I looked helplessly at Yuna Ji, her face twisted into a wicked grin. One of her hands moved ceaselessly, as if she were manipulating a puppet. Those zombie-like bodies, upon approaching Master Jianyun and the others, were instantly reduced to ashes by the light of Buddha.
"Master, we can't let that thing continue to wreak havoc in the sacred grounds of Buddhism."
One of the monks said this, but Master Jianyun shook his head.
"What's wrong? Monk, show me whatever you've got. Today, I'm here to vent my anger on you."
Yuna Ji spoke, stretching out both hands. Her fingernails glowed with a faint green light that seeped out, like water dripping into the ground.
"Heh, monks, since you're so powerful, I'll let my little friend out to play with you!"
I stared blankly at Yuna Ji, unsure of her intentions. Suddenly, she pulled me up, grabbed my hand, and bit down hard. A row of teeth marks appeared in my palm, and drops of blood dripped onto the ground.
"What are you doing?"
"Hold still. You're a grown man—are you really afraid of a little pain?"
"Beneath the Nethergate lies the Nine Depths. Where the Nine Depths meet, the dead gather. By the eerie light of the path, O Mingshaluo,* heed my command and report at once..."
*Footnote: Mingshaluo is a transliteration of a supernatural entity invoked in traditional Chinese rituals. Its precise nature is ambiguous, but it is often associated with underworld messengers or spirits.
Green circles of light spread across the ground, wild winds howled, sand and stones flew, and a deep rumbling came from beneath the earth. Yet Master Jianyun showed no fear.
"Heh, it seems this old monk has no choice but to act."
Suddenly, Buddha's light surged around Master Jianyun as he slowly rose into the air, sitting cross-legged. The walking corpses caught in the Buddha's light instantly turned to ash.
With a loud bang, I felt the earth tremble and heard a deep, guttural howl. Within the green circle of light, I clearly saw a massive creature—a giant claw stretched out, splitting the ground open as if it were climbing up from the depths below.
Master Jianyun kept chanting Buddhist scriptures, and the golden light around him grew even brighter.
With a roar, a creature that looked like both a deer and a horse emerged behind Master Jianyun, radiating a sacred aura. Instantly, all the walking corpses vanished without a trace.
"Such a malevolent thing dares to cause trouble in the sacred grounds of Buddhism."
It was the same commanding voice I had heard when I first came up the mountain. Everything returned to calm, and Yuna Ji collapsed to the ground.
"Golden-Furred Hou..." Yuna Ji's former arrogance was completely replaced by terror.
*Footnote: The 'Hou' is a mythical beast in Chinese folklore, often depicted as a lion-like creature with supernatural powers. The Golden-Furred Hou is especially revered and feared.
The beast leapt before us, its enormous maw wide open, roaring again and again, making my head spin and my vision blur.
"Spirit, today is the day you meet your end."
The beast spoke.
"Amitabha."
At that moment, a Buddha's voice rang out, deep and resonant like a bell.
"Golden-Furred Hou, return now."
Before our eyes, the beast gradually shrank and finally vanished. Master Jianyun stood with his back to us, head lowered, while the other monks lined up on either side.
"Master."
*Footnote: The 'Threefold Crossing' refers to a supernatural ritual or realm in Chinese lore, representing the 'Three Paths' (Hungry Ghosts, Hell, Beasts). It is invoked to unleash destructive forces and destabilize ghost domains.
"Grand Master."
The monks called out in turn.
I saw an elderly monk, only slightly taller than a child, step forward. He had a grizzled beard, gentle eyes, and a kind smile.
"Jianyun, do not let anger cloud your heart. For this transgression, you will recite the Heart Sutra eighty-one times upon your return."
Master Jianyun bowed deeply.
"I will obey, Master." He then began chanting scripture and entered the main hall. The other monks silently recited as they followed him back.
"Miss Ji, I hope you have been well. We haven't spoken in thirty years."
"What do you want, Grandmaster Mingde?"
I looked over and realized this was Grandmaster Mingde, famed as a living Buddha, said to be over a hundred years old. Yet he looked no older than seventy or eighty.
"Miss Ji and I have crossed paths many times before. The Buddha teaches that all beings are equal. This tiger wishes to return to the mountains and forests—who among us ordinary folk could stop it? You should go down the mountain now, and take care in the days to come."
Yuna Ji looked shocked, staring in disbelief at Grandmaster Mingde's retreating figure. I was even more confused; Yuna Ji seemed to be a formidable spirit, so why was she being let go so easily?
"Mr. Zhang, words are light, and people should not be impatient. Perhaps fate will bring us together again. If so, I would be honored to share tea and conversation with you."
I stared blankly at Grandmaster Mingde's departing figure, not understanding what he truly meant.
Yuna Ji burst into hearty laughter.
"I'm out—how about that? A hundred and fifty years, ha ha ha..."
I looked at Yuna Ji; her entire demeanor had changed, as if she had been reborn. She turned to me.
"Let's go, Ethan." She reached out her hand, and I stood up.
"You're free now. It's time to move on to your next life. As for me, I'm heading home."
"Hey, Ethan, you shouldn't say it like that."
Just as I was about to head down the mountain, Yuna Ji grabbed me. I was a little scared.
"You go your way, and I'll go mine."
"Don't be like that! We're fellow prisoners, aren't we? Can I come with you? I don't know anything about the outside world. Just for a little while, please, Ethan, take me with you!"
Yuna Ji actually started acting cute with me. I didn't want to pay attention to her—I'm already entangled with Yin Chou, and I definitely don't want to bring another one home.
"Ethan, take me with you!" Suddenly, I stared in shock—Yuna Ji had transformed into a girl of about fourteen or fifteen, with big eyes, a sweet, delicate face, and pigtails. She looked absolutely adorable.
"You..."
"Ethan, isn't it true that you humans really like little girls?"
My heart skipped a beat. I swallowed hard and held my head in my hands.
Then Yuna Ji grabbed me, bouncing and skipping cheerfully as we started down the mountain.
By the time we reached the bottom, dawn had already begun to break. Still, Yuna Ji was bursting with excitement, hopping and skipping. I watched her helplessly—maybe she really was just an innocent girl after all.
I grabbed a quick bite to eat, then boarded the 8 o'clock bus back to the city and closed my eyes.
Suddenly, a burst of noise woke me up. Opening my eyes, I saw a crowd of passengers happily chatting with Yuna Ji, passing her snacks. She was sweet-talking everyone, and it seemed the whole bus adored her.
I hurriedly pulled her over to me.
"Can they see you?"
"Yes, they can see me. But after a while, when the Buddhist aura fades from me, they won't be able to anymore."
After transferring at several stops, I finally brought Yuna Ji back to the main road in front of my apartment building. The sun was shining on the building, but Yuna Ji's smile faded.
We walked inside, and sure enough, once we entered the courtyard, dark clouds covered the building, casting everything in shadow and deathly silence.
"Bro, didn't I tell you not to wander around?"
John Chou appeared, descending slowly from the rooftop.
"Long time no see, John Chou. Shouldn't we catch up?"
Yuna Ji's voice changed again. I turned around abruptly—she was now dressed in pink silk, appearing as a seductive and elegant woman in her thirties.
Suddenly, I saw John Chou glare at her, eyes wide as if ready to devour someone. With a rush, he appeared in front of me and shoved me aside.
With a loud smack, John Chou landed a solid slap on Yuna Ji's face.
"What are you doing?"
"Shut up! Why did you bring that wretched woman Yuna Ji back here?"
John Chou turned to me and demanded, while I blinked in confusion.
"Wuwuwu..." Suddenly, Yuna Ji hid behind me, transforming into a pure, innocent girl of about twenty.
"Ethan, he's so mean."
"Get out of my territory, you wretch, or I'll show you no mercy."
"Oh, really?" Instantly, Yuna Ji transformed again into the image of a young married woman, pushing me aside and leaving me stunned.
"You're bound by the Threefold Crossing, so things can't be easy for you. This isn't just your territory, is it, Ethan?"
I stared blankly at the two of them. They seemed to be old acquaintances, but John Chou was clearly full of hostility toward Yuna Ji.
Just then, Yuna Ji leaned against my shoulder, grinning wickedly.
"You're only half the master of this place. The other half is right here, isn't it, Ethan? Can I stay for a while? Just a few months, and then I'll move on to reincarnation."
John Chou sneered and shot up into the air.
"Suit yourself, bro. You brought this woman back—deal with the consequences yourself."
John Chou vanished into the sky, and at that moment, Yuna Ji howled toward the heavens.
"This place is really nice, Ethan. You helped me, so let me help you too!"
Back in my room, I curled up on the bed and fell asleep. The past few days had been torture—or maybe a kind of trial.
I thought to myself, sooner or later I'll have to deal with ghosts. But I still barely understand them. I decided that tomorrow, I'd visit the old man and the blind lady.
Half-asleep, I caught a whiff of something delicious. My mouth watered, and I suddenly opened my eyes. Yuna Ji, looking about twenty, was in the kitchen wearing a white apron and a short skirt.
"You..."
"Oh, Ethan, you're awake! Come try the chicken soup I made."
Yuna Ji ladled a big bowl of chicken soup for me. I swallowed eagerly and drank it before it even cooled—so fragrant! I hadn't had meat in half a month.
But then it occurred to me—she's a ghost, this soup?
"What's wrong? Afraid I'll do something to the soup? Silly boy, just drink up."
Yuna Ji brought out more dishes, each exquisitely prepared and delicious. After I devoured them, she smiled with obvious pride.
"Why aren't you eating? If I set up an offering table, wouldn't you be able to eat too?"
Yuna Ji shook her head.
"In a place this saturated with baleful energy, do I even need to eat?"
Just then, with a bang, the door flew open. It was the female ghost the landlord worshipped; she floated in swiftly.
"Ethan Zhang, John Chou wants you to come downstairs."