We called the police to find Xiao Yang after we got back. However, the police told us that Xiao Yang had been at home the whole time and said we were making a false report." "I also called Xiao Yang, and he told me that he waited for us at the agreed location for quite a while, but when he couldn't reach us by phone, he got angry and went home." "When I later went to find him, I couldn't get him to open the door no matter how hard I knocked. I called him from outside his door, but all I could hear was the phone ringing inside. I couldn't tell if he was standing at the door refusing to let us in or if he had just forgotten his phone there." "Until now, I still haven't been able to contact Xiao Yang." Hearing this, I asked, "So you never went into the Daitong Department Store? How can you be sure you're being haunted?" Zhou Xiyue took a red envelope out of her bag and placed it in front of me: "It's this red envelope." I took the envelope and noticed that the paper it was made of was the kind that faded upon touch, reminiscent of the old days. Inside the envelope were not cash but rather "Daitong vouchers" printed on an old-fashioned printing press. Zhou Xiyue said, "I heard that Daitong Department Store has a history of nearly a hundred years and has been abandoned for about sixty or seventy years. I asked someone, and these vouchers inside the envelope were things that Daitong Department Store printed back in the day." I looked at Zhou Xiyue and asked, "Did the old lady say anything when she gave you the red envelope? Did she ask you to buy something for her?" It's not uncommon for ghosts to ask people to buy things for them; when the deceased give money to the living, they usually specify what they want. However, the money they give you is definitely paper money or ghost money. The living must not only buy the items but also burn them at a crossroads. When faced with such situations, there's no need to be overly afraid; as long as you buy the items according to the ghost's request and burn them, they won't cause you trouble. If you encounter a ghost that values loyalty, they might even give you some benefits as thanks. Zhou Xiyue shook her head: "At that time, we were so scared that we didn't pay attention to what she said." Wang Manman nodded in agreement: "I remember she didn't say anything; she just threw the red envelope in and left." I nodded and asked, "Did anything strange happen to you afterward?" Zhou Xiyue replied, "No, but the vouchers are about to expire. In three days, they will be invalid. I'm afraid… I'm afraid these three days are the final deadline."
I nodded and said, "Didn't you say that your classmates agreed to go together? Where are they? Did they go to Daitong Department Store?" "They've all gone missing," Zhou Xiyue replied. "My classmate Daniu sent us a video before entering Daitong Department Store. I saw him go into the department building, and after that, we lost contact with him." I asked back, "Didn't anyone report it?" Zhou Xiyue said, "Someone did report it. The police found their car near Daitong Department Store, but they couldn't find any of them. Six people entered the department store that day. However, the police still haven't found any of them." "The police suspect they went out through the back door of Daitong Department Store and entered the mountains. They are organizing a rescue team to search the mountains. But I have a feeling the police's judgment is wrong. Those people probably won't come back." I nodded, "I understand. I can take over your business. You should know the rule in the field of metaphysics: 'Laws are not to be lightly transmitted, and the Way is not to be sold cheaply,' right? Besides, this time I'm saving your lives, so you can set the price!" I had inquired about the market rates on Fengshui Street, but there has never been a fixed pricing standard in the business of metaphysics. The same service could cost someone hundreds while another might charge tens of thousands. The price depends entirely on the practitioner's persuasion. Wang Manman immediately became anxious, "Boss Chen, you're not trying to take advantage of us, are you?" I smiled and looked at Zhou Xiyue, who remained silent for a moment before saying, "Mr. Chen, I offer one million for your services. Do you think that's acceptable?" Before Zhou Xiyue could finish her sentence, Wang Manman exclaimed, "Xiyue, are you crazy? One million? You could hire all the shop owners on Fengshui Street for that price!" Zhou Xiyue shook her head, "Manman, trust me. My intuition doesn't fail." Wang Manman wanted to say more, but Zhou Xiyue continued, "Of course, I have a second option, which is that I can introduce business to you through my connections. We can offset the commission with the introduction fee. Do you think that's acceptable?" Zhou Xiyue's smile looked like that of a little fox. With her family background, she surely has connections in this area. Otherwise, she should understand the consequences of playing tricks on a practitioner. I said, "I can choose the second option, which is to help me promote the reputation of Banjiantang." My idea was simple: an employer like Zhou Xiyue wouldn't appear often, and I couldn't just wait for clients to come to me. Building the reputation of Banjiantang should come first; making money can come later. "Sure!" Zhou Xiyue extended her hand and said, "May we have a pleasant cooperation!" Just as I was about to extend my hand, Wang Manman pulled Zhou Xiyue's hand back, "Xiyue, wait a minute. Can't you see? He wants to leverage the Zhou family's reputation for business. Don't let a small gain ruin the Zhou family's credibility!" Zhou Xiyue reassured Wang Manman, "Manman, trust me. If anything goes wrong, I will take full responsibility, okay?"
"How are you going to take responsibility?" Wang Manman scolded. "The Zhou family can afford to pay money, but can they afford to lose their reputation?" "I suggest you hire Mr. Wang from Fenghua Residence. He's a well-known feng shui master in Shengtian City! In the past, Daniu consulted him. Moreover, when I contacted Mr. Wang yesterday, he expressed a strong desire to meet you. You should seriously consider it!" I knew who the Mr. Wang that Wang Manman was talking about was. His name was Wang Lei, and he had quite the reputation, firmly seated among the top three on Feng Shui Street. However, he had a flaw—he was lecherous. It was said that he had ambiguous relationships with many female clients, and his intention to collaborate with Zhou Xiyue was likely not just about making money. Zhou Xiyue's eyes clearly showed a hint of disgust: "Manman, don't mention Wang Lei again. I won't collaborate with him, and besides, he can't save us." "Xiyue!" Wang Manman pouted as she held Zhou Xiyue's hand. "In the past, I listened to you on everything; just listen to me this once! Mr. Wang is truly remarkable. Furthermore, he is helpful and won't intentionally inflate prices. We…" Before Wang Manman could finish her sentence, my expression darkened. Wang Manman had already committed the grave taboo of "serving two masters" in the world of the martial arts. The martial arts world includes various arts, and these arts are not limited to just the martial arts community. Not all people in the martial arts world are practitioners, but about ninety percent of practitioners mingle within it, while only ten percent remain outside. Although practitioners have their own rules of conduct, the conventions of the martial arts world can apply universally to various arts. I narrowed my eyes at Zhou Xiyue, waiting for her decision. According to the rules of the martial arts world, if Zhou Xiyue stepped out of the hall, even if she brought me a mountain of gold, I would no longer accept their business.