I Am Not a Master - Chapter 51

In the end, all sixteen Ghost Slaves were put to good use. Four door panels were dismantled, not only providing the most proper care for the three unconscious staff members but also offering a much-needed rest for the exhausted Daoists who had drained their strength in the earlier battle. However, the unconscious staff still required supervision; otherwise, if the Ghost Slaves decided to drop them mid-air, it wouldn’t end well.

Of course, everyone eagerly lined up to transfer payments to Master Gu. Even the unconscious ones had their fees covered by others. Gu Feiyin, delighted by the influx of money, was genuinely in high spirits.

While Gu Feiyin’s door panel was crowded with a few young men clinging stubbornly to her legs, unwilling to leave, the other three panels each carried an unconscious individual. The Daoists managed to distribute themselves accordingly, ensuring everything was in order.

As for the battered and broken Ghost King, with no shoulders or hands left to do any heavy lifting, he was deemed useless and unceremoniously tossed aside by Master Gu.

The Ghost King watched as his ghostly housekeeper, the Housekeeper Aunt, struggled to carry a door panel, floating along with a huff and a puff. His blood tears had already formed a puddle on the ground. Even the Daoists, who had initially captured him, now found him a nuisance. After all, his incessant bleeding was soaking the door panels, making them unsuitable for sitting.

The shunned Ghost King: …

Though the mountain path was treacherous, the ghost sedan chairs made all the difference. Gliding effortlessly through the air, the ride was smooth and adjustable-fast or slow, high or low, entirely at the rider’s discretion. The only downside was the occasional chill.

Xia Yao, who had been terrified by ghosts for so long that she felt on the verge of a heart attack, found her first experience of commanding ghosts surprisingly enjoyable. Shao Yizhou was equally thrilled. Having been locked in a room by Ghost Slaves and prepared as a bride with no means of escape, he had been utterly terrified. Now, with the tables turned, he felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction. Especially when he saw the pitiful state of the tattered Ghost King, he couldn’t help but puff out his chest, a surge of rebellious pride swelling within him, as if he were a peasant finally rising to sing songs of liberation.

Shen Yue, on the other hand, remained relatively composed. He pulled a red envelope out of his pocket. The Paper Money inside felt icy cold in his hand, eerily unsettling. Earlier, with so many ghosts watching him, he hadn’t dared to discard it and had no choice but to stuff it into his pocket.

He sighed helplessly, “Who would’ve thought even ghost weddings involve red envelopes?”

Xia Yao, recalling how she had been handed a fistful of Paper Money as part of the bride’s family, shuddered. Her face turned pale. “It’s practically a universal custom now. Where in the world do people get married without red envelopes?”

Shao Yizhou, being the bride, hadn’t received any red envelopes. Feeling smug, he teased, “Haha, not me. I wouldn’t know what it’s like to get a red envelope from a ghost.”

Shen Yue replied with a faint smile, “I wouldn’t know what it’s like to be a ghost bride either.”

Shao Yizhou: … Dude, if you don’t bring that up, we can still be friends.

Shen Yue: “Heh.” 🙂

At the mention of red envelopes, Gu Feiyin’s expression darkened. Her face turned eerily sinister as she squinted at them. “You guys got red envelopes too? How much did you get?”

Xia Yao: …

Shen Yue estimated, “Around two hundred thousand. As part of the bride’s family, we were handed a whole bunch.”

Gu Feiyin: … ??

Gu Feiyin fell silent, her gaze turning envious as she looked at Shen Yue. She had fought tooth and nail to grab just fifteen thousand, yet these people were casually handed hundreds of thousands? The sheer unfairness of it all was almost too much to bear!

Xia Yao pinched a few pieces of Paper Money between her fingers with an exaggerated gesture, her face full of disdain. “Quick, throw these ghost wedding red envelopes away. Keeping them in my pocket is giving me the creeps.”

Gu Feiyin froze. Throw them away???!

She quickly reached out her hand, her expression turning sheepish as she chuckled nervously. “Could you… throw them to me instead? Hehe.”

Xia Yao: “…”

Shao Yizhou: “…”

Shen Yue: “…”

The Daoists: “…”

At that moment, everyone suddenly remembered how Master Gu had been fixated on snatching red envelopes even after beating up the Ghost King. Clearly, she valued them highly. Could these red envelopes have some kind of special power?

The group exchanged puzzled glances but eventually pulled the red envelopes out of their pockets and handed them all to Master Gu. Together, they managed to gather around a million. Zhang Daoist and his companions only had tens of thousands, but with five members of the bride’s family-three of whom were still unconscious-the Ghost King had been generous. Even the butler hadn’t forgotten them when scattering the red envelopes. Adding it all up, the total exceeded a hundred thousand.

Gu Feiyin held the stack of money in her hands, practically glowing with happiness. “Thank you all so much!”

The group: “…”

They fell silent, wondering if the Ghost King’s wedding red envelopes might possess some mysterious abilities. Should they ask for one back to keep as a souvenir?

…

Meanwhile, Zhang Daoist was quietly conversing with Minister Li. “Master Gu is indeed extraordinary. She’s the very person you mentioned earlier, the incredibly skilled young lady. Her reputation is well-deserved. She alone is worth more than ten of us combined.”

Zhang Daoist glanced at Minister Li and added, “Not just ten-she’s worth a hundred.”

Minister Li nodded in agreement. “I wonder which master trained her. How come we’ve never heard of her before?”

Zhang Daoist replied, “I heard Master Gu is from City A, but I’ve never seen her name in the registries of City A’s Daoist Association, Buddhist Association, or among the independent metaphysical masters. Nor is she listed in any of the registered Daoist Temples. She must be the disciple of some reclusive expert.”

Minister Li said, “If only someone like her could join our Special Unit.”

Zhang Daoist nodded enthusiastically. “I was thinking the same thing. Let’s ask her later if she’d be interested.”

The two of them continued their discussion, growing increasingly excited. They glanced at the battered and powerless Ghost King, then at the obedient Ghost Slaves carrying the makeshift sedan chairs. The more they thought about it, the more they realized how unfathomably skilled Master Gu was. She was nothing short of extraordinary. No matter what, they had to convince her to join the Special Unit. If Master Gu agreed, she’d undoubtedly become the cornerstone of their team.

…

After drifting through the pitch-black forest for about half an hour, distant lights and voices began to emerge.

The group was overjoyed and started waving their arms, shouting, “We’re here! We’re here!”

The Daoists rushing over from all directions perked up at the sound and followed it eagerly. They had expected to find their fellow Daoists, along with Shao Yizhou and Shen Yue, battered and barely clinging to life. Instead, they were greeted by an unexpected sight: four wooden doors carried by Ghost Slaves, with people sitting atop them!

Leading the group was a chillingly eerie Long-haired Woman. She sat cross-legged, her long hair billowing in the cold wind. Her pitch-black eyes seemed to be staring directly at them-or perhaps not acknowledging them at all. The oppressive darkness in her gaze, combined with the disdain etched on her pallid face, was so overwhelming that the Daoists instinctively took a step back, their nerves taut.

This is bad, they thought. The Long-haired Woman looked like trouble, and with so many Ghost Slaves under her command, she had clearly taken the Daoists hostage. To make matters worse, there were several ordinary people among them who didn’t seem to have a clue about what was going on.

This first group of Daoists had arrived from City D, having been alerted to the situation. They hailed from renowned Daoist Temples such as Qingdao Temple, Xuanyao Temple, and Chunyang Temple. However, there were only about twenty of them, and dealing with ghosts while hostages were involved was no easy task. Ordinary police officers couldn’t provide much help in this situation either; ghosts were notoriously tricky, and anyone unfamiliar with exorcism techniques would only be walking into their doom.

Faced with the scene before them, the Daoists hesitated to approach. Their expressions grew grim as they tightened their grips on their spiritual artifacts, exchanging cautious glances and silently agreeing to proceed with care.

“That Long-haired Woman looks dangerous. Stay alert!”

“What’s going on? I’ve never seen her before. How did she suddenly appear? My Shifu is in her hands…”

“What should we do now?”

But before they could formulate a plan, the Long-haired Woman floated closer with her entourage. She looked down at them from her elevated position, her lips curling into a sinister, unsettling smile. “Hello there,” she greeted.

The group froze in confusion, their voices tinged with disbelief. “…Hello?”

What was going on? Was this Long-haired Woman seriously greeting them? Since when did villains start being so polite and courteous?

Seeing their bewildered expressions, Zhang Daoist and Minister Li couldn’t help but stifle their laughter. Even Shen Yue, Shao Yizhou, and Xia Yao struggled to keep straight faces. It wasn’t their fault-their reactions were entirely understandable. After all, when they first encountered Master Gu, they had been just as terrified, their already desperate hearts sinking even further into despair.

Zhang Daoist stepped forward to clarify, “This is Master Gu. We owe her a great deal for helping us out this time. Not only did she rescue us, but she also captured the Ghost King. The other Little Ghosts were so frightened that they either fled or scattered. City D is safe for now.”

Minister Li chimed in, “That’s right. We thought we were doomed and wouldn’t make it until you arrived. But then Master Gu appeared out of nowhere and saved all of us.”

Shen Yue added, “Yes, it was Master Gu who saved us. For now, we should be safe.”

Gu Feiyin, basking in their praise, responded with a modest chuckle. To the Ghost King, however, this was nothing short of provocation!

The Ghost King let out a series of furious howls, though his face had been beaten to a pulp-his nose was no longer a nose, and his eyes were barely recognizable. All he could do now was scream to vent his pent-up frustration.

Meanwhile, the butler and Aunt, their backs bent under the weight of the doors, hung their heads low. They had no energy left to worry about their master, who was so enraged he was practically on the verge of losing his soul.

The Daoists who had rushed to the rescue were collectively stunned by the stark contrast before them. They turned their attention back to Zhang Daoist and Minister Li. Moments ago, their focus had been solely on the Long-haired Woman. Seeing Zhang Daoist and the others being carried by Ghost Slaves on wooden doors, with a few unconscious individuals lying on top, and the Long-haired Woman exuding such a terrifying aura, combined with the urgent messages they had received about a dire situation requiring immediate assistance, they had naturally assumed that the Long-haired Woman was a formidable foe and that Zhang Daoist and his group had been captured.

Now, hearing Zhang Daoist’s explanation, they finally noticed that, while being carried by Ghost Slaves, neither Zhang Daoist nor the others showed any signs of being physically restrained. In fact, they appeared relatively free, even holding spiritual artifacts and talismans in their hands. They certainly didn’t look like hostages under duress.

Looking again at the Long-haired Woman-Master Gu-her smile, though eerie, somehow carried an inexplicable air of… sincerity?

Realizing their misunderstanding, the Daoists let out a collective sigh of relief. It had been a false alarm. They immediately bowed in gratitude. “Thank you, Master Gu, for your assistance!”

Now that the tension had eased, they turned their attention to Zhang Daoist and the unconscious individuals, inquiring about their condition. Upon learning that they had merely fainted from fright, they relaxed further. Their gaze then shifted to the battered and broken Ghost King. Their admiration for Master Gu deepened. Though the Ghost King was missing both hands, half his head, and his facial features were a chaotic mess, even in his current state, it was evident how fearsome he must have been at his peak. This was no ordinary ghost that could be subdued easily. For Master Gu to single-handedly capture the Ghost King and save so many people spoke volumes about her extraordinary abilities.

They were eager to ask about the details of what had transpired, but given that they were still on the mountain, no one could guarantee that the ghosts wouldn’t regroup and return. It was safer to descend the mountain first and discuss everything later.

“Yes, let’s not linger here. We can talk as we walk.”

“Agreed. By the way, what’s the situation down at the base of the mountain? It must be chaotic, right?”

“With hundreds of ghosts converging on Dalong Mountain, there’s no way the authorities wouldn’t have noticed. Thankfully, this time we’ve managed to avoid disaster…”

Just then, Master Gu, who had been sitting quietly on the wooden door, suddenly stood up. She stared intently in a particular direction, her ears perked up, her expression turning grave as if bracing for a major threat.

Everyone froze, instantly on high alert. Could it be that the ghosts were indeed returning to reclaim their King?

Shao Yizhou and Xia Yao instinctively moved closer behind Master Gu. At this moment, they felt there was no safer place than by her side. Even Zhang Daoist and the others couldn’t compare. No matter how many Daoists were present, none could provide the sense of security that Master Gu did.

Shen Yue, equally tense, asked, “What’s wrong?”

The Ghost King, upon seeing this, felt a rare flicker of hope. Could it be that his ghostly comrades had sensed his plight and returned to rescue him? If they managed to free him from this nightmare, he’d owe Zhuang his life-no questions asked!

He looked eagerly in the direction Master Gu was facing. The forest ahead was shrouded in a gray haze. When the flashlight beams swept across, all that could be seen were overgrown weeds and shifting tree shadows.

The Daoists followed her gaze but saw nothing. “Master Gu, did you notice something?”

Gu Feiyin nodded and said, “I think I heard the sound of a wild boar. Did you hear it?”

The Daoists and the celebrities froze. A pig? Really? Did anyone hear that?

They tilted their heads, straining their ears to listen. All they could hear was the whistling of the cold wind. As for the sound of a pig, they truly couldn’t catch it.

But since it was just a pig, they felt relieved. At this moment, a wild boar seemed far less terrifying than any ghost. After all, wild boars weren’t as horrifying or cruel as supernatural entities.

“Don’t worry, Master Gu. Wild animals often show up in these mountains. It’s probably nothing.”

“Exactly, nothing to worry about. Let’s get down the mountain first!”

Gu Feiyin wanted to protest-this was definitely something to worry about. That was a wild boar they were talking about! Do they even know how expensive pork is these days? A single pork rib costs over ten yuan. If she could catch a wild boar, she wouldn’t have to buy meat from the market anymore. Wouldn’t that mean she could enjoy fresh pork and save money at the same time?

The thought lit a spark in her mind. She decided right then and there that when she came back to dig pits tomorrow, she’d make sure to catch a wild boar while she was at it. Wild boars were treasures from head to hoof. Back when she was still a ghost, she’d seen villagers set traps in the mountains to catch passing wild boars, rabbits, and other small animals. Whenever they caught a boar, it was a cause for celebration in the entire village.

She could already picture it: after slaughtering the boar, she’d keep some fresh meat in the freezer for stir-frying. Whenever she felt like it, she could slice off some pork belly to make twice-cooked pork. She’d also prepare some cured meat, smoked meat, and sausages to hang under the eaves. Whenever she craved them, she could just cut a piece-how convenient! The pig’s head and ears could be braised until fragrant, perfect for dipping in chili powder or stir-frying with small chili peppers for an amazing flavor. The pig’s trotters could be stewed until tender and served with a spicy dipping sauce-rich but not greasy, spicy yet aromatic. Even the large bones could be used to make a hearty bone broth…

The more she thought about it, the more her mouth watered. The half a Little Ghost she’d eaten earlier hadn’t even come close to satisfying her hunger. She made up her mind: she had to catch a wild boar. If she couldn’t find one tomorrow, she’d wait until she got back to City A and then head to the mountains with Jumpy and the Old Lady. Surely, they’d catch one eventually. A single boar could last her an entire year and save her a year’s worth of pork expenses. What a win-win!

…

The group decided to ignore the elusive wild boar for now. To avoid any accidents, they quickened their pace down the mountain. Unfortunately, their relief was premature. Just a few minutes later, a series of increasingly distinct grunts-“oink, oink, oink”-echoed from behind them.

Zhang Daoist and the others turned to look, their faces darkening instantly.

In the shadows, five or six large, muscular wild boars were charging toward them with agile strides. Their coarse, bristly fur gleamed in the faint light, their long snouts sniffing the air. Their black bodies blended almost seamlessly with the darkness, making them easy to overlook if one wasn’t paying close attention.

Encountering even one wild boar was rare enough, but now there were five or six of them?

And that wasn’t all. Among the boars, they could make out the shapes of several wolves lurking in the darkness. Their blood-red eyes glowed menacingly, their mouths open to reveal sharp, gleaming fangs. Drool dripped from their jaws as they stared at the group, as if sizing them up as prey.

The wild boars were one thing, but the wolves were an entirely different beast-far more dangerous.

Zhang Daoist and a few others, still being carried by ghostly servants and floating mid-air, were relatively safe. But many of their companions were still on the ground. With both wild boars and wolves to contend with, the situation was looking increasingly dire.

“What’s going on? Why are there suddenly so many wild boars and wolves?”

“This doesn’t feel right. Something’s off!”

“These creatures aren’t ordinary. They don’t seem like just wild boars and wolves. Stay alert, everyone!”

The wild boars and wolves were clearly not creatures that belonged to the same group. Wolves didn’t prey on wild boars, so why would they appear together? The scene unfolding before them seemed more like they were being driven here by something… something unnatural.

The Daoists gripped their peachwood swords, Thunder Strike Wood, Copper Coin Swords, and other spiritual artifacts tightly, ready for combat. Shen Yue and Shao Yizhou jumped down from the wooden planks they had been standing on, grabbing torches from the Daoists’ hands. They held the torches firmly, waving them toward the direction of the wolves and boars. At this moment, the torches were their most effective weapon.

They cautiously retreated, keeping their eyes fixed on the wolves, whose bloodthirsty gazes were locked onto them.

Suddenly, a soft laugh echoed from behind a tree. It was a woman’s voice. She giggled lightly, covering her mouth as she stepped out from behind the tree. Her long black straight hair cascaded over her shoulders, and she wore a striking red dress. Her face was pale, yet her features were stunningly beautiful. Her crimson lips glowed like fire, and her smile carried an eerie charm, mixed with a hint of bashfulness. “Why are you pointing those scary things at me? I just came to watch the fun,” she said, her voice dripping with mock innocence.

The Daoists: “…?”

The celebrities: “…?”

Everyone froze, staring at the female ghost leaning against the tree.

The Ghost King, upon hearing the familiar voice, became visibly agitated. His muffled cries grew louder and more frantic. Oh heavens, ancestors, dear lady, save me!

He had been a ghost for many years, with marriages spanning across his spectral existence. His first and second marriages were ancient history, and even his fifth and sixth weren’t anything new. But this voice-he recognized it instantly. It belonged to his seventh wife, Yingying! Back then, he had loved her deeply, but as time passed, their love faded, and their marriage ended. After divorcing Yingying, he embarked on a journey to find his true love once more…

If only he had known, he would never have divorced her. Staying married would have spared him from meeting that black-haired, red-envelope-obsessed woman who had made his life a living hell. She even snatched red envelopes from ghosts! If he hadn’t met her, he wouldn’t be suffering like this now. His thoughts drifted back to decades ago, when he had been gnawed on to the brink of death, weakened and bullied by little ghosts. Surviving until today had been nothing short of a miracle.

He drooped his battered head, wondering if he had somehow offended all women with long black straight hair in his past life. Both of the ones who had tormented him were black-haired beauties…

Gu Feiyin sniffed the air. Wow, this one smells delicious too.

She craned her neck, trying to get a better look, but the figures ahead blocked her view. All she could see were blurry silhouettes. Fortunately, her ears were sharp enough to catch every word.

Zhang Daoist shouted, “You, female ghost! What are you doing here? Instead of obediently entering the Underworld to await judgment, you defy heavenly laws and wander among the living. What is your intent?”

The female ghost replied, “You humans wish for longevity, so why can’t we ghosts seek eternal life? You’re so dull, old Daoist. You’re old and ugly-I don’t want to talk to you. That young man next to you, though, he’s more my type.”

Standing beside Zhang Daoist, Shen Yue froze: “…” No, he was definitely not interested.

Shao Yizhou, who considered himself far more handsome, quickly ducked behind Shen Yue, hiding his good looks. Only his eyes peeked out as he observed the situation, ready to flee at a moment’s notice. Even Xia Yao couldn’t help but roll her eyes at him. What a coward.

The Ghost King’s blood-red tears flowed even more furiously upon hearing this. Trapped in this dire situation, his soul teetering on the brink of destruction, and now this wretched ghost was flirting right in front of him? Did she think he was already dead? Someone save him already!

The Daoists, meanwhile, couldn’t quite figure out the intentions of this newcomer. Her aura was a mix of good and evil, with an overwhelming ghostly energy emanating from her. She could even control a pack of wolves. Could it be that she and the Ghost King were old acquaintances?

The female ghost spoke, “Don’t be afraid. I’m actually just here to bid farewell to my ex-husband. After all, this parting is truly final. In the future, I’ll ascend to become a Ghost Immortal, free and unrestrained, while he’ll be suffering in the eighteenth level of hell. Just thinking about it makes my heart ache. Boohoohoo.” She covered her mouth and began to sob, the sound eerie and bone-chilling.

Everyone: “…”

The Ghost King: “…” So she’s just here to watch me suffer?? 🙁

The female ghost cried for a while, then wiped away her blood-stained tears, as if she’d had enough. “Alright, I’ve done my duty sending my ex-husband off. I’ll take my leave now. Little brother, let’s meet again if fate allows.” She cast a flirtatious glance at Shen Yue, sending a shiver down his spine. He wished he could paint his face into a grotesque mask-anything to ensure they’d never meet again.

“Wait, don’t leave just yet.”

A cold, chilling voice came from behind. The female ghost looked up and saw the crowd parting to make way. A Long-haired Woman, seated on a wooden door carried by Ghost Slaves, was being brought forward. Her pitch-black eyes locked onto the female ghost, their gaze murky and oppressive, making even a ghost feel uneasy.

What’s more, her aura was leagues above the female ghost’s, making her feel utterly overshadowed.

But wait-what’s so impressive about being carried on a wooden door by a few Ghost Slaves?

Still, the female ghost couldn’t shake the feeling that this Long-haired Woman carried traces of her ex-husband’s aura. Her mind immediately jumped to the rumors she’d heard on her way here. The ghosts who had escaped the manor were all talking about a formidable Long-haired Woman who had not only pinned the Ghost King to the ground and gnawed off most of his body but had also sold him off for fifty yuan! At the time, she’d wondered who this incredible woman could be. Now that she saw her in person, the Long-haired Woman did indeed have an imposing presence.

Earlier, the female ghost had been hiding in the back and hadn’t paid much attention to the Long-haired Woman. After all, Gu Feiyin had been leading the group, and with so many people around, her view had been blocked. It was no wonder she hadn’t noticed her before.

Gu Feiyin, having listened to their conversation from the back, couldn’t stand idly by when she heard the female ghost was about to leave. She quickly instructed the Ghost Slaves to carry her forward-she had something to say.

The female ghost watched as the Long-haired Woman narrowed her eyes, her gaze both fixed on her and yet seemingly indifferent. The woman’s pale face exuded a bloodthirsty aura, her overwhelming presence making it seem as though she might open her jaws and devour her whole at any moment. Terrified, the female ghost instinctively took a few steps back.

On the other side, Zhang Daoist, Minister Li, Shen Yue, and the others watched in astonishment as Master Gu boldly approached. They couldn’t help but marvel at her fearlessness-truly, her skills were as extraordinary as her courage.

The Ghost King, on the verge of tears, howled with excitement. Quick, quick, devour that Long Black Straight Hair already!

The female ghost glanced at Zhuang, who seemed to be so enraged that he’d lost his senses. Did he really think she’d risk eating someone for his sake? She wasn’t that noble. Besides, she was already feeling guilty enough as it was. Covering her mouth, she chuckled softly and said, “What’s the matter? Do you have something else to say?”

The Long-haired Woman responded with a serious nod. “Yes, I do.”

She began rummaging through her belongings, as if searching for something important. Yingying narrowed her eyes, ready to counterattack or flee at any moment. If this Long Black Straight Hair could capture Zhuang, she was clearly no ordinary person. Could she be pulling out some kind of powerful spiritual artifact?

Moments later, Yingying watched in disbelief as the Long-haired Woman pulled out a handful of paper money from her pocket. Holding it confidently, she flashed a toothy grin and said, “Hey, I want to buy a wild boar from you. Can you give me a discount?”

The female ghost: “…?”

The crowd: “…?”

The Ghost King: “…!!!”

The female ghost was utterly stunned. Buy a boar? Buy a boar? Did she look like someone who sold pigs?!

But the Long-haired Woman looked dead serious, not at all like she was joking. Her cold, commanding gaze left no room for refusal. What choice did the female ghost have but to sell?

She glanced down at the wild boar by her feet and muttered, “…Just pay whatever you think is fair.”

Gu Feiyin considered for a moment, her eyes scanning the paper money, before selecting one worth a thousand. She handed it over. “I’ll take one.”

The female ghost’s mouth twitched. Well, wasn’t that generous?

The Ghost King let out a furious roar, nearly scattering his own soul in rage!

…

In the end, for the price of one thousand paper money, Gu Feiyin successfully purchased a wild boar. She specifically chose a plump and sturdy one, figuring it would yield plenty of meat once slaughtered. However, the boar had been under the female ghost’s control for so long that it had turned into a dazed, foolish creature. It stood there blankly, refusing to budge no matter how she tried to lead it. With no extra Ghost Slaves available to help, Gu Feiyin had no choice but to enlist Zhuang, the little ghost, to carry it back for her.

Though Zhuang was battered and worn, carrying a pig shouldn’t be a problem. As long as he had the strength, it would suffice.

The pig-laden ex-husband: …

The pig-selling ex-wife: …

The Ghost Slaves: …

The onlooking Daoists and celebrities: …

No one could have predicted that yet another crisis would be resolved in such a bizarre and miraculous way. They stared at Master Gu, their admiration for her flowing endlessly, like a river that never ceased.

…

This thrilling and chaotic night was one that none of them would ever forget.

After selling the pig, the female ghost vanished, taking with her the remaining wild boars and wolf pack. Zhuang, however, was left behind. Earlier, he’d been carried with some semblance of dignity; now, he was stuck lugging a heavy wild boar all the way down the mountain. Forget dignity-he felt like he was worth less than the pig itself. Blood tears streamed down his face, painting a picture of utter misery.

Zhang Daoist, full of sympathy, encouraged him, “Hang in there. You’re almost there.”

Zhuang: “…”

His frail body was practically crushed under the weight of the pig.

By the time they reached the foot of the mountain, the armed guards stationed there nearly mistook the floating wild boar for a threat and came close to turning it into minced meat with a volley of bullets!

…

Shao Yizhou, Shen Yue, and Xia Yao were finally found and rescued safely. Their respective agencies quickly released statements, announcing that the missing trio had been located. Of course, the real reason for their disappearance-that they had been “invited” by the Ghost King to the manor, with Shao Yizhou nearly becoming a ghost bride-was conveniently omitted. Instead, the official explanation was that they had taken refuge in a cave after the incident. With no cell signal in the mountains and their phones out of battery, they had been unable to contact anyone. Lost and unfamiliar with the terrain, they chose to stay put and wait for rescue. Fortunately, though they had sustained some minor injuries, they were otherwise unharmed.

To reassure their fans, they posted a group photo on social media, which finally calmed the frenzy.

Fans were overwhelmed with emotion:

“Thank goodness you’re okay! I was waiting at the foot of the mountain, but when the armed forces suddenly loaded us into trucks and drove us away, I nearly had a heart attack. I thought Dalong Mountain really had some kind of monster threatening to end the world!”

“I’m happy they’re safe, but something about this whole situation feels off. It’s like they’re hiding something from us. Dalong Mountain seems so mysterious!”

“Exactly! I feel the same way, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.”

“Come on, stop overthinking it. They’re back safe and sound, isn’t that enough? No need for conspiracy theories. I think Dalong Mountain is pretty ordinary. I’ve been there a few times before, and there’s nothing special about it.”

“Shhh, let me tell you something. Dalong Mountain is haunted! Last night, I saw so many Ghost Kings flying around the mountain that I was too scared to sleep. Then, the whole city went into lockdown. I think I might have stumbled upon the truth. I’m terrified!”

“LOL, the person above is nuts. If you told me Shao Yizhou and the others were kidnapped, I might believe you. Ghosts? You’re dreaming!”

“…”

Online discussions were all over the place, with most focusing on Shao Yizhou, Shen Yue, and Xia Yao.

Another hot topic was the citywide lockdown in City D. The incident had become national news, sparking widespread speculation online. Despite the official explanation-that dangerous terrorists had infiltrated the city, necessitating the lockdown-the public wasn’t buying it. Authorities claimed the suspects had been apprehended and urged citizens not to panic.

Few believed the official narrative. Netizens speculated that something far bigger was at play. After all, why else would armed forces from neighboring cities be mobilized? Within an hour, all fans and media at the foot of Dalong Mountain had been evacuated, replaced by rows of military trucks. Locals reported that the trucks were filled with soldiers in full gear, each armed to the teeth. The continuous flow of vehicles resembled preparations for war, sending chills down everyone’s spine.

“Whoa, could it really be some kind of supernatural creature about to emerge? I feel like I’ve stumbled onto something huge!”

“Haha, there’s no such thing as monsters in the 21st century. If you think there are, maybe the monster is in your head!”

“…”

While the internet buzzed with theories, the armed forces stationed at Dalong Mountain began to withdraw after confirming the area was secure. In City D, residents watched as the patrols on the streets dispersed and the lockdown was lifted. Tentatively, a few people ventured outside, finding the sky unchanged, the world seemingly the same as before.

It felt as though a crisis had been quietly buried, leaving no trace behind.

…

Finally back at the foot of the mountain, Zhang Daoist and the others tended to their injuries. When questioned by their superiors, they carefully recounted the events of capturing the Ghost King, making sure to emphasize their gratitude toward Master Gu. Without her, it was uncertain whether they would have made it back alive. And to think they were carried back by Ghost Slaves-it had been an unexpectedly easy journey.

“Those two yuan were well spent,” someone muttered. “Totally worth it.”

Of course, with Master Gu being so capable, it would be amazing if she joined the Special Unit.

As soon as Zhang Daoist finished applying his medicine, he couldn’t wait to find Master Gu. A talent like her belonged in their ranks. When he asked where she was, the answer left him speechless: “Oh, she’s over there… watching the pig.”

Zhang Daoist: “…”

He had mixed feelings about the wild boar purchased for a thousand Ghost Money.

Meanwhile, Gu Feiyin was fretting over how to deal with such a massive pig. She couldn’t exactly take it on a high-speed train. It seemed the only solution was to butcher it first.

Her mind was entirely occupied with thoughts of what to do with the pig and how to cook it. So when Zhang Daoist brought up the idea of her joining the Special Unit, she rejected it without a second thought. There were already too many Taoists here, which was unsettling enough. If it weren’t for the pig, she would have left long ago. Joining the Special Unit would mean dealing with Taoists all the time-peachwood swords and Talismans everywhere. That sounded like a nightmare!

She firmly declined. Besides, she had a job, one where her boss valued her highly. As an outstanding employee, she had no intention of switching careers.

Zhang Daoist was deeply disappointed. He figured Master Gu must be a person of great wisdom, uninterested in the constraints of the mundane world. Left with no choice, he let the matter drop.

As for the wild boar that Master Gu seemed so attached to, Zhang Daoist eagerly offered to handle the butchering for her. He promised to cut it into neat portions and deliver it to her home. If she wanted, he could even cure the meat before delivering it-whatever she preferred.

With the New Year just a month away, it was the perfect time to stock up on festive treats.

Gu Feiyin was genuinely grateful. She grinned and said, “Thanks a lot!”

Zhang Daoist: “N-not at all.”

…

Gu Feiyin stayed in City D for two days. On the second day, she searched the mountain but didn’t find anything familiar. Thinking she might have been mistaken about the location, she boarded a train back to City B that evening.

What she didn’t expect was to come home and find a man sprawled on her floor.

The burglar’s face was pale, drenched in cold sweat, and he was surrounded by a group of children who stared at him intently. He didn’t dare move.

Gu Feiyin was alarmed. She rushed to check her room and, seeing that her money and belongings were still there, breathed a sigh of relief. She absolutely despised thieves. The ones she had encountered before were at least outside her home. But now, one had broken into her house! She immediately called the police. The burglar, to her surprise, burst into tears of gratitude. “Thank you! Calling the police is the best thing ever! Please, arrest me!”

When the police arrived, the burglar clung to an officer’s leg, sobbing, “Help me! There are ghosts in this house!” He pointed to the corner of the room. “Over there! Ghosts! They’ve been holding me captive for two whole days! Please, just take me away!”

The Little Ghosts huddled in the corner, their eyes glowing faintly as they stared at him. Their gaze sent shivers down his spine, and the smallest one even stuck out its tongue at him. The burglar started trembling all over again.

The police glanced at the corner. “What ghosts? There’s nothing there.”

“Enough of this nonsense,” one officer said sternly. “You think making up ghost stories will get you out of trouble? You broke into someone’s house and got caught red-handed. The homeowner was out of town for two days and just returned today. Don’t think you can pin this on her!”

The burglar: “…”

He looked at the upright officer, then back at the corner where the Little Ghosts were still lurking. They stared at him with eerie intensity, and the smallest one stuck its tongue out again. He felt like he wanted to die.

Why wouldn’t anyone believe him?!