Folklore Chronicles (Part Four)

Story One

I have a relative who lives in an ancient village. The village is nestled in a serene environment, with a centuries-old temple standing at its center, said to have been built by an ancient Taoist priest. The villagers held deep reverence for this temple, believing it harbored mysterious powers.

However, an unexpected event would change the fate of the village. One day, a young villager accidentally damaged an ancient statue within the temple, an act that seemed to anger some enigmatic force. From that moment on, the village was shrouded in an eerie shadow. On moonless and windy nights, cries could be heard emanating from the temple, as if an ancient infant were weeping. The villagers began to grow fearful, claiming to have seen ghostly figures near the temple and finding strange symbols on its walls. The village grew increasingly desolate, and its inhabitants were too terrified to venture out, living in a state of panic.

One day, my relative, who had some knowledge of Taoist practices, decided to unravel the mystery and get to the bottom of things. As night fell, the village grew even quieter, and he cautiously stepped through the temple's gates, feeling an eerie atmosphere envelop him. Just as he entered the temple, a chill washed over him, as if an invisible draft swept by. He surveyed his surroundings, a sense of unease welling up within. In the center of the temple, he spotted a blurry figure, emitting mournful cries. His heart raced, but his steps grew heavier, as if drawn by an unseen force. He struggled fiercely but found that with each step forward, he seemed to take two steps back, unable to make any progress.

Fear gripped his soul as he felt his strength wane, as if bound by some malevolent force. He tried to cry out, but no sound escaped his throat, and his vision blurred, as if an intangible fog enveloped him.

Yet, he did not give up. Summoning every last ounce of his strength, he struggled to break free from the binds. Finally, after a relentless struggle, he escaped the confines of the temple. Standing at the village's edge, he gasped for breath, feeling the exhilaration of narrowly escaping death. However, as he looked at his reflection in the mirror, he was shocked to find that his hair had turned completely white overnight.

This experience haunted him for the rest of his life. He delved deep into the temple's history, attempting to uncover its mysteries. He discovered that the temple indeed harbored an ancient curse tied to a tragic story. His escape may have been a warning from the spirit of the ancient Taoist priest or perhaps a stroke of fate. This enigmatic and horrifying tale became a legendary part of the village's folklore, reminding people, as they gathered around their campfires at night, of the mysteries of both human nature and the supernatural.

Story Two

When my mother was a child, she had a friend named Xiao Juan who was a non-believer in ghosts and spirits. She always dismissed terrifying stories as mere fabrications, unshaken by them. However, one fateful night, she experienced something eerie and terrifying that would completely change her perspective on such stories.

One evening, just like any other, Xiao Juan was walking home alone. As night fell, the streets grew deserted, and an eerie feeling crept over her. She had a persistent sensation that something was following her from behind. She quickened her pace instinctively, avoiding looking back, but that unsettling feeling only grew stronger. It was as if invisible eyes were fixed upon her. Her heart began to beat irregularly as she quickened her steps further, attempting to shake off the eerie sensation.

Suddenly, she heard faint whispers, as if someone were softly murmuring in her ear. She froze in her tracks, her body breaking into a cold sweat. She tried to take a deep breath, but her heart raced uncontrollably. She felt like someone or something was trailing her. Terrified, she raced back to her home, her breaths coming in rapid gasps, her mind filled with fear.

From that night onward, Xiao Juan's life took a strange turn. She started having nightmares, with a shadowy figure always lurking in her dreams. No matter how hard she tried to escape, the figure followed closely, suffocating her with fear and dread. She grew increasingly fatigued, mentally and physically drained, as if some unseen force were sapping her life away.

Her weakened state did not go unnoticed by her friends, and they grew concerned. Her gaze became distant, often staring blankly into space, as if trapped in a waking nightmare.

Finally, someone suggested that Xiao Juan seek the guidance of a Taoist priest. After carefully listening to her experiences, the priest furrowed his brow and looked gravely concerned. He informed Xiao Juan that she might be possessed by a malevolent spirit. This spirit could have attached itself to her due to some unresolved resentment or unfinished business.

The Taoist priest decided to perform an exorcism ritual for Xiao Juan. As the ritual began, the temple filled with the strong scent of incense. The priest held amulets and chanted incantations softly. As the incantations continued, the air grew heavy around Xiao Juan, and she felt herself bound by an unseen force.

However, as the priest's chants grew louder and more intense, his amulets emitted a brilliant light. Suddenly, Xiao Juan felt something within her start to tremble, as if a powerful force was engaged in a battle with the spirit that had possessed her.

After a long and arduous process led by the Taoist priest, a dark mist slowly emerged from Xiao Juan's body and dissipated. Xiao Juan felt an overwhelming sense of relief, as if she had escaped from a terrible nightmare.

Following this exorcism, Xiao Juan gradually returned to her normal self. From that day on, she no longer dismissed terrifying stories, having experienced firsthand the eerie and terrifying. This experience left an indelible mark on her soul.