Chapter 3

"Stop trying to dodge the issue. Listen up, boy. When I say I'm passing the shop to you, it's not just the storefront and this small courtyard, but also the Jin family's legacy."

The old man Jin said with a bad temper.

Jiang Le gave a dry laugh and nodded, but his eyes were blank.

Regarding the legacy, he was completely clueless and didn't understand it, but the main thing now was to soothe the old man Jin, so he wouldn't come to find him every night. He could handle it, but his mother couldn't. If she got scared, what would they do?

The old man Jin talked for a long time but saw that Jiang Le still had a look of ignorance and flattery, so he couldn't help but shake his head and sigh, looking helpless.

"Fine, maybe I'm too stubborn. In today's world, skills surpass laws. Even with a complete tradition, it's uncertain whether one can achieve a true outcome. Moreover, the Jin family's legacy has undergone significant changes and is missing a lot. Even if it's passed down, it will be half-true and half-false. Why should I force it? Jiang Le, you and I have a connection. In the future, this shop will be yours. I hope you take good care of it."

It seemed as if he had put down a burden, and the old man Jin's soul became hazy, as if it was about to separate again.

Seeing this, Mao Xiaofang sighed and said solemnly, "You can't stay in the human world for long. You must go to the underworld quickly. But don't worry, the righteous path will not decline. Even with the great changes in the world, I will ensure that the Daoist lineage continues. This boy has the potential, and I will teach him. As for the Jin family's tradition, I will not let it be lost."

The old man Jin looked at Mao Xiaofang with gratitude and performed a grand Daoist salute, saying, "With this, I can go in peace. Take care, Daoist friend."

After saying this, the old man Jin's figure became ethereal and gradually disappeared.

Jiang Le quickly looked around and, seeing that the old man Jin was really gone, a look of surprise appeared on his face.

He's really gone? This is how it should be. Humans and ghosts have different paths. Old man Jin, I wish you a good rebirth as a rich second generation.

Then Jiang Le looked at Mao Xiaofang, showing a simple and honest smile, thinking, the old man Jin has gone to be reborn, why are you still here? Why don't you go together? We could talk on the way, which would be great.

But Mao Xiaofang gave a strange smile, "What are you looking at? From now on, I'll be with you."

Jiang Le's smile froze, staring straight at Mao Xiaofang, thinking he must have heard wrong.

Mao Xiaofang didn't give him a chance to explain, saying, "Enough, don't just stand there. Hurry up and clean up. The old man's body is wrapped in yin energy and can't stay for long. It must be dealt with quickly."

Jiang Le came to his senses and hurriedly said, "Brother Ghost, why are you following me? Humans and ghosts have different paths. Why don't you go to be reborn? Maybe in your next life, you'll be a rich second generation or a powerful second generation, living a carefree life. Wouldn't that be great?"

Mao Xiaofang glared at Jiang Le, saying sternly, "I told you, don't call me Brother Ghost. You can call me Daoist Mao."

Jiang Le reluctantly changed his words, "Alright, Daoist Mao, it's not early. If you go to be reborn now, you can catch up with the old man Jin. You'll have a companion on the way."

Mao Xiaofang looked down on Jiang Le, saying, "You're just a commoner, not understanding the Daoist powers. Although my physical body is destroyed, I am not an ordinary soul but a Daoist soul. A Daoist soul is formed through diligent practice and understanding of the Dao, capable of achieving a position among ghosts and gods. Moreover, I have subdued countless demons and accumulated great merit. I can choose to be reborn or continue living as I am."

Jiang Le's mouth twitched, feeling a bit black.

It turns out this is an unrestricted old ghost. Oh, is this considered being haunted by a ghost?

"Alright, boy, meeting me might be the biggest turning point in your life. But there's something you need to deal with quickly. Otherwise, this turning point might end up with you joining the old man Jin on his journey." Mao Xiaofang said with a playful tone.

Jiang Le was startled. This is so creepy! He quickly asked, "Daoist Mao, what is it?"

Mao Xiaofang glanced at the old man Jin's body on the ground, saying, "It's him."

"Old man Jin?" Jiang Le was confused, "Isn't he going to the underworld? What can a body do?"

Mao Xiaofang said playfully, "Some people die innocently because of thoughts like yours. I'm telling you, the body is dangerous."

Jiang Le said incredulously, "You're kidding, right? How can a body be dangerous?"

Mao Xiaofang smiled sinisterly, "A body isn't dangerous, but if it undergoes a transformation, it's a different story."

Transformation!

Jiang Le was scared.

This is a scary scene in ghost movies. Just thinking about a body suddenly coming to life, biting people without reason, and not feeling pain, makes him feel very uncomfortable.

Am I that unlucky to encounter this?

But what if it really happens? It would be a nightmare.

Looking at the old man Jin's body, Jiang Le was no longer happy about the ghost's departure. If the soul is gone, the body can still harm people? He never realized the world was so dangerous.

"What should I do? I don't know much about it." Jiang Le looked at Mao Xiaofang, seeking guidance.

Mao Xiaofang smiled strangely, "It's simple. As long as you learn Daoist techniques and use Daoist methods to perform a ritual, you can dispel the yin energy and prevent the transformation."

Jiang Le said blankly, "Daoist techniques? You mean the kind where the Daoist priest catches zombies in ghost movies? It doesn't seem reliable."

"Ghost movies? What's that?" Mao Xiaofang was puzzled.

Jiang Le explained briefly, which made Mao Xiaofang exclaim, "The world changes so fast."

Then Mao Xiaofang nodded, "It's basically like that."

Jiang Le smiled bitterly, "If that's the case, I'm out of luck. I don't know how to do it."

Mao Xiaofang said calmly, "I can teach you."

Jiang Le shook his head, looking dejected, "I might disappoint you, Daoist Mao. I've had a problem since I was young. I learn things slowly and forget most of what I learned the next day. So even if you teach me, I might not learn it."

Mao Xiaofang wasn't surprised but nodded and smiled lightly, "I noticed that. Your aura is murky, and your life force is slightly dim. It seems you were frightened as a child, causing damage to your soul. However, the fact that you haven't become a fool over the years suggests that the problem isn't too serious."

Jiang Le was instantly excited, running towards Mao Xiaofang, trying to grab him.

But he passed right through Mao Xiaofang's body, remembering that he was a ghost, no, a Daoist soul, without a physical form.

Embarrassed, Jiang Le looked at Mao Xiaofang with burning eyes, saying excitedly, "Daoist Mao, you're amazing. I remember being hit by a car when I was young, and after a serious illness, I developed this problem of learning things slowly and forgetting them the next day. I've seen many doctors, who all said it was due to brain injury, and current medical technology can't cure it."

Mao Xiaofang smiled, "Ordinary doctors can only treat the body, not the soul. Your soul injury isn't severe, but unfortunately, I don't have much power now. I don't know when it will heal. Otherwise, I could draw a soul-stabilizing talisman for you, and you'd be fine in a day. But now, you'll have to rely on self-study and self-treatment."

Jiang Le nodded repeatedly, saying happily, "No problem, as long as you teach me, I'll study hard."

This problem has troubled him for over a decade, and he's had enough. Even a glimmer of hope, he wouldn't give up.

After all, he's almost a half-waste now. If he can't remember things, he won't be able to fulfill his mother's wish for him to go to university and become a successful son. Even if he doesn't go to school, finding a job will be difficult.

Mao Xiaofang said meaningfully, "Still calling me Daoist Mao?"

Jiang Le suddenly realized, quickly kneeling down and bowing three times, then respectfully calling, "Disciple Jiang Le, I pay respects to my master."

Mao Xiaofang laughed heartily, saying happily, "I, Mao Xiaofang, have spent my life subduing demons but left no tradition. I thought my lineage would end, but unexpectedly, I have a disciple like you."

Jiang Le smiled and asked, "Master, how can I treat my condition?"

Mao Xiaofang's smile faded, and he said sternly, "You can't even hold chopsticks, and you're already thinking about eating."

Jiang Le scratched his head and laughed, thinking, I've been suffering for over a decade. How can I not be anxious? Besides, if my soul isn't healed, I won't be able to keep up with the Daoist techniques.

Of course, he couldn't say this. Jiang Le wasn't stupid and knew that arguing with his master wouldn't do him any good.

Mao Xiaofang continued, "Don't worry about your condition for now. Follow me, and I'll let you take something." Saying this, Mao Xiaofang flew towards a row of spirit tablets.

These spirit tablets were made of old wood, with names of the Jin family written on them, likely the ancestors of the old man Jin.

Jiang Le didn't act rashly but respectfully bowed a few times.

This behavior made Mao Xiaofang nod in approval, thinking that he had a disciple with a good heart, and there was no fear of passing on the wrong person.

Then Mao Xiaofang had Jiang Le find a small yellow cloth bag from the hidden compartment under the spirit tablets.

The yellow cloth bag looked old, the yellow color faded to a dark yellow, and it was slightly worn.

However, the bag was full, as if it contained many things.

Jiang Le's eyes lit up.

The old man Jin lived alone and didn't like a luxurious life. Could this be the money he saved?

With his inheritance, it seems he's going to be rich.

But soon, Jiang Le's happiness faded.

When the yellow cloth bag was opened, there was no money, only a bunch of miscellaneous items.

There were copper bells, yellow paper, cinnabar, brushes, and some dark red threads.

The most valuable seemed to be a set of copper coins, but Jiang Le knew little about antiques and couldn't estimate their value.

"Tsk, tsk, I didn't expect the old man Jin to leave some good things. It seems the world has indeed changed. Otherwise, he couldn't have collected these precious ritual items." Mao Xiaofang looked at the contents of the yellow cloth bag and couldn't help but be surprised and impressed.

In his time, although he was known as a great Daoist priest, he traveled far and wide, and apart from the pure yang octagonal mirror passed down from his master, the other ritual items were ordinary.

Seeing so many high-quality ritual items, he couldn't help but feel a bit envious.

Jiang Le was delighted and asked, "Master, are these things valuable?"

Mao Xiaofang was taken aback, then angrily flicked Jiang Le's head with a red light, making a "snap" sound.

Jiang Le winced in pain, shouting, "Master, why did you hit me? It hurts."

Mao Xiaofang said, "Hitting you is the least of it. Money, money, all you think about is money. You're not allowed to have such thoughts. These things are priceless, and you want to sell them for money."

"Then they are valuable?" Jiang Le's eyes glowed red, like a hungry wolf suddenly seeing a fat sheep.