Chapter 129: Teasing

Zhang Zifang flew into a rage in Fengqi Courtyard, forcing its head, Zhang Weiyi, to return immediately to receive reprimand.

When Zhang Weiyi hurried into the courtyard, Pan Yun and the other two were sitting on the railing, their short stature leaving their legs dangling as they swayed back and forth.

Wang Cong stood beside them, half-heartedly trying to calm Zhang Zifang; his efforts were lackluster. As soon as Zhang Weiyi arrived, all eyes turned toward him.

Zhang Weiyi paused, stepped forward under the piercing stares of Pan Yun and the other three, and bowed to Zhang Zifang. "Fifth Uncle."

Zhang Zifang's anger lessened slightly at the sight of him, his face grim. "Where are the others?"

Zhang Weiyi replied, "Deng Ziyu and Xue Hua are absent; the rest may be doing their exercises in Chongqing Academy."

Zhang Zifang's face darkened. "Who put the water on the gate?"

Zhang Weiyi claimed ignorance but promised to investigate and give Zhang Zifang a full account.

Pan Yun didn't believe he knew nothing. As head of the courtyard, if he couldn't even detect something this obvious, how could he lead?

Zhang Zifang also sensed he was being evasive; his expression grew darker. But since Deng Ziyu and Xue Hua were absent, only Zhang clan members remained. Considering the Zhang family's reputation, Zhang Zifang had no choice but to swallow his anger.

With a "teng!" he summoned spiritual power; the water on his head and clothes instantly vaporized into steam, and within moments his hair and robes were dry.

He glared. "Fine. I'll wait half a day. Before sunset, you must hand them over."

He glanced at Pan Yun, seated on the railing with a solemn expression, and introduced her to Zhang Weiyi. "This is a new student this year, a disciple of Sanqing Temple on Mount Sanqing: Pan Yun, Miao Zhen, and Miao He. Starting today, they'll reside in Fengqi Courtyard. Arrange it."

Zhang Weiyi frowned. "Fifth Uncle, Fengqi Courtyard houses only male Daoists. These three are female Daoists. Why not place them elsewhere?"

Zhang Zifang snapped, "This is the arrangement of the Celestial Master's Mansion. You will accept it!"

Wang Cong quickly added, "Our Daoist tradition treats male and female Daoists equally—we hold no worldly prejudices."

Zhang Weiyi fell silent. Zhang Zifang swept his sleeves. "As head of the courtyard, you'll handle it. I entrust them to you. Their status is extraordinary—even the Celestial Master takes great interest. Be careful."

Zhang Weiyi's expression darkened, yet he still bowed in assent.

Wang Cong grew anxious. Zhang Zifang had deliberately made the three junior masters targets—this would surely invite resentment.

Pan Yun didn't care. She shrugged at Zhang Weiyi. "See? We didn't want to live here. It's the Celestial Master's Mansion. Your Zhang family forced us here."

Zhang Weiyi stared at Pan Yun. She met his gaze without flinching. After a silent standoff, seeing her fearless demeanor, he lowered his eyes and stepped back. "Young sisters, your rooms are right behind you—three connected chambers. Divide them among yourselves."

He added, "Nine people live here. Besides you three, the other six are fourth- and fifth-year students. They're all busy and only return at night. So please be considerate—don't disturb others. Everyone's coursework is heavy."

Pan Yun: "Heavy enough to set up water basins on the gate to prank people? Or is that part of your curriculum?"

Zhang Weiyi fell silent, his face sour.

Pan Yun smiled slightly. "You're all fourth- and fifth-year students. So you'll receive your talismans and leave this year or next? Then for the next few years, we'll be the ones living here?"

Zhang Weiyi pressed his lips together, gave her a cryptic look. "What are you getting at, Young Sister?"

"I mean," Pan Yun smiled gently, "Fengqi Courtyard belongs to you, but it also belongs to us. Ultimately, though, it belongs to us. After all, we're younger and entered later."

"Unless…" Pan Yun grinned. "Unless you can't receive your talismans. But surely none of you here are incapable of that?"

Zhang Weiyi turned and walked away. "It seems you don't need me to introduce Fengqi Courtyard. I have other matters. I'll take my leave."

Pan Yun didn't mind. She waved. "Brother Zhang, until we meet again."

Zhang Weiyi hurried off.

Wang Cong shook his head. "Junior Master, you've offended the local power the moment you arrived."

"One more enemy won't hurt," Pan Yun said. "Zhang Zifang deliberately made me a target. These people are already setting water basins on gates. Do you think they need me to offend them further?"

Miao Zhen nodded seriously. "They've already despised us. One more act won't change that."

Miao He asked, "Junior Master, will they bully us later?"

"I don't know if they will," Pan Yun said, eyes gleaming. "But they sent us a gift. I must return one. Even though Fifth Uncle intercepted their gift, I understand their intent. How could I not respond?"

Wang Cong said, "You three take care. I'm heading down the mountain. Once I've bought the shop and arranged the manager and staff, I'll come back to gather you for a meal."

Miao He widened her eyes. "Big Brother, won't you help us?"

Wang Cong sighed. "I studied at the Imperial Academy too—I'm several years senior to them. How could I interfere in this? You handle it yourselves. Just don't go too far."

Pan Yun said, "Big Brother, rest assured—we won't exceed what they gave me today."

Wang Cong relaxed, dropped his luggage, and left in a hurry, as if ghosts chased him.

Pan Yun chuckled, turned to the three rooms, kicked open the door with her foot—the door slammed into the wall and bounced back, unharmed.

She peered inside. "They only set traps at the gate?" She didn't believe it. She tossed Pan Xiaohei into the room. "Go check for traps."

Pan Xiaohei yowled in protest but dutifully trotted around the room. "There's no trap here. I think you're imagining things—"

No sooner had she finished meowing than she turned sharply toward the wardrobe.

Pan Yun stepped inside, glanced around, then stared at the wardrobe. "You feel the heavy yin energy too?"

Miao He hid behind Pan Yun, peering forward. "What's wrong with the wardrobe?"

Miao Zhen pulled out a Sun Talisman. "Whatever it is, if it's steeped in yin energy, use a Sun Talisman. If one doesn't work, use two."

Pan Yun told Pan Xiaohei to open the wardrobe.

Pan Xiaohei shot her a glare but obediently leapt onto the wardrobe and pried the door open with one claw.

A white-robed female ghost suddenly lunged out, surging with dense yin energy toward Pan Yun…

Miao He screamed in terror. Miao Zhen's face paled, but she reacted quickly—flung the Sun Talisman… and forgot to activate it.

Pan Yun: …

!. Read

In a flash, she moved. Her right hand pinched the Sun Talisman; her left hand clamped onto the ghost's throat, immobilizing her.

The ghost tried to push her hand away—but when she touched it, she recoiled in shock. "Y-y-you…"

"I-I-I—I've got a talisman," Pan Yun said. "Specifically designed to suppress ghosts. And my left hand has this."

She waved the Sun Talisman before the ghost's face, smiling faintly. "Sun Talisman. Move again, and I'll burn you to ash. Do you believe me?"

The ghost believed. She went utterly still, trembling in the child's grip.

Miao Zhen and Miao He stepped out from behind Pan Yun, staring wide-eyed at the ghost. "Junior Master, there really is a ghost!"

"Don't fear. Non-evil ghosts don't harm people," Pan Yun said. "This ghost was likely brought in from outside."

Her eyes narrowed. "Keeping ghosts is strictly forbidden by the Celestial Master's Mansion. How dare you appear in Da Shangqing Palace? Don't you fear other Daoists finding you and erasing your soul?"

The ghost shrank, pitifully pleading. "Little Daoist, I entered by accident. Please spare me. Let me leave?"

"What's the point of leaving? Why not let me send you to the Underworld to be reborn?"

The ghost's pale face twisted in terror. She shook her head frantically. "No, no, no! I don't want rebirth! I just want to leave! I swear—I'll never scare you again!"

Pan Yun tightened her grip. "You say you'll leave? Then I lose face. Choose: rebirth, or soul annihilation."

The ghost grew angry, struggling. "What's the difference between rebirth and soul annihilation? I'll lose all my memories—then who am I?"

Pan Yun nearly lost her grip.

The ghost thrashed harder, cursing. "Daoists think you're so great? One wants to capture me, another wants to keep me. If you're so powerful, go after the real culprit! What good is grabbing me?"

Her struggles were too violent. Pan Yun let go, slammed her onto the floor, and began punching her face repeatedly. "You think scaring people is justified? An adult bullying three children—how shameful! You scared me? You aided the wicked?!"

Pan Yun landed every punch directly on the ghost's spirit, making her wail like a banshee.

Miao Zhen and Miao He, initially frightened, grew bolder. They rushed in to help, occasionally kicking the ghost—only to find their kicks passed through her.

Miao Zhen studied Pan Yun closely, then understood. "Use spiritual power."

They channeled spiritual power into their kicks. The ghost screamed louder.

When all three were exhausted, they stopped.

Pan Yun tossed her hair back, climbed off the ghost, and stretched her wrists.

The ghost instantly curled into the bed's corner, sobbing uncontrollably.

Pan Yun snapped. "Stop crying. Who's the mastermind?"

The ghost stopped wailing, sniffled. "I-it's Zhang Weiliang, across the way."

Pan Yun asked, "Anyone else?"

"Just the three living across the way—all Zhangs. I just arrived. I don't know many people."

"Is Zhang Weiliang your master?"

The ghost shifted slightly, whispering. "I haven't pledged allegiance yet. I could… switch masters."

Today's lucky number is any number ending in 2, screenshot as proof

(End of Chapter)