Chapter 210: Lost in Thought

“Why can’t I leave?” Shui Miao retorted.

What was going on? Dai Rong was startled and quickly glanced at the back seat, but there was no one there: “Who are you talking to?”

“Just focus on driving. It’s none of your business,” Shui Miao replied without turning his head, then continued questioning the female ghost, Bai Feng: “Have you been secretly following me all along?”

“That’s not important. What matters is that you can’t leave this town,” Bai Feng coldly responded.

But the black snake demon just smiled, gazing out the car window.

“Give me a reason, or please step aside. I don’t need your protection,” Shui Miao said, clearly annoyed. Since when had he become a prisoner under house arrest?

“If you leave, many people will die, including your loved ones!” Bai Feng’s tone was maddeningly indifferent.

Anger flared in Shui Miao: “Are you saying you’ll kill many people because I leave?”

“It’s not me who will kill them. My master said this. Of course, you don’t need to blame me. I’ve said what I needed to say. If you still insist on leaving, then you must be prepared to face the consequences.” After saying this, Bai Feng suddenly vanished. Shui Miao turned his head and saw she had already exited the car and was standing by the roadside.

“Brother, I’ll leave for now, but I’d like to give you a piece of advice: fate plays tricks on people. In this world, don’t think you can do whatever you want,” the black snake demon cheerfully said, then also stepped out onto the roadside.

Shui Miao turned back, feeling something was off. Their words seemed ordinary, yet strangely unusual.

“Madhouse! You think you can fool me? No way!”

Shui Miao muttered bitterly to himself.

Dai Rong looked at Shui Miao and suddenly realized Shui Miao’s appearance had changed—he was no longer the person Dai Rong recognized.

“Why did your appearance change?”

Dai Rong slammed on the brakes, thinking, What the hell is this? This isn’t human anymore, right? Changing appearances like this must mean he’s some kind of evil being.

Instinctively, Shui Miao looked into the mirror and saw that he had indeed changed. He was no longer Zhang Ling, but had returned to his original form.

“…”

But Shui Miao didn’t feel happy; instead, he felt a sense of loss, as if he had done something wrong.

“Strange, wasn’t I always wanting to break free and be myself again? Then why don’t I feel happy after returning to my original appearance?” Shui Miao looked at his hands and muttered, “It must be Bai Feng’s words misleading me. I won’t let her affect me. I must be myself again!”

“Drive. I’m going back to Zhonghai City.”

After thinking for a moment, Shui Miao dismissed his doubts and made up his mind. He decided to go to the county bank to retrieve his money first, then come back once more before returning to Zhonghai City to be himself again. Even if it meant death, he no longer wanted to live a life of hiding here.

Afraid of evil beings, Dai Rong didn’t dare to act rashly and quickly started driving.

But the car hadn’t gone far when it suddenly stalled.

“I’ll get out and check…”

After trying to start it several times without success, Dai Rong informed Shui Miao before hurrying out to inspect the car.

Shui Miao suspected it might be Bai Feng’s doing, so he also got out to check.

However, just as Shui Miao got out and walked to the back, he heard the car engine starting. It turned out Dai Rong had a modified kill switch installed in the car. Afraid that Shui Miao was an evil being, he secretly pressed the button. Once Shui Miao got out, Dai Rong quickly got back in, locked the doors, and drove off.

Shui Miao stood on the road, stunned as the car disappeared from sight, never expecting the person he trusted would do such a thing.

With no choice, Shui Miao turned back.

“Why can’t I leave?” Shui Miao retorted.

What kind of mystery is this? Dai Rong was startled and quickly glanced toward the back of the car, but there was no one there. “Who are you talking to?”

“Just focus on driving. It’s none of your business.” Without turning her head, Shui Miao responded to Dai Rong before pressing the female ghost Bai Feng: “Have you been following me in secret all along?”

“That’s not important. What matters is that you cannot leave this town.” Bai Feng replied coldly.

Meanwhile, the black snake demon watched with a smirk from the car window.

“Give me a reason, or else please leave. I don’t need your protection.” Shui Miao was extremely displeased. Since when had she become a prisoner under house arrest?

“If you leave, many people will die, including your family!” Bai Feng’s tone was chillingly indifferent.

Fury rose in Shui Miao. “Are you saying that you’ll kill many people because I leave?”

“It’s not me who will kill. Those were my master’s words. Of course, there’s no need to direct your anger at me. I’ve said all I needed to say. If you still choose to leave, then be prepared to face the consequences.” After saying this, Bai Feng vanished instantly. When Shui Miao turned her head, she saw that Bai Feng had already appeared by the roadside.

“Brother, I’ll take my leave for now. But I also want to advise you: fate plays tricks on people. In this world, don’t think you can do whatever you want.” The black snake demon chuckled mischievously before also moving to the roadside.

Shui Miao turned back, feeling a vague sense that something was off. Their words seemed ordinary yet carried an unusual weight.

“Crazy! Trying to fool me? No way!”

Shui Miao muttered to herself with a cold expression.

Dai Rong looked at Shui Miao and suddenly noticed that her appearance had changed—she had turned into someone he didn’t recognize.

“Why has your appearance changed?”

Dai Rong slammed on the brakes, thinking to himself, “What the hell? Is this even human? How can someone’s appearance change like this? This must be some kind of evil sorcery!”

Shui Miao instinctively glanced in the mirror and realized she had indeed changed. She was no longer Zhang Ling but had returned to her original form.

“…”

But instead of feeling excited, Shui Miao felt a sense of loss, as if she had made a mistake.

“Strange. Didn’t I always want to break free from restraints and regain my freedom? Why don’t I feel happy at all now that I’ve returned to my original form?” Shui Miao looked at her hands and muttered to herself, “It must be Bai Feng’s words messing with my head. I won’t let her influence me. I want to be myself again!”

“Drive. I’m going back to Zhonghai City.”

After a moment of contemplation, Shui Miao pushed aside her distracting thoughts and made up her mind. She decided to first go to the county bank to withdraw the money, then return one more time before heading back to Zhonghai City to resume her life. Even if it meant death, she refused to continue living in hiding.

Dai Rong, afraid of the sinister aura around Shui Miao, didn’t dare act recklessly and quickly resumed driving.

However, shortly after setting off, the car suddenly stalled.

“Let me check…”

After several failed attempts to restart the car, Dai Rong informed Shui Miao and hurriedly got out to inspect the vehicle.

Shui Miao wondered if Bai Feng was behind this.

So, she also got out to take a look.

To her surprise, as soon as she stepped out and walked to the back of the car, she heard the engine start. It turned out that Dai Rong’s car had a modified kill switch. Fearful that Shui Miao was some kind of evil entity, he secretly pressed the switch. Once Shui Miao was out of the car, he quickly got back in, locked the doors, and drove off.

Shui Miao stood on the road, stunned, watching the car disappear from sight. She never expected that someone she trusted would pull such a trick.

Left with no choice, Shui Miao had to turn back.

Not far along the road, she saw a dark-skinned little boy standing by the roadside. He wasn’t human—he had snake-like eyes and a forked tongue flickering in his mouth. He was a manifestation of the black snake demon, whose limited powers allowed him to create only this half-human, half-snake creature.

Seeing Shui Miao return, the black snake demon hurriedly approached with a smile. “Brother Dao, have you finally come to your senses and decided to stay?”

“…”

Shui Miao glanced at the black snake demon but didn’t know how to respond. Frustrated, she continued walking back.

“Brother Dao, actually, Bai Feng isn’t so bad. She genuinely wants to help you. If you’re going to blame anyone, blame her master. But unfortunately, you’ve already angered her, and she won’t help you regain your previous form again.” The black snake demon didn’t seem bothered by Shui Miao’s indifference and instead trailed after her like a loyal dog, wagging its tail.

“Then why are you still following me? Is there something you want from me?” Shui Miao frowned.

The black snake demon chuckled. “I knew you’d ask that. My motive is simple: I just want to be friends with you.”

“Friends?”

Shui Miao stopped walking. “Alright, then tell me: what was the deal with the water ghost in the river earlier? As a friend, why didn’t you help me then?”

“Uh… well…” The black snake demon hesitated. “I dare not say. I’m just a small snake demon. Please don’t ask me such big questions.”

“Is that a big question?” Shui Miao scoffed. “Even if you won’t tell me, I can guess. That water ghost was sent by the underworld god of this place, right?”

“Uh… hehe…” The black snake demon laughed awkwardly.

Not denying it was as good as admitting it. Shui Miao concluded that the water ghost had indeed been sent by the underworld god, likely to test whether she had a compassionate heart willing to save others.

As for whether the black snake demon was friend or foe, Shui Miao couldn’t say for sure.

She took a deep breath and said nothing more.

When Shui Miao arrived back in town and looked back, the black snake demon had disappeared. She then went to the clothing store run by Huo Yuanliang’s family. His wife was cooking, and Huo Yuanliang came out to greet her. When he saw the clothes Shui Miao was wearing, he looked surprised. Catching her reflection in a mirror nearby, Shui Miao hesitated to speak.

“Is… there something you need?” Huo Yuanliang asked suspiciously.

Shui Miao frowned and asked him, “My appearance has changed. Do you still recognize me? Earlier, I took you gambling. I only had thirty coins…”

Though her appearance had changed, her voice remained the same.

This was indeed the same person. Huo Yuanliang recognized Shui Miao’s eyes and stared at her in astonishment. “What… what exactly is going on?”

“It’s a long story, and you probably wouldn’t believe me even if I told you.” Shui Miao sighed deeply and gave Huo Yuanliang a helpless smile. “Forget it. Let’s not talk about that. Just treat me as a stranger. When I came with Boss Dai earlier to buy clothes, I noticed the feng shui of your storefront is problematic. That’s why I came back to tell you.”

“Your appearance…” Huo Yuanliang stared at Shui Miao in shock. He was increasingly convinced that this was the same young man who had given him money, but he couldn’t understand how the young man’s appearance had completely changed in the blink of an eye.

“Let’s not talk about that. Consider me unlucky.” Shui Miao waved her hand and pulled Huo Yuanliang outside, pointing behind the house. “Your store is built over a river, with half of it standing on water supported by wooden pillars. This layout is unfavorable, especially since the storefront is already old. Your gambling habits and frequent losses in recent years are directly related to your bathroom draining into this river. To put it bluntly, your store is built over a toilet, which is very inauspicious. I won’t go into all the details, but overall, I think the feng shui here is very poor. You should take your family and rent a place near your daughter’s school, find a job, and live a proper life. The 50,000 yuan I left with you earlier can serve as tuition for your daughter.”

After advising Huo Yuanliang once more to quit gambling, Shui Miao turned to leave.

In truth, Shui Miao hadn’t come solely to warn Huo Yuanliang about the poor feng shui—she also wanted to retrieve the 50,000 yuan. However, knowing her changed appearance would make it difficult to reclaim the money, she deliberately mentioned the sum, hoping Huo Yuanliang would pursue the matter and return the money.

But unexpectedly, the female ghost Bai Feng intervened, blocking Huo Yuanliang’s view.

In Huo Yuanliang’s eyes, Shui Miao had suddenly vanished!

※※※

“You’re truly despicable, pulling a stunt like this.” The black snake demon appeared beside Bai Feng.

Bai Feng responded disdainfully, “What do you know? He’s young and impulsive, acting recklessly. If he doesn’t suffer a little, he’ll never come to understand himself.”

“Ha! Do you even understand yourself?” the black snake demon retorted coldly. “All I’ve seen you do is impersonate a deity and find ways to torment people. I’ve never seen you do anything honorable. He’s young and promising, straightforward and daring. I’d say he’s a hundred times better than you.”

The black snake demon had always looked down on Bai Feng, and arguments between them were common.

Hearing this, Bai Feng snapped angrily, “Don’t spout nonsense about this. If my master finds out, she’ll surely destroy you. I don’t mind you arguing with me, but if you dare step out of line, I won’t let you off easily.”

“Ha! Using your master to scare me again. Is that all you’re capable of?” The black snake demon looked at Bai Feng with contempt before adding, “Let me tell you, this isn’t over between us. You caused the death of my vessel, Long Wu, and I won’t let you get away with it. Now I’m going to seek refuge with the underworld god. Let’s see what your master can do to me.”

After venting his anger, the black snake demon suddenly touched Bai Feng’s buttocks before darting away.

“Stinky loach! Black loach! One day I’ll skin you alive!”

Bai Feng, who had been a well-bred lady in life and had remained solitary in death, had never been touched by a man. Today, the black snake demon’s audacity infuriated her. Gnashing her teeth in rage, she abandoned Shui Miao and chased after the black snake demon for revenge.

Shui Miao left the town and wandered aimlessly along the mountain path. Hungry and pondering where to find food, she saw a young girl of about eighteen or nineteen carrying a basket of sweet potatoes pass by. A small sweet potato accidentally fell to the ground, and Shui Miao quickly picked it up. To her surprise, the girl stopped and turned around. Shui Miao held out the sweet potato, blinking at the girl.

The girl looked at Shui Miao but didn’t take the sweet potato. Instead, she smiled gently and said, “You can keep it. Since you picked it up, it must be meant for you. Hehe… You look hungry. Here, have a couple more.”

The girl handed two more sweet potatoes to Shui Miao.

It struck Shui Miao deeply that she, who had just moments ago been a wealthy person with over three million yuan, had now been reduced to scavenging for food like a beggar. She didn’t take the sweet potatoes but instead looked up at the sky and heaved a heavy sigh. Not only did she decline the girl’s offer, but she also returned the small sweet potato she had picked up.

Then, lost in thought, Shui Miao turned and walked away.

“What a strange person!”

The girl muttered to herself. Noting that Shui Miao was dressed in new clothes, she assumed Shui Miao wasn’t a beggar and headed home.

Instead of retracing her steps along the mountain path, Shui Miao took a small trail leading up the mountain, wandering without purpose…

Meanwhile, the girl carried her basket home. Smelling the aroma of food, she quickly set down the basket and rushed into the kitchen. Seeing the array of delicious dishes and her mother’s beaming face, she grabbed her mother’s hand and asked, “Mom, did Dad win some money? Tell me, quick!”

The girl was none other than Huo Xiang, Huo Yuanliang’s daughter.

Seeing Shui Miao returning, the black snake demon cheerfully approached: “Senior Daoist, you’ve finally come to your senses and decided to stay?”

“…”

Shui Miao looked at the black snake demon, unsure how to respond, and silently walked back.

“Senior Daoist, actually Bai Feng isn’t that bad. She really wants to help you. If you must blame someone, blame her master. Unfortunately, you’ve already upset her, so she won’t help you return to your former self anymore.” The black snake demon didn’t care that Shui Miao ignored him, instead following Shui Miao like a dog wagging its tail.

“Why are you still following me? Do you want something from me?” Shui Miao frowned.

The black snake demon chuckled: “I knew you’d ask that. My intention is simple—I just want to be friends with you.”

“Friends?”

Shui Miao stopped walking: “Fine then. Tell me, what was that water ghost in the river before? As a friend, why didn’t you help me back then?”

“Uh… Well…”

The black snake demon paused: “I can’t say that. I’m just a small snake demon. Please don’t ask me such big questions.”

“Is that such a big question?”

Shui Miao snorted: “If you won’t tell me, I can guess. That water ghost was sent by the local yin deity, right?”

“Uh… Hehe…”

The black snake demon gave an awkward laugh.

Not denying it meant confirming it. Shui Miao was certain the water ghost had been sent by the yin deity, probably to test his kindness in saving people.

As for the black snake demon, whether he was friend or foe, Shui Miao couldn’t tell.

Shui Miao took a deep breath and said nothing more.

He arrived at the town and looked back, noticing the black snake demon had already disappeared. Then he went to Huo Yuanliang’s clothing store. Huo’s wife was cooking, and Huo Yuanliang came to greet him. When he saw Shui Miao’s clothes, he was somewhat surprised. Seeing his reflection in the mirror, Shui Miao hesitated, wanting to say something but holding back.

“You… What’s wrong?” Huo Yuanliang asked suspiciously.

Shui Miao frowned and asked Huo Yuanliang: “My appearance has changed. Do you still recognize me? Earlier, I took you gambling and only brought thirty coins…”

Though his appearance changed, Shui Miao’s voice remained the same.

This was the same person who had taken him gambling, Huo Yuanliang recognized Shui Miao’s eyes. He looked at Shui Miao in shock and asked, “What’s going on here?”

“It’s hard to explain. You wouldn’t believe me anyway.” Shui Miao sighed deeply, then gave Huo Yuanliang a helpless smile: “Forget about it. Just treat me as a stranger. Earlier, when I came with Mr. Dai to buy clothes, I noticed your shop’s feng shui was problematic, so I came to tell you.”

“Your appearance…” Huo Yuanliang stared at Shui Miao, becoming more convinced this was the young man who had given him money. Yet he couldn’t understand how this young man had completely changed appearance in an instant.

“Let’s not talk about that. Just consider it my bad luck.” Shui Miao waved his hand dismissively, then pulled Huo Yuanliang outside, pointing to the back of the house: “Your shop’s back faces a river, and the ground floor is also over water. Most of the house is built over water, supported only by wooden pillars, which is not a good layout. Moreover, this shop is already quite old. You like gambling these years and often lose, which is directly related to your bathroom directly connecting to this river. To put it bluntly, this shop is built over a toilet, which is extremely inauspicious. I won’t go into many details, but in short, I think the feng shui here is terrible. You should move with your family to a rented house near your daughter’s school and find a job to settle down properly. The 50,000 yuan I deposited with you earlier can be considered a tuition gift for your daughter.”

Shui Miao also told Huo Yuanliang not to gamble anymore before turning to leave.

In fact, Shui Miao came not only to warn Huo Yuanliang about the shop’s poor feng shui but also to retrieve the 50,000 yuan. However, knowing his changed appearance made it hard to get the money back, he deliberately mentioned the 50,000 yuan, hoping Huo Yuanliang would chase after him to clarify the matter and return the money.

But unexpectedly, the female ghost Bai Feng appeared, blocking Huo Yuanliang’s view.

Thus, in Huo Yuanliang’s eyes, Shui Miao suddenly vanished!

※※※

“You’re really despicable, doing something like this,” the black snake demon appeared beside Bai Feng.

Bai Feng disdainfully replied: “What do you understand? He’s young and impulsive, acting recklessly. Unless he’s given some hardships, he’ll never truly understand himself.”

“Pfft! Do you even understand yourself?” the black snake demon coldly retorted, “All I’ve seen you do is pretend to be a great immortal and try to torment people. I haven’t seen you do anything truly noble. He’s capable, cheerful, and takes responsibility. I think he’s a hundred times better than you.”

The black snake demon had always looked down on Bai Feng, and verbal sparring between them was common.

Hearing this, Bai Feng angrily snapped: “Don’t mess with me on this matter. If my master finds out, she’ll definitely destroy you. It’s fine for us to argue, but if you dare to do anything outrageous, I’ll definitely not spare you.”

“Pfft! Again threatening me with your master? Besides that, can’t you develop any other skills?” the black snake demon scornfully looked at Bai Feng, paused, then continued: “Let me tell you, I’m not done with you over this matter. You caused the death of my representative, Long Wu, and I won’t let you off easily. Now I’m going to join the yin deity. Let’s see what your master can do to me.”

After angrily saying this, the black snake demon suddenly patted Bai Feng’s bottom and quickly ran off.

“Stinky eel! Black eel! One day I’ll definitely skin you!”

Bai Feng had been born into a distinguished family and remained a solitary ghost after death, never having been touched by a man. Today, she had been molested by the black snake demon, which made her furious. Unable to contain her anger, she abandoned Shui Miao and chased after the black snake demon for revenge.

Shui Miao left the town and aimlessly walked along the mountain path, his stomach growling with hunger. As he was thinking about where to find something to eat, he saw a girl of about eighteen or nineteen carrying a bamboo basket of sweet potatoes passing by. Coincidentally, one small sweet potato fell from the basket. Shui Miao quickly picked it up. However, the girl stopped, turned around, and looked at him. Shui Miao held out the sweet potato, blinked at her, and handed it to her.

The girl looked at Shui Miao, didn’t take the sweet potato, but smiled slightly: “No need. You can keep it since you picked it up. It proves you have a connection with it, hehe… You look hungry. I’ll give you a few more.”

The girl took two more sweet potatoes and handed them to Shui Miao.

Unexpectedly, just moments ago he had been a wealthy man with over 3 million yuan, and now he had become a beggar picking up sweet potatoes. Shui Miao was deeply moved. He didn’t take the sweet potatoes but looked up at the sky, sighing heavily. Instead of taking the girl’s sweet potatoes, he returned the small one he had just picked up to her.

Then, Shui Miao turned around and walked away thoughtfully.

“What a strange person!”

The girl muttered to herself. Seeing that Shui Miao was wearing new clothes, she assumed he wasn’t a beggar and went back home.

Shui Miao didn’t retrace his steps back along the mountain path but instead took a small trail leading up the mountain, aimlessly heading upwards…

Meanwhile, the girl carried her bamboo basket back home. Smelling the delicious aroma from inside, she hurriedly put down the basket and ran into the kitchen. Seeing many sumptuous dishes and her mother looking joyous, she eagerly grabbed her mother’s hand and asked, “Mom, did Dad win some money? Tell me quickly, tell me!”

This girl was none other than Huo Xiang, the daughter of Huo Yuanliang.