place like the Academy, where saints reside..."

Before he finished speaking, Chen Ji spoke again.

"But I asked the saint, and he agreed."

"What does it mean that even a saint agrees...huh? Mr. Chen, what did you say? You mean...saint? Saint?"

Baojiejun said this subconsciously, and suddenly opened his eyes wide, unable to believe what he heard.

"Yes."

Chen Ji nodded with a smile in his eyes, but he did not tell the truth anymore. Instead, he changed his words.

"There was a plague ghost in Tiejin Town before. When Miss Bai and I went to catch it, we happened to feel the spirit of the saint in the academy, so we asked the saint to help trap the plague ghost."

"The Saint was worried that the plague ghost would cause trouble again, so he paid more attention. This time, he happened to feel that the spiritual response was still there, so he asked again."

"agreed?"

"Ah."

Chen Ji nodded, but this time he did not hide it from Bao Jiejun.

"But I said I was giving the Saint a pen that was once used by a great scholar. When the Saint sees you, he might ask you about it. Just tell me the truth."

"The Saint will still see me?"

Baojiejun's body shook, the bamboo leaves trembled, and a fallen leaf floated down from the air.

"That's really scary! That's a saint! I... I... I really don't know what to say!"

"Mr. Chen, you are too..."

"I will never forget your great kindness!"

"You are too polite, my friend. It is only because of your virtue and good fortune that the academy would not be short of a clump of bamboo."

Chen Ji smiled and then looked towards the bamboo forest.

“Although we need to find a good day to offer sacrifices to the saint and send fellow Taoist to the academy, we still need to ask fellow Taoist to remove his body first and move it to a nearby place before we can send it there.”

"Besides, there isn't much space in the academy, and you need to control your size."

"This is natural."

Baojiejun nodded.

"Please wait for me for a moment, I will retract my body now."

It was the first time that Chen Ji saw the plant demon change its form. He watched carefully and felt a little curious.

Baojiejun's figure slowly dissipated, as if blending into the entire bamboo forest. Then the bamboo forest began to sway as if it came alive, filled with Baojiejun's breath.

"It really is all about holding onto Junjie. I don't know how to put it away."

"You don't need to take anything else with you, just the main body."

Baojiejun's voice sounded, and Chen Ji looked towards the middle of the bamboo forest. The bamboos that seemed strange before were now slowly shrinking, but the bamboos next to them were not affected.

Soon, the bamboos gathered together and disappeared into the soil.

Chen Ji was still wondering how Baojie Jun could retract his body to such an extent. Just as he was about to ask, he saw a hint of tender green emerging from the soil, and then a little bamboo man crawled out.

It is less than a foot tall, with distinct limbs but no facial features. There are only a few bamboo leaves sticking out from the top, which look like eyebrows, eyes, and a mouth, like the skeleton in a puppet show.

After standing up, I saluted Chen Ji.

"Fellow Daoist, is this feasible now?"

“That’s very convenient.”

Chen Ji nodded and looked at the bamboo forest around him. He felt that the bamboo forest seemed to have lost something since the little man crawled out.

"These bamboos have lost their spiritual charm and are just ordinary bamboo forests in the mountains."

Baojiejun sighed.

Then he took out a sealed bamboo joint and threw it into the air.

"Although I am leaving this place, I was born in Xiantai Mountain after all, and I can't bear to leave this place empty. These bamboo dews condensed from the essence of the sun and the moon will stay here. If you can also give rise to spiritual intelligence, please go find Senior Huai."

Bamboo dew turns into rain, moistening every bamboo and ungrown bamboo shoot.

In the misty rain, a man and two demons left on the wind. When they returned to the medicine hall, it was also windy and rainy.

"It's raining now? Could it be that Daoist friend's bottle of bamboo dew has drifted here?"

Chen Ji joked.

Baojiejun shook his head slightly.

"My magical power is low, and I'm not proficient in any magic. The wind and rain still rely on the natural ability of plants and trees to regulate the earth's energy. How can it rain in the town..."

"That would be strange."

Chen Ji looked into the distance.

It was sunny before we left. The weather in the north is dry, so it shouldn't rain suddenly.

But when he used the Qi-gazing technique to take a look, he was stunned.

There was a hint of gloom in the clouds and rain in the sky.

Although each drop of rain contains only a small amount of water, if you get a lot of it, it can easily damage your yang energy and make you sick.

"Miss Bai, this..."

Just as he was about to speak, Sister Sun walked out of the house.

In the bamboo basket in his hand were many stacks of paper money and gold ingots, as well as some seasonal fruits and vegetables and a small jar of liquor.

When he saw Chen Ji, he put down what he was holding and bowed quickly.

"Mr. Chen, you are finally back."

"Sister Sun, do you have something to ask me?"

Sister Sun sighed and tears came to her eyes.

"Tomorrow is Qingming Festival. I want to burn some paper money for my deceased relatives. I would like to ask you to write a letter of thanks for my late husband and family. Is that convenient?"

Yinshu, it turns out to be Qingming Festival.

Chen Ji suddenly understood.

No wonder it was sunny in the morning and many people were seen out having fun, but now it is cloudy and rainy.

It seems that it was arranged by the underworld.

The heavy rain will allow the ghosts wandering in the human world to enjoy the sacrifices today and tomorrow, and it will also make it easier for the ghost messengers to act.

Chen Ji withdrew his gaze, picked up the bamboo basket and placed it under the eaves to prevent the rain from getting the contents wet.

"Of course I can. I can write it for you right now."

"Put your things away first and then come find me in the study. I need to talk to Miss Bai first."

"Thank you, Mr. Chen! If you hadn't caught the ghost and captured the monster, I really don't know what I would do..."

Sister Sun thanked her repeatedly.

Fortunately, Chen Ji supported him quickly, otherwise he would have to kneel on the ground and kowtow.

After a few words of comfort, Sister Sun took her things and left. Chen Ji then asked Miss Bai to settle Baojie Jun and went into the house to prepare to write the secret letter.

He had seen this thing in Taoist books.

Although it is called the Yin Book, it is actually not a book that is read in the underworld, but something used for salvation and sacrifice.

Usually, the name, hometown, merits, cause of death and other information of the deceased are written on yellow paper, and the reason should also be stated, such as whether the deceased hopes to be accepted by the underworld or to bring money to the deceased.

Of course, ordinary writing methods are useless, and some spells and talismans that can communicate with the underworld are also needed.

These are the secrets of various Taoist sects that are not passed on.

Chen Ji was not a Taoist priest and did not know these contents, but that did not prevent him from writing the Yin book.

When Lu Pan gave him the badge, he said that the aura of this badge could communicate with the underworld. Now he just had to write the message and leave the aura.

Just as I was getting things ready, Sister Sun came in. Her eyes were still red, but she was able to convey the message clearly.

"My late son Lu Mingxuan and my late husband Lu Eryong."

"Father-in-law Lu Dahe, mother-in-law Lu Zhaoshi."

"These are the people. They were all killed by demons and ghosts."

"Everyone in the village has been scared away by evil spirits, and now no one lives there. I don't know what to write about my hometown, so I'll just write it here and say that my sister Sun burned money for them."

After Chen Ji finished writing, his heart trembled.

In a chaotic world full of demons and ghosts, it is indeed difficult for ordinary people to survive.

He had never seen what Sister Sun's family looked like when they were still alive.

I think this is the good life that ordinary people in this world can have.

His parents are still alive. Although they are not rich, they are sensible. His son is talented in literature and can go to the academy in town to study.

My husband's family makes a living by chopping wood, and I work as a kitchen helper. It's hard work, but it's a stable income, better than many people.

Just one sentence saying that they were all killed by demons and ghosts means several heavy lives were lost.

He paused to write and sighed, just in time to blow away the ink marks.

I asked Sister Sun if she had anything else to say, and she could send it to you as well.

"Can Yinshu contain so much?"

"Is it not possible?"

"In previous years, when I went to the street notaries, they all said that writing too much would be disrespectful to the underworld. They didn't say to write too much, just say this."

"Will the silver be reduced?"

"Not less, a letter from the dead costs thirty copper coins, which is more valuable than giving it to a living person."

Chen Ji shook his head, knowing that this was just an excuse made by those notaries.

The job of writing letters to living people is that even if you can't write, you will know what the letter says when you meet them. You can tell whether it is perfunctory or not just by looking at each other.

If you are too perfunctory and have a bad reputation, no one will come to you to write for you.

But there is no such worry when writing to the dead. Writing fewer words saves ink and paper, so people will naturally be lazy.

The Taoists may be afraid of the underworld and dare not write too many books about the underworld, which is understandable.

However, Chen Ji is neither a Taoist priest nor a notary, so he doesn't have to worry about these things.

So he looked at Sister Sun.

"It's all right here with me. You can say as much as you want."

"Really?"

"nature."

"Then I'll trouble you, Mr. Chen."

Sister Sun had tears in her eyes and hurriedly thanked him. It took her a long time to calm herself down and speak slowly.

"You passed away early, my husband and I didn't have much money to prepare for your funeral. We are sorry for treating you badly."

"It's a pity that I didn't have time to save money at that time, and Eryong is no longer with us. He was still talking about this matter before he died."

"Now that my wife has some money, she bought you some clothes. Don't be stingy with them."

"I heard there are towns in the underworld where you can buy things. I've burned some money for you. I don't know if it's enough, but you can use it to buy things first. If you need anything, come to me in your dreams and I'll buy it for you."

After saying that, he sniffled and spoke slowly.

"Eryong, the master said you turned into a ghost and went to harm people. I know you didn't want to do that. Blame me for asking you to go up the mountain to chop wood that day, otherwise I would have been the one who harmed people."

"If the underworld wants to punish you, tell them that I forced you to go there. I'm willing to take the punishment for you and give you a lighter beating."

"If you can hear me, come and see me before you reincarnate! I can't bear to leave you!"

"One more person, do you want to say something to your son?"

Chen Ji asked.

Sister Sun didn't rush to speak this time.

He was silent for a long time, then seemed to remember something. A doting smile appeared on his face, his eyes softened, and he spoke softly with the corners of his mouth curled up.

"Just say it, Mingxuan, Mom misses you! Can you still be my son in the next life?"

(End of this chapter)