Chapter Thirty-Two: Give It a Try, Shall We?

In the world within the book, when a person dies, their soul departs from the body and is sent into the cycle of reincarnation. Some wandering spirits, unable to find the road to the Underworld, are guided by ghost messengers. Those who linger and refuse to leave evade these messengers, quietly remaining in the mortal realm until they are either sent away by people or discovered and escorted by the messengers.

Afterward, they enter hell to cleanse their sins and re-enter the cycle of rebirth.

Shen Chang’an had learned all this from the old Taoist, and though it was hard to distinguish truth from tale, after he had performed a successful ritual to release Little Fei’s soul, he largely believed it. Yet now, returning to the mortal world, these ghosts claimed there was no reincarnation?

For a moment, Shen Chang’an was bewildered. If there truly was no reincarnation, where had he sent Little Fei? He pondered this, looked at the gathered spirits, and began to recite, “Honored ones of the ten directions, countless as grains of sand, manifesting across realms, universally delivering all beings…”

The ghosts stared at Shen Chang’an in confusion, unsure what he was doing. After a while, nothing happened.

Now Shen Chang’an was utterly at a loss, and after a long contemplation, he gained some clarity.

“So this is what they mean by no reincarnation? Even after performing the rite, there’s no response… Or is it that the spiritual energy is now too thin, making it difficult for ghosts to take form, and the Underworld has faded away…”

He thought for a long time but could reach no conclusion. If he possessed the power to traverse the spirit realm, he could go down to the Underworld and see for himself. For now, all he could do was make wild guesses.

“No point in dwelling on it…” Shen Chang’an rubbed his nose and, after a moment, said, “Alright, since none of you can enter reincarnation, you may stay here for now. But this house is rented by me, so I make the rules. You don’t object, do you?”

“No, no, none at all.”

“Brother Shen, you set the rules, we’re all clear on them.”

Shen Chang’an pursed his lips and shook his head. “First, change that address; calling me ‘Master’ is ridiculous, I’m only in my twenties.”

“So… what should we call you?”

“Call me Shen, or Chang’an, whatever you like—just don’t call me ‘Master.’”

Qin, the eldest, nodded quickly and called out, “Brother Shen!”

Shen Chang’an’s mouth twitched. “Really, Qin, you’re so much older—calling me ‘Brother’ doesn’t seem right.”

“How about… Brother Chang’an?”

Shen Chang’an rolled his eyes, no longer inclined to argue with these ghosts. “Fine, as you wish. Let’s leave the naming aside. You’re staying here, and I have only two rules: First, don’t show me your death forms—they’re disgusting. Second, you are not allowed in my room. Understood?”

“Where am I supposed to sleep, then?” Little Fen hurriedly asked.

Shen Chang’an’s eye twitched. So the master bedroom was where you used to rest?

“Sleep wherever you like! Ghosts needing sleep—are you joking with me?”

He quickly sent the ghosts away; if he continued talking, he felt he’d go mad. One wanted to sleep, another wanted food, and yet another claimed they’d like to watch TV—did they really take him for their caretaker?

Still, he was cautious, tossing all the warding talismans he’d collected into his room. If any dared to trespass, so be it. Though his room held no secrets, these ghosts could pass through walls, and he didn’t want them crowding around while he watched videos at night.

After sorting everything, Shen Chang’an lingered a bit. Darkness soon fell, and Chen Mengchen arrived right on time, ringing the doorbell.

Just as Shen Chang’an was about to open the door, he remembered something and called out, “Oh, and don’t go causing trouble in 902. If I find out any of you are visiting, I’ll deal with you all, no exceptions.”

He waved a ghost-slaying talisman in his hand, making the ghosts shudder in terror. They nodded urgently.

Shen Chang’an, possessing spiritual power, was not worried about the ghosts draining any of his energy. But Chen Mengchen was just an ordinary person; letting her interact with these creatures would quickly sap her vitality, possibly leading to serious consequences.

Seeing the ghosts subdued, Shen Chang’an opened the door.

“Mr. Shen, who were you talking to?”

Chen Mengchen regarded him curiously, having clearly heard his voice moments before.

“Nothing, just talking to a classmate on the phone.”

“Oh? Male or female?”

“It’s…” Shen Chang’an paused, suddenly recalling that it was a classmate’s recommendation that had led him to rent in this high-end complex. He had been so focused on dealing with Fang Yi, he’d forgotten who had suggested he seek out Fang Yi.

“That person… surely not…”

Shen Chang’an hesitated. Before, he wouldn’t have been so suspicious, but after all he’d been through, he was full of doubts.

He had nearly been eaten by a spider demon, then almost harmed by an officer of the Demon Purification Bureau—after such ordeals, he couldn’t help but be wary.

“Mr. Shen?” Chen Mengchen leaned in, her eyes fixed on him. “Mr. Shen, what’s wrong?”

Shen Chang’an snapped back to himself, met her gaze, and spoke softly, “Mengchen, there’s something I’d like to ask of you.”

Chen Mengchen’s cheeks flushed. Though reason told her not to agree so easily, she couldn’t help it—Shen Chang’an was just too handsome! How could she refuse?

Especially when he called her by name—without thinking, she nodded.

“Alright.”

Shen Chang’an smiled gently. “Then I’d like you to look into someone for me. I want to know something about him.”

“Investigate someone? Is it a man or a woman?” Chen Mengchen asked instinctively.

“My classmate, of course—a man.”

“Oh, a man… wait, are you…?” Chen Mengchen’s eyes widened, staring at Shen Chang’an in disbelief.

Shen Chang’an’s mouth twitched, then he leaned close and whispered in her ear, “If you’d like, you can find out for yourself whether I am or not.”