Chapter Seven: The Harmless Ghost
Shi Xuan deliberately steered the conversation, and the two engaged in a lively discussion about Xu Tianqi's adventures in the martial world. When they mentioned that Xu Tianqi had a few guests upon returning to Xia'an Prefecture, Xu Tianqi once again displayed the slightly awkward expression he had when he appeared at the door. After hesitating for a while, he noticed that Shi Xuan was merely smiling and sipping tea, and he had no choice but to speak up.
Shi Xuan's previous physical body, Du Bai, and Xu Tianqi can be considered classmates for eight years, and they had a fairly good relationship. However, after Xu Tianqi ventured into the world, they did not meet again. It was not until the passing of the old Daoist Xu and the funeral held by the Xu family that Du Bai saw Xu Tianqi again. Since then, nearly a year has passed without seeing each other.
This time, we have a bet to go to the haunted house by the Qupei River in the northern part of the city in three days. Each person will bring two companions, and we will spend the night there. Whoever is scared and runs out of the house first will lose. Brother Du, I know your skills in Taoism are extraordinary, and you are particularly adept at dealing with such ghosts. Moreover, the ghosts in this house never harm anyone; they usually just scare people out of the house, at most fainting them and then throwing them out. Brother Du, regardless of whether I win or lose, I will reward you with five hundred taels of silver after this matter.
"Where, where, it is merely the courtesy extended by friends in the jianghu." Although Xu Tianqi spoke these polite words, the proud expression on his face showed no sign of restraint
As soon as noon arrived on the second day, Xu Tianqi could hardly wait to come to the door. Shi Xuan did not put on airs and directly gave a positive response. Xu Tianqi was overjoyed and, after returning home that day, sent over two hundred taels of silver to demonstrate his absolute commitment to keeping his promise, stating that regardless of winning or losing, neither the money nor the books would be lacking.
Moreover, according to the experience of Master Xu, even if all the meridians are opened and one achieves the postnatal Great Circulation, it is still necessary to consume a large amount of food daily to replenish vital energy. Even during the soul-exiting phase, one cannot truly achieve fasting in the genuine sense; one can only endure for several times longer than an ordinary person, being able to go without food for about six months, unless one has cultivated to the Qi Induction stage. Therefore, although one can hunt for wild game to replenish vital energy while traveling in the future, it is still advisable to carry some silver for emergencies.
After a pause, he continued: "In recent years, there have indeed been some beggars or thrill-seekers who have ventured inside to stay, but without exception, they were either scared away or fainted and were thrown out. In any case, I have never heard of this ghost harming anyone's life."
However, Shi Xuan did not enter the residence. After all, since he had decided to accompany Xu Tianqi, there was no difference between going now and going later
As if he had been scratched in a sensitive spot, Xu Tianqi suddenly became excited and recounted the story that Shi Xuan had heard several times before. However, telling it from the perspective of those involved added a unique flavor to the narrative
This is merely a preliminary inference. Shi Xuan subtly asked Xu Tianqi several questions, primarily to assess whether the ghost's obsession was strong or weak, whether it was a fierce obsession or a benevolent one. In the end, Shi Xuan said to Xu Tianqi: "Senior Brother Xu, this matter has come up suddenly, and I still need to think it over." Seeing that Xu Tianqi was about to say something, he hurriedly gestured for him to refrain from speaking further. "How about this, by this time tomorrow, I will definitely give you a response. Even if I do not go, I will still provide you with some talismans to ensure you are prepared." Shi Xuan reiterated to Xu Tianqi: "Senior Brother Xu, this matter has come up suddenly, and I still need to think it over." Seeing that Xu Tianqi was about to say something, he hurriedly gestured for him to refrain from speaking further. "How about this, by this time tomorrow, I will definitely give you a response. Even if I do not go, I will still provide you with some talismans to ensure you are prepared."
After receiving the silver and the illustrated book, Shi Xuan calculated that even without selling the courtyard, the silver he had at this stage for his cultivation was sufficient. However, in the future, when he goes out, the courtyard will remain vacant, so he would definitely have to sell it. The only difference now is that he has more capital to wait for a better price.
The two entered the small courtyard. Since Xu Tianqi was relatively familiar with the place and well-acquainted with it, Shi Xuan led him to sit by the stone table in the corner of the courtyard, then went into the kitchen and casually brewed a pot of tea before returning.
Fill each person's cup with tea, and Shi Xuan smiled, saying: "Brother Xu has quite a reputation in the martial world; even I, a reclusive little Taoist who seldom leaves home and is oblivious to the affairs outside my window, have heard of it."
Xu Tianqi saw that Shi Xuan was insistent and did not want to press further, so he agreed on a time for tomorrow and took his leave to return home. After tidying up a bit, Shi Xuan also went out.
How could it be? In the restaurant, one often hears about how Brother Xu, you pursued the 'Pink Swallow' for two days and two nights, ultimately achieving the great feat of slaying this lecherous villain.
Because Shi Xuan received the true teachings of Old Daoist Xu, the Xu family was well aware of this and understood the miraculous nature of Daoist practices. Therefore, they did not cause trouble after the funeral when Shi Xuan politely declined their invitation, but instead maintained an attitude of indifference.
Disciple Du, I have come here this time with a request. Once the matter is accomplished, I will certainly repay you well.
"Brother Xu, it has been a long time since we last met. How have you been?" Although Shi Xuan was surprised for a moment, he quickly composed himself.
Xu Tianqi smiled and said, "Junior Brother Du, the skills you learned from the ancestor are truly remarkable; this matter is perfectly suited for you." Then, before Shixuan and Tushu could respond, he continued, "When I returned home this time, I was accompanied by several friends from the martial world. Little did I know that after coming back, that annoying fellow from the Xia family in the north of the city found out and has been pestering Yu Qiong all day, often provoking me. Junior Brother Du, you have no idea how despicable that Xia Wenhui is. If it weren't for the fact that both our families are part of the same building and we have secretly conspired to do some business together, with our clansmen restraining us from fighting each other, I would definitely teach him a severe lesson." Junior Brother Du, you have no idea how despicable that Xia Wenhui is. If it weren't for the fact that both our families are part of the same building and we have secretly conspired to do some business together, with our clansmen restraining us from fighting each other, I would definitely teach him a severe lesson.
The Xia family was originally a prominent force in the Jianghu of Xia'an Prefecture, representing the influence of the renowned gang, Xiyulou, in the Jiangnan and Huainan regions. It is said that the Xia family was one of the founding families of Xiyulou, but over time, they failed to produce any top-tier masters (those who achieve the Great Perfection of the Postnatal Realm), leading to their gradual decline. Meanwhile, after the Xu family made a name for themselves in the Jianghu, they quickly allied with Xiyulou, as the Xu family possessed several first-rate masters, which Xiyulou highly valued. Consequently, the private salt trade in this area was entrusted to a collaboration between the Xia and Xu families.
Shi Xuan observed that Xu Tianqi seemed to have something on his mind, so he said: "If you don't mind, Senior Brother Xu, let's go inside and have some tea."
Xu Tianqi let out a slight sigh of relief: "I am very willing."
Of course, excitement aside, it is essential to thoroughly investigate the various rumors surrounding this ghost in order to accurately assess its strength. This will prevent us from recklessly attempting to eliminate the ghost out of excitement, only to find ourselves eliminated by it instead, which would be quite the joke.
That afternoon, Shi Xuan went to the city to gather various pieces of information and inquired with the neighbors. He was able to confirm the matters regarding the ghost that Xu Tianqi had mentioned, which put his mind at ease. In the evening, after calming his emotions and completing his studies and reading, he checked the talismans on his person and headed straight to the bend of the Qupei River in the northern part of the city. He inspected the surroundings of the residence in question and then used a talisman to open his heavenly eye to observe the flow of yin energy. Indeed, as he had suspected, the quality of the yin energy was not favorable.
From the beginning of the year, Shi Xuan deduced that this ghost is likely between the Soul Nourishing and Soul Strengthening stages. Firstly, this ghost has not been worshipped; otherwise, it would not be able to scare people. Secondly, it has never harmed anyone, indicating that it does not require blood offerings, which suggests that its cultivation level is merely capable of absorbing some Yang energy. Therefore, it is likely that certain areas near the Qupei River have formed places of Yin energy, where the obsessions of those who died in fire have turned into Yin ghosts. However, this is the capital city, which is bustling with human activity, so the places of Yin energy cannot be considered of good quality, and the Yin ghosts formed here will not possess an extraordinary growth rate.
"Um, Brother Xu, when did the rumors about ghosts start, and what are the usual tales?" Shi Xuan felt a surge of excitement upon hearing about ghosts, as this might be the first time in two lifetimes that he could possibly see one. Although he understood that having embarked on the path of cultivation, he would likely hear and see ghosts, monsters, and demons frequently in the future, it was still quite novel at this moment. Master Xu had always taught Du Bai that cultivation was fundamental, and that exorcising ghosts and eliminating evil were merely trivial matters, which is why he had never taken Du Bai to actually confront any ghosts or monsters. Although he understood that having embarked on the path of cultivation, he would likely hear and see ghosts, monsters, and demons frequently in the future, it was still quite novel at this moment. Master Xu had always taught Du Bai that cultivation was fundamental, and that exorcising ghosts and eliminating evil were merely trivial matters, which is why he had never taken Du Bai to actually confront any ghosts or monsters.
Xu Tianqi was very pleased to see Shi Xuan's inclination to agree and immediately replied: "That house was mostly burned down in a fire thirteen years ago. It is said that many people died in that incident. Due to the high number of fatalities, no one has been willing to buy the land and rebuild the house since then. Seven years ago, after the incident gradually faded from memory, a wealthy merchant from a provincial city purchased that plot of land along with the adjacent area to construct a large residence. However, just a few days after moving in, they began to experience hauntings. They invited several well-known monks and Taoists to exorcise the spirit, but none were successful; instead, the disturbances intensified. The merchant's family members often fainted from fright in the middle of the night, only to find themselves sleeping on the street the next day. The merchant, truly at a loss, had no choice but to relocate elsewhere. Subsequently, this large residence changed hands several times, with each new owner frightened into moving away. Gradually, the reputation of this house spread, and no one dared to buy it, leaving it to remain abandoned."
After taking a sip of tea and catching my breath, I noticed that Shixuan was listening with a smile, so I continued, "However, these past few days, that scoundrel Xia Wenhui actually provoked me, and then took advantage of my agitation to make a bet with me. The loser would have to say three times in front of Yuqiong, 'I was wrong, I am not human.' Privately, the loser would also have to pay the other party one thousand taels of silver. The money itself is not the issue; what I fear most is losing face in front of Yuqiong, sigh."
Recently troubled by financial issues, Shi Xuan felt a slight stir upon hearing the wager of one thousand taels of silver. However, it was merely a fleeting interest; his rationality remained intact. Thus, he gestured for Xu Tianqi to continue speaking, deciding to evaluate the situation after listening to the full account.
Shi Xuan smiled and said, "Oh, Senior Brother Xu, if you cannot accomplish it, how could a mere little Taoist like me manage to do so"
Xu Tianqi felt a bit awkward, but quickly concealed it and said with a smile: "Junior Brother Du, I have been wandering in the martial world for these past few years, spending little time at home. On the other hand, you have been diligently practicing in seclusion, I imagine you must have made significant progress."