Hearing my master say this, I began to look around the roadside.
This was a forested area, and not many people passed by on normal days, with dense bushes and weeds all around.
There was, naturally, a lot of dry grass.
However, I didn't seem to see any mulberry trees:
"Master, there is dry grass, but I don't see any mulberry trees around here!"
My master paused on the phone and then spoke in a deep voice:
"No mulberry trees. Just look for eucalyptus or phoenix trees..."
As soon as my master finished speaking, Mo Ting, who was beside me, pointed in one direction, signaling me to look.
In the direction Mo Ting was pointing, I discovered a phoenix tree.
The phoenix tree was not large, only about as thick as a person's leg, and it was growing quite lushly.
"Master, I have a phoenix tree here."
After hearing this, my master spoke very seriously to me on the phone:
"Good! A phoenix tree will do.
Now listen carefully, find some dry grass where you are.
Using the method I usually teach you for making scarecrows, tie a scarecrow out of dry grass.
Stuff a few of your hairs into the scarecrow's head.
Finally, use your fingertip blood to write your birthdate, time of birth, and approximate address on the bark of the phoenix tree, then place it upside down on the scarecrow and weigh it down.
Next, you will continuously circle the scarecrow, turning to your right.
As long as the scarecrow doesn't move, you must not stop, do you understand?"
I frowned slightly. Could it be that my master was going to perform a ritual remotely?
He intended to use a scarecrow to help me repel that headless fierce spirit?
Thinking this, but having no time for further questions.
After a slight hesitation, I immediately replied:
"Okay Master, I'll do it now!"
With that, I hung up the phone.
Because it was late and quiet in this place, Mo Ting could hear everything my master and I were talking about.
Mo Ting's stomach still hurt, but it had improved considerably compared to before.
Seeing me hang up the phone, he said to me:
"Brother Qin, you go get the tree bark. I'll make the scarecrow, we'll split up and move faster."
Seeing that he was in a stable condition, I also nodded:
"Okay!"
With that, we separated and began our tasks.
I took out the fox claw I had on me and went to the phoenix tree.
The fox claw was exceptionally sharp and hard, and with a slash, it cut into the bark.
With a "hiss," a slit appeared.
I cut out a rectangle and then tore the bark off by hand.
It was a bit damaged and not entirely intact.
But the problem should not be too great.
Holding the bark, I didn't fear pain.
Using the fox claw, I directly pricked the tip of my right middle finger.
Seeing the blood welling up, I wrote my birthdate, time of birth, and the approximate location on the phoenix tree bark.
The blood soaked in, and it wasn't very neat.
But the content was still somewhat legible.
After I finished writing, Old Mo had already gathered a lot of dry grass by the roadside.
And quickly tied a scarecrow about forty to fifty centimeters long.
It had hands and feet, but no facial features.
Seeing that the scarecrow was finished, I plucked a few hairs from my own head and stuffed them into the scarecrow's head.
As my master had instructed, I placed the phoenix bark with my birthdate, time of birth, and location written on it, upside down on the scarecrow.
Then, I began to circle the dry grass figure, turning to the right.
I didn't know why I had to turn in circles, but since Master said so, he must have his reasons.
So, while circling, I spoke to Mo Ting:
"Old Mo, why don't you leave now, and I'll stay here to stall that headless fierce spirit!"
Mo Ting chuckled lightly:
"The day the broken sword is reforged is the day the knight returns.
Didn't you say it yourself? We leave together, or we leave together.
As a young urban guardian, an apostle of light.
Fate will make its choice!"
Old Mo's words were a bit chuunibyo, but his expression was determined.
In the past, when Mo Ting said some chuunibyo lines from anime, it made my toes curl with embarrassment.
But at this critical juncture, between life and death,
Not only did I not feel embarrassed, but I also developed a strong sense of trust and camaraderie towards Mo Ting.
While circling, I smiled slightly.
Yes! Let fate make its choice!
Facing the pursuit of the headless fierce spirit, not repelling it,
Running away would have little meaning...
After experiencing so many dangers before, I believed that this time too, I would turn misfortune into good fortune.
I nodded at Mo Ting and said no more.
I continued to circle the scarecrow, and circle, and circle.
After about ten or so circles,
The scarecrow, covered by the phoenix bark, began to undergo a strange transformation.
Mo Ting and I noticed that white smoke began to emerge from the scarecrow's body, wisps of it.
It was as if there were embers inside the scarecrow's body, like the white smoke that appears before actual flames...
"The scarecrow is smoking!"
Mo Ting exclaimed in surprise.
Seeing it, I also nodded:
"My master must be performing a ritual."
My feet didn't stop, I continued to circle.
My master had made it very clear: as long as the scarecrow didn't move, I couldn't stop.
However, at this moment, a gust of chilling wind suddenly surged from the end of the road.
The next second, a low, hoarse voice was heard:
"You damn pests, this time, let's see what tricks you can pull..."
Hearing this voice, Mo Ting and I felt a jolt in our hearts and looked up.
At the end of the road, we saw a headless figure covered in mouths and eyes.
It was none other than that headless fierce spirit.
Although Mo Ting and I had prepared ourselves mentally.
Seeing the headless fierce spirit again, we both involuntarily gasped.
Whether it brings fortune or disaster, disaster cannot be avoided...