Chapter 24
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Chapter 24 The Deserted Village
I slept in Master Liu’s room the whole night through. I woke up early, not used to sleeping in the spare room where the windows allowed the sunlight in. Master Liu was still snoring loudly.
A feather skirted across my mind and I smiled. I found a soft straw jutting from below the bed and grabbed it, sweeping it gently beneath Master Liu’s raucous nose.
Each time I darted the straw below his nose he exhaled. It made a honking fart sound and I stifled a giggle. I did it again and again, struggling to keep from guffawing at the old man while he dozed.
I moved to tickle him again when Master Liu woke up.
He opened his eyes and I snorted laughter and said, "Good morning godfather!"
His sleep heavy eyes narrowed at my bright morning smile. I couldn’t usually get away with things like this. When I was caught teasing others my parents would thrash me a good one. I didn’t think Master Liu would make the same kind of fuss.
Reality is cruel, however. Master Liu moved with incredible speed and scolded, "Naughty boy!" He flipped me around on the bed until I was dizzy and gave my backside a sharp half dozen spanks.
He used more force than my parents and I cried out of surprise and pain.
My parents rushed to the door when they heard my wails. Master Liu explained my antics with a serious expression and my dad knelt down so our faces were level. I felt hopeless and ashamed. “How can a simple joke go so wrong?” I thought.
When all of the adults had put me in my proper place Master Liu straightened and patted the bed so I’d sit down next to him. The old man looked a bit ridiculous with his frazzled hair and his nightclothes, "Do you know why I spanked you?"
I shook my head with an aggrieved expression.
Master Liu said, "We can’t spoil naughty boys. It’s okay to make jokes, but you shouldn’t behave like that in front of your elders. Remember that. If you can’t be respectful, then you’ll be an unfilial man."
I didn’t understand at the time. As I grew up, I think I came to grasp the thought of respect and how to behave, but that wasn’t a pleasant morning for learning lessons. I pondered naughty children and my mind wandered to the boys at Zhao Yuan’s school. Spoiled children take things for granted. They don’t respect their elders. I’d even seen some scold their parents or grandparents.
“A disrespectful child has no fundamental Taoism, they don’t know what is wrong.” Master Liu told me, “Are you a disrespectful child?”
I shook my head in anger and disappointment. My lip was raw from where I’d bitten it while he spanked me. The heat in my head got the better of me and tears flowed from my eyes. I screamed and cried at the old man, “Then I won’t go with you! If I can’t play a silly joke then I’ll stay here!”
Master Liu and my father looked at me unfazed. "Enough,” My father told me. “It’s not a big deal. Don't be scared, and don’t be disrespectful.” He pointed a disciplinarian’s versed finger at me.
“Well,” Master Liu piped in, “Is breakfast prepared? I’m hungry! We’ll depart after we eat."
We went about our morning routine and ended up in the kitchen. I watched Master Liu eat with a purple anger still pulsing in my head. I wanted him to leave and never to see him again.
Master Liu looked at me blithely. "Don't cry, dear boy. We’ll go into town after breakfast. Perhaps I’ll get you ice cream again."
"Really?" I sniffed.
Master Liu grinned, "Absolutely!"
My tears dried up rather quickly after that.
Zhao Laohei arrived at the house and went about gathering Master Liu’s bags. He was wearing a fine Chinese suit and looked quite proper. I had never seen Zhao Laohei so handsomely done up before. Zhao Jie and Zhao Yuan filed in behind him. They pelted me with questions about going into, town for a week, none of which I had answers for.
“I’ll tell you everything when I come back!” I promised.
Granny Hong Rong arrived a bit later. She carried a beautiful cloth bag embroidered with several lotuses. “If only I had had a colorful bag like that! I’d be the coolest kid in school!” I thought.
Many villagers came by to bid Master Liu farewell. Sun Sheng gave Master Liu fifty yuan to thank him for saving his daughter. When the money came out of his wallet Master Liu refused to accept it, saying, “You can't offer me your money. I am no wandering Taoist trading money for ghosts.” He looked very serious, “I am…” He said, then shook his head and went on simply, “I can’t accept your money. It is yours and yours to trade with.”
Sun Sheng began to argue, but put the money back in his pocket before bidding Master Liu fine travels. Their interaction seemed odd at the time, I remember noting that I would never offer the old man money.
We bid my parents a brief farewell. My mother had gone to run errands with Zhao Laohei’s wife and there was very little sentiment traded between the men of the group. Zhao Laohei shook my father’s hand and bowed to him. I hugged my father briefly and he knelt down, “Be a respectful young man Xiao Yong. I will see you when you get back.”
With that we started off towards the bus stop. Zhao Laohei bought tickets for us all and I noted that this time, Master Liu didn’t refuse to accept. Not many people were going to town and the station was almost empty. Stepping onto the bus we moved towards the four empty seats in the last row.
My mind stuck on Master Liu’s refusal to take the money. It could buy a lot of ice cream. I moved to ask him about it when I saw the serious contemplative look on his face.
"Oh." I whispered then stayed silent.
As the bus began to move I watched the buildings and roads pass behind us. It was a bumpy, bouncing ride, and my eyes soon drooped shut in the warm seat between Master Liu and Granny.
When I awoke we weren’t in a bus, not even in a vehicle. I looked up and saw Master Liu’s old face. He was holding me with the practiced ease of a grandfather. Through sleepy dimmed sight I looked over and saw Zhao Laohei and Granny Hong Rong walking towards a cave-like dwelling. The low ceiling forced both of them to crouch. The lamplight in Zhao Laohei’s hand illuminated a mud statue just inside.
The statue came to Granny Hong Rong’s belly and it looked dirty. There weren’t any tributes at its feet. Obviously, no one had been here to worship for a long time.
I wriggled to see better and Master Liu looked at me. “You’re awake! Good.” He set me down without any explanation. My eyes flew back to the God statue. There were spider webs covering the walls behind it. The foundation of the cave consisted of packed adobe. Wooden walls, window frames, and the door shone broken and decayed.
"Where are we?” I started, "This place is old.”
Granny Hong Rong turned back and replied, "This is Village Lao Xingjia, where the Earth God’s temple was built."
"Village Lao Xingjia?" I hadn't heard the name before.
Zhao Laohei explained, "This small village is located to the east of the twin. Many years ago, explorers found mineral resources underneath the village. Many people emigrated here, and as a result resources ran out. The old wells eventually went dry so everyone deserted the place.
Zhao Laohei looked ready to keep talking for hours, but Master Liu cut him off, "Enough! We’re not here to talk about the village. We have business to do and we will leave after we’ve finished. The local lore does not concern us.” He shot an impatient look at Zhao Laohei.
"Oh." The man said, and fell silent.
Master Liu took out a yellow cloth bag embroidered with red lettering.
“What’s in there?” I asked.
Master Liu pushed me away from it, shaking the bag and saying, "Ghosts!" He looked almost cheery.
I jumped back unconsciously and then Granny Hong Rong was beside me.
Master Liu looked at the old woman, "Are you ready to let him out?"
I darted a fearful glance at Granny Hong Rong and ran to where Zhao Laohei was. The tall man ushered me behind his back.
Granny Hong Rong nodded, "I am ready. Let him out."
Master Liu loosened the drawstring and his hands darted in a rite of Taoism. A shadow came flying out of the cloth bag. My eyes followed the shadow and I recognized it at once. It was the ghost in the Chinese tunic suit, the one that had been inside of me.
The same fear didn’t boil its way through me this time however. The ghost didn’t seem ferocious any more. I felt a wave of pity flow through me at the sight of him. He looked somehow poor and desolate.
Master Liu spoke to the ghost, "Cui Guangjin, did you die here? We have brought you back with your lover. What do you want to say? Tell her your wishes!"
The dark visage of a man in a Chinese tunic looked at Granny Hong Rong. His expression livened. Dark, dead lips moved to speak but no words reached my ears.
Granny Hong Rong seemingly heard everything. She nodded again and again. Tears teased the air at the corner of her eyes and then followed each other down her wrinkled face.
“What are they saying?” I asked Master Liu
“That is between them, my boy. We don’t need to know.”
The shadow man and Granny spoke for many minutes. Finally, Granny Hong Rong knelt towards the male ghost. The ghost simply shook his head and his substance became vague. Slowly, he faded, and then disappeared.
As his shadow disappeared, Granny Hong Rong shouted into the place he had been, "Cui Guangjin, I am so sorry. So sorry!"
Master Liu put away his cloth bag and wrapped a long arm around the woman saying, "It is done. He is gone. We have dealt with him for your sake, but cannot stay here for long. Let's go."
Granny Hong Rong kowtowed in the direction that Cui Guangjin had vanished. The severe remorse in her eyes made her face look beyond old. After a moment longer she stood up, wiping away her tears.
I moved to exit the small cave we were in and tromped on the heavy weeds at the entrance. I glanced at the broken village around us and marveled at the plants reclaiming their domain.
In the distance, I caught the tail end of several men in black walking single file within the deserted village. Our party left the Earth God’s cave and moved towards the main road. Looking back I saw them again just as they disappeared into the cave we’d recently vacated.
“Was this village truly deserted?” I thought.
I turned to ask when Master Liu said to me, "Keep quiet no matter what you see. Don't argue with me just follow. This village will mean something great to you one day, but this is not that day. Maybe..." He trailed off. “When you are older.”
I looked back towards the cave that the men had disappeared into and realized, that no one else could see them.
They weren’t men at all.
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Chapter 24 The Deserted Village
I slept in Master Liu’s room the whole night through. I woke up early, not used to sleeping in the spare room where the windows allowed the sunlight in. Master Liu was still snoring loudly.
A feather skirted across my mind and I smiled. I found a soft straw jutting from below the bed and grabbed it, sweeping it gently beneath Master Liu’s raucous nose.
Each time I darted the straw below his nose he exhaled. It made a honking fart sound and I stifled a giggle. I did it again and again, struggling to keep from guffawing at the old man while he dozed.
I moved to tickle him again when Master Liu woke up.
He opened his eyes and I snorted laughter and said, "Good morning godfather!"
His sleep heavy eyes narrowed at my bright morning smile. I couldn’t usually get away with things like this. When I was caught teasing others my parents would thrash me a good one. I didn’t think Master Liu would make the same kind of fuss.
Reality is cruel, however. Master Liu moved with incredible speed and scolded, "Naughty boy!" He flipped me around on the bed until I was dizzy and gave my backside a sharp half dozen spanks.
He used more force than my parents and I cried out of surprise and pain.
My parents rushed to the door when they heard my wails. Master Liu explained my antics with a serious expression and my dad knelt down so our faces were level. I felt hopeless and ashamed. “How can a simple joke go so wrong?” I thought.
When all of the adults had put me in my proper place Master Liu straightened and patted the bed so I’d sit down next to him. The old man looked a bit ridiculous with his frazzled hair and his nightclothes, "Do you know why I spanked you?"
I shook my head with an aggrieved expression.
Master Liu said, "We can’t spoil naughty boys. It’s okay to make jokes, but you shouldn’t behave like that in front of your elders. Remember that. If you can’t be respectful, then you’ll be an unfilial man."
I didn’t understand at the time. As I grew up, I think I came to grasp the thought of respect and how to behave, but that wasn’t a pleasant morning for learning lessons. I pondered naughty children and my mind wandered to the boys at Zhao Yuan’s school. Spoiled children take things for granted. They don’t respect their elders. I’d even seen some scold their parents or grandparents.
“A disrespectful child has no fundamental Taoism, they don’t know what is wrong.” Master Liu told me, “Are you a disrespectful child?”
I shook my head in anger and disappointment. My lip was raw from where I’d bitten it while he spanked me. The heat in my head got the better of me and tears flowed from my eyes. I screamed and cried at the old man, “Then I won’t go with you! If I can’t play a silly joke then I’ll stay here!”
Master Liu and my father looked at me unfazed. "Enough,” My father told me. “It’s not a big deal. Don't be scared, and don’t be disrespectful.” He pointed a disciplinarian’s versed finger at me.
“Well,” Master Liu piped in, “Is breakfast prepared? I’m hungry! We’ll depart after we eat."
We went about our morning routine and ended up in the kitchen. I watched Master Liu eat with a purple anger still pulsing in my head. I wanted him to leave and never to see him again.
Master Liu looked at me blithely. "Don't cry, dear boy. We’ll go into town after breakfast. Perhaps I’ll get you ice cream again."
"Really?" I sniffed.
Master Liu grinned, "Absolutely!"
My tears dried up rather quickly after that.
Zhao Laohei arrived at the house and went about gathering Master Liu’s bags. He was wearing a fine Chinese suit and looked quite proper. I had never seen Zhao Laohei so handsomely done up before. Zhao Jie and Zhao Yuan filed in behind him. They pelted me with questions about going into, town for a week, none of which I had answers for.
“I’ll tell you everything when I come back!” I promised.
Granny Hong Rong arrived a bit later. She carried a beautiful cloth bag embroidered with several lotuses. “If only I had had a colorful bag like that! I’d be the coolest kid in school!” I thought.
Many villagers came by to bid Master Liu farewell. Sun Sheng gave Master Liu fifty yuan to thank him for saving his daughter. When the money came out of his wallet Master Liu refused to accept it, saying, “You can't offer me your money. I am no wandering Taoist trading money for ghosts.” He looked very serious, “I am…” He said, then shook his head and went on simply, “I can’t accept your money. It is yours and yours to trade with.”
Sun Sheng began to argue, but put the money back in his pocket before bidding Master Liu fine travels. Their interaction seemed odd at the time, I remember noting that I would never offer the old man money.
We bid my parents a brief farewell. My mother had gone to run errands with Zhao Laohei’s wife and there was very little sentiment traded between the men of the group. Zhao Laohei shook my father’s hand and bowed to him. I hugged my father briefly and he knelt down, “Be a respectful young man Xiao Yong. I will see you when you get back.”
With that we started off towards the bus stop. Zhao Laohei bought tickets for us all and I noted that this time, Master Liu didn’t refuse to accept. Not many people were going to town and the station was almost empty. Stepping onto the bus we moved towards the four empty seats in the last row.
My mind stuck on Master Liu’s refusal to take the money. It could buy a lot of ice cream. I moved to ask him about it when I saw the serious contemplative look on his face.
"Oh." I whispered then stayed silent.
As the bus began to move I watched the buildings and roads pass behind us. It was a bumpy, bouncing ride, and my eyes soon drooped shut in the warm seat between Master Liu and Granny.
When I awoke we weren’t in a bus, not even in a vehicle. I looked up and saw Master Liu’s old face. He was holding me with the practiced ease of a grandfather. Through sleepy dimmed sight I looked over and saw Zhao Laohei and Granny Hong Rong walking towards a cave-like dwelling. The low ceiling forced both of them to crouch. The lamplight in Zhao Laohei’s hand illuminated a mud statue just inside.
The statue came to Granny Hong Rong’s belly and it looked dirty. There weren’t any tributes at its feet. Obviously, no one had been here to worship for a long time.
I wriggled to see better and Master Liu looked at me. “You’re awake! Good.” He set me down without any explanation. My eyes flew back to the God statue. There were spider webs covering the walls behind it. The foundation of the cave consisted of packed adobe. Wooden walls, window frames, and the door shone broken and decayed.
"Where are we?” I started, "This place is old.”
Granny Hong Rong turned back and replied, "This is Village Lao Xingjia, where the Earth God’s temple was built."
"Village Lao Xingjia?" I hadn't heard the name before.
Zhao Laohei explained, "This small village is located to the east of the twin. Many years ago, explorers found mineral resources underneath the village. Many people emigrated here, and as a result resources ran out. The old wells eventually went dry so everyone deserted the place.
Zhao Laohei looked ready to keep talking for hours, but Master Liu cut him off, "Enough! We’re not here to talk about the village. We have business to do and we will leave after we’ve finished. The local lore does not concern us.” He shot an impatient look at Zhao Laohei.
"Oh." The man said, and fell silent.
Master Liu took out a yellow cloth bag embroidered with red lettering.
“What’s in there?” I asked.
Master Liu pushed me away from it, shaking the bag and saying, "Ghosts!" He looked almost cheery.
I jumped back unconsciously and then Granny Hong Rong was beside me.
Master Liu looked at the old woman, "Are you ready to let him out?"
I darted a fearful glance at Granny Hong Rong and ran to where Zhao Laohei was. The tall man ushered me behind his back.
Granny Hong Rong nodded, "I am ready. Let him out."
Master Liu loosened the drawstring and his hands darted in a rite of Taoism. A shadow came flying out of the cloth bag. My eyes followed the shadow and I recognized it at once. It was the ghost in the Chinese tunic suit, the one that had been inside of me.
The same fear didn’t boil its way through me this time however. The ghost didn’t seem ferocious any more. I felt a wave of pity flow through me at the sight of him. He looked somehow poor and desolate.
Master Liu spoke to the ghost, "Cui Guangjin, did you die here? We have brought you back with your lover. What do you want to say? Tell her your wishes!"
The dark visage of a man in a Chinese tunic looked at Granny Hong Rong. His expression livened. Dark, dead lips moved to speak but no words reached my ears.
Granny Hong Rong seemingly heard everything. She nodded again and again. Tears teased the air at the corner of her eyes and then followed each other down her wrinkled face.
“What are they saying?” I asked Master Liu
“That is between them, my boy. We don’t need to know.”
The shadow man and Granny spoke for many minutes. Finally, Granny Hong Rong knelt towards the male ghost. The ghost simply shook his head and his substance became vague. Slowly, he faded, and then disappeared.
As his shadow disappeared, Granny Hong Rong shouted into the place he had been, "Cui Guangjin, I am so sorry. So sorry!"
Master Liu put away his cloth bag and wrapped a long arm around the woman saying, "It is done. He is gone. We have dealt with him for your sake, but cannot stay here for long. Let's go."
Granny Hong Rong kowtowed in the direction that Cui Guangjin had vanished. The severe remorse in her eyes made her face look beyond old. After a moment longer she stood up, wiping away her tears.
I moved to exit the small cave we were in and tromped on the heavy weeds at the entrance. I glanced at the broken village around us and marveled at the plants reclaiming their domain.
In the distance, I caught the tail end of several men in black walking single file within the deserted village. Our party left the Earth God’s cave and moved towards the main road. Looking back I saw them again just as they disappeared into the cave we’d recently vacated.
“Was this village truly deserted?” I thought.
I turned to ask when Master Liu said to me, "Keep quiet no matter what you see. Don't argue with me just follow. This village will mean something great to you one day, but this is not that day. Maybe..." He trailed off. “When you are older.”
I looked back towards the cave that the men had disappeared into and realized, that no one else could see them.
They weren’t men at all.
Chapter 24 The Deserted VillageI slept in Master Liu's room the whole night through. I woke up early, not used to sleeping in the spare room where the windows allowed the sunlight in. Master Liu was still snoring loudly. A feather skirted across my mind and I smiled. I found a soft straw jutting from below the bed and grabbed it, sweeping it gently beneath Master Liu's raucous nose. Each time I darted the straw below his nose he exhaled. It made a honking fart sound and I stifled a giggle. I did it again and again, struggling to keep from guffawing at the old man while he dozed. I moved to tickle him again when Master Liu woke up.He opened his eyes and I snorted laughter and said, "Good morning godfather!" His sleep heavy eyes narrowed at my bright morning smile. I couldn't usually get away with things like this. When I was caught teasing others my parents would thrash me a good one. I didn't think Master Liu would make the same kind of fuss. Reality is cruel, however. Master Liu moved with incredible speed and scolded, "Naughty boy!" He flipped me around on the bed until I was dizzy and gave my backside a sharp half dozen spanks. He used more force than my parents and I cried out of surprise and pain.My parents rushed to the door when they heard my wails. Master Liu explained my antics with a serious expression and my dad knelt down so our faces were level. I felt hopeless and ashamed. How can a simple joke go so wrong? I thought.When all of the adults had put me in my proper place Master Liu straightened and patted the bed so I'd sit down next to him. The old man looked a bit ridiculous with his frazzled hair and his nightclothes, "Do you know why I spanked you?" I shook my head with an aggrieved expression.Master Liu said, "We can't spoil naughty boys. It's okay to make jokes, but you shouldn't behave like that in front of your elders. Remember that. If you can't be respectful, then you'll be an unfilial man." I didn't understand at the time. As I grew up, I think I came to grasp the thought of respect and how to behave, but that wasn't a pleasant morning for learning lessons. I pondered naughty children and my mind wandered to the boys at Zhao Yuan's school. Spoiled children take things for granted. They don't respect their elders. I'd even seen some scold their parents or grandparents. A disrespectful child has no fundamental Taoism, they don't know what is wrong. Master Liu told me, Are you a disrespectful child?I shook my head in anger and disappointment. My lip was raw from where I'd bitten it while he spanked me. The heat in my head got the better of me and tears flowed from my eyes. I screamed and cried at the old man, Then I won't go with you! If I can't play a silly joke then I'll stay here! Master Liu and my father looked at me unfazed. "Enough, My father told me. It's not a big deal. Don't be scared, and don't be disrespectful. He pointed a disciplinarian's versed finger at me. Well, Master Liu piped in, Is breakfast prepared? I'm hungry! We'll depart after we eat." We went about our morning routine and ended up in the kitchen. I watched Master Liu eat with a purple anger still pulsing in my head. I wanted him to leave and never to see him again.Master Liu looked at me blithely. "Don't cry, dear boy. We'll go into town after breakfast. Perhaps I'll get you ice cream again.""Really?" I sniffed.Master Liu grinned, "Absolutely!" My tears dried up rather quickly after that.Zhao Laohei arrived at the house and went about gathering Master Liu's bags. He was wearing a fine Chinese suit and looked quite proper. I had never seen Zhao Laohei so handsomely done up before. Zhao Jie and Zhao Yuan filed in behind him. They pelted me with questions about going into, town for a week, none of which I had answers for. I'll tell you everything when I come back! I promised.Granny Hong Rong arrived a bit later. She carried a beautiful cloth bag embroidered with several lotuses. If only I had had a colorful bag like that! I'd be the coolest kid in school! I thought.Many villagers came by to bid Master Liu farewell. Sun Sheng gave Master Liu fifty yuan to thank him for saving his daughter. When the money came out of his wallet Master Liu refused to accept it, saying, You can't offer me your money. I am no wandering Taoist trading money for ghosts. He looked very serious, I am He said, then shook his head and went on simply, I can't accept your money. It is yours and yours to trade with. Sun Sheng began to argue, but put the money back in his pocket before bidding Master Liu fine travels. Their interaction seemed odd at the time, I remember noting that I would never offer the old man money. We bid my parents a brief farewell. My mother had gone to run errands with Zhao Laohei's wife and there was very little sentiment traded between the men of the group. Zhao Laohei shook my father's hand and bowed to him. I hugged my father briefly and he knelt down, Be a respectful young man Xiao Yong. I will see you when you get back.With that we started off towards the bus stop. Zhao Laohei bought tickets for us all and I noted that this time, Master Liu didn't refuse to accept. Not many people were going to town and the station was almost empty. Stepping onto the bus we moved towards the four empty seats in the last row.My mind stuck on Master Liu's refusal to take the money. It could buy a lot of ice cream. I moved to ask him about it when I saw the serious contemplative look on his face."Oh." I whispered then stayed silent. As the bus began to move I watched the buildings and roads pass behind us. It was a bumpy, bouncing ride, and my eyes soon drooped shut in the warm seat between Master Liu and Granny. When I awoke we weren't in a bus, not even in a vehicle. I looked up and saw Master Liu's old face. He was holding me with the practiced ease of a grandfather. Through sleepy dimmed sight I looked over and saw Zhao Laohei and Granny Hong Rong walking towards a cave-like dwelling. The low ceiling forced both of them to crouch. The lamplight in Zhao Laohei's hand illuminated a mud statue just inside. The statue came to Granny Hong Rong's belly and it looked dirty. There weren't any tributes at its feet. Obviously, no one had been here to worship for a long time. I wriggled to see better and Master Liu looked at me. You're awake! Good. He set me down without any explanation. My eyes flew back to the God statue. There were spider webs covering the walls behind it. The foundation of the cave consisted of packed adobe. Wooden walls, window frames, and the door shone broken and decayed. "Where are we? I started, "This place is old.Granny Hong Rong turned back and replied, "This is Village Lao Xingjia, where the Earth God's temple was built.""Village Lao Xingjia?" I hadn't heard the name before.Zhao Laohei explained, "This small village is located to the east of the twin. Many years ago, explorers found mineral resources underneath the village. Many people emigrated here, and as a result resources ran out. The old wells eventually went dry so everyone deserted the place.Zhao Laohei looked ready to keep talking for hours, but Master Liu cut him off, "Enough! We're not here to talk about the village. We have business to do and we will leave after we've finished. The local lore does not concern us. He shot an impatient look at Zhao Laohei."Oh." The man said, and fell silent.Master Liu took out a yellow cloth bag embroidered with red lettering. What's in there? I asked.Master Liu pushed me away from it, shaking the bag and saying, "Ghosts!" He looked almost cheery.I jumped back unconsciously and then Granny Hong Rong was beside me. Master Liu looked at the old woman, "Are you ready to let him out?" I darted a fearful glance at Granny Hong Rong and ran to where Zhao Laohei was. The tall man ushered me behind his back.Granny Hong Rong nodded, "I am ready. Let him out." Master Liu loosened the drawstring and his hands darted in a rite of Taoism. A shadow came flying out of the cloth bag. My eyes followed the shadow and I recognized it at once. It was the ghost in the Chinese tunic suit, the one that had been inside of me. The same fear didn't boil its way through me this time however. The ghost didn't seem ferocious any more. I felt a wave of pity flow through me at the sight of him. He looked somehow poor and desolate.Master Liu spoke to the ghost, "Cui Guangjin, did you die here? We have brought you back with your lover. What do you want to say? Tell her your wishes!" The dark visage of a man in a Chinese tunic looked at Granny Hong Rong. His expression livened. Dark, dead lips moved to speak but no words reached my ears. Granny Hong Rong seemingly heard everything. She nodded again and again. Tears teased the air at the corner of her eyes and then followed each other down her wrinkled face. What are they saying? I asked Master Liu That is between them, my boy. We don't need to know.The shadow man and Granny spoke for many minutes. Finally, Granny Hong Rong knelt towards the male ghost. The ghost simply shook his head and his substance became vague. Slowly, he faded, and then disappeared.As his shadow disappeared, Granny Hong Rong shouted into the place he had been, "Cui Guangjin, I am so sorry. So sorry!"Master Liu put away his cloth bag and wrapped a long arm around the woman saying, "It is done. He is gone. We have dealt with him for your sake, but cannot stay here for long. Let's go." Granny Hong Rong kowtowed in the direction that Cui Guangjin had vanished. The severe remorse in her eyes made her face look beyond old. After a moment longer she stood up, wiping away her tears. I moved to exit the small cave we were in and tromped on the heavy weeds at the entrance. I glanced at the broken village around us and marveled at the plants reclaiming their domain. In the distance, I caught the tail end of several men in black walking single file within the deserted village. Our party left the Earth God's cave and moved towards the main road. Looking back I saw them again just as they disappeared into the cave we'd recently vacated. Was this village truly deserted? I thought.I turned to ask when Master Liu said to me, "Keep quiet no matter what you see. Don't argue with me just follow. This village will mean something great to you one day, but this is not that day. Maybe..." He trailed off. When you are older. I looked back towards the cave that the men had disappeared into and realized, that no one else could see them. They weren't men at all.
