I am a swordsman in a strange city

Chapter 117: Connecting to the Netherworld and Exorcising the Gods
The map of the Five Immortals Cave was not finished, but the descriptions of "Tongyou" and "Qushen" gave Pei Ju a refreshing feeling.

This passage explains the difference between the ancient practice of "communicating with the spirits" and "exorcising the gods" and the modern practice of doing so.

"Tongyou" means to communicate with the netherworld, and the netherworld does not simply refer to the palace in mythology.

However, from today's perspective, it is perfectly normal for the underworld to be called the Netherworld Underworld, because communication with the underworld must be done in the Netherworld Cave. If one can see such steps in one's consciousness, leading all the way to the depths of the earth, then calling it the Netherworld Underworld is a very correct thing.

Ancient people believed that there were many gods in the underworld, and that these gods could be commanded to do things in certain ways.

This is how to exorcise spirits. As for the method used for each spirit, that requires repeated practice. The methods of exorcising spirits have always been the secrets of each family.

Once each family or faction has a thorough understanding of a particular deity, they can effectively command them.

Over the long course of history, much of this driving force has certainly been lost, but modern times have seen its continuation and innovation.

Pei Ju then thought of those ancient myths, which might have been a pantheon created by the major sect of Taoism, a pantheon created by a major sect together.

At that moment, Pei Ju saw a sentence.

"All methods originate from ghosts and spirits, beginning with communicating with the underworld and exorcising spirits." Pei Ju continued reading after seeing this.

"Many people believe that the underworld is underground, or that it exists in another dark dimension, but I believe that the underworld has always been in our hearts."

"Everyone has a netherworld within them. As the saying goes, 'There are gods three feet above your head, and gods reside in your heart.' This is the meaning of it."

"The first thing we need to do when we communicate with the spirits, or rather, with the divine, is to rectify our hearts and be sincere."

"In other words, we need to believe that all of this exists; if we don't believe, then it's all meaningless."

"The lack of connection here can be interpreted as fate, or it can be said that if someone doesn't believe in any of this, they will never encounter those strange creatures, and it will be like two parallel worlds."

At this point, it was also written how to exorcise the spirit.

One way is to invite spirits or make offerings to deities.

Both of these methods require setting up a memorial tablet at home, but the steps are completely different.

Inviting a deity involves summoning a 'spirit' from a dark cave and enshrining it in one's home, offering incense and sacrifices day and night.

Offering sacrifices to gods involves sending a familiar or trusted spirit into the Netherworld Cave through some means. Once inside, the familiar spirit then nourishes one's family.

Pei Ju discovered that Hu An'an's family had likely embarked on the path of worshipping gods; at the very least, after she was completely transformed into a fox, someone in her family would send her into the Netherworld Cave.

In her home, there will be a memorial tablet for her.

If her home is like this, then would the gods in the ancient Taoist pantheon be worshipped in the same way?

Or is there a more advanced way?
He then thought of the legend of ascending to immortality. If that were the case, could it be that a person cultivates to a certain level, their soul travels out into the netherworld, and thus obtains a divine position there?

Pei Ju was, of course, unable to verify this at that moment.

After looking around, he realized that no one else had come into the entire underground well; he was all alone.

His phone had no signal, but he could see the time; it was already 11 p.m., almost midnight, so he got up and went home.

He worried about Hu An'an, but she had already entered the room, and he couldn't help her. As a newcomer, he could only silently go home. He climbed the steps one by one, and after about five or six minutes, he emerged from the underground well. Outside, he saw Ming Zailou standing in front of the building, smoking.

Before him stood an old woman, who was very elegant, wearing a pearl necklace and pearl earrings.

He stepped forward and said, "Mr. Ming, Hu An'an seems very tired inside. She's gone to the lounge to rest now."

"Oh, I see. Let me introduce you. This is Hu An'an's grandmother. She came to see Hu An'an. She said that Hu An'an had an accident here. Did you see what happened to Hu An'an downstairs just now?" Ming Zai Lou looked solemn and serious at this moment.

Pei Ju thought that she could find out whether something was wrong by going down to see for herself, but Ming Zai Lou had been talking to her for quite a while without taking her down to see for herself. Now that he was asking her again, he still wouldn't take her down.

"Why is that?" Pei Ju wondered to himself, and soon a thought flashed through his mind: he didn't want to take her down to see Hu An'an.

When Hu An'an had the accident, she didn't go home; instead, she went to rest in the dark lounge inside.

Pei Ju looked at the old woman and, for some reason, felt that her eyes and face shape resembled those of a fox.

"Why did Grandma Hu suddenly come to see Hu An'an? She's just tired," Pei Ju asked.

Grandma Hu sneered and said, "If something happens to our An'an, we, as his grandmothers, will definitely know immediately. Young man, what's your name?"

Ming Zai Lou said, "She's just a new intern, Hu Xi'er. You should go back. Hu An'an is just tired. She'll be fine after a rest. Why did you come all this way?"

“Ming Zai Lou, don’t keep stopping me. Let me tell you, Seventh Grandmother has spoken. An’an’s mind has gone astray. She must be taken home to correct it. Otherwise, she can only be sent to Seventh Grandmother’s seat to serve her as soon as possible.”

"Why don't you go down yourself?" Pei Ju asked.

"In each generation of the Hu family, a favored child is chosen first. Whether or not the child is ultimately chosen depends on fate. This is a rule established by the Hu family for over two hundred years. How dare you, Mr. Pei from the Pei family, interfere in our Hu family's affairs?"

Pei Ju then realized that she actually knew him.

“So Grandma Hu knows me,” Pei Ju said, putting his hands in his pockets.

"Back then, I met you when you and An'an were taking classes together at Qingdai Tower. I suppose you've gotten to know each other again this time. However, I advise you to mind your own business and not meddle in other people's affairs. Every family has its own rules."

Grandma Hu's voice was high-pitched, carrying a sense of detachment and a condescending tone.

However, Pei Ju did not want her to go down today. He wanted to wait until Hu An'an had rested well. In Pei Ju's view, Hu An'an had suddenly become like that because of his words, and in the end, he had cut her with his sword, which made her weak.

He didn't know what Grandma Hu would do to her after she went down there, so he didn't want her to go down. He said, "No matter what, let's wait until Hu An'an wakes up first. You can't go down now."

"Oh, it's normal for someone so young to like standing up for the weak. But what if I insist on going down?" Grandma Hu said coldly, her eyes like needles.

"The Pei Clan's Demon-Slaying Sword Hall has not yet obtained an operating license, but I want to try slaying Hu Xian first to see if my sword is sharp."

Lately, or rather, over the years, I've been feeling depressed. I want to lash out but can never find the real enemy. It's like trying to poke a fish; the fish just darts across the surface and then disappears. This frustrates me and deepens my gloom.

Now, the appearance of a real opponent, or rather, an 'enemy,' has actually stirred a sense of excitement within him.

Especially after he learned what had happened to Hu An'an.

(End of this chapter)