JOS Chapter 134

Take a Look

 

Zhang Yangyang asked again, “Should we find Taoist Chu now?”

 

“Let me, let me!” Little Mountain God raised his hand and said, “Zong Ce taught me, I’m very capable too!”

 

Jiang Feng was quite concerned about where exactly Zong Ce had gone.

 

Half an hour later, the instructor drove his car to Jiang Feng.

 

His son sat in the front seat. The three of them sat in the back.

 

The instructor grabbed his son’s arm, pulled his body over a bit, and asked nervously, “There’s nothing wrong with my son, right? I see he’s acting a bit dazed now.”

 

Jiang Feng said, “There’s no problem.”

 

The instructor breathed a sigh of relief.

 

“What an unwarranted disaster,” the instructor said with a dry laugh. “Just went to an antique street, never expected it would almost harm my son.”

 

“Some things are just fate,” Zhang Yangyang said. “So don’t do bad things – no one knows what form retribution will take when it comes.”

 

The instructor’s face darkened, “What do you mean by that?”

 

Jiang Feng patted the back of the front seat, “Why did you go looking for your classmate?”

 

He trembled and buried his head without speaking.

 

“What’s wrong with him encountering this kind of thing and wanting to find a familiar friend?” the instructor said. “I’m usually busy with work, and his grandmother doesn’t share a common language with him, so he…”

 

Jiang Feng directly interrupted him, “You and your friend with a common language previously played pranks on the street, causing a car accident with one death and one injury. Can you still insist there’s no problem with this?”

 

The instructor was stunned in shock.

 

He gripped the steering wheel and couldn’t help but look back toward the rearview mirror, clearly not expecting him to work so quickly to be able to investigate this matter.

 

At the time, only a few people knew about this incident – even the school hadn’t discovered it.

 

The instructor said, “Well… how old was he then? First grade of elementary school, completely ignorant. He just followed a few older students from school to go out and play. It wasn’t intentional – the other party was injured, so they spoke a bit dramatically. It was just an accidental incident caused carelessly. Children chasing and playing around – this matter was indeed our fault, but we already paid compensation.”

 

Jiang Feng said coldly, “Sometimes, sincerity is more useful than money, especially when the other party doesn’t lack money.”

 

The instructor sighed, “We definitely know we were wrong. It was neglectful education – it was indeed our fault. Sigh, he was ignorant and had no one around to talk to, so when incited, he followed others in doing bad things. He’ll be better when he grows up – who didn’t come through this way?”

 

Little Mountain God stuck out his tongue beside them.

 

He hadn’t come through this way.

 

Jiang Feng asked again, “So which ghost is looking for you?”

 

The child said hesitantly, “It’s his sister.”

 

Jiang Feng said, “I understand now.”

 

The one taken back to Shaoling Mountain by Zong Ce was the younger brother Tong Le, and the one following the jade pendant to seek revenge was the sister Tong Huan.

 

“We’re here,” the instructor said impatiently. “It’s up ahead. You get out first, I’ll go park the car.”

 

He probably didn’t want to go in. Jiang Feng didn’t mind and directly carried Little Mountain God out of the car.

 

Zhang Yangyang ran to ring the doorbell.

 

This household appeared to be well-off, living in a detached villa.

 

Soon, a housekeeper led them inside.

 

The living room door was wide open, with a great master standing inside.

 

The monk put his palms together and said, “There is no yin energy or ghosts around the young benefactor. You two are overly worried.”

 

An elegantly dressed noble lady said worriedly, “Master, please take another look. He’s been particularly irritable lately, getting angry and cursing over small things, skipping classes, smoking, and even stealing alcohol from home. He’s so young, yet he goes to nightclubs and stays out all night. He wasn’t like this before. Could he be possessed by a ghost?”

 

“Bullshit! You’re the one possessed by a ghost! Are you kidding? Ghost this, spirit that – screw your sister! Don’t drag me into your superstitions, okay?” The teenager, who looked about twelve or thirteen years old, lay rebelliously half-sprawled on the sofa. “Get lost, will you? Stop bringing random people into the house! If you keep this up, I’ll call the police right now and report you for Falun Gong gatherings!”

 

(TL: In mainland China, Falun Gong (法轮功) is considered a sensitive and politically charged topic, and such accusations can carry serious implications.)

 

The monk insisted, “It’s not a ghost encounter. Madam, you could enroll him in some tutoring classes and assign more homework.”

 

The lady asked, “Why? He doesn’t like attending classes.”

 

Zhang Yangyang said with amusement, “Because he has too little homework and is bored.”

 

Only then did the lady notice them, asking in surprise, “How are you so young? Are you introduced by Professor Wu?”

 

The monk had originally intended to leave, but seeing more people arrive, he temporarily stopped and looked them over curiously. He was actually worried about charlatans causing trouble and disrupting their professional standards.

 

Jiang Feng stepped forward and said, “I came to ask if you know Tong Huan – she’s Tong Le’s sister.”

 

The teenager instantly became agitated, jumping up from the sofa and shouting, “What does it have to do with me? If she’s dead, she’s dead – why does she have to cling to me after dying far away?”

 

Jiang Feng asked, “How do you know she’s dead?”

 

“I…” the teenager’s mouth twitched as he said, “Even if she’s not dead, I’d say she is. Can’t I just say it?”

 

“Even if you don’t tell me, it’s not like I can’t find out. I just don’t use methods from the living world. You’d better not regret it later,” Jiang Feng said. “Each time I ask, the underworld records another line: ‘Shows no remorse, crime increased by one degree.'”

 

“Ha,” the teenager sneered, “Please, I beg you. Who do you think you are? The King of Hell or an Impermanence?”

 

The monk also asked curiously, “This Taoist priest, may I ask which Taoist temple you’re from?”

 

Jiang Feng took out his phone under everyone’s gaze.

 

The teenager burst out laughing, “You underworld people communicate by phone?”

 

The lady scolded angrily, “Zhou Ping!”

 

The call was from Mr. Tong.

 

“It’s them… it’s them,” Mr. Tong choked up, unable to speak several times. “My daughter was killed by them, by them!”

 

Jiang Feng asked, “Who?”

 

“It’s them! It’s all written online!” Mr. Tong said. “A parent called me, crying and admitting his mistake, begging me to take down his son’s name and photo. That’s when I found out. Haha, they deserve it! Those animals! My daughter and son – two lives! They still act like nothing happened, wanting to just move on and start fresh. Why should they? Tell me why!”

 

Mr. Tong asked, “Taoist priest, have you found my daughter?”

 

Jiang Feng hesitated for a moment and said, “Let me take a look first. Don’t be anxious.”

 

He hung up the phone, opened an app, and directly searched for keywords like #juvenile crime#. Sure enough, he easily found relevant content.

 

The article clearly described the course of two incidents.

 

The cause of Tong Le’s death was already very clear – it could be considered an accident, but couldn’t really be called an accident.

 

Under coordination and persuasion from various parties, a group of involved children were taken home for education, parents paid one million in compensation, and the matter was settled privately. The process was kept very secretive, and none of the children’s identities were revealed. The victim’s parents didn’t pursue the matter further because their daughter’s mental state was affected. They found the compensation money distressing and ultimately didn’t accept it, donating it to charity organizations in their son’s name.

 

The article stated that it was actually Zhou Ping and another older classmate who proposed going to the street to “snipe” passing vehicles.

 

This wasn’t their first time doing this. During the previous New Year, they had chosen high floors by the roadside and thrown dismantled firecrackers at the road below. However, because they hid well and no serious accidents occurred, the police didn’t investigate deeply, so they were never discovered.

 

After Tong Le died in the accident, the group finally stopped this game.

 

They thought the matter would pass like this, but two years later, Tong Huan suddenly appeared before one of them, pointing out that they were the murderers who killed Tong Le. She relentlessly demanded they apologize to her brother and said she would report this to the school.

 

Although they had done bad things and were usually rebellious, they knew the seriousness of the situation.

 

If the charge of murder was exposed, it would follow them for life.

 

So in panic, they went to find Zhou Ping.

 

Tong Huan happened to attend the same elementary school as instructor Wu’s son. Zhou Ping had him arrange to meet her near the artificial lake for “negotiations.”

 

None of those over fourteen went – they deliberately found younger children.

 

In the end, because both sides couldn’t reach an agreement, Tong Huan went mad and attacked someone, but was accidentally pushed into the lake in return.

 

A very socially-aware handling method – today’s students really weren’t simple.

 

Despite their young age, they knew quite a lot.

 

One of the involved teenagers had recently become neurotic due to excessive pressure, often muttering to himself and even having inexplicable convulsions and screaming. During a conversation with a teacher, he voluntarily revealed this incident. The shocked teacher immediately called the police.

 

There were photos of guardians being taken away by police.

 

Below the article, all the involved teenagers’ names, photos, addresses, phone numbers, and even their parents’ situations were written clearly.

 

But because of exposing personal privacy information, the article was quickly deleted. It then began circulating rapidly as images and spreading widely in comments.

 

The situations of all involved personnel were basically confirmed. One could imagine the impact they faced.

 

Juvenile crime was already a very sensitive topic in society, constantly controversial and making people feel angry and powerless.

 

Even if they received criminal reductions or didn’t bear criminal responsibility due to being minors, their guardians should still face corresponding punishment. If the perpetrators had no legal punishment, there should at least be public opinion punishment or questioning from their own consciences.

 

After committing such a grave error, changing names and locations to start fresh with peace of mind was truly unacceptable. Moreover, this group of children hadn’t even changed their names or locations – they continued living willfully and recklessly.

 

Had they shown remorse after this?

 

No.

 

If even the loss of another’s life couldn’t make them repent, why should they be given another chance?

 

Seeing him staring intently while Zhang Yangyang kept exclaiming, the monk grew curious and said “excuse me” before leaning over to look as well.

 

He sighed softly and asked, “This Taoist priest, is what’s written above true?”

 

“Hey!” the teenager said uneasily, “What exactly are you doing? Don’t be mysterious here. If you want to play with phones, get out!”

 

Jiang Feng said to the window, “Come in.”

 

Tong Huan poked her head out from beside the window, looking at them cautiously. After hesitating for a moment, she carefully climbed in a little.

 

Because she had drowned, her body was wet all over. As she climbed in, she left a trail of water behind her.

 

The teenager looked back, “Who are you talking to? Trying to scare someone?”

 

“You want to see?” Jiang Feng said, “I’ll let you see.”

 

Jiang Feng closed his five fingers into a fist and grabbed back, extracting a portion of yang energy from the several people in the room.

 

“Whoa!” The monk’s eyes lit up as he asked excitedly, “Taoist priest! Which school does this Taoist technique belong to? No talismans or hand seals needed? This… can this be taught?”

 

Jiang Feng pointed toward Tong Huan’s direction. The teenager and the noble lady turned to look and turned pale with shock.

 

The teenager screamed outright and pressed himself against the wall.

 

Seeing that Jiang Feng ignored him, the monk ran from right to left, calling eagerly, “Immortal master, immortal master, may I ask where you sought the Way? I haven’t heard of any Taoist temple’s priest having such cultivation.”

 

Zhang Yangyang thought, “…”

 

How was this monk even less reserved than himself?

 

Little Mountain God tugged at the monk’s robe and also closed his five fingers into a fist, pushing forward.

 

The wet hair and clothes on Tong Huan instantly dried in the wind, and her skin, which had turned ghastly pale from water soaking, returned to normal. She stood there innocently, poking her fingers together.

 

“Ooh—— Immortal child!” The monk squatted down and asked with a smile, “Immortal child, where did you learn your skills?”

 

Little Mountain God put his hands on his hips and laughed proudly, “Haha!”

 

The noble lady ran to the monk’s side, grabbing him and saying, “Master! Master, there’s a ghost! There’s a ghost – quickly subdue her!”

 

“Cough,” the monk immediately resumed his serious demeanor and said, “Amitabha. We Buddhists speak of karmic retribution and the return of karmic obstacles. All phenomena arise from causes and conditions, and fate arises from causes and conditions creating phenomena. Only sincere repentance from the benefactor is what matters.”

 

“Tao… Taoist priest?” the noble lady said tearfully, “We know we were wrong, we really know we were wrong. Please take her away first – I’m scared.”

 

Jiang Feng said, “Our Taoist methods are simpler.”

 

The noble lady was delighted, and Zhang Yangyang hugged his arm.

 

Jiang Feng continued, “We just call this ‘getting what you deserve.'”

 

Zhang Yangyang put his arm around Jiang Feng’s neck and solemnly gave him a thumbs up.