Good Night, Mr. Ghost - Chapter 94

“Are you sure there’s no danger? Really?” Mr. Ghost was still a bit worried. He didn’t mind, but Chenyi…

Suddenly, the mirror shook, and a crisp, childish female voice emerged, “Why are you dithering?! Bao’er already said there’s no danger! Besides, I’m just an auxiliary item, I don’t even have any attack power. What if you break me?!”

The voice sounded quite annoyed.

Jiang pointed at the mirror, “She’s speaking now. Can we know the method?”

Bao’er: “…”

Yin-yang Lumina Mirror: “Ahhh! I hate you all! Hate, hate, hate!”

Jiang Chenyi laughed heartily, “Don’t be mad, we believe in you.”

The mirror wanted to scream again, but paused at the young man’s words, “Hmph, aren’t you afraid I’ll trap you in my world forever?”

“Not afraid. People should have more trust in each other.” Jiang Chenyi held Meng Loudi’s hand, “If you really want to deceive us, at least give us a beautiful dream.”

The mirror was silent for a moment, then reluctantly said, “I won’t do that. Don’t worry, even if you stay in my world for a lifetime, it will only be a day or two here. Once you come out, I’ll tell you what to do.”

“Thank you.” Jiang bowed in gratitude.

Mr. Ghost squeezed the young man’s fingers and echoed, “Thank you.”

The mirror was taken aback, then started giggling foolishly.

“Hehehe, awesome, brother, cool!”

Bao’er covered his mouth and coughed.

The mirror demon shivered, trying to hide its silly nature, “Alright, alright, since you’ve decided, come on in, both of you!”

Its surface began to ripple, like waves spreading out.

Jiang handed the black cat, Jiang Meng, to Bao’er, “We can’t take care of it for now, could you look after it? Its name is Jiang Meng.”

“Oh, of course, have a pleasant journey!” Bao’er took the black cat and bid farewell to the two.

Jiang Chenyi held Meng Loudi’s hand, they exchanged a smile, and resolutely stepped into the mirror.

It felt like passing through water in an instant.

Bao’er watched as the mirror rippled and the two disappeared.

The white-haired, elegant demon stroked the black cat in his arms, “What kind of story does the Yin-yang Lumina Mirror want to create?”

Yin-yang Lumina Mirror excitedly replied, “This Yin-yang Lumina Mirror has known for a long time, has thought it through well, because Meng Loudi lived such a miserable life as a human, no, it was just too terrible! I want to send little angel Chenyi over~”

Bao’er smiled helplessly, “Do as you please.”

“Ahhh, love Bao’er-Ge the most, Bao’er-Ge, you’re awesome!” The young girl’s voice was filled with joy.

Bao’er sighed, “Ah, really, we should have just told them directly. It’s what we owe them. But for you, we did this. Ah, really.”

“So, brother, you’re really cool!”

“Stop praising and focus on your cultivation,” Bao’er said, patting the mirror’s surface with a smile.

The mirror shrugged indifferently, saying, “It doesn’t matter, anyway…”

The words abruptly stopped.

“Anyway what? Yin-yang lumina mirror, what are you hiding from me?” Bao’er frowned.

The mirror quickly changed the subject, “Ah, nothing! I’m going to watch their story now. Brother, cool!”

The mirror’s surface soon darkened.

Bao’er’s heart couldn’t settle. Could it be that the event was still destined to happen?

The yin-yang lumina mirror could not only see everything that happened but also glimpse parts of future events.

Yet, adhering to the principle of not disturbing worldly rules, the mirror generally kept silent.

Bao’er rubbed his face, sighed deeply, and looked at the case behind him.

Should he try divination?

The sun was just right.

Or rather, the sun was scorching.

A young man in a blue robe appeared, dressed in simple attire, carrying a portable book case on his back.

Inside were his cherished books.

He wiped the sweat from his face, looked at the city gate not far away, and breathed a sigh of relief.

How wonderful, soon he would enter the imperial capital of the Song Dynasty, Yanjing City.

With this thought, his steps became more joyful.

His name was Jiang Chenyi, a licentiate from a small village near Suicheng County, not far from Yanjing.

His parents supported his education, allowing him to read and write, but it was far from enough to pass the official exams.

As the most promising young man in his family, he wanted to develop in a larger county.

So at the age of twenty, he went to Suicheng, but without power or influence, he couldn’t find a good mentor to continue his studies.

It was truly tragic.

The few copper coins and dry food he had couldn’t sustain him.

In such dire circumstances.

Jiang Chenyi resolutely decided to become a storyteller, narrating tales of supernatural beings.

He received praise from the public and earned some money to make ends meet.

His stories were so captivating, with a hint of allure, that he even earned extra money.

Recently, after receiving guidance from a wise person, he decided to expand his business in a better place.

Having saved three taels¹ of silver², he returned home and gave it to his parents.

With some spare change, Jiang Chenyi boldly embarked on his journey.

Since storytelling could earn him recognition, why not go to a place full of dignitaries?

Thus, Jiang Chenyi decided to come to Yanjing.

Here, was a place to strike it rich.

The most prosperous capital of the Song Dynasty.

A place to try one’s luck.

The young man entered the city gate, taking out his pass.

It was a flat round iron piece, engraved with his name and place of origin.

It looked extremely easy to counterfeit.

It was said that the passes of dignitaries were made of jade, some even of gold or silver.

Which had nothing to do with Jiang Chenyi.

The young man walked into Yanjing, marveling at the bustling metropolis.

Magnificent buildings, carriages flowing like water, people coming and going, bustling and lively.

The streets were wide enough for ten four-wheeled carriages, lined with shops.

The ground was clean, not muddy like in the countryside, paved with bluestone.

Jiang glanced at his sweat-stained clothes and then at the glamorous ladies adorned with elaborate hairpins and flowers. He knew that in this state, he wouldn’t catch the eye of anyone in Yanjing City.

And indeed, he was right.

Even the beggars squatting by the city gate, shaking their iron bowls and chanting their begging phrases, pretended not to see him.

Jiang Chenyi observed everything before him and then turned his gaze to the beggar nearby. Even those who passed by him mostly showed disdain or indifference.

The guards at the gate noticed him standing there foolishly and shouted, “What are you doing? Move along!”

“Alright, alright!” The country lad quickly responded, then quietly approached the beggar.

Though he was a beggar, his clothes were merely tattered, yet clean, without any strange odors. Only the heat of the day spread a faint smell of sweat.

Jiang Chenyi cleared his throat and asked, “Excuse me, brother, could you tell me if there’s a cheap inn nearby?”

The beggar looked up at him, smirked, and said, “What? Trying to steal my job?”

“No, I just want a place to stay,” the young man waved his hands in denial.

The beggar snorted, “Where are you from?”

“My surname is Jiang, first name Chenyi, from a small village near Suicheng County called Niujiao Village,” Jiang Chenyi revealed a bright smile.

The beggar looked at him, “Wow-such a small place? And you dare come here?”

“Haha, it is a bit small,” the young man awkwardly scratched his head.

The beggar glanced at the portable book case behind him and asked, “Are you here to study? Forget it, the teachers here all charge money, and you can’t even afford the entrance fee.”

“Haha, do I look like a scholar? But I’m not here to study. There are countless students more talented than me across the land, and I know my limits,” the young man scratched his head, embarrassed. “I’m here to find a way to make a living, earn some money to support my family.”

“Looking for a way out? Tsk, no wife and kids?” The beggar was bored.

He wanted to see what this newcomer from the countryside was thinking.

“No, my family is poor, can’t afford a wife,” Jiang Chenyi answered honestly, without getting upset.

He looked at the bustling crowd not far away and sighed, “I used to tell stories in Suicheng for a while. Someone advised me to go to a bigger place. So, I thought I’d earn some money, and once I have enough, I’ll go home, get married, and have kids.”

“Storytelling? Are you good at it?” The beggar perked up, sat up straight, and said, “Tell me a story. If you make me happy, I’ll tell you where you can find a cheap and decent inn.”

Though the beggar looked down-and-out, his eyes were bright, and he seemed to be in his thirties.

The energy he had was not something a beggar living off scraps would possess.

Jiang Chenyi wanted to prove himself, so he stood up, put down his portable book case, cleared his throat, and waved his sleeve, transforming his demeanor entirely.

If earlier he seemed like a transparent person with a hint of humility and lowliness, now he was like a polished gem, shining brightly.

Standing tall, he looked at the beggar and said, “Today, I, the blue-clad storyteller, have arrived to show everyone my skills!

Recently, I told the tale of the beautiful cat demon hanging from the eaves. Today, I’ll tell you the story of the emperor and the fox demon.

Long ago, there was a dynasty, ruled by an emperor. At that time, demons roamed freely, and the world was dark. Yet the emperor cared not for the people, indulging daily in the embrace of palace beauties, until the people rose against him, and the dynasty fell!

But before he died, he actually said: ‘Spare my fox!’ How absurd!

And who was this fox? Surely you all know, it was the fox demon who enchanted the emperor!

……

The fox demon transformed into a beautiful maiden and fell at the emperor’s feet.

The emperor was startled, and the guards beside him already had their long swords and sharp blades drawn.

The fox demon raised her delicate face, as radiant as spring sunshine, and timidly called out!”

The young man’s voice was strong and infectious, with a novel theme.

He completely drew the beggar into his story.

As his voice suddenly stopped.

The beggar smacked his lips, “Continue!”

What did the fox demon say to seduce the emperor?

The young man smiled at him, touched his Adam’s apple, and said, “I’ve been talking for a while, my throat can’t take it anymore.”

Storytelling wears out the voice.

And this lad, he stopped at just the right moment!

The beggar slapped his thigh, laughed, “Good lad! You’ll surely become famous as a storyteller, and soon you’ll be rolling in money!”

“Thank you for your kind words,” the blue-clad storyteller bowed in gratitude.

The beggar pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket, crumpled and torn in several places.

He spread the paper on the ground, studying the lines on it.

Footnote:

1. Tael(两):A traditional Chinese unit of weight for silver, approximately 37.5 grams. Also used as a monetary unit.
2. Silver(银子):In imperial China, silver ingots or loose silver were a primary form of currency, especially for large transactions.