After an hour or so of busy work, the Heavenly Dipper Seven Star Array had been set up.
The sky was also beginning to darken.
The weather in autumn was not that hot.
But in the forest, there were still many mosquitoes.
They buzzed around ceaselessly, very annoying.
My master and I sat aside, resting temporarily.
However, I couldn't relax. Even with my master by my side, I maintained a degree of vigilance.
After all, we were undertaking a dangerous task.
Today, we were dealing with a zombie, something unprecedented.
My master clearly noticed my nervousness.
He took a puff of his cigarette and then slowly began to speak:
"Xiao Qin, don't be so tense.
Although zombies have appeared in this place, they are like ghosts.
They fear the sun and prefer the shade.
The sun has just set, and the earth's energy hasn't dissipated yet.
The zombie won't come out for now."
Hearing my master's words, I breathed a sigh of relief and eased my tension.
We rested in place for about twenty minutes.
Then I heard footsteps approaching from not far away.
Upon hearing the footsteps, I immediately stood up and became alert.
My master also tilted his head in the direction of the sound.
I took a few steps forward to get a better look.
But soon, I relaxed again.
Several figures were rushing towards our location.
As they walked, someone was shouting:
"Master Gu, Daoist Priest Xiao Qin..."
I recognized the voice as Manager Ma's, and knew they were bringing the live poultry.
So I called back:
"This way!"
Manager Ma heard my voice and quickly located us.
Before long, they emerged from the woods.
Behind him followed three workers.
Each of them looked nervous.
They were carrying white pig feed bags, with holes poked in them revealing the heads of chickens and ducks.
As soon as Manager Ma saw me, he gasped and said:
"Daoist Priest Xiao Qin, I've brought the live poultry, the chickens and ducks that Master Gu requested."
After speaking, he turned to look at the cleared, wide open space behind us.
Although the sky had darkened, it was still visible.
The cleared ground had obvious inscribed runes,
and small yellow flags were planted in the ground, with yellow talismans pasted on tree trunks, and so on.
The three workers behind him began to whisper to each other.
"Look at the yellow talismans around. Is the Daoist Priest going to catch a zombie here?"
"The chickens and ducks have been delivered, it looks like it's certain."
"I heard zombies are very fierce! I hope nothing goes wrong!"
"..."
I ignored the workers' chatter and just looked at the live poultry. There were quite a few.
A total of twelve were brought, which was enough.
So I said to Manager Ma:
"Manager Ma, you can head back.
Leave the rest to us."
Manager Ma nodded repeatedly:
"Yes, yes. Then we'll have to trouble Master Qin and Master Gu.
We'll be leaving now.
Master Gu, goodbye..."
My master, sitting on a rock, waved his hand.
Seeing my master's gesture, Manager Ma then led the other three workers and turned to leave.
As soon as Manager Ma and the others left, my master, still with a cigarette in his mouth, walked over and looked at the poultry.
"Master, there are twelve in total.
Five chickens and seven ducks."
I pointed to the chickens and ducks in the bags.
My master took a puff of his cigarette and said:
"Give these chickens some cinnabar.
Then kill all the ducks and drench the chickens in their blood.
Then place these chickens in the center of the array.
Zombies have a keen sense of smell, and once they come out, they'll definitely detect them."
I didn't waste any words, just nodded.
I took out cinnabar from my treasure bag.
First, I fed the yellow chickens cinnabar.
Then I took out a small knife, killed all the ducks, and collected their blood.
And, as my master instructed, I fixed the chickens in the center of the array...
During this time, my master also took out his feng shui compass and walked around the surroundings.
He also glanced occasionally at the night sky, which had some dark clouds.
Soon, my part was done.
The smell of blood was strong, and the chickens doused in blood kept clucking incessantly.
Because their feet were tied by me, they could only struggle in place in the center of the array.
After this was done, the sky had completely darkened.
The forest appeared even more pitch black.
My master, in the darkness, drew two talismans.
Seeing me approach, he directly handed one to me:
"Xiao Qin, it's dark now.
Hold onto this talisman and stick it on your chest.
Go to your designated spot and hide!
When the zombie appears, act according to the plan."
I took the talisman my master handed me and glanced at it in the dim moonlight.
I noticed I hadn't seen this kind of talisman before.
At the core of the talisman was the character "匿" (nì), meaning conceal.
Curious, I asked:
"Master, what kind of talisman is this?"
My master smiled and then said:
"This is a Concealing Qi Talisman.
When stuck on the chest, it can temporarily mask one's Yang Qi.
It can reduce the possibility of being discovered by malevolent spirits, achieving a certain degree of concealment."
So, it was a talisman to mask one's Yang Qi.
I didn't hesitate and immediately stuck it on my chest.
At the same time, I said to my master:
"Alright Master, I'll head over now."
After speaking, I turned and left.
Then, as my master and I had arranged beforehand, I went to my hiding spot.
After all, my master and I needed to guard our respective positions once the array was activated.
Therefore, we couldn't hide together.
Soon, I arrived at my hiding spot.
It was within a low-lying bush.
Behind me was a large tree, and in front of me, bushes provided cover.
Coupled with the Concealing Qi Talisman,
as long as I didn't breathe heavily or make too much noise, the zombie would definitely not notice me...