Chapter 23 – Ask the ghosts and spirits

Translator: ChuRen/ YuQiChen

Pushing open the door, Su Ling saw Mr. Qian lying peacefully on the bed, his face serene.

Glancing at him, Su Ling lifted Mr. Qian’s clothes and furrowed his brow.

After a night, the black patches on Mr. Qian’s body had completely faded, but the blood streaks on his back had not completely disappeared. The bright red blood streaks formed a strange and ancient pattern on his skin, resembling a curse.

After a moment of contemplation, Su Ling took out a bottle of incense ashes and carefully sprinkled it throughout the room.

In front of Mr. Qian’s bed, two small plum blossom footprints were revealed.

Su Ling examined them closely and asked, “Do you have a cat at home?”

“No.” Eldest Young Master Qian scratched his head in confusion, “Dad really dislikes small animals. Forget about keeping one, you won’t even see cats or dogs around our house.”

Nodding slightly, Su Ling carefully stepped around the incense ashes, walked over, and opened the window. The plum blossom footprints had completely disappeared from the window sill, as if the cat had appeared out of nowhere on the second floor of the villa.

Eldest Young Master Qian cautiously peeked along with Su Ling and asked, “Boss Su, what’s going on this time?”

Shaking his head, Su Ling replied, “Hard to say. There’s no lingering resentment in this house.”

Eldest Young Master Qian puzzledly asked, “What do you mean?”

Su Ling patiently explained, “Mr. Qian’s body is here, but his soul cannot be found in the room. So, his death might not be normal. But if a ghost is seeking revenge, there would typically be residual resentment after a person dies. However, Mr. Qian doesn’t have that, which is quite strange.”

Eldest Young Master Qian listened intently, looking puzzled.

“Why did you invite these two charlatans again, big brother?” Second Young Master Qian’s dissatisfied voice came from the staircase.

Curiously, Su Ling glanced over and then smiled.

“It’s you two again.” Su Ling greeted the two enthusiastically.

The two young Taoists awkwardly glanced at each other and quietly moved behind their master.

Following their actions with his gaze, Su Ling noticed an older Taoist standing behind Second Young Master Qian.

The Taoist had a youthful appearance despite his white hair and carried himself with grace, “I am the head of Sanqing Temple, Daoist Wu Chen. Qihuang and Shanyao are my disciples. May I ask how to address this young Daoist?”

Qihuang? Shanyao? Are those really your names?

Su Ling looked at the young Taoists with a gaze full of astonishment.

The young Taoists pouted in annoyance, turned their heads, and ignored him.

Su Ling, still smiling warmly and unperturbed, even politely handed over his business card, “Nice to meet you, Master Wu Chen. Here is my business card.”

Master Wu Chen lowered his head and looked at the title “Chairman of Su Ling Life Ltd” on the card, lost in thought.

“Young Daoist, my disciple mentioned that your Taoist skills are unparalleled.” Master Wu Chen complimented politely.

Su Ling blinked, not responding.

He had a feeling this old Taoist wasn’t finished talking.

As expected, Master Wu Chen changed the subject and suddenly asked, “My two naughty disciples accidentally lost a lantern last time. Have you seen it, young Daoist?”

Su Ling:…

Here it comes!

Sheng Ze, standing behind Su Ling, calmly spoke, “We haven’t seen it.”

Master Wu Chen opened his mouth in doubt, “Are you sure?”

Sheng Ze raised his eyelids slightly, his gaze calm and undisturbed as he looked at Master Wu Chen. His deep eyes showed no emotion, yet inexplicably gave off a wordless pressure.

Master Wu Chen frowned.

—This was a unique temperament developed by someone accustomed to being in positions of power.

Sheng Ze yawned lazily and said, “I don’t know where that lantern went, but I caught a glimpse last time and noticed the pattern on the base. Hmm, if I’m not mistaken, it seemed to be the style of the underworld, right?”

Sheng Ze smirked and casually raised a finger, wiggling it, “Items from the underworld aren’t meant to circulate in the mortal realm. Perhaps some big shot took it back.”

Master Wu Chen’s expression became more serious as he discreetly observed Sheng Ze and probed, “And who might you be?”

Sheng Ze grinned, proud, “I’m the field agent and driver for Su Ling Life Ltd.”

Master Wu Chen: ???

I’m starting to believe you’re up to something.

Having smoothly diverted the conversation away from the matter of the lantern, and seeing Master Wu Chen heading to investigate the plum blossom footprints, Su Ling quietly approached Sheng Ze and curiously asked, “Is that lantern really from the underworld?”

Sheng Ze, with a hint of a smile, replied, “Yes.”

Su Ling continued curiously, “Is it true that items from the underworld cannot enter the mortal realm?”

“It’s a bluff.” Sheng Ze glanced at Su Ling, extended his hand, and mercilessly flicked his forehead, coldly saying, “It’s all because of the good deeds you’ve done.”

Su Ling, holding his head in a pained manner, said, “I didn’t take it on purpose. The lantern came over on its own… No, maybe I should return it.”

Sheng Ze shook his head, “You already gave them the pearl. Besides, that lantern has developed consciousness. If you give it away, it will come back.”

“So intelligent…” Su Ling paused, then suddenly realized, “How did you know?”

Sheng Ze replied, “…Guessed.”

“Young Daoist, where do you think these footprints came from?” Master Wu Chen intervened, timely interrupting Su Ling’s questioning.

Instantly captivated, Su Ling walked over to analyze, “These are cat paw prints.”

Sheng Ze silently breathed a sigh of relief.

“I’ve heard that black cats have a special constitution, making them prone to possession by evil spirits. This time, it’s likely the work of a black cat,” Master Wu Chen speculated, stroking his beard thoughtfully.

Su Ling shrugged, reminding, “There’s no lingering resentment in the house.”

Master Wu Chen furrowed his brow, surveyed the surroundings, and murmured, “Without resentment, there would be no harm. But this doesn’t make sense…”

Watching Master Wu Chen deeply contemplate, Su Ling thought for a moment but remained silent.

The more Master Wu Chen thought about it, the more perplexed he became—If Mr. Qian had met an untimely death, the house wouldn’t be so “clean”; but if he had died peacefully, it didn’t make sense for such a pattern to appear on his body…

Seeing their master’s increasingly grim expression, the young Taoists couldn’t help but reach out, tugging at his robe, and worriedly said, “Master.”

Master Wu Chen was on the verge of a splitting headache. Suddenly, in a flash of insight, he looked up, finally remembering Su Ling beside him.

Receiving questioning gazes, Su Ling curiously remarked, “Isn’t it simple to find out Mr. Qian’s lifespan? Just borrow the Book of Life and Death to check, right?”

He couldn’t understand why such a simple matter had left the old Taoist pondering for so long.

Master Wu Chen scoffed as if he had heard a joke, “Simple? the Book of Life and Death, how do you borrow it?”

Su Ling replied matter-of-factly, “Ask the ghosts and spirits.”

Master Wu Chen shook his head and gazed at Su Ling with a hint of sympathy, “The Book of Life and Death is overseen by the judges; it cannot be borrowed without the permission of the King of Hell or the Ghost King. What use is it to summon a little ghost?”

Su Ling tilted his head, feeling even more puzzled, “In that case, let’s just summon the Ghost King.”

Master Wu Chen was almost laughing out of frustration, “Friend, have you never summoned spirits and ghosts before? The Ghost King is a formidable figure, why would he easily come to the mortal realm? Typically, when summoning spirits and ghosts, it’s just bringing forth a wandering soul from centuries past. Not to mention the Ghost King, even judges and reapers like Wuchang won’t come.”

Su Ling widened his eyes, “Huh? But I’ve always summoned him before.”

Sheng Ze couldn’t hold back and ended up choking on his own saliva.

Author’s note: [Short Skit]

Master Wu Chen: Friend, let me tell you, it’s really, really difficult to summon spirits and ghosts, especially the Ghost King, who is particularly difficult to deal with.

Sheng Ze: Death Stare.jpg

Su Ling (clueless): No way, the Ghost King is very easygoing.

After saying that, Su Ling even gave a demonstration to Master Wu Chen—lit incense, burned offerings, and asked the Ghost King: Are you there?

After a moment, the Ghost King responded: Yes.

Su Ling: Can you help me with something?

Ghost King replied: Sure.

Not wanting to believe it, Master Wu Chen followed suit, lit incense, and asked: Great Ghost King, are you there?

After a moment, the Ghost King responded: Not here, get lost.

Master Wu Chen: QAQ It’s a world where appearances matter…

No reuploading anywhere else.

Support the author 此山有鬼 by buying chapters on jjwxc!!

Your ko-fi donations would be greatly appreciated.

Ko-fi goals? Extra chapter release once we reach our goal!!