C4 Golden Chicken Lifelimiting Scale

"It's all because of that foolish woman..." I couldn't help myself, I blurted it out. Humans and ghosts walk different paths, and Wang Lele's actions were certainly foolish.

Wang Dali then slammed me to the ground and pinned my head down.

"Who are you calling stupid?!"

The village chief and his wife, Aunt Wang, hurried over to intervene, urging him to release me, but the brute wouldn't budge.

We were at an impasse for over ten minutes, and I felt like my neck was about to snap. Then, Aunt Wang touched Wang Lele's forehead and let out a terrified scream, prompting Wang Dali to finally release me and urge me to check on her. After all, I was the one who could treat Wang Lele.

"Let me see her, quickly!"

I went over to Wang Lele. The girl's normally pale skin was now an alarming shade of red. Her forehead was burning hot, likely exceeding the thermometer's highest reading, which explained Aunt Wang's fright.

If Wang Lele continued to burn up like this, she might not develop pneumonia, but she could very well end up with brain damage.

"Xu, you must have a solution. Please, save Lele!" Aunt Wang pleaded, gripping my arm.

"Yes, Xu, for Elder Zhou's sake, help your uncle out!" the village chief added.

Truth be told, even if they hadn't asked, I was already racking my brain for a solution. But lifting the Yin Contract from Wang Lele was easier said than done.

I remained silent while Wang Dali, who had been ordered to wait outside, scoffed and remarked,

"Mom, Dad, don't beg him. He's just a charlatan with no real skills, trying to deceive you! What can he possibly do? He's as skinny as a chicken; I could lift him with one hand!"

His words nearly sent the village chief through the roof. The chief grabbed a broom from the corner, ready to go after Wang Dali, but Aunt Wang was there, trying to calm him down.

Yet, something about Wang Dali's comment sparked an idea in me. The oaf was burly and strong; it would be a shame not to make him exert some effort, especially after the rough handling I'd received from him today.

I held back the village chief and challenged him,

"Hey, Wang Dali, all talk and no action, huh? Don't you trust me? I've got a way to save your sister, but it requires your cooperation. Are you up for it?"

Wang Dali stripped off his clothes right then and there. I've no idea what the village chief's origins are, but Wang Dali's frame was larger than a bear's, especially with that swath of chest hair so wide it was almost blinding.

"What's there to fear? Just tell me what to do. If it's not satisfying, we can always practice more!"

I didn't bother arguing with this simpleton. I instructed the village chief and Aunt Wang to quickly gather an old scale, a well rope, a copper plate, an eight-kilogram rooster, a red string, and a handful of millet.

Wang Dali watched me handle these items, huffing and puffing in disbelief, probably still convinced I was a charlatan. But that was about to change; he'd soon witness the extent of my abilities.

I suspended the scale beam from the ceiling of Wang Lele's room using the well rope. As soon as it dangled, it began to spin wildly, indicating that the Yin contract energy within her was immense, and the old ghost she had dealt with was no ordinary spirit.

Once the scale beam was in place, I connected Wang Lele's wrist to one end with the red string and attached the prepared copper plate to the other end, creating a balance-like setup.

With everything set, I beckoned Wang Dali over with a grin and instructed him to grip the copper plate with his bear-like hand. Wang Dali seemed quite displeased with this butcher's stance and grumbled in his coarse voice,

"What's all this about? Plates and scales—is this some scheme to turn our home into a begging stall?"

I arched an eyebrow and challenged him,

"Think you can hold onto this plate?"

Wang Dali thumped his chest confidently, claiming he could hold it with ease, even crush it if he wanted. So, I let him take hold of it.

"Don't release it for anything, not even in death! If you let go, your sister's life is at stake!"

I pinched the red string tied to Wang Lele's wrist, closed my eyes, and focused, allowing my senses to travel along the string to Wang Lele and then to the entwining Yin energy.

"Thirty-three above, the mortal world's mysterious balance.

The eldest brother tugs the lock of heaven, suspending the fate of a single yuan!"

Having recited these words, I released the red thread and let out a breath of stale air.

As I did so, Wang Dali's face contorted, flushing as red as a pig's liver. His muscles bulged, and his bones creaked ominously. He was no longer casually holding the plate; instead, he clenched his teeth and gripped it with all his might to prevent it from tipping over.

On the other end of the scale, the red thread remained tied to Wang Lele's wrist, growing increasingly taut...

Wang Dali was frantically pulling down on the copper plate. The bulging veins on his face were a testament to his effort, yet despite his exertions, his side of the scale remained elevated. His hand was pulled so high that he was left on tiptoes, barely keeping the balance from tipping over.

"Wang Xu, you damn fiend, my arm's about to snap..."

I had warned Wang Dali earlier that if he let go, Wang Lele would die, so he persisted.

This type of scale, suspended by a well rope, was known as the Golden Chicken Hanging Life Scale, specifically designed for those afflicted by impurities.

The scale, a tool of trade since ancient times, has seen countless transactions, making it an object of utmost positivity. The well rope, perennially hidden from sunlight, was inherently Yin. Together, these two elements formed a Yin-Yang balance.

The scale was designed to hold the impurities of a person on one side, requiring a relative to pull on the other end to extract the filth temporarily and preserve the patient's life. Hence, it was called the Life Hanging Scale.

The amount of impurity was reflected in the weight on the scale. I estimated that the Yin Qi on Wang Lele was at least several hundred pounds. Wang Dali, strong as he was, managed to keep the scale from tipping solely through his deep love for his sister.

"Dali, pull the plate down with all your strength, keep dragging until the scale is level!" I commanded.

Wang Dali was resolute, his muscles bulging as he dug his feet into the ground, straining to pull the copper plate downward. His efforts were so intense that his palms split open, but he managed to inch the scale beam to a level position.

"I did it... I pulled it down. You promised... you have to save my sister!"

Despite being drenched in sweat, with blood foaming at the corners of his mouth, Wang Dali hadn't forgotten his plea for me to save Wang Lele.

I nodded, placed the grain on the copper plate that Wang Dali had drawn down, and blew a whistle. Then, something magical occurred. The prepared rooster, weighing seven catties, flapped its wings, crowed twice, and then flew onto the copper plate to peck at the grain.

The light reflected off the plate, casting a golden glow over the rooster. I pried Wang Dali's weakened hands from the plate, no longer needing his pull to maintain its position. With the rooster present, the scale achieved an eerie equilibrium, no longer threatening to tip as before.

At that moment, the Golden Chicken Life-Hanging Scale ritual was a success. Wang Lele's malevolent energy was temporarily suspended, her fever had receded, and her complexion was noticeably healthier.

"My sister's fever is gone. You're quite skilled, Wang Xu. Is she completely healed now?" Wang Dali asked, visibly impressed.

I shook my head in response.

"Not yet, but we have one day!"