Chapter 72: A Ghost Child Arrived

Lu Zheng halted in his steps, a chill running through his heart.

Looking up, he saw standing before him an elderly Daoist, dressed simply, appearing over fifty, with gray hair and a meticulously groomed beard.

The Daoist’s face was somber, but his eyes were striking—large whites with small pupils, giving a deep, eerie impression, as he stared fixedly at Lu Zheng, making him uneasy.

"What does the Daoist master mean by this?" Lu Zheng’s eyes flickered as he softly tested the waters.

Could this man see the in-depth exchange between him and Shen Ying?

But that was days ago; even with his own senses, he couldn’t detect Shen Ying’s aura on him anymore.

Could this old Daoist be someone skilled?

Lu Zheng felt tense inside, wondering if this man, from his looks alone, might be a stubborn exorcist dedicated to vanquishing demons.

If discovered, would Shen Ying be in danger?

Seeing Lu Zheng scared, the old Daoist’s mouth curled into a mocking smile, "Young man, you’ve been entangled by a ghost."

Liu Qingyan shuffled lightly to hide behind Lu Zheng.

"Daoist master, please don’t joke. I spend my days in the county, where would I run into any ghost?"

"What a joke, ghosts wanting to harm people don’t care if you’re in the county," hearing this, the old Daoist shook his head and sighed, "Alas, ignorant mortals, even at death’s door, they remain oblivious."

Lu Zheng blinked, thinking perhaps his cultivation was lacking, wondering if it was due to that extra round last time, making this old Daoist believe Shen Ying was trying to harm him?

But afterward, he not only made amends but also boosted his cultivation through the Light of Fortune; logically, there should be no issues?

So Lu Zheng cautiously tested again, "Daoist master, you exaggerate. I’m healthy and full of vitality, how could I be at death’s door?"

"Ghosts are of Yin nature, they erode Yang Qi. You’re indeed full of vitality now, but just being entangled by a ghost for half a month is enough to make you emaciated and half-alive."

Lu Zheng swallowed, recalling scenes of entanglement with Shen Ying over half a month...

But with the old Daoist saying so, Lu Zheng instead felt relieved, as both he, a vigorous Martial Dao expert, and Shen Ying, sensible and restrained, knew to maintain control.

If that’s the case, there’s a long, joyful future ahead indeed!

Lu Zheng shook his head, "Thank you for your concern, Daoist master, but I’ve been in the county lately, not wandering about, so I believe I haven’t been targeted by a ghost; could it be a ghost passed by unintentionally, leaving a hint of ghost Qi?"

Saying so, Lu Zheng pulled Liu Qingyan and prepared to leave.

Though Lu Zheng was a bit envious of the old Daoist’s Light of Fortune and cultivation prowess, this situation made him unsure of how to approach.

Better to think it over at home.

Wonder how long this old Daoist will stay in the county?

Wonder if there will be a chance?

Seeing Lu Zheng’s cautious demeanor turn to relaxation, a trace of doubt flashed in the old Daoist’s eyes.

Did I say something wrong?

"Young man, I wasn’t scaring you. From the ghost Qi on you, this ghost wasn’t just passing by accidentally, but has been with you for quite a while; not only that, it’s likely been to your house recently!"

Oh my, he truly is skilled!

Sharing a bed, isn’t that something that happens only at home?

But the old Daoist misunderstood; it wasn’t the ghost coming to Lu Zheng’s house, but Lu Zheng going to the female ghost’s lair.

Sorry, I’m leaving!

Seeing Lu Zheng speeding up his steps, a hint of displeasure and sarcasm flashed in the old Daoist’s eyes.

"Young man, ghosts are ferocious, not something mortals can resist. I’m temporarily staying at Tonglai Inn in the west of the city. If you encounter a ghost at night, come to the inn to find me."

Lu Zheng turned and saluted, "Alright, I understand. Thank you for your concern, Daoist master!"

...

Entering the alley, the old Daoist also left their sight.

Liu Qingyan spoke timidly, "Lu Lang, that Daoist master seemed scary."

"Yes, indeed quite scary," Lu Zheng nodded.

Liu Qingyan continued, "That Daoist master exaggeratedly frightening, was he trying to scare you?"

Lu Zheng nodded, "Definitely, except for the corpse ghost incident two months ago, where else would I encounter ghosts? Besides, I’m considered a Lay Practitioner of White Cloud Temple, wouldn’t I know if I encountered a ghost?"

Liu Qingyan pursed her lips, a fleeting smile crossing them before disappearing immediately.

"Yes, indeed!"

After sending Liu Qingyan home, Lu Zheng returned to the modern era to handle various messages and then returned to the ancient times.

"Should I warn Shen Ying that an old Daoist has come to the county?"

"Would that accidentally expose Shen Ying?"

"Should I lie, claiming to have dealt with a corpse ghost, and bring the ’Taiyin Supreme Grade Soul-Washing Scripture’ to the old Daoist, trying to trade for something good?"

"No, that has too many flaws."

"Or go for the simplest approach, serve him with good food and drinks, then ask for some skills?"

This was the most suitable, but unable to resist the fact that the old man pointed out ghost Qi on Lu Zheng right away!

Once the topic swings that way, how should Lu Zheng respond?

If he doesn’t believe it, seeking skills and offering hospitality becomes inconsistent.

If he does believe, then there’s more to deal with!

Lu Zheng lay in bed, thoughts flying, considering how to maximize benefits.

At this moment, a cold presence suddenly permeated the room.

The next moment, a sinister aura appeared outside the bedroom.

"Oh my!"

Lu Zheng sat up abruptly, staring directly at the window.

This wasn’t Shen Ying’s aura!

Moreover, Shen Ying currently can only enter dreams, lacking the ability to manifest physically here.

A ghost has indeed targeted him, but it wasn’t Shen Ying?

Lu Zheng didn’t sense it; did the old Daoist notice first?

The next moment, a figure, ignoring walls as impediments, directly breached through the walls and stone, appearing in Lu Zheng’s bedroom.

The figure was only a little over three feet tall, evidently a child of five or six, dressed in blood-red shorts, with an utterly pale face, devoid of color, and entirely white eyes without pupils.

Yet with such pupil-less white eyes, Lu Zheng felt the child was staring directly at him.

In other words, engaging in a stare-down.

Lu Zheng’s gaze was grave but not overly tense.

For this ghost, though seeming scary, lacked a strong presence, far inferior to the Cyan Robe Ghost from Taohua Village.

Lu Zheng reached below the pillow, preparing to use an exorcism talisman, ready for a decisive strike if the ghost dared approach.

The next moment, that Ghost Child tilted its head at Lu Zheng, grinning eerily, made a terrifying real ghost face, then shrunk back and vanished.

Meanwhile, the coldness and Yin Qi retreated like a tide.

"Gone again? What’s the situation?"