Chapter 3

Chapter 3

We didn’t ride the pig home. There weren’t any pigs, sheep, or oxen left.

My father carried me on his back. “An’an, if you’re tired, go to sleep. I’ll wake you when we get home.”

I blinked my sleepy eyes. “Dad, does this mean I won’t die now?”

He smiled. “You won’t. Eleven times ten means you have to live to a hundred and ten. If you think that’s not enough, we’ll come pray again another day. We’ll build the Immortal Family Shrine as tall as the buildings in Shanghai, and let An’an live to be ten thousand years old.”

I thought about it. “Then Dad has to live to be ten thousand too.”

Dad burst out laughing. “All right, Dad will live to be ten thousand too. We’ll live together from these years of war and chaos all the way into an age of peace and prosperity.”

As we talked, I fell asleep.

“Put her down gently. Don’t wake her. Have someone wait in the kitchen. She’ll probably be hungry when she wakes…”

The voices drifted farther and farther away, and I fell asleep again.

After I fell asleep, I saw Third Master Feng. Beneath his paw, he had pinned down a white tiger.

The white tiger was covered in wounds, and a woman’s head had grown out of its tail.

Third Master Feng said, “That is a chang ghost. She was eaten by the white tiger and cannot be reincarnated.”

I looked around.

He lifted his head to look at me. “Little one, I’m talking to you.”

My eyes widened. “Third Master Feng, did you bring me here?”

He shook his head. “You came on your own.”

I asked in confusion, “Why would I come here?”

Third Master Feng said, “You came to deliver her.”

That only confused me more. “Third Master Feng, do I know her?”

He said, “You don’t know her, but you were born with the fate of an underworld officer. The Underworld is short on people and is in a hurry to summon you down, but you refuse to go.”

Going down would mean dying, wouldn’t it?

I said nervously, “I can’t go. My dad is still waiting for me at home.”

He nodded. “That is why the Taoist priest pointed out a path for you.”

My head spun. “Third Master Feng, please explain it clearly. I don’t understand.”

Third Master Feng looked at me. “Are you willing to become a Spirit Medium Disciple?”

I asked, “What is a Spirit Medium Disciple?”

Third Master Feng explained, “A Spirit Medium Disciple is a vessel. You were born able to communicate with the netherworld, which makes you excellent material. Once you become a Spirit Medium Disciple, you can borrow our power.”

I thought for a moment, then said seriously, “Third Master Feng, I just want to stay alive.”

He said, “Only by becoming a Spirit Medium Disciple can you live.”

I looked at him. “Third Master Feng, my dad said I shouldn’t agree to anything when I’m not clearheaded. I’m in a dream, and my head is all muddled.”

Third Master Feng nodded. “Then go back for now. Think it over, then come again. You still have more than three years before you turn ten, so the Underworld cannot forcibly summon you. But the matter of Chumaxian is urgent. I cannot give you too much time. Decide as soon as you can.”

After he finished speaking, I opened my eyes.

I was in my own home.

I turned on the light. “Mama Wu, I’m hungry.”