That evening, after Zhu Huaizhang left...
The Jin Shanyao's Spiritual Power traveled to the mass grave, which had been completely transformed. The grave mounds were neatly repaired, and the leaning tombstones were straightened.
Even the graves that no one visits now have offerings of fruit and pastries. This hardly resembles a mass burial ground; it's practically an official cemetery.
Ghost One, Ghost Two, and Ghost Three were assigning tasks to the ghosts, and seven or eight small teams stood straight, listening very attentively.
The three ghosts sensed the Spiritual Power Jin Shanyao and turned to look at it. Ghost One exclaimed excitedly, "Boss, you're back... How did Anci do on his exam? Did he become the top scholar?"
Jin Shanyao her head and gave a soft "hmm," "You've won..."
Upon hearing this, the ghosts grinned and laughed, their faces contorted in a grotesque manner that was unbearable to look at. Ghost Two even lost a tooth because his mouth was open too wide, and he hurriedly picked it up and put it back in his mouth.
"Boss, who are you trying to scare this time? I'm all ready!" she said in a childish voice.
Jin Shanyao cleared her throat. "I'm not trying to scare you this time. I have a question for you. Three months ago, a girl from a family in the suburbs drowned, and her body was missing seven days later. Did you know that?"
"I know... this isn't unusual in the Ghost Kingdom."
Just as Ghost One was about to speak, Ghost Two interrupted him. Ever since Ghost One offered to do Jin Shanyao's work for free, Ghost Two and Ghost Three had started plotting for themselves. They couldn't let Ghost One trick them again.
The Jin Shanyao, "Oh... do you know who did it?"
" Ghosts' Bane..." Ghost Three's aged voice rang out as he floated to Ghost Two's side to steady himself. "There are many matchmakers in Qingzhou Prefecture who arrange ghost marriages, but Ghosts' Bane is the most ruthless."
The Jin Shanyao its Spiritual Power, slowly descended, conjuring a phantom image. "Tell me... what she did."
Ghost Three recalled, " Ghosts' Bane is what we ghosts call her. Her name is Li Mei, and those who know her call her Aunt Mei. She specializes in matchmaking for the dead."
"As long as a buyer takes a liking to someone, regardless of gender or age, even if they are alive, she can kill them to make a match. Therefore, all ghosts both hate and fear her."
Ghost One tried to speak several times but didn't get a chance, so he could only stand aside and listen to Ghost Two and Ghost Three's reports.
Jin Shanyao thought to herself, "Isn't this treating human life like dirt?" She said coldly, "Where does Ghosts' Bane reside?"
"West Street... the last house in Bingzi Lane, its vermilion-lacquered door is easily spotted; it's the only house in the entire lane with a door painted in vermilion."
Jin Shanyao softly, changing the subject, "Your Merit have been accumulating quite quickly lately, what have you been doing?"
Ghost Two laughed, "Scare people... The mass graves are different now than before. We take all kinds of jobs now: domestic violence, bullying, child abuse, elder abuse, human trafficking, forcing women into prostitution."
Whenever someone comes to the mass grave for help, we will verify the situation. Once we've confirmed it's true, we'll stand up for them and scare away the perpetrators. Over time, our Merit will accumulate."
Jin Shanyao taken aback. "When did you expand this business?"
Before Ghost One could speak, Ghost Three interrupted, "Aren't you going to tell Shopkeeper Wang that anyone involved in domestic violence should come to the mass grave? Shopkeeper Wang will just tell whoever he can."
Over time, those who had been bullied to the point of desperation would come to the mass grave crying for help. Wanting to accumulate Merit, we took on the job. Word spread, and now the mass grave is a renowned place for making wishes.
Jin Shanyao shocked by Shopkeeper Wang's big mouth, and even more shocked by the speed at which these ghosts were growing. "No wonder your Merit are increasing so quickly, but remember not to harm anyone."
The ghosts all nodded in unison, "Don't worry, boss, we won't take any lives. After all, our goal is to be reincarnated."
Jin Shanyao nodded, then looked at Ghost One, "I saw that purple ceramic bottle in the capital; it's kept in the home of Ren Hanzhong, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices of Imperial Sacrifices."
Ghost One paused for a moment upon hearing this, then smiled bitterly, "Boss... I've long forgotten my past. Now I only hope to go to the Underworld with Tang Qiao and be reincarnated as soon as possible?"
With a gentle voice, Jin Shanyao reassured them, "Don't worry, once the matter of Ghosts' Bane settled, I will send you to the Underworld to be reincarnated."
Ghost Two and Ghost Three's eyes lit up, and they excitedly asked, "Can we do it too?"
Jin Shanyao her head, "You've accumulated enough Merit to be reborn as humans without any problem."
Upon Ghost One' eyes instantly reddened. They had been wandering in this mass grave for decades, and finally, they could leave.
Ghost One choked up as he spoke, "Boss, can I take Tang Qiao with me? He's been taking on countless jobs scaring people so he can reincarnate with me. He's really been working incredibly hard."
When Ghost Two and Ghost Three heard this, they almost fainted from anger on the spot. Wasn't he risking his life? He was stealing our jobs!
The Jin Shanyao gently swept its Spiritual Power across Tang Qiao, then smiled and said, "No problem, you two can Merit evenly and go to the Underworld together."
Ghost One burst into tears of joy, gazing at Tang Qiao with eyes full of anticipation for the future.
The unnumbered, wandering ghosts in the mass grave all pricked up their ears. It turned out they too had the chance to be reincarnated in the Underworld.
In an instant, the entire mass grave was in an uproar.
Finally, it's time... Doing good deeds and accumulating merit will surely bring good fortune.
Anzhi Hall.
When Jin Shanyao withdrew her Spiritual Power, it was already past midnight. Without lingering, she opened the door and headed towards West Street, where she indeed found Ghosts' Bane's house in Bingzi Lane.
A thin layer of black mist shrouded the house of the Ghosts' Bane. No wonder he used cinnabar to paint the door; he had done too much harm and was afraid of retribution.
Jin Shanyao confirmed the location and went to the government office. She found Zhu Huaizhang and explained the whole story. By the time she got home, it was already broad daylight.
At the dinner table, Meng Anzhi asked in confusion, "Auntie, where did you go so early this morning?"
Jin Shanyao put down her chopsticks and said seriously, " Anzhi, Anci... your aunt is going to take you to do something big. Let's see if you have the courage."
Meng Anci thought about his status as the top scholar and believed he could cover the losses.
Meng Anzhi touched her purse; the newly developed poison from yesterday hadn't been used yet, so it was a good opportunity to test it... The siblings nodded in unison, "Auntie, what do you suggest we do?"
Jin Shanyao narrowed her eyes and said in a sinister tone, "Go to the mass grave and burn paper money for me, go and cry at the grave..."
The siblings exchanged a glance, momentarily confused about what their aunt meant.
As soon as Li Mei stepped out that day, she saw two unfamiliar men chatting on the side of the street.
"Dead... What a pity. That girl wasn't even married yet. She was so pretty and fair-skinned. How could she be dead?"
Li Mei paused, slowed her pace, and listened intently.
"I heard that someone went down into the cellar to collect sweet potatoes and never came back up."
Another person exclaimed, "We need to light an oil lamp before going down into the cellar! If the lamp goes out, it means there's a ghost. We have to come back up quickly, leave the cellar entrance open, and wait for the ghost to leave before going down."
"Who can argue with that? Tell me, wasn't that a tragic and unjust death?"
Li Mei became interested and leaned closer, about to speak, when the man frowned, "What are you doing?"
Li Mei forced a smile, "Brother, which family does that girl you were just talking about belong to?"
"It's none of your business which company it belongs to," the man said, and turned to leave.
Li Mei grabbed his sleeve. "I was just getting restless at home, with no one to talk to. I was hoping to find some fun with you guys."