Chapter 61: What Is an Obsession?

As Master Sun's ghostly shadow was about to vanish, Wang Feiyin grabbed Pan Yun's hand to chase after him, but they had taken only two steps when someone seized Wang Feiyin's arm: "Are you the Daoist Priest on duty tonight? Where are you going?"

After a pause, Wang Feiyin said: "I'm going to the latrine."

The man stared at Wang Feiyin with suspicion. "The latrine is behind you. It's already night—you must remain at the mourning hall. Didn't Zhang Guanshi make that clear to you? Look over there—Master Huiyuan hasn't moved a single inch."

Wang Feiyin turned to look and met Huiyuan's bald gaze. The two stared silently for a moment, then both looked away at once.

Wang Feiyin hesitated between money and karmic debt, then released Pan Yun's hand and spoke gently to her: "Fifth sister, go on your own. I'll stay on duty here."

He gritted out the words through his teeth: "Hurry. The dead soul was our doing—we must make sure he causes no trouble, or the karmic debt will fall on us."

Pan Yun replied and sprinted off.

What's the point of guarding the mourning hall? Chasing Master Sun is far more interesting.

Master Sun was strolling through his own banquet tables.

Most guests had already left by this hour; those seated at the main tables were family, relatives who came to help organize the funeral, and villagers assisting with the arrangements.

The dishes were quite good—entirely new, unlike the leftover food common at other funerals.

The relatives and villagers helping out gave high praise, commending the Sun family's filial sons and virtuous grandsons.

"The Sun Young Masters, just like Master Sun, are generous and kind-hearted great people."

"Yes, yes."

Master Sun listened, sneering repeatedly, yet his expression did soften somewhat.

Pan Yun was astonished—she could actually read a ghost's facial expression.

After passing the banquet tables, Master Sun headed toward the back wing, intending to find his chief steward.

But the back wing also had several tables set up, where the household servants were eating.

Their tables held mostly scraps and cold leftovers—just various greens and bits of bone and meat.

The Sun family's servants were dissatisfied, picking through the bone fragments with disgust. "These are all leftovers."

The kitchen staff replied: "At least you get something to eat. We're servants—what else are we supposed to eat besides leftovers?"

"Bullshit. Even if it's leftovers, it shouldn't be what's been scraped off the tables. We have no complaints when the guests' uneaten dishes are reheated for us—but this? This is food swept straight off the tables. You're treating us like trash."

"Exactly. What happened to the leftovers? The front tables had good food."

"Don't ask me. Go ask Madam Da if you dare. All the leftovers are stored in barrels. Do you think what's on those front tables is what the guests ate? Tomorrow, even more outsiders will come. Right now you still get leftovers—tomorrow, you might not even get this much."

Hearing this, the servants grew angry and disappointed. "Everyone came to mourn the old master. In our family, whether for weddings or funerals, guests were always treated as honored guests. We never served leftovers to guests."

"They're just country bumpkins and refugees begging for food. At least they get something to eat."

"That's not right—when the old master was alive…"

"Now it's Young Master Da who runs this household!"

One sentence silenced everyone.

Master Sun stamped his feet nearby, cursing his sons toward the mourning hall—especially his eldest son, who received the bulk of his ire, eight out of every ten curses aimed at him.

Pan Yun listened with great interest. After finishing his rant, Master Sun suddenly noticed her.

Some of the arguing servants also noticed her. One immediately approached: "Where did this child come from? Go away, don't wander around." Another servant, seeing her Daoist robe, grabbed the one about to shoo her off. "She's a Daoist Priest here to perform rites—probably came with her master. Just point her in the right direction."

He pointed toward the mourning hall. "Head toward the place with the loudest crying and brightest lights. You're staying in the side rooms. Don't wander around at night."

Pan Yun nodded, walked back a few steps, then stopped and hid in the shadows. She looked up at Master Sun, who had been staring at her, and gave him a faint smile.

Master Sun's eyes widened in shock—his soul nearly flew out of his body.

Literally flew. Startled, his entire ghost rolled backward and slapped against the wall, slowly sinking into it, screaming: "Ghost! —"

Master Sun struggled for a long time to pull himself out of the wall, trembling and breathless as he stared at where Pan Yun stood.

Pan Yun still stood there, entirely hidden in shadow—no one could see her unless they came close.

Except ghosts.

Master Sun approached, lips trembling. "Y-you… are you like me?"

Pan Yun smiled faintly and lowered her voice. "No, Master Sun. I'm human."

Master Sun: "Human? How can a human see…"

!. Read

Pan Yun: "I'm a Daoist Priest."

Master Sun stepped back rapidly, wary. "You're a witch Daoist! You want to capture me? You can't! This is my home!"

Pan Yun: "... Master Sun, the Spirit-Stilling Talisman in the mourning hall was broken by me and my senior brother."

Master Sun's expression instantly softened. He stepped forward two paces, speaking warmly: "So it was you, Daoist, who broke it! No wonder I could leave so easily. Thank you, young Daoist."

Pan Yun smiled at him, then turned and walked away.

Master Sun hesitated, glanced back, saw no sign of his chief steward among the servants, and hurried after Pan Yun.

Pan Yun led Master Sun to a secluded spot and asked: "Master Sun, if you have any unfinished wishes, tell me. If I can help, I will."

Master Sun frowned. "Why would you help me?"

Pan Yun: "Take money, remove calamity. Our Three Pure Ones Monastery received your family's funeral payment—we must see you off properly."

Master Sun sneered. "You didn't take my money."

Pan Yun: "Is there any money in this household that isn't yours?"

Master Sun's mood brightened instantly. "You're right—all the money here is mine. Those rebellious sons use my money to trap me? Hmph!"

He immediately began to weep and complain: "I don't want to stay—I just can't leave! My sons used the Spirit-Stilling Talisman to hold me back!"

Pan Yun shook her head. "No. The Spirit-Stilling Talisman only keeps you confined to the mourning hall—it doesn't prevent you from entering the afterlife. Since it wasn't placed on the coffin, your descendants still hope you'll pass on."

"But you haven't gone because you still have an obsession."

Master Sun looked confused. "I have an obsession?"

Pan Yun nodded. "You do."

Old Master Sun muttered, "What obsession do I have? Could it be wanting to kill off my few unfilial sons? I—am I really that vicious?"

Today's and tomorrow's lucky numbers are digits ending in 7; screenshot to prove it.

(End of chapter)