Near Antique Street.
A deserted alley, nearly devoid of passersby.
A few dim streetlights cast weak beams of light.
Tiger stood at the crossroads, looking around at the pitch-black surroundings, feeling his skin crawl.
"Lu Fei, aren't we supposed to be sending that dead guy off? Why'd we come to such a creepy place?"
"Crossroads are heavy with yin energy. To summon it, we have to be in a place like this." Lu Fei surveyed the area, placing the items he'd brought one by one.
"What? We're supposed to summon it?"
"If it doesn't show up, how can you apologize? Stop dawdling and help me set this up."
Under the faint light, Lu Fei and Tiger arranged the items they'd bought earlier at the crossroads.
Pork head, roast chicken, soaked white rice, raw eggs, tofu, dried fruits, sweet pastries, apples.
Altogether, eight dishes.
"Lu Fei, what's the significance of all this? Why would ghosts like it?" Tiger couldn't help but ask.
"People eat the energy of the living, but ghosts feed on the energy of the dead," Lu Fei explained as he set the items in place.
"Pork head, roast chicken, sweet pastries, and fruits are common offerings. Soaked white rice, raw eggs, and tofu are particularly favored by ghosts."
"Locust trees carry yin energy, so we made wine with locust flowers—it's something ghosts enjoy most."
"Eight dishes, plus a bottle of locust flower wine—it's a proper meal for the dead."
Tiger listened, dumbfounded. "Isn't your family business a pawnshop? How do you know all this?"
"Our shop specializes in dealing with malevolent items. If we didn't know the trade, we wouldn't be in business," Lu Fei replied with a calm smile.
These were all things his grandfather had taught him.
Next, he directed Tiger to place the paper effigies on either side of the dishes.
"What are these effigies for?"
"They're called Golden Boy and Jade Maiden, to serve it during the meal. If it accepts this offering, it means there's hope."
Tiger's heart pounded as he asked, "We've prepared all these offerings sincerely. It won't trouble me anymore, right?"
"There's no guarantee, but you need to be sincere. By the way, do you have any cigarettes? If it likes smoking, it's better to be prepared."
"Yes, yes!"
Tiger quickly pulled out a pack of cigarettes. It wasn't a fancy brand, but it was the best he could offer.
Once everything was set up, Lu Fei drew a large circle with ash around the eight dishes.
"Lu Fei, what's that for?"
"These are all things that attract ghosts. The circle keeps stray spirits from being drawn here."
With all preparations complete, Lu Fei checked the time. It was exactly midnight.
"Let's start."
He instructed Tiger to light the incense and candles, placing them in front of the dishes.
Then, he began burning ghost money near the dishes, respectfully inviting the deceased to partake.
"No offense intended, whoever you are. I didn't mean to take your coin—I was tricked by that old man."
"Blame lies with him; if you seek retribution, it should be with him. Please accept this meal and spare me."
"I'll burn more paper money for you…"
Tiger continued burning paper, bowing his head toward the offerings.
Half an hour passed, but the dishes remained untouched.
"Lu Fei, why isn't there any reaction? Does it still want to haunt me?" Tiger asked, feeling anxious.
"Don't panic; keep bowing." Lu Fei felt a bit uneasy himself but kept his composure, not wanting to alarm Tiger.
"No offense intended, the blame lies with him. Please show mercy…"
Tiger continued his bowing.
Suddenly, a cold wind swept through.
Ashes floated in the air, and the paper effigies beside the dishes trembled slightly.
Tiger shuddered, eyes wide as he scanned the surroundings, his voice trembling. "Lu Fei, is it here?"
"I don't know. I didn't see anything." Lu Fei squinted, scanning the area.
He sensed a chilling presence but couldn't determine where it was coming from.
"Keep going…"
He turned back to Tiger, only to have his eyes widen in shock.
Tiger was crouched on the ground, frozen, his face blank. His hands held ghost money, poised in mid-air, as if he were stuck in place.
In the flickering light, a faint shadow loomed over his back.
"It's here!" Lu Fei's heart pounded, and he remained as calm as possible to avoid provoking it.
After a moment, Tiger's head slowly lifted, his eyes fixed on the dishes with a strange, hungry gaze.
He opened his mouth, grinding his teeth, saliva dripping from his lips.
He reached out, grabbed a handful of food, and shoved it into his mouth.
Oil smeared across his face as he ate with desperate fervor, barely chewing.
It was both disgusting and eerie.
Lu Fei felt his skin prickle but dared not intervene.
He knew the spirit was using Tiger's body to eat. If it found satisfaction in the meal, it would be a good sign.
But Tiger's ravenous eating was eerily reminiscent of a starving ghost.
Wait—a starving ghost?
Lu Fei's heart sank as he observed Tiger closely.
Tiger's emaciated frame contrasted sharply with his distended belly.
This wasn't just like a starving ghost—he had actually become one!
An ominous feeling crept over Lu Fei.
Starving ghosts are insatiable. If this meal wasn't enough, it could end badly.
Sure enough, within minutes, all eight dishes were empty.
Tiger seemed unsatisfied, turning his vacant gaze on Lu Fei, licking his lips.
The hunger in his eyes sent chills down Lu Fei's spine. He clenched his teeth and held out the copper coin.
As long as it took the coin, this ordeal would be over.
"Sir, my friend realizes his mistake. This coin is his offering to you. Please, show mercy and spare his life."
But Tiger ignored the coin, his gaze fixed on Lu Fei, saliva dripping.
Realizing the danger, Lu Fei began to back away slowly.
As he moved, Tiger mirrored him, emitting a low growl before lunging at him like a rabid dog.
Lu Fei sidestepped just in time, causing Tiger to stumble and fall, his unstable frame toppling to the ground.
Seizing the opportunity, Lu Fei doused him with a bottle of rooster blood.
Tiger convulsed as if electrocuted, his belly swelling further as he grimaced in pain.
Finally, he retched.
What he expelled wasn't the food he'd just eaten, but foul, black sludge that stank like rot.
As Tiger continued to vomit, Lu Fei quickly sprinkled some ash into his mouth, finally stopping the flow before he vomited up his insides.
Lu Fei helped him to a safe spot and splashed his face with cool water to wake him up.
Tiger slowly opened his eyes, and his first question was, "Did we send it off?"
Lu Fei shook his head.
Tiger's frail body quivered, the light fading from his eyes as he rasped, "So… am I done for?"
"No, you actually have a chance now!"
Lu Fei held up the copper coin, his eyes gleaming. "I finally know what this cursed coin is! And believe it or not, this is something truly valuable."