I Am Not a Master - Chapter 65

Gu Feiyin followed the old monk to a small farmhouse. It was two stories high, with a vegetable garden in the backyard and a peach tree that looked like it had been gnawed by dogs. Beneath the tree was a stone table and two stone stools, and a washing machine was tucked away in the corner.

The old monk opened the door and waved her in, saying, “Come, come, come inside.”

Gu Feiyin asked curiously, “Aren’t you supposed to live in a temple?”

The old monk replied with a profound air, “A monk is not bound by conventions; the world is his home. Anywhere can be home. Don’t be constrained by formality; it’s not good.”

That made sense, she thought, and her doubts vanished. She felt the old monk had quite a high level of understanding.

Zhuang: …

This old fraud has quite the silver tongue, he thought, amused by the monk’s ability to spin tales.

He certainly wasn’t going to warn Long Black Straight Hair; he was waiting for her to be deceived so thoroughly that she’d be left crying without even her pants. She had it coming.

Inside, the house was simple, with a square table and a few long benches. The old monk invited them to sit and boiled some water, pouring it into two ceramic cups, one for each of them.

Gu Feiyin took a sip and felt warmth spread through her body. She asked, “When will you perform the ritual to help me regain my fortune? I can’t wait any longer.”

The old monk leisurely took a sip of his water and said, “This matter cannot be rushed; we need to plan carefully.”

“Plan? How long will that take?”

“Well, that depends on how sincere you are, Shizhu.”

Sincerity? Gu Feiyin furrowed her brow, her serious face looking almost comically stern. “There’s no one more sincere than me in this world. I dream of striking it rich; how could I not be sincere?”

The old monk: …

The old monk almost spat out his water in surprise, his wrinkled face looking momentarily dazed.

When the old monk remained silent, Gu Feiyin craned her neck and squinted at him, asking, “Little monk, why aren’t you speaking? Are you sensing my sincerity? Can you feel it?”

Of course not! What could he possibly sense?

“For the ritual, the timing, location, and harmony must all be perfect. When the time is right, I will perform the ritual to help you regain your fortune, female Shizhu. Do not worry.”

“But I am a bit worried.”

“Do not worry.”

“But what if I am really worried?”

“The secrets of heaven cannot be revealed.”

“…???”

Gu Feiyin scratched her head, her stern face showing a hint of confusion. She suddenly realized that the old monk might be a swindler. It wasn’t impossible, after all. There were many frauds in the world, and they were more dangerous than thieves or robbers. Thieves and robbers take your money, and you can resist and send them to the police station. But a swindler? They make you willingly hand over your money. Hadn’t she just willingly given him money? And now he was stalling on the ritual-what was that about?

She narrowed her eyes and reached out, saying, “Give me back my money; I don’t want the ritual anymore.”

The old monk: …?

Zhuang: …

It’s just two yuan, yet she looks like he swindled her out of thousands!

The Long-haired Shizhu pulled out her phone from inside her coat, her expression righteous and firm. “If you don’t return my money, I’ll call the police and have you arrested.”

Call the police? Did she really think he was a scammer? The old monk’s eyes widened. “Shizhu, you’re being a bit too hasty. Do you think a fortune is that easy to come by? Do you think performing a ritual is that simple? If it were that easy, wouldn’t everyone in the world be living in wealth and luxury? Would there still be poor people?”

“Besides, performing a ritual requires materials like cinnabar and ink, which cost more than two yuan. Why would I bother scamming you for two yuan?”

“What do you mean by that? Are you looking down on my two yuan?”

“Not at all. I’m a monk; money is a worldly possession that I don’t care about. I just mean that two yuan really isn’t necessary.”

In the end, it seemed he thought it was too little. The old monk had quite a big heart; two yuan could buy a Tea Egg and still have some change left over. How was it too little? Anyway, until her fortune returned, she wasn’t going to add any more money.

“Fine, I won’t call the police for now, but you need to hurry up. If you take too long, I’ll start doubting whether what you said is true or not.”

“Alright.”

With the threat of jail time lifted, the old monk took a sip of water to calm his nerves. “Shizhu, first tell me your name, address, and birth date.”

Gu Feiyin hesitated for a moment. She didn’t remember the exact date from when she was a ghost, but she knew some details about her current body. After all, the old monk was looking at the face of this body’s owner, not hers. She pulled out her ID card and reported her birth date. As for the exact time, she didn’t know. Hopefully, it wouldn’t matter much?

The old monk noted it down, saying with some difficulty, “It does have a small impact. Without the complete birth date and time, it can’t be considered a full set of birth details. There are countless people born on the same day with the same name. If the ritual ends up affecting someone else, that wouldn’t be good.”

That did make some sense. Gu Feiyin asked, “Is there a way to solve this?”

The old monk looked at the Long-haired Shizhu, hinting, “There is a way, but it requires a bit more effort.”

Gu Feiyin breathed a sigh of relief. “As long as there’s a way, that’s fine. Just put in the extra effort.”

Pfft!

The old monk was speechless. He almost blew his beard and glared, saying directly, “Shizhu, you’ll need to sow some good deeds.”

Gu Feiyin blinked her dark eyes, considering the difference between a fortune and poverty, and then reluctantly pulled out another yuan. Once she was wealthy, a yuan wouldn’t be a big deal.

The old monk, with a complex expression, tucked the yuan into his bag. “Rest assured, Shizhu, when the time is right, I will perform the ritual for you.”

Gu Feiyin nodded in satisfaction, reminding him to be quick. The old monk, calm and composed, replied, “Shizhu, I see you don’t seem like a local. Are you here for a visit?”

Gu Feiyin shook her head. “No, I’m here looking for Mu Mountain. By the way, little monk, have you been a monk here for a long time? You seem quite old, so you must know a lot. Have you heard of Mu Mountain?”

The old monk looked up, fixing his gaze on her with a shrewd and wise smile that made his face resemble the laughing Buddha. “I don’t know, never heard of it. And I’m not old; I’m only eighty-nine.”

Eighty-nine? That’s practically youthful, considering she’s over a hundred herself.

It’s a pity the old monk hadn’t heard of Mu Mountain either. Could she be heading in the wrong direction?

The old monk chuckled, “Shizhu, why are you looking for Mu Mountain? Is your home there?”

Gu Feiyin nodded, “Once I find Mu Mountain, I can return home.”

The old monk paused, then said with a shake of his head, “Fate works in mysterious ways. If you haven’t found it yet, don’t force it. When the time is right, you’ll find it naturally.”

Gu Feiyin hadn’t been in such a hurry before, but ever since she learned that the treasures in the pit belonged to the state, she had to hurry. She feared that some grave robber might dig up her pit and attract a swarm of archaeologists, and then her pit full of gold and jewels would be renamed and claimed! Just thinking about it made her anxious and distressed; how could she not be in a rush?

“By the way, if you haven’t heard of Mu Mountain, have you heard of Mu Village? There’s a Mu Village at the foot of Mu Mountain. Do you know it?”

The old monk paused again, then slowly said, “Mu Village?”

“Yes, Mu Village, just a small village with quite a few people living at both ends. Oh, and there’s a temple at the village entrance where villagers often hold temple fairs. It’s quite lively.”

“I seem to recall something,” the old monk smiled slightly, “but it’s been so long, I can’t remember clearly.”

Gu Feiyin exclaimed in surprise, almost jumping up, “You’ve heard of Mu Village? Really? Where is it?”

The old monk said regretfully, “I’m sorry, Shizhu, I can’t remember. I don’t know where Mu Mountain is either.”

Gu Feiyin frowned, “… How can you not remember? Can you try to recall? I can offer you a reward.”

“Shizhu, you’re really putting me on the spot. Look, I’m eighty-nine this year, I’m getting senile. I only remember recent things; it’s natural that I can’t recall the past.”

Gu Feiyin: “…”

Gu Feiyin: “Oh, you just said you’re not old, and now you’re claiming to be old. Do you still remember how to help me regain my fortune? Should we write a contract first? What if you forget?”

As the Long-haired Shizhu spoke, her tone was chilling, and her expression was even more terrifying, especially with her gap-toothed mouth opening and closing, making her look even scarier. If the old monk dared to say he forgot, she might just leap up and swallow him whole.

The old monk: “… No, I haven’t forgotten. How could I dare forget something so important?”

Alright, as long as he hasn’t forgotten. Gu Feiyin breathed a sigh of relief, but still felt uneasy. She took advantage of the old monk’s memory and drafted a contract, ensuring it was signed and sealed. If the old monk forgot, she’d have evidence to reclaim her money.

The old monk’s hand trembled as he signed, glaring at the Long-haired Shizhu several times, but unfortunately, the Long-haired Shizhu was quite nearsighted at the moment and couldn’t perceive his true feelings.

Zhuang once again witnessed the prowess of the Long Black Straight Hair. With such shrewdness, it’s hard not to save up to become a millionaire.

He couldn’t help but scoff at the Long Black Straight Hair’s stinginess, viciousness, and cruelty. He vowed that when the opportunity arose, he would trample her underfoot to vent his frustration. As he was lost in thought, a sudden chill ran down his spine. Looking up, he found the old monk with his wrinkled face staring at him?!

Wait, could the monk see him? He was taken aback, but before he could confirm, the old monk had already shifted his gaze naturally, as if nothing had happened.

Zhuang was puzzled. The old monk had shown no sign of seeing him from the start, acting as if he didn’t exist. So he assumed the monk couldn’t see him. But what was that just now? Was it just his imagination?

The contract was made in duplicate, one for the old monk and one for Gu Feiyin, who carefully folded her copy and tucked it into her bag. “Is Mu Village nearby?” she asked.

The old monk cleared his throat and said, “I don’t know, I’ve just forgotten.”

“Hmm? Forgotten? Is it not nearby?”

“…It should be?”

“Is it?”

“…It is?”

Good enough.

Gu Feiyin nodded with satisfaction. Although the old monk was unreliable, she was excited because at least it meant she wasn’t looking in the wrong place. Mu Mountain should be nearby. She planned to ask around later. She couldn’t stay with the monk forever; her vacation was almost over, and the haunted house was waiting for her to return to work.

To stay in contact, Gu Feiyin and the old monk exchanged phone numbers and added each other on WeChat. After reminding him several times to handle the matter promptly, she took Zhuang with her and left.

The old monk stood under the peach tree, watching her walk away. He hunched his back, touched the tree, and mumbled something. His voice was so old and frail that the wind quickly scattered it.

He seemed to smile, his face beaming with joy.

…

Gu Feiyin was currently in a small town called Baiyu Town, named after Baiyu Temple. The town was bustling with people coming to worship, adorned with lanterns and decorations, filled with joy and the sound of firecrackers, creating a lively atmosphere.

As she walked down the street, she casually asked a few people if they knew about Mu Mountain or Mu Village. The answers were all negative. She figured these people might be outsiders like her, so it was understandable. She then went into a few shops to ask for directions, but the results were the same-no one knew.

Even though the old monk said he had some memory of it, how come no one knew?

Disappointed, she sighed and sat on a flowerbed by the road to rest her legs. She had been walking for ages, and her feet were sore. Luckily, by evening, she could ride on Zhuang’s back, sparing her the exhaustion.

Zhuang: …

After resting, Gu Feiyin walked around the town a couple more times, asking everyone she could. She even ventured to the foot of Baiyu Temple but dared not go up, fearing the radiant Buddha light might obliterate her soul, which would be too great a loss.

Sigh, where on earth is Mu Mountain?

This Goddamn Heaven loves to mess with people. If she could, she’d give it a few kicks to vent her anger.

Boom-

Under the clear blue sky, a clap of thunder rumbled from above.

Zhuang hid under the flowerbed, warily watching the sky. What was with the thunder on such a sunny day? Was it also displeased with the Long Black Straight Hair’s oppression of him?

…

“Shifu, Shifu? Shishu sent me to bring you back.”

“Shifu, are you home?”

“Shifu, Shishu has been waiting for you for a long time. He asks you to return quickly.”

“Shifu, if you don’t respond, I’ll have to call Shixiong¹ to come and get you.”

In a small rural courtyard, a novice monk stood under a bare peach tree, looking up at the second-floor window, chattering incessantly. It was only after a while that the window was finally opened. The old monk, his face lined with wrinkles, appeared at the window and said, “My dear disciple, go back and tell them that I’ve already found this year’s destined person. Let Shishu handle everything else. Don’t disturb me anymore. I’m eighty-nine years old. Do you really have the heart to make an old man work so hard?”

The novice monk hesitated, “Shifu…” You may look eighty-nine, but your energy rivals that of an eighteen-year-old!

“Alright, alright, you hurry back. I have important matters to attend to and must not be disturbed.”

“…Then what should I say if Shixiong asks? Should I just say Shifu has important matters and must not be disturbed?”

“If Shixiong asks, simply say that Shifu is unwell and resting at home. Life and death are fated. At eighty-nine, I’ve already attained enlightenment about the ways of the world. Tell them not to worry excessively about me and let me rest in peace.”

“Shifu…”

The novice monk was silent for a long time, his round head and wide eyes gazing up at the old monk. The old monk waved his hand dismissively and said with gravity, “I’ve said all I need to. You may go.”

With a click, the window was shut, and no matter how much the novice monk called, the old monk ignored him.

The novice monk stomped his feet in frustration, scratching his head in anxiety. What should he do now? Shifu wouldn’t return, and Shishu would be furious. Shixiong was even scarier than Shishu; just a frown from him would render the novice speechless. Shifu, fearing Shixiong, wouldn’t confront him directly and instead sent the novice to face the music. But he was afraid of Shixiong’s anger too. Could he refuse to go?

The novice monk walked dejectedly down the street. As he walked, he felt something tugging at him. Turning around, he saw a long-haired woman with a pale, ghostly face, looking extremely cold. Startled, he clasped his hands together and said, “Shizhu, do you need something from me?”

Gu Feiyin realized she had grabbed a monk. Squinting, she leaned in for a closer look and saw he was just an ordinary novice monk, perfectly harmless. She relaxed and smiled broadly, trying to appear friendly and approachable. “Little monk, do you know where Mu Mountain and Mu Village are?”

The novice monk, chilled by her smile, shrank back and said, “N-no, I don’t know. I’ve never heard of that place.”

Another dead end. Gu Feiyin released her hold with a sigh of regret and said, “Thank you anyway.”

The novice monk shook his head frantically and hurried away. Once he was a good distance away, he noticed the Long-haired Woman leaning on a cane, holding a piece of yarn, and swaying as she walked down the street. He didn’t linger to watch and quickly ran back to Baiyu Temple. First, he sought out his Shishu and relayed Shifu’s message. As expected, Shishu was fuming, his beard bristling with anger, and it took him quite a while of tapping on the wooden fish to calm down.

The novice monk imagined Shishu was picturing the wooden fish as Shifu’s head while he knocked on it, and he couldn’t help but chuckle quietly. However, a stern glare from Shishu quickly silenced him. He straightened up, bowed respectfully, and then dashed off to find his senior brother. His senior brother was sweeping the courtyard in front of the hall, dressed in a worn monk’s robe, holding a broom, his eyes downcast, serene and composed.

In the bleakness of winter, the dead leaves fell incessantly. As soon as he swept them away, more would follow. In the past, when faced with such a situation, he would become restless, thinking it was more trouble than it was worth. But not his senior brother; no matter how many times he swept, his expression remained unchanged. Shifu had said that his senior brother had a gentle nature, born for the Dharma, unlike him, who was born for himself.

“Senior brother, I’m back.”

“Jingkong.”

The novice monk Jingkong repeated what he had told Shishu to his senior brother, who, as expected, remained calm and unapproachable. “Senior brother, maybe you should talk to Shifu. He listens to you the most.”

Jingxing shook his head, saying, “No need. Since Shifu has matters to attend to and everything is arranged, it’s fine if he doesn’t return. Did you see the destined person Shifu mentioned?”

“No, when I went, Shifu was alone.”

Jingxing nodded and continued sweeping.

Suddenly, Jingkong remembered the strange Long-haired Shizhu he had encountered on the street. Having grown up in the temple, he wasn’t particularly insightful, but he had picked up a thing or two. He said, “Senior brother, today I met a strange Long-haired Shizhu on the street. I sensed some Yin Energy around her, but she didn’t seem to be haunted by spirits. She also asked if I knew where Mu Mountain and Mu Village were.”

“Mu Mountain and Mu Village?”

“Yes, do you know, senior brother?”

Jingxing frowned, pondering for a moment. He had some recollection of Mu Mountain and Mu Village from when he was young, having heard Shifu mention it. It seemed to be related to Mu Village? But it was so long ago that he couldn’t remember clearly.

Could it be that Shifu’s destined person this year is that Long-haired Shizhu?

…

Gu Feiyin wandered the streets until she was nearly exhausted. As dusk approached, she finally found a place to grab a bite and rest her feet. For the night, she decided to stay at a nearby inn, planning to expand her search to the surrounding areas the next day. If that didn’t work, she figured she might have to spend some money on advertising.

The town was bustling, with plenty of people out shopping. She thought about finding some wandering spirits nearby to gather information. Surely, they would have some news.

At least now, her search area was smaller. It wasn’t like before when she was blindly searching everywhere like a headless chicken.

After finishing her noodles, she took Zhuang with her to look for wandering spirits. Zhuang remarked, “I didn’t see any little ghosts on the streets today. It must be because Baiyu Temple’s reputation is too intimidating for them.”

That meant they would have to search outside the town. Fortunately, the town wasn’t large, just a couple of streets, making it easy to get around.

After about twenty minutes of walking, they arrived at a bridge. She glanced down at the river, thinking it would be nice to find a Water Ghost. She missed the taste of fragrant, crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside grilled fish. Everything outside was so expensive, she didn’t dare eat recklessly.

Just as she was looking around, she felt someone tugging at her pant leg. Looking down, she saw what appeared to be a person lying on the ground.

The person sat there, looking weak and frail. It was too dark to make out their features, but the voice was raspy and low, “Dear Shizhu, could you spare some kindness and offer some charity?”

Gu Feiyin was puzzled.

“My Dharma name is Zhen Du. All I need is a bowl of plain noodles.”

“……”

“Amitabha, Buddha is merciful. The Buddha will bless you.”

“……”

Gu Feiyin had encountered several monks today. Seeing this monk looking so famished, she remembered the feeling of hunger from when she first left the mountains. It was so cold and hungry back then that if she hadn’t known she was human, she might have tried to eat herself. So seeing this monk in such a state, she couldn’t help but feel a bit of empathy.

Zhuang floated nearby, flitting left and right, noticing that the monk didn’t even glance at him. Instantly losing interest, he thought this monk must be a fake, unable to even see a ghost. What kind of spiritual prowess could he have?

Gu Feiyin rummaged through her pockets and finally pulled out ten yuan. Ten yuan could buy a large bowl of beef noodles or twenty steamed buns. It should be enough.

Zhen Du’s eyes lit up at the sight of the ten yuan, and even Zhuang was surprised. This stingy Long Black Straight Hair was known to haggle over two yuan with an old monk, and here she was, pulling out ten yuan? He rubbed his eyes, feeling like he was dreaming!

Zhen Du’s pale, delicate face broke into a smile reminiscent of the Buddha Maitreya. “Thank you, dear Shizhu.”

The female Shizhu grinned, pulling out paper and pen from her pocket. “Alright, let’s write an IOU. I’ll jot down my address and phone number so you can repay me later.”

Zhuang nearly fell into the river. He knew this Long Black Straight Hair wasn’t that generous!

Zhen Du agreed, albeit reluctantly. After signing the IOU, he took the ten yuan and wobbled into town, finding a noodle shop to eat a bowl of plain noodles. The noodles were devoid of any oil, just a sprinkle of salt and green onions, looking quite bland. Yet to him, it was as if he was savoring a gourmet meal. He finished the three portions in under ten minutes, even drinking the broth to the last drop. Afterward, he wiped his mouth, let out a satisfied burp, and felt revitalized.

The townsfolk were friendly towards monks. The shop owner even came over to ask if the young monk was full, offering to cook another bowl if he wasn’t.

Gu Feiyin couldn’t help but feel sorry for the monk, who looked utterly destitute. His clothes were tattered, and even his shoes had holes, exposing his toes to the cold winter air. How could he not be freezing?

Zhen Du clasped his hands together in gratitude. “Thank you, Shizhu. I’ve had enough to eat. I’ll be on my way now. Thank you.”

As Zhen Du walked away, the boss suddenly remembered. “Why didn’t I think of it earlier? I’ve got plenty of cotton shoes in the back. I should’ve given a pair to the young monk.”

The Boss Lady chimed in, “Well, what are you standing around for? Go after him!”

The boss chuckled and hurried out of the shop. Not long after, he spotted the young monk walking along the roadside. Just as he was about to call out, the monk suddenly vanished into thin air! Was he some kind of deity, disappearing like that? But in the next moment, he heard a loud “Ah-!!”

What??

The boss was startled and rushed over to find a round hole in the ground, dark and seemingly deep. He craned his neck to peer inside but couldn’t see anything in the darkness. He shouted, “Young monk, are you down there?”

After a while, a calm voice responded, “Shizhu, don’t worry. I’m here. Please call the authorities to get me out.”

The boss was speechless.

A true master indeed, remaining so composed in such a situation. The boss calmed down as well and dialed 119 to get help. Who would be so wicked as to remove the manhole cover?

…

Gu Feiyin spent a long time searching before she finally found a little ghost. She asked it some questions, but it knew nothing. So she spent some money on a bag of candles, asking it to gather more little ghosts. After all, many ghosts together could be helpful. She told the little ghost where she was staying at a nearby motel and headed back. But as she arrived, she saw a crowd gathered outside her hotel. Apparently, someone had removed a manhole cover to sell it, causing a young monk to fall in and nearly lose his life!

“That’s just too wicked. It’s a good thing no one died. If someone had, it would have been tragic.”

“Exactly! Who would be so desperate to steal a manhole cover during the New Year? Must be starving.”

“And there’s no way to catch them? No surveillance around here, just suffering in silence.”

“Hope the young monk is okay.”

Gu Feiyin joined the crowd to see what was happening. Sure enough, she saw a dark figure being lifted out, soaking wet and smelling terrible. He was barely conscious, making no sound, as he was loaded into an ambulance and whisked off to the hospital.

Zhuang remarked, “Didn’t that person look familiar? Could it be-cough, cough!”

Gu Feiyin ignored him, tugging on the yarn string as she headed back to the motel. Zhuang, choked by the string, couldn’t get his words out and followed her, his eyes blazing with fury. One day, he vowed, he’d show that Long Black Straight Hair what he was made of!

Zhen Du had almost grown accustomed to his misfortunes. This time, he wasn’t scared out of his wits; he was just a bit injured, his clothes were soaked, and he smelled terrible. After getting his leg wound cleaned at the hospital, he went to wash up, changed into a hospital gown, and only then did he let the doctor apply medication.

When the doctor and nurse arrived, they saw someone so grimy and smelly that they didn’t even want to look at him. But after a shower, he emerged as a handsome young man with rosy lips and bright eyes, leaving them momentarily stunned. The young nurse, in particular, was quite taken aback, her cheeks turning a shade of pink. She wondered why such a good-looking man would become a monk. Even while applying the medication, she was noticeably gentler.

Zhen Du was genuinely poor. When he first set out on his journey, his Shifu had given him a few hundred yuan, but it was stolen by a pickpocket shortly after he left. He couldn’t just turn back and ask his Shifu for more. After all, the purpose of his journey was to experience the joys and sorrows of the world. How could he gain experience without immersing himself in the world?

Moreover, he had always been unlucky. Abandoned at birth, he was reportedly found by his Shifu in a trash bin. With no one to claim him, his Shifu took pity on him and raised him in the temple, where he grew up.

He had been frail since childhood, frequently falling ill. He didn’t walk until he was two, and even then, he stumbled often, taking three steps and falling on the fourth. At five, he still couldn’t speak clearly and would sometimes bite his tongue while talking. As he grew older, his misfortunes only increased. Occasionally, he would fall out of bed upon waking, once even suffering a severe fracture.

His life was much more challenging than that of his fellow disciples. Surviving to this point was nothing short of a miracle, a testament to divine mercy.

The reason he embarked on this solitary journey was that his Shifu had told him he was destined to face a calamity and wouldn’t live past twenty-five unless he traveled north. If he couldn’t overcome this trial, he would surely die. As this was his fate, no fellow disciples accompanied him. He traveled alone for six months before finally reaching Baiyu Town.

Baiyu Town had Baiyu Temple, where he hoped to rest and perhaps find a change of clothes and shoes. His luck had worsened recently; he was not only cold but also starving, having gone several days without a proper meal before eating that bowl of plain noodles.

Now, he was penniless. The only ten yuan he had borrowed on credit was spent on noodles. As he washed his clothes, he worried about how he would pay for the medical expenses.

That night, the owner of the small inn suddenly felt a chill in the air. The lights in the hallway flickered inexplicably. He cursed under his breath, wondering if he had bought faulty products, since he had just replaced them before the New Year. He planned to confront the seller about it the next day. Just then, he felt a cold breath on his neck, as if something had blown on it. His heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself, could it be something unclean? He widened his eyes, looking around nervously, and quickly retreated to his room to find his wife, too scared to venture out alone for a long time.

A male ghost stifled a laugh, “Scared already? What a coward.”

“Alright, stop laughing and hurry up. The Long Black Straight Hair is waiting.”

“Who would’ve thought the Long Black Straight Hair would come here? I heard her Riverside Villa has expanded by several more buildings. If we could rent one of those houses, that would be great.”

The Riverside Villa in City A was all the rage, the talk of the ghost realm. After all, it was the only Ghost House officially recognized by the Underworld and licensed by human authorities. Could any other place compare? Not a chance.

“Since the Long Black Straight Hair is here, make sure to speak well and handle things properly. Maybe she’ll agree to it.”

Thinking about it, it seemed possible. If things went well and Master Gu was in a good mood, maybe she’d rent them a house. However, the Long Black Straight Hair was rumored to be a Ghost Trader, a terrifying human who could tear a Malevolent Ghost to shreds with her bare hands and devour one with a single bite. If they accidentally angered her, they could be in grave danger, possibly torn to pieces with a single swipe!

But the rewards from the Long Black Straight Hair were tempting. The candles were delicious, and she even paid money. Such a rare opportunity couldn’t be missed, so they risked their lives to come.

Upon entering the room, they first saw the Long-haired Woman sitting at the table watching TV. Her face was almost pressed against the screen, her complexion pale, and her dark eyes exuded a bloodthirsty chill. When she looked over, there was a terrifying dominance in her gaze that shook their very souls…

In that instant, they all thought: With such a terrifying landlord, aren’t the other ghosts afraid? Aren’t they scared of being eaten?

“M-Master, I heard you wanted to see us?”

“Yes, as soon as we heard you were summoning us, we came right away.”

“Thank you.” Master Gu nodded, curling her lips into a cold smile, “Come, have a seat.”

“…No need, we’re ghosts, we can just float.”

“Yes, floating is fine for us.”

“No need to sit, sitting or not makes no difference, just takes up space.”

That was fine. After all, ghosts don’t get tired from standing. Besides, there were five or six ghosts present, three male and two female, all appearing relatively young, around thirty or forty years old, which seemed a bit too young.

“Have you heard of Mu Mountain or Mu Village?”

Mu Mountain? Mu Village? The ghosts exchanged glances and shook their heads, indicating they didn’t know.

Gu Feiyin expected this and wasn’t too disappointed. She asked again, “Do you know any little ghosts around seventy or eighty years old?”

Seventy or eighty-year-old little ghosts?

“Yes, I heard Old Master Yu from the Yu Family died yesterday. He was about eighty, wasn’t he?”

“Yes, yes, I heard that too. I even planned with my friends to go see if we could pick up some money or get a bite to eat. Hehe.”

“Old Master Yu should still be at home. Do you want to check?”

“What if we encounter a Yin Messenger? Old Master Yu isn’t like us, a wandering ghost. He’ll definitely have to go to the Underworld.”

Yin Messenger? Gu Feiyin shivered at the thought. That would be terrifying!

Footnote:

1. Shixiong(师兄):Senior male disciple; a formal term for an elder martial or monastic brother in a traditional Chinese sect/temple hierarchy.