第72部分(第5/7 页)

ut　the　third　watch；　as　Sun　Ce　lay　in　his　chamber；　he　suddenly　felt　a　chill　breeze；　which　seemed　to　extinguish　the　lamps　for　a　moment；　although　they　soon　brightened　again；　and　he　saw　in　the　lamp　light　the　form　of　Yu　Ji　standing　near　his　bed。

Sun　Ce　said；　〃I　am　the　sworn　foe　of　witchcraft；　and　I　will　purge　the　world　of　all　such　as　deal　in　magic。　You　are　a　spirit；　and　how　dare　you　approach　me？〃

Reaching　down　a　sword　that　hung　at　the　head　of　his　bed；　he　hurled　it　at　the　phantom；　which　then　disappeared。　When　his　mother　heard　this　story；　her　grief　redoubled。　Sun　Ce；　ill　as　he　was；　went　to　see　his　mother　and　did　his　utmost　to　reassure　her。

She　said；　〃Confucius　the　Teacher　says：　'How　abundantly　do　spiritual　beings　display　the　powers　that　belong　to　them！'　and　'Prayer　has　been　made　to　the　spirits　of　the　upper　and　lower　worlds。'　You　must　have　faith。　You　sinned　in　putting　Saint　Yu　Ji　to　death；　and　retribution　is　sure。　I　have　already　sent　to　have　sacrifices　performed　at　the　Jade　Pure　Monastery；　and　you　should　go　in　person　to　pray。　May　all　e　right！〃

Sun　Ce　could　not　withstand　such　a　mandate　from　his　mother　so；　mustering　all　his　strength；　he　managed　to　get　into　a　sedan　chair　and　went　to　the　monastery；　where　the　Taoists　received　him　respectfully　and　begged　him　to　light　the　incense。　He　did　so；　but　he　returned　no　thanks。　To　the　surprise　of　all；　the　smoke　from　the　brazier；　instead　of　floating　upwards　and　dissipating；　collected　in　a　mass　that　gradually　shaped　itself　into　an　umbrella；　and　there　on　the　top　sat　Yu　Ji。

Sun　Ce　simply　spat　abuse　and　went　out　of　the　temple。　As　he　passed　the　gates；　lo！　Yu　Ji　stood　there　gazing　at　him　with　angry　eyes。

〃Do　you　see　that　wizard　fellow？〃　said　he　to　those　about　him。

They　said　they　saw　nothing。　More　angry