“How many Chi-Jing Ghosts are there over there, Xiao Mu?”
Shui Miao quickly looked toward Xiao Mu.
Xiao Mu paused for a moment. “Probably around a hundred!”
That meant the equivalent of ten thousand ordinary ghosts!
Shui Miao was shocked. Was there even a way to eliminate them anymore?
“Uh, why don’t you all go and maintain order first? As for the issue of the食精鬼, let me think about it for now,” Shui Miao smiled slightly at everyone. In his mind, he thought that those young men were full of energy and lacked girlfriends, so letting them release their frustrations on their own wouldn’t necessarily be bad. At least this could reduce the crime rate and spare innocent girls from harassment… However, from a moral standpoint, moderation was likely better. He’d handle it later.
For the sake of belief power, Shui Miao selfishly decided to hold off on the matter.
But immediately afterward, another thought struck him: Ghost King had been dominating this area for so long, who knew how much belief power he had accumulated. All that belief power would naturally transform into Yin merit. Yet when Big Brother Zhang Yuan brought Ghost King’s head, he hadn’t sensed even a tiny bit of Yin merit. Obviously, Ghost King’s entire cultivation achievements had benefited Zhang Yuan.
That’s right!
As he thought, Shui Miao suddenly stopped walking.
Zhang Yuan had been around far longer than himself—over a hundred years. Why hadn’t he gathered so many disciples to offer him belief power? Logically, if he wanted to, he could have easily become a kingpin in a large area, but he hadn’t done so.
Could there be some hidden plot behind this?
“Uh! I get it! How could I be so stupid!!”
As thoughts swirled in his mind, a sudden realization struck Shui Miao. He immediately turned around and quickly spoke to a group of green-faced, fanged ghosts, “Help me eliminate all the Shijingui (食精鬼) and harmful evil ghosts. Afterward, you can maintain order in this area yourselves. I won’t be your master anymore, of course, but you’ll still receive spirit money (冥币) as usual.”
“Junior Master, are you sure?”
Xiao Mu looked at Shui Miao with great confusion.
Shui Miao nodded. “Leave Xiao Huo and Xiao Tu with me. The rest of you can go about your business.”
“As you command!”
“Yes…”
Xiao Mu and the green ghosts suddenly vanished.
Shui Miao suddenly understood everything. Zhang Yuan obtained belief power by devouring powerful beings like Ghost King. The reason he hadn’t acted was likely because those opponents weren’t strong enough yet—like plants whose fruits only ripened when the time was right. Shui Miao even suspected that Zhang Yuan had ulterior motives toward him. By sending five little ghost apprentices to monitor him, Zhang Yuan might be waiting until his cultivation power was sufficient before swallowing him up too!!
One must not have intentions to harm others, but one must also be cautious of others!
Shui Miao intentionally kept the youngest of the five ghost apprentices, Xiao Huo and Xiao Tu, who rarely spoke and had little say. Perhaps he could get some valuable information from them.
But now wasn’t the time to test them yet. He needed to wait, until he could casually ask a sentence or half a sentence when the opportunity arose.
For survival, Shui Miao had to be cautious.
※※※
“He’s back. Whatever you need, talk to him!”
Seeing Shui Miao return, Zhang Hanya quickly directed everyone toward him, subtly switching from calling him “brother” to “he.” After all, she had told her classmates that Shui Miao was her boyfriend, so she couldn’t afford to slip up at a crucial moment.
“Woah! Handsome guy!”
“Yeah, yeah! I’m about to faint…”
“Woah! Xiao Ya, your boyfriend has such a great aura—he’s like my ideal prince charming!”
“Yeah, yeah! He’s so cool! Like a big Korean star!”
“Ahhhh… He smiled! He smiled…”
A large group of girls from the dormitory rushed down, and upon seeing Shui Miao, they started shrieking excitedly. Some even jumped up in excitement, as if they were seeing a famous male celebrity, unable to contain themselves!
Hearing these words, Zhang Hanya felt very pleased.
But Shui Miao couldn’t help getting goosebumps. These girls’ flattery skills were really unmatched!
If even his normal smile could make them scream, what would happen if he struck a few poses? They’d probably never recover from the excitement!
“Xiao Shui, didn’t expect this popularity, did you? Since everyone’s so enthusiastic, how about we treat them to some tea and snacks at a restaurant or celebrate at Linhai Hotel?” Zhang Hanya often dined and partied with her classmates, flaunting her family’s wealth. In short, she knew how to party.
But Shui Miao leaned close to Zhang Hanya’s ear and whispered, “If we were broke, they probably wouldn’t even spare us a glance. You believe that, right?”
“How could that be!?”
Zhang Hanya looked at Shui Miao in surprise, as if seeing a stranger. Her expression clearly showed she didn’t believe him at all.
Shui Miao smiled faintly and looked at the surrounding girls—at least fifty or sixty of them!
But a few seconds later, Shui Miao’s smile turned into a forced grin. “Sorry everyone, I actually came here today to talk to Hanya because… because I’m completely broke now. And Xiao Ya, your father is also…” Saying this, Shui Miao suddenly pulled Zhang Hanya behind a big tree a few meters away and lowered his voice, “Little sister, now you say in shock, ‘My father was arrested! How could that be possible!’ Then I estimate they’ll all run away and no one will recognize you as their friend anymore.”
Shui Miao wanted to wake Zhang Hanya up to reality. Her so-called friends were merely a group of freeloading, scheming girls.
Zhang Hanya hesitated, then suddenly shouted dramatically, “My father was arrested! How could that be possible!?”
She shouted loud enough for all fifty or sixty girls to hear.
Instantly, the previously chattering girls fell into complete silence.
Shui Miao quickly followed up, “Lend me ten thousand! I need to run away!”
“…”
Zhang Hanya, who loved to play around, seeing how seriously Shui Miao was acting, surprisingly got into character and responded, “Where would I get money? Not to mention ten thousand—I don’t even have a hundred on me.”
“You have so many friends. Can’t you borrow some for me?” Shui Miao pretended to be furious, shouting loudly.
“No way! I’m leaving. I need to go see my dad!” Zhang Hanya improvised.
But Shui Miao quickly added, “Then at least lend me some travel money!”
“No! Not a single penny…”
Zhang Hanya turned around and, without realizing it, noticed that all her friends had already disappeared.
Shui Miao also turned around, shook his head, and smiled. “Well, did you see that? These are your so-called friends. Not a single one of them was willing to lend you money. And you naively thought every word they said was genuine.”
“How could this be? I’ve been so good to them. Did none of them ever consider me a real friend?”
This time, it was Zhang Hanya’s turn to be furious.
Shui Miao walked up beside her, gently patted her shoulder, and sighed, “Alright, let’s go meet your rich friends again. Maybe they won’t recognize you either by now.”
“That’s impossible! Look, one of my friends, Xiao Li, is coming!”
Zhang Hanya excitedly pointed at a girl running toward them. This girl was dressed simply, clearly someone from a modest background—humble and quiet, barely speaking.
Xiao Li rushed up to Zhang Hanya, handing her a wad of loose change with both hands, her face blushing red. “Big sister Xiao Ya, this is money I’ve saved through frugality. It’s only over two hundred. Please don’t think it too little. Take it first and quickly take a taxi to see your father!”
“Xiao Li, you’re truly my friend!!”
Zhang Hanya grabbed Xiao Li’s hands, excitedly shouting at Shui Miao, “See? I do have real friends!”
“Huh?”
Shui Miao was puzzled. How could Zhang Hanya react like this? Shouldn’t she be moved to tears instead?
After a pause, Shui Miao approached Xiao Li, took a deep breath, and said, “Xiao Li, I want to help change your destiny…”
“Stop it! You’re not a good person. Xiao Ya is so kind, yet you want to break up with her. You’re terrible! I won’t believe anything you say!” Xiao Li angrily interrupted Shui Miao, glaring at him fiercely.
Seeing this, Zhang Hanya quickly explained the truth to Xiao Li. After learning the facts, Xiao Li looked embarrassed and wrinkled her nose. “No way… really…?”
“Ha ha, Xiao Li, it’s still early. Go home quickly, pack up, and move out. I’ll find you the best Feng Shui house and decorate it for you. I guarantee it will improve your studies, bring you good fortune, and make all your wishes come true.” Shui Miao wasn’t boasting—he genuinely wanted to help Xiao Li. She was so kind-hearted; she deserved a better fate.
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