As the saying goes: "First comes destiny, second comes luck, and third comes the influence of geomancy." The Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts, being a Yin-related magic art, actually encompasses all three.
It can alter both fate and fortune, even Feng Shui. The Dai family ancestral tomb was changed by me using Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts. However, if a living person practices such Yin-related magic, they will face great misfortune or have a shortened lifespan. That's why the ancestor of the Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts masters used a special tattoo to make a contract with Yama - this tattoo is called the Nine Dragons Pulling the Coffin.
With this Tattoo of Gods and Ghosts, the practitioner won't suffer from curses or backlash, remaining safe after applying the tattoos.
Webster gave me a meaningful look when he finished speaking. I understood his implication - since I don't have the Nine Dragons Pulling the Coffin tattoo, wouldn't I be in trouble after practicing Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts for so long?
Damn it! So the Nine Dragons Pulling the Coffin actually plays such a crucial role? Why had my grandfather never told me about this? Not only did he not give me the tattoo, but he also made me practice Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts to earn a hundred million to burn for him.
Without the Nine Dragons Pulling the Coffin, isn't it just a matter of time before I suffer consequences from practicing Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts? As Webster said, it could lead to a shortened lifespan. If I keep doing this, will I become short-lived?
"Damn it, you're not lying to me, are you? Why did my grandfather never mention any of this?" I panicked. I'm still so young - I don't want to die early or face catastrophe.
"Why would I lie to you? Do I have nothing better to do? As for why your grandfather didn't tell you, you'll have to ask him yourself. How should I know what that old man was thinking?" Webster said. "Speaking of which, have you experienced anything unusual since you started practicing Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts? Or felt unwell?"
I thought carefully but shook my head. While I had encountered some dangers, they were all normal occurrences with no physical discomfort.
Webster sighed in relief and said that was good news. However, since I lack that crucial tattoo, I'll need to be careful in the future. Actually, the backlash from Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts is a gradual process. I haven't been practicing long enough for it to manifest yet.
Practicing Yin-related magic isn't unique to Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts - it's the same with other trades dealing with the dead and the underworld. Frequent dealings with the netherworld inevitably expose one to Yin energy, which may lead to illness, shortened lifespan, physical disability, or misfortune for one's relatives. The more money you earn from underworld-related practices, the greater the karmic debt. That's why those involved in such practices must strictly follow the rules.
Webster is also one of those who leaked too much—both of his parents were struck by lightning, and he only saved his wife and children by poking out his own eyes and divorcing them to avoid bringing disaster upon them.
Webster advised me that if I was afraid of dying, I should quit while I was ahead, since I didn't have the Nine Dragons Pulling the Coffin tattoo, making the chances of something going wrong much higher.
I quickly shook my head. That wouldn't do. Even if I wanted to quit, I'd have to wait until I earned the 100 million. I had to save Grandpa—death meant nothing to me. I was willing to risk it for him.
I urged Webster to continue. What did my grandfather's whereabouts have to do with this Nine Dragons Pulling the Coffin tattoo?
Webster explained that the tattoo had another function: it could command ghost soldiers and hordes of spirits. However, entering the Underworld in a living body required sacrificing one's head to the netherworld, leaving the soul trapped in the realm of the dead, unable to return to the world of the living.
To escape, one would have to bribe the ghost soldiers and generals guarding the underworld.
Ordinary ghosts could be paid with Yin money—currency for the dead—but ghost soldiers and generals were different. They had limited vacation time to visit the living world, so they demanded real money burned for them.
That was why Grandpa needed me to make a hundred million to burn for him—so he could return to the living world.
"You mean… my grandfather is currently in the underworld?" I asked.
Webster nodded.
I pressed further, "Where exactly is the underworld? Is it the same as in legends?"
Webster admitted he didn't know—he'd never been there. I'd have to ask Grandpa myself. He only knew how the system worked.
Since he didn't have the answer, I moved on to another question. If the Nine Dragons Pulling the Coffin tattoo could command ghost soldiers and spirits, then we, as Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts masters, shouldn't be afraid of ghosts, right?
After all, we couldn't tattoo a full-body design, or else it would attract swarms of ghosts to devour the master. But if we could command spirits, why would they still attack us?
Webster explained that this was precisely why the taboo existed. He asked if I knew why Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts masters were forbidden from tattooing full-body designs.
I shook my head—it was something I'd long wondered about.
Webster revealed the reason: as soon as a full-body tattoo was applied, the Nine Dragons Pulling the Coffin tattoo's power would be nullified, breaking the pact with Yama. Without that protection, the ghosts would be free to feast on the master.
Ghosts belong to the netherworld—the realm of the dead—and the living must not interfere with the dead. Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts are immensely powerful, capable of altering many things. However, if you apply a full-body Tattoo of Gods and Ghosts, you will offend Yama, nullifying the tattoo's power and bringing grave misfortune upon yourself. Worse, you would attract swarms of ghosts to devour you.
Now I understand. No wonder full-body Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts are forbidden—the taboo lies here. That day, when I applied a full-body tattoo, Grandpa's own tattoo came into play, allowing him to command hordes of ghosts and ghost soldiers. He must have voluntarily entered the underworld. The thought of this pains my heart. After all, the underworld is a place for the dead—for a living person like Grandpa to go there, he must have suffered terribly. I swear to myself: I must save him as soon as possible.
Though I only asked one question, Webster answered many of my doubts. The only remaining question is: Why didn't Grandpa give me the Nine Dragons Pulling the Coffin tattoo? There must be hidden reasons.
Thinking about the tattoo's power also reminds me of someone—Peng Zu.
Earlier, Master Raul had Luna and Stella bring me a piece of human skin bearing a Yin-inspired tattoo called Make Way for the Ghost Soldiers.
In the tattoo, there was also an old man standing before the ghost soldiers and Yin generals. He wore nothing but a birthday suit and held a ghost flag, his lips curled in a strange smile.
This old man was Peng Zu, one of the pioneers of pre-Qin Taoism, who lived over 880 years. After his death, he was still sighted at the Terminal South Mountain, leading a troop of headless ghost soldiers into the mountains—never to return.
At the time, I didn't understand why Master Raul sent me this human skin. He didn't explain, only told me to keep it safe. But today, after learning the purpose of the Nine Dragons Pulling the Coffin tattoo, it suddenly clicked.
With the Nine Dragons Pulling the Coffin tattoo, one can command ghost soldiers and spirits. Peng Zu led a group of headless ghost soldiers into the mountain—meaning he, too, could command them.
Could he also have been a Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts master? Did Master Raul give me this human skin because I'm a Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts master—just like Peng Zu?
When I think about it this way, everything makes sense! Yet, the true secret behind this human skin and tattoo remains beyond my grasp.
Grandpa once said that Make Way for the Ghost Soldiers holds a secret—a major secret about eternal life. This is why the technique behind this Tattoo of Gods and Ghosts was lost.
A piece of human skin. A Yin-inspired tattoo. A secret to immortality. What does Master Raul expect me to do with it? And what can I even do with it?
Was Peng Zu truly a Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts master? Did he really live for over 880 years?
If his Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts technique was advanced enough, living that long wouldn't be impossible.
I know better than anyone just how terrifying Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts can be.