Fight with Ghost 04

He locked eyes with the female ghost. A moment later, as if frightened, the female ghost backed away continuously.

Fang Zhiyi knew he hadn't bet wrong. This Buddha statue had received incense offerings from Old Madam He, so it had at least some deterrent effect on these wandering spirits.

Little Hei slapped a paw over its eyes. How could it have forgotten Fang Zhiyi's style? When it came to encountering demons and ghosts, he could cause more of a ruckus than anyone else.

In its eyes, Fang Zhiyi was currently hugging that Buddha statue, puffing and panting as he chased after the female ghost. The female ghost retreated rapidly, while Fang Zhiyi wore a look of sheer excitement.

"Come on, come over here!"

Little Hei gave a brief evaluation: "You're acting a bit like a villain who just got his way."

"What the hell do you know! When have I ever suffered such grievances? Now, the tables have turned!"

The female ghost hadn't expected this person to be so absurd, but upon seeing the Buddha statue, instinctive fear still made her retreat continuously.

The Buddha statue was made of solid wood and wasn't small in size. Fang Zhiyi was visibly panting. "You, don't run, you..."

The female ghost was out of options. Was this guy sick in the head? Seeing Fang Zhiyi's face full of ferocity, she turned around without hesitation and jumped down the dry well.

But she hadn't anticipated just how far this young man who could see her would go.

"To hell with you!" Fang Zhiyi swung his arm and threw the Buddha statue right down after her.

A sharp shriek erupted from the dry well, piercing straight into one's brain like freezing ice.

But after the shriek, the dry well went completely silent.

"It's just a Buddha statue, is that really necessary?" Little Hei muttered.

"You don't understand. Ordinary idols might be useless, but the ones that have received long-term incense offerings... usually have some effect. It's just too heavy."

"No, but you threw their Buddha statue into a well, this..."

Fang Zhiyi acted righteously: "You don't understand. Whether it's gods or Buddhas, the important thing is to deter evil and save all living beings. This, this, this... is exactly where it belongs!"

Little Hei shook its head: "You're crazy too."

"How do you have the nerve to say that? I have a whole set of Daoist arts and you tell me I can't use them? I..." Fang Zhiyi reached out to strangle Little Hei's neck, only to realize it didn't have one.

"Don't be anxious... this world is different... the Heavenly Dao stopped interfering with the world's operation a long time ago."

Fang Zhiyi cursed a classic expletive, turned around, and left. He was going to sleep.

He was awakened by the noise outside. As soon as he opened his eyes, he heard someone exclaiming outside.

"This is bad! The Eldest Miss has run away from home!"

"Somebody come! The Eldest Miss is missing!"

Fang Zhiyi sighed, scratched his messy hair, and rolled over to sit up.

He had actually been having nightmares all last night. Even though he had beaten up those things in his dream, it was still a nightmare! When had he ever been this miserable?

He got dressed, went out, and asked around. Obviously, his words yesterday had given that foolish young lady a new idea. She had packed her valuables and run away overnight, leaving a letter saying she was going to find He Chusheng. Old Master He's face was full of anger, but upon seeing Fang Zhiyi arrive, his anger turned into apology.

"Worthy nephew... this is truly..."

Although Fang Zhiyi was shameless, he really was the one who instigated this. He cupped his hands in greeting: "Uncle He... I thank you for your care and attention these past few days... Yuling doesn't like me, I understand. What happened last time was already... very out of line. This time, Uncle He, your nephew begs a favor of you."

Old Master He stared at him blankly, making Fang Zhiyi feel a little embarrassed.

"Your nephew earnestly requests Uncle He to dissolve the marriage contract between Yuling and me."

"You... this..." Old Master He also understood. The previous incident was already devoid of human decency, and he had finally managed to pacify Fang Zhiyi. Now his daughter had actually fled overnight; this was unjustifiable no matter what.

"I am unworthy of being a father!" He clutched his chest in anger. "To have raised such a disgraceful daughter! I have let you down, and I have let your father down!"

Little Hei poked Fang Zhiyi with its hand: "Don't you feel ashamed?"

"A little."

"Uncle He, times are different now. Children have their own thoughts, so please don't be angry with Yuling anymore," Fang Zhiyi said. "Since this matter is off, your nephew will pack up and move out today."

Watching him turn to leave, Old Master He wanted to speak and ask him to stay, but didn't know how to say it.

"Worthy nephew! Please wait!"

Fang Zhiyi smiled slightly, his face returning to a calm expression the moment he turned his head.

"Worthy nephew, your family has suffered such a misfortune. If you leave the He family, how will you make a living?"

"Me? I don't know."

Old Master He pondered for a moment and ordered the butler to fetch some silver. He took the silver and pressed it into Fang Zhiyi's hands: "Worthy nephew, there isn't much I can do to help you. Keep this silver safe. If you ever need help in the future, feel free to come find me."

Fang Zhiyi nodded.

"This old man is too stingy! He didn't even offer to give you a couple of shops to do business with!" Little Hei clamored.

"You don't understand. Giving me a shop would mean he considers me family. But now that the marriage has fallen through, what head of a household wouldn't consider things from a standpoint of interest? This is human nature. Even if he really wanted to give me a shop, what should I do? Shamelessly accept it? And then be endlessly entangled with the He family? Don't forget, even if I married that person, I would be marrying into her family. This house will always be managed by those surnamed He." Fang Zhiyi walked out hugging the silver. "We aren't related. It's already rare enough that they were willing to keep their promise, and now they've even given money. Be content..."

He weighed the silver in his hand, a hint of fierceness flashing in his eyes.

"I'm not taking this money for nothing. This is the money to buy his life."

"Stop bragging. There aren't that many Buddha statues outside for you to throw around." Little Hei's single sentence dragged him straight back from his lofty realm to reality.

But Fang Zhiyi didn't panic at all: "With money, there are plenty of ways."

"Such as?"

Fang Zhiyi didn't answer, simply packing his luggage and leaving the He family.

During the day, those ghosts and demons didn't dare show themselves, which provided Fang Zhiyi with a rare moment of peace and quiet.

First, he went into the city and bought some cinnabar, ink, brushes, and yellow paper. Then he immediately went to a timber shop and ordered some wood.

Little Hei just watched him fuss about. By the time Fang Zhiyi rented a place to stay, the sky was already growing dark. There weren't any entertainment activities in this era, so everyone rested quite early, and it gradually quieted down outside.

Fang Zhiyi, meanwhile, began drawing talismans on a simple, crude table.

One sheet, two sheets, three sheets. He concentrated intently, bead-sized drops of sweat dripping down.

Little Hei was puzzled: "No, these talismans you're drawing are all for seeking the power of heaven and earth. They're useless..."

Fang Zhiyi smiled: "You'll understand later."

"Crazy." Little Hei shook its head.

A faint rustling sound echoed outside the window, drawing closer and closer until it finally stopped at the door.

Fang Zhiyi felt his vision darken. Where were all these ghostly things coming from?