Chapter 5

Chapter 5

That night, I dreamed again.

Third Master Feng lay curled atop a rock, moonlight mingling with the wind as it circled him.

“You’ve made up your mind so quickly?”

I nodded. “Third Master, I’m a coward. I’m afraid to die.”

He said, “You are different from other people. For others, death means suffering. For you, death would be bliss.”

I looked at him. “I don’t want bliss. I just want to live.”

Third Master Feng nodded. “A Spirit Medium Disciple must pass three trials: the trial of life, the trial of wealth, and the trial of love. Their whole life will be plagued by these three trials.”

“The trial of life: borrowing the power of a Chumaxian damages the body. More often than not, they live in sickness.”

“The trial of wealth: money cannot be accumulated, like sand slipping through one’s fingers. It comes fast and leaves faster.”

“The trial of love…”

He stopped there and did not continue. “In any case, a Spirit Medium Disciple spends much of their life suffering.”

I said, “Third Master, I’m willing to suffer.”

Third Master Feng shot me a glance. “Who said you had to suffer? You are different from everyone else. You are a natural-born Yin God. Those three trials won’t affect you.”

For a second, I was stunned. “Then what you just said…”

He replied, “Before one enters the path, the rules must be explained. That is the custom.”

Once he finished explaining the rules, he began to speak of the real matter.

“In the past, when Nurhaci entered the Pass, he submitted a memorial to the Heavenly Court, and Grand Elder Hu San was enfeoffed as the head of the earth immortals of the Northeast, responsible for overseeing all the immortals who set up halls, as well as every Household Guardian Immortal.”

“Now, Grand Elder Hu San has disappeared.”

“I have suppressed the news for the time being, but it won’t stay hidden for long.”

“You must find him. Otherwise, the spirits and monsters of the Northeast will inevitably stir up trouble. And only Grand Elder Hu San can persuade the Underworld to open a path of survival for you.”

I thought for a moment. “Third Master, if even you can’t find Grand Elder Hu San, how am I supposed to?”

Third Master Feng stood up. “A Spirit Medium Disciple and a Chumaxian share a special connection. Although you have never worshiped Grand Elder Hu San, you have worshiped Little Six of the Hu Family.”

I nodded. Hu Liuniang was that red fox.

He continued, “Another day, I will lead you to Grand Elder Hu San’s Shrine. You will go in and steal his memorial tablet. That way, you will have one more layer of protection.”

I blinked. “Huh?!”

Third Master Feng said, “There is no rush on that matter. First, you must become familiar with the methods of spirit mediumship. For now, memorize the following passage.”

I nodded. “Please recite it, Third Master.”

He chanted, “I humbly invite Grand Elder Hu San. The ancestor of the Five Immortals was blessed with noble cause; through accumulated deeds and merit, he attained cultivation, enduring three thousand years of winters and summers. Through Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming, he witnessed the world’s warmth and cold. He recruited troops and gathered forces, his merit reaching far; he inspected altars and healed the sick across the eight directions. This disciple now prays and petitions again and again, humbly wishing the immortal general will soon descend to the hall.”

I repeated it after him, then tried to recite it from memory. “The ancestor of the Five Immortals was… was…”

He said, “Blessed with noble cause.”

I continued, “The ancestor of the Five Immortals was blessed with noble cause; through accumulated deeds and merit, he attained cultivation.”

Third Master Feng looked at me. “Through accumulated deeds and merit, he attained cultivation.”

…

After memorizing it for quite a while, I finally had it down.

I asked, “Third Master, if I want to invite you, what should I say?”

Third Master Feng lifted his head and gazed into the distance. “Most of the disciples under my hall have died. I can barely remember anymore.”

The wind gently stirred his fur.

He said, “I humbly invite Third Master Feng, who cultivated the Way in the Changbai Mountains. Across ten thousand li of wilderness, he is honored as supreme. Unbound by the Three Realms, he travels wherever he pleases. In stillness he cultivates in secret, concealing wondrous arts; free from pursuit of fame and profit, his heart is pure and lofty. A virtuous immortal who destroys demons and evil. This disciple now invites the Venerable One; may divine arts descend and swiftly arrive at the hall.”