Chapter 66

Chapter 66

The voice from outside inquired again, "Mr. Chen Ji, sir, are you ready?"

"If we delay any longer, we'll miss the auspicious hour."

Having learned from his previous experience, Chen Ji was much calmer now. The realization that this was a dream, and one crafted by a relative, made it far less unsettling than he might have otherwise imagined.

He had meticulously analyzed the situation: this was a dream within a dream. The first layer involved Uncle Zhou urging him to descend to the village for some business, claiming a generous offering of incense money. Chen Ji had invoked the Mountain Lord's name to decline, but Uncle Zhou hadn't pressed him, simply vanishing. When Chen Ji attempted to consult the Mountain Lord about his fate, he fainted while casting the divination blocks, glimpsed a pair of red burial shoes, and then entered the second layer of the dream.

Therefore, regardless of whether someone was trying to ensnare him this time, by accompanying Uncle Zhou down the mountain first, he could circumvent the red burial shoes scenario.

Chen Ji pulled open the drawer, revealing the familiar wooden box containing talismans. It was then that he noticed the fingers reaching for the box were dark and calloused—not his own. They were, most likely, his grandfather’s hands.

So, this dream was something his grandfather had experienced? What was his grandfather trying to convey?

"Mr. Chen Ji? Sir? Are you still not ready?"

Chen Ji retrieved several potent talismans from the box. Recalling his grandfather's character, he retorted, "Hold on, I know what I'm doing. What's the damn rush? You'll make me piss crooked!"

Outside, Uncle Zhou and his two nephews burst into laughter. Uncle Zhou chuckled, chiding, "Hear that? Don't rush your Uncle Chen Ji, or he'll piss crooked!"

Then, his tone shifted abruptly: "Hurry up! Don't think a little deference means you can act like a big shot! Get your ass out here now! Can you still walk? Should I have your two nephews carry you in a palanquin?"

Chen Ji tucked the talismans into his pockets. The clothes he wore were a *Zhongshan* suit from his grandfather's era, replete with pockets, so finding a place for them was no issue. Chen Ji attempted to step out and indeed found his legs somewhat stiff. It wasn't noticeable at a slow pace, but became apparent when he tried to move quickly.

As the door opened, Uncle Zhou's face appeared. He stood in the sunlight, a cigarette in hand, offering a familiar, slight wave of greeting. The two younger men looked up, smiling, "Hello, Uncle Chen Ji!"

Chen Ji nodded but remained inside. "There's no need to rush. Since we're at the temple, it's customary to show respect. Come in, offer incense to Grandfather Mountain, and kowtow twice before we leave."

The two younger men readily agreed and quickly entered to kowtow and offer incense. Chen Ji looked at Uncle Zhou, "What are you gawking at, old man? Get in here!"

Uncle Zhou replied, "Just let me finish this cigarette."

Chen Ji nodded and waited by the door. Seeing this, Uncle Zhou quickly finished his cigarette and went in to kowtow to Grandfather Mountain. Chen Ji also lit three sticks of incense, then descended the mountain with Uncle Zhou and the others.

Uncle Zhou's two sons carried Chen Ji in a palanquin. They moved swiftly, and the journey was smooth, with the wind even pushing them downhill, making their steps feel lighter. Uncle Zhou walked beside the palanquin, "You're certainly enjoying yourself!"

Chen Ji squinted, his hands tucked into his sleeves, "How about when my son returns, I have him carry you to the city to see a doctor?"

"Bah! That's bad luck!" Uncle Zhou laughed and scolded, "Can't you say something more pleasant?!"

Under what circumstances would Chen Ji's son need to carry him to the city? Either his own sons were unfilial brutes, or both were dead. What utterly terrible luck!

Chen Ji chuckled dryly, continuing to chat with Uncle Zhou. At one point, they even swapped places; Chen Ji walked while Uncle Zhou rode in the palanquin, carried by his two sons. The two young men's laughter was so loud it could probably be heard all the way down the mountain.

After walking a few steps, Chen Ji didn't feel any discomfort in his legs, as the pace wasn't fast. Uncle Zhou, seated in the palanquin, lit a cigarette and offered one to Chen Ji, casually remarking, "I find it a bit strange that we managed to get you down the mountain this time. Didn't you say you'd retired from this business?"

Chen Ji mumbled vaguely, "It was a promise made long ago. It wouldn't be right to back out."

"True," Uncle Zhou took a drag, the smoke obscuring his features. "By the way, where's your grandson? Didn't you say he was coming up the mountain? Is it alright to leave him alone in the temple?"

Chen Ji paused, a peculiar sensation stirring within him, but he still replied, "It's fine. What could possibly happen in the temple?"

Uncle Zhou nodded, agreeing. After all, children in their village ran around freely all the time. What could go wrong? The well was covered, the temple gate was locked—what trouble could a child possibly cause?

The sunlight, gentle as water, enveloped everyone, providing a comforting warmth. Uncle Zhou said, "The village went a bit too far this time... Tsk, they only started panicking when things got out of hand. You shouldn't be soft-hearted about this either. Let them face jail time so they learn their lesson!"

Chen Ji wanted to inquire about the "jail time," but suddenly, a dark shadow flickered at the edge of his vision. Startled, he feigned a few gasps. Uncle Zhou instructed his two sons to stop the palanquin, grumbling, "With your sorry state of health, you still expect to live to see your grandson's wedding? Get back in the chair!"

Chen Ji re-entered the palanquin, his legs aching with a dull throb. He wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but he thought he'd glimpsed Second Master Huang—or perhaps not. Regardless, he couldn't delay any longer. He already felt like he was being watched, so it was best to hurry to Shangyang Village.

Shangyang Village was unusually lively today. Even from a distance, colorful banners and red cloths fluttered in the breeze. Chen Ji squinted, taking in the scene.

It looked like a celebration, but if it involved legal trouble and had already "erupted," why all the decorations? Was it a funeral celebrated as a joyous occasion?

It didn’t seem likely.

Chen Ji had always been composed. When villagers greeted him, he merely offered a slight nod, and no one pressed him further. Uncle Zhou's two sons led him to the seat of honor, and soon the village head approached. He greeted Chen Ji cheerfully, "Mr. Chen Ji, you honor us with your presence!"

Twins?

Chen Ji wondered if they had sold the children—but no, sold twins and then asked his grandfather to help them recover to have more? Would his grandfather treat such people?

Surely not.

Chen Ji's eye twitched. It felt more like the children had gone missing, and the parents, filled with regret, were seeking his grandfather's help to find clues for their search.

The young couple bowed deeply upon seeing Chen Ji, then nervously took their seats at the south side of the Eight Immortals table. Chen Ji sat alone at the north, the village head at the west, and a village teacher at the east.

The seating arrangement was telling: Chen Ji held the most honored position, followed by the village head, then the teacher, and finally the young couple.

It was also surprising that the teacher was willing to sit at the same table as his grandfather.

Once most people were seated, the village head stood up, beaming, and announced, "Today is a celebration banquet! The Shangyang Village ritual was successfully completed, and we can expect good rains and plentiful harvests for the next three years. The Da Nan couple are the heroes of this event—let's raise a glass to them!"

Shangyang Village was small; the entire village could barely fill thirty tables—and that was during his grandfather's time. By 2024, even ten tables would be hard to fill.

The entire village stood up. The young couple, looking somewhat dazed, rose to accept the toast. Chen Ji hesitated but, seeing the teacher remain seated, decided not to stand either.

After the toast, everyone's spirits seemed lifted. The village head spoke at length, mostly about unity and a brighter future. Chen Ji felt increasingly uneasy. He glanced at Uncle Zhou, who was sneering as he spoke to his two sons. When Uncle Zhou noticed Chen Ji looking, he raised his glass in a distant toast.

Chen Ji found the meal utterly unappetizing. Finally, when it concluded, the village head was thoroughly drunk. He had someone help him as he slurred to the young couple, "You two... have matters! Matters to discuss... with Master! He... he understands!"

The teacher glared coldly at Chen Ji, pointed at him, and declared, "You'll meet a bad end!"

With that, he stormed off.

The teacher had attended junior high school—in those days, being educated made one a talent. No one knew why he had ended up teaching in a remote, godforsaken place like Shangyang Village, but he had been there for twenty or thirty years. He possessed the integrity of a scholar, taking only his due salary and never accepting gifts from parents. He taught and disciplined as he saw fit, even scolding or punishing students in front of their parents, always with sound reasoning. After he was done, the parents could only accept it.

For him to say such things publicly today underscored the gravity of the situation.

Chen Ji wondered, what exactly had his grandfather done?

As the crowd dispersed, the young couple suddenly knelt before Chen Ji, kowtowing repeatedly. Before Chen Ji could help them up, he saw blood on their foreheads. Their voices hoarse, they pleaded, "Master, we didn't know! We truly didn't know!!! If we had, how could we have sacrificed our own flesh and blood for such a thing?"

"Master, everyone says you possess great abilities. We beg you, we beg you! We don't want the money or anything else. We just want Da Ni and Big Brother to come back. We'll do anything! Please, Master!"

Chen Ji didn't know much, but he was certain it involved the two children. He lowered his voice and said, "You expect me to believe you didn't know about something like this?"

The woman rushed to Chen Ji, clinging to his legs, and sobbed, "...Those damned people only said a wealthy family was looking for a pair of golden boys and jade girls to raise. Da Nan and I... my mother was sick... we didn't have enough milk, and keeping them at home would mean another mouth to feed. We were afraid someone in the family would die if we kept them! That's why we agreed! How could we have known?! I truly didn't know—!"

"They're my own flesh and blood! I thought they were going to a rich family to live as young masters and young mistresses. How could I have known they were being sent to be sacrificed to the mountain? Please, Master, have mercy! Let Da Ni and Big Brother come back!"

Sacrificed to the mountain.

Those words sent a chill down Chen Ji's spine.

Despite the turmoil within, he maintained a calm exterior. "Three days. It's been three days since you came to me. Isn't it a bit late?"

At this, the couple broke down crying. Uncle Zhou approached, placing a hand on Chen Ji's shoulder. "Old Chen Ji, isn't this why you came?"

Chen Ji looked up, saying sarcastically, "Two children who still need milk? Left unattended in the mountains for three days? How am I supposed to save them?"