When the time was up, I faintly heard Old Master Wei say thank you to me.
Then the small cloth puppet standing on the altar toppled over.
The yellow talisman pasted on it instantly turned to ashes, its power lost.
I took a deep breath and put down the peach wood sword in my hand.
Facing Old Master Wei, who was kneeling on the ground, I said:
"Uncle Wei, you heard what the old man said.
Now that his wish is fulfilled, he has no more attachments.
When you bury him later, remember to bury him together with your mother.
Bring his portrait or memorial tablet home for worship.
This way, the old man will rest in peace."
I said calmly.
Old Master Wei repeatedly nodded, wiping away his tears:
"Thank you, thank you, Daoist Priest Qin. I'll remember it all."
After speaking, he stood up.
Finally, he turned his head and looked at his three brothers and their wives who were kneeling on the ground.
Their faces were extremely distressed:
"You three killed Dad.
You really are sons of bitches!"
With that, Old Master Wei kicked Old Master Wei II in the face.
Old Master Wei II let out a scream and fell directly to the ground.
"Big brother, big brother, I was wrong!"
"Brother, I really know I was wrong.
This was all Second Brother's idea, it has nothing to do with me!"
"..."
The Wei brothers kept begging for mercy.
But Old Master Wei, in his anger, paid no heed.
He proceeded to give them a severe beating.
Except for his two sisters-in-law, his three brothers were beaten until their faces were bruised and swollen.
I watched indifferently.
Second Uncle also watched with a heart full of trepidation,
pointing and gesturing beside me, saying that the Wei brothers were not good people.
I rolled my eyes at him.
My second uncle wasn't much better.
Had he forgotten so quickly about taking money yesterday and selling out his own brother?
After Old Master Wei beat them for a while, he spoke sternly:
"Dad didn't hold you accountable, but I won't forgive you.
You'll never get a single cent from me again.
From now on, we are no longer brothers.
Get out of here immediately.
Don't stay in Dad's mourning hall..."
Hearing this, Old Master Wei's two sisters-in-law didn't want to stay for another moment:
"We're leaving then!"
With that, they turned and left.
His three younger brothers also had no face to stay any longer.
After hesitating, they all turned and left the mourning hall.
Thus, only I, Old Master Wei, and Second Uncle remained alive in the mourning hall, along with a corpse in the coffin.
Old Master Wei saw his three brothers leave.
He then knelt before Old Master Wei's coffin and kowtowed a few times.
Finally, he stood up and spoke to me:
"Daoist Priest Qin, thank you for handling my father's affairs.
What else can I do for my father now?"
I looked at the coffin with the talismans pasted on it.
Then I said:
"Uncle Wei, the old man's soul has been sent off.
However, the old man's body is not quite normal.
As you can see, it has swollen.
The corpse qi is too heavy, and it's prone to problems.
So I suggest you contact the crematorium as soon as possible.
It's best to send the old man's body for cremation tonight.
And bury him tomorrow.
This way, there won't be any unexpected problems..."
Upon hearing this, Old Master Wei repeatedly nodded.
He now trusted me completely.
Moreover, his father's body did indeed look abnormal.
Old Master Wei nodded repeatedly.
Saying he would do it immediately.
Then, he took out his phone and contacted the town's crematorium on the spot.
He asked them to send a vehicle to pick up the body for cremation tonight.
I was originally going to accompany them.
But at this moment, Second Uncle next to me received a phone call.
After Second Uncle answered the call.
He said "uh-huh" a couple of times, then his face showed a look of horror as he turned to look at me.
Then he said to me:
"Ze Wa is in trouble. Auntie jumped into the well!"
I was talking with Old Master Wei about how to handle Old Master Wei's funeral arrangements.
When Second Uncle suddenly said this,
my face immediately changed drastically.
I said in disbelief:
"Second Uncle, what did you say?"
"Your fourth aunt just called and said Auntie, your grandmother, jumped into the well.
She was just pulled out.
She's now on the verge of death, very critical..."
Second Uncle also said with surprise.
As he spoke, he handed me his phone.
I took the phone and hurriedly asked.
The person on the other end was Fourth Aunt.
Fourth Aunt heard it was my voice and spoke nervously.
She told me to hurry back, saying that Grandma's condition was very critical.
She told me to return immediately.
Grandma is my only relative; she raised me.
Hearing that Grandma was in trouble, I panicked.
I couldn't fathom why Grandma would jump into the well.
The most likely reason was that she fell in by accident.
But that didn't seem right either.
After I returned yesterday, I had filled a large water缸 for Grandma.
She shouldn't have needed to use it so soon.
My mind was filled with all sorts of questions.
But at this moment, I couldn't think too much about it; I just wanted to go back immediately.
To check on Grandma's condition.
After hanging up the phone, I turned to run back.
But Old Master Wei suddenly grabbed my arm and said:
"Daoist Priest Qin, if you leave, what about my father?"
I was very anxious.
But I glanced at the problematic corpse, frowned,
and took out another Zhen Sha Fu from my clothes:
"Uncle Wei, you paste this talisman under the coffin.
Remember, the talisman cannot be removed.
You must watch as the old man is pushed into the incinerator.
After it's done, you can proceed with opening the coffin and interring him.
Remember."
Old Master Wei had also heard about my grandmother's incident.
At this point, he no longer stopped me.
Without further hesitation, I turned and ran out of the yard.
My speed was very fast; my mind was entirely on Grandma.
I kept muttering to myself; Grandma must be alright, Grandma must be alright...