10:00 p.m.
The wind chime in the bedroom swayed, its clear, crisp sound echoing through the empty villa.
Usually, the little ghost who appeared at the sound of the chime would have come running, but tonight, there was no sign of it.
The man by the window frowned deeper and deeper. He drew back the curtain, resting one hand on the windowsill, gazing at the softly glowing garden lights stretching across the lawn.
The thick branches of the trees swayed, rustling quietly in the night breeze.
For two days in a row, he had seen no trace of the little ghost, nor any hint of lingering spiritual energy.
Dressed in black sleepwear, he stood there by the window for a long while before finally switching off the bedroom light.
Yet, unlike before, the pitch-dark room now retained a small night lamp. Its dim yellow glow cast a gentle, quiet light across the walls, silently illuminating the bedroom.
The Next Morning
On the third floor of the villa, the spacious gym was filled with exercise equipment. Morning sunlight streamed through the floor to ceiling glass, reflecting off the polished wooden floor in dazzling patterns.
The man on the treadmill wore a black tracksuit, his broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist.
Long legs encased in high elastic knit black fabric moved with smooth, explosive power, every muscle line defined like a perfectly sculpted work of art.
He walked slowly on the treadmill, chest rising and falling slightly, damp hair combed back from his forehead, revealing sharp, handsome features.
He seemed a bit absent minded, lost in thought, until the treadmill came to a halt. Only then did Yan He snap back to reality.
He picked up a snow-white towel, tilting his head to gaze out at the vast green lawn beyond the glass, his eyes darkening.
There was still no sign of lingering spiritual energy anywhere in the villa. The little ghost had not appeared last night either.
Elsewhere, a shared bicycle sped down the road.
Dangling from the handlebars was a palm-sized doll and a bowl of hot dry noodles. The doll swayed precariously, occasionally bumping into the steaming noodles.
Inside the doll, Mu Bai felt dizzy, almost toppling headfirst into the bowl from the constant jostling.
After riding for some distance, Wei Zhe parked the bike at the roadside. He crouched, excitedly making a call to his elder family members to report his success.
“I caught a malicious spirit,” he said proudly, “This spirit was notorious for its misdeeds and powerful abilities, skilled in disguise. Fortunately, I saw through its tricks early and managed to capture it.”
The little ghost, trapped inside the doll, blinked in disbelief. “??? When was I ever powerful or notorious?”
Struggling furiously, it tried to move, but the doll’s limbs were entirely immobile, only its head could move. Desperate, the little ghost shook its head violently, trying to convey to Wei Zhe that he had made a mistake.
Finally, the frantic shaking caught Wei Zhe’s attention. The doll collided repeatedly with the plastic bag holding the hot dry noodles. Mistaking the doll’s frantic movement for the anger of a sealed malicious spirit, Wei Zhe grinned.
“Yes, it’s still defiant,” he said into the phone, “It’s now throwing a tantrum at me!” He pinched the doll’s head between his thumb and forefinger, stopping it from moving.
His elder on the line sounded pleased. “Good, finally showing some progress. If you contact the owner of that residence in Jin City… I recall Master Hong Bai is famous far and wide.
His disciple Hong Hui is equally skilled; over the years, he has captured numerous malicious spirits and befriended many influential people. He might be able to help.”
Wei Zhe, overjoyed, nodded eagerly. “I’ll follow your advice!” He held the doll tightly, and soon received the address his elder had given him.
The destination was Zhongming Temple, far out in the suburbs. Wei Zhe finished his noodles in a few bites, hailed a taxi, and set off with the doll in hand.
Inside the cab, he placed the doll on his lap. He looked down and noticed its face, once fierce and menacing, now drooping and forlorn.
Wei Zhe laughed, using two fingers to lift the doll’s drooping brows. “Ah, so now you’re scared because we’re going to a temple?”
The doll’s pitiful expression was forcibly transformed into a wrinkled, awkward smile.
The taxi raced along, and after over half an hour, it reached the base of Zhongming Temple. Wei Zhe stepped out, hooking the doll’s keyring onto his finger, and began climbing the hill.
Mu Bai watched as the scenery shifted continuously, lush green forests rushing past, the sunlight filtering through leaves, until Wei Zhe, out of breath, paused at the vermilion temple gate.
There, standing in front of the gate, was a bald monk whose face seemed strikingly familiar, apparently waiting for someone.
The doll’s eyes widened, and it began shaking its head violently against Wei Zhe’s pant leg.
That bald monk was the fake master Yan He had been seeking. The little ghost could only feel despair.
No wonder the young man had captured the wrong spirit, fake masters and true exorcists were worlds apart.
Wei Zhe smiled awkwardly, greeting the monk politely. “Are you Master Hong Hui? My father is Wei Zeng…”
Before he could finish, Hong Hui, holding prayer beads, smiled warmly. “I know already. No need for formalities among acquaintances.”
He led the young man into the meditation hall, speaking as they walked, “Your mother told me over the phone that you captured a malicious spirit. Truly impressive for someone so young.”
Wei Zhe felt a bit embarrassed, scratching the back of his head as he followed. “Oh, it’s nothing really.”
“This spirit had been sneaking into the residence at Hengshui Garden nightly, feeding on the occupants’ energy. I was lucky to capture it and seal it inside the doll.”
Hong Hui suddenly stopped in his tracks, a complex expression crossing his face. He blinked in disbelief, “Hengshui Garden?”
Wei Zhe nodded vigorously. “Yes, the one in Jin City. The residents there are either rich or influential, I couldn’t possibly enter.”
Hong Hui’s expression shifted. If he remembered correctly, Yan He lived in Hengshui Garden. A few years ago, he had eliminated several malicious spirits there.
Now, spirits in Jin City avoided Hengshui Garden entirely. If a spirit caused trouble there…
Hong Hui’s mind immediately went to the little bed pressing ghost that had accompanied Yan He. He recalled that Yan He had treated that ghost carefully, inquiring about its taboos.
He steadied himself and asked, “May I take a look at the sealed doll?”
Wei Zhe raised the doll dangling from his hand. “Here it is.”
The small doll swayed in midair.
Hong Hui looked closely. The doll, once ferocious and terrifying, now had drooping brows, evoking a sense of helplessness and vulnerability.
“…”
Most captured malicious spirits looked menacing, never pitiable. Yet this doll, in its small, slumped form, seemed almost pitiful.
Hong Hui’s expression grew complex. “Wei, I think I know who owns that residence…”
Wei Zhe’s eyes lit up, “Really?”
“You have quite the connections,” Wei Zhe said, impressed.
Hong Hui continued, his voice measured, “I’ll help you contact the owner of that residence.”
Wei Zhe’s excitement bubbled over, nodding repeatedly, “Perfect! I need to tell the owner exactly how this spirit was feeding on their energy nightly. Seeing the spirit captured will surely give them peace of mind.”
Hong Hui remained silent for a long moment before finally leading Wei Zhe into the meditation hall and explaining that he would contact the residence’s owner immediately.
Wei Zhe stepped into the meditation hall, clutching the doll in his hands, rubbing them nervously as he walked.
He forced himself to remain composed, sitting upright, restraining the bubbling excitement that threatened to spill over.
Today could very well be the moment he made his name known, the first step toward establishing his reputation in the Feng Shui world.
Meanwhile, in his office, Yan He’s private phone rang a few times. He tilted his head slightly and saw Hong Hui’s name flashing on the screen. Calmly, he picked up the call, “Yes? What’s the matter?”
Hong Hui cleared his throat lightly. “Has that little bed pressing ghost of yours come around recently? If it hasn’t appeared, there’s a high chance it’s been captured,” he continued.
“The Celestial Master has contacted me, asking that I get in touch with you…”
Before he could finish, Hong Hui heard the sound of a chair being pushed back on the other end, the faint rustle of someone standing and picking up a coat.
Without another word, the voice simply said, “See you at Zhongming Temple in half an hour.”
The call lasted less than five minutes. Hong Hui ended the call and tilted his head, noticing the young man in the meditation hall with a hint of nervousness in his eyes.
He clasped the prayer beads in his hand, murmuring quietly to himself, “May the Buddha watch over this.”
Hong Hui walked inside, offering tea to the young man. He glanced at Wei Zhe, who was fidgeting with the doll and instructed him, “Place the doll on the table.”
Wei Zhe hurriedly set the doll on the low table. Seeing this, Hong Hui let out a small sigh of relief and began chatting with him in a relaxed, easy manner.
Inside the doll sat Mu Bai, still sealed and trapped. As Hong Hui and Wei Zhe spoke and laughed over tea, neither paid him any attention.
Wei Zhe, especially, was completely absorbed in Hong Hui’s stories about exorcisms and spirits, his heart racing with excitement.
The thought of making a name for himself in the Feng Shui world pressed on him more urgently than ever.
He didn’t worry in the slightest about the malevolent spirit sealed inside the doll, assuming it could cause no trouble while bound.
On the low table, Mu Bai strained every muscle, attempting to move the doll’s stiff limbs. Gradually, perhaps finding the right approach, he managed to slowly get his arms and legs moving.
They remained stiff and clumsy, his movements awkward, but at least he was gaining control.
Holding his breath, he spent a long while adjusting to the sensation of controlling the doll’s awkward, rigid body.
Inch by inch, he began crawling across the table, each movement painstakingly slow.
The two chatting over tea were completely unaware as the doll crept ever closer to the edge of the table. Then, with a faint “pfft,” it toppled over, tumbling to the floor.
Run!
That was the thought consuming the little ghost. Using all its strength, it pushed the round, rigid doll body forward with every ounce of effort it had.
The doll crashed headfirst into the long legs of someone clad in black suit trousers, freezing stiffly for two seconds. Silence filled the hall.
Despair surged through the little ghost. Seeing no way forward, it collapsed backward, limbs sprawled, feigning death.
Moments later, Yan He arrived, his brow furrowed as he noticed the doll sprawled on the floor.
“What’s this?” he murmured, his voice flat, eyes narrowing. “So ugly.”
He probably thought it was some trivial evil spirit, another nuisance like countless other troublesome ghosts he had encountered.
Without a word, Yan He stepped past the “dead” doll, his long, firm stride crossing over it effortlessly. Entering the meditation hall, he let the prayer beads slip through his fingers and rapped his knuckles lightly on the wooden door.
Hong Hui turned his head, rising to introduce him, “This is the owner of that residence.”
Yan He glanced at Wei Zhe, noticing the sudden change in the young man’s demeanor. The energy around him seemed to drain as he froze in place, standing tensely behind Hong Hui.
Wei Zhe had never seen anyone exude such an overwhelming presence. The man in front of him, dressed in a black suit with a calm, indifferent expression and prayer beads in hand, radiated an aura far heavier than even a malevolent spirit.
Yan He lifted his eyelids slightly, sensing the lingering spiritual energy of the little ghost trapped within the doll. He turned to Hong Hui, his voice even, almost casual, “I want to speak with him.”
Hong Hui nodded and stepped aside. Instantly, the meditation hall was left with just Wei Zhe and the man before him.
Summoning his courage, Wei Zhe straightened his back. “Mr. Yan, greetings. I am a Feng Shui master dispatched by the Wei family. I happened to hear that a malicious spirit has been troubling your residence, so I devised a little trick and captured it.”
“From now on, you will no longer be disturbed by that spirit…”
But the man before him did not display the usual flicker of fear or relief that most influential homeowners exhibited. Instead, he tilted his head, a faint smile playing on his lips, and fixed his gaze on Wei Zhe.
“You are the one who caught him?” Yan He asked, narrowing his eyes.
Wei Zhe nodded humbly.
The man twisted the prayer beads between his fingers, the beads clicking softly, and spoke in a calm, quiet voice: “So it was you…I wondered why it didn’t appear the other night…”
Wei Zhe’s heart jolted violently, his sensitivity to malevolent forces telling him something was off. Stammering, he said, “Mr. Yan… w-what’s wrong?”
Yan He’s gaze held him, calm and steady, and he smiled lightly. “What’s wrong?”
“Perhaps you should go back to your Wei family and ask your ancestor which Feng Shui you’re truly managing.”
Wei Zhe staggered back a few steps, stunned.
Outside the meditation hall, Hong Hui, still holding his prayer beads, muttered a prayer under his breath, gazing at the Bodhi tree in the courtyard.
When he turned, he noticed the round little doll diligently pushing itself forward, its movements slow but determined. It seemed headed for a small red pouch on a nearby low table.
If it could crawl inside and hide, perhaps it could block the spiritual energy, even returning home with the person who had prayed over it.
Mu Bai, trapped in the doll, wished he had eight legs to scuttle faster, scrambling with all his might toward the protective pouch, his desperate pace almost ghost-like.
Hong Hui, observing silently, folded his hands and whispered a quiet prayer for protection.
Over ten minutes passed.
The door of the meditation hall opened, and Wei Zhe emerged, still sniffling from a recent phone call home, embarrassed to admit he could barely handle his responsibilities as a Feng Shui master.
Yan He’s face darkened as he searched the hall, spotting the tiny doll straining across the floor. He followed Hong Hui’s gaze and finally saw it: the little ghost inside the doll, now rolling itself into the lucky pouch.
After a struggle, the doll wriggled inside, and within seconds, it had managed to pull the drawstring shut, safely hiding within.
Yan He’s expression remained unreadable as he picked up the pouch, glancing at Hong Hui to prompt him.
Hong Hui’s expression was equally complex. “This pouch is fated for you,” he said softly. “It will protect your health and well-being. Take it home with you.”
Yan He silently mouthed his agreement, and Hong Hui obediently added, “Scan here with Alipay, twenty yuan each. Thank you.”
Yan He nodded in satisfaction.
Inside the pouch, the little ghost could hardly contain its joy. The doll stayed obediently tucked inside, grateful to finally be carried by a destined person, leaving its suffering behind.
On the way home, it was treated with care, placed on a soft seat, and not jostled even once. Mu Bai’s heart swelled with emotion.
Half an hour later, the pouch was set down on a table, and its opening was slowly loosened. The little ghost peered up, eyes wide, at the person who had freed it.
It froze, staring at a face that felt unforgettably familiar.
Before it could react further, a long, steady fingertip pressed lightly, almost absentmindedly, against the doll’s rear.
Soft, just as it had imagined.
Yan He withdrew his fingers, stroking the doll briefly, his expression calm and thoughtful as he contemplated the small creature within.
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ChaptersChapter 1 · New TargetChapter 2 · Pervert Little Ghost?Chapter 3 · Little one is MischievousChapter 4 · New MountChapter 5 · Fake Master?Chapter 6 · Blanket StolenChapter 7 · A presentChapter 8 · Rhino HornChapter 9 · Clinging like body PillowChapter 9 · Meeting Old FriendChapter 11 · Just like ChildChapter 12 · New AddictionsChapter 13 · Jinxed StarChapter 14 · Creeping out the old IdiotChapter 14 · Creeping out the old IdiotChapter 15 · New Set of ClothesChapter 16 · Big Wife, Little WifeChapter 17 · Chapter SE 17: Raising as A SonChapter 18 · Another Ghost?!Chapter 19 · Scared away the Evil ghostChapter 20 · NingNing’s SoulChapter 20 · Chapter SE 20: NingNing’s SoulChapter 21 · Green TeaChapter 22 · VisitChapter 23 · Turned into DollChapter 24 · Reunited with Yan HeChapter 25 · I’m UglyChapter 26 · I will stomp youChapter 27 · Ghost AgainChapter 28 · Looking for new HostChapter 29 · Just a BiteChapter 30 · Chapter SE 30: BurnChapter 31 · Trapped Again!Chapter 32 · Call me Lord Official….Chapter 33 · I devote myself to you completely…Chapter 34 · Husband or son?Chapter 35 · Ghost sleep during Day time….Chapter 36 · You could buy more than four thousand sticksChapter 37 · Gu TingChapter 38 · Looks familiarChapter 39 · You’re sleeping with my ancestor?!Chapter 40 · Great great great great GrandsonChapter 41 · We can afford itChapter 42 · HotpotChapter 43 · New StoryChapter 44 · Past Memories…Chapter 45 · Kidnapping Ancestor!Chapter 46 · Copy Buddhist scripturesChapter 47 · Ancestor Flew away…Chapter 48 · Xiao He might not be spending his birthday aloneChapter 49 · May everything go as you wishChapter 50 · I lied…Chapter 51 · Young Master turned into half humanChapter 52 · LettersChapter 53 · Lord OxChapter 54 · Male… destined love???Chapter 55 · A kindred spiritChapter 56 · Chapter SE 56: I like YouChapter 57 · Yan ZhangChapter 58 · Is two hours a bit too short?Chapter 59 · Going down the middle is indeed the correct choiceChapter 60 · Excel spreadsheetsChapter 61 · He had forgotten to tell A’Sheng.Chapter 62 · The person he disliked most had become the young mistress?Chapter 63 · Rip him to shredsChapter 64 · I was wrongChapter 65 · Lord Mu is very happyChapter 66 · I’m about to get marriedChapter 67 · I want to go on a date with youChapter 68 · You’d probably overturn the entire underworldChapter 69 · Head tableChapter 70 · It was meChapter 71 · Junior King of HellChapter 72 · His wife is a little ghost who lies on the bedChapter 73 · Chen LanChapter 74 · Sister in LawChapter 75 · Chapter SE 75: Pick up my boyfriend from workChapter 75 · Extra 1Chapter 76 · Can you still talkChapter 77 · Aren’t you going to ask about yourselfChapter 77 · Extra 3Chapter 77 · Extra 2Chapter 78 · How many ordinary little spirits dare fall in love with the Yan King?Chapter 78 · Extra 4Chapter 79 · I never realized that the bird man’s status was so high… Yan KingChapter 79 · Extra 5Chapter 80 · I’ve ridden on the little Yan King’s headChapter 80 · Extra 6Chapter 81 · Is… this very important?Chapter 81 · Extra 7Chapter 82 · Young master… will you marry me?Chapter 82 · Extra 8Chapter 83 · He’s just a stubborn little old manChapter 84 · End of Main StoryChapter 93 · Extra 9Chapter 94 · Extra 10