The village of Moribund, under the cloak of night, exuded a different kind of life. Compared to the deserted streets during the day, it became bustling with voices at night, a stark contrast to an ordinary village, like two different worlds.
The residents of Moribund were naturally not ones to pry. However, Xiao Liuzi and Ermazi standing by the entrance of Old Mrs. Wang's house, the scene of the recent murder, had undoubtedly become the focal point for passersby. Everyone who walked past cast them peculiar glances, and some even pulled out their phones, perhaps to report the incident.
From my vantage point behind the door, I observed all of this through the crack, a sense of clandestine relief washing over me.
Fortunately, Wang Jun and his group hadn't decided to investigate before dusk. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Sui Wan'er's matter had "fooled" Wang Jun once, and on top of that, the old house in the west of the village had "beaten him up" again. Given the tomb robber's personality, he certainly wouldn't let this matter rest.
Moreover, from what Wang Jun had said, we had taken something important from the old house in the west of the village, and Old Li himself had personally intervened. He was determined to retrieve it.
Wang Jun likely didn't want to escalate the situation. After leaving the convenience store, he had called Xiao Liuzi and Ermazi away.
Watching them leave from behind the door, I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. However, I suspected they hadn't gone far.
Based on my two encounters with Wang Jun, I was certain he wouldn't give up. He wouldn't dare to barge in when it was dark and crowded, but he would definitely force his way in once the crowd thinned.
Seizing this opportunity, I wrote Old Mrs. Wang's birth date and time on a paper talisman, preparing to summon her to help us leave Moribund village.
This time, the incense table on the desk quickly reacted. A gust of yin wind, mixed with dark energy, appeared before me. As I looked at the person who had arrived, I couldn't help but frown.
It was none other than the uninvited old ghost.
"Why are you here again? Didn't I tell you to wait until I'm done before we talk?"
The old ghost seemed to ignore my displeasure.
"Little Master, that's where you're wrong. You're about to flee. If you leave the village, where will I find you?"
My expression shifted slightly, but I quickly suppressed my surprise and looked at the old ghost calmly.
"What nonsense are you spouting? When was I planning to flee?"
"I've been in this village for who knows how many years. No movement, no matter how small, can escape my notice." As he spoke, the old ghost chuckled, a look of knowing everything on his face. "When you tried to leave at noon, weren't you stopped?"
Upon hearing this, my heart skipped a beat. "How does he know our whereabouts so clearly? Does he have a way to track us during the day?"
Seeing my puzzled gaze, the old ghost feigned fear and took two steps back, a look of "fear" on his face. "Don't look at me like that. I don't have that much ability to know what you were doing in broad daylight. On my way here, I overheard a group of people outside discussing you. I heard it from them." Su Dan Novel Network
Although I still had some doubts about the old ghost's words, I couldn't find any fault with them. Moreover, the old ghost had helped me twice.
"Then, could you trouble yourself to find Old Mrs. Wang? I have something to discuss with her."
"Hey... hey... what do you take me for, someone who runs errands for you?"
"I'm looking for Old Mrs. Wang, not you. Who asked you to come uninvited? If you don't help, don't expect me to help you with your matters."
As expected, the old ghost's face fell. He said with a hint of dejection, "Do you think I *want* to come? She's gone to register her household. She can't get away right now. She asked me to ask you what you want with her."
I was stunned for a moment, then I understood what the old ghost meant by "registering her household."
Before I officially entered the profession of Yin Master, my master had told me about the affairs of the underworld, spirits, and malevolent entities.
My master told me that the world was divided into many realms. What ordinary people knew most about were the mortal realm and the underworld.
The underworld might sound terrifying, but it was almost identical to the mortal realm.
Whatever existed in the mortal realm also existed in the underworld. In simple terms, the underworld was a reflection of the mortal realm.
The underworld and the mortal realm were like a mirror. Everyone could see themselves within it, but their paths of life were different. The mortal realm was for those living outside the mirror, while the underworld was for those living inside. They couldn't see each other, only at specific times could they communicate briefly through the mirror.
Whether it was the people "inside" or "outside" the mirror, they all had a lifespan. When their lifespan ended, it meant death, and their identities would switch. Those outside the mirror would enter, and those inside would come out, in a continuous cycle.
At the time, I didn't fully understand what my master had said. But after ten years of learning and seeing more, I began to grasp some of these matters.
Although I still had some reservations about the old ghost's words, now that he knew I was planning to flee, he no longer concealed anything.
"Ahem, you should know that my friend is ill, and very seriously so. Could you help me find a way for us to leave?"
"This... I'm afraid there's no way."
My heart sank upon hearing this, but my expression remained unchanged. My tone carried a hint of mockery. "You were just boasting about how much you know this village. Now you can't even help with such a small matter. How can I trust you?"
I thought the old ghost, provoked by my words, would surely come up with a way to leave, or at least a compromise. But to my surprise, after hearing my words, the old ghost simply chuckled.
"Kid, your attempts at provocation are useless against me, unless..."
Seeing the confident look on the old ghost's face, I couldn't help but curse inwardly. "The old ghost really knows how to pick his moment. I thought I had him cornered earlier, but now he's turned the tables on me."
At my temporary lodging, although I had verbally agreed to help the old ghost once, I had never truly intended to. An uninvited old ghost asking for favors would surely not be a simple matter. If I didn't help the old ghost with his business now, he would definitely not let me leave so easily.
"Blackmailing someone at a time like this is not the act of a gentleman."
The old ghost's expression didn't change in response to my taunt.
"I'm not a gentleman; I'm just an old ghost. There's still some time before dawn. If you can help me with my business before dawn, I guarantee you can leave here safely."
"This..."
I glanced at Zhang Dabiao, who stood silently beside me. He gave a slight nod.
"Alright, it's a deal."