[Folk customs and suspense + Deadly rules + Mystical arts and cracking the mystery]
A “night watchman” patrols the world of the living by day and guards the realm of the dead by night.
At midnight, a painted-skin demon steals souls. Mix the hair of an unmarried maiden with Ding kiln porcelain powder, then repaint the skin according to The Record of Lacquerware.
At the hour of the rabbit, a well dragon demands a life. Sink a bronze bell inscribed with tadpole script from The Tribute of Yu, then use the Yellow River boatmen’s chant to shatter the flood dragon’s bones.
At the hour of the dog, a tile cat devours its master. Melt Qin Ban Liang, Han Wu Zhu, and Tang Kaiyuan coins together, then cast a “Three Powers Demon-Subduing Coin”…
Rules for surviving the eerie mysteries:
■ Bring three things on your night patrol: a century-old bronze bell, a lightning-struck jujube-wood sword, and a blood-soaked Lu Ban ruler.
■ Avoid three hours when breaking the rules: fail to return at midnight and you’ll fall into the underworld forever; see the light at noon and your body will turn to ash; wash and comb your hair at the hour of the boar and your soul will scatter.
■ If you see eyes on a roof tile, hear a lantern’s reflection call your name, or find the well water turning bronze…
Run! Run now!
