That dark, sticky stuff was too much.
Not only was I feeling cold now, but also dizzy.
I couldn't even stand steadily, swaying and my eyes rolling upwards uncontrollably.
In a daze, I realized that besides my master Gu Hui and myself, there was a third person in the room.
It was a woman in white, with long hair, her face obscured.
She stood motionless in the shadows by the doorway, just watching me.
As I tried to speak, my vision went black, and I collapsed onto the floor.
All I could faintly hear was my master calling my name; Qin Ze, Qin Ze…
When I opened my eyes again, I found my master pinching my philtrum, still calling out to me:
"Qin Ze, Qin Ze, wake up. Don't pass out, it's hard to come back once you do…"
"Mas-master!"
I mumbled groggily, still feeling cold and shivering.
My head was also spinning, but not as severely as before.
"It's good that you're awake, get up quickly…"
My master sighed and helped me up.
The first thing I did was glance towards the dark corner by the door.
It was empty, nothing there.
Did I imagine it just now?
No, I definitely didn't imagine it.
So I turned to my master and said:
"Master, just now, just before I fainted, I saw a woman in white over there…"
As I spoke, I pointed to the corner.
My master turned to look, then patted my shoulder,
And said to me:
"It's alright, she's your benefactor!"
"My benefactor?"
I was stunned, my face filled with confusion.
My master nodded seriously:
"Yes! The fact that you're alive now is likely all thanks to her.
Otherwise, your yin fate would have ended long ago, and you wouldn't have lived to this age."
I listened intently, appearing quite shocked.
My benefactor, and she's been protecting me all along?
"Master, is she… is she still here? Is she human or a ghost?"
I asked again, with a hint of suspicion.
But my master shook his head:
"It was Qingfeng. She left when she saw you were awake!"
Qingfeng! I had heard that term before. It was another name for a 'dirty thing,' but usually used to describe a benevolent ghost.
"Then… will she appear again? Why, why would she help me?"
I furrowed my brow and continued to press.
Thinking about my experiences these past few days, I really felt like someone was secretly saving me and guiding me.
Otherwise, I would likely have been run over by a truck three days ago.
The day before yesterday, I might have been pushed off a guardrail by Brother Chen, who was possessed by a 'dirty thing,' and fallen to my death.
Last night, I might have been retaliated against by the fox spirit demanding a reward if I answered incorrectly.
But I was also very puzzled about the origin of this 'benefactor.'
My master shook his head and then replied:
"Who knows!
But it looks like your family or you yourself accumulated a lot of good karma in your past life.
Someone is repaying the favor, and that's why you're alive now.
However, to protect your life, she must have paid a great price.
All her good fortune has likely been used up.
Go find a crossroads later and burn some incense, candles, and paper money for her!"
Hearing this, I let out an "Oh."
Even though I hadn't met her face-to-face, I felt immensely grateful.
At this moment, my master took out a string of beads.
It was made from those ten old coins strung together with black thread, which looked like hair:
"Wear this. Wear it on your left hand. It will anchor your fate and prevent you from losing your vital energy."
I took the string of beads; it was quite beautifully made.
Without a second thought, I put it on my left wrist.
But the moment I put it on, I felt a pain in my chest and abdomen.
Then, a feeling of nausea came over me.
"Ugh, ugh…"
My master appeared remarkably calm, as if everything was within his expectations.
He pushed a wastebasket towards me:
"Spit it out! You'll feel better after you're done."
The next second, I vomited several times with "ugggh, ugggh."
But what came out was black, in clumps, and without any smell.
However, I could clearly feel that this substance was very cold and emitting a chilling aura.
As soon as this substance was expelled, I felt a sense of relief all over my body.
My body no longer felt cold, my head was no longer spinning, and I felt much more comfortable.
"Master, wh-what is this I've vomited…"
My master lit his pipe and took a puff:
"First, let's check your chest. Has the yin spot disappeared?"
Upon hearing this, I hurriedly lifted my clothes to check.
I found that the fist-sized, dark yin spot on my chest had completely vanished.
I said with joy:
"Master, the yin spot is gone!"
My master nodded:
"What you vomited was the Yin Corpse Qi that has accumulated in your body over the years.
Now that I've used the old medicine to clear the Yin Corpse Qi from your body, it has repaired your life wheel and fixed your oil lamp.
Now, all that's needed is to add lamp oil to this depleted lamp. As long as the flame doesn't go out, the problem will be solved fundamentally."
Hearing this, I became very happy:
"Master, then, then how can I add more lamp oil?"
My master didn't answer immediately. After exhaling some smoke, he said:
"Now, to increase the lamp oil and continue living,
I have two methods.
First, accumulate merit and increase your luck.
However, this method is too slow. Distant water cannot quench immediate thirst.
After all, your allotted lifespan is running short.
Without lamp oil, even a golden lamp will have its flame extinguished.
Therefore, we can only use the second method now: seizing lifespan."