The Fox Spirit Takes the Field

The Fox Immortal’s powers were so immense that she knew everything Da Bao Tian did. Suddenly, she possessed me and exposed all the shameful deeds Da Bao Tian had committed, leaving him utterly humiliated and forcing him to kneel on the ground, sobbing. Whether his tears were out of fear or genuine remorse, it mattered little. The two thunderclaps terrified everyone inside the house, and a sharp peal shattered the glass in our windows. Da Bao Tian could only leave my house, crying.

Under the Fox Immortal’s intimidation, Da Bao Tian knelt and confessed his wrongs to his parents, and from then on, the two families lived in harmony. Today was the day the Fox Immortal manifested herself. Da Bao Tian and his parents brought the Fox Immortal’s favorite chicken and a few dishes to my house. “Old friend, it’s all thanks to your niece Ling Ling and your guardian spirit, the Fox Immortal, that my grandson came back to life and our families are reconciled. I’ve brought these things to offer thanks to the Fox Immortal…” Old Master Tian didn’t finish speaking before placing the offerings on the kang.

In our region, there’s a saying: the eldest grandson is the treasure of the old lady and old master. Though the two families were estranged, when a child was in trouble, how could the elders not be anxious? The elders, desperate, burned incense at home, praying for the child’s longevity. Seeing the elders and Da Bao Tian praising me so joyfully, I couldn’t help but smile shyly. “Old Master, you flatter me. I’m just a young girl, how could I possibly have such abilities? All the credit belongs to the Fox Immortal…”

While we were speaking, a few people came in from outside. “Ah, is this the home of Tian Ma Zi, Brother Tian?” An elderly woman, likely in her sixties, with white hair and dark, weathered skin, looking every bit the rural matron, entered the courtyard carrying a basket of eggs. Seeing my mother come out to greet her, she bent low, preparing to kneel before her. “Old sister, please don’t kneel. Whose kin are you?” My mother was perplexed.

“Sister, I’m from Changjia Camp. Your daughter, Xie Ling Ling, saved my son. As soon as he recovered, he told me to bring him here to offer thanks. Your girl is truly a living deity!” The old woman spoke as she raised a thumb in praise. “My daughter saved your son?” My mother listened in half doubt, regarding the old woman before her.

“That’s right, Aunt. It was your daughter who saved me. If she hadn’t gone to the underworld to eliminate that greedy and wicked ghost official, I fear I’d never have returned…” The man spoke, tears streaming down his face. Whether his words were true or false, my mother, seeing them bring gifts to our home, welcomed them in with a smile.

“Ah, sister, we meet again. Last time, it was thanks to you, for removing that evil ghost official, that I could return to the living. I, Zhao Shu Yi, owe you my life…” This was the living soul Zhao San Er whom I’d encountered in the underworld, dragged to the City of Unjust Death by the ghost official Gu Li. I remembered him clearly, and now he appeared full of vigor, the blood gone from his face.

“Get up, big brother. Please don’t kneel to me. I’m just a girl, I don’t have such powers. If you want to thank someone, thank the Fox Immortal…” “Fox Immortal?” Zhao San Er was taken aback by my words.

“Yes, San Er, the girl is right! I heard too, the Fox Immortal’s powers are boundless. People say this girl went to the underworld under the protection of an immortal spirit…” The elderly woman’s words trailed off and Zhao San Er became confused.

“Fox Immortal? I remember, sister, you went to the underworld with the protection of a Bodhisattva’s spell, and it was the Bodhisattva who took away the ghost official!” This was a secret that could not be revealed; if spilled, not only he, but I as well would suffer consequences. Thinking this, I smiled and said, “Big brother, there’s something you don’t know. That Bodhisattva is the Fox Immortal herself. Without her, none of us could have returned.” Zhao San Er instantly understood and knelt before the Fox Immortal’s spirit tablet.

“Fox Immortal, I am Zhao Shu Yi of Changjia Camp, known as Zhao San Er. Last time while working on the construction site, I was struck by a beam and fainted, mistakenly taken to the underworld by Impermanence, pressed by a greedy ghost official to the City of Unjust Death. Thanks to your rescue, I was able to return to the living. You are truly a living Bodhisattva!” Zhao San Er spoke, kneeling and kowtowing until his head bled, remaining before the Fox Immortal’s spirit tablet in sincere gratitude.

“Zhao Shu Yi, I saved you by the mandate of heaven; it was my duty.” The aged, hoarse voice of the Fox Immortal suddenly rang out, startling everyone in the room, who stared dumbfounded toward the source. “Ah! The Fox Immortal has manifested! Quickly, pay your respects!” The room erupted in excitement; everyone knelt down at her words.

“Fox Immortal, you saved our entire family! We bow to you, we bow to you!” My parents, Da Bao Tian’s family, and Zhao San Er’s kin all kneeled before the Fox Immortal’s spirit and kowtowed fervently. “Enough, rise now. Today is the day I manifest; from now on, if you have troubles, come to Xie Ma Zi for help. You’ve seen the blessings upon Xie Ma Zi’s household. Offer some incense money as you please, and raise a banner in my honor, spread my name.” The Fox Immortal laughed as she spoke.

Today, the sun shone brightly, the sky clear and blue. From the heavens came the calls of magpies. In the courtyard stood two paper figures, whom the Fox Immortal told us were called Heavenly Eye Boy and Divine Ear Boy. They were her attendants, able to see what mortals cannot and hear what mortals cannot. These paper figures were made by order of the Fox Immortal, paid for by Da Bao Tian. Zhao San Er brought a portrait of the Fox Immortal that matched the one I’d seen exactly.

In the painting, the Fox Immortal wore a golden robe and held a silver-tipped staff. Her hair was half black, half white, appearing about sixty years old. Though her face was aged and wrinkled, her eyes shone with spirit. Was it possible someone had seen her before me and captured her likeness? Whoever painted this must have known her or possessed an extraordinary memory. As I pondered this, the Fox Immortal’s laughter suddenly echoed from the portrait.

“Hahaha… Xie Ling Ling, must someone recognize me or possess a remarkable memory to paint my image?” The Fox Immortal’s laughter and words interrupted my thoughts, and a ray of white light shot from the portrait toward my head. My vision went dark, and I collapsed to the ground. “Ling Ling, daughter, sister!” Those outside rushed to support me, while villagers watching laughed quietly.

“Ling Ling, you’re awake.” My mother helped me up, offering me water. “Hehehe, your daughter is fine. I merely possessed her body to speak with you all…” Before the Fox Immortal could finish, my parents, Da Bao Tian’s family, and Zhao San Er’s family all kneeled. “The Fox Immortal has manifested, we bow to you!” Everyone knelt at the sound of her voice.

“Fox Immortal, you are truly a powerful living Bodhisattva! May I ask, from which famous mountain do you hail?” Zhao San’s mother watched the immortal possessing me, yawning and smiling as she raised her thumb. “Fox Immortal, you are the great benefactor of our Zhao family!” “Hehe, you overpraise me. I am but a fox immortal of the celestial realm, who, in anger, accidentally harmed a mortal soul and was banished to the human world to cultivate and bring blessings.” The people in the room laughed at her words.

“Today is the day I manifest. Should you or anyone in your village or kin face difficulties, come to me. I will possess my disciple Xie Ling Ling to resolve your troubles.” The room erupted in laughter. Da Bao Tian lit firecrackers in the courtyard, their loud pops echoing like thunder. It was as if we were celebrating a wedding, and everyone in the village received wedding candies.

The Fox Immortal had come forth today, and from this moment, I was no longer a free person. I had to obey her commands; it was my only way to survive. In my room were not only the Fox Immortal’s portrait and incense burner, but also a red veil. The Fox Immortal told me this veil was called the Soul Holder, a red cloth through which wrongful spirits could possess my body. The elders had said before that being possessed by spirits would shorten one’s life, and hearing this, my heart tightened with anxiety.

On this day, my home was like New Year's, with feasts and fireworks. Yet my heart was like that of a reluctant bride, sitting gloomily and staring at the red cloth that frightened me. I thought of the ghost in the fields, the widow Tian’s face covered in blood, and my heart trembled. Alas, this is fate. The chicken and delicious dishes on the table did nothing for my appetite. While my parents, Da Bao Tian, and the Zhao family celebrated for me and the Fox Immortal, several strangers arrived at the door.

These people were completely unfamiliar to me, none I had ever seen. Each wore a worried expression, entering our courtyard with gloomy faces. “Chang Da Bala, has the ghost in your house been exorcised?” Zhao San Er’s mother came out and anxiously questioned the man, who looked unhappy, his head lowered, shaking it as tears fell.

“Ghost?” Hearing the word sent a chill through me. Though I had the Fox Immortal’s protection, the thought of those vengeful ghosts with bloodied faces still filled me with dread. Hearing Chang Da Bala speak of the female ghost in his home frightened me so much my soul nearly left my body.