Jiang Ping said he brought a Taoist Priest, but Qin Cheng felt that this should rather be called a âGodâs stick <sup>1</sup> â. As soon as he arrived in Ninghua Village, Qin Cheng saw that man dressed in an Exorcist costume, like the one of the movies. He had set up an altar with a table, and on top of it, there were burning incense and burning paper. The âTaoist Priestâ was holding a Peachwood Sword <sup>2</sup> , while he was chanting some unintelligible words.
â What a show, ohh how reliable. â
However, he was making a pretty good show, so he really tricked some of the villagers that still remained in Ninghua Village, attracting the residents of the neighboring villages to join in the fun.
âOh, hey, whatâs going on here? Why is this Taoist Priest here?â
âIt seems that there are ghosts in the ancient tomb over there, several archeologists have died too, and the police canât find out the reason behind it, so they invited a Taoist Priest to have a look.â
âGhosts?!â Qin Cheng couldnât see which woman suddenly screamed. âEverything mustâve happened because they disturbed the tombâs owner! Thatâs why you should neve take things away from this ancient tomb, it wouldnât be strange if those people get punished sooner or later!â
âYes, in the past, Ninghua Village still had land for planting, even though the road wasnât easy to walk through, the harvest was good. However, ever since the archeologists arrived, the villagers had to move away from their homes in which theyâve lived for decades, not to mention their ancestors, who had lived there for generations. It goes without saying that the land has been taken and the fields have been lost. The compensation they received was rich enough for a while, but, what will the future generations do?â
Qin Cheng frowned through the crowd talking about the Ninghua Villageâs situation. He walked towards Jiang Ping and asked him: âWhat are you trying to do? Are you an employee of the State who believes in ghosts and spirits now? You even bring someone to perform in front of the villagers with great fanfare. Arenât you afraid that someone will sue you for promoting unhealthy and dishonest practices?â
How could Jiang Ping not recognize the scorn in Qin Chengâs words when he became a deputy bureau at such a young age. Of course, he must have guessed that if he brought this Taoist priest here, his reaction wouldnât be too good.
âAlthough Iâm a deputy bureau, today happens to be my day off. Iâm just a tourist who comes to visit Ninghua Village in civilian clothes who âjust happened to run intoâ this espectacle. I didnât bring this Taoist priest, I came with a friend.â He said while pointing to a middle-aged man beside the Taoist priest.
Needless to say, Qin Cheng knew that the supposed âfriendâ of Jiang Ping was nothing more than a cover.
The Taoist priest had too many flowery tunes <sup>3</sup> , sometimes he was whispering and something he was shouting out loud. Qin Cheng couldnât understand much of what he was chanting, and only vaguely heard that he was inviting something or someone to come out.
When the Taoist priest finished, he said: âThis is to keep the peace and drive away evil spirits. Iâll just do it for you guys, and when the ceremony is over, you can enter the mountain.â
It was only at that moment that Qin Cheng noticed that the back of the Taoist priestâs hand was full of scars, as if he had been burned, and his fingers were somewhat twisted.
âMy friend said that this Taoist priestâs body is basically covered with these wounds, and that they were left over from a Heavenly punishment because he revealed his secrets to the world.â As if to see Qin Chengâs doubts, Jiang Ping suddenly said.
Qin Cheng glanced at Jiang Ping and said: âCompared to that, Iâm more curious as to why you let the Taoist priest come here. After all, werenât you guys not believing my words when I was summoned to the police station before?â
âItâs not like there will be things that canât exist just because you donât believe in them. After nearly 13 years as a detective, Iâm well aware of that.â After handing a cigarette to Qin Cheng, Jiang Ping said.
Jiang Ping thought of that day when he dragged his disoriented assistant back home. He thought that she would get better after a while; however, Lin Qinyu still looked like that, and the doctor couldnât find out the cause of her disease. It wasnât until his old friend introduced this Taoist priest to him, who made Lin Qinyu drink some Fushui <sup>4</sup> water, that she regained consciousness.
At that time, this old Taoist priest shook his head and explained to Jiang Ping how dangerous Lin Qinyuâs state was, and how difficult it was to save her⊠until he gave him 3000 <sup>5</sup> yuan, only then did he reluctantly stop talking.
It was this matter that made Jiang Ping believe some of Qin Chengâs words, and although he still had some doubts, he brought the Taoist priest with him this time.
Jiang Ping could also see that this man might be good at just a few tricks, which couldnât be regarded as a real Taoist priest, but at least, among the Taoists he had met so far, he was someone that could really handle this kind of thing.
âI asked him to come, but it cost almost 30000 <sup>6</sup> yuan to hire him, though.â
Qin Cheng sneered: âYour money?â
âNo, itâs my friendâs money.â
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Qin Cheng didnât want to keep talking with Jiang Ping, so he looked at the dried blood that was at the back of his hand. With a frown, he raised his hand and wiped it off, along with the bit on his forehead.
Soon after the ceremony finished, the next step was to go to the tomb to explore the tunnel, so Jing Ping called Qin Cheng to lead the way. In addition to the Taoist priest and Jiang Pingâs old friend, there were four people in total. Qin Cheng, who was at the front, deliberately slowed down the pace, after all, according to reason, if the Taoist priest really could deal with the deadly ghosts of the tomb, this would be the best for the archeological work, but⊠Qin Cheng was still a little bit hesitant.
It wasnât that Qin Cheng didnât want to exterminate those evil spirits, he justâŠ.. felt that it wasnât the right time yetâŠ..
Yet, he still led the Taoist priest to the middle of the tunnel, but he refused to lead them further than that; and no matter what Jiang Ping said, Qin Cheng wouldnât move forward.
âThe homicides happened here, close to the exit, ahead is the entrance of the Mausoleumâs coffin chamber. We havenât explored it yet, so you canât let people in, especially not if we happen to lose someone.â
While meaningfully looking at Qin Cheng, who didnât let them go any further, Jiang Ping suddenly said: âIâm a little curious, though. Why did you react like that when you heard me say that I found a Taoist priest?â
Qin Cheng was an archeologist, but he was also a gentle and polite scholar. With emotions like that, Jiang Ping was genuinely curious as to what was making him feel so uneasy.
Looking at Jiang Pingâs eyes that seemed to see through everything, Qin Cheng chuckled: âHahaha, Iâm also curious. Since the scene of the murder is obviously here, why are you insisting on going forward?â
âDidnât I tell you that Iâm not here as a detective today? Iâm just here to hang out.â
âThen please go out!â With a stern voice, Qin Cheng said: âThis isnât a place to hang out. This is a place for scientific examination, so please respect my work.â
While nodding his head, Jiang Ping took out his police plaque out of the inner pocket of his coat. âWell then, please respect my job as well. Two homicides arenât a joke.â
Even though he was standing inside the tunnel and in front of the place where the murders took place, Qin Cheng still didnât move a single step. Meanwhile, while Jiang Ping and Qin Cheng were confronting each other all this time, the compass in the Taoist priestâs hands suddenly began to turn, moving extremely fast.
âTh-this⊠it seems like somethingâs around here!!!â The Taoist priestâs voice was distinctly trembling, as if he was frightened by that thought.
The Taoist priestâs hands holding the compass began to shake, and his eyes were also looking around frenetically, as if he was afraid that something might suddenly appear.
Qin Cheng couldnât help but look around as well, but he didnât see anything strange.
âWhat happened?â Jiang Ping walked over the Taoist priest and asked him: âWhatâs going on?â
âThe faster the compass spins, the heavier the resentment will be, which means that there will be more grieving ghosts. I-Iâve never seen this compass spinning so fast before!â
Resentment? Was he perhaps talking about the grave robbers?
âThis place is way too frightening!â
After listening to what the Taoist priest had just said, Qin Cheng replied: âSo, should we continue to stay here, or will it be better for us to leave as soon as possible?â
Before the Taoist priest could answer, Jiang Ping spoke first: âLeave? Why would we do that? Originally, we came here to exorcise ghosts. If we leave, then those 30000 yuan will have to be returned to us.â
The old Taoist priest had a little bit of experience <sup>7</sup> in rituals <sup>8</sup> that can ward off evil spirits, but it was true that he had never encountered any major event such as this one before. However, he had heard from his predecessors that the faster the compass moves, the heavier the resentment will be, and that he must run away as soon as he sees something like that happening. But that was just something he heard a long time ago, and he had never encountered something like this in all his years as a Taoist priest; besides, if he just gave up, he would lose 30000 yuan. The old Taoist priest has always been greedy for money, so after he thought about it, he said: âBe-before, you didnât explain to me this situation was so seriousâŠ..â After a brief pause, his little eyes turned, full of calculation. âIf you add another 20000 or 50000 <sup>9</sup> yuan , then Iâll accept.â
After thinking that they might figure out his true identity, and that he shouldnât be too greedy for money, the old Taoist priest quickly added after faking a cough: â Cough , you know, if you want me to expel those ghosts and exorcise those evil spirits, my body might get hurt in the process, so you must compensate me for it.â
Jiang Pingâs old friend really believed in the religious old methods, so he replied: âYes, yes, yes. Taoist priest, if you help here, the money wonât be a problem at all.â
âWell thenâŠ. letâs get rid of the evil spirits here first. Help me find a spacious space.â
After looking at that old Taoist priest putting down his backpack and taking out the contents inside, Qin Cheng sawhim take out a blood stained glutinous rice, some clothes, strange things he couldnât recognize what they were, some willow branchesâŠ.
âYou canât even see Zhen and you want to expel Zhenâs spirit?â
When this sentence was suddenly heard by Qin Cheng, he abruptly turned back. At that instant, his lips seemed to unintentionally touch something icy cold.
â
<b>-The author has something to say-</b>
<b>Qin Cheng</b> : What did I just run into?
Asfhkfhk I know that for now, Jiang Ping may seem kinda annoying, but believe me, in future chapters yâall will adore him â€