Ever since the Southern Sect Daoist Gathering ended, Lin Feng's life had returned to its usual rhythm.
Work, home, eat, sleep, and his weekly ghost-hunting assignments—perhaps with the occasional task of picking out a new house.
He had just come into a large sum of money, so when he found a 130-square-meter apartment priced at 2,700 RMB per square meter, Lin Feng paid for it in full without a second thought. His boldness made him stand out among his colleagues.
However, his small apartment was now permeated with eerie energy. Ah Chou, the Skinless Ghost, and the Headless Ghost had been fighting over the computer every night since Niu Meng taught them how to go online.
Somehow, they had even procured a TV meant as an offering for the dead and were having a great time watching it.
Lin Feng had tossed the TV out of the window the same day. "This damn thing is bad luck!"
Over the past two months, Lin Feng's missions had progressed quickly. He had reached level 20 and now had the assistance of three ghost underlings. With newly acquired skills and artifacts, completing tasks had become much easier.
During these two months, several major events shook Nanyang City:
First, the explosion at White Lake Amusement Park. One night, about a month and a half ago, a blazing inferno erupted in the direction of White Lake. The park had to shut down for a month for renovations before reopening.
Second, every funeral goods shop and mourning apparel store in Nanyang was robbed one after another. It became a local mystery, with no one knowing who was responsible.
Third, a Qing Dynasty princess's tomb was unearthed at the old textile factory site in Longhuai District, delaying the handover of Lin Feng's new apartment by several months.
Lin Feng suspected the first two incidents were instigated by the Northern Sect, so he avoided getting involved.
At 9 p.m., with work being relatively light and few cases of unnatural deaths recently, Lin Feng clocked out early.
At Home
Lin Feng lounged idly on the sofa. Beside him, Li Xi was applying a facial mask. They looked like a sweet couple, nestled together in cozy domestic bliss.
"Darling, why have you been so quiet lately? And why are you coming home so early from work?"
Women are naturally intuitive, and Li Xi was no exception. Lin Feng had indeed been more reticent, spending most of his time studying the Ghost Duel Arena in the Fierce Ghost Containment System.
Currently, he had 3,700 karma points. After purchasing a ritual tool, the Spiked Pestle, for Niu Meng, he was left with only 300 points. With fewer wandering ghosts in the vicinity, Lin Feng desperately needed a new way to earn karma points.
At this rate, he might not even have enough to make ends meet.
Lin Feng chuckled, "Work's been easier lately. Besides, I've always been a man of action, not words. You should know that by now."
Li Xi tapped his forehead playfully. "Oh, aren't you capable!"
Tonight, she wore a short skirt with her legs draped over Lin Feng, paired with a sexy camisole. The atmosphere between them was electric, ready to ignite at any moment.
Lin Feng's hands began to wander, but he stopped when he noticed shadowy figures lurking in the corners. He was livid—Niu Meng and the others were spying again!
Li Xi noticed his hesitation. Her large, doe-like eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What's wrong, my dear? Is something troubling you?"
Li Xi had no idea about Lin Feng's job, and Lin Feng didn't know what she did for a living either. Their relationship was a blend of lovers and something less conventional.
"What are you thinking? I have no problems." Lin Feng flicked her nose playfully. "I'm just waiting for the new apartment to be ready. It's delayed because they found a tomb at the textile factory site."
Li Xi pouted, "You just want to move away and ditch me, huh? Dream on!"
She meant it as a joke, but immediately sensed a shift in the atmosphere. It felt as if she was growing more attached to Lin Feng than she realized.
Lin Feng was momentarily stunned. He couldn't quite place the feeling—it seemed like Li Xi was starting to rely on him. Whether that was good or bad, he wasn't sure.
Truthfully, Lin Feng didn't consider himself a gentleman. His relationship with Li Xi had been born out of a hormonal impulse, but to say he had no feelings for her wouldn't be entirely true.
"I'm just kidding! I don't need you. You're broke and not even that handsome. The only thing you're good at is… well…"
Li Xi trailed off, her face flushing red.
Lin Feng grinned mischievously. "Oh, so you're getting bold now, huh? Who gave you the courage?"
Like a hungry tiger, Lin Feng pounced on Li Xi, unleashing his passion.
In the corner, a few ghosts watched with keen interest. Lin Feng took the opportunity to glare menacingly at them, issuing a silent warning.
"If you guys keep hanging around here as third wheels, I'm going to lose my temper. Scram!"
Niu Meng, sensing Lin Feng's seriousness, led the ghosts out through the window. Though reluctant, they had no choice but to follow.
On the Rooftop
The ghosts gathered casually on the rooftop, chatting away.
"Boss is still as bold as ever. Even with Liu Jie's overwhelming yin energy, he handles her like it's nothing. Niu Ge, do you think Liu Jie might become our mistress?"
The Skinless Ghost snacked as he spoke, his face full of gossip.
Ah Chou's curiosity was equally piqued. The Headless Ghost, who had recently stolen a large doll head, turned it creepily to face Niu Meng.
Having witnessed Lin Feng and Li Xi's relationship unfold, Niu Meng was considered the authority on the subject.
Hearing the question, Niu Meng snorted, "In the mortal realm, men can only marry one wife now. I think Boss will give it some thought before deciding on such matters."
Since being promoted to a fierce ghost, Niu Meng had become more bureaucratic. Lin Feng had used his City God Token, officially enlisting Niu Meng and the other three ghosts. Recently, they even recruited a grinning imp. Niu Meng now held the position of squad leader.
"But who do you think will become our mistress?" the Skinless Ghost pressed. "Does Miss Nie stand a chance?"
"How would I know? Miss Nie is young and beautiful, but Boss doesn't seem interested in her."
As the ghosts idly speculated, a faint shadow appeared behind them. Niu Meng turned to see a child-like ghost, about eight or nine years old, with a crescent-moon grin that sent chills down their spines.
"Niu Meng, I'm back."
The Smiling Ghost was a mischievous specter Lin Feng had subdued two months ago in an old district, sealing it in a dried-up well. At level 26, it shared the highest rank among Lin Feng's ghostly subordinates, alongside the Headless Ghost.
Currently, Lin Feng's spectral team comprised Niu Meng at level 21, Ah Chou at level 19, the Skinning Ghost at level 24, and both the Smiling Ghost and Headless Ghost at level 26.
"You're back? How did the task Brother Feng assigned go? What about that Qing Dynasty female ghost?" Niu Meng asked.
"Sealed in the bottle," the Smiling Ghost replied, holding up a porcelain vase, his former artifact.
"No trouble on the way?"
"None. Just a wild ghost. But it seems a Taoist priest has taken notice of me. Shall we deal with him?" The Smiling Ghost's grin widened as he spoke.
Hearing this, the Skinning Ghost cracked his knuckles, and the Headless Ghost seemed eager to act. Both were natural-born fighters.
Niu Meng ordered, "I suggest you curb your wild instincts. Don't think Brother Feng is all leniency. If you cross his bottom line, he won't hold back. Have you forgotten how the Tongue Ghost and Starving Ghost met their ends?"
His gaze swept across the group, silencing them immediately.
Two months ago, when Lin Feng invoked the City God Command, he intended to form a team of five ghosts: Niu Meng, the Skinning Ghost, the Headless Ghost, the Tongue Ghost, and the Starving Ghost. The latter two had begged for a second chance, promising reform. Yet, during a mission, their greed for sacrificial incense led them to torment a civilian paying respects to their ancestors. The poor soul ended up in a psychiatric hospital. Lin Feng, furious, obliterated them on the spot with The Great Blazing Spirit-Binding Hands.
"Got it," the Smiling Ghost replied, still grinning.
Just as his words faded, a sudden voice interrupted them from behind.
"Well, well, who would have thought? Even in broad daylight, ghosts dare to walk among the living?"
A Taoist in a yellow robe chuckled, twirling his whiskers. Unnoticed, he had perched himself on the rooftop.
Glaring at Ah Chou, he sneered, "So, you're the female ghost who just fled from the textile factory? I am Liu Quanyou of the Clear Spring Temple. Surrender now, and I'll grant you a chance to reincarnate!"
Ah Chou looked visibly unsettled.
However, the other ghosts exchanged knowing glances. This Taoist… seemed completely unaware of their presence.