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My Tenant is a Female Ghost
A grand gift? And a gift for the entire family?
Bai Zhuo admitted that he was moved. Miao Long's symptoms were definitely those of the Seven Star Life-Extension Technique, specifically the "Lamp Guidance" symptom. The grand gift from Great-Grandmother was practically a freebie! However, knowing the symptoms was one thing; figuring out how to save someone was another matter entirely. Although Bai Zhuo could obtain this grand gift simply by pointing out Miao Long's symptoms, he wasn't that shameless. Miao Long was Miao Xiaoqi's younger brother, and he would do everything in his power to save him, but not today. After all, he had just had an argument with Great-Grandmother and wasn't in the mood.
That evening, everyone gathered for dinner. Bai Zhuo and Great-Grandmother exchanged few words, while Miao Xiaoqi's parents took a liking to Bai Zhuo. This outsider was knowledgeable, humble, and polite. Miao Xiaoqi's parents beamed with joy at being addressed as Uncle and Aunt, making Miao Xiaoqi wonder if he was truly their biological child.
The Miao family had many siblings; over twenty people sat around three large round tables. They were very hospitable, serving fine food and drink to the three outsiders. With Miao Xiaoqi as the host, they weren't worried about any poison in the dishes and ate heartily, giving face to the Miao family.
After several rounds of drinks, Bai Zhuo felt the urge to relieve himself and excused himself for a moment. The Miao family did have restrooms, but Bai Zhuo preferred the outdoor facilities. After finishing up, as he prepared to head back, he heard a soft call from the bushes. He couldn't understand it because it was in the local dialect.
He asked, "Who’s there?"
At that moment, someone stepped out of the darkness—it was Climbing Tiger.
"It's you?" "It's you!"
Both exclaimed in surprise. Bai Zhuo looked puzzled and asked, "What are you doing here?"
"I... I'm here to find Sister Qi. What are you doing here?" Climbing Tiger retorted.
"None of your business!"
"You... Hmph!"
Back at the dining table, Father Miao asked, "Brother, why are you so slow? I’m still waiting for you to drink. Come on, let’s continue!"
“Oh, I just went to relieve myself and ran into that Climbing Tiger.”
“Hmm? A-Hu? What is he doing here?” Father Miao filled Bai Zhuo's bowl with barley wine and said, “Qiqi, go outside and take a look. He might be looking for you.”
Miao Xiaoqi nodded and dashed out.
Father Miao took a sip of his drink and asked, “Brother, do you know A-Hu?”
“Oh, Uncle, just call me Bai. Calling me brother makes me sound too senior. I saw Climbing Tiger yesterday in the flower field at the village entrance.”
“Haha, A-Hu is out there gathering herbs again... That kid is quite diligent. He’s getting close to Qiqi; she’s sixteen this year, and A-Hu looks to be around twenty-three or twenty-four. He’s the most clever and handsome one in the village. I was wondering if I should marry my Qiqi off to him…” After finishing his sentence, Father Miao raised his bowl and took a sip, subtly observing Bai Zhuo's expression. He thought to himself, “Hmm? This kid doesn’t look too good. Could it be that my Qiqi has a chance?”
Marrying Qiming Tiger? Bai Zhuo recalled their encounter in the flower field yesterday when A-Hu had tried to kill him with his every move and plotted against him. If it weren’t for the fact that his gun had run out of bullets, he would have been shot dead by that guy! He thought about it—what if Qiqi ended up marrying such a despicable person? How tragic would that be?
Bai Zhuo frowned but didn’t know how to voice his concerns. Should he tell Father Miao about what happened yesterday?
Just as Bai Zhuo hesitated, heart-wrenching cries came from Great-Grandmother's attic.
Upon hearing the noise, Great-Grandmother was startled and dropped her bowl and chopsticks onto the floor, scattering food and broken dishes everywhere. Miao Xiaoqi's mother stood up and shouted, “It’s A Long! Is that A Long’s voice? Has A Long woken up?”
Father Miao hurriedly set down his utensils, stood up, and ran outside. As the leader of Miao Village, when he put down his chopsticks, the other villagers followed suit. Left at the table were Bai Zhuo, Yang Liu, and Ge Shui Lian; they naturally felt it inappropriate to stay behind and followed everyone toward Great-Grandmother's room.
Twenty to thirty people gathered in Great-Grandmother's attic, where the anguished cries of Miao Long echoed through the room. Father Miao hurriedly pushed Great-Grandmother's wheelchair into the room, his face filled with concern.
"Brother Bai, what happened?" Miao Xiaoqi rushed in from an unknown direction, panting heavily.
"Well, your brother Miao Long might be in some trouble," Bai Zhuo said, glancing around. "Where's Climbing Tiger? Haven't found him?"
Miao Xiaoqi shook her head. "No, I haven't found him. It's strange; Brother A-Long never comes to play with me at night... Brother Bai, you’re not drunk, are you? Are you sure you saw Brother Ahu?"
Bai Zhuo casually ruffled Miao Xiaoqi's hair, smiling. "Qiqi, how dare you look at your Brother Bai like that?"
The local environment nurtured its people; at just sixteen years old, Miao Xiaoqi had already blossomed into a captivating beauty. Bai Zhuo believed that when she grew up, she would undoubtedly possess a stunning allure.
Miao Xiaoqi had only drunk a little, but her cheeks were flushed. Bai Zhuo wondered if it was the alcohol that made her cheeks appear particularly enticing under the corridor lights.
As Miao Xiaoqi felt Bai Zhuo's gaze upon her, an unusual emotion began to spread within her. However, a sudden scream interrupted her thoughts.
"A Long!" Hearing the agonizing cry, Miao Xiaoqi exclaimed and rushed into Great-Grandmother's room. Bai Zhuo hesitated for a moment before following her.
Inside, they saw Miao Long rolling on the bed, his eyes rolled back so far that his pupils were completely obscured. Great-Grandmother grabbed a handful of powder from the bedside and scattered it over him. For a brief moment, Miao Long fell silent before he began to wail in pain again, his voice resonating like a haunting melody—sharp and terrifying.
Although the Miaojiang Gu Clan possessed some abilities to exorcise spirits and capture ghosts, they were ultimately part of the Witch Clan; their skills in dealing with malevolent forces were merely amateur compared to those of true Onmyoji.
Great-Grandmother trembled as she spoke, "How could this happen? I checked on A Long just this afternoon; he was at least stable for another five or six hours. How could he suddenly be in such distress? Oh dear... this is truly tragic!"
Bai Zhuo spoke up, "Great-Grandmother, Miao Long's symptoms are indeed a case of possession. Your use of Exorcism Powder is understandable, but I wonder if you have heard of the Seven Star Life-Extension Technique?"
Great-Grandmother wiped away the tears from her eyes and replied, "Seven Star Life-Extension Technique? I've only heard of Mr. Zhuge Kongming using the Seven Star Life Extension lantern to prolong life in ancient times. But what does that have to do with my A Long?"
"Great-Grandmother, you may not know this, but during the holidays, there are many tourists around. Unscrupulous people take advantage of the crowds to commit crimes. Down the mountain, over ten children have already been harmed. Miao Long is the lantern guide for the Seven Star Life-Extension Technique and is key to prolonging life. Therefore, at this moment, Miao Long is possessed not by one spirit, but by five!" After a moment of thought, Bai Zhuo added, "However, there’s something I can’t figure out. The technique was supposed to take effect after seven days, so why did it manifest in less than a day? I suspect that there is a skilled practitioner of Yin-Yang arts manipulating this matter!"
Great-Grandmother, having had a dispute with Bai Zhuo earlier in the afternoon, looked at him suspiciously. "I've lived over a hundred years and have never heard of using human lives to cast the Seven Star Life-Extension Technique. Why are you so certain that this is what it is, you young brat in your twenties?"
Bai Zhuo chuckled in disbelief and replied, "Great-Grandmother, as they say, knowledge comes in stages and expertise varies. If we’re discussing Witchcraft, I wouldn’t dare to show off my skills before you. However, when it comes to supernatural tales like that of Miao Long's brother, even a half-baked Yin-Yang master might not be much worse than you!"
"Well, you’re quite the sharp-tongued child!" Great-Grandmother said expressionlessly. Father Miao remained silent beside them while Miao Xiaoqi couldn’t help but interject, "Great-Grandmother! Brother Bai..."
But Great-Grandmother raised her hand to stop Miao Xiaoqi from continuing. She asked Bai Zhuo, "Who is your master?"
"My master is named Ge Zhongxiang; he’s from a remote village where you probably wouldn’t know him."
"The Jiangnan Ge Clan produces loyal and virtuous individuals. If the Ge Family has taken you as a disciple, then you must not be a wicked person. I’ll take your word for it for now. Our wager still stands; however, if you can cure my child, I will give you an additional gift!"
Bai Zhuo was surprised to find that even Great-Grandmother from Yun Province knew about the renowned Ge Family Onmyoji.
He asked, "And if I cannot cure him?"
"If you cannot cure him... then it would just be my child's unfortunate fate."
Bai Zhuo thought that Great-Grandmother would still impose conditions, but to his surprise, she did not. He said seriously, "Great-Grandmother, I will do my best!"
However, before treating Miao Long, Bai Zhuo had one more thing to do. He called over Miao Xiaoqi's father and whispered something in his ear.
"Are you sure?" Father Miao asked.
"Absolutely certain."
After listening, Father Miao furrowed his thick brows and pondered for a long time before finally making a decision and walking outside.
Miao Long was tossing and turning on the bed, the whites of his eyes beginning to turn a bloody red. He then started foaming at the mouth, like a fish out of water flopping on the shore. His body began to twist unnaturally as he let out beast-like howls, his face contorted in terror and ferocity.
"Qi, go call your Sister Yangliu and Sister Shui Lian in."
Miao Xiaoqi responded and quickly went out to bring Yangliu and Ge Shui Lian back in. Yangliu glanced at Miao Long on the bed and asked, "Bai Zhuo, is there anything I can help with?"
Bai Zhuo replied, "Yangliu, I need your help this time; you’ll have to bear with it a bit. Ge Shui Lian, just lend a hand later."
Seeing Miao Long's painful state and Miao Xiaoqi's worried expression, Yangliu nodded. "Okay, I trust Bai Zhuo!"
Great-Grandmother quietly sat nearby without intervening in anything, leaving everything to Bai Zhuo. Bai Zhuo took out several sheets of yellow talisman paper and began writing on them. He then placed these talismans all over Miao Long's body. As more talismans were applied, Miao Long's strange behavior gradually diminished. Finally, when almost all the talismans were affixed to him, he calmed down and lay still on the bed.
Bai Zhuo let out a sigh of relief. "Phew—thank goodness we managed to subdue him; otherwise, we wouldn't have enough talismans left. Yangliu, come here and stand over there; put your protective charms aside for now; Ge Shui Lian, Exorcism Talisman!"
At that moment, Great-Grandmother said, "Zi, use the Exorcism Talisman together with the Exorcism Powder for greater power. Qiqi, hand it over to him."
Bai Zhuo took the Exorcism Powder and Exorcism Talisman, grabbing a handful of Exorcism Powder and placing it on top of the talisman.
"Qi, step back. Ge Shui Lian, channel your energy with me using the Exorcism Talisman!"
Miao Xiaoqi hurriedly retreated as Bai Zhuo pinched the talisman covered in Exorcism Powder with one hand and swiftly removed three Soul-Restraining Talismans from Miao Long's body with the other.
"Ah!" With a few Soul-Restraining Talismans gone, Miao Long's body instantly sprang up, dozens of talismans rustling around him. Bai Zhuo feared losing some and quickly pressed the Exorcism Talisman onto him.
"South Needle, hold steady; suppress the evil! Supreme True Lord, Urgent Command! I command you!"
Bai Zhuo and Ge Shui Lian simultaneously affixed their Exorcism Talismans onto Miao Long. Miao Long let out a terrible scream as a wisp of green smoke emerged from his body, swirling in mid-air before darting straight toward Yang Liu.
Bai Zhuo shouted angrily, "You won't succeed!" He swiftly drew a pre-prepared talisman with his right hand and formed Hand Seals to quickly cast the spell.
"All laws of heaven and earth are in my heart! Bound by this talisman, I draw a prison on the ground to trap the evil! Supreme True Lord, Urgent Command! I command you!"
Yang Liu felt a chill sweep through the room, causing her to tremble, but she did not falter because she believed in him. Great-Grandmother looked at Yang Liu with curiosity and whispered in surprise, "Hmm? This girl actually has the Nine Profound Yin Body?"
Suddenly, a flash of golden light appeared before Yang Liu as the green smoke seemed trapped within a container, colliding wildly from side to side in a panic but unable to break through that golden light.
Bai Zhuo wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and sighed in relief. "Just like that, let's change places and take them one by one. I didn't expect the spell I just learned about drawing a prison on the ground would come in handy so soon; what good luck."
In the deep of night, within Miao Mountain, the occasional howls of wolves echoed through the air. However, the attic of the Miao Family was brightly lit, a stark contrast to the usual darkness. In a shadowy corner of the village, Climbing Tiger pulled a delicate phone from his pocket and made a call.
"Hello? Is this Mr. Lin?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"Well, Mr. Lin, I followed your instructions as you advised. You said that Miao Long would undoubtedly die within two hours, but now it's already midnight, and there hasn't been any movement from the Miao Family."
There was a moment of silence on the other end before Mr. Lin asked, "What about the boy you saw in the village? I told you to deal with him; you didn't take action?"
"That's not it, Mr. Lin... It's just that the boy is too cunning, and he has a gun..."
Before Climbing Tiger could finish, he was interrupted: "You are disappointing me."
"Ah... Lin, Mr. Lin, please give me another chance! I promise I won't make another mistake!"
After another pause, Mr. Lin replied, "Alright, I'll give you one more chance. Wait until they let their guard down; follow my instructions. If it works out, our agreement will still stand!"
"Okay, okay! Mr. Lin, I won't fail again!" (To be continued.)
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