The Interpreter's Phantom's Tale: Sunsheng's Dilemma

In the remote town of Yuhua, nestled amidst the misty mountains, there lived a young interpreter named Sunsheng. Renowned for his ability to understand the thoughts of the departed, Sunsheng had built a reputation that reached far beyond the confines of his small village. His services were sought by the wealthy and the desperate alike, but none knew the true extent of the danger he faced.

One rainy evening, as the storm raged outside, Sunsheng was approached by an old woman who claimed to be the mother of a deceased soldier. She spoke in hushed tones, her eyes brimming with sorrow and a hidden fire. "I need your help, Master Sunsheng," she whispered. "My son was unjustly killed, and I must avenge his death."

Intrigued and touched by the woman's plight, Sunsheng agreed to interpret the thoughts of her son's ghost. The woman led him to an ancient, abandoned temple, where they performed a ritual to summon the spirit. The air grew thick with the scent of incense, and the flickering candlelight cast eerie shadows on the walls.

As the ritual progressed, Sunsheng felt a strange sensation in his chest, as if the ghost were trying to communicate with him. He closed his eyes and focused, his mind becoming a vessel for the spirit's thoughts. To his horror, he realized that the ghost was consumed by a fierce desire for revenge. It sought not only the murderers but also the judge who had sentenced his son to death, despite his innocence.

The ghost's thoughts were relentless, and Sunsheng found himself caught in a web of moral ambiguity. He knew that interpreting the thoughts of a vengeful spirit was a dangerous game, but he couldn't bear the thought of leaving the woman without justice for her son. As the night wore on, Sunsheng began to experience vivid dreams of the ghost's past, reliving the horrors of its death.

One night, during a particularly intense dream, the ghost spoke directly to Sunsheng. "You must help me, interpreter," it said. "I will not rest until justice is served. You must lead me to the judge and kill him."

Sunsheng awoke in a cold sweat, his heart pounding. He knew that he could not allow the ghost's desires to consume him. He sought counsel from his mentor, a wise old man who had interpreted spirits for decades. "You must find a way to satisfy the ghost's demand without taking a life," the mentor advised. "Remember, the spirit's desire for revenge is a symptom of its sorrow, not its true essence."

Determined to find a solution, Sunsheng delved into the history of the case, uncovering a hidden truth. The judge had been pressured by corrupt officials to sentence the innocent soldier. Sunsheng realized that if he could expose the judge's corruption, he might be able to satisfy the ghost's demand for justice without resorting to violence.

Armed with this new knowledge, Sunsheng approached the old woman with a plan. He would help her gather evidence against the judge and bring him to trial. The woman, though hesitant at first, agreed to his proposal. Together, they worked tirelessly, uncovering the judge's secrets and gathering the proof they needed.

As the trial approached, the ghost's thoughts became more insistent. "You must do this, interpreter," it demanded. "My peace depends on it."

On the day of the trial, Sunsheng stood beside the woman, his heart pounding with anticipation. The courtroom was filled with the judge's cronies, who had come to protect their boss. As the judge took his seat, Sunsheng felt a surge of determination. He would not let the ghost's demand lead him down a dark path.

During the trial, Sunsheng presented the evidence, exposing the judge's corruption and the injustice done to the soldier. The courtroom was abuzz with whispers as the truth came to light. The judge was found guilty, and the corrupt officials were exposed.

The old woman wept with relief as the verdict was read. Sunsheng felt a weight lift from his shoulders, but the ghost's thoughts remained persistent. "You have done well, interpreter," it whispered. "But my peace is not yet complete."

As the trial concluded, Sunsheng sought the old woman once more. "I must do one more thing," he said. "I must confront the ghost and explain that justice has been served."

The old woman looked at him with a mix of concern and admiration. "Be careful, Sunsheng," she said. "The ghost's desire for revenge is strong."

With a deep breath, Sunsheng approached the ghost, who now resided in a tranquil part of the temple. "I have done what I can to satisfy your demand for justice," he said. "The judge has been brought to trial and found guilty. The truth has been exposed."

The ghost remained silent for a long time, its thoughts swirling in Sunsheng's mind. Finally, it spoke. "You have done more than I could have hoped for, interpreter. Your courage and integrity have brought peace to my soul."

As the ghost's thoughts faded, Sunsheng felt a sense of relief wash over him. He had faced a moral dilemma and emerged victorious, not through violence, but through the pursuit of justice.

In the days that followed, Sunsheng's reputation as an interpreter grew even stronger. He continued to help those in need, always mindful of the moral choices he had to make. And though the ghost's thoughts no longer haunted him, he knew that its lessons would stay with him forever.

The Interpreter's Phantom's Tale: Sunsheng's Dilemma is a chilling聊斋故事 that explores the fine line between justice and revenge, and the moral courage it takes to make the right choice.