Ghost Hanging Behind

The entire study was divided into two sections by a screen painted with a lady's portrait. The half facing the door had a square table, a side table, and a couch.

The side table was against the west wall, with an incense burner and a pair of vases on it.

Xu Yuan's gaze fell upon the pair of vases.

About a foot tall, with slender necks and round bellies, they were only large enough to hold one or two plum blossoms.

He released a beast-sinew rope from his hand, which thinned to the fineness of a hair. It snaked through the door crack and gently touched a vase. The vase swayed slightly, showing no abnormality.

Xu Yuan then turned to the other vase. Upon his touch, a ball of eerie, dark green light suddenly flared within it!

Xu Yuan swiftly flicked his wrist, twisting the beast-sinew rope into a bundle. With a thud, he stuffed it into the vase's opening.

The thing inside the vase was about to burst out and unleash its fearsome might—but it was immediately blocked and pushed back in by a strange object, neither too soft nor too hard, a peculiar thing that was both soft and hard, seemingly soft but actually firm.

Stuck halfway and unable to come out, the thing was thoroughly annoyed. It raged and thrashed inside, its eerie light flaring like fire. The vase shook violently on the side table, clinking noisily.

Xu Yuan threw in the rest of the beast-sinew rope. The rope instantly bound the vase and the table tightly together.

No matter how the thing inside struggled, it could no longer make a sound.

Xu Yuan exhaled his Inner Fire, melting the copper lock on the door. He gently pushed it open and entered.

The vase was likely a treasure of a Divine Cultivator, hiding a Yin Soldier within. However, Xu Yuan had quickly sealed it, preventing its escape.

After entering, Xu Yuan conducted a general inspection. He concluded there was likely only this one ambush in the study.

Only then did he feel at ease and boldly began his search.

Soon, he found an iron box in a hidden compartment of the bookshelf. Upon opening it, he discovered it was indeed Cannon Powder.

Searching further, he found a set of special brushes and ink—a treasure of a Literary Cultivator. Master Qiao hadn't taken it to Qihetan Town, perhaps because it was inconvenient to carry, or perhaps he had another set there.

In addition, he found four calligraphy sheets within an ancient book.

Two "Seal" sheets, one targeting Law Cultivators and the other Divine Cultivators.

One "Arrow" sheet, filled with hundreds of densely written "arrow" characters.

And another, palm-sized and easily concealed, written in a vigorous, ancient calligraphic style with four baffling characters: Dragon Spirit Tiger Might.

Xu Yuan stared at this calligraphy sheet for a long time, quite puzzled: What was Master Qiao's intention in writing this...

What use did it have?

He rolled up all the items, including the vase, into a bundle and quietly retreated the way he came.

Leaving Wangjing Ward, it was already late. Xu Yuan hurried back to the Golden Attire Building, where he had left his original set of clothes.

He retrieved them and changed out of the current outfit.

If he went back wearing this, his Stepmother would surely twist his ear and scold him for being a spendthrift.

The attendant at the Golden Attire Building looked displeased. As Xu Yuan emerged after changing, the attendant stated directly, "Guest, once you wear our clothes, they are strictly non-refundable."

The man had bought a set of fine clothes, gone out, and returned in less than an hour, carrying a heavy bundle!

What else could he have been doing?

Xu Yuan waved his hand, "No returns."

"No returns" was all the attendant needed to hear. His expression immediately brightened, and he solicitously escorted Xu Yuan out, adding as an afterthought, "Guest, turn left here and walk fifty paces. There's a pawnshop. If you have anything inconvenient to sell..."

Xu Yuan walked out, heading straight ahead without looking back.

This time, Xu Yuan returned from the east entrance. Uncle Mao Si, carrying a load of carpentry tools, had just returned. He opened his shop and was organizing his things.

"Uncle," Xu Yuan called out warmly. Seeing him, the worry etched on Uncle Mao Si's wrinkled face momentarily eased, and he smiled happily, "You're back, kid."

"Yeah, Uncle. How's business been lately?"

Uncle Mao Si suddenly frowned and said, "Don't move." He stared intently at Xu Yuan. With a swift motion, his large hand, like a fan, precisely drew a chisel and hammer from a tattered satchel at his feet.

Then, aiming at the empty space behind Xu Yuan, he struck down hard with the chisel.

Clang!

Xu Yuan felt a moment of disorientation, as if he heard a shrill ghost cry behind his ear.

A gust of cold wind swept past his back, and something seemed to flee.

Xu Yuan turned around, but could see nothing. A cold sweat broke out on his back: He had been careless!

When had this thing targeted him and latched onto his back?

He had been constantly vigilant on Ghost Witch Mountain, but after returning to the city, feeling safe, he had indeed relaxed his guard.

Uncle Mao Si put away his tools and said, "It was a greedy ghost. These kinds of things are the hardest to detect. Did you... flash your wealth?"

Xu Yuan thought for a moment. It must have been at the Golden Attire Building.

Just as he was about to answer, Uncle Mao Si waved his hand, "Forget it, I won't ask so many questions. Hurry back, your Stepmother is probably waiting impatiently."

That was Uncle Mao Si's way. If you asked him for help, he'd readily assist, but he wouldn't pry into why you needed it unless you offered the information.

"Thanks, Uncle," Xu Yuan said, bidding him farewell and entering the alley.

This courtyard in Xu Yuan's home was sectioned off from the original stage.

The stage was three stories high, with a small plaza in front. This courtyard was originally part of the small plaza, but Xu Yuan's grandfather sectioned off this small area and built two rooms.

They had been living like this ever since.

"Running off as soon as you get back."

The aroma of food and his Stepmother's complaints drifted out from the house together.

"Wash your hands and eat!"

Dinner was four dishes and one soup, with red bean rice.

For two people, this meal was quite lavish, clearly a celebration of Xu Yuan's return.

As expected, there was a plate of stir-fried winter bamboo shoots with cured meat on the table.

Xu Yuan happily sat down and began to eat.

His Stepmother bit down on her chopsticks, wanting to remind Xu Yuan not to cultivate the Way of the Pill Cultivator for the time being.

But then she thought, she hadn't found a solution to this problem herself yet. Telling him would only make him worry for no reason, so she held back.

She simply took out the Five Tripod Cooking and handed it to Xu Yuan.

"Aunt Wang gave this to you. Cultivate diligently and don't be lazy."

Xu Yuan knew this cultivation Method. Holding it in his hands, it felt exceptionally heavy. "Aunt Wang is willing to give this to me?"

His Stepmother took a breath and said solemnly, "You must engrave Aunt Wang's kindness in your heart. After she passes away, you will wear sackcloth and mourn for her funeral."

Xu Yuan nodded seriously. "It's only right."

His Stepmother thought for a moment, then still gave him a few more instructions. "Your Cannon Powder Inner Pill... I'm afraid it's a bit unsuitable. For the Way of the Pill Cultivator, you should only cultivate the Outer Pill for now. Your main focus should still be on the Way of the Fate Cultivator."

Xu Yuan nodded in agreement. The Cannon Powder Inner Pill was powerful, but he hadn't explained some situations to his Stepmother in detail.

His Inner Pill's characteristic was constant consumption, which would reduce its danger level somewhat.

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