Chen Yun started his qi-observation technique and clearly saw a wisp of black qi rising from the compound in front of him.
The black qi whirled in the mid-air, like a thin film, subtly obstructing the fading glow of the sunset.
Facing this, his complexion grew even more solemn as he pondered silently, "The sun has yet to set, and the black qi is fully visible. It seems this ghost possesses some level of cultivation. It may be even more powerful than the ghost in Wu family's courtyard, perhaps by three times."
He was lost in thought.
An earsplitting voice from Zhang Gan echoed, "Brother Chen, have you noticed anything?"
Closing his qi-observation technique, Chen Yun replied, "Indeed, it is haunted."
Zhang Qian's expression changed slightly, "What kind of ghost?"
Chen Yun shook his head and said, "As for what kind of ghost it is, I cannot say for certain. The dense black qi suggests it might be even more powerful than the ghost in Wu family's courtyard."
Zhang Qian exclaimed, "If that's the case, it would be hard for us to remove this ghost... Oh, wait, Brother Chen, you have already cultivated true qi and are a practitioner of Daoism. Exorcising a ghost should be as easy as turning over your palm."
Chen Yun thought to himself, I haven't learned any magical arts, how can I possibly exorcise a ghost?
After careful consideration, he realized that there might not be a lack of ways to exorcise ghosts, as long as they can identify the type of ghost.
Since he had descended from the mountain to accumulate good karma, exorcising ghosts wasn't just a suitable task.
Thinking of this, Chen Yun approached and knocked on the door.
Thud, thud-thud.
A middle-aged man's voice called from inside, "Who is it?"
Chen Yun said, "I am Chen Yun, a disciple of the Chongyashan Yingyang Cave Temple. I had an appointment with third uncle yesterday and have come specially to find him today."
"Oh, it's Master Chen."
A series of footsteps could be heard.
Suddenly, a creaking sound, and the large gate on the inside opened.
The thinner of the two burly men seen at the inn, who was previously met, appeared. He greeted with a bow, "Master Chen, my father is out on business. Please have a seat inside first? He will be back soon."
There's a ghost inside, stirring up trouble as it seems.
Chen Yun wouldn't dare to go in before he had a clear understanding of the situation.
He waved his hand and said, "Today I am a bit weary. Since the third uncle is not here, let's come tomorrow morning."
Zhang Qian stared inside the doorway, as if searching for anything unusual.
"Okay." The middle-aged man said before closing the door.
Taking this opportunity, Chen Yun inquired, "Hey, Huang bro, I noticed your compound feels gloomy and the geomantic atmosphere is bizarre. Could it be that something is amiss within the house?"
The third uncle is surnamed Huang.
His son naturally also bears the surname Huang.
The middle-aged man was indeed the second son of the third uncle.
Being the second son, he is usually referred to as Huang Erlang.
Upon hearing Chen Yun's words, Huang Erlang's face changed dramatically, and he hesitated for a long time before speaking. He sighed heavily, "Master Chen, I must not deceive you. There have been some unusual occurrences in our household recently."
Chen Yun and Zhang Qian exchanged glances and further inquired, "What's the matter?"
Huang Erlang bitterly smiled and said, "Father doesn't allow us to speak of this in public, but since you are a disciple of the temple, I can tell you without reservations. When our father bought this house several decades ago, our household began experiencing frequent nightmares among the elderly, weak, and children. At first, our father didn't think much of it and believed it to be an isolated incident. Indeed, for the next two decades or so, despite the recurring nightmares and even ghost-pressing bed incidents, our family members were generally in good health. Therefore, we didn't pay much attention to it."
Chen Yun and Zhang Qian listened attentively.
"In March this year..." Here, Huang Erlang's face turned pale with fear, "One evening, our family was having dinner when suddenly red blood began to spread across all four walls, and a fierce ghost emerged from the ground. It nearly scared us to death. Since then, father has been searching for wizards and exorcists to drive away the ghost. But those wizards... Alas, they were almost scared to death too, and father had to pay them quite a sum of silver."
The term 'master' is a title. Initially, it referred to high-level Taoist practitioners. Over time, as it spread, people from various fields, including Buddhism and folklore, who possessed the ability to drive away demons and ghosts were also called 'masters.'
A 'sorceress' refers to a female shaman, while a male shaman is called a 'sorcerer'.
Witches and wizards originated in the primitive period, with their theoretical foundation being animism, which posits that all things have spirits. For example, elements such as fire, mountains and rivers, trees, the sun and moon, stars, winds and thunderstorms, as well as animals are viewed through anthropomorphic thought and mystified spiritual existence.
These witches and wizards often perform sacrifices of some kind to a personified deity and use its power to drive away demons and ghosts.
Chen Yun guessed that Huang Erlang was referring to high-powered people from the folklore when he spoke of wizards and shamans.
Indeed, the folk world is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, with many formidable individuals.
However, because the folk world is filled with all kinds of people, many frauds have emerged.
Chen Yun guessed that the wizards and shamans summoned by the third uncle were most likely con artists.
After hearing Huang Erlang's account, Chen Yun had a hunch about the type of ghost inside the house; it was likely a fierce ghost.
A fierce ghost is a general term that can refer to various types.
The fierce ghost seen in the previous episode at Wu family's courtyard was a resentful ghost. These are ghosts with heavy resentment who lack rationality and are driven solely by their instinctual resentment.
From Huang Erlang's description, Chen Yun can determine that the fierce ghost in question is very likely to be a hungry ghost seeking retribution.
What is a killing hunger ghost?
A killing hunger ghost is often said to be a ghost that was born from suicide. These ghosts are believed to seek opportunities to induce others to commit suicide, leading them into foolishness and taking their own lives.
The only thing Chen Yun couldn't figure out was that the fierce ghost here was much more powerful than the ghost in Wu family's courtyard. It had the ability to directly kill the whole family, yet it still chose to create nightmares, ghost-pressing beds, and frightening illusions to scare people instead.
Even though he couldn't figure it out, Chen Yun had come down from the mountain to accumulate good karma. Given this opportunity in front of him, he was determined not to miss it. "I know what kind of ghost it is."
Huang Erlang's face lit up with joy. "May I ask, Master Chen, what kind of ghost is it?"
Zhang Qian also looked curious and turned his gaze towards Chen Yun.
Chen Yun spoke directly, "A killing hunger ghost, no need to worry about it."
Huang Erlang understood immediately and hurriedly spoke with respect and desperation, "Master Chen, I know you are a great expert. Considering the sufferings of my family at the hands of the evil ghost, please help us eliminate this ghost. If you are willing to lend a hand, I am willing to offer a hundred or so silver taels."
Chen Yun came down from the mountain to accumulate good karma, so he couldn't take people's money.
If his mentor found out, he might suspect Chen Yun of being greedy and question his moral character.
Chen Yun waved his hand and said, "There's no need for silver. Do you have red, black, and yellow paper at home?"
Huang Erlang quickly said, "Yes, our father has invited several wizards before. They needed red, black, and yellow paper for their rituals. We bought some and there are still some left at home."
Chen Yun nodded and said, "Bring the red, black, and yellow paper. I'll draw a talisman for you. Place it at the four corners of your home. Tonight, it will ensure your safety. When the sun is at its brightest tomorrow at noon, I will come to eliminate the ghost."
Huang Erlang was overjoyed and said with a hint of flattery, "Alright, alright, Master Chen, thank you for your trouble."
After saying that, he turned to go into the house to fetch the red paper, black ink, and yellow ink.
Zhang Qian asked puzzledly, "Brother Chen, why do you plan to come here again to eliminate the fierce ghost tomorrow noon?"
Chen Yun looked at him earnestly, "This ghost is unusually powerful. In the evening, even with the remaining sunlight, its ghostly aura still spreads. If it's during the night when the yin qi is heavy, this ghost might be even more terrifying. Although I have cultivated real qi, my cultivation is still shallow, and I'm not confident of defeating it at night. However, under direct sunlight, which is very different, sunlight has great harm to ghosts and other negative evil influences. If I'm lucky enough, perhaps the ghost can be directly incinerated by the sunlight. Even if it's not incinerated, its strength will be greatly reduced. By then, I will have a guarantee of victory."
Zhang Qian slapped his head, "Ah, I see. I was so eager to just rush in, but Chen Brother has thought more carefully."
Chen Yun smiled and casually responded a few lines.
Actually, there was a reason he didn't mention. Although he could use the ability of observing qi to find out where the ghost is hiding, using it consumes a lot of true qi. The scale of Huang's mansion is not small, and he worries that using the observing qi ability might exhaust his true qi without finding the ghost. Or, even if he finds the ghost using true qi depleted, he might not have enough strength to eliminate it, and the ghost might confuse him and attack back.
Chen Yun is always careful in his actions. He always prioritizes preserving his life first before considering anything else.
The two were chatting when.
Huang Erlang came back with the red, black, and yellow paper. "Master Chen, here are the materials."
"Alright, just a moment."
Chen Yun took the yellow paper and red and black ink, and directly knelt down to draw a talisman, then he infused true qi into it.
After completing it, he handed the talisman to Huang Erlang, "Follow what I just said. Additionally, if you hear any piercing screams at night, make sure to inform me when I come tomorrow."
Huang Erlang quickly said, "Alright, thank you, Master."
While saying that, he reached into his sleeve and took out a ingot of silver. "It's just a little thing, it's not..."
Chen Yun frowned and said, "I've already said that I won't accept any money. Please take the silver back."
Huang Erlang dared not go against his wishes and meekly said, "Yes."
...
In the evening.
The third uncle returned home.
His wife approached to serve him and said, "My husband, according to Erlang's story, yesterday we encountered the Master Chen Yun at the Zhongmanshilou Inn. Since you were not present at that time, Master Chen left behind the red paper talisman and departed."
"Red paper talismans?" The third uncle, who was in the process of taking off his outer robe, paused. "He didn't send silver over for me to deliver to my parents, did he?"
His wife smiled and said, "Probably he didn't see you, so he was worried that the silver wouldn't be safe with me and Erlang."
The third uncle glanced at her without responding.
His wife hung up the clothes and turned to him, batting her eyes and said, "Husband, what do you think the Master Chen would have you deliver in silver to your parents?"
The third uncle sat down by the bedside, irritated, "Why are you asking that? Go and get some water for me to wash my feet."
She stood in place, her eyes darting around, "Since he never keeps in touch with the family, I've been thinking. If he really asks you to bring money, it's okay if the amount is small. But if there's a lot of silver, we'll trick him and keep half."
"Ridiculous!" The third uncle glared and sternly scolded, "I'm already involved in a morally questionable business. How can I take money from others? You woman, you're incredibly malicious! I warn you, don't even think about touching a single coin of Master Chen's silver. Otherwise, I'll skin you alive!"
His wife remained silent after being scolded.
The third uncle angrily said, "What are you standing here for? Go and get some water for me to wash my feet!"
"Oh." His wife turned and walked out with a somewhat unsatisfied expression.
The third uncle sat on the edge of the bed and sighed, thinking how he ended up with this evil wife.
He cursed a couple more times under his breath, but he didn't take Master Chen's talisman seriously.
The third uncle was not deaf, but he thought that Master Chen, who had only been hired as a long-term worker at the Taoist temple for half a year, could not have learned real skills. Moreover, he was currently being tormented by evil ghosts and only hoped that the evil ghost wouldn't cause any more trouble tonight. He had no interest in paying attention to the talisman.
