Chapter 32
Chapter 32
Over the next few days, the people of Jiudaogou Village noticed that the animals around the village were particularly active.
Foxes, weasels, snakes, rats, and hedgehogs were everywhere.
These animals didn’t fight each other; instead, they moved in a hurried rush, as if they were searching for something.
At night, things became even more lively.
Ghost fires flickered in all directions, and the faint sound of people talking could be heard on the wind.
Fortunately, Deaf Granny stepped forward to comfort everyone, telling them that as long as they didn’t leave the village, they would be safe.
Unfortunately, despite the Immortal Spirits of the spirit medium families joining forces with Hemp-clad Grandmother to search for over half a month, they couldn’t find a single clue.
While everyone’s attention was focused on the wild hills and ridges outside the village, the buried dry well in front of Old Fourth Tian’s house began to seep black water once again.
However, the black water was covered by a thick layer of snow, and no one noticed.
Time flew by, and soon there were only two weeks left before the start of the school semester.
But it was at this time that Old Li suddenly fell ill-very seriously ill.
Hua Jiunan tried every method he knew, but he couldn’t improve the old man’s condition.
The doctor whom Chief Zhou had specially invited from the county seat was even more at a loss.
Old Li was now eighty-eight years old.
When he was young and fighting in the wars, he had sustained many injuries and illnesses.
If Hua Jiunan hadn’t been using various medicines to regulate his body over the last few years, he likely wouldn’t have lasted this long.
On his deathbed, Old Li instead spoke up to comfort Hua Jiunan, who was dissolved in tears.
“Xiao Jiu, don’t cry. This old man has lived so long already; I’m satisfied.”
“It’s time for me to go and reunite with my old comrades-in-arms who passed away.”
“I only have one regret: I won’t be able to see you go to university with my own eyes.”
As the old man spoke, his spirits actually seemed to improve significantly.
But Hua Jiunan only cried more bitterly.
He knew this was the ‘terminal lucidity’ before death.
Old Li asked Hua Jiunan to bring his tobacco pipe and light it for him.
He took a deep, satisfying puff and continued, “Jiu, go turn on the radio. Grandfather wants to hear Shajiabang.”
From the radio, the voice of Sister-in-law Ah Qing began to sing:
“The seven-star stove is built, the copper kettle boils the waters of three rivers. The Eight Immortals table is set to receive guests from all sixteen directions.”
“All who come are guests, relying solely on the gift of gab. We meet with smiles, and think no more of it once it’s over.”
“Once the person leaves, the tea grows cold.”
“What does it matter if everything was perfect or not…”
The Old Master hummed a few lines along with the music before speaking again.
“In this life, I haven’t saved many good things. I’ll leave these medals to you as a keepsake.”
“But I have to take the big knife with me.”
Gently stroking the heavy blade, Old Li’s heroic spirit surged. “What are my thoughts on being beheaded today? The path of starting an undertaking is difficult, filled with a hundred battles. Upon reaching the Springs, I shall summon my old subordinates; with a hundred thousand banners, we shall slay the King of Hell!”
“If anyone in the Underworld dares to bully our common folk, this old man will use this big knife to fight them to the death!”
Old Li laughed heartily after speaking, as if he had returned to those magnificent years of war and fire.
As he laughed, the old man’s voice gradually faded into silence.
Just like that, holding his pipe and stroking his big knife, he passed away.
Old Li’s death plunged the entire small mountain village into grief.
The sound of weeping was everywhere.
Every household wore mourning clothes to pay tribute to this old man who had given everything to his country and its people.
That night, the wind and snow grew even heavier.
Hua Jiunan didn’t let anyone stay with him; he knelt alone in the mourning shed in the courtyard, weeping.
Amidst the gusts of cold wind, Chang Huaiyuan and Hemp-clad Grandmother appeared behind him.
Hemp-clad Grandmother was not in her sedan chair. She looked at Old Li’s coffin and sighed deeply.
“The good do not live long!”
“Old brother, how could you just leave like that?”
“A pity, a real pity. My cultivation is too low; I cannot ferry a person of such great merit like you!”
Chang Huaiyuan lit three sticks of incense and bowed deeply. “Old General, have a safe journey!”
At that moment, the surroundings suddenly fell silent.
Even the wind and snow stopped.
Chang Huaiyuan hurriedly pulled Hemp-clad Grandmother into the side room, where they attached themselves to their respective spirit tablets.
“Lords Fan and Xie are here. The two of us must avoid them.”
Hua Jiunan looked up and saw two blurry figures-one black and one white-standing in front of the coffin at some unknown point.
The white figure spoke.
“The hour has come!”
“The Yellow Springs Road is long and has no inns. Watch your step. Please, Old Master!”
The black figure was a man of few words: “Please!”
Old Li was seen walking out of the coffin, the big knife strapped to his back.
He first patted Hua Jiunan’s head dotingly, then walked into the house in a few steps.
The black and white figures looked at each other, said nothing, and followed closely behind.
Old Li looked at Deaf Granny, who had fallen into a deep sleep due to excessive grief, and let out a sigh.
Then he walked over to Wang Qianyue, who was guarding the ever-burning lamp and crying her eyes out.
“Girl, Grandfather is leaving. You must take care of yourself.”
“Just like your brother, study hard and get into university in the future!”
After Old Li finished speaking, he cupped his fists toward the black and white figures. “I’ve delayed you both. Let’s head out.”
The black figure cupped his fists in return. “Think nothing of it!”
As they passed by Hua Jiunan, the white figure suddenly spoke.
“Young master physician, I know you can see us and hear us.”
“In consideration of your ancestors’ achievements, I will give you a warning.”
“That girl over there-her placenta was used by wandering ghosts to practice an evil art.”
“You must find a way to find that fellow. Otherwise, it will be difficult for the little girl to live past the age of eighteen!”