Mystic in Hempen Robes

Go home to catch ghosts

**(Continued from previous section)**

After saying that to Xiong Jiu, I immediately regretted it because I seemed to have divined something I shouldn’t have. Xiong Jiu hadn’t asked me for a divination, yet I blurted everything out like a loose cannon!

Would I get into trouble again?

I fell silent. Xiong Jiu also stopped speaking.

Ning Haoyu nudged me beside me. "Is what you said reliable? Don’t let my uncle go over there and get yelled at."

Before I could speak, Xiong Jiu waved his hand. "Hold on, I think what Chu-yi said might be right. The Zhou family’s luck hasn’t been good lately. I heard Old Master Zhou, at his age, was tricked into buying a fake, got so angry he fell ill, and lost a large sum of money. Could it be that because of this, the Zhou family’s shop here can’t sustain itself?"

I didn’t really understand what Xiong Jiu was talking about and didn’t say anything.

Soon, we arrived at Wanmu Lou. After entering, Xiong Jiu exchanged a few polite words with me, then went upstairs with Old Jiang to discuss matters. Probably about the "Ziqiong Pavilion" situation. Ning Haoyu originally wanted to follow, but Xiong Jiu kept him downstairs.

The next few hours passed quickly. Ning Haoyu and I chatted with Sister Ying and Sister Fatty until closing time. Sister Ying and Sister Fatty packed up and left, leaving only Ning Haoyu and me in the shop.

Ning Haoyu asked about Ziqiong Pavilion again. I smiled bitterly. "Don’t ask anymore. I already misspoke. If I say more, I might run into bigger trouble."

Just as Ning Haoyu and I were talking, my phone rang. I checked—it was Wang Junhui. Excited, I answered, "Master Wang, are you back?"

Wang Junhui acknowledged and said, "Where are you? I’ll pick you up tomorrow, then we’ll go to the county town to deal with the ghost."

I told him my location. He said, "You’re at Boss Xiong’s place? I have some dealings with him. Alright, wait at the south end of the imitation ancient street tomorrow at nine. I’ll pick you up, and we’ll head straight to the county town."

I quickly agreed. I felt that if I stayed at Xiong Jiu’s place any longer, I might blurt out something else I shouldn’t.

After hanging up, Ning Haoyu said reluctantly, "Chu-yi, you’re leaving tomorrow?"

I nodded. "Yeah. My home is in the county town. I can’t just abandon a perfectly good house."

Ning Haoyu patted my shoulder in understanding.

Ning Haoyu and I waited downstairs a bit longer. Soon, Xiong Jiu, his wife, and Mr. Jiang came downstairs one after another. Xiong Jiu was beaming, looking like a groom. No doubt, he was about to have a stroke of great luck.

Coming downstairs, Xiong Jiu asked me, "Chu-yi, what do you think about the matter I have in mind?"

I smiled and replied, "Uncle Xiong, you already have a plan. Why ask an outsider like me?"

Hearing this, Xiong Jiu laughed heartily, then took a red paper packet from Mr. Jiang and handed it to me.

No need to guess; it was money inside.

Instinctively, I reached to take it, but then tried to hand it back. He pushed it back into my arms. "Chu-yi, you’re the most astute fortune-teller I’ve ever met. Take this money as a simple token of thanks. If the Ziqiong Pavilion matter really succeeds, I’ll personally come to the county town with a much more generous reward."

I quickly declined, saying I didn’t dare. At the same time, I wondered if Xiong Jiu had already contacted the Zhou family over the phone while upstairs.

That night, we didn’t eat at Xiong Jiu’s home but at a restaurant again, even fancier than the one at noon.

During the meal, Xiong Jiu kept wanting me to do divinations and read his face, but I politely declined each time. I had already said too much; saying more might lead to serious trouble.

Seeing he couldn’t get anything more from me, Xiong Jiu asked if it was because the money wasn’t enough. I quickly explained, "Uncle Xiong, you’re overthinking. It’s not about money; it’s about ‘heavenly secrets.’ Revealing too much that shouldn’t be said in a short time is bad for both you and me."

Xiong Jiu nodded. "I see. Fortune-telling is like business—can’t be too greedy, or you invite unnecessary trouble."

I nodded.

Then I mentioned I was returning to the county town tomorrow. Xiong Jiu seemed reluctant. In just one day here, through fortune-telling, I had helped him twice, each time potentially elevating his business. Naturally, he wanted me to stay and offer more advice.

At the end of the meal, Xiong Jiu sighed, "If I take over the Ziqiong Pavilion storefront, then Wanmu Lou will be the top shop on this imitation ancient street. Haha, I’ll have my moment of glory."

I smiled without further comment. Xiong Jiu wouldn’t have bad luck in the short term, meaning his decision to take over Ziqiong Pavilion was correct. No need for me to say anything unnecessary.

Leaving the restaurant and returning home, Ning Haoyu and I chatted briefly before going to sleep.

Early the next morning, Xiong Jiu personally drove me to the south end of the imitation ancient street, showing he now considered me an honored guest.

After Wang Junhui arrived, Xiong Jiu chatted with him for a while. Finishing their conversation, Xiong Jiu specifically came to me and said, "Chu-yi, come to the city to visit Xiao Yu when you have time. I heard from Xiao Yu about your family situation. From now on, I’m your uncle. If you have any difficulties, just say the word!"

I politely replied, "Thank you, Uncle Xiong!"

After saying goodbye, I got into Wang Junhui’s car, and we set off for the county town.

After driving for a while, Wang Junhui said to me, "Boss Xiong values you so much. Seems you did a divination for him and helped him."

I said, sort of. Wang Junhui smiled. "Boss Xiong has wide connections. More and more people, probably wealthy and influential, will come to you for readings. You might have a flood of wealth coming your way."

I smiled bitterly. "Wealth? I don’t seek wealth. I just hope it’s not a flood of bad luck."

In the car, I asked about Wang Junhui’s recent situation. He simply said he takes cases, handles them, rests a day or two, then takes more cases.

I asked where he got so many ghost-related cases. He said, "The water runs deep in our line of work. If your methods are good and cases are handled well, many organizations take note. Next time there’s a case, they’ll naturally consider you first. I happen to have good standing with several organizations."

Looking at Wang Junhui, I joked, "You guys have gangs?"

Wang Junhui corrected me. "Organizations, not gangs!"

I pressed for details about those organizations, but he wouldn’t tell me, saying I wasn’t part of the trade yet, so it wasn’t appropriate.

During the ride, I also asked Wang Junhui about handling the ghost at my place. He said, "That’s easy to say. Once at your home, I’ll first assess the ghost’s malevolence, then decide how to deal with her."

I asked what if it was a malicious ghost?

In my mind, I already believed Xiang Li was a malicious ghost. Otherwise, why would she cling to my back and chase me desperately? I thought she wanted to harm me.

Wang Junhui drove relatively slowly. We arrived in the county town around noon, so we ate first before heading to my place.

This time, we entered directly through the main alley gate. Standing at the entrance, I felt an eerie chill. A house left empty for days accumulates heavy Yin energy, especially with a ghost living inside.

Before we even entered, a neighbor auntie happened to pass by. Seeing me return, she said, "Chu-yi, you’re finally back! Did you know the death case at your place is closed? That woman died of illness; nothing to do with the guy arrested from your place."

I acknowledged. "Ah, thanks for telling me, Auntie."

The auntie looked at me and continued, "By the way, Chu-yi, be careful living here. These past few days, there’s always been a woman’s crying or laughing coming from your house. Really scary. I guess it’s haunted. You better find a master to check it out."

Ah? My neighbors heard it too? That’s it—my house probably won’t be rentable anymore.

The auntie seemed ready to go on, but Wang Junhui urged me, "Don’t just stand there. Open the door first. Whether there’s a ghost or not, we’ll know once we go in."

The auntie was perceptive. She bid me farewell and walked toward the alley exit.

Entering the gate, a heavy wave of Yin energy swept past Wang Junhui and me. Wang Junhui frowned. "This ghost… very fierce!"

Hearing this, I asked, "Can you handle it?"

He took a deep breath. "I rarely encounter such a fierce ghost. But I’m confident I can deal with her. Might be a bit troublesome, though."

Then Wang Junhui turned, bolted the main gate, and took a talisman from his briefcase, sticking it on the bolt.

I asked what that was for. He said it was to prevent the female ghost from escaping.

The female ghost couldn’t escape, but if something went wrong, the gate was bolted, making it hard for us to run.

I raised this concern to Wang Junhui. He said, "You hide in your grandfather’s room. That ghost can’t harm you there. Your grandfather was a master of facial gate arts. The room has strong Yang energy. Even though he’s gone, the residual Yang energy is enough to give that fierce ghost a hard time."

Ah! My grandfather was that powerful?

Before I could think further, Wang Junhui went to seal the small shop door with another talisman—probably to prevent Xiang Li from escaping there. Then he went upstairs and posted a talisman on the staircase leading to the third floor.

With all talismans placed, he came back down to me. By then, I had already retreated into my grandfather’s room.

I asked Wang Junhui what next. He said, "I’ll change into my Taoist robes now and perform a soul-summoning ritual in the yard to draw out the fierce ghost. If we can send her away, best. If not, I’ll deal with her."

Wang Junhui needed to change into Taoist robes. Last time, dealing with the old man, he didn’t change. That meant this Xiang Li was more powerful than the old man. Could Wang Junhui handle her?