Chapter Seventeen: Aristocratic Hauntings (Part Two)

Chu Mengxi agreed, and after we lingered at home for a while, around noon I took her to the "Full Flavor Dumpling House" just outside my home. After a short wait, the owner himself brought over two plates of dumplings. The aroma was so tempting that Mengxi couldn’t help but praise it. The owner smiled, standing next to us, and said, "Enjoy your meal. By the way, Lin Xuan, where’s your master? Haven’t seen him today."

I took a bite of dumpling and replied, "I didn’t see him when I got home either. Not sure where he went—maybe he’s busy. By the way, boss, bring us two more plates later." As I spoke, I glanced at Mengxi, who was gobbling down her dumplings.

Hearing that I wanted more, Mengxi mumbled with her mouth full, "Lin Xuan, I can’t eat anymore—if I eat too much, I’ll get fat!"

"If you gain weight, just lose it again. It’s fine, let’s have two more plates," I said with a smile.

Mengxi gave me a glare, cheeks puffed adorably with a dumpling still in her mouth. The owner laughed and agreed. Soon enough, we finished all the dumplings. Rubbing my now round belly, I paid the bill and walked home with Mengxi. We stayed at home until about six in the evening. Then, I suggested we head out. Standing by the roadside, I asked, "Mengxi, do you have Zhong Ming’s number? Call him and ask him to come pick us up. We need to go to his house."

Mengxi turned to me, hesitating, "It’s only six. Isn’t it too early?"

"It’s best to go early and prepare. This is my first time accepting a commission—I want everything to go perfectly."

"A commission? Are you really tempted by Uncle Zhong’s reward?" Mengxi asked suspiciously.

I scratched the back of my head, clearing my throat. "I was just saying. Call him, or we’ll be standing here all evening."

Mengxi frowned, took out her phone, and looked at me skeptically. I turned away. After a moment, I heard Mengxi say, "Hello, Uncle Zhong? It’s Mengxi... Could you come pick us up? We’re at the bus stop—where you dropped us off before. Mm... okay... see you soon." She hung up and patted me on the shoulder.

Hands in my pockets, I gazed into the distance, feigning nonchalance. Mengxi patted me again, snapping me back to reality. I turned and asked, "Is Uncle Zhong coming? The sky’s so gloomy, it looks like it might rain again."

"He said to wait here. He’ll be right over," Mengxi replied.

I nodded and sat on the bench at the bus stop. Though night was falling, a few gray clouds were still visible. Staring at the sky, I felt a sudden unease, as if something bad was about to happen.

After a while, a black sedan stopped across the street, then made a U-turn and pulled up in the temporary parking space ahead. The window rolled down—Zhong Ming leaned out and called, "Come on, get in!"

I got up, and Mengxi and I headed over. After we climbed in, the car slowly pulled away, heading for the Zhong family villa.

Inside the car, Zhong Ming glanced at me in the rearview mirror. "Kid, when we get to my house, do you need anything from me?"

I shook my head. "No need. Just let this little miss here help me—you don’t have spiritual sense, so there are things you won’t see. Once we arrive, you should leave the house for a while."

At my words, Mengxi stared at me in surprise. "Me? Help you? Lin Xuan, are you sure? You know about my family’s situation, but I never learned anything about this stuff. Are you sure I won’t just get in the way?"

I shook my head again, and Mengxi grew even more bewildered. I finally said, "It’s fine. Just do as I say later."

She reluctantly agreed. Soon, the car stopped at the villa gates. I got out and pushed open the main door. A gust of wind swept past, scattering dead leaves and twigs. Shielding my face, I glanced at the sky overhead; faint flashes of lightning flickered among the clouds. After ten seconds or so, the wind died down. I frowned and told Zhong Ming, "Uncle Zhong, you’d better go back to the hotel. I have a bad feeling—something might happen there. The two of us are enough here. Don’t worry."

Zhong Ming nodded quickly and hurried back to his car, driving off toward the hotel. Standing in the passageway, I turned to Mengxi. "Let’s get to work!" With that, I headed into the villa.

Mengxi shot me a look and followed. I spent some time inspecting the villa and checking the terrain. Once I was certain, I took out twenty-eight old Five Emperors coins from my bag—these I’d secretly taken from my master, though I had no idea where he’d found so many. I also extracted twenty-eight ghost-repelling talismans. Squatting next to me, Mengxi watched curiously. "Lin Xuan, what are these for?"

I chuckled. "Of course they’re useful. Otherwise, why would I bring them? I’m going to set up a ‘Ghost-Locking Formation’ my master taught me, specifically designed to trap vengeful spirits. Traditionally, day belongs to the yang and night to the yin; ghosts can only act at night. The ancients divided the night sky into twenty-eight star regions, the ‘Twenty-Eight Mansions.’ Each mansion contains several fixed stars. The Ghost-Locking Formation uses twenty-eight Five Emperors coins placed around the ghost to mimic a false ‘star chart.’ The coins are pure yang, especially these old ones, so the formation tricks the ghost into thinking stepping out would enter the yang realm. It doesn’t harm the ghost but binds it. The duration depends on the ghost’s power and intelligence."

After my explanation, Mengxi stared at me in amazement. After a long pause, she clapped. "Lin Xuan, you’re amazing! You can set up such a complicated formation. But how can you be sure there’s really a vengeful spirit here? And what if they’re already watching us?"

Her words gave me a chill, but I mustered my courage, protected by my double fish amulet. "Don’t scare yourself. I checked this morning—there’s definitely a strong vengeful spirit here, probably the one haunting Zhong Yan. When we came in, I already stuck an invisibility talisman on your back—and one on myself. Don’t worry." I pointed to her back.

Mengxi, unaware, felt her back and nodded. I placed the coins and talismans at the twenty-eight designated points around the villa. When everything was ready, Mengxi and I hid behind the rockery in the courtyard. I formed a hand seal, placed it on my forehead, and recited, "With the left, support the Six Jia; with the right, guard the Six Ding; the Great Way above, the Ghost-Locking Formation arises!" As I pointed toward the formation, twenty-eight golden lights began to glow.

Delighted at my success, I checked the time on my phone—it was already past eight. Setting up the formation had drained me, so I leaned against the rockery and drifted off to sleep.

In my dreams, I found myself in a strange place: a pitch-black void with nothing visible. I wandered for a while, growing more and more anxious to escape. Suddenly, a faint purple light appeared ahead. I rushed toward it, but stumbled and fell. As I got up, I saw a human face imprinted on the dark ground, eyes shut. I peered closer, and the face suddenly opened its eyes—one gold, one normal. Startled, I staggered back, but something grabbed my feet. The face stretched out its hands, trying to drag me underground. I fought desperately, broke free, and ran for my life...

"Ah!" I woke with a start, gasping for breath. Looking around, I was still behind the villa’s rockery. Hearing me, Mengxi turned and asked, "Did you have a nightmare?"

"Yeah… Have you been keeping watch this whole time?" I exhaled.

"Of course. You seemed to be sleeping well, so I didn’t wake you. Nothing happened."

"Setting up the formation exhausted me—I just couldn’t stay awake. Sorry to leave you alone. Weren’t you scared? What time is it?"

Mengxi paused. "Not really. Nothing came out, and you were here. You’ve been asleep for over an hour." She held up a finger for emphasis.

Hearing that I’d slept so long, I sat bolt upright and looked toward the villa. What I saw gave me a fright: inside the Ghost-Locking Formation, a dozen wandering spirits were now trapped, floating dazedly around the villa. I frowned. "Damn, these spirits made the formation visible. The big one hasn’t shown up, but the little ones are quick to appear."

Frustrated, I punched the rockery wall. Mengxi seemed at a loss for words. I stayed silent, staring at the trapped spirits. After a while, the air grew noticeably colder, and the double fish on my arm began to heat up, sensing something. My frown deepened as I focused intently.

Suddenly, I felt a chill on my back. Spinning around, I saw a female ghost in a red dress floating behind me, staring at us. Reacting instantly, I pulled out the remaining talismans from my pocket and shouted, "Vengeful spirit, I’ll give you one chance—leave now, or I’ll scatter your soul!"

Holding the talismans before me, I confronted her. The female ghost hesitated, then spoke, "Young man, I’m just passing by and staying a few days. I’ve harmed no one—why threaten to destroy me?"

Her words caught me off guard. Young man? I eyed her warily, firming my tone. "My master always said, never trust a vengeful ghost. With all that resentment, it’s hard to believe you’ve never hurt anyone. If you don’t leave, I’ll drive you out by force."

With that, I threw a talisman. Golden light flared; the ghost shrieked and drifted back, clutching her face. "Please, young man, don’t attack. Though I’m full of resentment, I truly haven’t harmed anyone. Listen to my story."

I paused, eyeing her. After a moment, I said, "Speak. My master said all ghosts can be redeemed, as long as their sins aren’t too heavy. My patience is limited."

The female ghost lowered her arms and floated closer. I instinctively took a few steps back. She halted. "Young man, I really haven’t harmed anyone. I was framed and killed, which is why my resentment is so strong. For a hundred years, I’ve struggled to suppress it, never allowing myself murderous thoughts. But I can’t control the aura, so I’m constantly hunted by exorcists. I tried to avenge myself, but was defeated and driven away. Since then, I’ve been hiding in the world of the living. Recently, I sensed that evil priest plotting against this family’s daughter. I wanted to warn Zhong Yan, but every time I appeared, I scared her off. Helpless, I stayed close, always on guard for the priest. If I get the chance, I’ll kill him myself."

She finished with gritted teeth. I nodded. "So, a hundred years ago, an evil priest killed you for his immortality ritual—targeting girls born at unlucky times. He extracted their blood and soul, and you were one of his victims. You tried to avenge yourself, failed, and have wandered ever since. Now, you want to protect this family’s daughter from him. Is that right?"

She nodded. Satisfied, I stroked my chin. "If you’re not here to harm anyone, but to protect her… but that priest must be well over a hundred years old now. That’s not normal."

Even as I questioned it, she replied, "That’s right. He’s lived over a century. Just now, I sensed his evil energy nearby—he lingered here, but then went off in that direction." She pointed.

Following her gesture, I thought for a moment, then slapped my forehead. "Damn! That evil aura must be the priest’s. And that way— that’s the direction of the Intercontinental Hotel. There’s no time—let’s go!"

I grabbed Mengxi’s hand and ran, the female ghost hesitating only briefly before floating after us.