"Do you think the Fifth Prince might be trapped in the old house west of the village?"
"Old Ghost, have you been a ghost for too long? How can you say something so brainless?" Zhang Dabiao looked at Old Ghost with suspicion.
I looked at Old Ghost's somewhat embarrassed expression. "Old Ghost, judging by your appearance, you've been dead for quite some years. Who do you think has higher cultivation, you or the Fifth Prince?"
"Does that even need asking? It's definitely the Fifth Prince! Yin creatures cultivate similarly, it's all calculated by years. Unless there are special circumstances, the longer one lives, the deeper their cultivation." Old Ghost paused here, looking at me strangely. "Why do you ask?"
"I told you you're getting stupid from being a ghost, and you don't believe me. Does this even need asking? With your hundred-plus years of cultivation, you're not someone ordinary people can handle. Moreover, the Fifth Prince's cultivation is even deeper than yours. Do you think anyone could trap him in the old house west of the village?"
"That's not necessarily true..."
I looked at Old Ghost, who had stopped mid-sentence, and pressed him, "Not necessarily true what? Do you know something?"
"What could I possibly know? I'm just an old man who's been dead for many years."
Seeing Old Ghost's expression, it was clear he knew something, but he wouldn't say it, and I couldn't force it out of him.
"Since you know the secret of the old house west of the village, shouldn't you tell me your identity now?"
To say I didn't suspect Old Ghost would be a lie.
After all, Old Ghost was a Yin creature. Generally, they disliked getting close to living people. Moreover, Zhang Dabiao practiced Yang Gong, and his Yang fire was several times stronger than that of ordinary people. Evil Yin creatures usually avoided him.
Although my Yang fire wasn't as strong as Zhang Dabiao's, it was still higher than that of ordinary people. Even if Old Ghost had deep cultivation, he wouldn't be comfortable standing next to us. This was also why feng shui masters were rarely harassed by Yin creatures.
Yet, the Old Ghost before us acted contrary to this. Not only was he unafraid of our Yang fire, but he stood and conversed with us as if he were a living person. He could even blow out the two Yang fires on a living person's shoulders. By any measure, he shouldn't be an ordinary evil spirit.
While we were talking, Zhang Dabiao and I had subtly closed the distance between us and Old Ghost. Zhang Dabiao even held his Pishan Saber horizontally across his chest, giving the impression that he was ready to act if Old Ghost didn't tell the truth.
Seeing our stance, Old Ghost's face showed anger. "What are you two doing? Are you crossing the river and demolishing the bridge?"
I snorted. "I wouldn't do something like crossing the river and demolishing the bridge. I just want to know your identity. You're not that Fifth Prince, are you?"
Old Ghost quickly shook his head. "What are you saying? I'm the Fifth Prince? That's not a funny joke at all!"
Actually, after Granny Wang described the Fifth Prince's character, I had indeed considered Old Ghost as the Fifth Prince for a while. He had deep cultivation and lacked the dark heart of other evil Yin creatures. To say I didn't suspect him would be a lie.
"Since you're not the Fifth Prince, then tell me, who exactly are you?"
Faced with my question, Old Ghost's face clearly showed a conflicted expression, and his eyes looked at me with a pleading look.
"I'm just an ordinary old ghost. What identity could I have?"
Looking at the pitiful Old Ghost, Zhang Dabiao sneered. "Old Ghost? Granny Wang is also an old ghost, and she wasn't any younger than you when she died. If she knew you, why wouldn't she say who you are? Instead, she always looked fearful when she saw you."
Hearing Zhang Dabiao's analysis, I tightened my grip on the willow branches and looked at Old Ghost nervously.
Granny Wang's fear of Old Ghost was something I hadn't considered.
I had initially thought that newly deceased ghosts were like children, and Old Ghost was like an adult, so it was natural for her to be a little afraid. But Zhang Dabiao's reminder made me realize that ghosts are not distinguished by age, but by cultivation.
For example, some fetuses, refined through secret methods, become young ghosts. By feeding them the flesh and blood of living people, they become exceptionally ferocious. If such a young ghost is raised for three to five years, it can be equivalent to a hundred-year-old ghost, or even more ferocious than one.
"Alas! So that's the issue. I thought it was something else." Old Ghost breathed a sigh of relief and then said to Granny Wang, "Girl, do you remember the old man who used to be by the village entrance when you were little?"
Granny Wang clearly reacted to the address "girl." Although she didn't say anything, she frowned, her remaining eye looking at Old Ghost.
Seeing Granny Wang remain silent for a long time, Old Ghost's face clearly showed anxiety. "Second Niece, think again, who used to give you candy when you were seven? And one year, when you were playing and fell into the river in the middle of winter, almost drowning, who saved you?"
I saw Granny Wang's eyes light up, and she asked with uncertainty, "Second Uncle?"
"Oh, you finally remember. If you hadn't remembered, these two young people here would have torn me apart."
Looking at Old Ghost's "triumphant" expression, I felt an urge to punch him.
The two of us combined might not even be a match for you, an old ghost. Are you kidding me?
I ignored Old Ghost and looked at Granny Wang.
"Granny Wang, are you sure he's your Second Uncle? Don't mistake him. If there's any problem, you can tell me."
I deliberately emphasized the word "problem," fearing that Old Ghost might be threatening Granny Wang.
"It won't be a mistake. After Second Uncle reminded me, I remembered many things. He passed away when I was ten. If you don't believe me, you can go to the back mountain. His grave is buried there."
"Alright, then tomorrow I'll dig up the grave and see if this old ghost is really dead."
I pretended not to see Old Ghost's lengthening face and turned to go back inside.
"Hey... you can't do this. I helped you out with such a big favor, and not only do you not thank me, but you're going back on your word?"
"I didn't ask for your help. You offered. It's so late, go back to sleep. We'll go dig up the grave tomorrow. Remember!" I gave Zhang Dabiao a look and turned back into the house, ignoring Old Ghost's displeased expression.
After Zhang Dabiao also came in, I placed a sealing talisman on the door to prevent Old Ghost from eavesdropping on our conversation.
Zhang Dabiao watched me finish everything before asking, "Why did you pressure him like that?"
"How could an old ghost who has lived in Molu Village for who knows how many years not know about the Fifth Prince in the old house west of the village? Besides, if we don't pressure him a little, how can we get them to help us with our tasks?"
As soon as I finished speaking, I heard a knock on the door.
I removed the sealing talisman from the door, opened it, and looked at Old Ghost, feigning a yawn. "Old Ghost, I told you I was going to sleep. Why are you still knocking? Are you deliberately trying to keep us awake?"
Old Ghost looked at me with anger. "Kid, you said it yourself. What do you want me to do?"
I was pleased inwardly, but I didn't show it on my face. "What could I want you to do? I just want to see tomorrow if you're really Granny Wang's Second Uncle, and then..."
"Alright, stop beating around the bush with me. You think your little schemes can fool me? Just tell me what you want."
I chuckled. "How about you make a trip for me later? Go take a look at the old house west of the village, how about that?"