I Am Not a Master - Chapter 54

Just as Gu Feiyin was about to enjoy some braised pig head meat, a little ghost came rushing in, panic-stricken. “It’s terrible! Dozens of Taoists have come to raid us! There’s chaos everywhere, countless casualties, and the houses have been wrecked.”

…What?! This is outrageous!

Gu Feiyin dropped the kitchen knife, stuffed a piece of pig head meat into her mouth, and hurriedly said, “Quick, carry me over there!”

Two little ghosts promptly lifted her and rushed over.

Meanwhile, Little Wang was out with Granny Wang for some square dancing. After the dance, they were heading home. He held his grandmother’s hand, listening to her chat with another granny about the rising cost of living-how meat and vegetables were getting more expensive, making life difficult.

Little Wang didn’t quite understand. He walked along with his small steps, and suddenly saw a young lady flying in the sky. His eyes lit up, and he tugged at his grandmother’s hand, pointing to the dark sky, “Granny, granny, look! It’s the lady!”

Granny Wang was in the middle of a conversation. Hearing her grandson mention a lady again, she felt a bit uneasy. She followed the child’s pointing finger and saw nothing but darkness in the sky. “Where’s the lady? You’re talking nonsense again. Come on, let’s go home!”

Without another word, Granny Wang bid farewell to her friends and hurriedly carried the child home.

Truth be told, she was quite scared.

Little Wang lay on Granny’s shoulder, waving his little hand towards the sky, “Goodbye, lady!”

Granny Wang: “…”

While Granny Wang was rushing home with her grandson, chaos erupted under the overpass. Zhang Daoist and a few others were in a standoff with the tenants of the villa area. The tenants didn’t want to leave their homes, while Zhang Daoist’s group insisted they must move out. Neither side was willing to back down.

In the heat of the moment, the agitated tenants revealed their true forms. Missing limbs and blood everywhere, it was hard to find a place to stand.

Zhang Daoist and his team hadn’t expected this situation. They thought it was a gathering of unruly ghosts, but it turned out to be “legal renting.” Such a case was unprecedented, unheard of in history or the underworld. It was the first time they heard of ghosts renting houses. They couldn’t just ignore this extraordinary situation, especially since these ghosts were unruly and gathered together, who knew what trouble they might cause?

However, these ghosts weren’t the malevolent kind that committed heinous acts. Some were nostalgic for the human world; others had died unjustly; some were lonely souls with no one to send them off after death; and even some were registered as benign ghosts. They couldn’t be dealt with like other evil ghosts, either by obliterating them or sending them to the Underworld for punishment.

Moreover, these ghosts claimed that the Underworld was overcrowded. Crossing the Naihe Bridge¹ required an application that could take years. To reincarnate, they’d have to wait several years. Even if they went to the Underworld, what then? Wouldn’t they just come out again to find a place to live and wait for allocation? Now, they’re paying to rent houses legally, not breaking any laws, so why can’t they live here?

Zhang Daoist and his team were left bewildered by the ghosts’ arguments, almost convinced by their reasoning.

Zhang Daoist said, “You claim to be lawful tenants, but according to the reports we’ve received, you’ve seriously disrupted the lives of the local residents. Many have complained online about you harassing them, making it unsafe to walk home at night. There’s even a student who said one of your ghosts picked up his schoolbag and followed him home, scaring him so badly he fell ill and hasn’t recovered yet. Can you deny these accusations?”

Minister Li added, “Don’t think that just because ordinary people can’t see you, you can do whatever you please. Everything you’ve done is recorded in the Book of Virtues. No one can escape its judgment!”

The Headless Ghost and the others, visibly uneasy, protested, “We’re just chatting here and there. We didn’t do anything else! If people walk by at night on their way home, that’s their business. We talk, they walk-how is that our fault? Are we not even allowed to talk now?”

The Middle-aged Female Ghost thought for a moment and said, “…About the schoolbag incident, that wasn’t my fault either! I saw that kid running so fast he didn’t even notice his bag had fallen to the ground. He’s just a student, and a schoolbag isn’t something you can just leave lying around-it’s full of textbooks and study materials! I was just trying to return it to him. How is that wrong?”

“Exactly! We’re just trying to help. Why can’t we live here? One night, I even saw a creep following a young woman with bad intentions. I scared him off! Where else are you going to find ghosts as good as us?”

“We’re not moving. No way. I paid my rent fair and square.”

“Is it because you can’t afford waterfront villas, so you’re jealous of us?”

Zhang Daoist and his group: “…” Who’s jealous of your haunted house?

As the Taoists stood there, at a loss for words, a commotion arose nearby. A group of little ghosts flew over, shouting as they came, “The landlord is here! The landlord is here! Make way!”

All eyes turned skyward as the landlord descended, carried by the little ghosts.

She was dressed in a black padded jacket with an apron tied around her waist. Her pale, bluish face was as cold as ice, and her unfocused, pitch-black eyes scanned the crowd with an eerie intensity. The chilling aura in her gaze was enough to send shivers down the spines of both ghosts and humans alike.

With a voice as cold as the grave, she demanded, “Who’s bullying my tenants?”

The aggrieved tenants immediately pointed at the Taoists in unison. “It’s them!!”

Zhang Daoist: “…??”

Minister Li and the other Taoists: “…!!!”

The onlooking Water Ghost: “…??!”

The Taoists glanced at Master Gu, then at the group of ghosts behind her, who suddenly seemed so righteous yet pitiful. In that moment, their worldview shattered, leaving their heads spinning.

…

Meanwhile, the Special Unit office in City A was abuzz with activity.

“So that’s how it is. I always thought some big ghost had gathered these little ones and rented out its house to them. Officially, it’s a rental, but who knows what kind of schemes might be going on behind the scenes? Turns out, the landlord is actually Master Gu!”

“Yeah, and those ghosts seem to listen to her completely. It’s unbelievable. I mean, we were already shocked when she single-handedly subdued Zhuang, but now she’s running a business in the Underworld too?”

“Who exactly is this Master Gu?”

Zhang Daoist pondered aloud, “I can’t say for sure. I first met Master Gu during the Face Ghost hijacking incident. Although I don’t know who she really is or why she possesses such extraordinary abilities, one thing I’m certain of-she’s a good person. She saved so many lives without asking for anything in return, even while enduring the Five Defects and Three Shortages herself. I truly admire her.”

Minister Li nodded in agreement. “Exactly. If you think about it, Master Gu providing a place for those wandering ghosts isn’t necessarily a bad thing. There are far too many ghosts drifting around out there, most of them with nowhere to go. Some of the more self-aware ones find empty houses to settle in, but the shameless ones end up disturbing residents in neighborhoods. While it hasn’t led to any deaths, it’s still not a good look. Now, with Master Gu keeping them in check, at least we don’t have to worry about them causing trouble.”

Another Daoist chimed in, “So, are we just going to leave it at that? I don’t know why, but I feel uneasy about this.”

“Leaving it unresolved doesn’t sit right either. Should we try summoning a Yin Messenger to ask for guidance?”

“But summoning a Yin Messenger isn’t easy. Haven’t we tried countless times before without success? Even when my Shifu personally performed the rituals, we couldn’t summon one.”

After much deliberation, the Daoists decided they couldn’t let the matter rest without reporting it to the Underworld. The uncertainty gnawed at them, leaving them restless.

In the end, they chose to purify themselves, prepare offerings, and perform the rituals. After explaining their intentions, they waited to see if there would be any response.

Unfortunately, even after a long time had passed and the incense smoke curled into the air, there was no sign of a reply.

Zhang Daoist sighed in resignation. “It seems the Underworld still refuses to respond to us.”

Minister Li offered a weak smile. “Maybe they’re just too busy?”

“I think they heard us. No response-could that mean tacit approval?”

“…You think so?”

Before anyone could say more, a sudden gust of chilling wind swept through the room, carrying an icy coldness that made everyone shiver uncontrollably.

Moments later, a shadowy black figure materialized atop the altar. It wore a tall hat and held iron chains in its hands, its eyes devoid of emotion as it gazed at them.

Zhang Daoist and Minister Li exchanged a stunned look, their shock quickly giving way to excitement. They hurriedly clasped their hands and bowed deeply to welcome the Yin Messenger.

The Yin Messenger uttered a single word: “Approved.”

With that, the wind dissipated, the cold receded, and when Zhang Daoist and Minister Li looked up, the altar was empty. The black figure had vanished, leaving no trace behind, as if it had never been there at all.

The two men stared at each other in disbelief, wiping the cold sweat from their foreheads. In hushed tones, they murmured, “Does that ‘approved’ mean we have permission? We’ve pleaded so many times before without even a hint of acknowledgment. Why did they respond this time? Could it be that the Underworld is truly overwhelmed with ghosts to the point of chaos?”

Zhang Daoist quickly motioned for silence. “Shh. The Underworld said ‘approved.’ Let’s just follow through.”

Still, the whole situation was baffling. Zhang Daoist rubbed his forehead, his suspicions about Master Gu’s identity growing stronger. Could she actually be some reincarnated deity? But no, that didn’t add up. If she were a deity reborn, she would surely be blessed with virtue, radiating warmth and compassion, enlightened and destined for ascension. Even if she weren’t blessed, her background would be clear and untainted. She certainly wouldn’t appear as the eerie, cold, and unsettling figure they had encountered.

Of course, no matter what, Gu Feiyin’s luxurious riverside rental apartment continued to operate, becoming an unofficially acknowledged gathering spot for ghosts and spirits among the Daoists.

Zhang Daoist personally called Master Gu, speaking in a polite and conciliatory tone, “Apologies, Master Gu. We were too abrupt earlier. We’ve already consulted with the higher-ups, and your apartment can continue to be rented out, as long as there’s no trouble.”

Gu Feiyin replied, “Don’t worry. If anyone causes trouble, I’ll sell them off. They won’t have the chance to stir up anything further.”

Zhang Daoist: “…”

Zhang Daoist was left speechless, unsure whether to laugh or cry, but he agreed nonetheless.

Thus, Gu Feiyin’s luxurious riverside apartment became an officially recognized haunted house, with Zhang Daoist even delivering a Ghost House Operation License to her. If any Taoists came by to exorcise spirits, she could simply flash the license, and that would settle the matter.

Before long, the luxurious riverside apartment managed by the Long Black Straight Hair shocked the entire ghost realm. It became a coveted haven for countless wandering spirits and ghosts, sparking endless discussions among them near the overpass in City A.

“Seriously, who is this Long Black Straight Hair? How did her luxurious riverside apartment become an officially recognized haunted house? I just don’t get it.”

“Yeah, same here! I’m super curious. I heard that dozens of Daoists went to the overpass to capture ghosts before, and they fought for three days and nights. The battle was so intense that the river turned red with blood. They finally managed to calm things down! I thought the hatred between us ghosts and those stinking Daoists was only growing deeper. But now, her haunted house is officially approved? What’s going on?”

“Man, if I’d known this would happen, I would’ve moved to City A ages ago. I heard the most expensive house there only costs fifty thousand a month!”

“Same here! You guys don’t know how miserable I am right now. I’m secretly living in a school. During the day, when there are lots of students around, I have to hide outside. I can only sneak back at night to rest for a bit. It’s exhausting, constantly hiding and running around. If I had a place to live, I wouldn’t have to live like this.”

“Ugh, I’m so mad! It’s all that Water Ghost’s fault. He told me Long Black Straight Hair was a Ghost Trader and warned me not to rent from her. I totally fell for it!”

“I regret it so much. I heard that haunted house used to be impossible to rent out, but now it’s completely booked. When is Long Black Straight Hair going to build more haunted houses? I want to live there too!”

“Me too…”

Water Ghost No. 2 and Water Ghost No. 3, fed up with their friend’s bad advice, gave him a good beating. Then, to vent their frustration, they turned around and beat up Water Ghost No. 1.

“You! You should’ve told us about this sooner! We’ve been helping you catch fish, shrimp, and crabs, and we didn’t even get half the insider info you did. If you’d told us earlier, we could’ve rented a place there and become officially recognized ghosts!”

Water Ghost No. 1 rubbed his forehead and said, “How was I supposed to know it would turn out like this? Those Daoists looked so righteous when they came before, like they couldn’t wait to shut down the haunted house immediately. And now they’ve completely changed their tune… I think they’re not real Daoists at all. They must be impostors!”

Water Ghost No. 2 said, “So what do we do now? Go beg Long Black Straight Hair to save us a room. We can share one-it’s enough for the two of us. We’ve saved up quite a bit over the years; renting won’t be a problem.”

Water Ghost No. 1 had a big problem.

As the gatekeeper, he constantly had to watch out for Long Black Straight Hair selling him off for cash. How could he possibly have the nerve to ask her for a favor?

Water Ghost No. 1 was deeply unsettled. He had assumed Long Black Straight Hair was just a wicked Ghost Trader, but now he realized she was also a cunning mastermind. Her ability to network and pull strings was unmatched-a truly devious and calculating individual!

For now, he could only swallow his pride and live on, sacrificing his dignity and integrity. Someday, he would rise above it all and reclaim his honor.

Just you wait, Long Black Straight Hair!

…

Gu Feiyin hung the “Ghost House Operation License” in the most prominent spot in her home, ensuring it was the first thing anyone saw upon entering. After all, this was the cornerstone of her budding business empire. She was now, by all accounts, a woman of modest means, and she was quite pleased with herself.

With the ghost house affairs settled, Shao Yizhou was becoming increasingly insistent. Lately, he felt the eerie sensation of being watched growing stronger, to the point where he was even hesitant to use the bathroom for fear of losing his dignity.

Under his relentless urging, Gu Feiyin set out on the evening of her first day of winter vacation. She donned a pair of sunglasses and carried a cane, looking every bit the part of someone on a mission.

The sunglasses were actually a gift from the Red-Dressed Ghost, who had remarked that her perpetually vacant gaze was unsettling enough to scare even ghosts. “If you’re going out, at least wear these,” the ghost had said, retrieving the sunglasses from one of her many properties. Once Gu Feiyin put them on, she did indeed exude a certain aloof and unapproachable aura.

The Red-Dressed Ghost, however, was left conflicted. “Should I have given them to her or not?” she muttered to herself.

Given her current blindness, Gu Feiyin couldn’t go out alone and had to rely on the Red-Dressed Ghost to accompany her. Jumpy and the Old Lady were busy managing the ghost house and its residents, leaving the Red-Dressed Ghost as the only one with free time. Besides occasionally tormenting her scummy ex-husband, she didn’t have much else to do.

Shao Yizhou was currently filming at the City E Film Studio. His recent poor state of mind had slowed down production, and he had developed a peculiar new habit: refusing to shoot night scenes. By 10 p.m. at the latest, he insisted on wrapping up for the day.

His agent had asked him if his experience of getting lost in the mountains had left him traumatized. After all, nothing bad had actually happened, and the current shoots were all indoors in a controlled environment. There was no chance of encountering mudslides or other natural disasters.

The agent hadn’t been with Shao Yizhou during his ordeal in the mountains and had no idea what he and his companions had gone through. To the agent, Shao Yizhou’s behavior seemed overly delicate, as if he were scared of his own shadow. The agent figured that Shao Yizhou’s popularity and good looks were the only reasons people indulged him. Anyone else would have faced backlash for such antics.

Frustrated, the agent tried to reason with him, but Shao Yizhou remained steadfast. At 9:40 p.m., he announced that he was done for the day and heading back to the hotel.

The agent protested, “Everyone else is still working, and you’re the only one leaving. If word gets out, the media will accuse you of being a diva. Don’t you care about your reputation? Right now, everyone’s trying to build an image of being hardworking and dedicated. Do you really want to be known as the guy who’s not?”

Shao Yizhou replied calmly, “I don’t care. I can’t control what others do, but I’m done by 10 p.m., no exceptions. This is already me compromising. My original plan was to be back before sunset.”

The agent was left speechless. “Fine,” he muttered.

With no other choice, the agent and three assistants accompanied Shao Yizhou back to the hotel. From the moment he got into the car, Shao Yizhou was glued to his phone, furiously typing away on WeChat.

“Master Gu, Master Gu, are you here yet? Where are you now?” he messaged.

“When you get to the airport, call me. I’ll come pick you up,” he added.

“Master Gu, I’m waiting for you! ^-^”

The agent glanced at Shao Yizhou a few times, noticing his recent obsession with his phone. He was always chatting with someone on WeChat, but whenever the agent asked who it was, Shao Yizhou would dismissively say, “Just a friend.” The agent was convinced he must be dating someone. Why else would he insist on being back by 10 p.m.? Probably to video call or play games with his girlfriend.

This wouldn’t do. Shao Yizhou’s massive popularity was largely due to his legion of adoring female fans. If news of a relationship got out, it would cost him a significant chunk of his fanbase.

“Shao Yizhou, who are you texting?” the agent asked.

“A good friend,” Shao Yizhou replied nonchalantly.

“…Oh.” The agent’s suspicions deepened. It had to be a girlfriend. But with the driver and assistants present, he decided to hold off on confronting him. Once they got to the hotel, he’d have a serious talk. This relationship had to end.

…

When Shao Yizhou and his group returned to the hotel, they were greeted by a crowd of fans gathered outside. The moment they spotted Shao Yizhou, they surged forward with excitement, their cameras flashing incessantly as they shouted declarations of love. A casual wave and a faint smile from Shao Yizhou were enough to send them into a frenzy, their screams reaching a fever pitch. Truly, their enthusiasm was off the charts.

Escorted into the hotel, Shao Yizhou turned back to wave at the fans once more. Their adoration gave him a sense of security, a fleeting moment of reassurance amidst his unease.

Inside the elevator, the manager pressed the button for the thirty-second floor and remarked, “Look at your fans. They’re absolutely crazy about you. You’re still in the prime of your career, and a big part of your success is thanks to them. You need to keep working hard.”

Shao Yizhou responded with a nonchalant hum, his attention fixed on his phone. As he continued to tap away, a familiar, chilling sensation crept over him-the unsettling feeling of being watched.

He lifted his gaze, scanning the elevator’s interior, and instinctively tightened his grip on the amulet for peace in his pocket. When the elevator reached the fifth floor, he hastily pressed the buttons for the eighth and ninth floors.

The manager frowned. “What are you doing?”

“I don’t think this elevator is working properly. We should get out.”

“What are you talking about? The elevator’s fine. Stop being paranoid. Honestly, you’ve been acting jumpy lately. Is this some kind of leftover trauma from when you got lost in the mountains? Maybe you should see a doctor.”

“Brother, stop talking. Look-the elevator’s malfunctioning!”

“What? Why isn’t it stopping at the eighth or ninth floor? Is it really broken?”

“Are we seriously this unlucky?”

The manager glanced at the panel and realized the elevator had indeed skipped the eighth and ninth floors, now heading past the tenth. Growing uneasy, he began pressing buttons for several other floors, but none of them worked. Panicked, he hit the emergency call button and pulled out his phone to contact someone for help.

Shao Yizhou leaned against the elevator wall, his eyes darting around the confined space with heightened vigilance.

Something felt off. It was as if there were more than just the five of them-himself, the manager, and three assistants-in the elevator. His vision blurred for a moment, and he thought he saw a shadowy figure clinging to the ceiling. His heart skipped a beat. He blinked rapidly, but when he looked again, the figure was gone.

The elevator continued its relentless ascent. Despite their efforts to press every button, it refused to stop, as though it were determined to break through the Earth’s atmosphere and keep climbing into the unknown.

Fortunately, the hotel’s customer service department had already received the distress call and was on their way.

By now, the manager and assistant were pale with fear.

Suddenly, with a loud “bang,” the elevator jolted twice before coming to an abrupt stop. The lights flickered erratically, alternating between dim and bright.

“What’s going on? How long has it been since this hotel last serviced its elevators? How could something like this happen?”

“No idea. What floor are we on now?”

“Looks like the twenty-third floor. Damn it, if this thing drops, we’re done for!”

As soon as those words were spoken, the elevator, stuck on the twenty-third floor, suddenly plummeted two floors. Screams filled the small space as it dropped, only coming to a halt on the twenty-first floor. This time, the group was so terrified they couldn’t even muster the courage to speak.

Shao Yizhou crouched in the corner, his face as white as a sheet. He frantically tapped on his phone, desperately trying to call Master Gu. Master, save me! There’s a ghost!

…

Zhuang clung to the ceiling, his cold, sinister eyes fixed on the woman standing next to Shao Yizhou. He sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. “Who are you? Shao Yizhou is my betrothed. You have no right to cling to him. Get lost!”

The woman rolled her eyes, her pale face twisting into a mocking smile. Leaning casually against Shao Yizhou’s shoulder, she replied, “Who am I? I’m, of course, Shao Yizhou’s one true fan. And you, you pathetic creep, my Yizhou doesn’t like you. He likes pretty, sweet girls. You? You’re not even in the running. Stop deluding yourself.”

Zhuang let out a derisive snort. “You think he’d choose you over me? Look at you-those tiny eyes, that big nose, and that oversized mouth. You’re an eyesore. Even Long Black Straight Hair looks better than you. Just wait and see how I deal with you today.”

The female fan’s expression darkened. She glared at Zhuang and shot back, “And you think you’re some kind of prize? You’re nothing but a smelly, obnoxious old ghost!”

“Who are you calling an old ghost? You’re just an old hag yourself!”

“Who’s the old one here? Let’s not forget the rumors I’ve been hearing lately. Word has it that the mighty King of Dalong Mountain got most of his powers sucked away by a human woman. Not only that, but his home was ransacked, and now he’s reduced to carrying pigs to survive. How pitiful. I even heard that any random Little Ghost could bully him these days. Could that ghost possibly be you?”

“…”

Zhuang spat in frustration. “Hah! Why don’t you come and find out if just any Little Ghost can push me around?”

“Fine, let’s see if I don’t beat the living daylights out of you, you sleazy old pervert!”

And just like that, the female fan and Zhuang started fighting in the elevator. To be fair, Zhuang had indeed lost most of his powers, leaving him severely weakened. Maintaining his dashing human form had already drained much of his energy. Now, battling this infuriating female ghost, he was fighting with everything he had-for love, no less. He was determined to teach her a lesson.

The two ghosts clashed fiercely, phasing in and out of sight as they darted up and down the elevator. For the moment, neither seemed to have the upper hand.

While they were locked in their supernatural brawl, Shao Yizhou, the manager, and the assistant were pressed against the elevator walls, their hearts pounding in their throats. The elevator wasn’t just flickering and shaking; it was also moving erratically, sometimes going up, sometimes down, as if possessed.

“What’s wrong with this elevator? Why hasn’t the hotel staff come to fix it yet?”

“No idea. They said they were on their way. What’s taking them so long?”

“Why do I feel like this elevator is cursed? It’s so chilly around here. Do you guys feel it too?”

Shao Yizhou stammered in terror, “I do… There’s a ghost… We’re dealing with a ghost!”

The manager scoffed, “Nonsense! There’s no such thing as ghosts!”

But just as he finished speaking, a loud bang echoed as if something had slammed into the elevator. He instinctively looked up, only to see a part of the elevator’s ceiling inexplicably dent inward.

Swallowing hard, he turned to Shao Yizhou, who was now curled up in a corner, trembling uncontrollably. “W-what… what is going on here?”

Shao Yizhou shook his head, his voice trembling. “I told you, but you wouldn’t believe me. Now think about it yourselves-what else could explain something this bizarre?”

“Could it really be… that?” the assistant whispered, his voice barely audible.

“No way,” the manager retorted, trying to convince himself as much as the others. “This is the modern world, a world of science. There’s no such thing as ghosts!”

Shao Yizhou shot a glance at the assistant. Yeah, a world of science, yet instead of heading to the Underworld for reincarnation, this ghost insists on making him its bride. If that wasn’t insanity, what was?

Clunk!

The elevator suddenly jolted. Having previously dropped to somewhere around the teens, it now began ascending again, causing everyone’s faces to pale even further.

Shao Yizhou felt tears welling up. Master Gu, where are you? Please, hurry! Someone’s going to die here!

While Shao Yizhou and the others were trapped in the elevator, teetering on the edge of a collective breakdown, the hotel staff outside weren’t faring much better. The elevator seemed possessed, erratically moving up and down as if on steroids. Even the emergency protocols failed to stop it.

The hotel manager was drenched in cold sweat, his nerves stretched to the breaking point. After all, there were people trapped inside, one of whom was none other than the famous celebrity, Shao Yizhou. If anything happened to him, the fallout would be catastrophic.

Initially, the hotel had tried to keep the situation under wraps. The fans waiting outside had no idea what was going on. However, most of the hotel’s guests were either regular patrons or die-hard fans hoping to catch a glimpse of their idol. When they noticed the staff rushing around in a panic and remembered that Shao Yizhou and his manager had entered the elevator not long ago, it didn’t take long for rumors to start flying.

Soon enough, word spread like wildfire: Shao Yizhou was trapped in an elevator stuck somewhere around the 20th floor. Within minutes, the news had reached the internet, shooting straight to the top of the trending topics list.

“What kind of trashy hotel is this? How long has it been since they last inspected their elevators? This is a disaster waiting to happen! Someone better save him now, or I swear I’ll raise hell!”

“Save him? The hotel’s a joke. They’re moving at a snail’s pace. It’s been over twenty minutes, and he’s still stuck in there. What are they even doing?”

“Do you realize this is the 20th floor, not the 2nd? If that elevator falls, it’s game over!”

“I’m so worried! Our baby just survived a landslide a few days ago, and now this? Should I go to a temple and pray for him?”

“What’s taking so long? It’s been twenty minutes, and they’re still not out. The hotel owes us an explanation!”

“Stop arguing! The priority is getting them out safely. Nothing else matters right now.”

Summer Yao and Shen Yue naturally saw the uproar online. They both tried calling Shao Yizhou, but unfortunately, his phone was unreachable, stuck in a no-signal state. That state felt all too familiar-wasn’t it the same when they went to the manor before?

With that thought, they immediately guessed that Shao Yizhou must have encountered a ghost. Perhaps it was Zhuang coming for him-after all, they had already received a warning call from Zhang Daoist, who told them Zhuang had escaped and might return for revenge. He had urged them to be cautious. Over the past few days, they had been living in fear, constantly on edge, worried that Zhuang might truly come back to settle scores.

Shen Yue quickly dialed Master Gu’s number and spoke urgently, “Master, Master Gu, something terrible has happened! I think Zhuang really went after Shao Yizhou. He’s trapped in the elevator and can’t get out. If the elevator suddenly plummets, Shao Yizhou is done for. Zhuang definitely has malicious intentions-Shao Yizhou is in grave danger!”

As it happened, Gu Feiyin had just arrived outside the hotel. As a semi-disabled person, she had received special treatment while flying. The chief flight attendant had personally escorted her off the plane, arranged a wheelchair for her, and even called a taxi to take her to the hotel.

The flight attendant was the same one from before, and upon seeing her, she became visibly emotional, her eyes reddening.

Although the crew had signed confidentiality agreements and the Face Ghost hijacking incident was unknown to outsiders, it was a frequent topic of discussion among the airline staff. A few days ago, the captain had mentioned that Master Gu had intervened with fate to save everyone on that flight, likely suffering backlash as a result, which explained her current mobility issues. This was why the airline had specifically assigned the flight attendant to care for Master Gu.

The flight attendant, already grateful to Master Gu, felt even more moved upon hearing about her difficulties. She showered Gu Feiyin with food, offering her an exclusive luxury meal-something only she received in business class, drawing curious stares from other passengers. Of course, they were even more puzzled by the empty seat next to the long-haired woman, where a glass of red wine had been placed. The flight attendant herself didn’t understand but wisely refrained from asking questions.

Seated beside Gu Feiyin, the Red-Dressed Ghost couldn’t drink the wine and instead stared gloomily at the long black straight-haired woman indulging in her feast. The passengers in business class all felt an inexplicable chill-was the heating not working properly?

When Gu Feiyin was about to leave, the flight attendant handed her a few lollipops, saying, “My daughter heard you were coming and specifically asked me to give these to you. She wanted to thank you for saving her mom. Thank you, Master Gu.”

Now, Gu Feiyin stood outside the crowded hotel, sucking on a lollipop. Trying to get inside seemed like a pipe dream.

The Red-Dressed Ghost was equally stunned. The last time she had seen such a spectacle was when Sudi was kidnapped-the fans and media had swarmed outside the hospital for days. She had watched the commotion for quite a while back then, though she hadn’t dared to linger too long-after all, Taoists were terrifying. “How are we supposed to get in? Is that Zhuang King really inside?”

Gu Feiyin sniffed the air but lamented that she couldn’t catch the scent from so far away. “He should be. Shen Yue said Shao Yizhou is trapped in the elevator, so they must all be in there.”

“Zhuang is ruthless. Do you think he’s really trying to kill Shao Yizhou?”

“I don’t know. Let’s get inside and find out.”

“I can get in easily, but how are you going to manage?”

The Red-Dressed Ghost glanced at the long black straight-haired woman, who adjusted her sunglasses. Although her eerie gaze was hidden behind the lenses, the sunglasses only made her look colder and more intimidating. She stared at the ghost as if silently asking, “Isn’t that obvious?”

The Red-Dressed Ghost: “…………”

She never thought there would come a day when she’d be the one carrying the long black straight-haired woman through the air. And lately, this long-haired woman had been eating well-fresh fish caught by water ghosts, a whole pig bought in City D. She must have gained weight; carrying her was noticeably heavier!

Gu Feiyin also felt that bringing the Red-Dressed Ghost along on this trip was absolutely the right decision. Without her, where would she find a ghost to lend a hand?

Shao Yizhou was on the verge of despair. He had thought it was Zhuang causing trouble-just one ghost. But now, he finally saw the truth. This wasn’t just one ghost. It was two.

Zhuang no longer had that tattered, broken appearance. The missing arm and the gaping hole in his forehead had been restored. Now, he looked fully human, exuding an imposing aura, cold and menacing. At this moment, he was locked in combat with another figure-a short-haired woman.

Shao Yizhou didn’t recognize the short-haired woman. He had never seen her before. When Zhuang delivered a powerful kick, sending her crashing into the elevator wall, she let out a piercing scream and phased through the elevator, disappearing to who-knows-where with an earsplitting wail.

Zhuang landed gracefully, brushing off his sleeves. He turned to Shao Yizhou with a refined smile and said, “Darling, it’s been so long. I’ve missed you.”

Shao Yizhou: “…”

The manager hiding behind Shao Yizhou: “…”

The three unconscious assistants sprawled on the floor: “…”

Shao Yizhou held up an amulet for peace and said, “Don’t come any closer! Master Gu is on her way. You’d better leave now, or once she gets here, you’re done for!”

At the mention of Long Black Straight Hair, Zhuang’s expression darkened slightly, but he managed a faint smile. “For you, anything is worth it.”

This lovestruck Zhuang truly feared nothing.

Zhuang said, “I had planned to stay by your side quietly, but that ugly hag ruined everything. Why don’t you come with me today? Let’s retreat to the mountains and live in seclusion together.”

Who wants to live in seclusion with you? Shao Yizhou retorted, “No, I’m not going anywhere with you.”

Zhuang’s face twisted, his pale complexion turning blotchy as beads of blood seeped through his skin. The sight made the manager hiding behind Shao Yizhou roll his eyes so hard he nearly fainted.

“Ha! Keep dreaming!” The short-haired woman, who had been kicked away earlier, suddenly reappeared, charging back into the fray. She aimed a fierce kick at Zhuang, who sidestepped her attack with a snarl. “You wretched woman! I’ll make sure you’re utterly destroyed today!”

With a flash, Zhuang lunged toward the short-haired woman’s direction.

Shao Yizhou let out a sigh of relief. Alright, at least these two were busy fighting each other. That gave him a moment to catch his breath.

The manager, however, was utterly shaken. Just moments ago, he had been confidently declaring that ghosts didn’t exist. Now, he felt like he’d been slapped in the face-hard. Trembling, he stammered, “Yi-Yizhou, what’s going on here? What are they even talking about? I don’t understand a word!”

Shao Yizhou grimaced. “Ugh, it’s all because of my damn good looks. They’ve brought me nothing but trouble and unwanted admirers.”

The manager: “…”

Because of the fierce battle between the two ghosts, the elevator began to sway violently, rocking like a cradle. The group inside screamed in terror, their cries rising and falling like a chorus of panic.

Just as Zhuang and the short-haired woman were locked in an intense clash, a whip suddenly lashed out, wrapping tightly around Zhuang. A woman in a red dress appeared out of thin air. She chuckled and said, “Well, well, looks like things are getting lively in here.”

Zhuang, now completely restrained, was kicked square in the face by the short-haired woman.

Shao Yizhou was utterly despondent. The manager was equally dumbfounded. Who would’ve thought Shao Yizhou was so irresistible that even ghosts were fighting over him?

“Thud, thud, thud, thud!”

Suddenly, there was a knock at the elevator door. A woman’s eerie voice drifted through. “Open the door… Open the door… Open it… Hurry…”

The manager: “…” Holy crap, there’s another one?!!

That’s it. Looks like today’s the day we all die here.

Footnote:

1. Naihe Bridge(奈何桥):In Chinese mythology, this is the bridge that souls must cross to enter the cycle of reincarnation. It is said that souls drink a concoction on this bridge to forget their past lives. The bridge represents the inevitability and helplessness of fate.