Chapter 74: Asking the Elder Daoist to Capture Ghosts

Chasing out of the window, even with the Qi-Seeking Talisman faintly guiding, Lu Zheng looked up at the roof but saw nothing.

"Hmm?"

Lu Zheng was taken aback, then immediately channeled True Qi to his eyes, and suddenly his vision cleared, seeing that the Ghost Child had already floated lightly onto the roof, riding the night wind and drifting away.

"This ghost can make itself invisible, making it unseen by ordinary people."

Lu Zheng understood in his heart, and then immediately jumped onto the roof, following from a distance.

Yesterday and today, this Ghost Child came twice, but both times it merely showed its true form and then retreated. The key point is, the Peace Talisman on Lu Zheng did not react!

Is it really no malicious intent from the opponent, or is the cultivation too high to be detected?

Moreover, although the aura of this Ghost Child is clearly not as strong as that of the Cyan Robe Ghost, it always retreats early whenever Lu Zheng prepares twice.

This arouses Lu Zheng’s suspicion again— Is the Ghost Child truly intending to leave, or did it sense Lu Zheng’s mind and thus retreat early?

If it’s the latter, then the strength of the Ghost Child cannot be judged by the strength of its aura.

So, although Lu Zheng felt uneasy, he still chanted and worked spells to use the Qi-Seeking Talisman to gather the opponent’s aura and closely followed.

If a battle really erupts in the city, then having a clear location won’t destroy home and can quickly attract the attention of the City God Temple.

But...

This time the Ghost Child didn’t head north of the city but turned towards the south.

"Hmm, it changed direction, what’s going on?"

A moment later, with Lu Zheng following the Ghost Child at a near yet safe distance, it seemed the other hadn’t noticed him either.

This situation does not seem like it has profound cultivation.

The more Lu Zheng followed, the weirder it felt. After passing through a few small alleys in the south of the city, the two passed through South Street and then into the west of the city...

"In the west of the city... could it be?"

Lu Zheng’s face twitched and then saw the Ghost Child silently float into a third-floor window of a building next to the street.

Lu Zheng approached the building, looked calmly through the street by the light of a lantern, and saw a banner standing at the entrance of the building.

Tonglai Inn!

"Damn it..."

Lu Zheng rolled his eyes and smacked his forehead hard.

Thinking of the old Daoist’s words, thinking about the timing of the Ghost Child’s appearances, thinking about the Ghost Child’s aura.

"So, I’m just a fool, huh!"

"But, if you want to return to the west of the city, just return. What’s with the loop? Making me suspicious all day long! You’re really no better than an unfilial son!"

Lu Zheng took a deep breath, then rose like a cat, leaping across the street to land silently in front of Tonglai Inn.

Moving stealthily like a lynx up the wall, he quickly reached the window from before.

Feeling that the Spiritual Qi of the Conceal Breath Talisman on him was sufficient, Lu Zheng licked his finger, then placed it at the lower left corner of the window, opening a small hole silently.

The next instant, the Qi-Seeking Talisman on Lu Zheng’s hand lightly shook, and his sensing of the Ghost Child disappeared again.

Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, squinted his eyes for a closer look.

Inside the room, an oil lamp stood lonely on the desk. In the dim light, the appearance of the old Daoist seemed even more sullen.

At this moment, the old Daoist was wiping a brass bell by the oil lamp, and under Lu Zheng’s sensing, the ghost aura attached to the surface of the brass bell was rapidly dissipating, inwardly disappearing completely after a few breaths.

"A Dharma Artifact?"

This old Daoist actually possesses a Dharma Artifact for nurturing and controlling ghosts.

This implies that this old Daoist might have a manual on refining Dharma Artifacts or nurturing and controlling ghosts.

Therefore...

Even though you played me around, but this reward is decent.

Lu Zheng nodded, a small smile on his face, "Daoist, I was just wondering how to approach you, and now, you’re making it really difficult for me..."

Breaking through the pressure from the appearance and aura that suppressed Lu Zheng, the Daoist can only support such a weak ghost, yet still chooses this way to spook Lu Zheng, seeking Lu Zheng to approach him...

Then even if he’s accomplished in Qi Refining, he probably isn’t too powerful, and considering his cultivation of Daoist True Qi, he’s unlikely to withstand my Martial Dao Blood Qi.

"Want me to find you? Fine, fine, then I shall come find you."

...

Lu Zheng did not directly break through the window to enter.

There were many people inside Tonglai Inn, and since it’s in the bustling west of the city, one careless act could cause a big commotion. It’s better to engage quietly at his own place.

At this moment, for the sake of his spoils of war, Lu Zheng didn’t want to make a big scene.

...

The next day, Lu Zheng informed Liu Qingyan of an errand, pausing his studies for a day, and then made his way to Tonglai Inn.

As soon as he entered, Lu Zheng saw the old Daoist leisurely sipping porridge in the inn’s lobby.

Swallowing a mouthful of saliva, Lu Zheng showed a tense expression, waved at the inn clerk, and directly sat next to the old Daoist, lowering his brow and head, nervously leaning over, and pleading in a low voice, "Daoist Master, save me!"

In a barely noticeable motion, the old Daoist’s eye slightly twitched, but his voice remained low, hoarse, and calmly composed, "Oh, did you see it?"

"I saw it, I saw it! It was a ghost child with a ghastly pale face, eyes rolled back, and a mouth that could stretch to the ears, too terrifying!" Lu Zheng tremblingly said, "How did such a ghost find me!"

"I don’t know, maybe it just brushed past you accidentally and got fixated on you." the old Daoist said blandly.

Seems he’s holding a grudge.

"I was wrong; I didn’t recognize a master when I saw one. Please, Daoist Master, save me!"

Seeing the old Daoist about to string him along, Lu Zheng turned his eyes slightly, continuing, "If you don’t help, the ghost might take my life tonight!

This ghost is so terrifying, I fear that even the Daoists from White Cloud Temple in the east might not be its match! Please, Daoist Master, save me!"

The old Daoist paused his chopsticks mid-air, then gently sent a bite of pickles into his mouth, drinking another sip of thin porridge.

"Fine, given you’ve admitted your mistake and show such sincerity, this old Daoist will take a trip with you to see if I can capture this ghost."

"Yes, yes, yes! My home has an empty guest room available for Daoist Master to reside in!"

...

Thus, the old Daoist checked out of the inn, carrying a small bundle, and under Lu Zheng’s guidance, arrived at Lu Zheng’s home in Tongyi Lane.

Forewarned by Lu Zheng, Uncle Li and Aunt Liu made sure not to blurt out anything they shouldn’t, only diligently attending to the old Daoist.

Lu Zheng respectfully invited the old Daoist into the backyard, then eagerly asked, "I wonder how Master will capture the ghost?"

The old Daoist roamed around the backyard, pinching seals and chanting under his breath all the while.

Moments later.

"Though this ghost is formidable, it’s no match for me. Come nightfall, I can capture it."

"Master is impressive!"

"However, there’s something we must discuss upfront."

"Master, please speak!"

"This ghost is not weak. Should I catch it, I’ll have to use a Purple Gold Bell, consuming some Essence of Gold Qi." the old Daoist eyed Lu Zheng, "You need to compensate me for that Essence of Gold Qi."

"No problem, no problem, how should I compensate?"

"Essence of Gold Qi is refined from gold, and this batch requires three taels of gold."

"Please wait a moment, Master!"

Soon, Lu Zheng brought thirty thousand coins worth of treasure notes, personally handing them to the old Daoist.

The old Daoist skillfully stashed away the treasure notes.

The two exchanged a glance...

Lu Zheng with a flattering face, full of anticipation; the old Daoist stroked his beard calmly and regally.