Night Parade of a Hundred Ghosts - Chapter 8

In life, there are a lot of firsts. I remember in elementary school, the title of our essays was often “The First Time I Did XX,” but I never imagined my first time drawing a talisman.

By the time I was discharged from the hospital, it was already four in the afternoon. These past few days, Han Si Fan and Brother Xiang had been out all day trying to track down that Shuimang ghost, so they didn’t have much time to visit me. Brother Xiang did manage to come by once, saying they’d searched tons of places without finding the ghost, like it was hiding somewhere they couldn’t reach. They asked the Old fortune-teller about it, but he just told them to look on their own, and said it was good training for young people.

When I got home, my mom wasn’t there; she works in a small factory and usually doesn’t get off until six. She’d arranged to be home early when I was first coming back, though, and took time off just to be there for me.

Now, coming back this time, maybe because I’d bumped into a couple ghosts or had some mental pressure, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the statue in my room was watching me. The statue looked weird anyway, but I only felt better after slapping the talisman the Old fortune-teller had given me onto its forehead. After that, I grabbed something random to eat, and then I headed over to the Old fortune-teller’s place.

This was my first time trying to draw a talisman, and I had no idea what I was doing, so I needed the Old fortune-teller to teach me. Not to mention, I didn’t even have that stamp.

When I arrived at the Old fortune-teller’s place, it was around three-thirty. He was home alone, watching Sailor Moon. This guy, even though he’s saved me before and knows how to catch ghosts, is a total perverted old man in my eyes. Growing up, he’d drag Brother Xiang and me into sneaking peeks at Wang Widow next door when she bathed. Well, actually, he was watching while Brother Xiang and I just kept looking out.

So, naturally, I didn’t stand on ceremony. I walked in and felt it was pretty warm inside. This old guy never uses the AC. I used to think he was just trying to save on electricity, but it turns out that having the AC on actually lowers the Yang energy in the area, which can attract spooky stuff.

“Old fortune-teller, have you eaten yet?” Since I was here to ask for his help, I had to be polite. I sat down next to him with a big grin, and he shot me a sly look, chuckling, “What are you up to now, kid?”

“Old fortune-teller, you know, your book says I need a stamp. Where can I get one? Can’t you just give me one?”

“Give it to you? Sure, just become my disciple!” The Old fortune-teller gave me a sly look and said, “No apprenticeship, no stamp.”

Hearing this, I couldn’t help but laugh. Back when I was a kid, I’d called him “Grandpa” just to get some candy, so what’s an apprenticeship? I immediately dropped to my knees and, copying the old TV dramas, said, “Master, please accept your disciple’s respect!”

“Stop!” the Old fortune-teller waved his hand and said, “I’m not taking disciples anymore!”

“Oh, come on, old man, you’re messing with me!” I jumped up, half-cursing. He shook his head and said, “What’s the rush? If you’re serious about apprenticing, I’ll find you a master. I’m too old, and don’t have the energy to teach disciples anymore. This master’s much more skilled than I am; I’ll give him a call.”

With that, he picked up his phone and made a call. The person on the other end seemed to ask something, and the Old fortune-teller laughed, “Xiao Jiu, I found a disciple for you, got pretty good potential, reminds me a bit of you back in the day.”

I couldn’t hear what the person said, but the Old fortune-teller continued, “I like him, hahaha. Alright, it’s settled. This kid’s good.” Then he handed the phone to me and said, “If you want to be his disciple, talk to him yourself.”

I took the phone, and the person on the other end asked, “So you’re that kid, Chen Hui?”

The voice sounded familiar. Oh, right! It was that middle-aged guy I’d met when I visited the Old fortune-teller a few days ago—the one who drove the BMW. This guy’s clearly doing well, so I quickly said, “Yeah, that’s me.”

“Why do you want to learn this?” he suddenly asked. I was caught off guard and thought about it for a moment. I guess I didn’t really know myself—it just seemed fun. But since I was asking to be his disciple, I couldn’t say that, so I replied, “I want to slay demons and banish evil spirits, dedicating myself to destroying all monsters.”

“A brat like you? Where are you gonna find so many monsters to slay?” He chuckled, maybe doubting me. Honestly, I wasn’t so sure myself. Then he continued, “But since the Old fortune-teller recommended you, I’ll give him a face. I’ll take you as a disciple. Remember our sect’s guiding principle, which is, uh…”

I thought I heard a woman nearby telling him to stop with the nonsense, saying there’s no such guiding principle.

“The principle is to respect the elderly and care for the young, show respect to your master, call him sometimes, treat him to tea, help him find girls to flirt with—oh, scratch that last part; I’m a devoted husband to your Shimu,” he rambled. “Anyway, just remember to honor your master, alright?”

Then he got serious and said, “Now listen up. My name’s Wu Jiu. You’re my disciple now, so whatever you do, I won’t care, but if you take a knife and cripple a few people, I’ll still have your back. But, you’d better remember—never use your skills to harm others. The line between magic and dark arts is just a single thought. If you ever cross it, I’ll personally come to deal with you!”

“Got it.” That last part made me feel a bit heavy. This old rascal Wu Jiu had a voice that felt powerful, intimidating even. I said, “Master, please accept your disciple’s respect!”

“Alright, enough of that formal stuff,” he suddenly remembered something. “Oh, right, you need a title. Your senior’s title is Iron Man, so you’ll be Batman. I’ve got things to do, so the Old fortune-teller will fill you in on the details.” And with that, he hung up.

Once the call ended, I finally understood—I’d somehow gained a master, and also the title of Batman. the Old fortune-teller glanced at me and said, “Alright, let’s get your stamp; I had it made a while ago.”

“You already made it?” I asked, surprised. the Old fortune-teller rolled his eyes and said, “That Wu Jiu only gives out the same few titles: Iron Man, Batman, Spider-Man, and Hulk. Which one do you want?”

“Batman works.” I didn’t really care about the title back then.

The Old fortune-teller brought out a small stamp, about the size of a thumb, and then wrote down my birth details on a piece of paper. Then he looked at me and said, “Kneel down!”

I knew these Yinyang masters were particular about rituals, so I quickly got down on my knees. The Old fortune-teller held the paper and solemnly declared, “Today, I, Li Shi Gao, on behalf of Wu Jiu, take Chen Hui as a disciple! Born in the year of Gengchen on Gengchen day at the hour of Chen, he is now under Wu Jiu’s guidance and must follow the three rules!”

“Rule One! Do not use dark arts to harm others!”

“Rule Two! Do not betray your master or the sect!”

“Rule Three! Do not flaunt your powers to others!”

“Remember these three rules and don’t forget!”

T/L Notes:

1. Born in the year of Gengchen on Gengchen day at the hour of Chen: 

The person was born on a day and time in the Chinese calendar that aligns with the elements of metal and the symbol of the dragon. This combination is part of a traditional Chinese system that marks time in unique cycles, believed to influence one’s personality and destiny.