Chapter Thirty-Three: Haunted

  As I saw the ghost fire, my heart sank. Could it be that something had happened to Xiaoxue? But as the dark fog churned, a figure jumped out of the fog. Although the light was poor and I couldn't see their face clearly, they were petite, wearing a white shirt and jeans, with what looked like a glowing watch on their wrist. As I took a closer look, it turned out to be a night-light electronic watch. I remembered that Xiaoxue had one just like it - it was the same one I had given her when we were kids. My father had bought it for me back then, and it was an expensive item worth tens of yuan. But during a trip back to our hometown, Xiaoxue had taken a liking to it and begged me to give it to her. As her older brother, I reluctantly handed it over, but it left me heartbroken for days. Even now, the memory still feels fresh - not because of the heartbreak, but because ten years have passed since then, yet Xiaoxue still treasures that night-light electronic watch as if it were a precious gem. She even said it was the only gift she had ever received in her life and that she would cherish it forever. When it broke two years ago, Xiaoxue went to great lengths to get it repaired in the county town. It's clear how much she loves that watch. Of course, just because someone is wearing a night-light electronic watch doesn't necessarily mean it's Xiaoxue - but who else would still be wearing such an old broken watch? Maybe only Xiaoxue would treasure it like that. So at that moment, I didn't think twice and instinctively called out: "Xiaoxue... is that really you?"

  However, Xiaoxue couldn't hear me. She carefully emerged from the dark fog and looked around cautiously. After making sure no one was there, she picked up a plastic basket and started collecting edible and usable items. She filled the entire basket before struggling to carry it back into the dark fog. Unfortunately, I couldn't hear her voice, or else I would have known what Xiaoxue said at that time and could have inferred some things. But one thing is certain: Xiaoxue must be under the control of a powerful ghost. However, she should not be in immediate danger. This time, Xiaoxue came out to find food, which means the ghost agreed to it, implying that the ghost didn't intend to starve Xiaoxue to death. I also recalled that Xiaoxue's package disappeared later, probably taken away by the ghost as well. The package contained spare clothes, so perhaps the ghost is not too cruel to Xiaoxue. At least there's no threat to her life; she has only temporarily lost her freedom. This thought actually allows me to feel a bit more at ease.

  Watching Xiaoxue not entering the black fog, the ghost fire was also rolled into the black fog. Then the black fog slowly dispersed, and everything returned to normal. The only thing that could be seen in the water basin was this kitchen, and there was nothing else. I reckon Xiaoxue won't come again. I was stunned and couldn't speak. Where can I go to find Xiaoxue's trail again?

  "Is it Xiaoxue?" Zhang Jianhua couldn't help but ask on the side, I just nodded silently, watching the image in the water basin slowly disappear, feeling a bit complicated, on the one hand relieved that Xiaoxue was temporarily safe, on the other hand worrying about how to find Xiaoxue, but at this time there was no clue.

  When I went out, I still felt a bit down. However, looking at the boss hastily putting on his clothes, I sighed and said: "Boss, it's nothing, but with all these wandering ghosts and wild devils causing trouble, just stick a talisman to calm the house."

  At Zhang Jianhua's request, I reluctantly drew a talisman for the boss, but whether it works or not is unknown. Anyway, nothing ventured, nothing gained, just seeking peace of mind. Besides, at that time, I really didn't have the mood to draw the talisman, even if I had the mood, it would probably be unsuccessful. After all, it was drawn according to that book of secret talismans.

  As I walked out of the restaurant, I was lost in thought. Zhang Jianhua finally couldn't help but swallow his saliva and said with a tone that was almost pleading: "Master, I want to ask you for a favor. My family's house is haunted, and I'd like to invite you over to take a look. Don't worry, my brother said it won't be a waste of your time..."

  I waved my hand to stop Zhang Jianhua from continuing, which didn't matter to me. I wasn't afraid of this matter either. Besides, Zhang Jianhua had helped me a lot, so even if I wanted to thank him, I should go with him. Moreover, it would be less troublesome for Zhang Jianhua in the future, so I just nodded: "Alright, you tell me when to go, Brother Zhang. You've helped me so much, and it's only right that I help you too. However, I still need to trouble you to find out about Xiaoxue's whereabouts..."

  "Don't worry about this, I've already discussed it with my big brother and he's arranged for his men to make inquiries all around. As soon as there's any news, we'll definitely notify you immediately." Zhang Jianhua smiled obsequiously, his face full of flattery, and from the tone of his voice, I could tell that this so-called "big brother" of his was probably some kind of underworld figure, the sort of person I would never have dealt with in the past, but now I'm not afraid.

  He drove the car straight to Zhang Jianhua's brother's house, and on the way, Zhang Jianhua also gave his brother a call. Before long, they arrived at the entrance of a high-end residential area, where his brother's home was located. However, as soon as I got here, I felt that there was a gathering of yin energy in this place, almost shrouding the entire community. Although it was daytime, I still felt a kind of chilliness, and within the community, it seemed like no one could be seen except for the security guard, even if someone was around, they were all in a hurry.

  "Zhang, something's not right here. I think your brother's house being haunted is not an isolated case. It must have something to do with the environment here. If you tell your brother to move out, he should be fine." Frowning, this neighborhood was built on a yin site, even if I don't understand feng shui, but the yin energy here is palpable, ordinary people can feel it too. Who would believe that a place like this wouldn't have ghosts? It's normal for ghosts to appear here, whether they're malevolent spirits or lonely wild ghosts, they'll all be drawn to a place like this.

  However, Zhang Jianhua did not speak, but suddenly heard a middle-aged man behind him sighing: "Master, what you said is easy, I've spent half my life, and I've only managed to get by with a set of prevention measures. Where can I go if I don't live here? Now it's not easy to make some money without getting involved in gambling or drugs, and I still have a group of brothers under me to support."

  I didn't turn back, I just closed my eyes and opened my heavenly eye, and I already saw the appearance of the person behind me. A stout middle-aged man with dragon and phoenix tattoos on his body, one look and you can tell he's not a good person. This face full of pockmarks made me unwilling to bother with him. I just hummed a sound and walked quickly towards the residential area: "Then let's go take a look, since everyone has come, it can't be a wasted trip."

  The middle-aged man was stunned, then looked at Zhang Jianhua and led the young woman beside him to come towards me. Perhaps it was because of this big brother that those security guards didn't ask a single question. I didn't put away my Heavenly Eye, still opening it as I followed Zhang Jianhua's guidance towards Big Brother's home. However, under the Heavenly Eye, I discovered that once we entered the neighborhood, the dense yin energy made me feel somewhat unexpected. Even in broad daylight, I felt the yin energy was eerie and gloomy. Adding to that, there were tall trees planted in the neighborhood, including some cypresses, making it feel like the scorching sun wasn't present at all. I let out a sound: "I think this place doesn't seem like a residential area, but rather more like a martyr's cemetery."

  Who would have thought that as soon as the words fell, the big brother on the side stretched out his thumb and smiled at me: "A great man is a great man, just by looking here I can tell that this was an abandoned martyr's cemetery in the past, much better than those people I found..."

  I didn't say a word, my face twitched, what kind of person is this? It's clear that this big brother has quite some guts, but I really don't want to say anything. You have the nerve to fight with the living and the dead for space, if you can still not stir up trouble then that would be strange. Even if I don't understand Feng Shui, I still understand such obvious logic.

  As I walked, I suddenly stopped. At this moment, my feet were exactly where the yin energy was strongest in the entire neighborhood. Under the heavenly eye, I could even see a black air rising into the sky. This place happened to be a small pond, which was also the viewing pond built by the developer. When I looked down at the water with my heavenly eye, I couldn't see too deep before being blocked by the black air. A mass of black air swirled in the water, looking like a substance. I couldn't help but swallow and feel a little nervous.

  Water itself is a substance that gathers Yin, and among the five elements, water is the most abundant in Yin energy. If there's a pool of water in a Yin location, then the most Yin place must be the pool. The Heavenly Eye can't see through more than half a meter below, I dare to confirm that this underground is not somewhere I can touch. Even if I'm brave, I wouldn't be reckless enough to do something stupid. After hesitating for a while, I didn't dare do anything and just closed my Heavenly Eye, focusing on observing the pool. The water surface looked black but very clear, and the water quality seemed excellent, only emitting a deadly chill. After a long time, it felt cold even with the naked eye, and you could see the dark depths half a meter below, without knowing how deep it was. Closing my Heavenly Eye again to look, the entire neighborhood seemed somewhat dim, with a feeling of dead energy sinking heavily.

  "Hey, old man, why don't you come to my house for a visit? What are you doing here by the pond?" The big brother finally couldn't bear it and interrupted my random thoughts.

  I glanced at the big brother, I didn't say a word, not pretending to be profound, to be honest, I was also unwilling to provoke this kind of social vagrant in my heart, so at that time, I just nodded and followed Zhang Jianhua's lead towards Building 5. The building is not far from the pool, it's the shortest one in the entire neighborhood, by the way, this neighborhood is not a high-rise, on the contrary, most are six-story buildings, but big brother's building only has five floors, the whole neighborhood is surrounded by six-story buildings, except for a few inside which are five-story, if you think about it, it looks like a funnel.

  I didn't want to say anything, but I can be sure that this building is closest to the pool and has the most yin energy, it must be the most haunted one. Looking up at the top floor, hesitating for a moment, I asked my brother: "Is this the most haunted building here?"

  The older brother was stunned, subconsciously nodded, and immediately a look of distress appeared on his face. He spat out: "At first, I thought this building was in the center, it's five floors high, anyway, I don't like high-rise buildings, so I bought one here. Who knew that my building would be the most haunted, and also these few buildings. The ones outside are almost fine now, but the middle ones have no one dare to live in them. Everyone has found many masters, but it seems like none of them can do anything."

  It's indeed the case, and not far from what I had guessed. This feng shui business is not just nonsense after all. The master is quite skilled in this art. As for me, I shook my head: "This isn't something I can help with. How about we ask my master to come instead?"