I asked with a touch of suspicion, laced with nervousness.
But after hearing my words, Master simply smiled faintly and glanced at his pocket watch.
"Not bad. You're quite perceptive, kid.
It took you two minutes and forty seconds to spot the anomaly. Faster than I expected."
With that, Master put his pocket watch back in his pocket.
Hearing his words, I was somewhat surprised.
"Master, did we… did we really encounter a ghost wall?"
Master grinned.
"Nonsense.
This streetlamp didn't short circuit for no reason.
It conveniently short-circuited just as we stepped into the alley.
You're alright, spotting it yourself in such a short time.
You indeed have some talent, suited for this line of work."
At this, I took a sharp breath.
So, Master already knew.
He hadn't said anything because he was testing me, seeing how perceptive I was!
Judging by Master's expression, I had passed his test.
Calming myself down, I asked Master,
"Master, I've heard people say that when someone enters a ghost wall, they get lost.
They might even walk until they die.
So, how do we get out of a ghost wall?"
I had heard before that upon entering a ghost wall, one loses their sense of direction and time.
Even if they walk a long distance, they'd actually be going in circles.
Their sense of time would also be distorted.
If they couldn't find their way out promptly, they might end up exhausted to death within the ghost wall.
Master exhaled a puff of smoke.
"There are many ways to break through a ghost wall.
The simplest is this: turn ninety degrees after every short stretch of walking. Turn a few more times, and you'll be out."
"Oh, then let's start!"
I kept his words in mind. I would be dealing with spirits from now on.
These practical methods were essential.
But Master waved his hand.
"We're in a hurry, so let's not bother with that."
Saying this, Master cleared his throat.
He put on a stern expression and shouted into the dark alley ahead of us:
"Little friends, alright, alright, you've played enough. Go home now!
Grandpa will get angry soon and spank you!"
As Master spoke, a gust of cold wind suddenly swept in from behind us.
With a "whoosh," it blew past.
The cold wind blew, and the dark clouds in the sky seemed to part, revealing the moon once more.
The area from behind us to the front was directly illuminated.
The extinguished streetlamps overhead flickered back to life with a "ka-ka" sound.
The alley, which had been pitch black moments ago, was now bright and clear again.
And in the instant the alley regained its light,
I noticed three or four children in white clothes at the end of the alley.
They were barefoot, giggling "hee hee hee" as they ran forward.
Following behind them was a two or three-year-old girl with pigtails, dragging an inflatable horse with one hand.
She was shouting in a childish voice,
"Brother, wait for me, brother, wait for me..."
In no time, these children disappeared at the end of the alley.
Seeing this, I exclaimed in surprise,
"It's… it's a group of little ghosts!"
Master nodded.
"These are children who died young nearby. They're playful.
They were attracted by your low fortune and came to tease us.
They were laughing beside us as we walked back and forth."
Master paused here.
Then he continued, addressing me:
"Xiao Qin, remember this from now on.
When something is out of the ordinary, there's bound to be a reason. Especially when walking at night, never let your guard down.
At the slightest disturbance, you must be vigilant and observant.
These are just a few playful little ghosts.
But if you encounter malevolent spirits or vengeful souls and cannot detect them or break out of the ghost wall in time, your life could be in danger!"
I took a deep breath, heeding Master's teachings.
At the same time, I marveled at Master's profound cultivation.
I had been completely in the dark, yet Master had already seen through everything.
"Master, I understand."
I nodded seriously in reply.
Master smiled faintly.
"Alright, let's head to the haunted building now!"
I let out a "Mm" and continued to lead the way for Master.
This time, with no playful ghosts blocking our path, we quickly exited the long alley.
After walking another few dozen meters, we saw the dilapidated building surrounded by a blue corrugated iron fence.
"Master, this is the haunted building.
Last night, I was lured here by that mother and child and almost hanged myself as a substitute."
As I spoke, my brow furrowed.
Thinking of last night's ordeal, I became indignant.
What did I ever do to them?
Seeing my weak yang energy and low fortune, they wanted to kill me and use me as a substitute.
Since this ghost mother and child wanted to kill me, they shouldn't blame me for inviting Master here to kill them for lamp oil.
Master looked up.
He said calmly,
"Let's go in!"
I walked ahead, pulled open the rusty iron fence, and let Master enter first.
As soon as the two of us entered the small courtyard, we felt a chill.
The air was filled with a strong smell of mildew.
Looking at the dilapidated building, with its dark windows and doorway,
It resembled a giant head, with its eyes open and mouth agape.
It sent shivers down one's spine, an eerie feeling.
Master, with his pipe in his mouth, didn't seem to take the dilapidated building seriously.
Or rather, he didn't seem to take the mother and child spirits within the building seriously at all.
He didn't stop walking, heading straight towards it.
As we approached the entrance of the dilapidated building, a strange gust of wind suddenly blew past us.
Immediately after, a character for "Death" made of black ash appeared on the ground in front of Master and me.
The ground was white cement, so the character "Death" made of black ash was particularly conspicuous in the moonlight.
Seeing this character "Death," my heart tightened.
Clearly, the vengeful mother and child spirits in the dilapidated building did not welcome us.
Or perhaps they were also afraid of my Master.
They were using this method to intimidate us…