[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-invincible-female-ghost-is-a-bit-of-a-hopele":3,"chapter-the-invincible-female-ghost-is-a-bit-of-a-hopele-the-invincible-female-ghost-is-a-bit-of-a-hopele-chapter-86":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Invincible Female Ghost Is A Bit Of A Hopeless Romantic",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1706465,2180,"Chapter 86: Old man, don't panic, I am the legitimate Celestial Master!","the-invincible-female-ghost-is-a-bit-of-a-hopele-chapter-86",86,"\u003Cp>Lu Yuan was momentarily stunned, then immediately bowed and cupped his hands again, saying:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Disciple Lu Yuan, pays his respects to Martial Uncle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, a trace of satisfaction finally appeared on Celestial Master He Xun's normally impassive face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave a soft \"Hmm,\" then leisurely began to speak:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The matter of the list, Song Yan has already informed you, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan's heart stirred, and he nodded immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Brother has already explained everything, Martial Uncle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Celestial Master He Xun's gaze fell upon him, carrying a hint of scrutiny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without the slightest hesitation, Lu Yuan straightened his spine, each word spoken with firm conviction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Naturally, I must go! I will definitely go!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Man can conquer nature!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Pfft!*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan: \"?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the heck was that sound?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Celestial Master He Xun was silent for a few seconds, seemingly organizing his words, but it ultimately turned into a sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since you call me Martial Uncle, I cannot simply ignore you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've prepared a few people for you to accompany you. It's better than you taking two little snot-nosed kids.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cheng'an and Xu Erxiao, who were innocently caught in the crossfire: \"??\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who are you calling little snot-nosed kids?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of surprise, Lu Yuan immediately bowed, refusing outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Martial Uncle, that won't be necessary.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Celestial Master He Xun slightly raised his eyelids, a flicker of genuine confusion passing through those deep eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you insist on going to your death alone?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon, as if he had figured something out, his tone softened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or are you worried that bringing people from Tianlong Temple will split the merit when the merit ledger is written during the Celestial Master Grand Ceremony?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you're worried about that, it's unnecessary.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Celestial Master He Xun waved his hand dismissively, his tone brooking no argument.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I assure you, when the merit ledger is written, not a single name from my Tianlong Temple will appear on it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This immense merit will belong entirely to your Zhenlong Temple, entirely to you, Lu Yuan, alone!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan, however, shook his head, his expression incredibly serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's not the reason.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Celestial Master He Xun was truly puzzled, his brows furrowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then what exactly is the reason?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan bowed and cupped his hands again, speaking each word with absolute clarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My master doesn't like you, nor does he like Tianlong Temple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I were to bring people from Tianlong Temple to destroy those Nurturing Malevolence Sites, then the 'Celestial Master' title gained in such a way, I'm afraid my master would not be happy about it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want to obtain the 'Celestial Master' title for my master, solely to make the old man happy. Beyond that, I seek nothing else.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If getting the title because of this would instead make him unhappy, then it's better not to get the title at all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan: \"?????\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where on earth is that sound coming from?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, a long, complex sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Celestial Master He Xun spoke softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He Yin... found himself a good disciple...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine, go ahead. Just remember, in all matters, do not overreach.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Celestial Master He Xun shook his head slightly again, saying:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For us who are masters, we truly don't expect anything from you all. We only hope you can be safe and sound; that's more important than anything else...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A warmth spread in Lu Yuan's heart. He bowed respectfully with cupped hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This disciple will remember Martial Uncle's teachings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This disciple will naturally not overreach either. After all, I still have to provide for that old man in his old age.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, the three of them, Lu Yuan and his junior brothers, paid their respects to Celestial Master He Xun and left the small courtyard gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yan had already led three magnificent horses to the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having been meticulously cared for over the past few days, the horses' coats were sleek, they had gained weight, and they looked spirited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three of them mounted their horses. From his elevated position, Lu Yuan looked down at Song Yan and slightly cupped his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Brother, we part ways here. We'll meet again at the Luotian Grand Offering!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he raised his riding whip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three men, three horses, transformed into a trail of dust, heading north!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Straight for the third Nurturing Malevolence Site!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This third and fourth Nurturing Malevolence Site were precisely the places the old man had casually crossed off on the map back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the old man's thinking, what formidable things could possibly be near Fengtian City?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He certainly didn't believe his disciple's luck could be so abysmal as to run into a tough opponent exactly in the places he had skipped over, losing his life in the process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at it this way, barring any accidents...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hey!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There really haven't been any accidents!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accompanied by wind and snow, neighbored by ghosts and spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This trip out had, in the blink of an eye, reached its twelfth day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan and the other two had fought their way from the third Nurturing Malevolence Site all the way to the ninth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dangers and eerie events encountered along the way had all been resolved without major incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan's Cultivation grew increasingly profound, while Xu Erxiao and Wang Cheng'an had also matured from their initial noisy, easily startled selves, becoming much more steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, only six days remained until the opening of the Luotian Grand Offering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan planned to tackle one last one before heading back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To make it a round number, they would take down this tenth Nurturing Malevolence Site as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After attending the opening ceremony of the Luotian Grand Offering, they would come out again and continue working until the Celestial Master Grand Ceremony began!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside a dilapidated temple, the three of them packed their belongings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Erxiao looked at the map, muttering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Lu, the next place is called Great Green Mountain Village.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan had just nodded, but before he could speak, Wang Cheng'an beside him suddenly went \"Huh?\" and looked up, blinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Great Green Mountain Village?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Lu, I seem to remember... that official notice we saw yesterday in Chengduo Town, the one about bandit trouble... wasn't that also about Great Green Mountain?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Wang Cheng'an's words, Lu Yuan also blinked, thinking carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly slapped his thigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, now that you mention it, it really seems like it was!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yesterday, passing through Chengduo Town, the notice board at the city gate clearly stated in black and white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It advised passing merchant caravans and common folk to avoid the Great Green Mountain area recently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that's the case...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan pondered for a moment, then decisively took out the Nurturing Malevolence Diagrams again and glanced at it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright then, let's skip this one for now. We'll detour and head to the eleventh Nurturing Malevolence Site first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the authorities had issued a notice about bandits, there was no need to go looking for trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing the ones further down, presumably the government would have dealt with the bandits over there by then, and they could come back later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If, after clearing all the other sites, the bandit problem at Great Green Mountain still hadn't been resolved, then they simply wouldn't go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren't short of just one or two sites anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having made up his mind, Lu Yuan pointed to another spot on the map and said directly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Change course! Head to Wu Family Gully!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, in the bandit assembly hall cave at Great Green Ox Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man was sprawled haphazardly on the large tiger-skin chair, his face flushed red, letting out loud, resonant burps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Burp... what lousy wine!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can't... can't compare to what my disciple got from his wife's family! Not even close!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Burp!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One foot rested rudely on the stone table in front of him, which was laden with large chunks of meat and peanuts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One hand was picking his teeth, while the other still held a large wine bowl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below, a group of fierce-looking bandits stood in terrified silence, not daring to breathe loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the leader of these bandits, the one known as \"Big Scar Wang,\" who could make children in the entire Great Green Mountain region stop crying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, he was all smiles, carefully pouring wine for the old man from a wine jar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe... Master, you're absolutely right...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... how could I compare to your disciple and disciple's wife~~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether he was too drunk to hear clearly or simply didn't, the old man reacted upon hearing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His foot, resting on the stone table, suddenly lifted and kicked Big Scar Wang squarely in the stomach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a *thud*, Big Scar Wang was sent sprawling, the wine jar in his hand flying out and shattering on the ground, spilling everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pah!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man spat a thick glob of phlegm on the ground, cursing with bleary, drunken eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You think you can compare to my disciple?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're nothing but a dog's fart!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Big Scar Wang, ah, Big Scar Wang! You're getting more and more useless!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your granddad was a famous great philanthropist back in the day, and look at you! Turned into a damn bandit!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Scar Wang, who had been kicked to the ground, showed none of his usual ferocious demeanor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scrambled to his feet, not even bothering to dust himself off, grabbed another jar of wine, poured for the old man while grinning obsequiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, my Master, please calm your anger...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's just... circumstances forced me, the family fell on hard times...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Scar Wang couldn't help but complain further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's true my granddad was a great philanthropist, a truly kind man!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But he was only kind to outsiders, never cared about the family, didn't leave me much money in the end.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more he spoke, the angrier he got.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He had a great reputation outside, but we at home were practically starving!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to Big Scar Wang's grievances, the old man let out another burp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked up the wine Big Scar Wang had just poured and downed another gulp, then mumbled incoherently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your granddad, that man, was too generous with his hands.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Back then, I also advised him not to be so extravagantly generous to outsiders all the time, to at least take care of his own family a bit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Scar Wang, standing nearby, felt even more aggrieved upon hearing this and quickly leaned over to pour more wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey~ Isn't that the truth!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If only he had left me a bit more money, I wouldn't have had to take up this head-risking business!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Scar Wang filled the bowl again, but the old man didn't drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slammed the coarse porcelain wine bowl onto the stone table with a *clang*, burping repeatedly as he swayed to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, no more drinking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Any more, and I really won't be able to get back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Big Scar Wang hurriedly stood up to support him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, my Master, we've barely started! What's the rush?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you're drunk, just stay here for the night!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My life was saved by you back then, snatched right from the King of Hell's hands. I haven't had a chance to properly show my filial respect to you yet~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish, the old man suddenly turned his head, his drunken eyes wide open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You showing your thanks would be to kill a few less people!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Saving a little bastard like you, who knows how much karmic debt it's saddled this old man with!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Big Scar Wang straightened up, patting his chest in assurance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"About that, you can rest assured! My brothers and I have a rule: we only rob money, we don't take lives!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man raised an eyebrow, giving him a strange look up and down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really don't take lives?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the old man's stare, Big Scar Wang immediately grew somewhat guilty, his voice dropping as he awkwardly rubbed his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well... there are always some fools who insist on resisting... we have no choice then, don't we?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man snorted coldly, dropping the subject, and swayed unsteadily towards the cave entrance on his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not staying. If I don't get back soon, it'll be too late to draw the talisman for my disciple's wife.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man calculated the time in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had already been fourteen days since he left. Two days to get back, just in time to renew Gu Qingwan's talisman on the sixteenth day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding the Nurturing Malevolence Sites, he had already investigated up to this tenth one at Great Green Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He figured his precious disciple, at most, would only make it to this tenth one before having to return for the Luotian Grand Offering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man planned to return to Zhenlong Temple first, replenish the fifteen-day supply of talismans and \"Green Memorial Invocations\" for Gu Qingwan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he'd saunter back and finish investigating the remaining sites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Scar Wang followed behind, thinking somewhat strangely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of disciple's wife is this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why does she need talismans drawn?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Big Scar Wang didn't dare ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man walking ahead stumbled again, reeking of alcohol as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Probably in the next couple of days, my disciple will come leading two disciples from Zhenlong Temple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If a single hair on my disciple's head is harmed here...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the old man could finish, Big Scar Wang was scared out of his wits, his voice instantly rising an octave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, heavens above!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My Master, what are you saying?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if I ate the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard, I wouldn't dare do such a thing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides, aren't we all family? When the brothers arrive, I guarantee they'll be treated with the best food and drink!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the old man scoffed disdainfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who's family with a bandit like you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Scar Wang was taken aback, then quickly smiled apologetically:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, yes... I misspoke, I'll slap my mouth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish, the old man swayed and added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Also, that White Deer Chamber of Commerce belongs to my disciple's wife's family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If their caravans pass through here, don't be blind and try to rob them!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words made Big Scar Wang's head buzz.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh??\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn't the head of the White Deer Chamber of Commerce that great beauty Zhao Qiao'er from Fengtian City?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Qiao'er needs talismans drawn?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this... the same person?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Scar Wang's mind was a muddled mess, but he didn't dare delay his response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, of course, rest assured!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man walked a few more steps, then as if suddenly remembering something, paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, right, if you don't want to do this business in the future, it's best to live a stable, peaceful life.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you can't live peacefully, then go find my other disciple's wife's family. Her younger brother is the captain of the Fengtian City Security Regiment!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That record of yours, better given to my disciple's wife's family than to benefit some outsider!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Scar Wang: \"???\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many disciple's wives does this old immortal have?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The key is... these are all major figures, each one a big shot. Are they all wives of the same disciple?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Scar Wang's gaze subconsciously drifted into the distance, his face full of shock, as he sincerely sighed in admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That disciple of the old man's... his kidneys must be damn good!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, on the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the owner of the good kidneys, Lu Yuan did not go to Great Green Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he bypassed Great Green Mountain and headed straight for the eleventh Nurturing Malevolence Site, Wu Family Gully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The journey was much longer than anticipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the three of them on horseback turned down from the mountain path, the daylight was rapidly being swallowed by the pitch-black mountain ridges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold was biting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Lu, according to the 'Notes on Guan Dong Taoist Temples,' there should be a Mountain God Temple built during the Qianlong era ahead where we can seek lodging.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Erxiao, shivering from the cold, flipped through a yellowed, hand-copied booklet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes, looking towards the village shrouded in the gray-blue dusk haze ahead, and shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm afraid it collapsed long ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was flat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This hamlet... it doesn't even have a trace of the vitality of living people left.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The incense and upkeep of a temple rely on the offerings and repairs from surrounding villagers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once a village declines, the temple becomes a resting place for lonely ghosts and wandering spirits, collapsing faster than anything else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan said no more, lightly tracing a pattern with his right index finger on his left palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earth Qi Divination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingertip touched the northwest Qian position, sensing a thick, sticky, cold-oil-like stagnation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he probed the southwest Kun position, only to find an \"empty and perished\" sign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin and Yang not interacting, the Earth Veins severed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were still some distance from the actual Nurturing Malevolence Site.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hadn't even reached it yet...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Has the evil energy already leaked this far?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It shouldn't be that bad, should it...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's go, head down and take a look.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He flicked the reins, his tone leaving no room for doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And get some food while we're at it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three urged their horses down the mountain. As soon as they entered the village entrance, an indescribable sense of eeriness washed over them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was too quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quiet as a grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind whistling through the withered fences, making a ghostly \"woo-woo\" sound, was the only movement in this Mangniu Hamlet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an ordinary mountain village, dogs would have been barking incessantly long before strangers approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But here, the local dogs tied outside a few courtyard walls merely lazily lifted their eyelids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few low, rumbling \"grrs\" came from their throats before they lowered their heads again, their eyes vacant, as if they had lost their souls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching this, Lu Yuan frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dogs' eyes see the Yin. These dogs had probably seen too many 'things' and couldn't be bothered to bark anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan didn't speak, just sniffed lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the air drifted a faint, strange odor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like the sweet, rotten smell of old, damp coffin wood, mixed with the charred bitterness of burning medicinal herbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This definitely meant something was up!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Put on your Taoist robes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan instructed in a low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cheng'an and Xu Erxiao immediately understood, taking out their Taoist robes from their work boxes and slipping them on over their leather jackets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan stepped forward and knocked on the door of the first household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a *creak*, the door opened a crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A murky, wary eye stared at them intently through the gap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon seeing the Taoist robes on the three of them, the wariness in that eye turned into a numb disappointment, and it shook its head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Bang!*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door was slammed shut heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several households in a row reacted the same way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One old woman even spoke from behind the door, her voice trembling:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Taoists?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Taoists are useless too... hurry and leave. It's getting dark, the roads here aren't good to travel at night...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Xu Erxiao and Wang Cheng'an blinked, then looked at Lu Yuan in the middle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Lu, shall we leave then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's finish dealing with the Nurturing Malevolence Site first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To this, Lu Yuan directly shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since we've encountered demons and monsters, why not eliminate them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are still six days, it's enough time. We're staying here tonight!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Lu Yuan flicked the reins and rode forward on his horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cheng'an and Xu Erxiao's spirits lifted, immediately following.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three walked and stopped, arriving at the westernmost end of the hamlet, in front of a solitary earthen-walled courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who opened the door was Wang Laohan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man in his early fifties, his back slightly hunched, the wrinkles on his face deep enough to trap mosquitoes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But most striking were the whites of his eyes, tinged with an unnatural blue-yellow, and a faint ring of gray haze around the edges of his pupils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Taoist physiognomy, this is called \"Yin Shadow Ring Eyes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It indicates long-term exposure to Yin and turbid energies, coupled with severe mental torment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Wang Laohan heard that Lu Yuan and the other two wanted to seek lodging and get some food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Laohan sized up the three overly young \"little Taoists,\" a flicker of pity flashing in his eyes as he spoke in a hoarse voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can give you some food to eat, but there's no place for you to stay. You should go elsewhere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said that, Wang Laohan was about to turn back into the house to fetch dry rations for Lu Yuan and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*CRACK!*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thunderclap tore through the dead silence of the dusk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Laohan's whole body stiffened, and he whipped his head around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Lu Yuan, sitting sideways on his horse, looked down expressionlessly at Wang Laohan from his elevated position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Electric light flickered around his right hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan slightly raised his chin, saying with a serious expression:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old man, don't panic. I am a legitimate Celestial Master!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Laohan looked somewhat astonished, seemingly not expecting a legitimate Celestial Master to be so young.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, snowflakes began to drift down from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long moment, his Adam's apple bobbed, his voice as hoarse as two pieces of sandstone grinding together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Come in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The west wing is empty...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan and the others dismounted. But Wang Laohan added another sentence, his voice pressed extremely low, as if afraid something might hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But even a Celestial Master is useless...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh??\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Lu Yuan and the others could react, they heard Wang Laohan, while walking into the courtyard, continue in a hushed voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At night, no matter what you hear, don't leave your room.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Especially... don't go near the east wing room, and don't go to the backyard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before the rooster crows, absolutely do not open the window.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three of them exchanged glances, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of their mouths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don't leave the room?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You're joking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We're definitely leaving!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The west wing room clearly hadn't been occupied for a long time, but it was tidy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kang mat was new, and the lamp wick on the table oil lamp had been trimmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was unusual was that the window gaps had been meticulously sealed with yellow mud, leaving only an extremely narrow slit for ventilation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the inside of the door was pasted a faded \"Zhong Kui Guards the Household\" picture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the eye area of the portrait had been blackened and charred by incense smoke, effectively \"blinded.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan ran his finger along the windowsill, picking up a layer of very fine gray-white powder on his fingertip. Bringing it close to his nose, he detected a faint smell of lime and sulfur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's 'Purifying Wall Ash.' Made from cinnabar, realgar, lime, and aged mugwort leaves, fried and then ground. Used to ward off evil.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan said in a low voice. \"But this ash has been sprinkled too thickly, and repeatedly. This room frequently needs 'purifying.'\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Wang Laohan brought dry rations, set them down, and left without another word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three didn't go out to ask questions either. After finishing the dry rations, they closed their eyes to rest in the room, quietly waiting for nightfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of the wind grew increasingly mournful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hour of Zi, which is 11 PM. The first strange occurrence arrived...\u003C\u002Fp>",3971,"2026-06-06T14:45:54.833Z",1,"novelbin.me","3eb3fa7a563f8ac47ade2b1a7ed216700a345b16e1a306d084dc959b9fe83b9c","the-invincible-female-ghost-is-a-bit-of-a-hopele-chapter-87","the-invincible-female-ghost-is-a-bit-of-a-hopele-chapter-85",241,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-invincible-female-ghost-is-a-bit-of-a-hopele-cover.jpg"]