Chapter 26: The Formation of the Six Dings and Six Jias

No wonder the old beggar wore such an insidious smile; the filthy entity hunting my wife was truly no simple matter.

A faceless female ghost in white!

Only a young woman who suffered great misfortune and died with deep grievances in her life could transform into such a creature. Although I have dealt with these ghosts in the mass grave for years, I can only subdue such a dangerous evil spirit if my true physical form is present. My body is currently far away, tucked beneath the bridge, and with only these few small paper doll avatars, there is no way I can stop her. The only option is to have the paper dolls stall her while Gu Qianxi runs for her life.

"Wife, throw the paper dolls on the ground! I will hold this evil spirit back! Just run—run straight ahead without looking back!" I said in a low voice.

"O-okay!"

Gu Qianxi was obedient. She reached into her pocket, grabbed a handful of paper dolls, threw them onto the ground, and screamed, "Little Mazi paper dolls, protect me! Protect me!"

She had measured her grab well, tossing exactly six paper dolls onto the ground. I held my breath and focused my consciousness to control them. The dolls, which had landed in a heap, scrambled to their feet, performed a kip-up, and then rearranged themselves into formation.

The six dolls formed the "Six Ding and Six Jia Array." Facing the rapidly approaching ghost, they shouted in unison: "Evil spirit, halt! Within the Six Jia Array, no specter may pass!"

The Six Ding and Six Jia Array is a signature protective formation of the Maoshan sect—unpredictable and immensely powerful. A genuine version requires twelve guardian spirits. If I had all twelve, not even this ferocious ghost could cross the threshold tonight. Unfortunately, I had only six paper dolls, each less than a foot tall. Still, they were enough to stall her for a moment.

As the ghost neared, I recited the incantation, and the six dolls chanted along with me in perfect synchronization: "Ding-Chou extends my life, Ding-Hai restrains my soul. Ding-You controls my spirit, Ding-Wei repels my disasters. Ding-Si carries me through danger, Ding-Mao carries me through misfortune. Jia-Zi protects my body, Jia-Xu preserves my form. Jia-Shen anchors my life, Jia-Wu guards my soul. Jia-Chen suppresses my essence, Jia-Yin nurtures my truth."

As the words were spoken, the six dolls surged in size, growing over three feet tall. White light erupted from their bodies, forming six beams like iron chains, pinning the faceless ghost in place.

The ghost struggled furiously, emitting a low, guttural roar. But this was the Six Ding and Six Jia Array; it was not something she could easily break. Gu Qianxi, halfway through her escape, couldn't help but glance back. Seeing the ghost trapped, her face lit up: "Mazi, you're amazing! You really stopped her!"

I replied helplessly, "Silly wife, this array can only hold her for a moment; she’ll break free soon. Don't stop to watch—run!"

Sure enough, as soon as I spoke, the ghost gave a piercing shriek and lashed out, shattering one of the six beams of light. The paper doll at the southeast position instantly burst into green ghost fire and turned to ash.

"Oh my god, I still have to run!" Gu Qianxi’s face went deathly pale, and she sprinted away with all her might. As she ran, she asked, "Mazi, it's the middle of the night—where am I running to? And when will this end?"

I thought hard. I was too far away to provide any real help. I couldn't send her to the Gu family residence, as there was no one there to assist her. As for the Lin family, that was even worse. My parents and my useless younger brother were cold-blooded, heartless people who would sooner see me dead than help my wife.

In a moment of desperation, a thought struck me. "Listen to me: run north. Follow the Lotus Pond, head north, and go to North Mountain."

Gu Qianxi didn't hesitate, immediately changing direction. Just then, two more paper dolls were incinerated by the ghost’s green flames. Half the array was gone, and she was on the verge of breaking through. I urged her, "Wife, run faster! She's about to catch up!"

Gu Qianxi’s face was flushed, her chest heaving as she panted, "Mazi, I am... I am running with all my might. Any faster and I won't be able to go on..."

As she spoke, the remaining three dolls succumbed. With three flashes of green fire, they were reduced to ash. The faceless ghost broke free, reeking of murderous intent, and drifted toward Gu Qianxi, her feet not touching the ground.

I heard the old beggar’s malicious voice in my ear: "Heh heh heh, little Mazi, I told you—that girl is doomed tonight! My master wants her dead by the third watch; who dares let her live until the fifth?"

I was powerless to intervene. I could only keep shouting, "Wife, run! To North Mountain! Run to North Mountain!"

Gu Qianxi grit her teeth and pumped her arms, sprinting toward the mountain. She reached the path by the Lotus Pond, nearing the foothills, but when she looked up, her heart sank. She said in despair, "M-Mazi, why did you send me to North Mountain? This looks like... it looks like the mass grave..."

But I was overjoyed. I channeled my consciousness into a paper doll that had jumped from her pocket and said, "Wife, you're saved! You're saved!"

Before I could finish, an icy wind swept in. The ghost was right behind her. She opened a jagged, tooth-filled maw in the center of her featureless face.

"Hand over your life!"

The spirit lunged, drawing in a breath meant to tear the soul from Gu Qianxi’s body. At this life-or-death moment, I manifested through the paper doll, sprinted to the entrance of the mass grave, and roared into the dark forest:

"Your son, Lin Mazi, begs his father for salvation! A life is at stake! Father, please intervene at once!"