Chapter 70: Chasing Souls
"Your physical education teacher is sick, so we will have physics class this time." When the physics teacher said this at the podium, all the students let out expected sighs.
"Teacher, you don't have any new ideas."
"You're not even willing to lie to me seriously..."
What kind of collector's edition excuse is that the physical education teacher is sick? What's the difference between this and directly saying "this class is mine"? I'm too lazy to make it up, right?
Even Kong Xuan, a god from the lower world, clicked his tongue as he knew the routine well.
The physics teacher put down the book and said helplessly: "This time your physical education teacher is really sick and is still in the hospital. I really didn't lie to you."
His tone was so sincere that everyone immediately felt that it might be true.
But soon, the physics teacher said confidently: "But this class was indeed won by me in competition with other teachers, and I won, hehe."
Everyone: “…”
As for what illness the physical education teacher had, and why he had to go to the hospital, the physics teacher didn't reveal it. It wasn't until Yu Zhenzhen went to find out the latest news that she came back and told everyone: "Teacher Zhu seems to be seriously ill and has fallen into a coma."
"Coma?" This scared everyone.
"Yes, he said he fell down while watching the fun on his way home. I suspect he hit his head somewhere. I don't know if he had surgery." Yu Zhenzhen's relatives are faculty members. They know more than other students, but they don't know that many details. "It's been raining recently, and the roads are slippery. Everyone needs to be careful. I hope Teacher Zhu gets better soon..."
Although Mr. Zhu was tall and strong, he couldn't hold up such an important part of his body as his head, so he fell and fell unconscious.
"This is too serious."
"Alas, the old teacher who taught me in the first year of high school, who was rehired, seems to have Alzheimer's disease, and it's quite serious. In addition, he has high blood pressure and no longer teaches."
The atmosphere was a little depressed for a while.
"Hey, then should we go see Teacher Zhu?"
I don't know who asked this question.
"I'll ask Teacher Ji if we can send a representative. After all, we don't know the situation right now." Yu Zhenzhen said.
…
When Tan Xiao returned home, he saw porters dragging the dragon boat out of his yard. He went over and asked, "What are they doing? Are they trying to get rid of the evil spirit so early?"
"Hey, be careful of this corner." Tan Chunying, who was standing by to supervise, said, "We won't retreat this boat."
"What do you mean? The competition is cancelled?" Tan Xiao thought that the rain really had such a big impact, "The rain has lightened up."
Tan Chunying was also a little speechless, "Just like what I said last time, other counties and districts have custom-made fiberglass dragon boats, right?"
Tan Xiao nodded.
Tan Chunying: "Well, our district also has to use fiberglass..."
This material is actually a popular type of new dragon boat. It is lighter than traditional wooden ones and has better buoyancy. Many dragon boat competitions use fiberglass dragon boats.
But comparing it with traditional dragon boats, that would be unfair, and thus caused quite a bit of controversy.
Dragon boat racing, dragon boat racing, there is competition in it. Even if this time it has an element of folk performance, it should still be fair, new against new, traditional against traditional.
The old and new factions were unwilling to give in, and even had their own opinions. Some wanted to use fiberglass dragon boats, thinking that "they are several hundred pounds lighter than traditional dragon boats, and are more performative". The opposing opinion was, "Shouldn't we spend this money?" and other reasons. After a long argument, the organizer said that they should vote to unify, either use traditional dragon boats or fiberglass.
In an open collective vote, the opinions of the young people overwhelmed the old fleet decision-makers. It turned out that they all thought that the fiberglass hull should also be customized. Anyway, as long as the faucet remained the original one, it would be fine.
The times are developing and technology is advancing. Throughout history, the faucet has always been retained, and if the hull could not be repaired, it could be updated and upgraded. So why can't we replace it with a better hull now?
"Then you received your wages?" Tan Xiao didn't feel anything. After all, 70% to 80% of the dragon boats on the market are made of fiberglass, and the formal competitions are all unified. Anyway, they are painted and still look traditional.
For the Tan family, the only issue is whether the work of Tan Chunying was done in vain.
"I have received it. When the time comes, we will go and exorcise the evil spirit from the fiberglass boat." Tan Chunying said.
The porter next to him heard this and said, "Oh, do you think this fiberglass also needs to be warded off?"
Tan Chunying said affirmatively: "Of course we have to. No matter what material it is, it is a dragon boat. Anyway, we will have divination and sacrifice in the temple. And this old boat body is not in vain. It is said that some of it will be sent to the Folk Museum for exhibition."
Tan Xiao and Tan Chunying helped return the repaired ship to the storage area, where several ships repaired by different craftsmen were already quietly parked.
"Looking at it this way, it's hard to tell which team they are from." Tan Xiao said.
"Of course, only when the dragon head is installed can it be a real dragon boat." Tan Chunying looked around and said, "But they probably won't have a chance to put the dragon head back on and launch it into the water again."
…
After a while, there was still no news that Teacher Zhu had woken up.
The union, colleagues, and others from Nanchu No. 1 Middle School all went to express their condolences and visit him. Rumor has it that Teacher Zhu is going to become a vegetable.
As a physical education teacher, Mr. Zhu was already loved by many students, and he was also very cheerful, so many students were very worried about him. After obtaining consent from the family and doctors, the school selected several student representatives from Mr. Zhu's class to go with the visiting teachers.
Tan Xiao was one of them, and he and Lin Yang both went.
Kong Xuan was quite unhappy because he was not selected, even though he was also the champion in the school sports meet.
"You are so naive, classmate Kong Xuan," Lin Yang said, "Can your project be compared with ours?"
Kong Xuan: “…”
He knew he should report 5,000 meters!
Tan Xiao followed Teacher Ji and his team to the hospital. They could only see Teacher Zhu through the glass. Because they were afraid that the patient would be allergic to pollen, they did not bring any bouquets. The teachers gave some fruits and red envelopes.
Although Teacher Zhu was not awake, his wife and parents still took turns to guard him in the hospital, and it was his wife who was on duty at this time.
"How is Xiao Zhu now?" Ji Huiming asked.
"In fact, the situation is much better now. Sometimes he is conscious, his hands and eyes move, and sometimes he even shouts, "Oh, oh, oh, oh". I think he must be trying hard to wake up." The master's wife said in distress, "But he just won't wake up, so the doctor also suggested that we talk to him more."
I couldn’t keep talking, so I recorded it with a recorder and then played it on a loop.
"That's much better than before. He must be waking up soon." Ji Huiming immediately suggested that his colleagues and students also record a voice clip.
"I also wonder if I can record the class or the students' voices. He is at school every day, and this will definitely be helpful." The teacher's wife quickly brought the recorder. She would have mentioned it even if Ji Huiming hadn't said it.
"Well, I also recorded some news about the dragon boat race for him. I told you, Old Zhu, that you are looking forward to the dragon boat race soon. If you don't wake up, you won't be able to watch it." The master's wife handed the recorder to Ji Huiming and said, "He, he just went to watch other people practice dragon boat racing, and that's why he fell. He's already grown up..."
When Tan Xiao heard the distressed complaints from his teacher's wife, he recalled something and asked in confusion, "We heard before that Teacher Zhu fell on his way home at night?"
"Yes." The master's wife didn't feel anything was wrong.
"Why are there still people practicing dragon boat racing at night?" Tan Xiao felt very strange, "Isn't safety emphasized this time ?" Because Tan Chunying was also participating, Tan Xiao was relatively familiar with the rules. Logically, everyone should go to the reservoir to practice more.
"Someone must be practicing secretly. We found out from his last post on WeChat Moments. He said he saw someone practicing." The Master's wife said listlessly.
While Tan Xiao was still confused, Teacher Zhu's parents came to the hospital to take over their shift, and they had a red envelope in their hands.
This was not a call to be made to one's own home. It contained tea leaves and rice. They asked the nurse to put it under Zhu Dayong's pillow.
Facing Ji Huiming's curious eyes, Zhu's father said embarrassedly: "I heard from relatives that releasing it can calm the soul and ward off evil spirits. I heard him sometimes groan in his dreams, so he must be scared."
Zhu's father and mother are both intellectuals, and they usually don't use this kind of folk remedy for calming the nerves. But because their son has been in a coma for so long, and they heard from others how useful it is, they decided to use it without thinking twice.
It is not surprising that nurses are faced with such requests, as there are also family members who ask for talismans to be placed.
Zhu's father was a little embarrassed to say this, fearing that his son's colleagues would be surprised. In fact, Ji Huiming listened and immediately pointed at Tan Xiao: "Oh, then it would be better if you ask our classmates about this matter. This is the new generation of the successor of Nanchu Lingshi."
Tan Xiao was still wearing his school uniform. He said slowly, "It's correct to use tea leaves and rice, but you shouldn't put them under the pillow. Teacher Zhu seems to have lost his soul, not to need to calm his mind. It will be fine if we find it back."
"Well, can you tell me how to find it? Uncle, sometimes this kind of recipe is really mysterious and useful. Every year our high school teachers will form a group to pray for the students, and it is quite effective." Ji Huiming looked at Tan Xiao encouragingly. Good boy, you are right.
——In terms of medical treatment, everything that should be done has been done. The family members of the patients are also suffering psychologically at this time, and sometimes it is good to comfort them.
“Because it happened near the water, we have to bring offerings to the waterside for sacrifice, then scatter tea leaves and rice and call out to the soul. Keep calling out until you reach the bedside of the person who has lost his soul. No matter what happens along the way, don’t turn back.” Tan Xiao said, thinking that Teacher Zhu was also unlucky, and he must have lost his soul.
He heard that Teacher Zhu felt something was wrong when he saw the dragon boat practice at night, and then he thought about it and observed carefully, and felt that this was really not an ordinary coma.
Tan Xiao had seen Mu Fei in a dazed and comatose state. Although he couldn't have direct contact with her because of the glass, he was quite confident in his judgment.
After hearing what Tan Xiao said, Zhu's father and mother obediently took notes with a pen - they would still give the red envelopes, and would also do it again according to Tan Xiao's instructions.
"When I am free, I will also help call back Teacher Zhu's soul." Tan Xiao said to Teacher Zhu's family, "I hope the teacher will wake up soon. We all miss him very much."
"Oh, thank you..." The teacher's wife stretched out her hand and shook hands with Tan Xiao. She originally felt that this student was comforting her, but after looking at Tan Xiao, she was a little stunned.
What does it feel like?
Although she was the elder, looking into his eyes, his calm, firm and soothing manner actually made her tense spirit relax a lot. It was a bit like asking a doctor for help when she was sick. She even wanted to cry.
"Thank you, we will go." The master's wife murmured again unconsciously.
As soon as they left the hospital, Lin Yang whispered to Tan Xiao, "I didn't dare to tell you just now. Did you know that recently many people said that they heard the sound of dragon boat racing while walking by the river at night, but when they asked around, there was no team practicing there. I didn't expect that Teacher Zhu also... Oh my God."
"Is it the kind that Teacher Zhu heard?" Tan Xiao really didn't know this news.
"Yes! But I saw other people say it before, and I thought it was a new urban legend made up by someone. They also said that this was a rower who drowned in a previous dragon boat race and was practicing and preparing for the competition a few days later." Lin Yang felt goose bumps all over his body. Fortunately, he always had the talisman on him.
Then look at Tan Xiao who has a calm face. Well, he has more talismans on him, so he is definitely not afraid.
"It could be a coincidence. If you're afraid, just avoid going to the river." Although Tan Xiao showed no expression on his face, he was a little uneasy in his heart. After saying goodbye, he immediately called Mu Fei to confirm with her whether there was such a rumor recently.
"Yes, you heard about it too?" Mu Fei scratched his head, "We have sent people here to investigate whether it is a water ghost or an underwater monster that is causing trouble."
"Sister Mu, please ask someone to go to the Third Hospital again. Our physical education teacher was in a coma before. When we went to see him today, we found out that he fell and became unconscious while watching a dragon boat practice in the evening. I said, there was no dragon boat practice in the evening?" Tan Xiao was thinking about something and his speech slowed down.
"I got it. I'll see if a case has been filed. If not, I'll do it right away." Nanchu is so big, Mu Fei is not sure whether their grid workers have discovered what happened to Teacher Tan Xiao.
And she thought about it again, and said speechlessly: "If someone is dragged into the water and doesn't drown immediately, then he is not a scapegoat. If it is simply taking the soul, if it happens under normal circumstances, we would think it is 'He Bo's Wedding'." This is a metaphor. Anyway, the thing under the water has taken a fancy to someone and dragged him down to keep him company, or to ask for a sacrifice.
"But the dragon boats keep appearing here. I'm actually quite suspicious. Are they trying to get people to join the dragon boat race?"
"I think so too, especially our teacher's wife said that the teacher also likes dragon boat racing, " Tan Xiao thought, "maybe we can check the preservation of the dragon boats. In addition to the new fiberglass boats, there are also those old boats. I am afraid that seeing the movement of the other party committing a crime, they will not only steal people, but also steal boats."
He thought of the story that Tan Chunying had told before about the water god borrowing a boat. If the water god could borrow a boat, then whether it was a water ghost or a water monster, since it loved dragon boat racing, it was hard to guarantee that it had not stolen the boat. If it had, it would definitely leave traces.
"That makes sense. OK!" Mu Fei responded and hung up.
Tan Xiao talked to the 404 office and said that he was really ready to call back Teacher Zhu's soul.
Kong Xuan was very concerned and even angry when he heard what Tan Xiao said about the hospital. He slammed the table and stood up: "I knew this was a conspiracy against us!"
Tan Xiao: “……?”
Tan Xiao hesitated and asked, "What are you talking about?"
Kong Xuan: "They maliciously added a physics class to us."
Tan Xiao: "..."
The suggestion was to remove the word "们". Tan Xiao just said: "Well, then we will summon the spirits."
"I swear to summon the spirits of physical education class." Kong Xuan said solemnly.
Because it should be under water, Tan Xiao did not use torture chicken to attract the soul, but set up an altar and chanted the soul-chasing spell.
"Yin raises troops, Yang raises troops, three days of chasing souls outside the gate..." Tan Xiao recited the spell nine times, but did not notice any signs of Teacher Zhu's soul returning, "Huh?"
It can't be that he has regressed, Tan Xiao looked at Kong Xuan.
Kong Xuan pressed Tan Xiao's hand to sense Zhu Dayong's condition, and said unhappily, "Why is he still so happy?"
"Hmm?" Tan Xiao suddenly remembered what his master's wife said about Teacher Zhu still being in his dreams, and his mind suddenly opened up. "Well, we previously speculated that the other party took Teacher Zhu's soul for dragon boat racing. Do you think Teacher Zhu is still obsessed with dragon boat racing?"
The master's wife thought he was trying hard to wake up, but now she thinks it is more likely that he was rowing hard.
Kong Xuan was furious: "How ridiculous! Hasn't he ever thought about the life we lead?!"
"...It shouldn't be intentional. The teacher is also unconscious." Tan Xiao thought for a while, "Not everyone can remain rational after their soul leaves the body." If it weren't for practitioners like Mu Fei, many people might be in a daze and might not even know that their soul has left the body until their family members come to call their souls back.
But if the other party is still detaining Teacher Zhu, or if he himself, as Kong Xuan said, has not yet realized that his situation is "too good to leave", then it will be very difficult to call him back.
"No, we have to go find him directly." Tan Xiao said. He realized a problem. The dragon boat race will be held in a few days. The other party is still practicing diligently at this time. Is there a possibility that they not only want to enjoy themselves privately, but also want to get involved in the dragon boat race?
Originally, their rowing practice alone had become a city legend. If they appeared during the Dragon Boat Festival, it would scare the citizens, and it would definitely scare the chief priest Tan Chunying. And Teacher Zhu couldn't lie in bed any longer, his muscles would atrophy.
When summoning the spirit failed, this speculation came to his mind. The more Tan Xiao thought about it, the more it resembled the real thing, and he suddenly felt a sense of urgency.
At this time, Mu Fei contacted him again: "I checked, and no boats were lost in the storage area. I plan to look for it in the river, do you want to come?"
She asked this because she actually hoped that Tan Xiao would come, after all, Tan Xiao had practiced the water-draining method.
"Come on. But how are you going to look for it in the river?" Tan Xiao asked.
"Then how else can we find him? Let's borrow a lifeboat," Mu Fei said, "and then push Fang Zhu into the water and let him go find him..."
Tan Xiao: "..."
Tan Xiao thought this was a solution, but the Nanxi River was so long and it wasn't Fangzhu's waters, so it might take some time. Now they had to race against time. "I'm worried that this guy will show up at the Dragon Boat Festival. Sister Mu, do you know that during the Dragon Boat Festival, dragon boats would go up and down the river to find practice partners and random challenges."
"You mean, we should get a dragon boat and lure them out to challenge?" Mu Fei thought this was feasible. "Don't tell me, I'm at the place where they store the boats now. I'll ask if I can borrow one."
It is better to take the initiative than to wait for something to happen. This is what Tan Xiao learned.
After all, he often has classes, so he really doesn't have the time to prolong the battle...
Mu Fei went to borrow a boat, and Tan Xiao was here to calculate the manpower. With a dragon boat, they still had to find some people to pretend to be rowers. "404 has enough manpower, but they also need to know basic rowing skills. And things like boatmen and gongs and drums require more technical skills, not just anyone can do it."
Kong Xuan didn't know much about the position of the dragon boat, so he said condescendingly: "You decide."
Give him a good position.
"But you don't know how to steer the boat, how about you hold the rudder?" Tan Xiao said hesitantly, "I can be the drummer, but I think Fang Zhu should be the boatman."
Kong Xuan looked at him in disbelief, as if he didn't believe his choice. "You chose Fang Zhu?"
Tan Xiao was confused and wondered how he had stabbed him in the back. "But Fang Zhu is a dragon... Otherwise, you..."
Tan Xiao was quite hesitant, wondering what position would be best for Kong Xuan.
"Tan Xiao?" Mu Fei's voice rang out again. "I just communicated with them. They said they have an extra old boat that they can lend us, but the village committee refused to lend them the dragon head. Does a dragon boat really need a dragon head?"
Of course, without a dragon head, it is not a dragon boat, as it is the most important part. The dragon heads preserved by the village committee or temple are the best bait, but they are antiques. With the race about to start, no one would be willing to lend them to you. What if something goes wrong?
"Then will it work if I make a new one or a handicraft?" Mu Fei said distressedly, "Well, how about you use the thorns as a substitute and make a dragon head."
"The dragon head is more important, so a substitute might be more suitable. By the way, we can use not only dragons, but also unicorns, tigers, and phoenixes..." Tan Xiao was talking, and suddenly looked at Kong Xuan. So...
Kong Xuan: “……?”
