Chapter 1: The Scholar Reads at Night

The shadow rapidly inflated like a balloon, transforming into the shape of a woman

Not only did the elderly gentleman look over, but the round-faced young girl also gazed with her big, yearning eyes, her anxious demeanor making it hard to refuse her

The old gentleman turned around and glared at the round-faced young girl, finally understanding how to position his hands and feet. He clasped his hands in salute and said: "The scholar pays his respects. I am the gentleman from the estate outside the city, surnamed Su, and my name is Su Laomou."

Without mentioning Su Laomou and the round-faced girl smiling, it is only noted that Ning Feng turned around, tidied up his portable bookcase, and for a brief moment, his lips twitched as he glanced down, seeing that the old man and the young girl still had shadows present, which made him feel slightly relieved

The scholar really wanted to say to her: We all heard it... Don't hold back, laugh freely.

Three people walked out of the inn, passed through the city gate, leaving the mottled ancient county town behind. The wind grew increasingly fierce, and strangely, there was no thunder or lightning, only dark clouds pressing down ominously.

The wind grew stronger, and with a loud "bang," the entire door was blown open. The small book that had been dropped on the ground made a rustling sound as its poor-quality pages scattered everywhere.

Then a breeze of unknown origin stirred the pages of the book, closing the open volume and revealing a tasteless, earthy yellow cover, on which a distorted court lady posed and preened, facing a monk... a monk...

Well then

Ning Feng sat on the edge of the bed with his bottom resting against it, his legs dangling down into a wooden basin, soaking his feet while savoring the book in his hands

It seems like I have seen it somewhere before

At the door, he didn't even glance and simply splashed the footbath water out with a "whoosh"

The sound of the wind blowing into the room is like weeping and lamenting

Tsk tsk tsk, the flounder is called a prized possession, with hands supporting the orioles and swallows, truly splendid

Bright red as if still dripping with blood

You cannot scare me

Chattering incessantly along the way, Ning Feng really wanted to ask why it was necessary to travel at midnight. The dark night and strong winds were quite unsettling, yet he couldn't find the opportunity to do so

Are you bold

Ning Feng rubbed both feet thoroughly, not in a hurry to put on his shoes. He simply sat cross-legged on the bed, looking over with great interest.

After the muffled sound, the head on the table had disheveled hair, a long tongue, and blood-red eyes, staring intently at the scholar. The eyeballs protruded like those of a dead fish, glaring as if to say: Are you scared now?

It is a blessing, not a curse; let us see as we go.

In just a few breaths, the shadow that had slithered in through the crack of the door had mostly entered the room, taking on a human shape, as if a person had been forcibly squeezed in through the gap beneath the door.

Sir, I have already arranged for the rent to be settled.

Ning Feng held the tension for a while, observing that there were no further anomalies, and then let out a long sigh, relaxing.

The action of splashing water and the sound that enters the ear are nearly indistinguishable in their sequence.

This Su Laomou claims that he went out to work as a young man, serving others as a subordinate and a servant for his entire life. In his old age, he managed to save enough money to return home and build a manor.

Ning Feng was puzzled, as the young girl ahead came to a stop. Further ahead, several lanterns were hanging high, illuminating a stretch of the village

The scholar is, after all, just a scholar, and his reactions are indeed rather ordinary. Once he makes a move, he cannot take it back. Thus, Ning Feng awkwardly lifted the wooden basin, watching the old man in front of him, who had been drenched like a drowned rat by the foot-washing water

Wuwuwu—wuwuwu——

Ning Feng had not finished speaking when the female ghost swiftly retracted her movement, pulling her head back onto her neck, and with a "whoosh," she vanished without a trace

Call

Generally speaking, this is the case

A light laugh broke the awkwardness

The poor old man, dressed in a full set of official attire, was not only damp but also emanating an unpleasant odor, making it likely that he would not be able to wear it again in the future

Ning Feng clapped his hands and laughed, not forgetting to pick up the nearby unsightly little book and toss it aside with great skill, ensuring that the female ghost could see how vulgar the cover was and guess how explosive the content inside might be

Uh... Su Laomou blinked and added: "The gentleman walks alone ahead, without any companions, and without a servant boy, which shows considerable courage. Moreover, being able to travel the world, he must be well-read and knowledgeable, having traveled thousands of miles, unlike those bookworms who cannot be compared to him"

You ... ... you ... ... you ... ...

Puff

The female ghost paused for a moment, her hair disheveled by the wind, as if she were somewhat at a loss about what to do next

The young girl in front held a lantern to lead the way, while Ning Feng and Su Laomou followed behind. After walking for about half an hour, the sound of rushing water grew closer, as if they had arrived at the bank of the great river outside the ancient city.

The female ghost seemed to have been insulted, her movements swift; she raised both hands and with a swift motion, decapitated herself, placing her head on the table beside her

Zhuangzi is outside the city, and the night road is difficult to traverse; you must keep close behind, Master

It is as if the world is a clear pond, and the dark clouds are the ink pouring into it, surging and churning, tainting the world and turning everything pitch black

Ning Feng watched this scene without blinking, without screaming, without jumping up to knock over the wooden basin, surprisingly... surprisingly... just watching with wide eyes.

One old and one young, how eager they are to seek talent. Upon hearing this, they were greatly pleased and quickly led the way out of the inn.

That scholar, I extend my greetings to you

Uncertain of the reason, upon seeing the round-faced young girl, Ning Feng inexplicably felt a sense of familiarity and warmth

Ning Feng, while secretly complaining, picked up the bookcase and turned back with a smile on his face, an expression of anticipation, and said cheerfully: "Dong Weng, young miss, let us go."

Ning Feng smiled, he actually smiled

Puff

Ning Feng's ears perked up

Upon entering the room, both Su Laomou and his round-faced granddaughter were struck by the chaotic disarray that resembled a robbery, yet they seemed more intrigued by the scattered pages in the corner, exchanging glances with one another

It is truly stingy of this shopkeeper to use vine paper instead of peach blossom paper

The old gentleman trembled all over, wanting to lower his head to take a whiff but feeling nauseated; he wanted to curse loudly yet had his reservations. That suffocating expression made Ning Feng feel unable to bear it.

Old Master Su laughed heartily and said with great confidence

In just a few words, the old gentleman revealed his intentions

Ning Feng, dressed as a scholar, stood by the bedside with a bookcase beside him. It is only natural for someone engrossed in reading to be animated, yet the things he muttered seemed somewhat off...

... ...

The hair cascades down, resembling countless black serpents continuously writhing, elongating, and spreading across the ground

Wū ... ... wū ... ... wū ... ...

It is merely enlightenment, does it require great courage

The elderly person spoke in a somewhat flowery and stammering manner, which indeed sounded quite reasonable.

The little brats are being mischievous, sir need not be concerned, feel free to use the bamboo stick to discipline them

Just as Ning Feng had just lifted his damp feet and placed them on the edge of the wooden basin, bending down to wipe them, his movement suddenly came to a halt

"Tsk"

As the wind suddenly rises, the scholar faintly hears a sound in the wind that seems to be crying yet not crying, and he can vaguely discern it, as if it is: "... ... disappointment ... ..."

Ning Feng felt somewhat shy, but he did not agree immediately. After pondering for a moment, he asked, "I wonder how Su Lao came to choose me? I have only just arrived..."

At this moment, apart from feeling fortunate that the pages of the book had scattered and the oil lamp had extinguished, Ning Feng had no other thoughts. He quickly tidied up and sat facing the old gentleman and his grandson.

Today is clearly not an ordinary day

Hmm? I entered the city during the day yesterday, but I don't remember there being any houses by the riverside

Ning Feng tilted his head and pondered for a moment, then clasped his hands and said: "Then the student shall rely on Dong Weng."

The bold scholar spoke while nonchalantly picking up a cloth beside him to begin wiping his feet

Rest, rest, sleep soundly, and we shall discuss matters with the shopkeeper again tomorrow

Well, a single scholar, traveling a thousand miles, occasionally indulges in some small amusements, and barely manages to understand.

She raised her head and glanced at the audacious scholar

The candlelight in the room has unknowingly dimmed at some point

Is that enough to determine one's boldness

After soaking for a while, the water became somewhat cool. Ning Feng reluctantly set the book aside, intending to dry his feet before continuing his studies

The tongue is extended long, not like a lilac petal, but rather as if someone is forcefully gripping it with something and pulling it out to the limit.

One cannot see five fingers when extending one's hand

"Pa pa pa - sha sha sha -"

This is the granddaughter of an unaccomplished old man

Accompanied by a chilling sound, a shadow as thin as paper slowly crept in through the crack under the door

If you agree, we will set off immediately, and by tomorrow morning we will be able to see those foolish creatures at home

Ning Feng yawned, mumbled something, picked up the wooden basin for washing feet, and walked towards the wide-open door.

Ah, no

I wonder what Mr. Ning thinks? It is easy to discuss the matter.

"No problem, no problem. Sir, you are quite bold and will surely be capable of handling it."

Bang

Come on, come on

Hmph

In the long, endless night, with no desire for sleep, it is just right to keep each other company, resting side by side, and chatting...

He was a diminutive old man, with a shifty gaze and a few sparse whiskers hanging from his waxy yellow chin

It is a pity about a good book

In any case, the yard outside is a benefit for the orchids in the flowerbed by the door

splash

Having seen the world, the elder could not tolerate the ignorance and utter foolishness of the younger generation at home, and contemplated finding a scholar to enlighten the younger ones

Ning Feng tucked the washbasin behind him, stepped aside to open the door, and gestured into the room, saying, "The old gentleman is speaking in the room."

Their eyes met, and the woman suddenly moved

The sound of rushing water

At midnight, there is wind, stirring the bamboo branches and leaves in the courtyard, which beat against the window paper. It is unclear where the leaks are, but the wind stubbornly penetrates, persistently shaking the candle flame, causing the room to flicker between light and darkness

I ... ... I ... ... I ... ...

Ning Feng unconsciously bit down on his teeth and looked up, trying to find the almanac, but could not locate it

I am not afraid of having a head; what is there to fear without one

Old Su looked eagerly at Ning Feng, his sincerity evident.

She is still a woman

He merely offered a criticism, and his thoughts immediately returned to the book, without even lifting his head once.

Ning Feng then noticed that behind the old gentleman was a little girl, around thirteen or fourteen years old, with a round face, dressed in white, covering her mouth with her hand as if she wanted to laugh but was afraid to make a sound

Directly opposite him was the direction of the door, which was tightly shut and making a "bang bang bang" sound, but when he focused his gaze in that direction, it returned to silence

The female ghost let out a piercing scream; heaven knows how she produced that sound without a head. At this moment, she found herself in a predicament, with her arms spread wide, baring her teeth and claws, poised to pounce.

He put on his shoes and socks, glanced at the book that had been thrown out, feeling quite reluctant. He got up to pick it up, still mumbling to himself: "This place must be unclean, the landlord has lost his conscience, no wonder the independent courtyard house is so cheap..."

Ning Feng looked disdainfully, casting a glance at the head on the table, his gaze filled with disappointment towards the headless female ghost.

Hair is still hair, um, just a bit messy; the tongue is still the tongue, rather long

It is completely impossible to see

I apologize for visiting at such a late hour