Chapter 4

Zhan Yi listened to Xiaojiao's words and hurriedly shook his head in denial: "This... of course not. To have a beauty like you offer me a drink, I'm overjoyed. I'm just afraid I might lose control and do something inappropriate."

"Sir, there's no need to be so restrained. You are the only man who has ever moved me since I came into being. Besides, I am about to dissipate into nothingness. If I can be with you, it would make my life worthwhile." Xiaojiao's tone was filled with suggestive encouragement, and she even gave Zhan Yi a light kiss on the cheek.

"Xiaojiao, don't do this. I know your kindness, but let's wait until I help you retrieve your soul fragment before we talk about being together." Zhan Yi pretended to be flustered, dodging her while speaking urgently.

Although he didn't know why the female ghost was seducing him, he became increasingly suspicious of her nature. How could a woman of such virtue become so frivolous after turning into a ghost? Especially when he looked down and saw Xiaojiao's blood-red silk shoes and long nails, it felt as if something was piercing his heart, making him extremely uncomfortable.

Xiaojiao hadn't expected Zhan Yi to have such strong self-control. A sharp light flashed in her eyes, but her expression became even more alluring. She softened her body and sat in his lap, rubbing his face with her hand and speaking in a sweet, coquettish voice: "Sir, after a thousand years of wandering, I have long seen through the ways of the world. It's easy to find priceless treasures, but hard to find a loving man. I don't want to miss this chance after finally meeting someone who moves me. Besides, I don't know when I will dissipate. Let me serve you."

"Xiaojiao, we can't do this. I am very reserved by nature. Rest assured, I will find a way to help you and prevent you from dissipating. Let's just chat." Zhan Yi spoke while using both hands to lift Xiaojiao by her slender waist and set her aside. He had now confirmed that the female ghost was trying to seduce him, which made him feel he should keep his distance.

When Zhan Yi dodged her, a fierce look flashed in Xiaojiao's eyes, but she then sighed wistfully: "Sigh... I didn't expect you to be so upright, Sir. I truly admire you. Once I truly repair my ghostly form, I will serve you as a slave or a concubine."

"Hehe, Xiaojiao, there are no more concubines these days. If that day ever comes, you will be my girlfriend, not a concubine." Zhan Yi felt relieved that Xiaojiao had stopped advancing, but he didn't want to make her too awkward, so he joked.

"Where are there no concubines? I've seen many people still have several women, it's just that the main wife stays at home while the concubines are outside, not openly said." Xiaojiao said,不服气 (unwilling to admit defeat).

"That... Xiaojiao, those aren't concubines, they are called mistresses, which are extramarital relationships." Zhan Yi didn't expect Xiaojiao to know so much and was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Then, when I recover my true form, can I be your mistress?" Xiaojiao's eyes twinkled as she spoke coquettishly.

"What? You want to be my mistress? No way, Xiaojiao, I don't even have a girlfriend yet, so there's no place for a third." Zhan Yi was surprised by Xiaojiao's strange idea.

"I don't care, I want to be your mistress because men are always better to their mistresses than to their wives." Xiaojiao pouted.

"Uh... let's wait until I find the first and second before we talk about that." Zhan Yi laughed bitterly, wondering why this female ghost was so persistent.

After that, Xiaojiao didn't make any more excessive moves, though she occasionally still tried to seduce Zhan Yi, but with more restraint. As they spent more time together, they became more relaxed. They spent the whole night in the room, dancing, chatting, and sharing many past stories. Xiaojiao even told Zhan Yi about cultivation and the various cultivation sects that existed in the world. She left as black smoke when it was almost dawn.

In the following days, Xiaojiao came every night, either chatting with Zhan Yi or talking about cultivation. She even danced seductively for him, making Zhan Yi realize how knowledgeable she was, as if she knew everything.

However, this also made Zhan Yi more determined to find the old Taoist as soon as possible. He felt that things were getting too dangerous. Xiaojiao clearly wasn't afraid of him like the other ghosts he had encountered and often tried to seduce him, giving him the feeling that he might be devoured at any moment.

Fortunately, over the past few days, he learned from Xiaojiao that the old Taoist who had taken her soul fragment was named Xuanming and found his residence, which was about thirty to forty miles from his current home, at the foot of Cuixian Mountain in the east of N City. It was a small house with a courtyard.

Originally, Zhan Yi had hoped Xuanming could help him. Although he knew ghosts could be good or evil, if Xiaojiao was a good ghost, why would she be causing trouble in that house? But when he first saw Xuanming from a distance, he was disappointed. Xuanming had hawkish eyebrows, rat-like eyes, a garlic nose, a high-arched donkey mouth, and a goatee, and his body was as thin as a skeleton, clearly not the image of a righteous person.

After a few more days of observation and inquiries, Zhan Yi's impression of Xuanming became even worse. The old man not only frequently flirted with the wives of the villagers but also used the excuse of fortune-telling to grope women, making the women in the area avoid him like the plague, a true old lecher.

Understanding more about Xuanming made Zhan Yi increasingly uncertain about Xiaojiao's claims. Could she really be a good ghost who had been injured by Xuanming?

These doubts made him increasingly confused. After much thought, he finally had a bold idea: to find an opportunity to search Xuanming's house. He knew that if Xuanming was truly a wicked Taoist, there would be evidence in his house.

With this idea, he began to look for opportunities to secretly observe Xuanming. His efforts paid off, and a few days later, he found his chance.

One morning, around eight or nine o'clock, a flirtatious and well-endowed young woman came to Xuanming's residence and stayed until noon before leaving with him.

Zhan Yi, overhearing their conversation at the door and seeing their constant flirtation, learned that the woman was Xuanming's mistress. She had come to ask Xuanming to set up a fertility array for her, which would take several days.

Xuanming also brought many ritual objects and, before leaving, carefully inspected the courtyard, clearly planning to be away for a long time.

Zhan Yi was extremely excited. He knew that if he wanted to determine whether Xuanming was good or evil, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. After Xuanming and the woman left, Zhan Yi waited for a long time to ensure they wouldn't return. Then, he casually walked to the courtyard, found a secluded spot, and used a rope to climb over the wall, entering the house.

From his conversations with Xiaojiao, he knew that the soul fragment Xuanming had taken from her was sealed in a "Hundred Souls Treasure Bottle." Stealing the bottle during the day was actually safer because the evil Taoist's creations were mostly yin and evil, and they feared sunlight and child's urine.

So, he had already prepared a bucket of his own urine. After entering the courtyard, he sprinkled it around Xuanming's house and then opened a window to get inside. Inside, he was shocked to see the most modern appliances and luxurious decorations, including leather sofas, rosewood furniture, and famous paintings. It didn't look like a Taoist's residence at all; even a wealthy businessman's home might not be as lavish.

What Zhan Yi found most contemptible were the dozens of pornographic DVDs next to the old Taoist's TV, all of the most perverted kind, with titles like "Torture," "S&M," and "Human and Animal." Just looking at the covers was enough to know how unspeakable the content was.

Angry, Zhan Yi put all the DVDs in his pocket and cursed, "Damn, old Taoist, I'll see what kind of perverted content you have in here." He then began to search the house.

From the first floor to the second, he searched almost every corner but found nothing of value. This made him frustrated. Xiaojiao had clearly sensed that her missing soul fragment was in this courtyard, which meant there must be a place where Xuanming practiced and refined his treasures. But where was it?