Chapter 24

"This..."

Landlord Lu hesitated, his face showing displeasure as he looked to the side.

The steward, who had been serving nearby, felt his heart sink and hurriedly knelt to plead his innocence, "Master, this... I didn't say anything..."

Before he could finish, he realized he had made a grave mistake.

This was practically a confession, admitting that the Lu residence had issues.

He was usually meticulous in his work, but he lived in constant fear of Landlord Lu; in his panic, he had slipped up.

Landlord Lu's expression naturally grew even uglier.

But before he could flare up, Wang Daoxuan spoke, "The patron need not blame others. The steward didn't say much; it was I who noticed some issues."

As he spoke, he led everyone outside the courtyard and pointed to a corner, then to a tree in the distance, saying, "Many days of scorching sun without a drop of rain, yet moss and mildew grow in the corners, the jujube wood is damp, and dead birds have fallen... there must be yin-sha energy here."

Everyone looked, and sure enough, it was as he said.

These seemingly insignificant details now felt highly suspicious.

Li Yan stood behind the crowd, secretly smiling.

Wang Daoxuan might be a kind man, but he was equally adept at the ways of the Jianghu.

This Daoist, ever since he resolved to enter the Mystic Sect, had traveled across the land visiting famous masters. Although he hadn't succeeded and had been swindled many times, he had gained some real knowledge.

He understood various tricks of the trade.

Logically, with such skills, he should have been able to make a living, but his awakened 'Tongue' supernatural ability meant he had to taste things to discern information.

He couldn't just go around licking everything, could he?

How could he lick a zombie or a fierce ghost?

And if a young lady was possessed, would he go and lick her too?

Fortunately, he later found a method: using talismans or other means as a cover to collect samples before identifying them.

Even so, he most commonly worked as a geomancer.

After all, one of the unique skills of a geomancer is 'tasting the soil.'

Of course, the 'Tongue' ability was not without potential; when his cultivation reached a certain realm, chanting true mantras and incantations allowed him to exert greater power than others.

Wang Daoxuan lacked that level of ability.

Furthermore, the 'Building and Storing' ritual had exhausted all his savings and left him in debt, which was why he lived so destitute.

When he met Li Yan, he had also been cautious.

Li Yan could smell special scents, and he could discern the omens within them.

The two of them working together could be described as a perfect match.

They hadn't spoken on the road, but they had been coordinating this.

Li Yan had smelled a faint trace of yin-sha energy, so he had kept his hand behind his back with the palm facing up—the palm being 'yang' and the back of the hand being 'yin.'

By raising his little finger, he pointed toward the abnormal area in the courtyard.

Wang Daoxuan had been watching closely and knew what to do upon entering, naturally putting on a show of being a master in front of the Lu family and successfully planting a 'tethering stake.'

"Daoist Wang is truly brilliant!"

Sha Feili feigned surprise and hurriedly clapped, playing the role of a supporter.

Three cobblers together could indeed rival Zhuge Liang.

Sure enough, Landlord Lu's expression shifted, and he looked at Wang Daoxuan with a deep gaze, bowing respectfully, "Daoist Wang is brilliant. Please, take your seat."

Everyone returned to the room and took their seats.

Landlord Lu hesitated, "It wasn't my intention to hide anything, it's just that this matter..."

"The patron may rest assured."

Wang Daoxuan already knew what he wanted to say and nodded with a smile, "My cultivation is average, but my lips are sealed."

Landlord Lu sighed, "This matter is very strange."

"Last night, the night watchman Zhao Jiu heard some commotion and went to investigate, only to see a figure floating in the air—it was my own wife."

"Zhao Jiu cried out, and many others who came out saw it too, before it vanished in front of everyone."

Wang Daoxuan frowned, shaking his head, "Seeing a ghost? How could that be?"

Li Yan, hearing this, also found it strange.

Whether ghosts, soldiers, or immortals, they were all formless entities; only those of them who had awakened supernatural abilities could perceive them.

Ordinary people could only see them under special circumstances, such as being near death, being plagued by yin-sha, or in 'yin' dreams.

For so many people to see it at once was truly rare.

Sha Feili, who couldn't care less about these details, was already gorging himself on food and wine, muttering, "The Madam... has she already passed?"

"That is the problem."

Landlord Lu gave a bitter smile, "My wife has been in poor health, bedridden for several years, but for the past few months, she has been in a constant stupor."

"After the incident, we went to check."

"She is still alive!"

Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard and frowned, shaking his head, "This is a case of the 'living soul' leaving the body. A soul-summoning and soul-settling ritual is required. But for a living soul to be formless yet seen by so many people... that is unheard of."

Li Yan, sitting beside him, was also eating quickly, his chopsticks moving like lightning as he shoveled large pieces of beef and fish into his mouth.

Though he appeared focused on his meal, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

Whether this strange phenomenon was related to the treasure he was seeking...

Landlord Lu gritted his teeth, "Daoist, how can this be resolved?"

Wang Daoxuan pondered for a moment, "The living soul leaving the body has many causes. Based on my estimation, the Madam has been bedridden for too long, her 'yang' energy is unstable, and her soul has drifted away."

"Let us first perform the soul-summoning ritual."

The night was windless, and the Lu residence was brightly lit.

Contrary to what Sha Feili had said, Landlord Lu had not abandoned his original wife; in fact, he treated her with great respect.

A quiet courtyard in the back became her residence. Although she was bedridden and in a vegetative state, the courtyard was kept immaculate, and there were many servants.

More importantly, this was the inner sanctum. Landlord Lu had vacated it, moving himself and his concubines to a separate wing.

At this moment, a ritual altar had been set up in the courtyard.

It was just a square table, upon which were placed the statue and tablet of the 'Xuan Qi Xian Wei Chen Tianjun,' followed by a pair of red candles, an incense burner, a dish of incense, a water cup, a bamboo slip, a token, a wooden fish, a peach-wood sword, and yellow paper.

There was even a 'wandering soul jar.'

It was a small black jar wrapped in red rope, sealed with yellow cloth and talismans, with faint traces of yin-sha energy swirling around it.

Inside was a minor yin-soldier Wang Daoxuan had painstakingly acquired; it had no great power, but could deliver messages and find things.

Having finally landed a big job, Wang Daoxuan had brought all his equipment.

At this moment, Landlord Lu and all the servants of the residence were present.

Wang Daoxuan pinched his fingers and said in a deep voice:

"The Madam belongs to the Tiger zodiac. All those born in the years of the Ox, Tiger, Snake, or Monkey must leave the residence... and return only after dawn tomorrow..."

"All mirrors in the residence must be covered..."

"The personal maid who cares for the Madam shall remain..."

"All other idlers must retreat to their rooms. No matter what you hear, do not come out..."

A series of instructions flowed out, leaving everyone somewhat bewildered.

Landlord Lu shouted, "What are you waiting for? Do as he says!"

The servants hurried to comply. The guards from the Zhao Family Fist school looked at each other, but said nothing and turned to leave.

Only Landlord Lu asked cautiously, "Must I also avoid the area?"

Wang Daoxuan nodded, "The living soul is most afraid of being startled. If anything goes wrong, it could scatter and vanish. It is better to be cautious."

"Very well. I leave it to you, Daoist."

Landlord Lu didn't waste words and turned to leave.

At this moment, only Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan remained in the courtyard. The maid, following instructions, turned into the room, cut a lock of hair from the emaciated, unconscious Madam, and tore a piece of her clothing.

Taking this opportunity, Li Yan whispered, "That Landlord Lu has a faint smell of urine, masked by expensive incense. I didn't dare get too close..."

"I noticed that long ago."

Wang Daoxuan wasn't surprised, shaking his head, "When I traveled through various states, I once visited a village where the villagers often had their second sons castrated to seek wealth in the palace. Generations of them produced many great eunuchs who returned to build grand mansions. But the palace is treacherous, and not everyone succeeds. Some of the idlers in that village were just like this—pot-bellied, hairless, with loose skin..."

"Has your supernatural ability returned?"

"It's intermittent."

Li Yan looked helpless.

His ability had been abnormal ever since it erupted outside Xianyang City—sometimes weak, sometimes suddenly strong, followed by mental exhaustion.

When it erupted earlier, he had smelled the scent around Landlord Lu.

It made sense why he kept two beautiful concubines by his side, ignoring the gazes of others and even feeling somewhat proud—if he were a eunuch, it would explain a lot.

He had come to the Lu residence to find that mysterious treasure.

If he was a eunuch who had been in the capital...

Could it be a treasure that had flowed out of the Imperial Palace?

Unfortunately, his ability was failing him at this crucial moment; it was truly bad luck.

Wang Daoxuan didn't know what he was thinking and began to explain, "The method of soul-summoning originates from ancient shamanic rituals. The 'Book of Rites' says, 'The official summons the soul and restores the spirit.' It is a ritual for the funeral and burial."

"Given the Madam's condition, I fear that once the soul is summoned back, it will be time for the funeral."

He spoke while cutting paper.

A large sheet of yellow paper danced under his scissors, and a paper soul-summoning banner gradually took shape, adorned with cloud patterns and small human figures.

Li Yan couldn't help but praise, "Daoist, you have a fine craft."

Wang Daoxuan shook his head and smiled, "If you ever have the chance to see a true Mystic Sect paper-craftsman, you'll know what real skill is. I've only learned the basics..."

He didn't stop talking, explaining Mystic Sect knowledge to Li Yan.

This was their tacit agreement: Li Yan would act as his assistant, and Wang Daoxuan would guide him into the profession, teaching him various hidden secrets.

While they were talking, the maid had already taken the hair and clothing.

Wang Daoxuan first burned the hair into ash, sprinkled it into a bowl of clean water, and observed the movement. After a while, he stuffed the clothing fragments into the pole of the soul-summoning banner and said, "At the hour of the Rat, you will hold this banner, stand on the roof of the northeast courtyard, and shake it while calling for the soul to return."

"Remember, do not be afraid. If you feel a chill on your body, close your eyes and keep calling. When you hear the sound of the wooden fish, run back immediately."

"And if someone calls your name from behind, never look back!"

The maid was already trembling with fear, but remembering the heavy reward the Master had promised, she gritted her teeth, "D-Daoist, rest assured, I will remember."

With that, she carefully took the banner and left.

Li Yan found it strange, "Calling someone from behind is the work of demons and evil spirits. Can a living soul also harm people?"

Wang Daoxuan whispered, "The living soul cannot endure being startled. It is like a sleepwalker; it needs to be guided back."

"I am afraid the maid will startle the living soul away."

Li Yan laughed at himself.

This Wang Daoxuan was truly thorough...

Before long, the hour of the Rat arrived, and the entire Lu residence was pitch black.

The maid stood on the roof, shaking the banner, calling out repeatedly for half an hour until her throat grew hoarse.

Her fear began to fade, replaced by doubt.

Could the Master have hired a fraud?

Just then, a cold wind blew, and the maid felt a chill on her back, as if something had suddenly appeared behind her.

The sensation was unmistakable.

The maid's hair stood on end, and goosebumps broke out all over her body.

Panic surged, and just as she was about to scream, she remembered Wang Daoxuan's warning. She squeezed her eyes shut and continued to call out, her voice trembling.

In the silence of the night, the changing tone of her voice caught the attention of the two in the courtyard.

Li Yan took a deep breath and caught a faint scent.

It was cold, but lacked the blood-stench of the soldiers.

"It's here!"