Chapter 010 Lao Beizi

Granny Hong Rong left my home after speaking in length with my father.

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“I will see Zhao Laohei about how to deal with Xiao Chun's mother.” She told him before trudging out the door. She made sure I was fine and left some methods to supply Yang air for my recovery. The gloomy expression on her face as she left was riddled with apprehension towards dealing the task before her.

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I did not regain consciousness for a long time. I woke up at 8 pm that evening, shouting "hungry" over and over again according to my mother. I think my mind was still addled from the ghostly influence.

When I came to again, it was 9 o'clock the following morning. News of my condition and its unearthly cause had spread out through the village. Almost all of my fellow villagers came to visit me while I was unresponsive.

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Of course, this wouldn’t have happened in a larger village. Thinking back on it, I’m quite flattered.

When I woke up with all of my faculties, I found Zhao Jie by my side. My parents were relieved when they noticed that I could speak clearly and with genuine emotion.

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“Are you hungry sweet one?” My mother asked, but I was not, not even remotely.

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 "No," I told her, “I want to play outside.”

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She stared at me in disbelief, "You want to go out and play? You almost died because you played outside!"

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I thought for a moment and then fell to the important question. My voice only shook a little when I asked, "Did Xiao Chun’s mother leave?"

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My mom hugged me close, saying in a low voice, "Xiao Yong, don't think about that. That nightmare is in the past. You are fine now."

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My dad, standing next to his desk of papers said, "Come on, let the child rest. He seems much better now.” He smiled comfortably and looked at his papers, “I should go back to school. Call me if you are in trouble. We delayed many courses these past few days..."

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He never was one to stay away from work. After everything had settled down after holidays or natural disasters that confronted our village, he would always rush back to his classroom as soon as possible.

Mom rolled her eyes and whispered to me, “You and Zhao Jie can play, but be safe sweet one.” She sat down next to Zhao Jie's mom in the living room and the two women began to knit.

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Zhao Jie came over to the bed to help me up. When our mothers were out of earshot in the next room he asked me, "Xiao Yong, did you really see Xiao Chun's mom?"

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I nodded and said, "Really, it was horrible. Well, and..."

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I had wanted to tell him about Uncle Sun, but Zhao Laohei came into the house hurriedly, he greeted his wife and my mother, and then asked where I was.

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“He’s in his room with Zhao Jie, but-” Zhao Laohei stopped listening and rushed into my room.

Our mothers sprang from their chairs and followed suit.

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Zhao Laohei saw that I was talking with Zhao Jie and he dragged his son away from me. "Xiao Jie, step back. I need to bring Xiao Yong to meet someone important. Xiao Yong, I have something to ask you."

Zhao Jie looked at his dad in wonder, saying, "Meet with who?"

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Zhao Laohei didn’t take his eyes off of me, "You wouldn't know even if I told you."

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I looked at Zhao Laohei and asked, "Uncle Zhao, what do you want to know? Is it about Xiao Chun’s mother? Is it about the ghosts?"

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Zhao Laohei glanced at me and nodded in a strangely distant way, "Yes, Xiao Yong. I need you to tell me whether you saw Xiao Chun's mom jumping out of the tomb at her funeral.” His eyes drilled into mine. “Did she pull Uncle Sun into her tomb at the funeral?" His words were slow and punctuated.

In fact, I did see Xiao Chun's mom jump and hug Uncle Sun. I thought back to her impossibly long arms and the way her gnarled fingers interlocked below his belly, pulling him down with her. I nodded no, hoping that they couldn’t see the fear in my face.

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Zhao Laohei asked me again, "Are you sure?"

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I nodded. I had seen her many times since. Hers is a face I will never forget.

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Zhao Laohei took a deep breath and his face turn gloomy. It seemed that he knew something wrong.

My mom stared at Zhao Laohei with frantic anxious eyes, "Zhao Laohei, what's wrong?"

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Zhao Laohei said, "If I am right. Xiao Yong must have supernatural eyes."

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"What are supernatural eyes? What’s wrong with his eyes?" My mom asked, her voice rising.

Zhao Laohei spoke slowly, "In Taoism, only masters have supernatural eyes. The common practitioners need tools to acquire this, including willow leaves, raven's eyes, tributes, paper amulets, and U-shaped magnets. Otherwise, only a master with powerful abilities has access to supernatural sight.”

She asked again, clearly not believing, "What do you mean? Xiao Yong has a powerful ability?"

Zhao Laohei shook his head and explained. "My master told me that there are two kinds of people who can access supernatural sight at very particular conditions. The first are  children who have gained excess natural Yin. The second are those who are dying. My master said it is easy for children to have supernatural sight because they are pure and simple. However, it is a short-term gift! They would die of the incursion of Yin if they accessed the sight for too long.”

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Everyone’s eyes turned to mine.

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My mom looked frightened, her face was round and her eyes too big. She looked like a little girl, younger than I was.

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Zhao Laohei continued on, "It is simple to deal with the second type. The dying breathe Yin air heavily. Naturally, they can access supernatural sight and usually observe the surrounding ghosts. Sometimes ghosts of their relatives, but sometimes strangers. Either way, it helps them transition into the afterlife."

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My mom stopped him with a raised hand. “If this is true, can you cure Xiao Yong’s supernatural eyes?”

Zhao Laohei shook head, saying, "Although it can be cured, I can't do it myself. However, there is an important guest in my home. I need to bring Xiao Yong there. You can come with us. He knows more than I do and I fear Xiao Yong is in danger."

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My mom looked at me, then back to Zhao Laohei. “Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s go!” She grabbed my hand and pulled me out of bed. Still in my nightclothes, she carried me out the door.

Zhao Laohei’s wife looked to him as the small group moved towards the door, "Why didn’t I know that there are guests in my home?"

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Zhao Laohei didn’t smile when he said, "You don't know many things, my dear."

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When we arrived at the house, I saw an altar. Candles, steamed buns, drumsticks, and fried bread sticks decorated the surface of it. My mouth began to water furiously. Perhaps I was hungry after all. "Are these prepared for me?" I asked my mom.

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She clapped my butt and scolded, "You are a naughty boy. Why are you thinking about food at a time like this?"

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There was no one around the altar at first glance. Two people walked out of the big room behind it when we walked into the yard. One was a fifty-year-old man in a yellow Taoist frock. His hands were stashed behind his back, and he looked extraordinarily unworldly. An unexpected surge of awe flowed through me at the sight of him.

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The old woman next to him was Granny Hong Rong. Although she was older than the Taoist beside her, she too appeared awed with respect. "Master, this is the little boy I mentioned."

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The Taoist nodded, but he didn't glance around at Granny. He rushed towards me with a face that was nothing but smiles.

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My mom didn't move to stop him. Anyone referred to by ‘master’ must be respected dutifully. 

The elder Taoist walked to me and said "Little boy, would you like to leave this place with me?"

He spoke in standard mandarin, which was sweeter sounding than our natural dialect. From out of nowhere, I was frightened to tears. Memories flooded through my head of my mother’s wisdom, “Never go with a person on the street if you don’t know them!” She’d told me. “They may be a ‘Lao Beizi’ and mean to take you.”

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Lao Beizi means human trafficker, or a monster that eats children.

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Tears sprang from my eyes and cried in my mother's arms, "Mom, it’s a Lao Beizi..."