Chapter 1

In recent years, with the increase in national income, many people have developed the idea of traveling. However, the news has also reported many negative incidents involving tour groups, such as "a female tourist unwilling to ride a horse was beaten for three minutes," "a fight broke out among spectators at the Guizhou Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village," "a post-90s couple disappeared in Bangkok, with the girlfriend sold into a brothel," and "travel to South Korea has become a new trend, but beware of the quick cosmetic surgery trap that can turn you into a ghost" and so on.

At first glance, many people are so scared that they don't even dare to leave their homes, thinking that the outside world is too dangerous and that staying at home is the safest. In fact, if properly guided, going out to see the world and broaden one's horizons can be very beneficial.

Of course, I would like to remind everyone that when you are out, even if you encounter unreasonable or inappropriate situations, do not confront them directly. The best approach is to gather evidence and let the relevant authorities handle it. Otherwise, you might find yourself in trouble.

Some people believe that evil cannot overcome righteousness, and that being confident and assertive is nothing to fear. Let me share a small experience with you, and after reading it, you might have a different perspective.

The incident started with a company trip. I didn't want to go at first because I had been feeling unwell for a while. Initially, I thought it was just diarrhea, but later it turned into swelling and pain. I went to the medical room and got some medicine, planning to rest during the holiday. However, I couldn't resist the persuasion of my dorm mate, Ah Gui, and eventually went along.

The company's tour package was the cheapest one, with a two-day, one-night itinerary. The food was mostly radishes, greens, and tofu, and we stayed in a small hotel with two people per room, which was quite disappointing.

As for the attractions, there wasn't much to talk about except for the free mountain climbing. Of course, I should mention that Mangshan, located on the border of Hunan and Guangdong, is known as the "Second Xishuangbanna" and the "Southern Natural Botanical Garden." The hot springs and rafting there are quite good, and if you have the money, you would certainly enjoy it and forget to leave.

The entire trip was particularly boring, and what was even more annoying was that the tour guide kept taking us to local souvenir shops to buy things.

There wasn't much to buy locally. The jade and gemstone shops claimed that their goods were imported from Yunnan, but a discerning eye could tell they were fake. So, few people bought anything, and the tour guide had a sour face the whole time, as if someone had died in his family.

However, due to the company's agreement, he couldn't show his true colors and just kept making sarcastic remarks, which were quite unpleasant to hear.

When we climbed into Mangshan, the tour guide suddenly perked up and led us to a dilapidated temple. He gave a grand tour, but the temple was not very impressive. It was small and in poor condition, with a dark and gloomy interior and no incense burning.

In the center was a mud statue that had been blackened by incense, and it was unclear who it represented. The eyes were particularly strange, with a glossy black finish that seemed different from the rest, giving an eerie feeling.

I looked at it for a moment and felt a sudden unease, so I quickly bowed and left.

When we came out, the tour guide led us to a nearby shed where they sold Buddha statues, pendants, and bracelets. A few middle-aged women were manning the stalls. The tour guide told us that everything there had been blessed by the temple's abbot and could bring good luck. He also mentioned that the incense, which cost ten yuan per bundle, was very cheap and encouraged us to buy some to offer incense.

I found this amusing because the statue in the temple was not a Buddha, so how could there be an abbot?

I had to go to the bathroom, so I went and came back to find a group of people arguing. I couldn't get close, so I grabbed the team leader, Wang Lei, and asked what was happening.

Wang Lei told me that Ma Quandan from the Quality Department was arguing with someone, saying that everything was a scam. At first, he was arguing with the tour guide, but then a man in a black robe appeared, who didn't look like a monk or a Taoist. They ended up in a physical fight.

I initially wanted to join in, but when I heard it was Ma Quandan, I didn't bother.

Ma Quandan's sister was the mistress of the company's second boss, and he was usually very arrogant, with few people willing to help him.

The argument didn't last long, and they were soon separated. The strange man, before leaving, warned that anyone who disrespected the gods would not be spared.

He left in a huff, but the tour guide, who was scared, quickly urged us to buy something to apologize, saying that if we offended the spirits, we would be in big trouble.

I found this amusing and suspected that the man in the black robe was a plant, probably a local actor.

However, the tour guide was quite persuasive, and many people were swayed by his words. The incense was cheap, and the souvenirs, though not great, were a good deal for a few dozen yuan to ensure safety. So, everyone bought something.

Ah Gui asked if I wanted to buy something, but I realized I had changed into sports clothes at the hotel and hadn't brought any money. I asked if he had any, but he shook his head.

He was wearing shorts and had no pockets.

I then asked Wang Lei, who I was closer to, for a loan, but he not only didn't have any money but also said it was ridiculous to spend money for safety. He said we had no money, so who would harm us? Besides, many people had bought something, so it wouldn't matter if a few of us didn't.

I thought he had a point and didn't worry about it.

After returning, the trip was constantly criticized, and it became a nightmare-like memory.

However, for me, it was just the beginning of the nightmare.

Perhaps due to the physical exertion of climbing, I felt extremely tired in the following days and couldn't muster the energy to work.

Two days later, Ah Gui, who shared my dorm, suddenly developed a high fever, delirium, and vomiting, even spitting blood. I initially helped him out of sympathy, but I soon felt dizzy myself and couldn't go to work the next day.

I remember being taken to the hospital by an ambulance. When I arrived, I learned that not only Ah Gui and I but also three other colleagues, including Wang Lei, had been sent there. Wang Lei was also vomiting and had diarrhea and was brought in on a stretcher.

I was delirious with fever and remember being repeatedly tested, given intravenous fluids, and having my stomach pumped, which was excruciating.

The others were in similar conditions, mostly incapacitated.

With so many people from the company falling ill, the management naturally reacted. The first suspicion was the cafeteria, but it was quickly ruled out that it wasn't food poisoning but a viral fever. However, the hospital's special drugs couldn't stop the fever.

At this time, the company's second boss, who was in charge of logistics and administration, came to visit us, expressed the company's concern, and then left quickly.

We were a German-funded company that produced high-speed rail connectors, with hundreds of employees. The CEO was German and rarely seen, so the second boss was the most important figure to us. It was rare for him to come and see us.

However, before I could say anything, Wang Lei, who was in the same ward, spat and said that the second boss was probably there to see his brother-in-law.

I learned that Ma Quandan was also hospitalized but in a private room, unlike me, Wang Lei, and Ah Gui, who were in a shared ward.

Speaking of Ma Quandan, Ah Gui, who had been quiet, suddenly said, "Have you noticed something? The people who are hospitalized, didn't they all not spend money at that dilapidated temple in Mangshan?"

Ah Gui's words made me frown, and upon reflection, it was indeed true.

My face turned pale, but Wang Lei said, "Nonsense. If you think that way, there were only about ten people who didn't spend money. Why are only a few of us hospitalized?"

Ah Gui said "Oh" and didn't argue, but I became increasingly afraid.

Influenced by my mother, I have always been superstitious. Who knows if there is some evil presence?

I lay in bed, tossing and turning, feeling as if something was riding on my head. I eventually fell asleep, but I had nightmares all night, dreaming of the small dilapidated temple, the fierce face of the statue, and the cold smile of the man in the black robe before he left.

In the dream, I even saw myself as the man in the black robe, looking at those who didn't spend money with a cold, sinister gaze.

I woke up in the middle of the night to find that I had wet the bed. All the lights in the ward were off, and the bed was soaked with urine, which was embarrassing.

I pressed the nurse call button, but there was no response. The bed was full of the smell of urine, so I got up to put the sheet in the bathroom and get a new one from the nurse's station.

I didn't want to be laughed at by Wang Lei and Ah Gui, so I tiptoed out. After a few steps, I felt something was wrong and saw a blurry figure by the window.

---

Namu Jiasa Likei Fo says:

Yesterday, I sang a song in the Daoist Extra Season called "Ghost Catching Story," and the new book is called "Ghoul Catching Story."

Today is July 15th, the Ghost Festival in Chinese folklore, the Mid-Yuan Festival in Daoism, and the Ullambana Festival in Buddhism. It is also someone's birthday. I hope everyone enjoys it. Thank you.