Chapter 15

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Is there really a ghost behind her?

Aunt Cai clutched her chest, eyes wide with fear, too scared to even turn her head. “Brother, please don’t frighten me. I’m not brave!”

Aunt Cai had always believed in spirits. Now, as Chu Ning blurted out that phrase the moment they met, her heart skipped a beat.

Lately, her hair had been falling out uncontrollably—half of it gone in just a few days. She had suspected some serious illness and spent a fortune on hospital tests, but nothing abnormal was found.

Finally, she had started to relax, wondering if it was early menopause. But upon hearing the words “hair-cutting ghost,” chills ran down her spine, as if something heavy was pressing on her back, causing her to tremble uncontrollably in place.

Seeing Aunt Cai’s terror, Chu Ning’s gaze slowly shifted behind her. He shook his head and said, “I don’t know you, Aunt Cai. What good would scaring you do? It’s just that the hair-cutting ghost following you seems full of resentment. In a few days, it might strip all your hair clean off. I’m just kindly warning you.”

Then, with a curious expression and a teasing tone, he asked, “What on earth did you do? This ghost hates you so much it wants to crawl from your scalp into your brain. It must bear a deep grudge, and it might actually succeed.”

Aunt Cai was at her wit’s end, frantically clawing at the air above her head. But the more she pulled, the more hair fell out. One finger got tangled in her hair, and with a tug, a thick lock came loose.

Staring at the fallen strands, her face drained of color, teeth chattering uncontrollably. “I—I never offended any hair-cutting ghost! Why is it tormenting me?”

Chu Ning smiled faintly, though his eyes held no amusement. “Who knows? Maybe you should ask yourself what you’ve done recently.”

Aunt Cai looked puzzled. “What have I done?”

She wore an expression of complete blankness, her features tightly knitted as her right hand unconsciously touched the fur shawl draped over her shoulders. Suddenly, a flicker of panic flashed in her eyes; she shrank back silently, clutching the shawl tightly in her hands.

At that moment, Director Kang’s mother and wife, hearing the noise in the corridor, opened the door. Seeing several people standing at the entrance, they were surprised and quickly invited them inside.

“Aunt Cai is here.”

Mother Kang greeted her, but Aunt Cai, usually cheerful, seemed transformed—hunched over, shrinking her head, and nervously glancing behind her from time to time.

What’s going on? Mother Kang frowned slightly.

Kang’s wife, Zou Shulan, looked at Chu Ning, noticing his youthful and unfamiliar face, and asked with suspicion, “Who is this… your student?”

Kang had brought Chu Ning to expose a fraud, so he couldn’t let his wife know he was with a student. Clearing his throat, he introduced, “This is a master I invited to drive away evil spirits. His surname is Chu.”

Zou Shulan was shocked her husband had really brought a master home. She studied Chu Ning’s handsome, young face with some doubt, showing a hint of distrust.

Not a student? He looks about college age. And even if not, he seems too young, less reliable than the local spirit medium.

Thinking this, she tentatively asked, “Master Chu, what kind of powers do you have? Can you perform shamanistic rituals, sacrifices? Or summon the rulers of the underworld, like the King of Hell or the Black and White Impermanence?”

Kang: “...?” Where did his wife learn all this nonsense?

Chu Ning replied, “I probably can’t do most of what you said, and—”

He explained patiently, “The King of Hell governs the underworld and wouldn’t answer mortal summons. As for Black and White Impermanence, their role is to escort souls to the underworld when someone dies. Summoning them is considered inauspicious.”

Zou Shulan nodded in understanding. “I see. Thank you for clarifying.”

Kang: “......”

She continued, “So, what exactly can the master do?”

Kang thought Chu Ning was just here to debunk the spirit medium’s scam and probably had no powers. Worried Chu Ning might reveal too much and blow their cover, he forced himself to say, “He… he can…”

Zou Shulan rolled her eyes. “Why are you being so evasive?”

She prided herself on being no fool. She had invited the spirit medium with Aunt Cai’s guarantee, based on their family’s real experience proving the medium’s authenticity, so she trusted her enough to bring her into their home.

But if Kang couldn’t give a clear answer about this young master soon, Zou Shulan’s temper might flare, and she could outright brand him a fraud and throw him and his wheelchair out!

Seeing this, Chu Ning remained calm and directly asked Zou Shulan, “Have you heard of the president of Changsheng Technology?”

Changsheng Technology’s president? Qiu Changsheng? Zou Shulan, deputy editor-in-chief at Tongcheng TV, had recently organized a special interview about Qiu Changsheng and was very familiar with this rising local business magnate.

Why mention him now? Could this master be involved with Changsheng Technology? That’s a high-tech gaming company’s CEO—surely a joke! Besides, Qiu Changsheng seemed more of an atheist.

Still puzzled, Zou Shulan watched as the young master pulled out his phone, tapped a few times with slender, pale fingers, and brought up a WeChat transfer record, waving it before her eyes.

Chu Ning raised his chin with a mysterious air and said calmly, “Coincidentally, my last transaction was with President Qiu. Director Kang was there too.”

Kang blinked and nodded quickly. “Yes, yes, I saw President Qiu buy quite a few talismans from Master Chu.”

Zou Shulan glanced suspiciously at her husband, carefully checked the account number, and gasped silently. “...It really is the president of Changsheng Technology.”

Chu Ning said, “Lady, now do you believe I have some skill?”

Zou Shulan immediately changed her attitude to respectful. “Please, Master, come in.”

After all, a master trusted by someone like President Qiu must be far more capable than the neighbor’s spirit medium! But a master working for a big boss probably charged far more.

Zou Shulan’s mood shifted rapidly—she abandoned her earlier doubts about Chu Ning’s youth and unreliability and, without asking about his abilities, respectfully led him from the entrance into the living room.

Director Kang followed behind his wife, giving Chu Ning a subtle glance, silently signaling, “Well done.”

Chu Ning returned the look. “It’s nothing.”

…

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Before Director Kang returned, Aunt Cai’s introduced spirit medium had already prepared various ritual implements and was about to start the ceremony at Kang’s home.

Entering the room, they saw incense burners placed at each corner of the living room, with incense smoldering inside. Beside each burner stood a child figurine made of earthenware, bound tightly with several red strings.

Upon entering, everyone carefully avoided these figurines.

Zou Shulan led the group further inside. Chu Ning looked up and saw a yellow-faced woman, dressed simply in cloth, holding a copper bell. She sat cross-legged with her eyes closed beside an unconscious child, murmuring softly.

Seeing this, Aunt Cai immediately clasped her hands in prayer, skillfully passed through the entrance, and knelt respectfully beside the yellow-faced woman, her face full of reverence.

Mother Kang also knelt down in prayer.

Director Kang asked in confusion, “What is this? What are you worshiping?”

Zou Shulan quickly shushed him, “Quiet! Don’t disturb the spirit medium’s ritual!”

She worried Kang didn’t understand and might say something to offend the medium, so she explained softly, “The medium has invited the Fox Spirit to possess her and take charge here! Her soul has already descended to search for our Wenhong!”

Kang’s eyes glazed over. “...Fox Spirit? Descended?”

Zou Shulan nodded, still fearful. “Don’t think I’m making this up. I didn’t believe it at first either, but Wenhong cried all night, and neither Mom nor I could wake him. Once the medium arrived and placed the ritual implements, Wenhong stopped crying!”

Kang frowned. “But the child still hasn’t woken up.”

“That’s why the medium is performing the ritual—to descend and find Wenhong’s soul!” Zou Shulan looked at Kang as if he were slow-witted. “She said Wenhong’s soul was dragged away by wild ghosts nearby. When the medium placed the implements, she intended to subdue the mischievous spirit, but it was bold and fled, dragging Wenhong down to the underworld!”

Zou Shulan worried aloud, “What if Wenhong meets the soul-snatching Black and White Impermanence? I wonder who is stronger—the Fox Spirit or the Impermanence?”

Kang was silent for a moment and then asked, “So as long as the medium can bring Wenhong’s soul back from the underworld, Wenhong will wake?”

Zou Shulan: “That’s the idea!”

She had heard Aunt Cai recount stories of the medium borrowing life from the underworld judge to extend someone’s lifespan by three whole years. Though it sounded unbelievable, Zou Shulan had cautiously researched online and confirmed such a person existed in Tongcheng, even making news once.

Kang: “...”

He asked again, “But what if she doesn’t find it? What then?”

Zou Shulan glared at him. “Shut up! How could the medium not find it? Kang Yanming, do you want your son to wake or not?”

“I want him to wake immediately,” Kang said repeatedly.

Then he glanced at the medium sitting cross-legged with closed eyes and at Chu Ning, suddenly saying, “But I still think the medium’s way isn’t the safest. Why not let Master Chu try as well?”

“Well…” Zou Shulan hesitated, “the medium hasn’t finished the ritual. It might not be appropriate for Master Chu to act now.”

Just then, the yellow-faced woman—the medium herself—suddenly opened her eyes wide. Her calm face twisted into something fierce, teeth bared, emitting a fox-like chittering sound, fingers clawed, her gaze darkly fixed on everyone present.

Aunt Cai, kneeling beside her, shuddered and shouted, “The Fox Spirit is manifesting!”

Mother Kang was startled and clasped her hands in prayer repeatedly.

Kang and Zou Shulan exchanged uncertain glances at the fox-like figure on the mat.

Aunt Cai then called out, “The Fox Spirit manifests and guards this place. Hurry and prepare some offerings!”

Mother Kang trembled, “What offerings does the Fox Spirit want...?”

Aunt Cai’s eyes gleamed with pleasure, about to speak, but someone was quicker.

Chu Ning, watching from the side, said, “Why not buy some roast chickens?”

“...Roast chickens?” the Kang family asked in unison.

Chu Ning nodded seriously. “Foxes love chicken. Offering roast chicken to the Fox Spirit is an unwritten rule.”

At this, the Fox Spirit’s displeased gesture froze, and she fell silent.

Remembering that this was a master trusted by President Qiu, Zou Shulan immediately ran out to buy roast chickens. Aunt Cai’s expression shifted repeatedly, about to say something, but was silenced by Chu Ning’s calm glance.

Chu Ning smiled slightly and casually said, “Aunt Cai, your hair is falling out again.”

Aunt Cai gasped and covered her hair, suddenly recalling that she was wearing a wig today.

So the hair she’d been pulling out was...!

Her face turned pale, then flushed red, then darkened, finally leaving her chest tight with anger.

That damned shop had dared to sell her a cheap wig!

She wanted to rip it off, but the moment her hand touched it, she froze, her expression souring as she remembered something.

She had already...

Seeing Aunt Cai’s nervous behavior, Director Kang hesitated, then quietly asked, “Why do you keep scaring her?”

Chu Ning sighed. “Haven’t you noticed yet?”

Kang looked confused. “Notice what?”

Chu Ning said, “Your neighbor and the spirit medium are swindling your family’s money! If I hadn’t mentioned the roast chicken, guess what Aunt Cai would have asked you to prepare?”

Kang wasn’t a fool. Thinking it over, he immediately understood. “She wants money?”

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Chu Ning smiled. “Who knows?”

Kang’s frown deepened.

He had thought Aunt Cai was just another victim of the spirit medium’s scam, hoping to expose the fraud to awaken her. But it turned out they were accomplices scamming money together!

No awakening or realization needed now! Kang only wanted to expose the collusion between Aunt Cai and the medium.

But Chu Ning stopped him just in time, urging him not to act rashly and to report to the police first.

Hearing the word “police,” Kang was startled and blurted out, “Xiao Chu, are you always this ruthless to your own kind?”

Chu Ning: “???”

He felt falsely accused. “I’m not even in the same trade as them!”

Kang shook his head in exasperation, giving Chu Ning a complicated look before excusing himself to the bathroom.

Chu Ning, meanwhile, reflected silently.

Did he need to do something to truly prove to Kang that he was different from these fraudsters?

…

Zou Shulan returned within fifteen minutes, carrying a bag full of roast chickens.

Meanwhile, Kang secretly went to the bathroom to make a call. Only Mother Kang remained in the living room, sincerely praying, while the Fox Spirit sat cross-legged on the cushion, glaring fiercely with twitching lips from holding her teeth clenched so long.

Chu Ning watched the soul of the little child. Since being picked up by his father, it had been excitedly darting all over the living room, showing no sign of returning to its body.

Well, if it didn’t want to return, so much the better—it wouldn’t fall into the hands of the spirit medium and Aunt Cai, who were here to swindle money.

“How much does the Fox Spirit eat? This is all the roast chicken left at the downstairs shop—I bought it all,” Zou Shulan said, opening the bag to reveal over a dozen roasted chickens.

She hesitated, unsure of the Fox Spirit’s appetite.

Aunt Cai’s face darkened, wanting to say it was enough—but Chu Ning, as if opposing her, quickly said, “Spirits don’t eat grains, so they have no hunger or fullness. How much the Fox Spirit eats depends on how long she intends to guard this place.”

Taking this as reasonable, Zou Shulan tore open the bag and arranged the chickens on a board with great reverence, placing them before the Fox Spirit. “Please enjoy.”

The yellow-faced woman, playing the Fox Spirit, stared in silence—she was eating!

Chu Ning thought to himself, people who dare to swindle like this are really something.

Half an hour passed. Everyone watched as the yellow-faced woman devoured her fifth roasted chicken, biting and swallowing vigorously. Even Mother Kang covered her stomach, feeling full just watching.

Zou Shulan worried aloud, “Should I buy ten more chickens for the Fox Spirit?”

Just then, the woman let out a loud, satisfied burp.

Zou Shulan hesitated, “Do spirits burp too?”

The woman couldn’t bear it any longer. She threw down the chicken, convulsed as if electrified, kicked over the chicken board, and abruptly abandoned the Fox Spirit’s mannerisms. She resumed her cross-legged meditation with hands held in a five-pointed gesture.

“Muma lama hong, spirit return to place!”

Muttering indistinct words, her face flushed deeply, then turned pale and weak. Sweat poured down her forehead, and her pupils dilated, as if she had crawled out of hell.

Aunt Cai exclaimed excitedly, “The spirit medium has returned!”

Mother Kang was stunned, then overjoyed. “So, so what about Wenhong’s soul?”

“Of course, it has returned,” the woman gasped for breath, her expression normalizing. After murmuring over the sleeping child, wiping sweat from her brow, she said, “The evil spirit has been captured underground. Your child’s soul is on the way back and will awaken early tomorrow.”

Zou Shulan was thrilled. “Really? Wenhong will wake by morning?”

The woman put away the bell but didn’t answer. Instead, she frowned at the chickens on the floor, her expression sour. “Did you offer such vulgar things to the Fox Spirit while I was descending to the underworld?!”

Zou Shulan was taken aback. “But these roast chickens are what the Fox Spirit loves to eat.”

The woman scolded coldly, “Nonsense! The Fox Spirit is a proper deity. How could she covet such earthly desires?”

Zou Shulan insisted, “But I saw her enjoying them.”

After all, eating five chickens in half an hour wasn’t possible without genuine fondness.

The woman twitched her face and said, “In any case, this is a grave disrespect to the Fox Spirit and will provoke her revenge.”

Mother Kang grew anxious. “Then, medium, how do we make amends?”

The woman narrowed her eyes, then said mysteriously, “Offer eighty thousand in silver. I will go beg the Fox Spirit’s forgiveness and ensure she will no longer trouble your family.”

Mother Kang agreed without hesitation, but Director Kang stopped her and asked, “If the Fox Spirit retaliates, what will happen to us?”

The woman glanced at him and said, “Your home will be unsettled; your wife and children will be torn apart.”

Kang nodded firmly. “Very well.”

Hearing this, the woman thought the matter was settled and the Kang family was ready to pay. But before she could rejoice, Kang turned to the young man beside him and asked, “Is the recording ready?”

Chu Ning nodded, shaking his phone with a slight smile. “Yes, the evidence is all here!”