Before me lay two choices.
My master remained silent, clearly leaving the decision to me.
If I said no, he would agree. But if I said yes, I couldn't bring these people along. Taking them would be like leading them into a fiery pit, leading them to their deaths.
These four individuals were also desperately trying to dissuade us, urging us to take them back instead of saving Chu Yue.
My master smoked his pipe, watching me quietly, awaiting my choice. Perhaps he also wished to see what decision I would make in such a situation. Whether I would prioritize friendship, or abandon it and turn back.
After a brief silence, I spoke with gravity.
“Master, I must go save Chu Yue. I have few friends, and Chu Yue is one of them. If I don't go, I won’t be able to live with myself. Here, you escort them back first. I will go alone.”
I spoke with conviction, revealing my true feelings.
My master, hearing my answer, simply smiled faintly.
“Good! To dare face danger for a friend. You have loyalty. You have the spirit of your master in his youth. You can also consider others and have not lost the true heart of your Dao. This time, I will accompany you to save the person…”
“Then… what about them?”
I looked at the remaining four people. They, too, looked terrified.
“Right, right, what about us?”
“Yes, Daoist, you can’t abandon us!”
“…”
These people were filled with fear, only thinking of themselves. My master looked at them with a hint of disdain in his eyes, but answered me.
“As for them, I will set up a formation here. As long as they don’t cause trouble, protecting them safely for a few hours is not a problem!”
Hearing this, I looked at my master with surprise. It seemed my master wanted to see what choice I would make when faced with a dilemma. Now, it appeared my decision and choice had satisfied him greatly.
Daring to go through fire and water for a friend. And as a Bai Pai Daoist, not forgetting the true heart of Dao. Possessing a Dao heart, not being selfish, and having loyalty. This made my master very pleased with me.
My master didn’t look at me then. He merely addressed the four people.
“You four, hide in that car. I will set up a protective formation outside the car. For five hours, you will be safe. But remember, do not leave the car casually. Wait quietly for our return…”
My master spoke. Several of the women looked displeased. The man even spoke up.
“Daoist, wh-what if you don’t return after five hours?”
My master paused, then replied.
“If we don’t return, you must leave it to fate!”
At this, the group erupted.
“Ah? Daoist, can’t you take us back first?”
“Exactly, Daoist, you’re abandoning us to our fate, how selfish!”
“How can you be a Daoist acting like this?”
“…”
They chattered incessantly, now adopting a self-righteous stance, criticizing my master and me. They had completely forgotten who had saved them. Without us, they would have died ten times over.
I said with a stern face.
“Shut your foul mouths! If you don’t want to die, stop blabbering.”
I thought my reprimand was harsh enough. Who knew my master would slap that man across the face.
With a loud “snap,” the imprint of five fingers instantly appeared, his face swelling up. The other three women were instantly stunned, too terrified to utter a word.
My master then spoke coldly.
“Understand your situation. Don't act as if our saving you is a matter of course. Now, get into the car. Otherwise, stand here and wait for death! Damn it, some people just ask for it.”
My master spoke coldly, his words sharp and his demeanor intimidating. The three women, hearing this, scrambled into the car, not daring to say a word. The car here was not a real vehicle, but a mere replica of earthly objects. The door was easily pulled open, and they quickly squeezed inside. The man with the swollen face dared not speak a word, clutching his face pitifully as he shuffled into the car.
My master then took out talismans, pasting seven or eight on the car. He also drew a circle and a talisman on the ground with cinnabar, to ensure their safety after we left, preventing them from being attacked by surrounding specters and endangering their lives.
After finishing this, the man who had already died nervously asked my master.
“Da-Daoist, wh-where do I… go?”
My master glanced at him, then replied.
“You come with us.”
“Ah?”
The man looked terrified.
“You’re already dead, what are you afraid of? You can lead the way for us.”
My master continued. The man still shook his head in fear.
“Daoist, I… I’m scared, you… you’re scared yourselves, I’ll stay with them…”
My master rolled his eyes.
“Can you still get in now? Come with us, and when we return, I’ll take your soul back with us, otherwise, you’ll be trapped here forever. In time, you’ll become like those specters, mindless flesh that only bites…”
My master finished speaking indifferently. The male ghost also looked panicked. He had accepted his death, but that didn't mean he was willing to stay here. Now, he clearly had no other choice. After a moment of silence, he could only nod in agreement, to lead the way for us…