Four or five people had gathered in Li Ping'an's courtyard.
Among them were neighbors who lived nearby, as well as people he had never seen before.
They had all encountered something uncanny and learned of Li Ping'an's deeds from Scholar Fang.
So they had come to seek Li Ping'an's help.
"One at a time. Don't rush," Li Ping'an said calmly.
"Me!!"
"Me first!"
A middle-aged man was the first to step forward and squeeze his way to the front.
"Sir, I'm a hunter in the city.
"I often hunt in the mountains, and I'd never encountered anything strange.
"But these past few days, I keep losing my way when I come down the mountain.
"I know that path like the back of my hand. I've walked it for over ten years. How could I lose my way?
"But somehow, no matter which way I go, I end up back where I started.
"I have to walk for hours until I'm utterly exhausted before I can get out.
"It's happened several times now, and it's really put me through the wringer.
"I'm afraid that one day, I'll never make it out."
Li Ping'an nodded. "There are many scattered graves on the mountain. You've probably encountered some minor ghosts that haven't amounted to much yet, trying to keep you there.
"Dealing with this is simple, too. People fear ghosts three parts, but ghosts fear people seven.
"One of the best ways to deal with them is to curse at them.
"The more fiercely you curse, and the more filthy language you use, the easier it'll be to escape this predicament."
"Cursing... works?" the hunter asked doubtfully.
"It works." Li Ping'an nodded, then reminded him, "But unless you have to, you'd best stay out of the woods for the next few days."
Seeing