Avoid the Heterodox Paths

Wang Yong Gui thought for a moment and spoke in a deep voice.

"Actually, when studying heterodox paths and relying on occult arts for gain, everyone basically has a limit. It's like everyone has a cup of water; once the cup is full, it can't hold any more, otherwise the water will overflow.

Hunting is something that not only ordinary people, but even ancient emperors, were addicted to.

It's more addictive than fishing, and very hard to stop.

Moreover, traditional Chinese medicine is comprehensive. Aunt Wu's former husband was particularly fond of studying hunting. All things have spirits, especially animals; killing too many will invite karmic retribution.

Furthermore, hunting makes money fast. Setting aside common wild boars, if it's some rare animals, one can make a fortune.

Wu Dai Long's talent in traditional Chinese medicine wasn't good, and he violated taboos in his youth.

Actually, I also had an eldest uncle, who was his elder brother. Knowing about it, he hid it from my grandfather and went to help him block a lot of it.

He was directly gored through the stomach by a mountain goat's horn and passed away just like that, before he could even get married.

After that, Wu Dai Long also settled down for a few years, but in the end, he couldn't hold back and went up the mountain again. When the water is full, it spills.

Going up the mountain also has many things to watch out for, like closing the mountain and opening the mountain. Closing the mountain too much offends the Mountain God, more times than can be counted.

Combined with my grandfather's capability protecting him, nothing had happened to him.

It was on the day he returned from the mountain sick that something happened.

Wu Dai Long went up the mountain before dawn, going to the deep forest and mountains on the other side of Ban Gou Village to set many traps.

In the morning, at the crack of dawn, the leaves and weeds along the road were covered in dew. The night before, there seemed to be some fine drizzle, making it look a bit damp.

Holding a wood-chopping knife, he walked into the forest, crossed the trees, and came to a clear lake.

In the early morning, a misty white fog hovered over the lake, constantly rising toward the sky. Suddenly, there was a woman's singing ahead, an ancient and beautiful song. Wu Dai Long felt curious, walked along the lake, pushed aside the grass, and saw a woman dressed in red, very beautiful with very long hair, bathing in that white mist.

That song, upon hearing it, sounded somewhat like crying, as if complaining to the great mountain, as if weeping to the great mountain.

It also seemed like she was weeping to Wu Dai Long, which was extremely eerie.

It was like the weeping of a woman who had lost her child, heartbroken to the point of death.

Wu Dai Long, after all, was in this trade and understood some heterodox paths. He instantly screamed in his heart that things were bad, and also spotted some clues. He wasn't bewitched by that tall woman in red, turned around, and ran as fast as his legs could carry him, all the way back home.

After running back home, he felt unwell, lay on the bed vomiting blood, and passed away a few months later. Actually, that was what happened."

Hearing this, Yang Qiu Ju felt a shiver run down her spine: "So that's what happened! Yong Gui, this is too terrifying. Who was that woman?"

Wang Yong Gui shook his head: "I'm not very sure either. It was either a mountain spirit or a Mountain God, with a Mountain God being more likely.

Moreover, the other side of Ban Gou Village is a primeval forest with towering mountain ranges, so the Mountain God there is also powerful.

Actually, during Wu Dai Long's illness, my grandfather even slaughtered a piglet, boiled it whole, carried it in a basket, along with many sacrificial offerings. He went to the foot of the mountain in Ban Gou Village to negotiate and beg for forgiveness, but it was useless.

That great mountain is no joke."

Yang Qiu Ju asked again, "With your family's capability, didn't you take action?"

Wang Yong Gui shook his head and sighed: "My family studies medicine, which inherently values karma. We won't take action to treat certain karmic illnesses.

My grandfather told me that your former husband was destined to die; his time had come, and no one could save him.

My grandfather also said that he was old and had cultivated his whole life, and didn't want to fail at the last step. Even if he saved him once, he couldn't save him for a lifetime.

After that, he also performed rituals behind the scenes to avoid implicating the family, but things still happened afterward. I fell from a tree and almost died, and the two of us lived such a miserable life. I suspect we were somewhat implicated.

But this stuff is a bit mysterious, with no trace to be found, and is just a suspicion that cannot be taken as truth.

After all, those who study heterodox paths suffer from the Five Bereavements and Three Deficiencies. Some people lack one, meaning they cannot stay with their relatives, otherwise they will implicate them."

Yang Qiu Ju listened with a look of amazement and said nothing. Wang Yong Gui smiled self-deprecatingly.

"So in the future, we should try our best to avoid destroying nature and not kill living beings recklessly. Look at those old hunters in the surrounding villages; how many of them had a good end? The wives at home became widows, which in turn benefited the old village chief Pan Sheng Lin and the village party secretary Old Lei, keeping those two fellows busy during those years and making many contributions."

Hearing his subsequent words, Yang Qiu Ju also rolled her eyes at Wang Yong Gui with a smile.

"You brat, look at what you're saying. Then what about killing chickens and ducks? And why are those butchers fine?"

"Raising pigs and cattle, that is their destiny, so slaughtering them naturally causes no issues. Although there is a slight impact, some butchers have their own methods, so they are naturally fine.

Moreover, humans eating meat is in accordance with the natural food chain. Killing chickens and ducks at home is fine."

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Right at this moment, messy footsteps echoed outside, entering the main hall from the outside.

Knowing someone had arrived, Yang Qiu Ju quickly sat to the side, then stood up to check on the food. The rice was almost done, and she just needed to stir-fry the vegetables.

In the main hall, Pan Sheng Lin's voice immediately rang out: "Wang Yong Gui, have you had dinner yet?"

Right after, he pushed open the door and entered.

Wang Yong Gui was slightly puzzled. Why did this fellow run to his house? Could he be using the low-income subsidy issue again, wanting Yang Qiu Ju to sleep with him?

Normally, he would show Pan Sheng Lin some respect, and since he wanted to become the team leader of the upper squad, he put on a patient face and persuaded him.

If Pan Sheng Lin insisted on pushing it, falling out with him now was nothing to fear. If he went too far, he wouldn't mind beating up this old drunkard.

Wang Yong Gui stood up and walked to the side of the door. Pan Sheng Lin happened to step into the living room. He had dark skin, a crew cut, and wore a Sun Yat-sen suit, looking somewhat fierce and rough.

His eyes were wide, looking as if he had been tormented quite a bit by Yang Yu Qiao.

"My Aunt Qiu Ju just finished cooking, and is about to stir-fry some vegetables for dinner! Old Village Chief, what wind blew you here?"

Wang Yong Gui smiled, but was suddenly stunned. Behind Pan Sheng Lin was another person—Old Great-Uncle, leaning on a cane, came hobbling in.

Not only that, but a whole crowd of people followed, including an elder from the Wang clan.

Along with many familiar faces from Tao Hua Village, most of whom were relatives of Pockmarked Wang and Er Bi Zi.

Pockmarked Wang's hand was wrapped in gauze, and Er Bi Zi's head was also wrapped in gauze. The two of them secretly hid at the very back, lacking their usual arrogant and domineering demeanor. Looking at Wang Yong Gui, their eyes carried a hint of dread.

Seeing such a large group of people, Wang Yong Gui furrowed his brows, remembering that he had beaten Er Bi Zi this afternoon when he returned to the village, and had even given his third brother a blow with a stick.

Had they come to demand accountability?

However, Wang Yong Gui was not afraid now. If they really pushed him, he wouldn't back down even if the whole village, young and old, came at him, especially since this was his own home!

"Wang Yong Gui, go bring out your home-brewed peach blossom wine. Today I want to drink a jar; we have things to discuss."

Old Great-Uncle, supported by someone, walked over. He reached out and patted Wang Yong Gui's shoulder as he stood by the door. Speaking slowly, he walked in, found a chair, and sat in the innermost seat.

Old Great-Uncle was ninety-six years old this year. He had no illnesses, and his body looked sturdy and very energetic.

He had studied a bit of traditional Chinese medicine in the past, and was later considered an outer disciple of his grandfather. After his grandfather passed away, whenever there was a minor illness in the surrounding villages, people basically went to Old Great-Uncle.

Moreover, he was the oldest person in Tao Hua Village. When there was something to discuss, even if he went to someone else's house, sitting in the innermost seat was entirely reasonable.

Similarly, the village still retained some traditional etiquette. No matter how wild the young people were outside, when they returned to the village, they had to listen when an elder of the highest age spoke.

Just like the host of a birthday feast, his status in everyone's hearts was very high.