“Nobody here?”
Huo Xiang was puzzled. Having seen the female ghost Bai Feng before, she immediately thought of something supernatural.
Seeing her daughter’s reaction, Huo Xiang’s mother became frightened. She quickly turned around and started packing things back into the bag, stuffing clothes back in and cramming quilts into pockets. She was extremely scared; if her daughter hadn’t been there, she would have already burst into tears and run out screaming.
Bang!
The bathroom door shut again.
Huo Xiang saw it clearly—the door closed as if someone had suddenly slammed it shut with force.
If it was a person, then that person must have been very angry.
Was there a ghost living in this house?
Huo Xiang was brave by nature, but after her previous fainting episode, she no longer dared to be so reckless.
At this moment, how wonderful it would be if Brother Shui Miao were here.
Just as Huo Xiang thought of Shui Miao, she suddenly heard footsteps coming from the adjacent room. Because the next room had a wooden floor, the sound was especially clear.
“Who are you?”
Huo Xiang suddenly rushed into the room, pointing scissors at the interior and shouting, “This is the house we paid to rent. Get out! Don’t think I’ll be scared just because you made some noise. Let me tell you, I was born brave—I’m not afraid of ghosts!”
…
Hearing this, Huo Xiang’s mother was terrified. She hurried over nervously, pulling her daughter out while repeatedly bowing apologetically toward the room, saying “I’m sorry,” claiming her child was young and didn’t know better, and begging the adults to forgive the small-mindedness of a child. After speaking, she reached out to close the door, but halfway through closing it, the door suddenly stopped moving. Scared out of her wits, she hastily let go, hurriedly backing away to continue packing while muttering, “We’re leaving right away, right away.”
Huo Xiang had a fiery temper and couldn’t stand what she saw. She burst out, “I told you not to stay here—why don’t we rent a place near the school? It would be so much better if we stayed together as a family! But no, you kept stopping Dad, saying no to this and no to that. Now look at this terrible place you chose—why don’t you insist on staying here now?”
Huo Xiang’s mother was a native woman of the Miao region, simple and honest, never having considered going far away. She had always been somewhat afraid of the outside world, and even coming to the county town had made her extremely nervous and fearful.
She didn’t respond to Huo Xiang. After finishing packing, she simply pulled her daughter and left.
Still angry, Huo Xiang kicked the front door hard as she reached it. But the moment her foot hit the door, she felt a sharp pain. After just a couple of steps, she couldn’t help but collapse to the ground.
Seeing this, Huo Xiang’s mother knew her daughter had offended the ghost in the house. Terrified, she immediately knelt down and started kowtowing, begging for mercy.
“Oh no, something’s happened…”
Hearing Huo Xiang’s mother crying out, Shui Miao quickly left Old Lady Luo and rushed upstairs. Old Lady Luo followed closely behind.
After reaching the upper floor, Shui Miao saw only Huo Xiang and her mother in the hallway. Huo Xiang’s mother was still kowtowing frantically while Huo Xiang sat collapsed on the ground, her ankle wrapped in something black—it looked very much like a wisp of yin energy. Bai Feng waved her hand and dispelled the yin energy, but then Old Lady Luo came up behind them shouting, “What are you two doing here? Kneeling and bowing like this—have you both gone mad!?”
“You’re the one who’s mad! There’s something dirty in your house! Refund our rent—we’re not staying here anymore!”
Huo Xiang’s leg suddenly stopped hurting, so she stood up and started arguing with Old Lady Luo.
At this moment, she had no time to greet Shui Miao.
Old Lady Luo also became angry. She grabbed Huo Xiang tightly, saying, “You little brat, spreading nonsense like this! Show me—bring me to see it! If you can’t find anything, I’ll rip your mouth off!” With great strength, she gripped Huo Xiang like an eagle catching a small chicken and dragged her into the room, loudly demanding that Huo Xiang show her the ghost.
Old Lady Luo had a strong birth chart and a powerful physique, her strength even greater than that of a man. Naturally, she couldn’t see any ghosts.
However, seeing her so aggressive and fierce, Shui Miao felt uneasy. He gave a subtle glance to the Black Snake Demon, who loved playing tricks. Seeing Shui Miao’s signal, the demon immediately ran in front of Old Lady Luo, transforming into a half-human, half-snake form, briefly revealing itself. This scared Old Lady Luo into shutting up immediately.
At this moment, Shui Miao walked in and said to Old Lady Luo, “Auntie Luo, your birth chart is strong, so it’s normal you can’t see the ghosts. Don’t think that because you can’t see them, they don’t exist. That kind of thinking is wrong. I advise you to take them downstairs and refund their rent.”
“Fine, I’ll refund it, I’ll refund it…”
Looking at the suddenly appearing half-human, half-snake monster before her, Old Lady Luo didn’t dare say another word. She quickly released Huo Xiang and rushed out, even helping carry the bags and luggage downstairs.
“Brother Shui Miao, you… you came back again?”
Huo Xiang turned around excitedly to look at Shui Miao, foolishly thinking in her heart that Shui Miao must like her too.
Shui Miao escorted Huo Xiang outside the door and whispered in her ear, “Don’t say anything else—quickly leave with your mother and wait for me at the shop you rented. I still have some matters to handle here.”
“Brother Shui Miao, I want to stay and help you,” Huo Xiang refused to leave.
Huo Xiang was too willful and childish. Shui Miao couldn’t help but shout, “Enough! Do you think I’m just farting around here? Do you think this is a game? I’m telling you to leave now—don’t make trouble for me. I came here to handle serious business, not to look for you specifically.” To deal with Huo Xiang’s attitude, Shui Miao could only think of using this method to make her come to her senses. She was too young, impulsive, and self-willed; only through trials and hardships could she truly grow.
Moreover, with the Ghost Mother here, many things were unpredictable—only by shouting loudly could he get through to her.
Shui Miao’s intentions were good—he wanted to save her entire family.
Huo Xiang, deeply hurt, turned around and left in a huff.
After Huo Xiang went downstairs, Shui Miao felt reassured.
“Hehe, how rare! These days, it’s hard to find a young person with such feelings and righteousness. Back in my time, my man treated me the same way.”
Suddenly, an old woman’s voice came from behind Shui Miao.
Turning around, Shui Miao saw an elderly woman with a plump figure, a face full of fortune, and dressed in ancient-style clothing. Beside her stood two beautiful women assisting her. The two women were dressed very elegantly, looking like the wives of high-ranking officials from ancient times.
Bai Feng frowned involuntarily. She was only familiar with the environment around Shuilong Ridge and knew nothing about this old ghost.
The Black Snake Demon also dared not act recklessly. It stood beside Shui Miao, highly alert.
Shui Miao clearly knew they were all ghosts. The old woman was likely the Ghost Mother. But he hadn’t expected them to be ghosts of such noble status.
Seeing this old woman, Shui Miao had a feeling that her power was probably on par with that of a thousand-year-old female ghost.
Facing such an old ghost, Shui Miao dared not be careless.
At this moment, Shui Miao lightly clasped his fists and bowed respectfully, saying, “This junior, Chen Shui Miao, respectfully greets Senior Ghost Mother.”
“Hehe, no need for such formality. Come, come, come—please step inside my room. This outside place is too simple and not suitable for receiving guests.” Smiling, Ghost Mother waved her hand toward Shui Miao.
“Uh… what’s going on?”
Looking at Ghost Mother’s hand, Shui Miao suddenly felt the scene before him waver. A dizziness overtook him, his limbs felt weak, and his chest felt suffocated.
“Stop!”
Bai Feng suddenly shouted, “Don’t dare to summon her soul. If my master finds out you’re trying to harm her, she will never let you go.”
“No one?”
Huo Xiang was taken aback. Having encountered the female ghost Bai Feng before, her mind immediately jumped to supernatural entities.
Seeing this, Huo Xiang’s mother grew terrified. She quickly turned around to gather their belongings, stuffing the clothes she had just taken out back into the bag and hurriedly packing the quilts and other items into sacks. She was utterly frightened—if not for her daughter’s presence, she would have already fled in tears.
Bang!
The bathroom door slammed shut again.
Huo Xiang saw it clearly—the way the door closed looked as though someone had forcefully shut it in anger.
If it was a person, they must be furious.
Could this house be haunted?
Huo Xiang was brave, but after her previous fainting episode, she no longer dared to be as reckless as before.
If only Brother Shui Miao were here now, she thought.
Just as Huo Xiang thought of Shui Miao, she suddenly heard footsteps coming from the adjacent room. Since the neighboring room had a wooden floor, the sound was particularly distinct.
“Who are you?” Huo Xiang burst into the adjacent room, pointing a pair of scissors inside and shouting, “We paid to rent this place! Get out! Don’t think you can scare me by making a little noise. Let me tell you, I’ve always been brave—I’m not afraid of ghosts!”
“…”
Hearing this, Huo Xiang’s mother was horrified. She rushed over nervously, pulled Huo Xiang out, and repeatedly bowed toward the room, apologizing and begging for forgiveness, saying, “I’m sorry, she’s just a child and doesn’t know any better. Please don’t hold it against her.” After speaking, she reached for the door handle to close it, but the door stopped halfway and refused to budge. Terrified, she let go and hurried back to pack their things, muttering, “We’re leaving right away, right away.”
Impatient and frustrated, Huo Xiang yelled, “I told you we shouldn’t stay here! We should’ve rented a place near the school. Wouldn’t it be better if our whole family worked together? But you had to stop Dad at every turn, always saying no. Now look at this dump you picked—why aren’t you insisting on staying?”
Huo Xiang’s mother, a native Miaojiang woman, was simple and honest. She had never ventured far from home and was naturally apprehensive about the outside world. Coming to the county town was already a source of great anxiety for her.
She didn’t respond to Huo Xiang. Instead, after finishing packing, she grabbed her daughter and headed for the door.
Fuming, Huo Xiang kicked the front door hard as they left. To her surprise, the impact sent a sharp pain through her foot. She managed only two steps before collapsing to the ground.
Seeing this, Huo Xiang’s mother feared her daughter had offended a spirit residing in the house. She immediately dropped to her knees, kowtowing and begging for mercy.
“Something’s wrong…”
Hearing Huo Xiang’s mother’s cries, Shui Miao quickly excused himself from Aunt Luo and rushed upstairs, with Aunt Luo close behind.
Upon reaching the corridor, Shui Miao saw only Huo Xiang and her mother. The mother was frantically kowtowing, while Huo Xiang sat on the floor, her ankle entangled by a dark, shadowy energy. Bai Feng waved her hand, dispersing the sinister aura. But when Aunt Luo caught up, she shouted, “What’s going on here? Why are you kowtowing in my building? Are you out of your minds?!”
“You’re the one who’s crazy! There’s something unclean here. Refund our rent—we’re not staying in this dump anymore.”
Huo Xiang’s pain vanished instantly, and she stood up to argue with Aunt Luo.
She had no time to greet Shui Miao at that moment.
Aunt Luo grew furious. She grabbed Huo Xiang and snapped, “How dare you spout nonsense, you little brat? Show me where this ‘unclean thing’ is. If you can’t find it, I’ll tear your mouth apart!” With her strong build, Aunt Luo dragged Huo Xiang into the room like an eagle seizing its prey, demanding she produce evidence of the supernatural.
Aunt Luo, with her robust fortune and physique, was stronger than most men. She was incapable of perceiving any supernatural entities.
However, seeing her aggressive demeanor, Shui Miao couldn’t stand by idly. He signaled to the Black Snake Demon, who loved mischief. Taking the hint, it transformed into a half-human, half-snake figure and appeared before Aunt Luo, startling her into silence. Shui Miao stepped forward and said, “Aunt Luo, your strong fortune makes you unable to see supernatural beings. But that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. It’s a mistake to think otherwise. I suggest you take them downstairs and refund their rent.”
“Alright, I’ll refund it, I’ll refund it…”
Staring at the sudden appearance of the half-human, half-snake creature, Aunt Luo didn’t dare argue. She immediately released Huo Xiang, helped carry their bags and luggage downstairs, and complied without another word.
“Brother Shui Miao, why… why are you back?”
Huo Xiang turned to him excitedly, naively believing that Shui Miao had feelings for her.
Shui Miao escorted her out and whispered in her ear, “No time to explain. Take your mother and leave immediately. Go wait for me at the shop your family rented. I have some matters to attend to here.”
“Brother Shui Miao, I want to stay and help you,” Huo insisted, refusing to leave.
Exasperated by her stubbornness and impulsiveness, Shui Miao snapped, “Enough! Do you think I’m joking? This isn’t a game. I’m here to handle serious business, not to play around with you. Leave now and don’t cause any more trouble.” Dealing with someone like Huo Xiang, he knew he had to be harsh to make her see reason. She was too young, too impulsive, and too willful—she needed to face challenges to truly grow.
Moreover, with the Ghost Mother present, the situation was unpredictable. He had no choice but to raise his voice.
Shui Miao’s sternness was meant to protect her and her family.
Feeling hurt, Huo Xiang turned and left in a huff.
Once she was downstairs, Shui Miao felt relieved.
“Hehe, how rare! There aren’t many young people as righteous and compassionate as you these days. Back in my day, my man was just as devoted to me.”
Suddenly, an elderly woman’s voice sounded behind Shui Miao.
He turned to see a plump, dignified-looking old woman dressed in ancient attire, supported by two stunningly beautiful women. Their clothing was exquisite, reminiscent of the wives of high-ranking officials from ancient times.
Bai Feng frowned. She was familiar only with the Shui Long Ridge area and knew nothing about this elderly ghost.
The Black Snake Demon also remained cautious, staying close to Shui Miao and remaining highly alert.
Shui Miao understood that they were all ghosts. The old woman was likely the Ghost Mother, but he hadn’t expected them to be ghosts of such high status.
Looking at her, Shui Miao sensed that her power was likely on par with that of the thousand-year-old female ghost.
Facing such an ancient spirit, Shui Miao knew he couldn’t afford to be careless.
He clasped his hands respectfully and bowed. “Junior Chen Shui Miao pays his respects to Elder Ghost Mother.”
“Hehe, no need for formalities. Come, come, let’s sit inside my room. It’s too crude out here—not a place for entertaining guests.” The Ghost Mother smiled and beckoned to Shui Miao.
“Uh… what’s happening?”
As the Ghost Mother gestured, Shui Miao felt the world around him sway. Dizziness washed over him, his limbs grew weak, and his chest tightened uncomfortably.
“Stop!”
Bai Feng suddenly shouted. “Do not attempt to summon her soul. If my master finds out you intend to harm her, she will not let you off easily.”
“And the Dark Divinity will not allow it either,” the Black Snake Demon added, stepping forward.
The Black Snake Demon also stepped forward.
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