As the horizon hinted at the first light, Alan’s shadow grew more translucent, seemingly on the verge of dissipating. Granny Fan pulled out a piece of jade: “If you are willing to enter this jade, both you and the child yet unborn in your belly will benefit greatly. However, to retrieve that ghost fetus later, I will still need your help!”

“If my child stands to benefit, that would be wonderful. Even if there were no benefit, I still must help this Brother Ma.” The nearly transparent shadow turned back and nodded to Ma Sandao, saying, “Brother Ma is truly a good person!” Ma Sandao blushed deeply at this. Granny Fan, hearing her willingness to help, was instantly overjoyed. She drew a piece of jade from her robe, dabbed a bit of Ma Sandao’s blood-soaked right hand onto it, and smiled sweetly at Alan: “In that case, let’s take you in.” Alan transformed into a streak of green light and sank into the jade.

Young Master Liu leaned closer out of curiosity; the sky was already beginning to lighten. He could clearly see the eight large characters inscribed on the jade: Yin Evil Flee, Yang Fortune Arrive.

Young Master Liu asked, “Master Yuan, why don't you let her reincarnate, but instead take her in? Won't this Madam Li turn into a puddle of thick blood shortly?”

Ma Sandao slapped his forehead: “…Right, my wife… my wife…”

Granny Fan understood what he meant and said, “Taking her in is for her own good. This jade is a spirit jade; it can temporarily contain her. If she can stay inside for some time, both she and the little one will gain something. Besides, we’ll likely need her to subdue the ghost fetus today.”

Young Master Liu was confused: “Why is that? You’re taking my… my… an aggressive female ghost with you to my in-laws’ house? Won’t that kill my mother-in-law?”

“Get lost, you pup!” Ma Sandao kicked him lightly on the backside.

Granny Fan said, “Don’t worry. You’ll be learning this art from me in the future; how could I harm you?”

Young Master Liu exclaimed, “I never agreed to learn from you, and besides, you should teach this skill to someone else. I frankly don't have the heart to learn it, and I wouldn’t have the guts to use it even if I did… Let’s head back to the village and see how my mother-in-law is doing first!” With that, he walked off.

Granny Fan sighed, then followed him onto the road. Ma Sandao was anxious and kept urging them to hurry, but Granny Fan remained unhurried. They hadn't gone ten li when Granny Fan spoke again: “Actually, I don’t enjoy this line of work. People usually call me ‘Immortal Aunt,’ but behind my back, they still hold some reservations about me, I know that… Alas!”

Young Master Liu comforted her: “Just from the principles you explained last night, I understand you are truly a capable and honest practitioner, unlike those fraudulent charlatans.”

“That’s right, that’s right. I will certainly spread the word everywhere about Granny Fan when I get back, letting people know we have a living immortal here,” Ma Sandao nodded repeatedly.

Granny Fan smiled: “That’s not necessary. When I perform rites or chant scriptures for people, knowing the specifics isn't actually useful, but the patrons pay well. Last time, at the Yang family in town, when the old master finished his three years of mourning, they paid a hundred silver dollars for incense money for three days of chanting. And last time for Magistrate Wang’s mother in the county, I chanted for two days, and the four Daoists each received one hundred dollars.”

Young Master Liu’s eyes widened: “Granny Fan, chanting scriptures earns that much money?”

Granny Fan gave a wry smile: “They say they worry that if they pay too little, the chanters might miss a few lines, preventing the deceased from resting in peace. What do they take us for?”

Young Master Liu was still muttering: “So much money at once. I thought it was just a few mao…”

Granny Fan added, “Many people ask to learn my skills usually, but I just don't approve of their aptitude. When I meet someone as promising as you, yet you’re unwilling. Finding a decent disciple is truly difficult. For someone like me, I mostly just chant scriptures and write talismans; the strenuous tasks like last night’s are rare. Asking a young man like you to learn this might feel stifling.”

Young Master Liu quickly asked, “So you don’t usually exorcise ghosts? I always thought performing rites involved fighting ghosts…” Granny Fan replied, “There aren’t that many fierce ghosts to deal with in this world, so I’m afraid you’d be idle. Old Mao Liu from Xiushan Village has asked me several times to teach him some skills to carry with him. I see his heart is sincere. When we return this time, I’ll take him on as a disciple for seeing off the deceased!”

Young Master Liu immediately grew agitated: “That boy never does an honest day’s work, and I heard he’s a habitual opium smoker! How can a divine figure like you take such a disciple? That simply won’t do! Before, I was worried that my own dullness would waste your time, but since Granny thinks so highly of me, I, Liu Da Shao, am certainly willing to follow you and carry on the skills of the Old Daoist Master. I only hope Granny won't blame your disciple for learning slowly.” Saying this, he looked at Granny Fan with an expression of utmost sincerity, as loyal as Guan Yu to Liu Bei, or Li Kui to Song Jiang.

Granny Fan was greatly pleased: “Are you truly willing to formally accept me as your master?” Seeing the matter settled, Young Master Liu immediately knelt down in a manner fit for an opera stage, kowtowing three times: “Master above, please accept your disciple’s bow!” Granny Fan accepted the three kowtows, sighed deeply that she now had a successor and could be at ease, and happily repeated, “Good, good…”

Young Master Liu, having already been exhausted for two days and two nights, felt sparks of gold flash before his eyes after kowtowing. However, those golden sparks quickly morphed in his vision into piles of Renminbi, swirling above his head.

The moment Young Master Liu agreed to become a disciple, Granny Fan immediately quickened her pace, leaving that scoundrel Ma Sandao exhausted like a donkey. In no time, they arrived at Ma’s house. Ma Sandao, seeing Zhang Zhaodi still unconscious, eagerly sought Granny Fan’s help to remove the ghost fetus. Granny Fan said gravely, “If we remove the ghost fetus, your child will certainly not be saved…”

Ma Sandao was stunned: “Granny, what… what do you mean?” Granny Fan explained, “Your child has lost its soul. Even if we save it, it will likely be an imbecile at birth, and won't live past one year!” Hearing this, Ma Sandao wept, beating his own face in regret. This gamble truly ruined him!

Granny Fan continued, “Removing the ghost fetus can only save your wife’s life… and it must be done tonight, the sooner the better… You need to prepare!” Ma Sandao looked heartbrokenly at his unconscious wife, tears streaming down his face. Granny Fan patted his shoulder: “You sleep for a while; I’ll need you to exert yourself tonight.” She then signaled Young Master Liu to distract Ma Xiaoyan and have her wander outside. Since Granny Fan was now his master, Young Master Liu dared not disobey and followed her instructions. Granny Fan sighed and returned home to make preparations.

How could Ma Sandao sleep? But after two days and two nights without closing his eyes, even an iron man couldn't endure it. Soon, he drifted into a light sleep. Suddenly, Granny Fan appeared in his dream, telling him that both his wife and child could be saved. Ma Sandao jumped up joyfully, only to wake up abruptly. He realized it had only been a dream.

Night fell, and Granny Fan and Ma Sandao carried Zhang Zhaodi into the main hall. Young Master Liu had already affixed talismans around the edges of the bedboard. Granny Fan said to Ma Sandao, “Now, we will set up the Grand Formation of the Ten Directions Heavenly Venerables for Aiding the Suffering and Driving Out Demons. Later, no matter what happens to your wife, you absolutely must not approach her. Remember this clearly!” Ma Sandao nodded in agreement.

Granny Fan took out the jade and placed it next to Zhang Zhaodi. She told Young Master Liu to stand guard with the wooden sword, fearing that some external spirit might intrude. Young Master Liu clutched the wooden sword, his palms sweating profusely.

Granny Fan lowered her head and began chanting an incantation. Suddenly, she pointed her sword at Zhang Zhaodi and shouted, “Evil spirit, come out!” Instantly, it was as if a great wind swept through the hall. The talisman papers around the bed rustled loudly, frightening Young Master Liu into holding the sword horizontally across his chest. He watched as Granny Fan’s chant grew more urgent and the wind intensified, making it impossible for Young Master Liu to open his eyes. Ma Sandao staggered on the ground, nearly falling flat on his face. Young Master Liu squinted and saw several talismans about to peel off, causing him anxiety. Granny Fan roared, “Are you coming out to meet your death or not!”

The wind abruptly ceased, leaving an eerie silence that made Ma Sandao’s scalp tingle. He turned back to see his wife slowly sitting up on the bedboard, her expression utterly bizarre. Ma Sandao flinched: “Wife, are you alright?”

Granny Fan slapped him hard across the face and roared, “Do not speak! Keep watch properly!” Ma Sandao had no idea what was happening and was racking his brain in anxiety.

Zhang Zhaodi sat up, staring blankly ahead, twisting her neck in a strange posture, her eyeballs fixed while only her neck turned to look at people. Ma Sandao’s scalp prickled—was this still human? Had he lost his wife too? Young Master Liu, watching from the side, found it increasingly uncanny. Thinking it better to strike first than suffer later, he spat twice into his palm and prepared to advance with his sword.

Then, Zhang Zhaodi spoke, her voice neither male nor female, yet tinged with a childish quality: “Who is trying to drive me away?” The sound sent a layer of goosebumps the size of mung beans across Young Master Liu’s body, making him dare not move rashly. Granny Fan shot him a glance and boomed, “You blind, wicked spirit, daring to try and steal someone’s fetus! Today, I will not only drive you away, but I will capture you too!”

Zhang Zhaodi merely stretched her lips into a wide laugh: “Heh heh, the main party isn't even in a hurry, why are you?”

Ma Sandao, enraged, grabbed a stool, ready to bring it down: “Damn your ancestors, who isn’t in a hurry?” As the stool was about to smash down, he remembered this was his wife’s body. He was truly stuck like a tiger caught in thorns, with nowhere to bite. Granny Fan bit her index finger until it bled, and while Zhang Zhaodi was twisting her head to look at Ma Sandao, she rushed forward and drew a Liu Ding Jing Ling Talisman on her forehead.

Immediately, Zhang Zhaodi’s body began to tremble violently, shaking the bedboard so it creaked incessantly. She tried to speak several times but couldn't get the words out.

Granny Fan quickly said, “If you beg for mercy, nod your head…”

Before she finished speaking, Zhang Zhaodi suddenly burst out laughing: “Ha ha, ha ha…” Amidst the strange laughter, Zhang Zhaodi’s voice returned: “Sandao… Sandao… what’s happening to me?” Hearing this, Ma Sandao’s heart was twisted with agony. He quickly asked, “Granny, what should we do?”

Granny Fan sighed: “Your wife loves this child too much; the ghost has obsessed her mind.” Ma Sandao jumped up and down: “Then save her quickly!”

Granny Fan snorted, lit an An Hun (Soul Soothing) incense stick, and said resentfully, “Let’s see how long you can laugh!” The An Hun incense smoke gradually drifted toward the possessed body, and the piece of jade suddenly glowed, releasing a spot of green light that floated into Zhang Zhaodi’s belly.

Zhang Zhaodi felt dizzy and nauseous, and her stomach ached. Her husband was nowhere to be found. In a daze, she arrived at a familiar place. Opening her eyes, she saw: Wasn't this the stagnant pond she had visited before? How did she get here? With a muddled mind, she thought: I should go home. Otherwise, my husband and girl will surely worry when they don’t see me. He’s worried about me, and so is the baby in my belly. Thinking this, she habitually touched her abdomen, only to find that the slightly swollen belly was now flat as a pancake.

This felt like a bolt from the blue. Zhang Zhaodi’s vision spun, and she collapsed onto the ground, clutching a tree by the roadside. The baby was gone, what should she do? What’s the point of living if the baby is gone? With that thought, she stood up crying, shouting, “My child… Mommy is coming to find you…” and prepared to jump into the pond beside her.

Just as she was about to jump, a hand grabbed her. Zhang Zhaodi turned and saw a plump, fair-skinned child holding onto her hand tightly. Seeing how beautiful the child was, she asked gently, “Whose child are you, why are you grabbing my hand?” The child smiled, revealing two shallow dimples. As soon as he opened his mouth, he called out, “Mama, Mama!” Zhang Zhaodi felt a pang of bitterness: You? How could you be my child… Look how big you are…” Saying this, she glanced at the child again, and this time, she couldn't pull her eyes away. The child’s mouth looked exactly like Ma Sandao’s, but his eyes and nose were quite like hers.

If this wasn’t her child, why did he resemble them so much? Overjoyed, she scooped the child into a fierce embrace: “My treasure, my treasure!” The child also seemed delighted, constantly calling her Mama. Suddenly, she heard a voice speak from behind her: “This is not your child; move away from him quickly!” Zhang Zhaodi turned around and saw a woman wearing a red wedding dress, also heavily pregnant, saying to her, “This is a ghost; get away from him fast!”

Zhang Zhaodi immediately shielded the child protectively and said, “Who are you? Why do you like to speak nonsense here?” The woman sighed, “I am a tragic woman saved by your husband. The child in your arms is the wicked person who killed me…”

Zhang Zhaodi looked down, and the child was staring back at her with large eyes full of fear. Zhang Zhaodi’s heart ached, and she held him even tighter. The woman grew anxious: “Sister Ma, please don't be deceived by him. Look closely at who he truly is…”

Zhang Zhaodi looked again, and her child’s face suddenly morphed into the hideous visage of a man covered in blood. She startled, but the face immediately reverted to the chubby, fair face. She refused to listen to the woman.

The child in her arms suddenly spoke with a sinister tone: “Mama, she can’t give birth to a child, so she wants to snatch me to be hers.” Zhang Zhaodi’s heart skipped a beat. She stood up, shielding the child: “I don't want to hear you talk; go far away!” The woman sighed and suddenly reached out, trying to snatch the child.

“Sister Ma, think! Your baby hasn't been born yet, how can he be this big? Give him to me quickly, or he will kill you too!” The woman grabbed the child’s shoulder and tried to pull him away. Zhang Zhaodi found a sudden burst of strength and shoved the woman away. The child began to wail incessantly, “Mama, if she snatches me away, you’ll never have a child again…” Zhang Zhaodi dodged the woman while constantly comforting him: “Your mother is here, no one can take you away…”

The woman became desperate and moved even faster. She managed to grab the child several times, only to have Zhang Zhaodi snatch him back. Suddenly, she was quick and sharp, clamping down on the child’s hands and yanking upwards. Zhang Zhaodi cried out in alarm, grabbed the child’s legs, and pulled back with all her might. With that sudden exertion, the child was torn into two pieces.

The woman sighed in relief, but the half-child in her hands suddenly turned its head and bit her: “You dared to ruin my business, you don’t deserve to live either!” His little face was filled with viciousness. Seeing the child about to bite her, she panicked and flung the half-body child towards the edge of the pond, into the water. Zhang Zhaodi was already stunned senseless, staring blankly at the two severed legs in her hands, her heart turning icy cold.

Then she heard the half-body of the child yelling from the water: “Mama, I’m so cold, come save me! Ma… Ma…” Zhang Zhaodi turned around and saw the child coughing up large mouthfuls of black blood. It was clear he wouldn't survive. His head bobbed in the water. The woman inwardly cried out that things were bad and quickly reached out to pull Zhang Zhaodi. But Zhang Zhaodi, still clutching the two severed legs, shouted, “My treasure, Mommy is coming for you…” and threw herself into the pond, sinking without a trace.

A while later, after Granny Fan guided Alan’s soul out, she heard this account and realized that Zhang Zhaodi’s excessive love for the child made her unable to let go, causing her instead to be lured to her death by the ghost!