by Ji, Yun
Not a sociable person who could overlook such an error with tranquility, Mr. Han was irate and felt profoundly offended. On the top of his bass tone, he vigorously raved, in mockery, "What's this all about? A tasteless joke? Are you an idiot or what? You must be kidding me by dispatching this lousy, small-brained ghost to fetch precious souls. If you didn't double check, how many innocent souls would suffer untimely death by this ghost's incompetence?"
Undisturbed, the clerk-ghost grinned and reasoned with the hot-tempered visitor, "You are very adamant, indeed. Even the Almighty, sometimes, will make mistakes. How could we, the mediocre ghosts, be exempted? The world is not perfect. The wise will foresee, could minimize, and would learn from their mistakes. Taking a notch down, the ordinary, which most was the class that of us belonged to, can recognize and fix a mistake. It's only common sense. At your age, you should understand this. Why do you keep rubbing in our error? Your belligerent attitude is unhelpful and unappreciated. Please, save your invective. It will only generate heat, smoke, and aggravate an issue. People need a beam of light to guide them through the realm of the rationale, not inundated in the sea of accusations. Be more constructive and focus only on resolving problems."
Mr. Han was suddenly awakened with sweat all over his body.
13 WRONG NUMBER
Mr. Ton traveled to the provincial capital in order to attend a governmental exam. In the middle of the trip, he checked in a small motel on the outskirts of the city. Not knowing his room was possessed; he had an eerie experience with an otherworldly creature. At midnight, he was disturbed and awakened by a long-haired female ghost. Furious and ferocious, she grasped and torn down the curtains, picking up and ripping his books apart. Flying and floating all over the room like a jittery butterfly, the belligerent ghost was howling and wailing, on the top pitch of a soprano voice.
Mr. Ton was a brave and upright gentleman. Committing no misbehavior, either legally or morally, he doesn't think the wicked could offend him at all. Not afraid of this odd-looking and overly excited intruder, he dressed himself, calmly sat down and politely inquired, "To whom am I having the honor to get acquaintance with? I don't know about my prior lifetime, however, in this life, I never did any unethical thing." With bewilderment, this otherworldly creature showed a trace of exhaustion in her paper-white face. She suddenly discontinued her vandalism, with eyes widely opened and menacingly stared at Mr. Ton in disbelief, questioning. "Aren't you in room 47?"
Amused, he shook his head, beamed a smile and responded, "No, maiden. I'm afraid that you destroyed the wrong room. This is room 49." Obviously embarrassed, the female ghost sincerely apologized. With great effort and labor, she carefully returned those damaged objects to their proper locations. Dejected, she flew away. The next day, Mr. Ton heard that a renter who was staying in room 47 had suffered a heart attack and was dead.
Mr. Ton is hapless in a very small way. Brave and upright, he dared to defend himself and challenge the authority of an imprudent ghost. His loss was trivial; only a few books. Otherwise, his soul might have been fetched by mistake.
14 CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Several highwaymen tried to rob and chase after a traveler. With great difficulty and effort, he escaped and hid himself in a mountain. However, that night, under a full moon, he surprisingly observed a ghost standing against an aged cottonwood. Frightened and startled, he couldn't hold himself still and fell to the ground. Holding his head down with both hands and avoiding eye contact with the otherworldly creature, he breathed carefully and dared not to make any sounds. He made himself as inconspicuous as possible. In a murmur, he prayed that ghost won't notice him and would quietly fly away.
The ghost detected the stranger and inquired, with amazement and curiosity, "Who is there?"
Trembling and shivering, he stammered, "I'm afraid that I am only a man. I fear ghosts." The ghost cackled and remarked, "Why are you afraid of our kind? We live in different dimensions and have almost no connection with your kind at all. You don't need to fear us and you wouldn't understand a ghost anyway. As long as we don't have a common desire, we wouldn't compete with each other and couldn't become opponents. You are always competing with your own kind, you human beings. You and I have no conflict of interest. Why should you be afraid of me? You are running away from other persons, not from otherworldly creatures." With an expression of disdain mixed with aloofness, the ghost patiently preached and soberly vanished into darkness.
15 MAYOR GOO'S ADVISER
Mayor Goo's adviser woke up at midnight. Under a full moon, the room temperature suddenly dropped down and became a little chilly, which was an indication of the visit of an otherworldly creature.
From the light that was reflecting through the paper-pasted window panels, he could vaguely observed a young woman sitting on a chair beside a tea table in his room, "Oh! Are you a ghost? My God! Help! Please, someone come to save me," Horrified, he hysterically shrieked.
"Don't be ridiculous!" The mysterious visitor, with contempt and detachment, made a gesture of silence. She shot him an impatient side-glance, mocking. "Shut up! You coward! I have lived in this room for centuries. We belong to different worlds and have co-existed in harmony for many years. You couldn't and – rather, you shouldn't see me. By accident, you perceive my existence tonight. No big deal! What is wrong with you, making a scene out of such trivial inconsequence?"
Not comprehending her explanation, this adviser was emotionally devastated and raved in complete perplexity, "You are not a man at all but a spoiled toddler! Give me a fat break and clam up!"
With annoyance, the ghost shook her head, smirked and continued, "If I really intended to hurt you, nobody could save your life. You are well-read but you are not well-educated person. In the bottom of your heart, you are mere a chicken-brained wimp!" After severe reprimand, she stood up and neatly organized her clothes. Without further delay, the female ghost flew through the paper windows - much like a breeze - and vanished in the darkness.
16 TRUE EVIL
Mr. Ma's mansion was possessed. Weird things often occurred at night. Coming from nowhere, stones and shingles were flying from different directions and hitting whoever approaching this haunted house. From time to time, neighbors could clearly hear ghosts moaning, screaming, wailing, and howling around midnight. A few people were even molested by the otherworldly creatures. This strange atmosphere had continued for over a year. Numerous exorcists were hired and had attempted fruitlessly to evict this nuisance. Mr. Ma and his family couldn't tolerate it any longer and eventually, they moved out. This house was on the market in a deep discount. However, no one dared to purchase a possessed mansion. Mr. Ma started to rent this grandiose house out. All tenants moved out after a short duration. They couldn't endure the monstrosity. From then on, this richly-decorated mansion was ignored, gradually deteriorated and became a deserted property. Weed invaded in the once flower-carpeted yard and spider webs occupied every corner of the walls. It was so repellent that people would take a detour and avoid walking near that haunted mansion. Not believing in supernatural and otherworldly creatures, an old tutor bought this possessed mansion without hesitation. Of course, the price, which he paid, was far below even the original construction costs.
From the day that he moved in, strangely enough, the disturbance mysteriously discontinued, "What a genuinely elucidated and well-admired gentleman!" Noticing the unexpected change, neighbors vigorously gossiped with one another about it and highly praised the new resident, "Even the dark creatures revere him and stop haunting that house."
After a few months, some hooligans appeared and quarreled violently with that new owner. During the past years, he had employed them to pretend to be ghosts, spirits, and otherworldly creatures. Due to their laborious sabotage, they finally drove other residents away. Learning that the tutor acquired that house in a great bargaining price, they also wanted more money for their legwork. His conspiracy was exposed. Everybody looked down upon and mocked at him.
An old educator heard the episode and remarked, "In stereotype, we often consider that otherworldly creatures are low-life. Until today, I realized that this unscrupulous tutor, who doesn't have a shred of integrity in his bones, is much worse than a ghost."
An evil-minded genius is worse than the dark creatures. For his personal gain, the former actively and willingly calculated to do wickedness to others. That kind of egotistical mentality is unforgivable. By nature, the later might harass star-crossed people. On the other hand, if a ghost does kindness to other creatures or even human beings, he could earn his way back to earth. True evil is from the heart and reflected to its misdeed, which has no relationship toward the owner's status.
17 A FAKE HANGED GHOST
Lady Li was married and relocated to a neighboring village. One day, she heard that her mother was in serious illness. Without notifying her husband, she hastily traveled back to her native village alone. At midnight, on the road, under a crescent moon, she sensed a stranger stalking her. With uneasiness and vigilance, she started to run. She thought that stalker intended to rob and even rape her. The stranger also accelerated. They raced into an uncultivated land, where are sprinkled with deserted or ill-maintained graves. Lady Li cautiously hid herself under a cottonwood tree behind a weather-beaten tombstone. Abruptly untying her long hair, muddling and placing it in front of her face, she released the clothes belt, wrapped it around her neck, protruded her tongue, stood up, and menacingly stared at the coming stranger. The stranger ran toward and unexpectedly observed a hanged ghost glancing at him.
Howling and moaning to catch his attention, she sternly gestured him to sit beside her. Frighten and flabbergasted, he collapsed to the ground and immediately lost his consciousness. Withholding her emotion and amazement, Lady Li resumed her trip. She arrived at her mother's house and her folks were all startled, and they noticed her grotesque appearance. Without any disturbance, she patiently explained the whole episode to them. Her family members were amused. A few days later, Lady Li heard a tale. A young man was found lying on a deserted grave. He was insane.
An ill-minded person will allure troubles. Due to his own wicked intention, the young man weakened his good energy and his body became susceptible. Noticing that, the black creatures could explore it for his disadvantage. Evils invade and conquer the feeble. Whether this malicious young man was bewildered and forfeited his sanity by a genuine ghost, a female fox spirit, or by resourceful Lady Li is inconsequential. However, there is one precious lesson that we should learn by heart: With or without the Almighty looking over us from above, we must treat others as we have expected to be treated by them. Fair and square is the name of the game. Otherwise, calamity will eventually catch up with you. 18 AN APPEAL JUDGE
In traditional China, central government would routinely dispatch judges to inspect local government. On behave of an emperor; they often reviewed serious lawsuits and man-slaughtered cases. An appeal judge, Mr. Tan, visited a remote province and, at night, scrutinized the written testimonies of a homicide case. Vaguely discerning a wailing sound from afar and gradually approaching his study room, he vigorously instructed one of his bodyguards to go out and investigate. In a few minutes, he heard a loud bang. The well-trained soldier collapsed and fainted on the ground. He cautiously peeked through the edge of the curtain. The judge detected a ghost whose body was thoroughly covered with blood kneeling on the backyard, a few feet away from his windows. How could a dark creature dare to appear in front of the highly respected representative of an emperor? What a rude breach of protocol? With vexation and annoyance, Judge Tan severely reprimanded this otherworldly visitor.
The ghost respectfully bowed and explained, "Your Honor is reviewing my case. It is a miscarriage of justice. I am the victim. The real murderer is so-and-so. Here is my proof. I wouldn't be in peace if the offender is still at large." The judge promised to carefully study this new evidence and re-exam this case. The ghost bowed again and politely left.
The next day, after meticulous examination, he found this evidence was collaborated with the ghost's testimony. Convinced, he confidently changed the verdict and dispatched a number of policemen to arrest and bring that alleged person to court. Without much effort, that person was found guilty of the first-degree murder. With indignation, the local judge couldn't accept this outcome and violently argued with the royal representative. How could this happen? One of judge Tan's intimate assistants felt suspicious and privately asked him about the reason for his new judgment. He honestly revealed this episode.
"Where did the ghost come from?" The assistant curiously quizzed. "He was appeared in my backyard garden."
"Where did he go?"
"He jumped over the stone wall."
"According to legends, a ghost is both weightless and shapeless. His feather-light and opaque body could walk through a solid wall with ease. Why did he have to jump over it?" The assistant keenly reasoned and suggested, "There is some inconsistence with this case. Let's go there to investigate."
They entered the backyard and, after a brief search, discovered a few questionable footprints on the top of the wall extending to the street. "You have been deceived. That is not a ghost at all but a smart villain," The assistant cleverly concluded, "The true murderer is very cunning. He hires a crook. Pretending to be the victim's ghost, he attempted to hoodwink you."
The appeal judge contemplated it for a long while, and agreed with his analysis. The next day, he changed his decree and upheld the local judge's original verdict.
19 TOO CUNNING
On the south of city Gin, there was an ill-maintained temple. A monk, with his two apprentices, lived there. Periodically receiving visitors, they displayed neither courtesy nor decorum. Their aloof behavior was both oddly contradictory to their religion and the social norms. It seemed that they were poorly-cultivated, unsociable and even dim-witted. It was actually very cunning and calculating, they deliberately neglected those pious visitors. In reality, they are "miracle-manipulators." The monk clandestinely acquired sulfur and grinded it into powder. At night, he casted it to the air and ignited it with a small piece of burning paper. It looks like a small-scaled firecracker show. Several villagers noticed this "wonder" appeared in the temple from affair. With amazement and excitement, they vigorously ran to inform the resident monks. The temple doors were bolted tightly and nobody answered. They seemly fell into deep sleep.
The next morning, someone eagerly mentioned about this marvel. In unison, those cunning monks responded that they didn't detect anything out of ordinary last night. Another day, those calculating monks borrowed two sets of Buddha's clothes from a nearby theater and dressed themselves up at midnight. One apprentice monk perched themselves on the top of the roof of the temple. The other one posed himself against an aged pagoda tree on the front doors. Many villagers observed this phenomenon and anxiously came to tell them next day. This monk light-heartedly brushed off this report. How could this miracle occur in such a remote and unknown temple? With mystification and amusement, he remarked that the holy Buddha was over Western Paradise. By no means, the divine would visit this insignificant location. By laws, this kind of rumor was prohibited. The offender would be severely punished.
"Please, don't pick on us," The cunning monk often implored, with a touch of vague sincerity, "We are merely ordinary monks who need peace and tranquility in studying our religion volumes." His response brought more approbation from everywhere.
Those miracles and his modest attitude were spread fast and soon reached other pious believers' ears. They highly admired and considered him as an all-wise living Buddha. From adjacent villages, visitors swarmed to this temple to worship him. For their own belief and welfare, many of them generously donated money for the repair of this ill-maintained holy place. However, the monk never bought a piece of shingle or repaired any cracked walls or columns.
"Appearance is superficial and transitory. People shouldn't be perplexed by the materialism of the mundane world. We must solely
focus on polishing and enhancing our inner self," The monk solemnly lectured and explained, "If I decorated this temple sumptuously, were I indirectly encourage my faithful followers to contribute more money?" Besides those fascinating speeches, he secretly instructed his apprentices to perform those miracles. "What a sagacious thought," Listening to this kind of lectures, visitors were overwhelmed, with great veneration, exclaiming. Contributions were poured in by oxcarts.
After years of accumulation, this crafty monk had massed abundant wealth. His prosperity gradually allured greedy eyes, shallow characters, and outlaws. One night, breaking in the temple, some burglars tightened them up. After suffering hours of torture, they divulged the hideouts of their valuable. Those intruders ruthlessly butchered them and hauled all their treasure away. Local authority was astonished and baffled. How could malicious villains dare to approach, affront, or even, exterminate the "living Buddha?" With alacrity, they dispatched their most capable marshals to call on that temple and investigate this enigmatic tragedy. Without much difficulty, they surprisingly discovered many unlawful possessions, which included unusually large quantity of sulfur and Buddha costumes exclusively for theater use. They then comprehended the real truth behind all those sensations. Those monks were too cunning and unscrupulous to escape the Almighty's ultimate punishment.