The tramp felt all his discomfort vanish instantly after Shui Miao used her immortal energy to cleanse and rejuvenate his body. All bacteria and illnesses were eradicated by the divine power, and his entire demeanor transformed. No longer was he a dying vagrant; he had become a spirited middle-aged man with clear, bright eyes.
Thanks to the immortal energy, he didn’t even need to bathe—he was already spotless and pristine.
Shui Miao had truly shown great compassion for him.
Her reason for doing so was simple: she wanted to help someone who was family-oriented, someone who missed his loved ones, someone who, even at death’s door, refused to let go of the photos of his family. Such a person was worth helping.
Shui Miao then took out the last few thousand yuan she had and handed it to the tramp, but he hesitated to accept it. It was clear he was confused, disoriented, and afraid. His eyes kept darting toward the vengeful infant spirit, as if suspecting all of this was a trick or even a dream. Shui Miao placed the money in front of him without saying a word, unsure of what else to say, and simply turned and walked away.
Lin Qing’er’s arrival at the airport was nearly upon them.
Shui Miao exited the alley and walked along the road leading to the airport, speaking to the female ghost official named Shui as they went, “Shui, please assign a team to follow him and see whether his fate will change. It’s not that I don’t trust you—it’s just that some things must be experienced to be believed.”
The female ghost official showed no expression as she replied, “It’s pointless. His lifespan has already ended. He has no more than five minutes left.”
“How can you be so sure?”
Shui Miao abruptly stopped walking, staring at Shui’s emotionless face, unable to detect any change in expression.
The female ghost official paused, glanced at Shui Miao, and suddenly seemed to realize something. She quickly replied, “I understand. Master Yang Investigator, even though you have opened your Yin-Yang eyes, you are not a ghost official. We ghost officials can see the Life Lamp above a person’s head. When the lamp goes out, the person dies. That tramp may have had his physical health improved by your immortal energy, but he is still destined to die, for his Life Lamp is about to extinguish.”
“The Life Lamp?”
This was a term Shui Miao had never heard before.
“Yes,” the female ghost official nodded. “We can not only see the Life Lamp, but also the Yang Lamps on both shoulders. The Yang Lamps protect the soul. They absorb yang energy during the day and use it to ward off ghosts at night. The stronger the soul lamp, the healthier the person; the weaker it is, the more frail the person becomes.”
“I’ve heard of this,” Shui Miao suddenly recalled stories from the elders in her village when she was young. “I remember hearing that at night, if someone walks alone and is targeted by a malicious ghost, the ghost will make eerie noises to make the person turn around. Each time they look back, the Yang Lamp on their shoulder dims a little more. The best way to deal with it is to stay calm and ignore the sounds.”
“Exactly. Normally, living people or cultivators cannot see these lamps. Only spirits with purely yin energy can see them.” As the female ghost official spoke, she turned to look back at the entrance of the alleyway. The tramp had just peeked his head out nervously, scanning his surroundings.
“What is that guy up to now?”
Shui Miao was puzzled. Normally, someone in his situation would be thanking her and rushing home joyfully to reunite with his family. But this man showed no gratitude—only suspicion. Even if he were paranoid, it shouldn’t be to this extent. He had nearly died moments ago, and now he had been given a second chance. His reaction didn’t make sense.
“Let me check what kind of person he was before.”
The female ghost official’s eyes suddenly turned milky white. After a moment, her gaze returned to normal, and she turned to Shui Miao. “He was a baby trafficker who also committed murder. He only thought of his family because he was about to die. In reality, when he had money, he indulged in debauchery and never cared for his family. This man is not worthy of pity.”
“He’s actually a despicable criminal!”
Shui Miao’s heart sank. She suddenly recalled an old saying: “It’s easy to know a person’s face, but hard to know their heart.”
“By the way, Shui, you said he only had five minutes left. Is that time almost up?”
Upon hearing the ghost official’s words, Shui Miao’s perspective shifted instantly.
“Yes, almost,” the female ghost official nodded.
At that moment, Shui Miao saw the tramp suddenly dart out of the alley, running northward while glancing behind him. But he hadn’t run far before he vanished. Shui Miao quickly sensed his presence and discovered that someone had stolen the manhole cover ahead, and the tramp had fallen into the sewer.
The money Shui Miao had given him fell outside the sewer.
The vengeful infant spirit zipped forward, picked up the money, and returned it to Shui Miao. Looking at the female ghost official with admiration, it said, “Sister, you’re amazing! If I had known he was such a terrible person, I would’ve devoured him long ago.”
“In the future, don’t feed on souls anymore, or your resentment will grow heavier. Eventually, you’ll lose your sense of self,” the female ghost official advised with a faint smile. “By the way, since you think I’m amazing, would you like to become a ghost official like me?”
“Of course! I really want to!” the vengeful infant spirit eagerly nodded.
The female ghost official nodded in agreement. “Then from now on, you’ll follow me.”
“Great! I promise I’ll be obedient!” the infant spirit was overjoyed.
Seeing this scene unfold, Shui Miao suddenly felt something was off. Wasn’t this female ghost official supposed to be like a robot? Why had she suddenly changed? She seemed more complicated than expected—able to see someone’s past deeds… Could she be Cai, or someone sent by the underworld to spy on me? Shui Miao’s mind raced with suspicions, but on the surface, she pretended nothing was wrong and turned to head toward the airport.
※※※
A car pulled up beside her, and Da Shuang stepped out.
“Xiao Shui, did you just arrive too?”
Seeing Shui Miao outside the airport, Da Shuang casually asked.
Ever since Shui Miao had left the office, Da Shuang had been feeling uneasy, unable to figure out what Shui Miao was thinking. So she had come early to find her, hoping to talk and understand her thoughts. Another reason was that Da Shuang had begun to doubt her own attractiveness, so she had deliberately worn a shorter skirt.
“No, I arrived earlier. I was just walking around nearby.”
Shui Miao barely gave Da Shuang’s outfit a glance.
“Oh…”
Da Shuang felt a pang of disappointment as Shui Miao didn’t even bother to look at her. She felt like a failure as a woman.
They walked in silence toward the boarding gate.
There were many beautiful women in the crowd, but Shui Miao gazed up at the blue sky, seemingly oblivious to everything around her.
Finally, an airplane appeared in her view. Shui Miao immediately closed her eyes and spread her spiritual senses.
She sensed Lin Qing’er inside the plane, standing beside an old man with a stern expression. Lin Qing’er had visibly lost weight and looked unwell.
The old man must be Lin Senior, accompanied by over a dozen bodyguards and several company staff members.
Seeing Shui Miao close her eyes, Da Shuang was puzzled.
Suddenly, Shui Miao sensed Lin Senior speaking coldly to Lin Qing’er. His voice was forceful and commanding, not at all like a sick man: “Qing’er, I want to meet this Shui Miao. Arrange it the moment we land.”
“Why meet him?” Lin Qing’er was slightly taken aback.
Lin Senior continued icily, “I’ve heard this young man practices Daoism well. I want to see what he’s really up to. Whether he’s just conning me.”
“Dad, you’re overthinking. He and I are just ordinary friends. There’s no need for you to meet him.”
“Enough! Don’t pretend with me. I know you have feelings for him. Today, if he can cure your illness, I’ll agree to let you marry him.” Then his tone turned threatening, “But if he turns out to be a fraud, I’ll have him eliminated!”
“On what grounds?” Lin Qing’er raised her voice in protest.
“Hmph!” Lin Senior glared, letting out a cold snort. “On what grounds? For deceiving my daughter’s feelings!”
“That’s not true!”
Lin Qing’er was flustered and shouted loudly.
“You want to kill me with grief!”
Lin Senior suddenly clutched his chest, feigning a heart attack!
At this moment, Shui Miao opened her eyes and said to Da Shuang, “Da Shuang Jie, don’t tell anyone I came to the airport or that I contacted you. I’ll choose the right time and place to meet them. I have to go now.”
Without waiting for a reply, Shui Miao turned and left.
Da Shuang hurried after her, grabbing her arm and demanding, “Xiao Shui, what exactly are you thinking? Explain yourself first!”
“It’s nothing. I just think it’s not the right time to meet her now.” Shui Miao tried to pull her arm free, but Da Shuang held on tightly, growing more emotional and angry.
Crowds of people turned to look.
“Are you really that heartless?” Da Shuang suddenly snapped.
Shui Miao frowned. “Da Shuang Jie, you don’t understand the situation. Please let me go. I know what I’m doing.”
“I won’t let go unless you give me a convincing reason!” Da Shuang tightened her grip, now holding both of Shui Miao’s arms. “If you don’t love her, just say it clearly. Why keep toying with her?”
Her words drew disapproving glances from the surrounding crowd.
Shui Miao couldn’t think of a quick way to explain everything. With the plane already landed and time pressing, she leaned close to Da Shuang’s ear and whispered something. Upon hearing it, Da Shuang immediately let go, stunned. She watched helplessly as Shui Miao disappeared into the crowd.
After a long while, Da Shuang made a face of disgust, grimacing, “Ew! A pervert! He actually likes men!”
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