Now that our lineage's Mount Tai Divine Command has been recovered, my uncle is extremely pleased.
However, he also grew curious about its origins.
After all, how could an heirloom of our lineage fall into the hands of a ghost?
So, I immediately recounted everything I knew, including the female ghost's account of her life.
And the reason why she, along with this command, was sealed within the stone coffin, I told my uncle.
After listening, my uncle also took a deep breath:
"I never expected there to be such a story.
If we calculate the time, the loss of the command coincided with the time when the great changes were about to begin in our land of Huaxia.
A time of turmoil and dynastic change.
Perhaps our ancestors foresaw something, which is why they suppressed the command and the ghost together, building a temple upon it for safety.
Or perhaps, it was truly to purge the female ghost's malevolent aura that the command was sealed within the stone coffin.
Enough, enough! Regardless of the reason, the Mount Tai Divine Command has now returned, and our lineage once again possesses its heirloom.
Furthermore, I recall your grand-uncle mentioning that the lost Mount Tai Divine Command possessed the ability to communicate with the nine netherworlds and issue decrees to the underworld.
It's just that I don't know how to use this thing!"
My uncle examined the Mount Tai Divine Command in his hands, unable to put it down.
Hearing my uncle say this, I also became curious.
To communicate with the nine netherworlds and issue decrees to the underworld?
Could this token be so magical?
So, I began studying it with my uncle. Unfortunately, the divine command had been lost for too long.
Even my grand-uncle had never seen it; he had only heard of it from my grand-master.
As for how to use it, the inheritance had long since been broken.
After studying it for a long time with no results, my uncle and I decided to stop:
"Let's forget it.
That female ghost and we had some karmic connection.
Since our ancestors did not kill her, we should also give her a proper send-off.
It's getting dark, let's go to the woods behind us and perform a grand ritual to send her on her way..."
"Alright, Uncle."
I nodded in agreement.
Having said that, I turned to leave.
But my uncle called out to me:
"Slow down, take this!"
Saying that, my uncle handed the Mount Tai Divine Command to me.
He was giving it to me.
But I was taken aback.
"Uncle, what is this?"
"For you! You found it."
My uncle replied.
But I felt a sense of trepidation.
My master had passed away, so my uncle was the only elder left in our lineage.
I knew very well how my uncle had treated me.
He was naturally the leader and patriarch of our lineage.
Without the guidance of my master and uncle, I would not have achieved my current cultivation.
If I were to be ungrateful now and truly take the token, what would my uncle think?
"Uncle, this is the token of our lineage's inheritance.
Now that you are the only elder in our lineage, this token should naturally be under your custody."
But my uncle seemed to have seen through my thoughts and shot me a glance.
He then grabbed my hand and thrust the token into it:
"Don't overthink things. Now, in our Mount Tai Sect, there's just this old me and Little Mo and Little Yao.
Although Little Mo has talent, his disposition is somewhat restless.
Little Yao, with her Heavenly Gang Fire element, possesses immense potential, but her aspirations lie elsewhere.
Only you are the most suitable person to inherit this token.
As for me, I am already this old.
After this matter is over, I just want to open an herbal wine shop and live out my remaining years in peace.
The inheritance of the Mount Tai Sect must fall upon your shoulders.
Moreover, and most importantly, the token has been sealed for a hundred years. It didn't appear early, nor did it appear late.
You went out to catch a ghost, and you found it back in an afternoon.
This shows it is the will of heaven, the intention of our ancestors.
Take it!
Find some time to study it and see if you can find a way to use it."
My uncle said this nonchalantly, but his eyes were firm and serious.
"Uncle..."
I wanted to say a few more words.
But my uncle directly stopped me:
"Say no more, it's decided.
Little Mo is taking Little Yao to meet his parents today. As for us, nephew, let's go deal with this female ghost."
After saying that, he patted my shoulder heavily.
Then he turned and walked out the door.
I looked at my uncle's retreating back, and then at the token in my hands.
I understood that a new responsibility had been added to my shoulders.
I said nothing further, merely put away the token and followed my uncle out of the room.
Upon coming outside, it was already dark.
My uncle was packing the various items needed for the ritual.
I also went over to help.
The red-clothed ghost had too strong a malevolent aura.
Therefore, a grand ritual was necessary, otherwise, her resentment would not dissipate, and she could not be sent away.
Of course, this was contingent on the female ghost remaining rational.
Half an hour later, my uncle and I, carrying large bags and packages, quickly arrived at the foot of Old Huang Mountain.
My uncle looked around:
"This spot will do!"
I nodded, and then we began setting up the altar here.
My uncle, meanwhile, hung up several soul banners.
Everything was ready.
My uncle placed the bottle containing the sealed female ghost in the center of the altar.
Because the female ghost's yin and malevolent energy was too strong, frost had even formed on the outside.
My uncle picked up his peach wood sword and scattered a handful of glutinous rice:
"Spirits of heaven and earth, hear my call. Today, wandering soul, I guide you to the netherworld..."
As he spoke, he burned paper and lit incense.
The smoke from the incense and candles continuously drifted towards the sealed bottle.
And was absorbed by the female ghost within the bottle.
This female ghost possessed a certain degree of self-control, so performing the opening ritual went quite smoothly.
As the smoke continuously entered the bottle, the bottle, which had initially been covered in frost, gradually thawed.
The malevolent aura emanating from it significantly reduced...
If it were an ordinary minor ghost, a few incantations would be enough to directly guide its soul.
But this female ghost was too ferocious. We continued the ritual from around eight in the evening until three in the morning.
We didn't stop once in between.
Only when the bottle no longer emitted much malevolent energy did my uncle burn a yellow talisman.
He then said to the female ghost in the bottle:
"With this yellow talisman, I summon heavenly light.
Ghostly soul within the bottle, are you now clear-headed?"
As soon as my uncle finished speaking, the female ghost's voice came from the bottle:
"Answering you, Daoist Master, this humble woman is now clear-headed!"
Her voice was gentle.
My uncle nodded.
He then said to me:
"Little Qin, break the seal."
"Yes, Uncle!"
Saying that, I quickly stepped forward, removed the sealing talisman from the top, and opened the bottle cap.
The next second, a wisp of mist shot out.
Although there was still a rolling malevolent aura, there was no longer any violent energy.
Before long, the female ghost appeared.
She materialized before us.
As soon as the female ghost appeared, she bowed to my uncle and me:
"Thank you, two Daoist Masters, for guiding my path. This humble woman is immensely grateful."
My uncle burned some yellow paper:
"Young lady, what is your name, your birth date, and where did you live? So that I may prepare a talisman for your transcendence and submit it for approval at Nan Quan Academy..."