Chapter 18: Opening Yellow Springs Part 2

After some casual chatter, the mood lightened. The truck left the city, the roads widening. Landlord Sir chatted idly with Wang Ya. Suddenly, he asked on impulse, “Master Wang, was my brother-in-law powerful as a ghost? Because of his haunting, I’ve rented that place out several times, but tenants always demanded refunds. It was a hassle, but luckily they only got half back each time, or he’d have driven me mad!”

Wang Ya asked, “Didn’t you ever think to hire someone to check it out?”

“We did—called Taoists several times. Spent a fortune, and it did jack! Later, I figured, whatever. Half rent back still means some income. Just worried if it dragged on, it’d become a famous haunted house. Lucky I met you, Master Wang.”

Wang Ya snorted. “Good thing it was me. Your brother-in-law was heading down the Evil Ghost Path. Ever heard of Rakshasa Ghosts? The fiercest of the thirty-six ghosts. Lucky he hadn’t been a ghost long enough to fully become an Evil Ghost. Give it time, and he’d have killed. Once he took a life, his ferocity would fully awaken—no safety for your apartment, the whole floor, or even the building. As landlords, you’d have to go there. Think you’d escape?” She paused, then added, “For ghosts like that, I usually just disperse them outright. But seeing the Landlord Wife’s sincerity, I went the extra mile to send him to the Underworld.”

Landlord Sir and the Landlord Wife paled in fright.

Wang Ya found it odd too. City developments usually incorporated Feng Shui from design. Unless the designer sabotaged it, they rarely gathered Yin Qi. The Landlord Wife’s brother had died violently but without heavy resentment or murderous intent. He just wanted his case solved and money back—no harm intended. Why the Rakshasa Ghost path? Curious, she asked the Landlord Wife for his Birth Chart. The Landlord Wife gave the solar calendar date. Wang Ya calculated it and stared blankly. He wasn’t her birth year, but by lunar calendar, same month, day, and hour! Born on lunar July 15th—Ghost Gate wide open! Wang Ya sighed softly and said no more.

The truck soon reached a spot not far from Zheng Yanxia’s Construction Site. Wang Ya, sitting in the truck, saw lights in the distance and knew everything was set.

Not far from Zheng Yanxia’s Construction Site was a flat, vacant lot overgrown with knee-high weeds—likely land stockpiled by some developer, leveled but left idle.

Wang Ya told Landlord Sir to park on the roadside and wait in the truck. She repeatedly warned them not to come over or look, solemnly cautioning that disobeying and breaking taboos might attract ghosts—that was minor. Worst case, during Opening Yellow Springs, their souls could be pulled into the Underworld. Once in the Underworld, they were basically done for life!

Only after the Landlord couple’s repeated assurances did Wang Ya grab the Ghost Pen—bound by the red rope from the Ghost Collecting Bell—and the bag of Incense, Candles, Paper, Wax bought by the Landlord Wife. She jumped down and headed to the vacant lot.

The place was desolate and uninhabited, close to Zheng Yanxia’s Construction Site, near an underground Yin Vein—perfect for Opening Yellow Springs. If the site had been empty, she’d have done it there, but seeing work lights meant they had Yin-suppressing Feng Shui setups. Not suitable.

Opening Yellow Springs wasn’t easy—fussy and full of rules.

It could be done anywhere, but heavier Yin Qi made it easier. Still, it couldn’t be opened casually; many preparations were needed. Hell Money for passage, Incense, Candles, Paper offerings were essential. Mortals Opening Yellow Springs in the Yang Realm easily offended Underworld officers—who’d like strangers opening their doors willy-nilly? Luckily, she was sending Yin Spirits to the Underworld—like a good citizen delivering thieves to the cops. The Underworld tolerated it. With Hell Money and offerings as bribes, they’d play nice. Wang Ya had done this before, practicing under her Grandma’s watch. This was her first solo.

After lighting the Incense, Candles, Paper, Wang Ya measured with her feet, placing an incense stick every three steps into the ground. This was the Incense Boundary. Once opened, inside connected to the Underworld; outside remained Yang Realm. Stepping in entered Yellow Springs—with dire consequences. Without a high-cultivation guide, you’d end up in the Underworld Courts or lost on Yellow Springs Road! Crucial step: without it, the portal could overrun uncontrollably, sucking her in. It also timed via burning incense: when extinguished, Yellow Springs closed. Yin Spirits had to enter before; strays had to exit before. Miss it? Good luck finding your own way back.

The third step was true Opening Yellow Springs, unveiling Yellow Springs Road. Normally used Yellow Springs Road-Opening Talisman, but drawing one was a hassle—dozens of special inks alone. Wang Ya would’ve been busy gathering them (unlikely for the couple anyway), and it risked leaking sect secrets. To save trouble and keep secrecy, she gritted her teeth, bit her finger again, and drew the Yellow Springs Road-Opening Talisman with her own essence blood as ink. Mainly, she doubted they could source materials—her Grandma had scoured villages for decades without success. Learning this, Wang Ya had tearfully bitten fingers. Grandma always said, “Make do with essence blood for now. When you’re skilled and earning, buy from Xuan Men suppliers.”