tallest building

Chapter 76: Crossing the Wronged Soul

The ritual must be performed at night.

Zhang Tianshi arrived at the Gong family's residence after the lanterns were lit that day.

Gong Xu had already returned from the yamen and had dinner.

"Thank you for your trouble, Celestial Master." Gong Xu noticed that Celestial Master Zhang was only around forty years old, but it was said that he was already over seventy.

"You're too kind, Second Master. I was really delayed by some matters the other day. Please forgive me." Zhang Tianshi was also very polite.

"It's alright, it's good that the Celestial Master has come," Gong Xu said. "Please have a cup of tea, and we can start the altar later."

"In my humble opinion, it's more important to get down to business. As for tea, we can have it later," Zhang Tianshi chuckled.

"Master, Madam has arrived," Liu Yun said as she entered.

"Why is Madam here?" Gong Xu was very surprised. Logically speaking, Wen Mingqian should have avoided her. Didn't she feel embarrassed?
"I heard that a Celestial Master has been invited to perform a ritual, and I'd like to come and see for myself." Wen Mingqian walked in gracefully and gave a slight bow to Celestial Master Zhang.

Zhang Tianshi hurriedly returned the greeting and said, "This humble Taoist greets the lady."

"Please sit down, Celestial Master. We are sorry to trouble you." Wen Mingqian said politely. "Our family has been quite disturbed these days. We beg you, Celestial Master, to use your supernatural powers to get rid of the evil spirits."

"This humble Taoist priest will do his best, please rest assured, madam." The old Taoist priest had already received instructions from Song Xiang, so he knew exactly what to say.

"Madam has arrived. Please forgive my negligence." Madam Song, supported by a maid, slowly walked out from the inner room and also gave a deep bow to Zhang Tianshi. "Thank you for coming, Tianshi."

"You look better than you did a few days ago. I imagine your mind will be more at peace after the Celestial Master performs the ritual," Wen Mingqian said with a smile, looking at Madam Song.

"I'm sorry to have worried you these past few days, Madam," said Madam Song with a grateful expression.

"Why speak so formally when we're all family? Only when you and the child are safe and sound can my husband, my wife, and I be at ease!" Wen Mingqian smiled gently, perfectly embodying the demeanor of a first wife.

"Master, the altar is ready," Zhang Tianshi's two young disciples came in to report.

“Then please move along,” Zhang Tianshi said, standing up. “If all goes well, it won’t take long.”

It was already completely dark when a small altar was set up in the courtyard of Ruixiang Residence.

Zhang Tianshi straightened his clothes and began to perform rituals.

He kept ringing bells, brandishing swords, spraying water, and burning talismans for a good quarter of an hour before finally stopping.

"Reporting to the Second Master and Second Madam, a vengeful spirit of a child is haunting this place, causing unrest in our home," Zhang Tianshi said with his eyes slightly closed.

"Is there any way to resolve this?" Gong Xu asked hurriedly.

“This is a bit of a problem for me,” Zhang Tianshi said with a slight frown. “If it were a wandering ghost from elsewhere, I could just scatter it. But this boy seems to have a connection with the family, so I dare not act rashly.”

"What do you mean?" Song couldn't help but ask from the side.

"This wronged child's spirit is filled with resentment. He has both attachment to his birth mother and a desire to be reincarnated into her womb, and he also harbors resentment and wants to take the life of the murderer," said Zhang Tianshi.

As he spoke, several gazes fell upon Wen Mingqian. But she remained unmoved, not even blinking.

Gong Xu was surprised, wondering if Wen Mingqian's willpower had become so strong. "Then how can we stop him from causing trouble?" Wen Mingqian asked Zhang Tianshi when he saw everyone looking at him.

"If we forcibly disperse his ghost, it will inevitably harm the family's sinister spirit, and I'm afraid it will be detrimental to future generations."

The best way is to properly influence and guide him to the afterlife, so that his resentment dissipates and he willingly enters the cycle of reincarnation. That would be the best outcome! Master Zhang said, stroking his beard.

While others remained composed as he spoke, Madam Song couldn't help but shed tears: "Master, he... he should be my child. I'm willing to let him return to my womb."

“Young lady, I can perform a ritual for him to dispel some of his resentment. As for whether he can be reincarnated into your family, that depends on fate,” said Zhang Tianshi. “My magical power is weak, and this is all I can do.”

"Master, then let the Taoist priest perform a ritual quickly! It would be good if it could alleviate some of his resentment." Madam Song said, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Don't worry, I will definitely ask the Heavenly Master to properly pray for his soul's soul to be saved. As his mother, you may not want to part with him, but you shouldn't force it." Gong Xu couldn't help but feel sad when he saw Song Shi like this.

Gong Kang'an died a terrible death back then. Not to mention his mother, Madam Song, he himself would never forget it.

Zhang Tianshi said, "The resentment in this wronged spirit is too heavy, so we need to perform rituals for seven consecutive days."

"I will do whatever you say," Gong Xu said. "I only ask that he be freed as soon as possible."

“It’s late, Madam, please go back and rest.” Madam Song took two steps forward and said to Wen Mingqian.

The night breeze ruffled her hair, making her slightly swollen face look even more haggard.

This pregnancy was really tough for her; it took a toll on her and made her look completely different.

“This child is indeed pitiful, but we must do our best to help him pass on to the afterlife!” Wen Mingqian looked back at Song Shi, their eyes meeting like needles clashing against wheat awns.

"Please don't worry, Madam. I will sincerely pray that he can be my child again." Madam Song gently touched her lower abdomen and said, "I have missed him so much all these years."

"I hope your wish comes true," Wen Mingqian said with a smile on his face throughout. "It seems that you and your son have a deep bond, and he doesn't want to leave you."

"You should all go back to your rooms and rest! I'll stay here and keep watch," Gong Xu said. "Don't force things; let nature take its course!"

To be honest, he didn't want Gong Kang'an to be reincarnated again; he felt it was unlucky.

"Madam, that old Taoist priest is clearly in cahoots with the Song family," Sang Er whispered to Wen Mingqian on the way back.

"Of course, if you're going to act, you have to go all the way," Wen Mingqian said calmly.

“Although that Song woman is despicable, there is one thing that is admirable about her: she is a very convincing actress,” Sang Er said.

“When I was your age, I despised acting the most,” Wen Mingqian chuckled. “But now I find it quite interesting to act alongside others.”

“Actually, I think Song is still a little scared,” Sang Er said. “She said she wanted to invite a Taoist priest to perform a ritual, and she really did want to pray for peace. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have looked so haggard these days. It must be that her suspicion has caused her to be haunted by evil spirits.”

“Even in front of gods and Buddhas, someone like her still can’t help but lie.” Wen Mingqian sighed. “It was through her that I learned what the underworld is all about.”

"The most terrifying people are those who have no respect whatsoever. Her heart must have been rotten to the core to have become so depraved."

(End of this chapter)