Old Wang's hooligan demeanor was on full display—whether in Zhoujiazhuang or now, this wizened old man exuded an air of banditry. Yet when facing his son, he cowered like a cat, taking beatings without resistance.
The driver 沉吟 (pondered) for a moment. "I need to relieve myself." He got out and walked into the roadside woods. I elbowed Old Wang. "Master Wang, should we leave?"
"Shut up and stay put," he said without looking at me.
Feeling 憋屈 (frustrated), I knew I couldn't find my way back without him. Ten minutes passed—no driver. Thirty minutes—still nothing. Had something happened to him? Another ten minutes later, I couldn't hold back. "What do we do, Master Wang?"
Old Wang's expression turned grave. "I'll drive. Sit tight. No matter who gets in, don't talk to them. Got it?"
I pressed, "What's happening? Was that driver human or ghost? Why did he say the hearse doesn't carry the living? Where am I?"
"Just sit tight. I'll explain when we're back."
His cold stare silenced me. Judging by his fighting skills—he could take down three of me with ease—I knew he'd likely seen combat in his youth.
Strangely, the car moved without Old Wang touching the pedals. After ten minutes, we were still surrounded by vast wilderness, no villages or even forks in the road. I was confused—no matter the direction, we should've hit a village by now. Looking out, the sky was starless and moonless, though I'd seen the moon when I left.
"Master Wang, are the people 拦路 (blocking the road) human or ghost?" I asked. If human, why here at midnight? If ghost, why couldn't my Divine Eye see them?
Old Wang snorted. "Do you really think people wave down cars here at night? Use your head."
I protested, "But they had 阳火 (yang fires) on their heads and shoulders!"
"Yang fires? Are you sure you saw correctly?" he challenged.
"Positive."
"Wait till someone gets in—look again."
Five minutes later, a woman waved at a crossroads. As she boarded, I saw she held a black box.
She burst into tears. "Why is my life so miserable? Father died when I was 3, mother at 5. Trafficked to Shanxi at 14, escaped to Northeast, only to be forced into prostitution. Finally met someone, but why did he lie to me? Why!" Grabbing my collar, her pale face inches from mine, she sobbed, "Aren't I pitiful, little brother?"
Touched by her story, I almost comforted her, but Old Wang's warning stopped me. Activating my Divine Eye, I saw three yang fires above her head and shoulders—but they felt cold, floating three inches from her body—not hers at all!
Sweat poured down my face. Before I could speak, Old Wang said, "This is your fate—repaying past - life debts. Your debts are almost settled. If you harm others... even I can't save you."
Ignoring him, she stared at me. "Tell me—am I not wretched?"
Finally realizing I was dealing with a ghost, I chanted the Clear Spirit Incantation, calming my nerves.
Old Wang thundered, "Demon! Forcing my hand?"
The car stopped. I opened my eyes—the woman was gone. In her place lay the black box she'd carried. On it, a tiny photo—her face. The box was an 骨灰盒 (urn).