Chapter Sixty: A New Job

Zeyi awoke to find everyone gathered in the main hall. Huang Wenyang had already been taken away by the police.

With the banished ghost no longer possessing him, that peculiar aura vanished, leaving him once more a normal child—save for the protruding eyes that still held an age-old weariness and maturity far beyond his years. He clutched the little vine figure tightly to his chest, refusing to let go.

After his account, we learned the truth: Huang Yunlei had not died at the hands of Huang Wenyang and Huang Lehao a year ago. When the two carried her body to bury it in the woods, Zeyi followed unnoticed, being small in stature. Once they had finished burying her, he quickly dug her out. Fortunately, he did, for Huang Yunlei had merely fainted and was not dead.

Fearing Huang Wenyang and his son, Huang Yunlei hid in the vine woods—a place seldom frequented—so she remained undiscovered.

Though she escaped her fate, Zeyi was still trapped in the den of evil. Her hatred grew daily, yet she was powerless. Finally, two months ago, she made her choice, and thus on the seventh night, she became a voiceless, shapeless spirit.

Zeyi’s possession by the forbidden ghost was mere happenstance. Though he became a banished official, his powers were limited; he could not truly bind anyone. Thus, he sought to instill terror by devouring the hearts and livers of livestock, knowing no one would suspect him.

I specifically inquired about the fat cat. The answer was unexpected: in that hellish place, the fat cat was the only creature with a conscience! It was always kind to Zeyi and his mother, but harbored great hostility toward Huang Wenyang and his son, even scratching them in defense of Zeyi and his mother.

The one who poisoned the cat was none other than Huang Lehao. He had long disliked the cat, but Huang Wenyang would not allow its killing since it was excellent at catching mice. So, Huang Lehao snuck into the village at night to poison it, then left swiftly, returning the next day as if nothing had happened, unnoticed by anyone.

I was moved—how even a cat could possess such conscience, truly making humans pale in comparison.

"How did your mother learn the method to become the spirit?" Old Ma suddenly asked.

Zeyi shook his head, gripping the vine figure tighter. "I don’t know. I couldn’t stop her..."

It was indeed strange. The average person would not know such odd methods; I certainly did not. Someone must have told Huang Yunlei.

Old Ma pondered, then asked, "Where were you possessed by the forbidden ghost?"

"In the woods, the ones full of vines," Zeyi replied.

"Don’t go there again," Old Ma said.

I asked Old Ma what was wrong with those woods.

"His possession may not be coincidence. That forest is steeped in evil, unlike anything ordinary. Who knows what dwells within."

After the police took all suspects away, we prepared to leave as well. The matter of catching the forbidden ghost ended here. From the start, pursuing the ghost was merely a pretext; I never understood why Lord Wei gathered these skilled people, perhaps something related to the vine woods, though I still wondered why she separated from us last night.

Arrangements for Zeyi were now a concern; he could not remain in the village. Aside from having no kin, the police’s actions, though righteous, had angered many families, who would surely blame Zeyi and seek vengeance. He would leave with us for now, and Lord Wei would later decide his future.

We walked toward the village outskirts, the villagers’ gazes crisscrossing, mostly from women with faces twisted in rage and resentment—wives and mothers whose husbands and sons had been taken by the police. Only a rare few showed relief or gratitude, and they were but a small minority.

At the village entrance, we saw a young woman with sleek, straight hair and a long skirt reaching her ankles. She was a friend of Huang Yunlei.

She approached. "I’m here to take Zeyi. I heard Huang Wenyang and the others have been arrested."

Her news was swift, for the police had only just taken them.

Zeyi visibly relaxed upon seeing her. She was his only confidant, and he was always better with her.

Xiao Qingwan released her hand from Zeyi’s shoulder, and Zeyi, clutching the vine figure, walked over.

The woman took Zeyi’s small hand and thanked us. "Thank you for clearing Yunlei’s name and rescuing this child."

With that, she turned to leave.

"The person you hired—what is his name?" Lord Wei suddenly spoke.

I was a bit surprised; it was the first time she’d spoken in front of everyone these past days.

The woman replied, "I don’t know. I met him by the roadside, saw him sitting alone at the corner, bought him a meal. He said he could help me, and that was it."

She finished, took Zeyi away, and walked farther and farther from us.

Someone met on the street—his origins would be impossible to trace. Who was he, really?

We boarded the car, and it sped away.

This time, we didn’t head to the dock but straight to the airport; tickets had already been booked, though not for Guangxi. Old Ma and Gu Yangyu whispered together, seemingly planning our next move.

As we parted, Su Feiyong, who had stepped away, returned carrying a box and handed it to me. I accepted it, puzzled, and found it was a brand-new phone, perfectly packaged!

I paused and looked at Lord Wei.

She said nothing, simply turned to leave, four tall men in suits following behind.

She knew about my phone being lost on the Red-Headed Boat; she must have been nearby at the time.

A bright gaze came from beside me. I turned to see Xiao Qingwan’s eyes filled with unspeakable jealousy, her face turned away in displeasure.

I smiled bitterly to myself, deciding not to reveal the truth to her.

Xiao Qingwan wasn’t on the same flight as us. Following Old Ma and Gu Yangyu, I boarded the plane and asked Old Ma where we were headed.

"We’re going to Chaoshan. There’s a new job—a commission from an old friend," Old Ma replied.

"Sir, don’t forget what you promised me. I haven’t got much time left," I said with a wry smile.

"Don’t worry. Once we arrive, I’ll help you first. Old Chen gave you the Divine Seal—I won’t let you die!"

"Thank you." I only hoped nothing else would go awry.

Old Ma’s crafty eyes gleamed. "Though this trip with Lord Wei was confusing, you’ve learned a bit about this path. Next, you’ll truly open your eyes and understand this trade."

"No! I don’t need to understand!" I blurted out instinctively, but seeing his displeasure, I feared he’d go back on his word, so I forced myself to ask, "So, what is it?"

Old Ma turned away in a huff, saying nothing. Gu Yangyu smiled and said, "Ghost Opera of the Child Performers."