Chapter 21: A Ritual Ceremony (Happy New Year 2025!)

“Hmm, sir, may I ask your surname? How should I address you?” Chen Yan was quite polite, though also somewhat curious—he had no idea what the city’s practitioners were like, having never interacted with any.

The white-haired middle-aged man adopted a dignified posture and smiled slowly: “Young man, since you’re Fang Zong’s tenant and have some karmic connection to this house, just call me Uncle Qing, like Yan’s assistant does.”

As the white-haired man spoke, Chen Yan felt uncomfortable.

The tone was wrong.

It was that kind of tone—the kind that reeked of deliberate superiority: I’m someone very important; I normally wouldn’t deign to notice you, but I’m being gracious, so I’ll suffer the indignity and allow you to call me Uncle.

Yeah, that was the impression it gave.

But… Chen Yan wasn’t pleased.

“Sorry, but my family’s small—I don’t have uncles or aunts, so I’ve never called anyone ‘Uncle’ since childhood,” Chen Yan said coolly.

He didn’t even know who his biological father was—where would he get uncles or aunts?

Yeah, this was one of those quirks in Chen Yan’s personality that some might find odd.

He always believed that politeness and etiquette toward strangers were correct.

To strangers, you say “you” respectfully; to unfamiliar men, you call them “Mr.”; to women, “Ms.”…

For the elderly, you call them “Old Sir” or “Old Madam”…

That’s enough.

But as for calling people “Uncle,” “Aunt,” “Grandpa,” or “Grandma,” he didn’t do it lightly.

Either you’re a blood relative, in which case calling you “Uncle” or “Aunt” is fine.

Or we have a relationship—you’ve helped me, looked out for me, and you’re older than me; then calling you “Uncle” or “Aunt,” treating you as an elder, is appropriate.

Or you’re a person of great virtue and prestige—like that rice expert—he could make Chen Yan kneel and call him “Grandpa,” and Chen Yan would still feel unworthy.

But otherwise… nothing? Just a stranger?

Just because you’re ten or twenty years older, a complete stranger comes to my home, sits down, and expects me to call you “Uncle”?

Who the hell are you?

Does being older give you the right to demand every younger person call you “Uncle”?

Go find Principal Wang, then say to him in that same “down-to-earth” tone: “Just call me Uncle.”

Does he have the nerve?

—You could say Chen Yan is a bit fussy, a bit eccentric on this point.

But what can you do? That’s just his nature.

·

The white-haired man looked slightly embarrassed, clearly not expecting this young man to be so disrespectful. He cleared his throat, the air of superiority in his gaze faltering slightly, then muttered:

“I’m surnamed Luo.”

“Uncle Qing is a master; his temple is on Jiangbei’s Mount Qixia—he’s the abbot of Luoyun Studio,” Yan’s assistant quickly added, sensing the awkwardness.

Chen Yan’s expression didn’t change.

Even if you were the Dragon and Tiger Mountain’s Celestial Master, what does it matter to me? This is my rented home—my house. The only connection here is that Yan’s assistant works for the landlord; Chen Yan deals only with him. This Luo man is a stranger.

More importantly—what’s Luoyun Studio compared to my Old Grandma?

Can you make the Black and White Lords kneel and kowtow to you?

“Then, Mr. Luo, what do you want?”

Chen Yan asked the white-haired man coldly—he figured the man’s name was Luo Qing.

Luo Qing had just been rebuffed by Chen Yan and no longer smiled. He replied coldly: “You should know about the incident that happened in this house before.”

“Hmm, I don’t know the details, but I’ve heard the general story,” Chen Yan nodded, his tone calm.

“A violent event occurred here, so Fang Zong had me perform several rituals—expelling evil, suppressing malevolence… too much for a young man like you to understand. Suffice it to say, after the rituals, this house became safe for long-term habitation, free from misfortune.”

Chen Yan nodded: “And then? The rituals were already done, weren’t they?”

“Prayer rituals to ward off misfortune are complex. One isn’t enough. So… young man, you’re not in our line of work—you wouldn’t understand. In short, Fang Zong wants another ritual performed here.”

“It’s the end of the year—let’s drive away the lingering evil and bad luck once more. This house had such a violent incident; its malevolence is stubborn. If you don’t root it out completely, living here won’t feel safe.” Luo Qing ended with a veiled threat.

The year’s ending; let’s drive away more bad luck and dark qi—this house was the scene of that kind of case, its malevolence stubborn. If you don’t root it out, living here won’t feel safe.

When he first moved in, he’d opened his Heavenly Eye to scan every inch of the house inside and out.

He’d used the Luo Pan to calculate directions and examine the feng shui.

He’d even meticulously calculated using the “Book of Qi and Fortune Cycles.”

This house had no flaws whatsoever.

Chen Yan stopped paying attention to Luo Qing and turned to Yan’s assistant: “So I understand—you want to perform another ritual in this house?”

Yan’s assistant nodded: “Yes, exactly.”

Chen Yan thought for a moment… it didn’t seem like a big deal. He could even observe how the city’s practitioners performed their rituals.

Chen Yan thought for a moment… it didn’t seem like such a big deal; he could even observe how the city’s other practitioners performed rituals.

But Chen Yan’s pause caused Yan’s assistant to misunderstand.

He hurried to say: “We know you just moved in, and us coming here for this is bound to feel like bad luck and an annoyance.”

“As compensation, we’ll waive one month’s rent—you can deduct it from your next six-month payment.”

Oh! Why didn’t you say so sooner!

One month’s rent was fifteen thousand!

Do it!

Do whatever you want!

Chen Yan’s face immediately lit up with a smile: “Of course! Just tell me when you’re coming to perform the ritual!”

“It’s just a ritual—I’ll stay out of the way and watch.”

Beside him, Luo Qing snorted. Yan’s assistant quickly added with a nervous laugh: “Er… rituals aren’t something outsiders should observe.”

“Uncle Qing is a master—rituals aren’t to be revealed to outsiders…”

Oh, so I can’t watch?

Chen Yan thought for a moment—fine. If they didn’t want him to watch, he wouldn’t. After all, fifteen thousand.

“Alright. Let me know when you’re coming—I’ll go out, take a walk, catch a movie, whatever. I’ll clear the house for you.”

“Er… that…” Yan’s assistant hesitated, lowering his voice: “Er… even during the day won’t work.”

Chen Yan blinked: “You mean… at night?”

Luo Qing coldly said: “Day is yang, night is yin! At midnight, yin energy peaks—evil and stubborn malevolence become most active then… you young people wouldn’t understand anyway.”

“Just know this: the ritual must be performed at night.”

Chen Yan was still smiling, but the smile on his face was no longer the same as before.

“So you mean, on a cold night like this, I have to leave my own home, go out, and spend the whole night somewhere else, just so you can perform a ritual here?”

Yan’s assistant nodded, his expression cautious: “I know… this request is a bit unreasonable…”

“Six months’ property fees,” Chen Yan cut him off.

“Six months’ property fees.” Chen Yan cut him off before he could finish.

“I said, add six months’ property fees,” Chen Yan said coolly. “The house belongs to your boss, but I’m renting it—until the lease ends, it’s my home.”

“Regardless of whether I believe your claims—I’m a college graduate; I only believe in science.”

“You want me to stay out all night in winter, away from my home, so you can mess around here. Isn’t it fair to ask for more compensation?”

“One month’s rent isn’t enough. Add six months’ property fees.”

Yan’s assistant looked at Chen Yan, paused briefly, then nodded: “Alright. Mr. Chen’s point is valid—our request is indeed unreasonable.”

“Then as you said—add six months’ property fees.”

Hearing this, Chen Yan felt a flicker of interest—he was generous.

This time, the nearby Luo Qing said nothing.

After all, it wasn’t his money. As long as Fang Zong paid his ritual fee, the rest didn’t concern him.

Then Yan’s assistant and Chen Yan agreed: the day after tomorrow, at 10:30 p.m., he would bring Luo Qing to perform the ritual; Chen Yan must be away that night.

Chen Yan’s home held no valuable items.

Only three things mattered:

The jade signet ring, the secret manual, and half a candle.

He could slip them into his pocket and leave.

·

After finishing the discussion, Chen Yan saw the two out the door. Outside the courtyard, he stopped Yan’s assistant.

“Verbal promises mean nothing. Give me a written agreement.”

“Also, pay the six months’ property fees today.”

“Since we’ve agreed, let’s finish it properly.”

Yan’s assistant looked at Chen Yan, then nodded understandingly: “Mr. Chen’s request is fair—I’ll go pay the property fees right away.”

Beside him, Luo Qing was displeased: “You’re going to pay property fees? I’m meeting a friend soon…”

Yan’s assistant smiled: “No problem—have the car drop Uncle Qing off first. I’ll take a taxi back after I’m done.”

He politely saw Luo Qing into the car, giving the driver specific instructions to treat this master with the utmost care and deliver him safely home.

Chen Yan watched, and his opinion of Yan’s assistant rose slightly.

This guy… was alright.

This guy isn't bad.

·

Some people, after working for wealthy bosses for long enough, somehow develop an air of arrogance, as if their tails were sticking straight up into the sky, as though seeing rich people so often made them believe they were rich too.

But this Assistant Yan conducted himself with courtesy, speaking and acting with gentle politeness. Chen Yan knew his earlier words had been rather blunt.

The terms he proposed were also somewhat tentative.

Yet Assistant Yan showed not the slightest sign of anger, maintaining his politeness without fail.

This was the ideal type of assistant for a wealthy boss.

Those who strut around with their tails in the air, barking orders under their boss’s name—aren’t they just inviting hatred toward their employer?

This man understood boundaries. He was a sensible one.

·

Assistant Yan went to the property management office and paid six months’ fees—over eighteen thousand.

The villa’s monthly property fee was over three thousand.

After paying, Assistant Yan borrowed paper and pen from the office and wrote a receipt waiving Chen Yan’s rent for one month.

Then, holding both the receipt and the property office’s payment slip, he returned to the villa, knocked on the door, and handed the items to Chen Yan.

He saw things through to the end.

Chen Yan smiled at Assistant Yan: “Come in and sit a while?”

“No need. Boss Fang still has matters to attend to. Then, I’ll leave it to you, Mr. Chen, the day after tomorrow.” His tone remained courteous.

As Assistant Yan turned to leave, Chen Yan suddenly smiled: “Holding the ritual at midnight—besides the high master’s reason—isn’t it also to avoid drawing attention?”

Assistant Yan stopped in his tracks.

“This house is still a haunted one. After years of quiet, peaceful living, several tenants have come and gone.

Now, after all this time, the incident should’ve faded… but suddenly holding another ritual—neighbors will see, and rumors will spread again that something’s still wrong with the house.

If those rumors get out, they’ll hurt Boss Fang’s investment in this property, won’t they?

That’s why the ritual must be done at midnight?”

Assistant Yan smiled, not hiding it: “Mr. Chen, you’re sharp—truly perceptive. Our little thoughts are plain to you. Don’t worry; after tomorrow’s ritual, I’ll have the house thoroughly cleaned. It won’t affect your living.”

Chen Yan nodded: “I trust Assistant Yan’s work.”

Then he added suddenly: “By the way, I just remembered something.”

“Go ahead.”

Chen Yan looked at Assistant Yan:

“Stay right here. Don’t move. I’ll go get something…”

After speaking, he turned around and left.

Assistant Yan stood where he was, his expression strange.

Wait… you went to college, and I’m not uneducated either!

You think I’ve never read “Back Shadow”?

A few minutes later, Chen Yan reappeared, slipping a small cloth bundle into Assistant Yan’s hand.

“Fifteen thousand for rent, eighteen thousand for property fees—you’ve just earned me thirty-three thousand.

I can’t take this money without giving something back.

My sect has rules: when accepting payment, one must offer return.”

Chen Yan smiled lightly: “This is a small trinket I made myself. It’s certainly not as powerful as the high master Boss Fang hired.

But keep it on you—it’s a talisman for safety.”

“...Huh? This, this...”

Chen Yan smiled with feigned mystery: “Assistant Yan, you thought I dared to rent a haunted house just because I’m a regular college student?”

Then Chen Yan shut the door.

Assistant Yan stood there, stunned for a moment.

Wait...

Sect? Rules? Talisman?

Didn’t you just say you went to college and only believe in science?!

What’s with this sudden turn?

Taking a few steps away, he opened the cloth bundle.

A jade tablet, the size of a matchbox.

He’d worked for wealthy bosses long enough to recognize quality—he saw at a glance it was low-grade, inferior white jade.

Carved into it were fine, intricate patterns.

But the designs looked like gibberish—he couldn’t make sense of them, only that the carving was crude!

He thought for a moment, then picked up his phone and dialed a number.

When it connected, Assistant Yan held the phone with both hands, respectfully: “Boss, everything’s settled. The tenant agreed.”

He paused, then added: “But the tenant added a condition—on top of one month’s rent, he demanded six months’ property fees, totaling thirty-three thousand. I thought the matter was urgent, and it was still within your budget, so I accepted.”

The voice on the other end listened quietly, then replied simply: “Mm. Understood.”

Assistant Yan hesitated: “Master Qing has also returned to prepare. But… Boss, I’m uneasy.

Previous rituals were always handled by Master Zi. This time, Master Qing… I’m not sure...”

“Hmph. Do you think I don’t want Master Zi? But Master Zi has been away from Jin Ling these past months—called to the northern prefecture by the provincial governor to handle private affairs. Master Qing is his senior brother; his skills can’t be worse than Master Zi’s.

Let it be for now.”

·

Happy New Year 2025—I hope you’re all well!

May your path be graced by gentle winds and intoxicating clouds.

May you already have a home where you can lay down your armor.

May you already have beside you the smile you cherish most.

·

【A little tip as a red envelope—no need for much, just a lucky token.】

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