Creak.
The door opened, and a peculiar, burnt stench wafted out.
The pest control expert took a step back and began putting on a gas mask.
On the other side, the transcendent scholar also retreated. After a careful observation, he spoke.
“I don't sense any residual transcendent power on them. This might be because the transcendent items they came into contact with were too weak.”
“In my opinion, they were likely catalyzed by something.”
Hearing this, the members of the Qi family exchanged glances.
“You mean to say this was intentional?”
The middle-aged man frowned at the transcendent scholar. It wasn't surprising he thought that way; after all, his family's stone lions had just been smashed not long ago.
However, the transcendent scholar shook his head.
“Not necessarily. They might have just stumbled upon some kind of transcendent item and were exposed to its radiation.”
“As you know, transcendent items often have negative side effects. These pests might have been affected by those side effects.”
The eyes of several people lit up at those words.
As transcendents, who could resist the temptation of a transcendent item?
Especially one whose side effects alone were this potent!
Only the middle-aged man frowned and shook his head.
“Impossible. This is the Qi family estate. If there were a transcendent item here, wouldn't we know about it?”
“Even if there were such an item, it would have been properly secured. How could mere rats and cockroaches get to it?”
The others calmed down upon hearing this; his logic was sound.
The transcendent scholar shook his head again.
“Then they were catalyzed by something else, like a potion, for instance.”
“If that’s the case, then someone is plotting against the Qi family.”
Squeak, squeak, squeak—
Before he could finish, the squeaking of rats echoed from the ceiling again.
Everyone backed away as hairless rats leaped out of the hole in the ceiling. They crawled onto the floor and began frantically devouring the cockroach remains as if they were a rare delicacy.
The sight made everyone's stomachs churn, and they nearly gagged.
“Exterminate the bugs! Catch the rats!”
A young man looked at the pest control expert.
“I want this old mansion cleared of every single cockroach and rat. Name your price!”
The pest control expert took off his mask, looking conflicted.
“Sir, cockroaches and rats are incredibly resilient. If an environment is too hostile for them to survive, humans won't be able to live there either.”
“Moreover, there are so many trees planted outside the mansion. They provide natural hiding spots. It's simply unrealistic to eliminate them completely.”
“And even if we did, the concentration of toxins required would be terrifying and would certainly affect your health.”
The young man scratched his head in frustration, wanting to curse, but since there were outsiders present, he had to maintain some semblance of decorum.
“Then just do a general sweep. We can't just let them breed out of control.”
In the end, the middle-aged man made the final decision.
...
West District, apartment.
“A Corpse Celebrant needs to preside over various sacrificial rituals to digest the potion.”
“The Qi family is the perfect sacrifice.”
“I've already cracked the Qi family's formation diagram. Go and bury these things; make sure you aren't discovered.”
Yin Yang produced several odd-looking items: bones, stone tablets, and some scraps of tattered cloth.
The blade-wielding ghost nodded, pulled the items into its spectral form, and flew toward the Qi family estate.
On the sofa, Yin Yang slowly closed his eyes, his perspective switching to the blade-wielding ghost.
Because the items were physical, the blade-wielding ghost couldn't transform into black mist while carrying them. Its flight speed was significantly reduced, and it took several detours before finally arriving at the Qi family estate.
Under the cover of night, the blade-wielding ghost began burying the objects in the soil.
‘Right here, by these three trees. Yes, find the center point and bury that red rag.’
‘Good. Very good.’
‘Now, turn around. Under the fifth tree on your left, bury the stone tablet.’
‘Turn back. The third tree directly in front of you—bury the finger bone.’
Under Yin Yang's direction, the blade-wielding ghost silently buried over a dozen items in the woods.
These objects vaguely formed a circle, encompassing the entire Qi family mansion.
Once the task was finished, the blade-wielding ghost dissipated into a wisp of black smoke.
Inside the mansion, the pest control expert was busy exterminating cockroaches.
He had been in this business for over twenty years, but this was the first time he had seen cockroaches this large.
Ordinary pesticides were useless. To deal with these insects, he even had to use transcendent items, which were quite expensive.
Fortunately, the Qi family was not short on money.
What no one noticed was that as they killed the cockroaches and rats, wisps of something resembling black dust drifted on the wind, eventually being drawn into the formation hidden in the woods.
...
A few days passed peacefully, and soon it was time to deliver the weekly publication again.
But before Lin Zhen could set out, Mr. Qi arrived at the shop to pick it up himself.
“Hmm? Mr. Qi, did I get the date wrong again?”
“Hahaha, no, not at all. I just happened to be passing by and thought I'd pick up the weekly myself to save you the trip.”
Lin Zhen beamed at him.
“You really are a thoughtful person. Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“I'd love one.”
Mr. Qi agreed with a smile, his gaze shifting to Yin Yang.
Behind the counter, Yin Yang was intently focused on a book in his hands. Mr. Qi leaned slightly to see the title.
《How to Find Hidden Gems Through Formations》.
Mr. Qi couldn't help but chuckle.
“You really want to find a hidden gem that badly?”
“Huh?”
Yin Yang seemed to only just notice Mr. Qi. He closed the book with a smile.
“A man’s gotta have dreams. Otherwise, what’s the difference between me and a salted fish?”
“Who knows? Maybe I really will find a hidden treasure one day and change my life.”
To Yin Yang's surprise, Mr. Qi nodded seriously.
“True. You have a point there.”
Ding-ling.
The shop door was pushed open, and Zhou Kexin walked in, dressed in a black and white school uniform.
She was clutching a copy of 《On Steam Technology》. Seeing a guest in the bookstore at this hour, her cheeks instantly flushed red.
That youthful shyness caused a slight stir in Mr. Qi's heart.
“I... I’m here to return a book.”
“Alright. Give me your deposit slip.”
Yin Yang took the book and gave it a brief inspection before preparing to refund her deposit.
“There's no need for a refund. I’m planning to borrow another book.”
“No problem. What are you looking for?”
“I’d like 《Applications of Steam Technology》.”
“Sure thing.”
Yin Yang gave Mr. Qi an apologetic smile before getting up to find the book for Zhou Kexin.
“You like steam technology too?”
Mr. Qi suddenly spoke, which gave Zhou Kexin a ‘fright.’ She backed away like a startled fawn.
“Oh, sorry.”
Mr. Qi quickly apologized. Zhou Kexin’s face turned even redder. She waved her hands frantically but couldn't squeeze out a single word.
Once Yin Yang handed her the book, she practically ran out of the bookstore, leaving Mr. Qi unable to suppress a grin.
“What an interesting girl.”
Yin Yang’s eyes narrowed slightly as he remarked casually, “She is, isn't she?”
Rate on N.U.
