I Am Not a Master - Chapter 64

The young Taoist priests found themselves trapped in a stone chamber devoid of light, a place so cold and eerie that it seemed to swallow any sound. The room was filled with skeletal remains, casting an ominous and sinister atmosphere. At first, they contemplated ways to escape, but the iron door wouldn’t budge, and no ghostly figures came to check on them. With no food or water, they were hungry, tired, and thirsty, as if the entire world had forgotten them.

Was the Ghost Lady planning to imprison them until they perished? Or was she hoping they would turn on each other in desperation? With nothing to eat but their fellow captives, was that her intention? And how long had it been? Their Shifu¹ and Shishu hadn’t come to rescue them…

Such thoughts inevitably led to despair.

“Don’t panic. Hang in there. Shifu and the others are surely working on a way to save us.”

“But how long has it been? Why haven’t they come? We don’t even have our spiritual artifacts with us. If those ghosts decide to attack, I won’t be able to fight back!”

“The Ghost Lady is quite troublesome. Perhaps they’ve been delayed. Don’t worry, conserve your strength. Besides, we can use our own blood to draw talismans. Shifu once said that we ourselves are the best spiritual artifacts.”

“Right, we’re not at the end of our rope yet. Shifu and the others will definitely come.”

Unfortunately, they waited and waited, but instead of their Shifu, they were greeted by several ghostly maids with unsettling faces. Their pale faces bore stiff smiles, and their large eyes darted around unnervingly. Their malicious demeanor suggested they were here to escort them to their doom!

“What do you want?”

“As ghosts, you shouldn’t linger in the human world. I advise you to head to the Underworld sooner rather than later. Otherwise, your sins will be so great that you won’t be reborn as humans in your next life!”

“Forget the next life, not even the one after that!”

Xiao Xi stared at them with a sinister gaze, then chuckled, “Take them away.”

Several ghost maids immediately stepped forward and lifted the young Taoists, who were already dizzy from hunger. The young priests were filled with terror. Where were they being taken? They struggled with all their might, but no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t break free from the ghost maids’ grip. Instead, they were carried through a stone passage towards a pitch-black entrance.

This was it. It was truly over.

They were either being taken to be killed or used as bait to threaten their Shifu and Shishu. It was certainly not to be released. Either way, it was a fate they dreaded.

If it came to that, in the worst-case scenario, they would have to… at least they wouldn’t become a burden to their Shifu and Shishu.

As they pondered, the young Taoists were led through winding stone passages, unsure of where they were headed. Then, in the distance, they seemed to hear voices. Had these ghosts captured others as well? Were they really that formidable?

In their uncertainty and fear, the young Taoists suddenly saw a multitude of ghosts ahead! Some floated, some lay about, all in disarray, fierce and menacing, looking terrifying! The line stretched long, and upon closer inspection, there must have been at least a hundred of them!

The little Taoist priests were stunned. How did so many ghosts suddenly appear? When they first arrived, there were only a few dozen, mostly ghost maids. But now, not only were there maids, there were many male ghosts, and even foreign ghosts, all tall and imposing, exuding a chilling aura.

Do Shifu and Shishu know about this? Have they prepared any countermeasures? If they are unaware, they might fall into a trap. This is truly a dire situation!

The ghosts were quite lively, chattering incessantly.

“Hurry up, those in front! Why hasn’t it been my turn yet? I wonder where I’ll be placed?”

“The lady is so beautiful, I’ll stay next to the Ghost Lady. I want to be her protector!”

“You’re dreaming! If the lady favors you, she might as well favor me. Stop daydreaming!”

“Come on, hurry up! I can’t wait to rush out!”

“Hey, look, are those the little Taoist priests the lady captured?”

“Seems like it, huh?”

The little Taoist priests were bewildered, wondering what the ghosts meant by their words. Then, the ghosts floated over, showing their eerie white teeth, smiling at them with a chilling gaze that made their backs shiver and hearts race.

“These little Taoist priests are quite good-looking, fair and tender. I like them.”

“If we’re talking about fair and tender, where are you fair and tender? Stop lying. I prefer someone with a bit of color, looks more comfortable.”

“You may be fair and tender, but have you seen how stiff you are? Cold and hard all over, can you compare with the little Taoist priests?”

“Indeed, there’s no comparison with the little Taoist priests, hehe.”

“Don’t be afraid, we’re all very gentle.”

The Daoists: “…………??!!”

What does this mean? Are they planning to kill and eat them? Nervously swallowing, they felt a wave of despair, thinking of their parents back home. If their parents knew they died tragically without even leaving a complete body, how heartbroken would they be? Shifu and Shishu would blame themselves to death.

It’s their own fault for not mastering their skills, getting caught by these ghosts, and now lacking the ability to protect themselves.

Thinking about this, they felt a surge of sadness, tears welling up in their eyes.

Several ghost maids carried them forward, while they watched helplessly as the long line of ghosts wailed and laughed sinisterly, their despair growing deeper, fearing they might really die here.

After a few minutes, they finally reached a stone chamber, where even more ghosts were gathered, crowding the entrance and blocking the door completely, making it as noisy as a marketplace.

Xiao Xi, with her sinister eyes, tapped each ghost: “Move aside, move aside, the little Taoist priests are here, make way quickly.”

The ghosts in front immediately turned, their eyes glowing red as they looked at the little Taoist priests: “Hehe, the little Taoist priests are here, indeed fair and tender, very good-looking.”

The Daoists: “…”

They exchanged cautious glances, realizing the sheer number of ghosts they had seen along the way. With such diverse tactics, it would be difficult for Shifu and Shishu to subdue all these ghosts.

Even if their grandmaster intervened, it might not make a difference.

They had to find a way to escape, or at least get the word out about the situation here. Otherwise, if Shifu and Shishu came in recklessly, they might fall into a trap and be stuck here!

As they racked their brains for a solution, the ghosts parted to make a path, allowing the maids to carry them inside…

And then they were dumbfounded!

They thought this was their final resting place, but instead, they saw their own Shifu and Shishu?

Shifu and Shishu were sitting at a stone table, with a line of ghosts in front of them, who were introducing themselves, behaving in a surprisingly obedient manner.

…Wait, obedient? That doesn’t seem right for ghosts!

“I have a wife and kids, and the kids are grown now, so it’s not suitable for us to squeeze into one room. Can I get a two-bedroom apartment?”

“Ghosts can’t have children?”

“Oh, of course we can’t. I’m remarried, and the kids are from my wife’s side.”

“…Oh, okay.”

…

“Daoist, I have a wife, kids, and parents at home. Can I get a three-bedroom apartment? By the way, when I married my wife, we had a traditional ceremony. Could you arrange a red wedding dress for her? She’d look great in it! I have money, can I buy it?”

“Daoist, I just got a new girlfriend, and we’re living together now. We’re planning to adopt a child in the future, so how about a two-bedroom apartment?”

“Daoist, I’m just a single ghost, unlike the others. I’m fine with any arrangement, but could I have a bite of pig head meat? It’s been years since I’ve had meat. When I was a homeless person, I could rummage through trash cans, but as a ghost, I can’t even do that.”

“Just a bite of pig head meat? You should at least get a candle too, then you’ll really be living the good life!”

“Daoist, could I get a bicycle? Then I could ride around and enjoy the breeze.”

“I want to watch TV, Daoist. If we sneak off to watch TV, you won’t catch us, right? Back when I snuck down the mountain to watch TV, I was chased by a stinky Taoist for miles, nearly scared out of my wits. Luckily, I escaped quickly, or you wouldn’t see me now.”

“Daoist uncle, I want an Ultraman toy. Ultraman is really powerful and can protect me and my mom!”

“Master, do you offer job placements? Does this luxury riverside villa community need security? I’m tall and strong, definitely the best choice to protect our neighborhood! Most importantly, I’m not expensive, just two candles a month will do. What do you think?”

Well, they sure had a lot of requests, even looking for jobs.

To be fair, there were plenty of ghosts in the Ghost realm, but none had proper jobs. It’s no wonder the Underworld was overcrowded with nowhere to place them. With the birth rate declining in recent years, more ghosts were waiting in line for reincarnation, and there were plenty of wandering spirits.

“Alright, when the community is built, we’ll need ghosts to maintain order and safety. I’ll make a special note for you, and when the houses are distributed, come find me.”

“Thank you, Daoist!”

The little Taoist priests who had just been carried over: …???!!!

They thought they were being carried to the guillotine, only to find themselves watching a surreal movie? This illusion was way too realistic! The tricks of these ghosts were truly impressive!

“What is going on?”

“Don’t believe it, once we do, we’ll fall into the ghosts’ trap!”

“Right, this must be an illusion.”

How could Shifu and Shishu be sitting here calmly, registering ghosts? This was impossible! Yes, they must have been mistaken.

Just then, Shifu and Shishu, who were busy registering, spoke up: “You’re here, come on, we brought some food and drinks for you when we came in, help yourselves.”

The little Taoist priests: …No, they wouldn’t fall for it, not even if it killed them!

Seeing their dumbfounded expressions, Shifu and Shishu felt a bit sorry for them. Were they so moved that they couldn’t believe they had come to rescue them?

Poor kids, they must have suffered a lot.

“Come on, come on, have something to eat!”

“…”

What are you waiting for? Run! The little Taoist priests scrambled to run outside, leaving Shifu and Shishu looking at each other in confusion.

…

It wasn’t until over ten minutes later that the little Taoist priests finally realized what was happening. It turned out they weren’t seeing things; Shifu and Shishu were real, and the ghosts lining up were real too. It was just that the situation was so bizarre, they thought they must have been hallucinating from hunger.

And what was with these ghosts, talking about how inconvenient it was living in the mountains and wanting to move to the big city to see the world? Weren’t they supposed to be fighting?!

…

When Xiao Wang was heading home that evening, he noticed a fire near the overpass. The flames were quite large, and he was startled, thinking something might be on fire. He hurried over to take a look, only to find that it wasn’t a fire, but several Taoists setting something ablaze!

As for what they were burning, he recognized it immediately-a Ghost House-since he had accompanied his old man to burn one before. Why were Taoists burning houses again? And this was a big one, a large villa, plus three six-story residential buildings. The houses were burning well, with four units per floor, enough to house quite a few… ghosts.

Xiao Wang suddenly felt a chill down his spine and couldn’t help but say, “This is too superstitious, burning houses by the river? There’s no such thing as ghosts, and burning so much is polluting the environment.”

Zhang Daoist turned to look at Xiao Wang and smiled, “We understand, it’s just to give the deceased’s family peace of mind. We’re just doing our job, you know. Don’t worry, once we’re done, we’ll clean up the trash and won’t dump it in the river.”

Xiao Wang thought about his old man, who had also been forced to burn a few mansions. He shook his head helplessly; there really were quite a few people still clinging to these old superstitions, all victims of feudal remnants.

Especially his old man, whose previous hobby was fishing, but now he liked to burn Paper Money and offer pig head meat by the river. And his son kept going on about “sister, sister” all the time… His recent hair loss was definitely caused by these two.

When he got home, he found that his old man wasn’t there. Puzzled, he asked, “Mom, where did Dad go?”

His mother rolled her eyes and said, “Where else? He went to buy a welcome gift!”

Xiao Wang was even more puzzled. “A welcome gift? For whom? Is there someone new?”

His wife, with her pregnant belly, said, “What new person? It’s just that a Taoist came to the overpass this afternoon and burned some paper houses. Dad saw it and said there must be new ghosts moving in, so he wanted to send a welcome gift! He hopes they get along well and don’t bully the old ghosts, and definitely don’t start any fights!”

Xiao Wang: “…???”

The next morning, the Ghost Lady not only had a luxurious villa on the mountain but also enjoyed pig head meat, with a house full of clothes and jewelry to change into. She looked stunning! Wearing her beautiful clothes to play mahjong, she truly lived a life of leisure.

Besides the Ghost Lady, Zhuang’s ex-wives also arrived. Although they didn’t have a big villa like the Ghost Lady, they were assigned a two-bedroom apartment in the neighboring residential area, which was quite nice. It would be convenient to meet up in the future. They also enjoyed pig head meat and new clothes, giving them a fresh new look. The saying “New Year, new atmosphere” was indeed true.

The little ghosts from Mount Dahua in City E also moved in one by one. Although only a batch came, some couldn’t bear to leave their hometown and stayed behind, planning to visit in the future.

Seeing the new ghosts with houses, clothes, jewelry, red envelopes, and pig head meat to eat, the resident ghosts were quite envious. Many more came to snatch the pig head meat. Not only that, but they also got houses without having to pay rent. How could there be such a good deal? They had all rented with their own skills! Why should the newcomers be treated better?

“Xiao Zhang, say something. What do you mean by this? Do you look down on us?”

“Exactly, Xiao Li, you too. We behave ourselves and don’t dare do anything bad, yet we don’t see you assigning us houses. But they come and get houses right away!”

“Hmph, I heard they imprisoned several archaeologists in that tomb. You didn’t even beat them up, and now you’re giving them houses. What’s the deal?”

Xiao Zhang wiped his sweat and said, “Please don’t misunderstand. The villa the Ghost Lady lives in was indeed allocated by the authorities because we occupied her tomb for research, leaving her without a place to go. We had to provide her with something, right?”

“As for the houses assigned to those hundred or so little ghosts, those aren’t ours either. They’re Master Gu’s. We’re just helping Master Gu. It’s Master Gu who promised to rent to them. They’re quite poor, so the first three months of rent are waived to help them get settled and adapt. Besides, you guys are Master Gu’s first tenants; you’re the veterans. They can’t compare to you.”

“How about this, I’ll pay out of my own pocket to give you a pig and a sheep, guaranteed to be deliciously cooked. Then we’ll have a case of Erguotou and a box of candles, and we’ll all have a lively gathering. How about that?”

This sounded pretty good. With food and drinks, what was there to complain about? Most importantly, the house belonged to Master Gu, so there was no need to worry about favoritism from the higher-ups, and they didn’t have to start a rebellion to fight for their rights.

Minister Li, upon hearing this, added some chickens, ducks, and geese to the mix. That night, under the overpass, it was truly a lively scene. If anyone happened to pass by, they might have even heard some ghostly wailing.

The Ghost Lady invited two of her sisters and the Middle-aged Female Ghost over for a game of mahjong. As they played, they nibbled on candles, truly living the life of leisure. And now that everyone lived nearby, it was especially convenient to get together.

In high spirits, the Ghost Lady had her maids deliver small red envelopes to the neighbors. Of course, she didn’t forget the Wang Family, who had brought the welcoming gifts. She knew that in the human world, paper money wasn’t used, and since she had plenty of burial items left unused, she carefully selected two large Gold Ingots to give to the child.

As an old ghost, could she really be stingy with a little New Year’s money?

Oh, she also didn’t forget to have the maids wash them in the river, as they had been buried for a while and were quite muddy.

Early the next morning, Xiao Wang saw his son running out, bleary-eyed, clutching Gold Ingots in his hands-so big that he could barely hold them. The boy happily waved his little hands and said, “Grandpa, Grandpa, look! I got New Year’s money!”

Old Man Wang was startled at the sight of the Gold Ingots. “Why so much?”

The little grandson shook his head, saying he didn’t know. He just found two Gold Ingots by his pillow when he woke up and figured some uncle or aunt must have given them to him, though he wasn’t sure who.

Old Man Wang examined the Gold Ingots and said, “These must be gifts from the new ghosts that arrived recently. It’s quite a generous gift, and it feels a bit awkward to accept it.”

The grandson replied, “Don’t worry, Grandpa. We can give them gifts in return later.”

That made sense, after all, their pig head meat seemed quite popular. Every time they sent it over, it came back with no trace of flavor, clearly devoured.

“Alright, go wash up and eat. We’ll head out to buy meat and candles later.”

“Okay! Wait for me, Grandpa!”

Xiao Wang, standing nearby: “…???”

Granny Wang and Xiao Wang’s wife, holding bowls: “…???”

They were dumbfounded. Gold Ingots? And from new neighbors? This old man was really putting on quite the show!

Granny Wang was furious, tempted to drag the grandfather and grandson out for a good scolding.

Then, one day, the Ghost Lady, having played a bit too much mahjong, decided to take a stroll outside. She called for her maids to lift her grand sedan chair and set out. By then, it was already dark, and in the distance, she heard a loud singing voice. Following the sound, she floated over and saw many elderly ladies dancing in the square, waving their hands, shaking their hips, and spinning around, with quite a few old men watching. How embarrassing!

Such undignified behavior was out of the question for her…

But as she watched, she found it quite amusing, so she pulled back the curtain of her sedan chair and couldn’t help but take a few more glances.

Xiao Xi said, “Madam, this looks fun. Life is really good now. Those men don’t demand that we stay out of sight anymore. Look at them, they can laugh when they want and play however they like.”

“Madam, why don’t we join them? Dancing is actually quite fun.”

The Ghost Lady, maintaining her composure, said, “You go ahead, I won’t join.”

The maids exchanged glances, and in the end, couldn’t resist the novelty. They waved their handkerchiefs and joined in, dancing with enthusiasm.

Granny Wang felt particularly cold today, as if an eerie wind was blowing around her. She looked around but didn’t see anything unusual. Perhaps it was just bad weather?

She blamed the grandfather and grandson for making her so paranoid.

Of course, she had no idea that several little ghosts were dancing around her, getting more and more excited, deciding to come back every day to dance.

With the Ghost Lady leading the charge, how could the other members of the ex-wives’ sisterhood not join in?

…

Gu Feiyin had successfully negotiated a deal with the Ghost Lady to market the Black Blob. The Ghost Lady finally agreed to turn the Black Blob into a commodity, considering the Ghost realm was in dire need of supplies. If this product took off, it would surely cause a sensation among the ghosts, and there would be no shortage of customers.

The Ghost Lady had a large family of ghosts to support, and now that they had descended from the mountain, everything required money. Keeping some for themselves and selling the rest was quite a profitable venture.

Moreover, the Long Black Straight Hair was formidable; even if a Malevolent Ghost attempted to snatch it, they would likely fail. Who would dare to snatch food from a tiger’s mouth? There was no fear of losing the treasure. After weighing the pros and cons, it was clear this was not a losing business. Yingying and the others had also invested, willing to help, and being familiar with each other made cooperation easier.

Thus, the Black Blob was packaged and ready for sale, initially targeting the surrounding ghosts. Business had to start locally.

Soon enough, an overpass was transformed into a ghostly stall. A bucket was placed on the stall, labeled “Black Blob Specialty Shop,” marking its official opening.

The Middle-aged Female Ghost and the Armless Ghost had tried the Black Blob before and found themselves craving it. Seeing it now available for sale, they immediately reached for their wallets to buy a bowl. With ghosts leading the way, others, curious and reassured of its harmlessness, decided to try it.

“This thing is so strange, it can actually be eaten?”

“How did it grow? Is it something bad? Will it backfire if eaten?”

“No, no, rest assured, this thing is guaranteed to be safe and won’t backfire. The landlord ate several plates of the Black Blob when she first saw it, almost exhausting our lady’s supply. It’s being sold now because she pushed for it, wanting everyone to have a taste.”

“Really? The landlord ate it too?”

“Of course, many ghosts from the tomb ate it back then. If you don’t believe it, ask them.”

“Really, really, it’s delicious. Try a bite if you don’t believe me.”

With such promotion, the Black Blob sold remarkably well, and it wasn’t long before it was completely sold out.

The Water Ghost had never seen such a Black Blob before, but it smelled so enticing that even ghosts couldn’t resist. Unable to hold back, he dug into his hair and pulled out his savings of several years, spending fifty thousand to buy a bowl. After a couple of sips, he was amazed. It was cool and slightly sweet, much like ice cream. Despite its unappealing black appearance, it tasted surprisingly good.

He wanted another bowl but, looking at his dwindling savings, he decided against it. The taste could linger in his memory, and he could indulge again in a few days. Of course, he didn’t forget to brag to his Water Ghost buddies, telling them that the Ghost Lady under the overpass was selling black ice cream, and it was delicious!

“Ghost Lady? Who’s that?”

“Black ice cream? What’s that? We ghosts can’t eat ice cream.”

These two country bumpkins, don’t they ever keep up with Long Black Straight Hair? Aren’t they afraid she’ll come and devour them all? He patiently explained that the Ghost Lady was a new resident and what black ice cream was. By the end, he was almost drooling because it was just that good!

His Water Ghost friends were stunned, asking if it was true. They wanted to buy some too, even to bring home for their wives.

The Water Ghost said, “Give me the money, and I’ll buy it for you. After all, Long Black Straight Hair is unpredictable. I’m afraid if you go, she might catch you!”

Well… that works.

The Water Ghost chuckled to himself, thinking he could get a bite out of it too. But to his surprise, the next day he couldn’t buy any. The black ice cream was too popular, and with his guilty status, he wasn’t worthy of buying it!

Water Ghost: …QAQ

The fame of the Black Blob spread gradually, but unfortunately, only one tub was sold each day. Getting a taste was as hard as reaching the heavens, and it became a rare delicacy in the Ghost realm.

…

Gu Feiyin and Zhuang set off on a journey to find the mountain, heading to City F together.

According to Zhuang, he had escaped from Mu Mountain, traveling south and visiting many places. If they retraced his steps, they would end up in City F.

However, the city had changed drastically, looking different every day. But the mountains wouldn’t change much unless there was a major disaster or human destruction. No matter what, traces of the original landscape could still be found in the mountains.

Unfortunately, Gu Feiyin was still quite blind at the moment. Seeing the full picture was a bit challenging, but she wasn’t worried. Once they arrived, she could take a photo with her phone and see through it. Her quick mind would surely come up with countless solutions.

Zhuang: …

They traveled tirelessly and finally reached City F, then continued northward.

They covered a long distance, leaving the city and entering a town, but Zhuang still hadn’t found the Mu Mountain he remembered. After traveling for a day and a night, Gu Feiyin was hungry when they reached the town. She found a noodle shop and had a bowl of rib noodles. The ribs were stewed with potatoes until they were tender and flavorful, particularly delicious. The noodles were topped with pea shoots, which cooked instantly in the hot broth. With a bit of sauce, eating the noodles with the pea shoots was so delicious it could make her cry. Thinking she was a small business owner now, she even ordered a poached egg, fried to a golden brown on both sides, tasting both fragrant and tender.

After a bowl of noodles, I felt completely rejuvenated. Smacking my lips, I could definitely eat another bowl.

While I was eating, many others came in to eat as well, discussing the temple fair. They talked about offering prayers at the temple while people danced on the crowded streets, bustling due to the New Year celebrations.

I heard that Baiyu Temple is particularly miraculous. As long as the prayers are sincere, the wishes will be granted.

“My daughter-in-law had been trying to conceive for years, but after praying at Baiyu Temple, she gave birth to a healthy grandson the following year. How miraculous is that?”

“That’s nothing, I heard from our village that someone’s grandson encountered a ghost one night. He would wake up crying every night. When asked if he was hungry or needed the bathroom, he said no. Even the doctors were helpless, but everything resolved after they prayed at Baiyu Temple.”

“And there’s that guy who goes to Baiyu Temple every year at midnight to pray, and he’s been making a fortune ever since!”

“Speaking of which, I visit Baiyu Temple every year, but I’ve never seen the Abbot there.”

“I hear the Abbot is highly enlightened, and it’s difficult to get an audience with him. But he chooses one fortunate person each year to receive his blessings, based on destiny and opportunity. I wonder who will be so lucky this year?”

“Last year, it was a child, but who knows about this year.”

“…”

Such discussions were not uncommon, a testament to the many faithful followers of Baiyu Temple.

Zhuang was fearful of temples, Bodhisattvas, monks, and Taoists; they were all his nemeses! Just dealing with someone with Long Black Straight Hair was enough, let alone several monks.

“Master Gu, I think we should skip the temple fair. It’s too crowded, and besides, this isn’t Mu Mountain, the place we’re looking for. Let’s look somewhere else.”

Gu Feiyin was thinking the same. She also dreaded temples, Bodhisattvas, monks, and Taoists, especially young monks, her nemeses as well. Since this wasn’t the place, they decided to take a detour.

…

Zhuang, accompanied by Long Black Straight Hair, chose a different path to avoid any temples.

They were supposed to be moving away, but as they walked, Zhuang suddenly saw an old monk approaching. The old monk was draped in a robe, holding a staff, with a face marked by deep wrinkles but eyes that radiated profound wisdom.

Zhuang turned to run. He knew at a glance that the old monk was formidable. No way could he confront him directly. Unfortunately, he had barely taken a few steps when Master Gu pulled him back, her eyes glaring ominously: “Thinking of running?”

Zhuang’s face turned sour, “No, big sister, there’s a monk ahead, and as a ghost, isn’t that just a reflex?”

Gu Feiyin also felt a moment of fear, squinting into the fog ahead, but could see nothing clear: “…Oh, just take me with you.”

Zhuang: “…???”

Regardless, as long as they could escape.

Zhuang, holding Long Black Straight Hair, started to run. The old monk, however, called out, “Shizhu², please wait, Shizhu!”

Refusing to stop, Zhuang floated away even faster, but the old monk tapped his staff heavily on the ground! Zhuang fell with a thud, and Gu Feiyin stepped right on him, leaping over.

Zhuang: …

The old monk approached with a warm smile, clasping his hands together and saying, “Amitabha. Shizhu, I perceive you have a kind and gentle face. Your destiny should be one of great wealth and high status, yet your path is fraught with challenges. If this calamity is not resolved, you may endure a lifetime of hardship. If you trust me, I can offer you a reading to help overcome this obstacle. Would that be agreeable?”

Zhuang was skeptical, thinking the monk sounded like a con artist trying to swindle money. He had initially thought the old monk was highly skilled, but now he wondered if he had been mistaken.

Gu Feiyin also looked at him with curiosity, realizing the old monk hadn’t noticed she was possessed by a ghost. Feeling emboldened, she asked with interest, “Are you saying I was destined for wealth? Does that mean I should be rich?”

The old monk replied, “Indeed, Shizhu, your fate is one of great wealth and prosperity.”

Gu Feiyin was doubtful, “Then why am I broke? Are you sure you got it right?”

The old monk shook his head with a knowing air, “That’s precisely why I need to give you a reading, to resolve your confusion. I ask for little in return, just a token of goodwill. Amitabha.”

Gu Feiyin craned her neck to scrutinize the old monk. He did seem to have some skills, not as powerful as the Handsome Monk, perhaps only a fraction, but certainly more capable than Xiao Zhang. Being an old monk, maybe he could indeed restore her wealthy fate.

She was genuinely tired of being poor. If she could reclaim her fortune, that would be wonderful-who wouldn’t want to be wealthy?

She rummaged through her pockets for a long time before finally pulling out a yuan bill. “Here, take this. Please help me find my wealthy fate.”

The old monk hesitated, looking at the single yuan. Such generosity.

Zhuang couldn’t help but chuckle, typical of the stingy Long Black Straight Hair.

Seeing the old monk’s lack of reaction, Gu Feiyin thought for a moment and pulled out another yuan. “You must have noticed how poor I am. Once you restore my wealthy fate and I have money, I’ll come back to thank you properly.”

As she spoke, she took the two yuan back, “You’re not trying to trick me, are you?”

The old monk cleared his throat and accepted the two yuan, “A monk does not speak falsehoods. How could I deceive you? Besides, money is merely an external possession; the amount given is a reflection of Shizhu’s sincerity. Buddha is merciful.”

Gu Feiyin nodded in agreement. The Handsome Monk she had encountered before also didn’t charge much for his teachings, accepting whatever the villagers offered. He lived in a small temple at the edge of the village, preaching in front of the altar, in conditions more chaotic than her pit. Yet he seemed content, unbothered by the lack of comfort.

“When will you resolve my calamity? When will I become wealthy?”

“This requires careful consideration.”

Alright, monks do love their cryptic ways. Since she had paid, she would patiently wait to become rich!

Footnote:

1. Shifu(师父):A respectful term for a master or teacher, particularly in martial arts or traditional crafts, indicating a mentor-student relationship that often goes beyond instruction, involving personal guidance and moral support.
2. Shizhu(施主):“Shizhu” is a common respectful term of address used by monks for ordinary people, expressing respect and friendliness.