Chapter 100: Chapter 94: Money Doesn’t Matter, Fate Connects Me and Her
"Messenger, please wait a moment, I will handle her shortly."
"Five thousand! Ten thousand! Fifteen thousand..."
Though this female ghost is bizarre, she stands no chance against the system’s overpowering bonuses.
Plus, most of the surrounding people have sensibly fainted, avoiding the chaotic scenarios typical in TV dramas.
With the Seven-Star Copper Coin Sword and Five Ghosts Transport Skill, the female ghost is completely outmatched.
A few strikes later, as the ghost is about to disperse into despairing smoke, the oil paper on the window suddenly makes a sound.
"Bang."
A stone pierces through the oil paper and drops to the ground, creating an opening in the previously sealed space.
Seizing the chance, the female ghost escapes through the breach, vanishing instantly like a fish into the ocean.
Rushing to the window, cultivation technique pushed to its limits, not a trace of the ghost is visible.
Only now does the director come to his senses, collapsing to the ground in a sweat.
Yet he suddenly reacts, standing up despite his nerves, anxiously saying, "Little Daoist, Xiaorong won’t be devoured alive by this evil ghost, right?"
"The sponsor of our film is her dad, one of Kyoto’s top ten entrepreneurs! If she encounters trouble, I’m done for!"
Ning An furrows his brows, remaining silent.
That stone was too strange; it was clearly aimed to save the ghost.
But besides this floor, the entire school is surrounded by the film crew, with additional villagers drawn by the commotion.
For now, Ning An can’t ascertain whether it was someone from the crew or an original village resident who rescued the ghost, nor their intent.
The small village is dedicated to education, resulting in a slightly larger school.
There are three instructional buildings, though due to the proximity of students’ homes, there is no dormitory.
The key filming scenes are set in one building, while the other two have only a few shots, causing most personnel to gather around this central structure.
Now, with the sponsor’s daughter Xiaorong vanished, the director, more frantic than losing his own mother, instantly organizes the team into groups of five, beginning a thorough search of the school.
Ning An immediately halts this foolish idea:
"The four strong men you hired earlier couldn’t deter the evil ghost. How could five thin crew members stand a chance? Are you worried the ghost might starve and hoping to offer it a bonus meal?"
The director’s face increasingly contorts, pacing in distress.
"What should I do? If Xiaorong truly encounters trouble, her dad certainly won’t spare me..."
Ning An clears his throat twice, subtly revealing several red incense sticks from his bag while giving the director a knowing glance.
"Things work out when you reach the bridge; solutions outnumber troubles."
The director is instantly reassured, his bright eyes fixating on Ning An, blinking fervently.
As Ning An’s bag opens wider, the director’s face grows more solemn. Beside him, Lin Nanbei rubs his nose, ready to speak, the director instantly silences him with a glare.
"Keep quiet, stay calm! Don’t interrupt Little Daoist’s ritual!"
Lin Nanbei rolls his eyes.
"Director, not to discredit anyone, but Daoist Ning used his ancestral Treasure Sword to save someone, yet couldn’t subdue the ghost.
In our profession, divining, interpreting, feng shui, all require expending one’s essence to pave the way for others. Actions like Little Daoist’s risk shortening his lifespan without cause. It’s unreasonable to let him..."
Ning An looks at Lin Nanbei in surprise, inwardly comforted.
Indeed, in their metaphysical field, one might lack in other areas, but their insight is unmatched.
Before Lin Nanbei finishes speaking, the director comprehends and excitedly declares:
"We can’t let Ning Daoist help for free. Xiaorong’s family lacks nothing but money; aside from her father’s gratitude, I’m personally willing to offer..."
Sizing up Ning An, the director tentatively extends a finger.
"One million?"
Ning An turns away, calmly saying:
"Money is irrelevant; Little Daoist and she are connected by fate."
It’s not that Ning An suddenly demands exorbitantly.
Initially, the director wished only for salvation without conditions.
Ning An leisurely sits down, and seeing this, the director grows anxious.
"Ning Daoist, when shall we begin?"
Ning An points to the white paper on the table:
"The one who ties the knot should untie it; finding her requires asking it directly."
The Pen Immortal and other widely spread occult practices are simple spirit communication techniques, originating from ancient witchcraft: divination with a plow.
Divination with a plow involves supporting a frame, plow referring to divination for resolving doubts, also known as fuji, fuluan.
In ancient times, a wooden pen was used to autonomously move on a sand table.
With time, sand tables have become white paper, and wooden pens can be any writing implement.
Placing pre-written questions on paper atop the table, Ning An invites the director to sit opposite; this witchcraft requires two participants.
"Pen Immortal, Pen Immortal..."
Both elbows and wrists are suspended, eyes shut, chanting necessary spells repeatedly.
Soon, Ning An enters a mystical state, disoriented, unconsciously guiding his hand to write something on the paper.
After a few breaths, Ning An awakens, finding the pen already in his grasp, paper inscribed with two tiny, elegant characters:
Third floor.
The director gazes at the paper, hesitant to speak.
Clearly, it’s a female’s handwriting; Ning An couldn’t write such characters unless specifically trained.
Understanding dawns upon Ning An, he rises and declares:
"Xiaorong should be on this school’s third floor, I will find her."
"Ning Daoist, I have a stake in this as well, if anything happens, I can lend a hand, I’ll go too."
Lin Nanbei steps forward decisively.
Li Jingye steps forward with a sullen face: "Me too."
Ning An initially intended to refuse, but recalling that stone, he changes his mind.
To him, demons and ghosts aren’t the most lethal; with so many system bonuses, there are countless ways to deal with them.
In areas rampant with demons, the truly fatal threat comes from humans.
For confronting ghosts, these two could only serve as sacrificial offerings, but if handling ulterior individuals, Lin Nanbei’s sharpness is evidently more crucial.
"Alright, you two follow me; Director, gather everyone together, with such a large group, ordinary ghosts can’t approach you."
The director eagerly nods, ordering all to assemble at the playground, ensuring no one is left alone.
The crew, having heard ghost stories, is anxious; upon hearing the call gather, they swiftly convene at the playground, turning on all their flashlights.
"This makes it much easier."
Once the director settles everyone, Ning An borrows two high-power flashlights from a crew member, leading Lin Nanbei and Li Jingye into the night.
