Chapter Twenty-Nine: So, Shall I Leave?

Smack!

The carpet abruptly flew up from the floor and landed squarely against Fang Yi’s face.

Startled out of his wits, Fang Yi jerked backward, seemingly catching his heel on the threshold behind him, and landed hard on his rear.

“Ah! Ah! Don’t come any closer! Don’t come any closer!” he shrieked, sprawled on the ground, panic written all over his face.

Yet, after his outburst, nothing further happened. Only Shen Chang’an stood there, watching him impassively, which made Fang Yi feel rather awkward.

“Heh, sorry to make you laugh, Mr. Shen. The wind on the ninth floor is just a bit too strong. You’ll want to remember to keep the doors and windows shut,” Fang Yi offered with a forced chuckle.

Shen Chang’an glanced around inside but saw no open windows. Unsure how to respond, he could only nod expressionlessly.

“Um, Mr. Shen, why don’t you take a look yourself? I’ll just wait out here,” Fang Yi stammered, clearly terrified. If the carpet could fly at him, who knew if the kitchen knives would be next?

Shen Chang’an smiled and said, “Mr. Fang, aren’t you going to show me around yourself? If anything goes wrong, how will you explain it?”

Shen Chang’an was worried that, as he looked around, some of the restless spirits might smash a few cups or jars. If Fang Yi tried to make him pay, he wouldn’t be able to afford even a penny.

“This… well… all right,” Fang Yi relented, worried that if something really happened to Shen Chang’an, he wouldn’t be able to explain it away alone. He could only follow inside, praying that the spirits within would behave themselves.

This apartment truly lived up to its reputation as a luxury residence. Upon entering, Shen Chang’an immediately felt the spaciousness and light.

As a country bumpkin, he couldn’t tell what rare materials the furniture was made from, nor could he discern what famous artist’s brush had created the paintings on the walls. He simply thought the place was grand, with a unique aesthetic everywhere. What man doesn’t like things big and beautiful?

He was especially fond of the floor-to-ceiling windows, which offered a sweeping view of the distant landscape, as if the whole world was laid out before him.

If only there weren’t half a ghost clinging to the glass, it would be even lovelier.

Shen Chang’an pursed his lips. The apartment was certainly large, but having seven or eight ghosts crammed together was a bit much!

He hadn’t even known whether to step aside for the severed head lying on the floor when he came in.

Apparently, the headless ghost’s companions had plucked off its head just to play with it!

Shen Chang’an regretted activating his spiritual sight. A once spotless apartment was now a gory spectacle in his eyes.

Blood flowed from mutilated ghosts, and wherever the severed head was rolled, it left a trail of crimson. There was even a female ghost who’d apparently jumped to her death—good lord, her body was twisted into such an unnatural shape that, even with all his experience, Shen Chang’an felt his stomach turn.

Still, the most sinister sight was a massive ghost, towering three or five times the height of a man, its head nearly brushing the ceiling as it sat motionless in a corner. The thing was grotesquely swollen, and Shen Chang’an couldn’t even guess how it had died—perhaps it had been dumped in water after death and bloated up?

Worse still, the ghost’s body was riddled with wounds, oozing pus and blood, making Shen Chang’an’s head buzz. He wanted nothing more than to send all these spirits packing.

“Calm down, calm down. I’ll recite a scripture for them soon enough and send them all on their way. Master always said: ghosts who haven’t done evil must not be slain…”

As he was thinking this, the ghost of the woman who’d jumped crawled over and started making a series of showy gestures right in his face.

At first, Shen Chang’an managed to endure it, but when the ghost tried to pull at his trousers, he’d had enough. Channeling his spiritual strength, he swung a fist straight into the ghost’s face!

The ghost immediately clutched her face in shock, cowering aside. In all her years as a ghost, no one had ever dared hit her!

The other ghosts were equally taken aback, shrinking toward the hulking giant in the corner. A dozen pairs of eyes locked onto Shen Chang’an, wary and confused. Unlike Shen Chang’an, who was a seasoned exorcist, this was the first time any of them had encountered someone who could interact with ghosts, especially in a world so devoid of spiritual energy.

Ignoring them, Shen Chang’an turned to Fang Yi, who was still mopping sweat from his brow. “Mr. Fang, I think the apartment is rather nice.”

Fang Yi forced a grin. “You have a good eye, Mr. Shen. I hired a top designer for this place. There’s nothing wrong with it, as you can see.”

Shen Chang’an nodded, then abruptly changed the subject. “However, I do think the price is a bit steep.”

Fang Yi’s smile froze. Everyone else thought a thousand yuan a month was a steal for this place. This was the first time anyone had complained the rent was too high.

“Ah, surely you’re joking, Mr. Shen. My apartment is the cheapest in the building. You wouldn’t find a place like this for a thousand yuan anywhere else.”

Much as Fang Yi wished he could pay someone to take the place, he knew he couldn’t make it that obvious, so he didn’t immediately agree.

Shen Chang’an smiled faintly and said, “Is that so? Mr. Fang, do you really think anyone but me would rent your apartment?”

Fang Yi’s heart skipped a beat. For some reason, the young man before him suddenly seemed a bit sinister.

“Mr. Shen, you must be joking. There are plenty of people who’d love to live here, really…” Fang Yi stammered, dabbing at his sweaty brow with a tissue.

“I’ll only pay five hundred yuan,” Shen Chang’an stated.

Fang Yi’s face twitched. He was about to protest when Shen Chang’an continued, “And you’ll cover all the utilities, internet, and property fees.”

At this, Fang Yi couldn’t hold back any longer and snapped, “Mr. Shen, are you toying with me?”

“Are you refusing, Mr. Fang?” Shen Chang’an asked quietly.

Fang Yi hesitated. For some reason, he had a strong feeling he absolutely shouldn’t refuse this young man.

“Nonsense! I’m already offering it at a thousand yuan—a rock-bottom price. And you want to pay only five hundred? Plus have me cover the utilities? Are you joking?”

Shen Chang’an just chuckled, said nothing more, and strode straight to the door. “Then I’ll be leaving, Mr. Fang.”

Fang Yi was stunned, not reacting in time as Shen Chang’an pulled the door shut behind him.

Moments later, a loud crash echoed from inside, followed by Fang Yi’s anguished screams.

“Mr. Shen! Help! Help!”

Before leaving, Shen Chang’an had made sure to rough up the ghosts in the apartment. They weren’t sure what to make of him, but they knew Fang Yi all too well.

In their eyes, Shen Chang’an had been brought in by Fang Yi, so Fang Yi must be complicit. They didn’t dare mess with Shen Chang’an, but Fang Yi—he was theirs to torment as they pleased.