Although Nan Zhi had spoken with such confidence, she didn't actually know how to help Chen Ping leave the seventeenth floor.
Fortunately, she was a woman with a cheat.
That night, Nan Zhi did something unprecedented: she gave up her cultivation session and logged into the game to head toward the City God Temple.
The City God Temple at night was even more eerie, shrouded in pitch black darkness. Owls occasionally flitted past, letting out sharp, strange screams.
Nan Zhi swore that if the screen hadn't been filled with little green dots representing friendliness, she would never have stepped a single foot inside.
The wind rattled the door panels, and the window frames shook.
Before she could even reach the main hall, a mud ghost discovered Nan Zhi’s presence.
“It’s the eldest daughter of the Nan butcher family!”
A hanging ghost, whose long tongue dangled to the ground, greeted her in a low voice. A hint of joy flickered across her pale, greyish face.
“You’ve come to see us again? I smell the fragrance of candles and paper money.”
“It’s Wanniang!”
Nan Zhi was in high spirits upon seeing a familiar ghost and got straight to the point.
“To be honest, I’ve come this time because I have an urgent matter to ask of you all.”
Nan Zhi showed the other ghost the basket she was carrying and said with a smile:
“I have candles and paper money from the Liu family coffin shop in the west of the city, wine marinated pig head meat from Widow Wang’s place, meat buns and brown sugar steamed cakes from the Wu family, and a whole block of tofu ground by Lady Qiao.”
When asking for a favor, one couldn't come empty handed. “Are the Big Bellied Ghost and the others around?”
“Why bother with those stinking men? If you’re in trouble, just tell me. There’s no need to pay them any mind.”
Wanniang floated over, her ice cold arm resting on Nan Zhi’s shoulder as if they were intimate lovers.
She tilted Nan Zhi’s chin up with a finger and gave a giggling laugh, whispering:
“Though we have all received the grace of the City God and stayed in the mortal realm by special decree, the paths of the living and the dead are different after all.
Haven't you heard the saying? Ghostly talk is full of lies. Ghosts are cunning by nature and love to deceive.
Even if someone was a great philanthropist who blessed the whole neighborhood while alive, once they become a ghost, you should only believe half of what they say.”
“Oh.”
Nan Zhi nodded very seriously and joked, “What about Wanniang’s words then? Should I only believe half of them too?”
“Hehe, Sister Zhi is truly adorable. It makes me want to hang you from the rafters so you can keep me company forever.”
Wanniang started laughing again, appearing completely different from the timid and shy person she had been during their first meeting.
“Tell me, what is the matter? Though I haven't been a ghost as long as the Big Bellied Ghost and the others, I still know a fair bit about the happenings within Dingyuan County.”
Wanniang was very beautiful, with a pointed chin, fox eyes, and cherry lips. If not for that unsightly long tongue, she would certainly be a peerless beauty.
“I have a friend who worked for a master... for an employer when he was alive. Later, he fell to his death and became a ghost.
The employer was afraid of taking responsibility, so they lied to his family and said he committed suicide.
Now, my friend has turned into a vengeful ghost, but for some reason, he is trapped in place and cannot leave for the longest time.”
Nan Zhi briefly recounted Chen Ping’s story, omitting many details.
“Now he only wants justice, so I’ve come to ask if there is any way to let him leave on his own.”
“It is common enough for a wealthy family to beat a servant or a maid to death.
Your friend actually has such deep resentment that he turned directly into a vengeful ghost?”
Wanniang’s beautiful eyes widened slightly. After a moment of thought, she said:
“Your friend left behind a widow and an orphan. I fear they will be bullied in the future.
It sounds quite pitiful. As for a method, there naturally is one.”
Nan Zhi listened intently, her eyes fixed on Wanniang without blinking.
“Pfft.”
Seeing her like this, Wanniang couldn't help but burst into a muffled laugh.
“Ghosts cannot stay in the world of the living for long. Firstly, there are soul reapers and true gods monitoring day and night.
If a ghost stays in the mortal realm without cause, they will either be arrested by soul reapers or their soul will dissipate over time.
Secondly, ghosts who have been dead for only a year or two don't have enough cultivation. Their souls are hazy and they cannot recognize the way.
Without someone to lead them, they naturally cannot leave that area.
You simply need to find a living person to scatter yellow paper and light incense and candles along the path, and then use a yellow chicken to lead the way. The soul will naturally find the path out and leave.”
“It’s that simple? I’ve got it.”
Nan Zhi nodded, memorizing everything Wanniang said.
“I’ll go back and try it. If it works, I’ll definitely have my friend’s family buy more incense, candles, and paper money to burn for you.”
“My method will certainly work.”
Wanniang stared at Nan Zhi meaningfully and said with a smile, “However, I don't want any incense or paper money. I only want you to do something for me in the future.”
【Cultivator Choice (No reloading, please choose carefully):】
【A. Ghosts are cunning. As a practitioner of the Way, I cannot associate with them. Refuse flatly.】
【B. There seems to be something suspicious about Wanniang’s death. Better to agree for now and see what she wants.】
Another critical choice had appeared!
Nan Zhi, who was well versed in game tropes, guessed that the choice she made would likely directly affect the main plot later on.
Thinking of this, she didn't hesitate to choose to agree first.
“Of course. Wanniang treats me as a friend, and I view Wanniang like an older sister.”
Nan Zhi agreed with a smile, adding playfully:
“As long as it isn't something wicked or involves harming innocent lives, I am naturally willing to help.”
“Is Sister Zhi telling the truth?”
Wanniang was overjoyed, and her ghostly aura grew even deeper. Fearing that Nan Zhi might regret it, she said repeatedly:
“Cultivators value karma above all else. Since you have agreed today, you cannot back out in the future.”
【Wanniang’s favorability increased by one heart. Current favorability: Three hearts】
【You have gained the friendship of a vengeful ghost. Achievement “Friend of Ghosts” (2) unlocked. You received Heavenly Treasure Tree Lottery Ticket ×2】
【Long Term Mission: Wanniang Has a Grievance】
【Mission Description: Thirty years ago, Qu Wan was the best brewer in Dingyuan County. The fine wine she brewed could make princes dismount their horses and immortals stop in their tracks.
But she met the wrong person. The Qu family was framed because of their wine and fell into ruin overnight. Qu Wan ended up being hanged to death.】
A new mission!
And it was a long term mission!
Although no rewards were mentioned, there would certainly be plenty.
Nan Zhi secretly clenched her fist.
That was close. She had almost missed it just now.
She didn't even need to think about it; if she had refused Wanniang just now, she naturally wouldn't have triggered this long term mission.
If she hadn't used the Wish Mission Scroll, she wouldn't have received the mission in reality.
If she hadn't agreed to Chen Ping’s request, she wouldn't have come to the City God Temple in the middle of the night, and she certainly wouldn't have met Wanniang to accept the new mission.
This game was truly interconnected, one ring after another.
But for now, the most important thing was to complete Chen Ping’s mission first.
Yellow paper, ingots, and candles were easy enough to buy, but as for the yellow chicken...
Did she really have to go to the wet market?
Wait.
Nan Zhi’s gaze fell on the tablet, and she suddenly had an idea.
Rate on N.U.
