Chapter 182: Panic, Shadow-stealing Magic! [Subscribe]

Snapped!
The teacup fell, making a crisp sound of broken porcelain.

Seeing her husband's strange and horrible death, she was so frightened that her face turned pale and she was filled with grief and fear.
"Wealth, wealth..."

As he leaned forward and cried bitterly, the lady's face suddenly changed.

Only then did she realize that her husband’s shadow was missing!

How come my husband has no shadow?

In an instant, the lady thought of the strange ghost just now, and her heart suddenly trembled.

It was that evil ghost shadow that stole my husband’s shadow!

……

drink!
drink!
drink!
Early in the morning, the early autumn sun shines on the Shaolin martial arts training ground. The monks are performing the Luohan Fist in unison. From time to time, there are thunderclaps in the air, like the sound of a bow being startled and snapped, and the fighting is so powerful that pilgrims coming and going stop to watch from time to time.

In the Dharma Courtyard.

In a secret room, Lin Xuan was sitting with his eyes closed, making the Buddhist seal with his hands.

Immerse your mind in the "Picture of Nagarjuna Bodhisattva's Enlightenment of Gatha", observe the true meaning of Bodhisattva, and condense the primordial spirit of the Mahasthamaprapta Dragon.

At the same time, golden rays of light emerged from behind him, and a dragon-shaped shadow could be vaguely seen, with its head held high and tumbling.

The dragon's might emanating from the secret room brightened the face of a man who was meditating on Buddhism in the main hall of the Dharma Academy not far away.

He glanced at the secret room and murmured:

"How did this child practice?"

"I thought it would take him at least a year to cultivate the second phase of his soul. Judging from his performance, it won't take long for him to complete it."

It is said that after Lin Xuan's engagement party, the four children stayed at home for seven days each and then returned to Shaolin together.

Today is the fifth day since we returned.

……

In the majestic and solemn hall.

Several giant Buddhas that seem to be poured with golden juice sit upright on lotus pedestals, with their hands in the Buddhist seal, their faces showing kind hearts and compassion.

In the hall, the air was filled with sandalwood and paper flames flickered.

Some devout men and women were kneeling on the ground with pious faces, and their prayers, which were as soft as the sounds of mosquitoes and flies, echoed in the temple from time to time.

……

Outside the temple.

Some servants of wealthy families chatted with others while waiting for their masters and mistresses to burn incense:
"Did you hear that?"

"Recently, the shadow-stealing evil ghost from Jiangling Prefecture came to our Kaifeng."

"Last night, the shadow of a grain merchant in Zhongmu County was taken away. His body was hanging in the air, and his face was ashen. It is said that the concubine who came to serve him was frightened to death!"

"This is too mysterious. Is there really an evil ghost that steals people's shadows?"

Some people have doubts in their hearts.

After that, the servant retorted:
"Don't disbelieve me. Before dawn today, my master heard about this and quickly took the old lady to the Shaolin Temple to burn incense. He also wanted to ask the monks in the temple for a peace amulet to wear with him when he returns."

"Yes, the Shadow Snatcher Ghost has caused a great stir in Jiangling Prefecture, and even the government has been alerted. However, after several days of investigation, the detectives have found nothing!"

"Some people have seen it with their own eyes. The shadow-stealing evil ghost is a dark shadow. It comes to you unexpectedly, raises an axe or a sword, and knocks your shadow unconscious and carries it away."

"It's hard to guard against, it's very evil."

Hearing this, the people gathered together were startled and hurriedly looked at their own shadows nearby.

……

Abbot's Courtyard.

Living room.

At this moment, some merchants and wealthy people were begging Abbot Sanzang:

"Abbot Sanzang, you have to help us!"

"That shadow-stealing evil ghost is too powerful. It specializes in stealing people's shadows. If this person loses his shadow, it's like he has lost his soul. How can he survive?"

"Please have mercy on us and give us some talismans to put in the house to ward off evil spirits."

It is said that Abbot Sanzang was originally practicing in a Zen temple.

Suddenly, a monk who was serving there came and said that some big donors wanted to see him.

If he couldn't see it, he wouldn't leave. In desperation, Abbot Sanzang had to come out.

Unexpectedly, as soon as I sat down in the living room, this group of people rushed into the room, knelt down in front of me, begging and complaining.

Abbot Sanzang hurriedly comforted him:

"Dear donors, get up quickly!"

"What happened? Sit down and talk about it."

"If I can, I will definitely help you."

Upon hearing this, the leading merchant thanked Abbot Sanzang for a few words, then sat down on a chair and explained the whole story:
"Abbot Sanzang, you may not know that there has been an evil ghost in Jiangling Prefecture who specializes in stealing people's shadows recently."

"That evil ghost is extremely vicious. Once it takes away a person's shadow, the person's body will immediately become stiff and gradually float in the air. Their face will turn pale, like a hanged ghost."

"It is said that if you want to get your own shadow, you must pay a large ransom."

"Just last night, the shadow of Cheng Liangshang from Zhongmu County was stolen. This shows that the evil ghost who steals people's shadows has come to our Kaifeng Prefecture. It is possible that he will target me one day. Abbot Sanzang, you must save me."

The wealthy businessman's surname was Xiang. His family specialized in the business of firing porcelain and was well-known far and wide.

It is said that my ancestors made their fortune in Jingdezhen.

Now, he lives in Yangwu County, Kaifeng Prefecture.

He was really afraid that the evil ghost that stole people's shadows would come looking for him.

After speaking to the wealthy businessman, Abbot Sanzang looked a little solemn.

Stealing someone's shadow may seem unrealistic to others.

It is easy to associate with ghosts and gods.

But in the opinion of Abbot Sanzang, it was most likely that someone was practicing some evil skills to harm others.

With this in mind, Abbot Sanzang looked at the anxious people present and said comfortingly:
"Don't worry, my dear donors. This is not caused by some evil spirits. This is caused by evil people who are here for money!"

"In the next few days, I will send a monk down the mountain to investigate this matter."

Hear the words.

Several merchants and wealthy people looked at each other and asked for confirmation again:

"Isn't it the work of an evil spirit?!"

"Abbot Sanzang, are you serious?"

"..."

Abbot Sanzang shook his head and said seriously:

"The ability to steal someone's shadow is the result of a bad person practicing some evil martial arts, not the work of an evil ghost."

Hearing this, everyone felt as if a heavy stone had fallen from their hearts, and the "sword" hanging above their heads disappeared.

As long as it's not an evil ghost, there is still a way to deal with it.

The fear is that I don’t know where to start.

A wealthy businessman suddenly thought of something and asked Abbot Sanzang:

"Abbot Sanzang, I have long heard that your Shaolin monks are very skilled in martial arts. I wonder if I could hire a few of them to guard my house for a few days. As for the incense money, just ask."

After the words fell, the eyes of the others lit up and they began to speak:

"This is a good idea!"

"Abbot Sanzang, I am willing to offer three hundred taels to hire three warrior monks to look after my house."

"I offer five hundred taels!"

"..."

Abbot Sanzang waved his hand and said:

"I understand your intentions, but Shaolin monks have never hired outsiders, and I will not break the rule."

Seeing that the abbot was not giving in, these people did not give in. After thanking him, they left the guest hall.

As soon as these people left, Abbot Sanzang went to Damo Temple to find Brother Gongjin.

"Junior Brother Sanzang, you actually gave him the Shadow-Snatching Divine Art?"

……

(End of this chapter)