He started as a shepherd and took on countless jobs.

"Could it be that I'm truly destined to be childless?!"

Lu Pinghai's voice was deafening.

Pei Si remained indifferent.

His attention was more focused on the verses spoken by the monk.

The concept of reincarnation.

He once asked the old blind man, who said that the underworld existed.

Otherwise, how do we explain the fact that some great masters of the Daoist tradition can reincarnate and cultivate again without going through the cycle of reincarnation in the underworld?

…………

The next morning.

The main hall of the Lu residence.

The mourning hall was draped in white, with a cypress wood memorial tablet standing in the center on a black lacquered altar, inscribed with the words "Spirit of the deceased daughter, Madam Lu".

The incense smoke rose gently from the incense burner, and three long sticks of incense burned quietly, while on the left and right, two pairs of white candles, each as thick as a baby's arm, lit up.

Five small white plates are filled with fresh fruits such as pears, apples, tangerines, and chestnuts.

Those present were dressed in white, and faint sobs could be heard.

Given the Lu family's status, inviting a high-ranking Taoist priest and a dozen junior Taoist priests to perform the ritual would not be a problem.

Unfortunately, the situation was unusual, and Pei Si was the only Taoist priest who came to perform the ritual.

But Pei Si's reputation was renowned.

Taoist priests ordained at the Celestial Master Cave on Mount Qingcheng!

Pei Si, wearing a crown and ceremonial robes, with jade ornaments hanging from his waist, and holding a tablet, walked steadily to the front of the mourning hall.

Lu Pingshan, Lu Pinghai, Lu Shouhuai, and other members of the Lu family were waiting there early in the morning.

Given the special circumstances, the procedures had to be simplified.

Pei Si washed his hands, burned incense, made hand gestures, and chanted incantations to invite the gods to descend upon the altar.

The Eight Gates Soul Summoning Altar is now complete!

Pei Si held a six-foot-long lotus-topped short banner in his left hand. The banner was made of white silk and had strings of paper money and paper ingots attached to the end.

The banner for summoning the soul is inscribed with the name of the deceased eldest daughter, Lu Shuangshuang. The right side of the banner reads Lu Shuangshuang's birth date and time, while the left side reads her death date and time. The banner also reads "Guide the departed soul to a pure land."

He made a hand seal, tapped his teeth, and softly chanted: "Heaven is clear and earth is at peace, heaven and earth are in their proper places, the three souls return swiftly, the seven spirits return to their origin."

"The fetus shines with radiance, the spirit is refreshed and radiant, the essence remains righteous, and the soul is whole and complete."

This is the Lingbao Soul Summoning Incantation.

Pei Si narrowed his eyes slightly. He had already dispatched officers and soldiers from the main road to patrol around the Lu residence.

Last night, while sweeping the streets, we did not find Lu Shuangshuang's spirit.

Unexpected problems may arise.

Before long, a female spirit entered from outside the Lu residence.

It was none other than Lu Shuangshuang.

She was wandering aimlessly outside the city in a daze when she suddenly heard shouts and came looking for them.

Lu Shuangshuang walked into the mourning hall, looked at the memorial tablets placed on the black lacquered table, looked down at her illusory hands, and murmured to herself, "It's bitter, so I'm already dead."

"Oh, when did that treasure hunter become a Taoist priest?"

Lu Shuangshuang watched as Pei Si was chanting a spell.

Pei Si, through the eyes of the "Investigating Traitors and Scouts," saw Lu Shuangshuang.

"They're here."

"They're here."

Pei Si nodded. In front of Lu Shuangshuang was a large celadon basin.

Yellow paper talismans were pasted on the rim of the basin, with words such as "purify the soul and body" written on them. The basin contained water, incense ash, cinnabar, mugwort, willow branches, and other items.

Pei Si handed the soul-summoning banner to Lu Shouhuai.

Holding a tender willow branch, dipped in water from a basin, she sprinkled it in turn over the memorial tablet, the coffin, and the family members, chanting as she did so:

"This water is no ordinary water... It washes away the sins of the departed souls."

"Change your clothes," Pei Si said softly.

Lu Pingshan stepped forward and helped the paper figure Lu Shuangshuang change her clothes.

I've finished changing.

Family members stepped forward to perform the three offerings.

Wine, tea, and incense.

Pei Si formed hand seals and continued chanting the scriptures: "In the beginning of the azure sky, a song sang in the blue heavens, and the great floating earth..."

"Circling back ten times, to summon from all directions..."

"We, your humble servants, now, on behalf of the deceased Lu, take refuge in the Supreme Limitless Dao..."

"I take refuge in the Eastern Jade Treasure Emperor Heavenly Venerable, to deliver the souls of those trapped in the Eastern Wind and Thunder Hell..."

Pei Si knelt on the prayer mat. This step should have been performed by a high-ranking Taoist priest leading the group in the Nine Netherworld Repentance Ceremony.

What is the Nine Netherworld Repentance Ceremony?

The purpose is to set up the Nine Netherworld Altar, with nine offering tables, each corresponding to one of the nine deities.

Offer incense here, bow nine times, recite the holy name here, and then recite the Nine Netherworld Repentance.

Pei Si carried out the order alone, and then his family followed suit, burning the previous documents and talismans.

After Pei Si finished the Nine Netherworld Repentance Ceremony, the next step was to prepare the food.

This food is offered to wandering ghosts and unclaimed spirits, to ensure they are well-fed and do not disturb the bereaved family.

Although Pei Si had already cleared out a wave of wandering ghosts, there were inevitably some who slipped through the net.

Wealthy families are also willing to do this kind of thing.

Because it is a way to accumulate good karma.

The saying goes: first, fate; second, luck; third, feng shui; fourth, accumulating good deeds; and fifth, studying.

This kind of good deeds are ranked high and naturally receive attention.

The food container was also made of porcelain, with a diameter of one foot and a depth of eight inches. It contained a variety of things, including white rice, steamed buns, vegetarian noodles, clean water, tea, grains and fresh fruits.

Covered with yellow paper, inscribed by Pei Si himself: "Distribute food to all, and let all wandering souls benefit."

"This food, with its color, aroma, and taste, is offered to the ten directions and honored by sages and saints..."

"Giving is done equally without discrimination, and all wishes are fulfilled."

Pei Si held a willow branch, chanting incantations while sprinkling holy water, and scattered the food in all directions and placed it in front of the altar.

In an instant, several souls rushed to the altar and began to enjoy the food.

However, the appearance of the food remained unchanged, and a wisp of gas belonging to the food was inhaled into the nose by the soul.

If a living person were to taste the food at this point, they would surely find that it has no flavor!

Pei Si recited the petition, explained the matter, and prayed for protection. He then burned the petition.

The auspicious time has arrived!

The Lu family members quickly dismantled the mourning hall, and the coffin bearers stepped forward to carry the coffin.

The gongs, drums, cymbals, bells, and chimes resounded together.

Pei Si led the way, scattering paper money and chanting a road-clearing incantation.

Lu Shuangshuang followed Pei Si to her grave.

The cemetery is a geomantically auspicious site belonging to the Lu family, where most of their ancestors are buried.

Pei Si recited the incantation for burying the grave and affixed the tomb talisman.

Subsequently, a series of procedures were followed, including sealing the coffin, covering it with soil, and erecting a monument.

The final step is to return to the starting position.

It is said that after a person dies, their three souls and seven spirits disperse, and in the process, a malevolent force will accumulate, which is harmful to the living.

The souls of the dead, escorted by underworld officials, will return to their former haunts for a final inspection.

Therefore, Pei Si wanted to send off the evil spirits!

Calculate the time, direction, and location of the calamity based on the day of death's stem and branch.

There are also procedures for preparing for evil spirits, avoiding evil spirits, opening an altar to ward off evil spirits, and sending away evil spirits.

To prepare for the death, a thin layer of incense ash is sprinkled in the main room and the mourning hall. Then, a vegetarian feast is set up in front of the spirit, along with a bowl of wontons and two sets of cups and chopsticks.

The place where the deceased's gaze lingers after death is determined by their birth date and time. For example, if the day of Wu is the place where the spirit rests, and the day of Mao or You is near the well or stove.

The place where the evil spirit fell should be covered with a red cloth, and a talisman and a paper figure should be placed there.

To ward off evil spirits, the whole family must leave the house and hide elsewhere, leaving only Pei Si behind.

Now, only Pei Si remains in the Lu residence; even the chickens and dogs have been taken away.

Pei Si held a law bell in his hand and a peach wood plaque at his waist, guarding the ever-burning lamp alone.

The images transmitted by the "Investigating Traitors and Scouts" showed Lu Shuangshuang sitting in the tomb at this time.

As the moment was about to arrive, Lu Shuangshuang suddenly looked up and stepped out of the tomb, her destination the Lu residence.

Pei Si looked indifferently at Lu Shuangshuang's back.

A faint mist appeared, and a path leading to Lu Shuangshuang's grave stretched out before her.

They should have been escorted home by underworld officials, but where are they now?

Two figures could be vaguely seen at the end of the road, but they seemed to be blocked and unable to pass.

"Is the underworld shut down?"

A bold guess emerged in Pei Si's mind.