Uncle Yu used talismans and ignited the dry firewood with Borrow Fire Words.
Though the fire was scorching, it was still only an ordinary flame.
It was vastly different from the talisman fire released by Zhang Yuchen's "Divine Fire Talisman."
As the flames burned, the beef tallow in the iron basin immediately began to crackle as it was forcibly rendered out.
Beef tallow already had a strong smell, and after being fried, its rich aroma instantly spread along the riverbank.
At the same time, Uncle Yu spoke to Master and me:
"Xiao Jiang, Song Decai, you two go kill the chickens.
Take chicken-crown blood from five and neck blood from the other five.
Don't throw away the chickens after they die. Pluck them a little—we'll use them to make dishes to lure ghosts later.
Don't throw away the feathers either. We'll need them later."
"Got it, Uncle Yu!"
I immediately replied.
Though Master said nothing, his face was drawn.
Then Master and I took out the white porcelain bowls we had prepared beforehand.
Before slaughtering the chickens for their blood, Master lit ten sticks of incense.
I knew what he was doing—performing a chicken sacrifice and burning incense.
"Xiao Jiang, one incense stick for each chicken."
"Understood!"
I brought out the tied-up black chickens and planted one incense stick in front of each one.
But all of the chickens looked terrified, and some struggled as well.
They kept letting out clucking cries.
Seeing that I had planted the incense, Master lit exactly ten sheets of yellow paper.
As he lit them, he held a cigarette between his lips and slowly chanted:
"Heaven is vast, earth is boundless.
Chicken lords, chicken lords, receive this blessed fortune.
We borrow your lives to bear life's hardships in our stead.
In your next life,