Chapter 188: Returned

The fake Nine-Headed Bird said, “I’m the fake one.”

Damn it, completely playing by no rules.

I opened my mouth and said, “I’m fake too.”

Abe Lips shook his head and asked, “Really?” The ugly ghost’s hand crawled all the way up to his buttocks, while the other reached his chest. The fake Nine-Headed Bird across from me wasn’t faring any better—he couldn’t see the ghost, but he could probably feel someone groping him.

Being touched is a strange sensation.

When a man touches a woman, or a woman touches a man, it’s a pleasant feeling.

But being touched by a ghost is a uniquely unsettling experience. I’ve been groped many times, but this was the first time for the fake Nine-Headed Bird, who must have been experiencing this indescribably awful sensation. I wondered what he was thinking.

I said, “Just kidding. I’m the real one. I brought the valid contract. As agreed, Mr. Abe, you owe me forty million.”

Abe Lips laughed heartily. “All you fraudsters are insatiable.”

The fake Nine-Headed Bird insisted, “I’m the real one. My contract is genuine.”

After arguing endlessly with Abe Lips, I had no choice but to back down.

Then, a turning point came—Abe Lips slapped the fake Nine-Headed Bird, and the ugly ghost crawled into his nose. The fake Nine-Headed Bird started dancing and singing *The Most Dazzling Ethnic Style*.

Abe Lips said, “Mr. Nine-Headed Bird, now let me see the contract.”

I tossed the contract to him. After glancing at it, Abe Lips motioned for his advisor to take a look. The advisor nodded in approval, and Abe Lips signaled for celebratory drinks.

The fake Nine-Headed Bird’s men were escorted out, while the possessed fake Nine-Headed Bird went completely mad. That night, Xiao Buquan stayed behind with Abe Lips. The money was transferred to Nine-Headed Bird’s account.

Gao Mo and I left the Weiyang Hotel and spent the night at Meng Xiaoyu’s company.

The next day, Xiao Buquan came to see me, handing me yesterday’s contract. He told me, “Nine-Headed Bird is already dead. He died in the world of fraudsters, betrayed by his own men.”

I sighed. The world of fraudsters was too complicated. Didn’t Nine-Headed Bird have nine heads? How could he be taken down by his own men?

Xiao Buquan chuckled. “All the tricks of a fraudster boil down to three words: nothing is real.”

As agreed, Xiao Buquan returned part of the money scammed from the elderly by the Eagle Flight Group.

He said, “But a lot of it was squandered by the gang—daily parties with young models cost money. And staying in presidential suites every night? In my youth, I slept in five-yuan-a-night motels. Who spends money like this?”

Xiao Buquan was disappointed in them.

He didn’t return a single cent of the ten million Abe Lips gave him. Meng Xiaoyu got the contract and even gave Xiao Buquan a sum of money.

Xiao Buquan said, “Master Xiao, you’ve got potential. Want to be my apprentice?”

I shook my head. “Me? I’ve got a conscience. Seeing old folks go hungry, good people unable to afford medical care—it breaks my heart. How could I ever do this?”

Xiao Buquan replied, “After Nine-Headed Bird sidelined me, the Eagle Flight Group’s retirement scheme had nothing to do with me. To be honest, some celebrities and Jiangcheng officials had their hands in it too.”

After hearing a lot, I felt conflicted.

I asked Xiao Buquan why he helped me deal with Abe Lips.

He said, “I’m one of those three people.”

I froze. My master, Dong Lingzi, had told me that three families could help me overcome my current difficulties.

Could Xiao Buquan be one of them?

I pressed, “Tell me. Who are you? Can I see your real face?”

Xiao Buquan said, “No one has ever seen my true face. If you see it, will you marry me? I swore only the woman I love would see it.”

For an old man to say such things made me wonder—was he really as old as he looked? Maybe he was as young as me.

I shook my head. “I can’t marry you.”

How long had he waited? I doubted his age, but his wrinkles and movements betrayed his years.

That night when Xiao Buquan disguised himself as a high-class escort to accompany Abe Lips—what exactly happened? He must have gone through great lengths to steal the contract. A flicker of displeasure crossed his face before vanishing.

Xiao Buquan said, “My role is done. Xiao Qi, goodbye.” He handed me back my phone. “There’s a number in there. Call me if you need me.”

Watching his retreating figure, I wondered—had I seen him somewhere before?

Who was he really?

“Hey, what’s your plan if you’re not being the God of Fraud?” I called out.

Xiao Buquan shouted back, “I’ve decided. With my acting skills, I’m heading to Hong Kong. I heard *Peach Mature* is casting. Maybe they’ll take me.”

He patted his buttocks and walked away, looking utterly lonely.

Living behind a mask—wasn’t he just as isolated?

—

Over the next week, Meng Xiaoyu swiftly dismantled Abe Group’s local branches. She paid me a sum and enlisted Long Qishan’s help, mobilizing several truckloads of people to storm and wreck their establishments. In each location, they found mirrors, Bagua mirrors, and other sinister objects aimed at Meng Xiaoyu’s Wan Guo Department Store.

During Jiangcheng’s land bidding, Abe Group lost to Xi’an’s powerful Hua Consortium, which invested heavily in subway and dock renovations.

With the sudden shift in power, many Jiangcheng officials were implicated in the Eagle Flight Group fraud case. Some were dismissed, while others quietly resurfaced elsewhere. New officials were parachuted in.

Meng Xiaoyu’s resurgence and Abe Group’s retreat left everyone stunned.

People marveled at Meng Xiaoyu’s prowess, far beyond what a deep-pocketed Japanese corporation could match.

The local snake still reigned supreme.

Shen Yihu quickly reinstated his position and resumed investigating the case of the seven missing corpses, earning his superiors’ trust.

Gao Mo called, asking for my bank details to settle the promised reward. Remembering Meng Xiaoyu holding up one finger, I eagerly provided my account, expecting at least six digits.

Ten minutes later, my bank notified me of a one-hundred-yuan deposit.

I called Gao Mo in outrage. She laughed. “Didn’t you know all merchants are swindlers? Boss Meng gave you a hundred to spare your feelings. Did you think money was that easy to earn?”

I nearly smashed my phone in fury.

Gao Mo then told me that the land originally meant for high-tech development would now house a massive retirement home, surrounded by gardens—the largest in the country.

“Master Xiao, consider it charity. I know you’re a good guy, so I took the liberty of donating the rest of your payment to the project.”

Meanwhile, Jun Ge was back on his feet, with Sun Xiaolin busy bringing him meals. He seemed dazed and avoided me when I visited. Long Qishan discreetly took away a gun—now that Jun Ge could walk, he no longer feared zombies or the Japanese.

On January 20th, about twenty days before Lunar New Year, Jiangcheng was blanketed in snow.

That afternoon, I brought chicken soup for Jun Ge but couldn’t find him in his ward. Sun Xiaolin, teary-eyed, said, “He’s gone!”

After reviewing security footage, I saw two men escorting Jun Ge out at noon.

I called Jun Ge’s number.

“Xiao Qi. The snow stretches far—we meet again.” The voice was heavy, muffled, sending chills down my spine.

It was the same voice from when Ji Qianqian was kidnapped.

I’d never forget it.

After Abe Lips was taken down by Xiao Buquan, Abe Munechika had returned—and taken Jun Ge. The same trick, the same script, no creativity, just another threat. Still as twisted as ever.

I demanded, “What do you want?”

Abe Munechika replied, “My terms haven’t changed. Kneel before me, burn *The Complete Guide to Ghost Capture*, then kowtow and admit the Ghost School lost to the Abe Onmyōji. Bring the jade ruler, break it in front of me, and pass your position to Zuo Shan—who now serves me. From then on, the Ghost School will cease to exist worldwide.”

I gritted my teeth. “In your dreams.”

Zuo Shan’s voice chimed in, “Not cease—just submit to the Abe Onmyōryō. We’ll be one family.”

I cursed, “Traitor! Scum! Modern-day Hanjian! Zuo Shan, you’re no longer a Ghost School disciple. Your words are worthless. Next time we meet, I won’t spare you. Prepare your neck.”

Munechika chuckled. “Xiao Qi, don’t rush. Liu Jun is just bait—I won’t kill him. I’m not that stupid. This time, I’ll make you concede willingly. Time and place are mine to decide.”

Outside the hospital, the icy wind howled.

My hands trembled. Memories of Ji Qianqian flashed before me—her last words, *”Xiao Qi, in the end, I still die in your arms.”*

Sun Xiaolin ran out after me. “Hey, if he’s okay, call me!” Her cheeks were flushed from the cold.

“Can I borrow your shoulder?” I asked.

She eyed me warily. “Nurse Wang, lend him your shoulder. He just got diagnosed with a terminal illness.”

A plump nurse stepped forward. “Fine, I’ll sacrifice a bit.”

Holding a stranger’s shoulder, I thought of fleeting time—spring days when a beautiful girl waited for me under osmanthus trees, her long braids swaying as she waved and smiled from afar.

The nurse said, “It’s okay. The snow is so pure—you can cry, but you have no reason to be sad.”