In the midst of the long and exhausting battle, I finally succumbed to fatigue and fell asleep. The ladies who had accompanied me through the night quietly turned and left. Like an illusory dream, life ultimately leaves one alone in this world—no matter how intimate the moments, what remains is but an ephemeral illusion.
Perhaps I was never cut out to be a feng shui master. With dawn still far away, I closed my eyes and slowly drifted off, trying to forget everything.
Suddenly, thick black smoke rose, and a haze filled the air. Towering vines, massive beyond measure, loomed like mountain ranges. Monsters with three ears and four noses scurried across the ground. The air was thick with ghostly howls. Dodging these strange creatures, I stumbled along the dark path, littered with rocks. My bare foot struck a stone, sending sharp pain through my right big toe. Looking down, I realized I was barefoot, my toe throbbing unbearably.
Muttering to myself, I wondered: Where the hell is this place? With its eerie rocks and pitch-black trees, had I somehow fallen into the underworld?
No sign of Ox-Head or Horse-Face, let alone the Black and White Impermanence or Granny Meng—not even her rumored lover, Old Wang next door.
“Disciple. Look up.”
Who the hell was calling me from above? I glanced up and saw a swing hanging from the middle of a massive tree. On it sat an old man, his left hand clutching a chicken leg, his right a duck leg, his mouth smeared with grease. Beside him dangled an oil lamp, its faint light revealing a long-bearded, peculiar figure.
“Want a chicken leg?” the old man asked.
I cursed under my breath. “Who the hell are you? Scaring people in the dead of night, swinging like that—I thought you were a ghost!” The old man took another greasy bite and laughed heartily. “You’ve got spirit, kid. I’m your ancestor, Donglingzi. I called you here to tell you something.”
Internally, I scoffed. If you were going to summon me, couldn’t you have picked a sunny, picturesque spot? Skeptical, I asked, “You’re really Donglingzi? Got any proof? Not that I distrust you, but in my day, even virginity certificates can be faked. I’ve got to ask.”
Donglingzi chuckled. “Kid, have you read the last few chapters of my book? The ones on Celestial Daoism and Qimen Dunjia?” I nodded. The book explicitly warned against reading those sections. If he knew that, he must be the real deal. Dropping to my knees, I said, “Fifteenth-generation disciple of the Ghost Sect pays respects to the ancestor. What do you command?”
Finishing the chicken and duck legs, Donglingzi pulled out a lamb leg and started gnawing. At this rate, pork, beef, and even elephant legs were next.
The ancestor grinned like a fool. “So, how’d you like my book?”
I nodded. “Weird, but not bad.”
His smile vanished. “I scoured the world’s texts to write a manual on capturing ghosts and demons, and you call it ‘weird but not bad’? You’re killing me, kid!” He hurled the half-eaten lamb leg at me, which I narrowly dodged.
“What did you summon me for, ancestor?” I asked.
His beard bristled with anger. “You’re infuriating!” He sulked like a child. Glancing around, I saw nothing but dark rocks—where was I? Which of the infinite realms was this?
Trying to lighten the mood, I said, “If you’re mad at me, I’ll play along. Just tell me why you called me here.”
With a huff, he relented. “Fine. Since you’re my disciple, I’ll let it slide. Listen carefully: The Onmyōji from Fusang are coming. Their sect and ours have been at odds for millennia. Watch your back. Don’t let them steal our sect’s relic.”
Fusang—that’s Japan. How did the ancestor foresee they’d come after me? But if he said so, it must be true. I nodded, remembering Xie Lingyu’s words. “Is the road to the River of Souls hard to travel?”
Donglingzi laughed. “Like Tang Monk’s journey to the West. Why would a living man ask such things? The more you know, the worse for you.”
“I’m not asking for myself. I just thought of Xie Lingyu.” I pressed, “Is your home far from the River? Can you take me there?”
His expression darkened. “You’ve got a death wish, kid? Never speak of this again. I’ve said my piece. And ease up on those ladies—you’ll wear yourself out.”
As I considered asking if he needed offerings, a sudden urge to pee jolted me awake. Daylight streamed through the hotel window. So the old tales were true—ancestors really could send dreams.
The Ghost Sect’s treasures were a jade ruler and the *Compendium*. If Donglingzi came to me in a dream, I’d better guard them well.
Checking myself, the Golden Sand Curse seemed gone. Since Wang Han and Insect Elder nearly killed me, awakening me as a Five Elements Bug Master, I could sense insects. After washing the bruise on my forehead, I dressed and left.
Stepping outside, I froze. A young woman holding a little girl’s hand approached. Panicking, I covered my forehead and hurried past. Of all times to run into Ji Qianqian—right after a night with paid company.
We passed each other. Four steps later, a distant voice called, “Xiao Qi, is that you?”
I hadn’t expected this reunion.
Every emotion surged and was swiftly buried as I turned calmly. “It’s you. Didn’t recognize you.” A lie. I’d know Ji Qianqian from a silhouette.
She wasn’t conventionally beautiful, but to me, no one compared. This chance encounter and my reaction would haunt me forever—a mistake I’d never forgive.
She invited me to a café, fussing over the cuts on my face. “Did you get into a fight?”
The girl whined for White Rabbit candy. Ji Qianqian relented with a warning about cavities. The child peeled the wrapper expertly. “Just one, Mommy.”
I smiled. “She likes White Rabbit too.” Ji Qianqian had always loved those candies—I’d eaten plenty myself. Blushing, she asked, “How’ve you been? Heard you joined a secretive unit. Lost touch with everyone.”
“Who said that? I quit. Now I run a flower shop.”
I’d meant to say I’d drifted three years, jobless, homeless—until becoming a feng shui master. But the words simplified themselves. She was married with children. What good would my sob story do?
She drowned her black coffee in sugar and milk—still the sweet-tooth who hated bitterness. I’d never wanted her to suffer with me. Her stirring spoon betrayed our mutual discomfort.
The silence was excruciating.
Tucking stray hair behind her ear, she caught me staring. I looked away.
“So… married yet?” she asked.
I forced a smile. “Nah. Saving for a house first. Let my mom find me someone suitable.”
“You should hurry. You’re not young. My daughter’s already two.”
After a pause, I asked, “What’s her name?”
The girl piped up, “I’m Xiaoxiao! If you know Mommy, you can call me ‘baby.’”
Ji Qianqian and I shared a quiet laugh.
Flowers wilt and bloom again. Winters pass, springs return. But there’ll never be another Ji Qianqian—or another Xiao Qi.
Leaving the café, she said, “Your eyes, your clothes, your aura—they tell me you’re not doing well. I can’t scold you; you’ve always been this way. Just wish me happiness.”
“Then… I wish you a lifetime of joy.”
Xiaoxiao tugged her mother’s hand, watching the “weird uncle” leave. “Mommy, the rain wet your eyes.”
On my way back, I stopped at Half-Immortal Liu’s funeral shop. “I need a paper villa and ten paper women.”
Liu Jianguo, sporting a mustache and glasses, set down his ancient copy of *The Ma Yi Physiognomy*. “Any preferences?”
I hesitated. “How so?”
“Hand-painted premium paper costs more. Foreign or local women? Japanese? Russian-Ukrainian ‘stallions’ are trending—tall, classy. Venezuelan beauty queens are pricier.”
Amused, I said, “Ten premium Russian ‘stallions.’ Price isn’t an issue.”
“Great!” He put the book aside. “Leave your number and a deposit.”
Five hundred yuan later, I joked, “Sell a hundred of these daily, you’d be rich.” He sighed. “I wish. You’re my first customer in six months. Materials are expensive, especially for Russian ‘stallions.’”
As I turned to leave, he called, “Want a free face-reading?”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage