The man in black standing at the door was none other than the enigmatic and inscrutable figure of Mister Ghost, a revered individual within the Ghost King Sect. Wild Dog Taoist, after being subjugated by Ghost Li, had spent some time in the Ghost King Sect, and thus, had seen Mister Ghost a few times. Though he still knew little about this mysterious man, he was well aware that his status was far from ordinary, and he was not someone to be compared lightly.
To suddenly encounter this person in such an unexpected place naturally startled Wild Dog Taoist. While Elder Zhou Yixian and Little Ring did not know the identity of this mysterious man in black, seeing the fear in Wild Dog’s face, they surmised that he was not a benevolent figure, and their nerves tightened.
Mister Ghost, who had drifted in gracefully, seemed to have been taken aback by the presence of people in this secluded and inauspicious place, and even more so by the fact that someone recognized him. His body trembled slightly, and after a moment, he recognized the three individuals in the room, especially Wild Dog Taoist. Mister Ghost then composed himself. His gaze swept over Wild Dog, then Elder Zhou and Little Ring, finally settling back on Wild Dog as he spoke in a calm voice, “You are Wild Dog Taoist, correct?”
Wild Dog Taoist had seen Mister Ghost several times before, always in the shadow of Ghost Li within the Ghost King Sect. This was the first time he had seen Mister Ghost up close. Surprised that Mister Ghost recognized him, Wild Dog felt a jolt in his heart before answering, “Yes.”
Mister Ghost, with a detached tone, asked, “Weren’t you always following Young Master Ghost Li? Why are you here, and who are these two?”
Wild Dog Taoist wanted to retort, asking why it mattered if he was there, but he hesitated. He could only respond softly, “I… I am separated from Ghost Li, but I will soon find him. They are my friends.”
Mister Ghost’s words remained indifferent, seemingly unaffected by the emphasis on “Ghost Li” in Wild Dog’s speech. “Oh, I see. But you still haven’t explained why you are here.”
Wild Dog Taoist was at a loss for words, unsure how to explain. Elder Zhou Yixian, who had been observing Mister Ghost intently, stepped in. “I have a relative’s spirit tablet here, and we came to pay our respects.”
Mister Ghost’s gaze sharpened, and he saw the old, worn-out spirit tablet on the altar behind them, inscribed with the words: “In Memory of My Beloved Son, Zhou Xingyun.” Nodding, he paused, his eyes flickering behind the black veil, and said, “Since you have paid your respects, this place is, after all, a haunted dwelling. It would be best if you left soon.”
Wild Dog Taoist turned to look at Elder Zhou and Little Ring. Though he was reluctant to linger with such a ghostly figure, he also noted that Mister Ghost’s words hinted at possible hostility if not for Ghost Li’s sake. However, he was unsure if Elder Zhou understood the gravity of the situation. Elder Zhou seemed deep in thought, while Little Ring’s usually serene face showed a rare anger, clearly annoyed by the man in black’s dismissive tone. As she opened her mouth to retort, Wild Dog Taoist panicked, his forehead breaking into a sweat. Just as he feared the worst, Elder Zhou stepped forward, blocking Little Ring. She was startled and changed her mind, saying, “Grandpa, what are you doing?”
Elder Zhou glanced at the ghostly figure by the door and said, “Nothing. We just came to visit your father. Since we’ve already paid our respects, let’s leave. There’s nothing more to do here.”
Little Ring, caught off guard, fell silent. Wild Dog Taoist, relieved, suggested, “Yes, let’s go quickly.”
Realizing something was amiss, Little Ring nodded. The three hastily packed their belongings and, led by Wild Dog Taoist, walked towards the door. Mister Ghost silently moved aside, vanishing into the darkness like a phantom.
As they stepped out into the sunlight, the door behind them creaked and closed ominously. After walking a distance, the three finally stopped. Wild Dog Taoist and Elder Zhou sighed in relief, while Little Ring, curious, asked, “What’s going on? Why are you so afraid?”
Elder Zhou, ignoring her, turned to Wild Dog Taoist, “Who is this Mister Ghost? What kind of person is he?”
Wild Dog Taoist hesitated, “He is the most mysterious figure in the Ghost King Sect, a revered elder who often appears alongside the Ghost King. I don’t know much about him, but he is certainly no ordinary person.”
Elder Zhou frowned, lost in thought. Little Ring, sensing his seriousness, asked, “Grandpa, do you think he’s strange too?”
Elder Zhou nodded slowly, “Indeed, he is not to be underestimated. Did you notice anything unusual in the corner of the room, three feet from the wall?”
Both Little Ring and Wild Dog Taoist were puzzled. Little Ring recalled, “I remember a few coffins, but nothing else.”
Elder Zhou grunted, “Exactly, the coffins.”
Wild Dog Taoist, confused, asked, “What’s so strange about coffins in a morgue?”
Elder Zhou glared, “One of those coffins was different. It had no dust, and its orientation was perfectly aligned north-south, placed in the most spiritually potent area of the haunted dwelling.”
Elder Zhou’s expression grew grave, “It didn’t occur to me until now. When Wild Dog called him ‘Mister Ghost,’ I examined the feng shui and noticed it. This man may truly be a practitioner of the dark arts, using the negative energy to nourish himself.” However, he seemed puzzled, “But dark arts are usually associated with Southern Miao magic. How did this man come to master them?”
Wild Dog Taoist interjected, “Maybe it’s not unique. There was a man in the Venomous Sect, the Bloodsucking Old Demon, who used a ‘Five Ghost Spirit Control’ array.”
Elder Zhou scoffed, “You know nothing. That old demon was a fraud. True dark arts are the domain of the Southern Miao. He couldn’t compare!”
Wild Dog Taoist, realizing the truth, felt disdain for the Bloodsucking Old Demon. Little Ring, concerned, asked, “Even so, Father’s spirit tablet is still there. Is it safe with that creature inside?”
Elder Zhou shook his head, “It’s been years since your father passed. However, I can’t ignore it. I must return to check.”
Wild Dog Taoist, alarmed, protested, “That man is not someone we can afford to anger, do you understand?”
Ignoring him, Elder Zhou decided, “We should return at night when the spirits are most active. We can investigate then.”
Little Ring agreed, “Alright. But maybe you, Taoist, shouldn’t come with us.”
Caught by her bright eyes, Wild Dog Taoist hesitated, then said, “We’ll go together.”
Little Ring smiled, “You’re a good person, Taoist.”
Silent, Wild Dog Taoist sensed Elder Zhou’s knowing smirk.
********
In the dim alley, the trio waited as the night fell. The bustling city of Heyang, plagued by fears of the Beast Demons, quieted down. People, weary and fearful, slept in their corners, unaware of the dangers lurking.
The sky was dark, with faint stars twinkling in the distance. Cold winds whispered through the city. The trio silently approached the morgue. The dilapidated door and walls were eerie, and a chill wind seemed to emanate from within. Elder Zhou, feeling a shiver, distributed talismans to Little Ring and Wild Dog Taoist, instructing them on their use.
After a brief explanation, Elder Zhou, satisfied, pointed to the morgue. Little Ring and Wild Dog Taoist nodded. As they approached, the darkness seemed to watch them. The cold wind made the hair on their necks stand on end.
Elder Zhou, swallowing, stepped inside. The courtyard was desolate, and the shadows seemed to hold a thousand icy gazes. Their footsteps, though soft, echoed in the silence. As they neared the haunted house, their hearts raced. Suddenly, a faint green flame lit up the darkness, and the chilling sound of “Zhi, zhi, zhi…” echoed, making them freeze.
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