The horrific scene described by Zhou Han shocked everyone in the group. Several men were so frightened that they collapsed onto the floor. After calling the police, the woman who had been with Cui Hai was taken into custody. Zhou Han mentioned that he could never forget the woman's eyes—while she gnawed on him, she emitted animalistic growls. Once they arrived at the hospital, they found that Cui Hai's father and grandfather had suffered similar fates. The doctor confirmed they had been attacked by a beast. The two were beyond recognition, their bodies mutilated.
Later, I asked Yi Cheng about this. He explained that Cui Hai's grandfather had vowed not to eat meat anymore and had started following the Buddhist path, even receiving protection from a Vajra. The aura from the small axe hanging from his neck had kept the black giant at bay. However, during the night of his demise, while visiting his old father, the grandfather drank wine and ate meat, breaking his vow. This allowed the yellow weasel to possess him, killing Cui Hai that very night. The next day, Cui Hai's father, who had just returned from abroad, joined them, and together they broke their vows. With no protection, the black giant attacked their home, devouring the entire family.
This situation was deeply tragic, but the saying goes: "Heaven may forgive, but self-inflicted wounds are fatal."
I sighed deeply, thinking that for Zhou Han and the others, all I could offer them was guidance in cultivating merits. While they would not suffer direct retribution, they would certainly feel the consequences of their actions. Jiang Shiyu sighed as well, saying, "It's just hard to accept. How could he die so horribly? After all, we were classmates for years. Hearing of his tragic death really unsettles me."
"You're just too kind-hearted," I said, also sighing.
Unexpectedly, the old Daoist snorted and said, "This is nothing. The yellow weasel harms three generations. Now that the grandfather, son, and grandson are all dead, they deserved it. It's fitting. Animals that attain human form have to endure the three disasters and nine tribulations. They've barely made it to human form and were killed—of course, they'd seek revenge! They deserved to die."
"Old Daoist, how can you speak like this?" Jiang Shiyu put down her chopsticks and put her hands on her hips, "You have no compassion at all. I don't even know how you can be a Daoist."
"Little girl, do you think animals don't have their own hardships? You're too naive to be talking about compassion to me." The old Daoist chuckled.
As the two of them bickered, I intervened, pulling Jiang Shiyu aside. "Let's not argue. We've eaten. Let's go for a walk, and after I choose a good location, we'll head back to Shenyang."
"I don't want to stay here. I can't stand that fake Daoist," Jiang Shiyu grumbled, still upset.
I apologized to the old Daoist, who didn't seem to mind at all. He casually picked his teeth and went to light incense and open the mountain gates to welcome visitors. As Jiang Shiyu and I packed up, we set off toward the Four Symbols site the Daoist had mentioned yesterday.
The journey wasn't particularly long, but the road was rugged, and we had to walk through the wilderness. The mountains were desolate, but the occasional wild rabbit or pheasant hopping through the brush added some life to the otherwise empty landscape.
Soon, we reached a round mountain peak. Though it wasn't very tall, the rock formations on the mountain's edge protruded in a way that resembled the head of a turtle. The mountain's flow and curve seemed to symbolize the Xuanwu (Black Tortoise) with its head bowed. In feng shui, if the Xuanwu raises its head, it symbolizes the rejection of burial, and this place should never be used for a tomb.
From here, we could see towering mountains in the distance, their peaks rising like wings outstretched, resembling a majestic bird. On our left was the Daoist temple, which corresponded to the Qinglong (Azure Dragon) position. The three sacred sites were in perfect alignment, with the right side rising like a White Tiger crouching, its head raised, as though it were ready to bite the corpse in the tomb.
I took a deep breath. The White Tiger carrying the corpse wasn't impossible to break, but it required a very careful approach. If I could turn the crouching tiger into a dragon's coil, the location would bring immense fortune.
"Do you feel anything? If you're not tired, let's go take a look at the White Tiger position," I suggested, pointing to the hill on the right.
"You really underestimate me," Jiang Shiyu said with a grin. "Let's make it a race! The target is that mountain peak over there. Whoever reaches it last has to treat the other to a meal. Ready, set, go!" Without waiting for me to respond, she took off down the mountain.
I laughed and chased after her. Jiang Shiyu's agility was impressive, her movements in the forest as swift and graceful as a leopard. As I continued to chase, I was increasingly amazed by her speed. She was nearly a hundred meters ahead of me when suddenly, an old man carrying firewood stopped her.
I couldn't hear their conversation clearly, but I quickened my pace. As I arrived, I heard the old man say, "Miss, don't go any further. It's cursed ahead—there are ghosts."