She didn't notice the change in his expression and opened the door. When she was a step short from going out, an unfamiliar voice, more of a reminder came out of nowhere.
"Stay safe little owner! Come back soon and don't stay late!"
Minglan was about to nod but found herself turning her head back to find the source of this.
A few seconds later.
Bang-
The door was closed with great force choking the ghost into silence.
"The little owner seems agitated." The other fellows pointed out.
"I remember that girls are particularly moody in some days every month. I suppose it was because of that."
"I heard that too. The ghosts chatting by the doorway always bring up weird topics! Do you know the Auntie next knows a little three!"
"Will she be alright? That ruthless guy is with her? Will he do something out of our sight?"
"What are you worrying for? And even if he did something, can you beat him?" The dangling ghost looked below and interrupted. He scoffed.
The fellows looked at each other before bitterly acknowledging the truth. They're so weak!
Minglan walked in a dazed manner. She didn't know when she reach the first floor. She still continued being muddlehead until she the commercial building where a row of shop selling food appeared. Minglan still continued walking even passing by a crude stall displaying goods that was very different and weird. Flags and banners of different colors, yellow strip papers with unfamiliar characters and wooden accessories and adornments such as bracelets and pins arranged neatly in the Uncle's crude stall.
Xiao Hei didn't seem to mind her lacking in attention. All he just wanted was to be able to spent time with her, engrave her form, observed her every little gestures. These things greatly fascinated him. It seems that he pick a new hobby and he dearly like it very much.
"Selling Talismans, Enchantments, and Formations! Have you ever been bothered by a ghost or any supernatural creatures? Are you growing tired of seeing them but don't have any solution?"
Minglan stopped in her tracks and walked back by the crude stall. She began to listen to the Uncle blurting out his advertisements and nodded repeatedly.
Xiao Hei withdrew his eyes from her. The bald Uncle clad in taoist robe rubbed his palm together as Minglan showed interest in in his goods. He scanned the goods on his stall and stayed silent.
"Are you always afraid that they popped out of nowhere and give you fright but couldn't pushed them away no matter hard you try!"
Minglan nodded again. Her eyes twinkling at his speech. "Are you sure this works? You're not some fake are you?"
"Young lady, my things are first quality. I don't sell things of low quality! These things are crafted and refine by powerful hermits. I assure you these are super effective!" The Uncle taoist winked at her.
Her eyes widened at his information. "I'm troubled by the ghosts in my apartment, what do you recommend?" Her eyes swept the variety of weird things hoping there was something fit for her situation.
"Young lady, since you are the first customer for the day, I'll give you the talisman for warding of ghosts and a pair of wooden bangles to purify the energy around you. You won't be bother by ghosts anymore after wearing it!"
"Really Uncle! Are you really saying the truth?" Minglan glanced at the talisman and for a moment, twitched her mouth. The talisman with crow's feet handwriting were really unconvincing and there was a faint smell of iron.
"Young lady, you clearly don't know goods. This talisman was made from a hundred year old peach wood and the ink used is from the temple, it undergone numerous blessings so it's really is effective!" The Uncle activated his eloquence and blew rainbow farts to persuade Minglan.
"How much is it?" Minglan quickly opened her purse. She swept away her previous gloomy appearance and was now filled with energy. It finally dawned to her what she saw yesterday and couldn't feel apprehensive about returning.
"It's only 500 yuan, buy one take one promo!" The Uncle leaned closer to her wanting to stuff himself inside her purse. He's been here for a couple of days and everyone was doubtful of the authenticity of his goods. No one bought and he hadn't had a meal since yesterday. This lady happened to be interested, and he immediately blew rainbow farts to the point even the sky was getting cloudy.
"Uncle, that's too expensive!" Minglan paused. Five hundred yuan can buy her a lot of meals. She was reluctant to spent it on a dubious things. Although she was desperate, she wasn't a fool. This Uncle is clearly cheating her.
"Young lady, it's worth the price. Those powerful hermits spends a lot of time and spiritual energy to engrave one talisman and the bracelet was also infused with spiritual energy. Those things on the internet are fake and these are authentic and original!" The Uncle saw her stepped back and was anxious. She was his meal ticket, and he will not let her off his hook.
"If you say it that way. How about you prove it!" Minglan raised her chin and eyebrows. She was beginning to be be skeptical.
The Uncle was choked but didn't refuse. It's just that, he will need a ghost in able to disperse her suspicions. Sighing, he immediately untied the small varnished wooden gourd wrapped around his waist. "Young lady, I only not provide genuine goods but also have warranty services." He plastered a very friendly smile, while playfully resting his fingers on the sealing cork of the gourd. If one looks more closely, tiny characters were engraved on the top of the small cork emitting faint spiritual energy.
Xiao Hei could sensed the foreboding energy leaking from the gourd and frowned. Although the world looks normal to the outside, in fact, due to the mess in the Underworld, the surface had been invaded by malicious ghosts and evil energy. The Underworld secretly proposed to establish teaching schools and temples to passed on exorcism techniques, ways to capture ghosts and the matter of purifying evil energies. Throughout the years, under the lead of those Underworld Executors, prominent clans had sent their promising children to these teaching schools in order for them to build their own sects and gain a firm foothold in the world. The Underworld didn't have much objection to their plans, it was even more thankful for their cooperation. One had to know the Underworld was troubled due to the lack of manpower and their help were very much welcomed.
The gourd the Uncle was carrying was a low level artifact used to seal low level ghost. It wasn't much a hassle for him to face one but his woman was a mortal. Getting exposed to such evil energy is harmful.
"No need, I'll pay."
The Uncle was in the midst of pulling out the seal when the stoic handsome man spoke releasing a field of cold. His eyes penetrating the depths of soul sending a cryptic message 'if you pull that out, i pull you to somewhere too'. The Uncle shook his head after having this ridiculous thoughts. This guy who doesn't have an ounce of spiritual energy couldn't possibly know what his gourd was and what's residing inside. He must be overthinking but nonetheless the guy's words still brought him joy as his meal today was guaranteed. "Benefactor, this is a wise decision. I guarantee you hundred percent you'll be very satisfied with my products." The Uncle free his two hands each holding the talisman and products. Without him holding the gourd, it rolled under the table and only stopped by Minglan's feet.
The Uncle stared at his waist and the rope tied with the sealing cork attached at the end and gourd under Minglan's feet. A funeral song was playing was on his mind. He sketchily turned his sweating head to the man and saw his eyes- empty sockets with flames flickering. He was stunned and forgotten to retrieve the gourd. In that short time span, a puff of black smoke slipped out of the small mouth of the gourd.
Minglan tilted her head and went to reach gourd with her hand. "Uncle, your gourd is a little weird. Is this a newly invented mosquito repellant?" The hand inching towards the low level artifact was stopped by another hand. Minglan was immediately pulled away.
The Uncle in a daze regained his senses and immediately shouted at both of them, "Stay away from the gourd!"