Chapter Fifty-Six: The Prelude to Feng Shui Reading

The long night stretched endlessly. On the old schoolyard, only sixteen unconscious ninjas remained, along with Jiang Luyu himself. Just as Han Jie passed through the wall, sixteen streams of blue light struck the ninjas, instantly awakening them from their slumber. Under Jiang Luyu’s lead, the sixteen ninjas dusted off their clothes and employed the common ninja technique known as “Concealment,” vanishing from the world altogether.

Now, I was the only one left on the playground. I walked over to the wall where Han Jie had disappeared, patted its surface, and marveled, “Goodness, there really is such a thing as walking through walls!” I looked up at the two-meter-high barrier and thought to myself, “What an opportunity!” Using a nearby tree for support, I flipped over and leapt out, all without using any supernatural abilities. Yet, to my annoyance, there was a dry well outside—a detail I had failed to notice while jumping. My luck had it that I landed precisely inside it. The frustration was unbearable.

Fortunately, I was no ordinary person. Channeling my powers into my feet, I leapt out of the well in a single bound. Though the academy was situated in the city center, this wasteland was covered with grass and reeds taller than a person. I’d heard the land belonged to the academy, but for some reason, they had never expanded into this area. It had become a neglected field, with only a small section developed nearby. That place, haunted by Liu Jing’s ghost, had also turned into a deserted patch.

Gazing at the vast grasslands and reed clusters, I felt as though I were standing on a wetland. Yet, as I stepped onto it, the ground was surprisingly solid. I had seen Han Jie walk through that wall with my own eyes, but where he’d gone, I still searched.

It wasn’t until dawn’s first light that I discovered, hidden among the weeds, a dilapidated miniature temple built in imitation of a house. Two dust-covered idols sat inside, and only the four broken characters above the tiny door told me this was the Great Earth Temple. Otherwise, I would have taken it for a heap of abandoned bricks.

This wasn’t the time to take the idols away, for morning was fast approaching and I needed to hurry back to bed. If the twin tigers caught me, I’d be doomed. I quickly climbed back over the wall and ran to the dormitory. Thankfully, I evaded the twin tigers and, with a sense of relief, lay down on my bed. Soon, the booming voice of the tigress administrator echoed through the corridor: “Everyone up and report to the classroom! If you’re the last one to rise, don’t let me catch you, or you’ll be finished!” Of course, I’d heard this threat many times before.

We scrambled to dress, fearful of falling into the couple’s hands. Luckily, those in our dormitory moved swiftly and escaped the Dragon’s Den, though less fortunate souls were trapped behind the iron doors, their wails filling the air.

Truth be told, they weren’t truly cruel. They were strict for our own good. If it were anyone else, they wouldn’t bother with us. Despite calling them the Twin Tigers behind their backs, we did hold some affection for them. Nearly every graduate from the academy would visit their home after leaving, something we new seniors could never understand or appreciate.

The senior year was grueling. Since becoming a demon corpse, my memory had improved, but I dared not neglect my studies. The others in my dorm weren’t as diligent; if they failed, the school would force them to withdraw. Only Er Peng was carefree—his father had arranged a government job for him. Even if Er Peng never entered officialdom, his family’s wealth would ensure he lived comfortably for the rest of his life.

After checking in at the classroom, I slipped past the teaching building and returned to the old playground. Once again, I leapt out from the same spot as yesterday, but this time, learning from my previous mistake, I landed slowly and avoided the cursed well.

I crept up to the shabby Earth Temple, took out the two idols, and cleaned them with my hands. A pair of bright, lively Earth God and Earth Goddess figures emerged. Placing them on the ground, I dusted my hands and addressed the idols: “Earth God, you shouldn’t live here anymore. This place is so dilapidated. I’ll move you somewhere more distinguished.” No sooner had I spoken than the temple collapsed with a crash, startling me.

Luckily, this seemed to indicate Han Jie had long disliked the rundown shrine. I chuckled, grabbed the Earth God and Earth Goddess, and climbed back into the academy.

With the matter settled, I packed the idols in my backpack and headed straight for Uncle Mao’s place in the suburbs. Upon arrival, I took the idols out and placed them in the main room of Uncle Mao’s house, then pulled him aside to explain everything. Uncle Mao’s mouth hung open in astonishment.

Ghosts are easy to encounter; deities are rare. It was clearly the first time Uncle Mao had heard of such an incredible event.

I didn’t see Tong Xuan or Wang Sheng there—Uncle Mao said Tong Xuan had dragged Wang Sheng out shopping and wouldn’t be back until late. The little girl seemed to have fully integrated into the family, and I couldn’t help but smile—Wang Sheng was in for a stroke of luck.

As I mused over these things, Uncle Mao gave me a knock on the head and said sternly, “Don’t let your imagination run wild, kid. I just sent them to buy supplies. Tomorrow someone wants us to move their ancestor’s grave.” He glanced at the Earth God and Earth Goddess on the table.

Though they were mere idols, my demon corpse eyes were not to be underestimated. I pretended not to notice. The Earth Goddess wore a gold silk dress of indeterminate era, her youthful face a feast for the eyes. I couldn’t help but think, “The Earth God is truly blessed to have married such a beauty.”

Han Jie, the Earth God, also wore a gold silk robe, which they had likely worn for ages. I saw Han Jie’s eyes darting around, and he shouted to the Earth Goddess, “Honey, what’s this kid brought us here for?”

No sooner had Han Jie spoken than the Earth Goddess extended a delicate hand from the idol and pinched his ear, scolding, “Quiet! I sense this place is filled with the aura of talismans—it must be the home of a spiritual master. Let’s observe first.” With that, she withdrew her hand.

I shook my head with a wry smile, thinking, “So the Earth God is henpecked and fears his wife. After being reprimanded, he dared not utter another word, despite being the guardian of the entire province.”

As I fantasized, Uncle Mao’s phone rang. A middle-aged voice spoke on the other end. Uncle Mao listened, nodding repeatedly, and when the call ended, his face lit up in a broad smile. He exclaimed, “Wonderful!”

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