Volume One, Chapter 16: Not a Big Problem

Chu Fangfei introduced with a proud expression, “This is Senior Spirit Master Chi, and my senior brother, Jin Feng.”

“Sister-in-law?” Chen Qifan looked to Chi Xingwan tentatively.

Chi Xingwan felt that he was speaking to her, but she didn’t know this man.

Dumbly, Xu Xu flapped its wings a few times and called out to Chen Qifan, “Friend, friend.”

A spark of understanding flashed in Chi Xingwan’s eyes. She asked tentatively, “Are you a friend of Xiao Yue?”

Chen Qifan’s heart sank completely.

He hadn’t mistaken her.

The so-called Senior Spirit Master that Chu Fangfei mentioned was actually Xiao Yue’s fiancée, the one who had returned from the mountains!

Chen Xin could barely suppress his laughter. “Brother, even if you couldn’t find an expert, you didn’t have to bring a friend to fool us.”

Father Chen recognized Chi Xingwan as the young woman he’d seen once at the engagement banquet.

“Miss Chi, our Chen family warmly welcomes you as a guest, but at this moment, we’re dealing with a family matter and it’s inconvenient to entertain guests. Please return for now and visit another day.”

Chu Fangfei refused outright, “No, without Fellow Daoist Chi, your family’s problem will be hard to solve.”

Everyone looked at Chen Qifan.

Father Chen, holding back his anger, said, “Qifan, since you’ve invited your friends over, you should host them. You don’t need to concern yourself with matters at the old house.”

Chen Xin glanced at Chen Qifan with secret satisfaction. “Dad, let’s invite Master Wuchen in quickly.”

“Master Wuchen, please.”

Father Chen stepped past Chen Qifan, and the three of them ushered Master Wuchen into the Chen family mansion.

Chen Qifan clenched his fists, his face dark.

Chu Fangfei regarded him with pity. “It seems your relationship with your family isn’t very good.”

Chi Xingwan nodded in agreement. “With a stepmother, the biological father turns into a stepfather. Such things are all too common in the world.”

Jin Feng examined Chen Qifan’s features. “Indeed, from his appearance, he shares no blood relations with that lady from earlier.”

Chen Qifan looked at the three of them miserably. “Aren’t you supposed to be my clients? Why are you talking about me right in front of me?”

Jin Feng patted his shoulder. “My condolences.”

Chen Qifan was speechless. “Just leave. I have no mood to entertain you.”

“No,” Chu Fangfei refused. “We’ve accepted your commission. If we don’t resolve it, our task fails.”

“But they’ve already gone in to solve it. You’re not needed anymore.”

Chi Xingwan looked at the mansion’s gate. “He cannot resolve it.”

Inside the Chen family mansion, from the moment Father Chen, Chen Xin, and Master Wuchen stepped in, a chilly draft enveloped them.

Father Chen shivered. “Master, since about two months ago, our house has suddenly been filled with gusts of cold wind, and sometimes strange noises come from all directions, but we can’t find the source.”

Master Wuchen possessed some minor abilities, enough to sense the problem, but not enough confidence to resolve it. He was uneasy, but his expression remained inscrutable.

Father Chen continued, “We don’t live here, but the elders do. They couldn’t stand it and had to move out. But this is our family’s ancestral home—we can’t just abandon it.”

“Yes, Grandpa and Grandma have always lived here. After the sudden move, they feel uncomfortable everywhere and want to return. Master, can you solve this?”

Father Chen looked at Chen Xin with satisfaction, pleased by his concern for the elders. Then he thought of Chen Qifan, and his disappointment grew.

Master Wuchen pondered their words. If whatever was here was unable to harm the elders, it shouldn’t be too difficult for him to handle.

Not a big problem.

“This house does indeed harbor something, and it’s quite powerful. Thankfully, you moved out in time. Had you stayed, there would have been bloodshed.”

Father Chen tensed immediately. “Master, can you drive away whatever is causing harm?”

Master Wuchen replied calmly, “A mere evil spirit is nothing to fear.”

“Master, please help us. Our Chen family will offer generous gifts afterward.”

Master Wuchen was secretly delighted—he favored straightforward, wealthy clients.

“Money is but a worldly possession, but if I refuse, it’s easy to invite karmic consequences and break our profession’s rules.”

Father Chen nodded repeatedly. “Of course, of course.”

“I shall begin the ritual at once.”

Master Wuchen took out a pile of items, arranged them, and began his incantations with a wooden sword.

He was indeed somewhat capable. After his efforts, the temperature in the house rose a bit, and it no longer felt as eerie as before.

Father Chen asked urgently, “Master Wuchen, is it resolved?”

Master Wuchen withdrew his sword, maintaining his dignified posture. “The evil spirit has been destroyed by me.”

Father Chen exhaled deeply; Chen Xin’s face was full of smiles. “Dad, I told you Master Wuchen is a true expert. For him, this was just a minor matter.”

Father Chen patted Chen Xin’s shoulder. “I’ve always said Ah Xin is capable. If only Qifan, as his elder brother, were half as good, I’d be content.”

Chen Xin’s mother added, “Qifan is a good child, too. I think he just wants to help the family but hasn’t found the right way yet.”

“Hmph, you don’t need to speak for him. If he can’t find a way, it means he’s incompetent.”

Chen Xin and his mother exchanged secret glances, quietly amused behind Father Chen’s back.

Bang!

A sudden, thunderous crash startled the four.

They looked toward the source of the sound and saw the heavy bronze doors had slammed shut.

“Was it the wind?” Father Chen muttered, but it seemed impossible.

Where could such a strong wind come from to slam those heavy doors?

Chen Xin stepped forward to reopen them, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t even crack them open a sliver.

“It seems locked. Who’s outside? Brother, is it you?”

Father Chen grew angry at once. “Chen Qifan, open the door at once. What are you trying to do?”

Chen’s mother said, “It might not be Qifan. I believe Qifan wouldn’t play such pranks.”

“If not him, then who? Are our elderly parents coming all this way to mess with us?”

The three argued, none noticing Master Wuchen behind them, whose face had gone pale, twisted with a fierce expression and bloodshot eyes.

“Heh, heh, heh…” Master Wuchen began making eerie sounds.

At last, the Chen family trio noticed him, and all three felt a chill run down their spines.

“Ma—Master Wuchen, what’s wrong?”

“Get out.”

Though Master Wuchen’s mouth moved, the voice that came out was unmistakably that of a woman.

The three huddled together, pressed against the bronze doors. Father Chen’s voice trembled, “Who are you? Why have you possessed Master Wuchen?”

“Get out.”

“Master Wuchen” extended his arms, rose on tiptoe, then completely left the ground, suspended in midair.

Suddenly, the surroundings darkened.

“Ah! Help!”

The Chen family trio screamed hysterically, banging desperately on the bronze doors, but there was no escape.