Maiyi Onmyoji

Digging Graves, Fighting Desperately

As I grasped the jade my grandfather had given me, a sudden clarity washed over me.I realized I was still lying on the ground, unable to rise and flee.Sweat drenched my clothes as the ominous sound crept closer to my ear...This time, I calmed myself, resisting the urge to turn around, too terrified to look.An ancient remedy came to mind.With a sharp bite to my tongue, I jolted myself into full consciousness. Spitting a mouthful of blood mist, I leaped to my feet and sprinted with all my might.This time, I didn't stop until I reached home, just in time to see my grandfather returning on his bicycle.With such a grave matter at hand, I couldn't hide the truth. I quickly recounted the events to him.Grandfather slapped his thigh in frustration and pointed at me, exclaiming, "You kids are always getting into trouble! Why must you be so reckless?""Grandfather, I know I was wrong, but saving lives is urgent now. Please think of a way to help them."Worried for Er Gouzi and the others, who were likely in greater danger than I had been, I urged him to act.Being a kind-hearted man, my grandfather immediately grabbed a flashlight and led me to find Er Gouzi's, Fatty's, and Qiangzi's parents. He asked them to bring food and drink as we hurried to save the others.We rushed to the neighboring village.Upon arrival, we found the place devoid of any light; the lanterns and houses we had seen earlier were gone, replaced by overgrown weeds and desolate graves.Grandfather seemed to have noticed something. He quickly instructed everyone to set down the food and light the offerings. He called out loudly, "Respected elders and villagers, we are all neighbors, sharing the same roots! Please, do not harm these innocent children. We have brought fine wine and food as offerings. Please, show mercy and let them go."As he finished speaking, a retching sound came from the tall grass near the graves."It's Qiangzi, my Qiangzi!" his parents exclaimed, rushing towards the sound.Er Gouzi's and Fatty's parents followed suit, with my grandfather and I close behind.We found the boys, their bellies swollen, vomiting dirt and grass. The sight made my blood run cold.Fatty's mother, in a rage, cried out at the graves, "This is outrageous! What have these children done to deserve this? You must come out and explain yourselves! If you don't give us an answer, I'll go to the city god tomorrow to complain!""Enough, Er Gouzi's aunt. The children are safe; let's understand the situation before blaming anyone," my grandfather interjected, trying to calm her.Unexpectedly, Fatty's mother turned on me, shouting at my grandfather, "Old Shui, you should discipline your grandson better! He brings trouble every time he's around. Who doesn't know about your ghost bride? If Shui Lei causes harm to my son again, I'll fight you both to the death!"She was fiery, but could I really be blamed for this?"Grandfather, it wasn't my fault. It was Er Gouzi's idea to go out hunting," I hastily defended myself. I couldn't let everyone blame me."Da Lei, keep quiet," my grandfather ordered, turning to Fatty's mother. "Now's not the time for this. Let's get the children home safely and then figure out what happened.""Stop arguing. If it weren't for Old Shui, who knows what could have happened," Fatty's father finally spoke up, offering a fair comment.With no more words, everyone supported their children as we headed back.My grandfather stayed behind, searching the graveyard with his flashlight, holding my hand.Suddenly, we came across a coffin lid among the tall grass."Not good, Da Lei, come quickly..."Grandfather's voice was tense. He led me to a nearby grave, its soil freshly disturbed and the coffin exposed.The coffin was empty. Grandfather frantically flipped over the tombstone.It read, "Here Lies Sun Xue'e."Grandfather slapped his thigh in fury, cursing, "Curse you! How dare you commit such an atrocious act? Aren't you afraid of divine retribution?"In all my years, I had never seen him so angry."Grandfather, who is Sun Xue'e?" I asked, suspecting she might be the ghost bride.Grandfather glanced around, ignoring my question.A chill wind suddenly swept through, making the wild grass sway ominously.Grandfather dropped to his knees, "Respected elders, villagers, if any of you have knowledge, please come to me in a dream. I, Old Shui, will reward you handsomely."He bowed four times, then took me home.On the way back, he remained silent.At home, he shut the door and lit a kerosene lamp.I was puzzled. The electric lights were on, so why the lamp?He had me sit beside him and whispered, "Da Lei, Sun Xue'e is indeed your ghost bride. Someone has disturbed her grave. It's clear they intend to harm you before your eighteenth birthday."I was stunned. I had been away at school, never making enemies.Grandfather paused, then continued, "From now on, stay in this room and do not step out. Watch over the lamp. If someone comes and the flame doesn't react, they're human. But if it flickers or goes out, that person is either a ghost or a demon."He handed me a bottle of medicinal wine and a deep purple ruler from a chest, "Take this. No matter who comes, if they're suspicious, take a sip of the wine, hold it in your mouth, and strike them with all your might!"His words implied he had to leave.I took the ruler, which was heavy, neither wood nor iron."Grandfather, aren't you staying with me?""I can't. This is a critical time. I must check our ancestors' graves in the eastern part of the village. If they have been tampered with, we are in grave danger."He donned a leather jacket, grabbed a fire poker, and left with final instructions.I watched his figure disappear into the darkness, my heart pounding. I quickly barred the door.Sitting on the bed, I kept my eyes on the lamp, filled with anxiety and fear.Who could want to harm me? How could they be so ruthless as to desecrate my ghost bride's grave?Grandfather was a peacemaker, never offending anyone. Could it be some supernatural being...Suddenly, dogs barked loudly outside, followed by the entire village's dogs.Could it be a monster seeking me?My body, already weak and uneasy, grew colder. I wrapped myself in my grandfather's army coat."Lei Zi, open the door, it's Grandpa. The flashlight ran out of power; I need to get another."My grandfather's voice called from outside.But then, the lamp's flame flickered violently.A chill ran down my spine. Could it be a monster pretending to be Grandpa? Or had it possessed him?The flame steadied again."Coming," I called, trying to reassure myself. Monsters couldn't be that cunning.I grabbed the ruler and opened the door.A cold draft hit me, making me shiver and step back.I noticed my grandfather's eyes were dark, with an eerie smile on his lips, like a wolf eyeing its prey."It's so cold tonight," he said, turning to lock the door.Panic surged in me. He wasn't supposed to lock the door; he had come for the flashlight.I glanced around and saw the lamp had gone out...Terrified, I quickly took a sip of the medicinal wine, feeling the burn and the bitter taste, but it sharpened my senses.Gripping the ruler, I backed towards the bed, eyeing him warily...As he locked the door, he smiled, "Da Lei, you're scaring yourself. It's me, your grandfather! Put down the ruler and help me find the flashlight."He gestured towards the inner room.This couldn't be my grandfather. He was meticulous, always keeping tools in the tool shed, never in the inner room.When I didn't move, his expression froze as he noticed the extinguished lamp.Desperation took hold. I splashed the medicinal wine at him, catching him off guard. He dodged quickly, too quickly...I knew then he wasn't my grandfather.With all my might, I charged at him with the ruler!