The entire viewing hall was now left with just me, Old Mo, Little Fox, and those ghosts.
What we had to do next was to help them leave this place.
After all, being trapped here indefinitely wasn't a solution.
Over time, it would only exacerbate the ghosts' suffering and potentially turn them into vengeful spirits, harming the living.
Seeing everyone else leave, I addressed the ghosts in the room:
"The malevolent spirits have been dealt with. All of you come here and line up. Leave your birth dates, and I will send you on your way."
Upon hearing this, all the ghosts showed expressions of pleasant surprise.
They nodded in unison:
"That's great, that's great!"
"Finally, we can leave this place."
"It's been five years, these five years have been unbearable."
"..."
The ghosts spoke one after another, drifting over from all sides.
They lined up before us.
Since we hadn't brought any incense or candles, everything had to be done in a simpler manner.
The two of us lit a cigarette each and recited an "Opening Path Incantation."
We then briefly fumigated the blank paper and pencils provided by the film's organizers with the smoke from the cigarettes.
This way, the ghosts could use them.
Placing them aside, I said:
"Write your birth dates on these yourselves. Write them small, and don't make any mistakes."
The ghosts, having already formed a neat line,
now stepped forward one by one, picked up the pencils, and began writing on the blank paper.
As they were all ghosts, their writing speed was remarkably fast.
A total of one hundred and four people, and soon the blank papers were densely covered.
Looking at the birth dates written on them, I nodded slightly:
"Alright, now I will open the Yin path for you!"
Through my recent cultivation and studies, I had mastered several basic talismans.
This "Opening Path" talisman was one of the common ones.
Anyone who knew how to perform rituals for the deceased would generally know it.
I formed a hand seal and chanted in a drawn-out voice:
"Seven Yuan Lords of the Big Dipper, Great Sage Heavenly Lord of the Gang.
Illuminate the three realms' paths, and light up the northern Nether Palace.
By the authority of Heaven and Earth, I tread through the nine Nether gates.
By the decree of the Heavenly Venerable, I shatter the gates of Fengdu.
Hasten as per the Divine Command of Taiyi Saves Suffering Heavenly Venerable!"
After finishing, I took the paper filled with names and crushed it with my hand.
With a "boom," the paper instantly burst into flames,
and in a blink, it was completely consumed by fire.
As soon as the paper burned out, the ghosts standing in the viewing hall suddenly felt liberated.
They all lifted their heads, drawing in a long, comfortable breath like humans.
"So comfortable!"
"That feeling of being restricted is gone!"
"Yes, I feel like I can leave, I can hear sounds from outside!"
"..."
For a moment, the ghosts in the viewing hall spoke up, filled with excitement.
Seeing their joy, I felt a sense of accomplishment.
It felt like my acquired skills were not wasted.
Mo Ting also spoke to the ghosts at this time:
"After you leave, find a three-way intersection outside.
Walk west, and you will find the path to the underworld.
But remember, the effectiveness of the Opening Path Incantation is only for tonight.
If you miss this night, you will need to find someone else to open the path for you to descend.
And if too much time passes, you might become wandering spirits, becoming foolish and confused..."
Old Mo spoke earnestly.
The ghosts nodded repeatedly, expressing their profound gratitude to me and Old Mo.
"Thank you, Daoist master."
"Your great kindness, Daoist master, is unforgettable."
"..."
These ghosts were so overwhelmed that they repeatedly thanked me and Old Mo.
A few, in their excitement, even knelt before us.
I waved my hand, telling them it was unnecessary.
At the same time, I said:
"All of you should leave now! Those who are close to home can go back and see their relatives.
But remember this, you must descend before four in the morning.
Don't miss the time to descend..."
Upon hearing my words, the ghosts became even more excited and joyful.
After thanking me and Old Mo again,
they all turned and floated towards the exit.
After all, ghosts were once human.
Having been confined here for five years, besides wishing for reincarnation, they also deeply missed their families.
Hearing my words, they were eager to return and see their family one last time.
The more than a hundred ghosts quickly dispersed and left the viewing hall.
At this point, only five ghosts remained, the family who had been sitting next to me and Old Mo.
Seeing that they weren't leaving, I asked:
"Miss, why isn't your family leaving?"
Upon hearing this, the beautiful woman asked with a hint of pleading:
"Daoist master, my family and I have an impertinent request. We hope you will grant it."
I paused for a moment and replied:
"What is it? If I can help, I will."
The female ghost, with pleasant surprise, quickly said:
"Daoist master, it's like this, we are from out of town.
When we died, we were here on vacation.
But at home, we have an eighty-year-old grandmother.
After we died, she was left all alone at home.
We all want to go back and see her.
But we definitely cannot make it back in one night.
So, we would like to ask the Daoist master for a little more time..."
I thought it was no big deal.
It turned out to be about filial piety.
No major issue. So, smiling, I said:
"It's not a big problem. Here, I'll give you a business card.
After you return and visit the elder, bring this card to find me.
At that time, I will open the path for you again.
Then you can go for reincarnation."
With that, I took out my business card, fumigated it with smoke, and handed it over.
It had my name and the address of Wanfu Hall on it.
The female ghost's family took my business card, filled with gratitude.
The entire family bowed to me repeatedly.
Finally, they turned and floated away.
Leaving the film viewing hall that had confined them for five years...