Yan Huanglou lived deep within the twisting alleys of Qingshan City.

Truth be told, the place was incredibly hard to find. After turning left and right countless times, Chen Changsheng finally arrived at the spot.

Once inside the house, he looked around and suddenly understood.

The roof was entirely patched with tiles of mismatched colors. Even the doors, windows, and lock seemed brand new.

Chen Changsheng asked, “Did you buy this courtyard?”

Yan Huanglou shook his head. “Got it for free. Before, it was just a broken-down shack. Later, I spent a tael of silver to have the government issue a deed. Fixed it up bit by bit to make it what you see now.”

“It definitely looks like a place now,” Chen Changsheng remarked.

Yan Huanglou said, “I worked as a carpenter for a few years once, picked up some skills. Otherwise, I couldn’t have managed it.”

Chen Changsheng slept at Yan Huanglou’s place that day. Though, it must be said, the courtyard could best be described as utterly bare and empty.

For Qingshan City, these were chaotic times. In such a world, just staying alive was an achievement.

Chen Changsheng didn’t complain. He slept one night on the simple plank bed by the side.

…

That night, the Government Soldier guarding the city gate finished his shift. He gave a portion of the silver he’d earned that day to his boss before heading home.

Guarding the city gate was a sweet job.

It offered plenty of extra income. Many people coveted it but couldn’t get it. He’d only gotten the spot because he knew the right people.

Since then, he’d never lacked for silver.

On his way, he stopped by a wine shop to buy some drink.

“Half a catty of wine!”

“Coming right up!”

The person running the shop was an old man.

After measuring it out, he said, “Half-catty, sir. That’ll be twelve copper coins in total.”

The soldier glanced at him. “Twelve?”

He fished five coins out of his money pouch and handed them to the old man.

The old man took them and looked down. “Sir, this…”

“Know your place,” the soldier snapped.

He gave a cold snort and left with the wine.

The old man could only watch him go, sighing helplessly.

This wasn’t the first time.

Five coins wouldn’t even cover the cost.

The soldier sipped his wine all the way home. His face flushed red from the drink before he flopped down to sleep, not even bothering to take off his shoes.

“Huff…”

Suddenly, a chilly wind seeped into the room.

The soldier shuddered, feeling a cold draft down his back. He got up and closed the window.

“Why’s it so cold tonight…”

He thought nothing more of it and lay back down to sleep.

He drifted into a hazy slumber.

But unexpectedly, in his dream, dozens of fierce ghosts appeared.

“Give back my life! Give back my life!”

“Graaah!”

“Death! You deserve death!”

The soldier jolted awake. He gasped for breath, a wave of fear washing over him. Seeing the room plunged in darkness, he hurried to light a candle. Only with a little light did he dare lie down again.

Yet the nightmare clung to him. It didn’t leave him all night.

By dawn, the soldier was still wide-eyed, too afraid to sleep.

“Have I been cursed…”

He got up and went to see a physician. The physician merely prescribed some calming herbs.

That night, he brewed a bowl of the medicine and drank it.

He did fall asleep, but this time, his dream was filled with the faces of many who had died horribly. Some, he even recognized.

“Ghost! Ghosts!!”

The soldier screamed and woke up again.

That night, he tossed and turned endlessly, unable to find rest.

By chance, a Patrolling Wanderer was moving through the streets. His gaze fell upon the utterly exhausted soldier.

In the Wanderer’s sight, over ten Wandering Spirits trailed behind the man, never leaving his side.

“Should we report this to the City God?”

“Best we do.”

The City God of Qingshan City heard the report and came personally.

After scattering the Wandering Spirits clinging to the soldier, he began tracing the cause.

“So that’s it…”

The reason lay in a few silver fragments on the soldier.

These fragments carried a strong Yin Energy, attracting Wandering Spirits.

“This man must have done something and been set up,” the City God realized.

It was clear this was no work of a Mortal.

“Could a powerful Cultivator have arrived in Qingshan City?”

With that thought, the City God held back from intervening.

As for the silver tainted by Yin Energy, the negative energy would fade in a few days anyway. Since it wasn’t life-threatening, he left it be.

After he left, the City God went to the Manor of Prince Yu.

Only it wasn’t called that anymore. Now it was called Nine Swallows Residence.

Inside, the City God sought out Master Zhu in the Library Pavilion.

The scholar paused upon hearing the story. “Such a thing exists?”

The City God nodded. “This humble deity has inspected it. Those silver fragments are not of common origin, nor should they harbor Yin Energy naturally. Someone surely tampered with them. A Cultivator might be in our city.”

“Take me to see.”

Master Zhu stood up immediately and followed the City God to the soldier’s house.

Upon entering, the scholar saw the room crowded with Wandering Spirits.

On the bed lay a man with vacant eyes and shallow breath—clearly exhausted from days without rest.

Master Zhu raised a hand and pulled several silver fragments from the man’s money pouch.

All the Wandering Spirits in the room instantly turned their focus to him.

Those fragments seemed to exert a powerful draw on them.

Master Zhu waved his hand. The spirits before him were blown back violently.

He looked at the silver fragments again and began tracing their origin with his fingers.

…

In the small courtyard.

Chen Changsheng sat idly, basking in the sun. He suddenly opened his eyes, as if catching something.

“Is there a Cultivator in Qingshan City?”

Chen Changsheng found it strange. He raised his hand as if grasping something.

“Chen will meet this fellow!”

With that, he rose and walked towards the gate.

Meanwhile, in the room.

Master Zhu abruptly stopped his tracing. His brow furrowed.

“Interrupted?”

He was astounded.

This person had not only detected his trace but severed it.

“This is dangerous,” Master Zhu murmured.

A sense of impending trouble washed over him.

Beside him, the City God looked perplexed. “Master Zhu, something wrong?”

Master Zhu shook his head. “We must go back first.”

They turned to leave the place.

But they had barely stepped out of the alley when someone blocked their path.

“Were you two looking for Chen?”

Master Zhu started. He lifted his head to see who it was.

When their gazes met.

Even Chen Changsheng paused in surprise.

Seeing who it was, Master Zhu let out a breath of relief. He’d braced for some eminent master. Instead, it was an old acquaintance.

“Immortal Elder, it has been too long.”

The City God also clasped his hands. “Greetings, Immortal Elder.”

Chen Changsheng was equally surprised. He gave a wry smile. “Why is it you two?”

…

One man, one spirit, one Ghost Deity.

The three found a Teahouse and sat down.

Master Zhu offered a self-deprecating chuckle. “Had I known it was you, Immortal Elder, I would never have dared to trace you.”

Chen Changsheng waved it off. “You give me too much credit. Chen’s skill is humble and insignificant.”

The City God sat quietly, unsure what to say.

This seemed like a gathering above his station.