My master and I stared at Wang Kai's belly, both showing shock.
I had seen people with large patches of psoriasis before, and it was terrifying.
But compared to what had grown on Wang Kai's body, it was nothing.
His stomach was covered in a thick layer of black, calloused skin.
Cracked like a spiderweb, resembling the bark of a dead tree.
It extended from his stomach all the way to his neck and limbs.
No wonder he wore so many clothes in this summer heat; he had a skin condition.
"Wang Kai, what is this growing on you? Have you seen a doctor?"
I watched, my heart pounding, feeling a chill.
My master, standing beside me, said nothing.
He merely frowned and circled Wang Kai, observing him.
Wang Kai looked as if he wanted to cry but couldn't:
"How could I not have seen a doctor? I've been to three hospitals multiple times, and nothing has helped.
After all the tests, aside from anemia, all my other results came back normal.
I've applied all sorts of medication, but this black skin won't disappear; it just keeps growing.
It's been growing particularly fast this past week."
Hearing Wang Kai's words, it sounded truly bizarre.
I said nothing more and turned to look at my master.
My master's expression grew serious, and he asked:
"Besides the skin changes, have you experienced anything else strange?"
Wang Kai nodded repeatedly:
"Yes, yes, Master.
Every night, every night I dream of an old woman with a face full of cracks.
Every night, the old woman comes to sleep with me..."
My master and I exchanged surprised glances but didn't interrupt.
Wang Kai then recounted all the strange occurrences he had encountered recently.
It all started about half a month ago.
He said that day after his night shift, he went for a late-night snack with some colleagues.
Another colleague had invited two women.
Wang Kai, being a bit of a lecher, got excited when he saw the girls and insisted on drinking.
He wondered if drinking might lead to something more.
As it turned out, the girls were fine, but he got completely drunk.
On his way back to his rented room, he urinated by the roadside and then fell asleep.
And that was the beginning of his nightmares.
In his dreams, Wang Kai saw an old woman with a face like dead tree bark.
Her face was like his stomach now, very ugly and frightening.
In the dream, she embraced him but said nothing.
From then on, the old woman would come every two or three days, always embracing him as he slept.
In the last ten days, the old woman's visits escalated from every couple of days to every night.
Wang Kai also gradually noticed a dark spot appearing on his stomach.
The dark spot grew thicker and larger.
Within just a day or two, it turned into a hard patch of skin like dead tree bark.
At first, the area was small, so he bought some psoriasis medication and applied it himself.
But it was completely useless.
The area doubled in size, prompting him to visit several hospitals in the city.
He underwent comprehensive examinations and spent a considerable amount of money.
However, no diagnosis could be made, and his body continued to waste away.
Yesterday, he sought out an old Chinese physician in the old town.
He hoped the old physician might have a solution.
The old physician, being experienced,
after examining and questioning him, waved him away.
He said that Wang Kai's ailment was not a "physical illness" but a "spiritual one," and seeking help from a doctor would be futile.
Therefore, he gave Wang Kai an address.
He told him to go to 81 Huangquan Road to find my master, Gu Hui.
After all, my master had some reputation in Qing Shan City for dealing with and curing spiritual ailments.
After getting the address, Wang Kai went home and stayed for another night.
That night almost made him not wake up.
In his dream, the old woman grabbed Wang Kai, refusing to let him go, insisting he stay.
When Wang Kai finally managed to open his eyes, his body was covered in sweat, and he shivered uncontrollably.
He had slept for more than ten hours.
Glancing at his body, he saw the black skin had spread further.
He quickly put on his clothes and, in a hurry, followed the address to our shop.
After hearing this, I was almost certain.
This Wang Kai was being haunted by something unclean.
The old physician was right; without resolving the unclean entity clinging to him, his skin condition would never heal.
Wang Kai looked terrified and addressed my master:
"Master Gu, you must save me!
I'm not married yet, and I don't want to die.
And with this withered skin, how will I face people in the future!"
My master seemed to be lost in thought and did not respond immediately.
Seeing my master remain silent, Wang Kai grew more anxious.
He quickly turned to me:
"Brother Qin, I was wrong before.
If I offended you in any way, please forgive me.
Put in a good word for me; you must make your master save me!"
As he said this, Wang Kai was so scared he started crying.
He continuously wiped his tears, sobbing.
Looking at his pathetic state, I felt a sense of satisfaction.
However, there was a time and place for everything.
I could distinguish between personal matters and my duties.
Moreover, I needed to replenish my lamp oil, and the entity haunting Wang Kai was the perfect next target to provide me with that.
I smiled faintly:
"Wang Kai, I'm not that petty. If my master can help, he will."
Seeing me speak, Wang Kai repeatedly bowed:
"Thank you, thank you, Brother Qin."
At this moment, my master snapped back to attention.
He asked very seriously:
"In your dreams, besides just sleeping together, did you and that old woman do anything else?"
Wang Kai's face turned red, and he froze in place, mumbling incoherently...
Seeing his hesitation, I urged him:
"If you don't want to die, tell the truth. Did you do anything with that withered-faced old woman?"