“In my opinion, so-called ghosts are just stray radiation energy—or perhaps some kind of yin or sinister energy! As long as we wear protective suits and isolate ourselves, they won’t be able to harm us!”
Zhao Xueqing declared this with utmost seriousness.
“Hmm, very logical!”
Jiang Tian nearly burst out laughing but held back when he saw her earnest expression. She looked so adorable like this that he decided to play along.
Before long, a stretch Lincoln pulled up at the villa’s front gate—Tang Wannian had arrived.
The car was worth at least three million, and Tang, a man of considerable wealth, owned several such luxury vehicles.
“Grandmaster Jiang, Madam, please!” Tang Wannian bowed obsequiously, grinning like a doorman.
But the moment he caught sight of Zhao Xueqing, his face froze. He stifled a laugh, staring at her as if she were some kind of alien.
“What’s so funny? This is cutting-edge biochemical protective gear! My ghost-hunting technique combines traditional methods with modern technology!” Jiang Tian glared, then took Zhao Xueqing’s hand and led her into the car.
“I wasn’t laughing!”
Tang Wannian flinched, quickly switching to flattery. “Who knew Madam Jiang was also a ghost-hunting master? Truly, a match made in heaven—a dragon and phoenix among mortals!”
“That’s right, I’m very skilled!”
Zhao Xueqing, thoroughly amused, covered her mouth with a giggle and lifted her chin proudly.
…
Wolong Villa
The group arrived at the villa amidst laughter and chatter, where Long Wu, Zhou Zhenghao, and others immediately came forward to greet them. Long Gaitian even bowed deeply to Jiang Tian in reverence.
The once-bustling villa was now eerily quiet, with only a few bodyguards remaining—staff and guests had long since fled.
They escorted Jiang Tian into a grand, antique-style hall, where Tang Wannian personally served tea.
“No rush. We’ll act when the yin energy peaks at midnight,” Jiang Tian said calmly.
As they sipped tea in silence, an oppressive chill permeated the villa, making everyone uneasy.
Aside from Jiang Tian’s acquaintances, several influential businessmen, tycoons, and underworld figures from Linzhou were present—each accompanied by their own so-called “masters” of the occult.
There were feng shui experts, paper effigy craftsmen—who knew if they were genuine or frauds?
Jiang Tian smirked. “Third Master Tang, this ghost isn’t ordinary. You must’ve done something pretty awful recently.”
“Grandmaster Jiang, I… I’m ashamed to admit it.”
Tang Wannian bowed deeply. “A few years ago, I had an affair with a college girl. She got pregnant and demanded I divorce my wife. But you know how it is—for men like me, marriage is political. I refused, but she insisted on keeping the baby. So I…”
“So you what?” Jiang Tian frowned.
“I kicked her out, froze her bank accounts, and pressured her to abort. She… couldn’t take it and took her own life.”
“You’re disgusting!”
Zhao Xueqing slammed the table, furious. “A real man cherishes his family and treats his partner with respect! Cheating alone is unforgivable, but forcing her to abort? You’re worse than an animal!”
Tang Wannian flushed with embarrassment, bowing repeatedly. “Madam Jiang, I’ve learned my lesson! I’ll never do it again!”
“Hmph! Scum! Jiang Tian, don’t work with trash like him!” She turned away in disdain.
The others exchanged awkward glances. “Since when is Madam Jiang so… righteous?”
“Madam Jiang, I swear I’ll turn over a new leaf!” Tang Wannian pleaded, realizing he’d just angered Jiang Tian’s wife.
“The vengeful ghost is that girl, Shi Ya,” Jiang Tian stated coolly.
“What? Her?!” Tang Wannian’s face paled, sweat beading on his forehead.
“But Shi Ya isn’t acting alone. A sorcerer is aiding her.”
“A sorcerer?!” The crowd gasped.
“Correct. Someone has been feeding her souls, amplifying her power. An ordinary ghost is just resentment given form, but Shi Ya has cultivated true supernatural abilities. She’s now a Ghost King.”
“Ghost King?!”
“Ghosts are ranked by strength: Apparition, Specter, Wraith, Phantom, Ghost King… and beyond.” Jiang Tian sipped his tea leisurely.
“How powerful is a Ghost King?” Zhou Zhenghao asked.
“A Ghost King exists in physical form, unafraid of sunlight, capable of material attacks. In combat, it rivals a Transcendent Realm grandmaster.”
“What?! That’s terrifying!”
“Moreover, ghosts excel in illusions and mental assaults. A Ghost King could overpower even a Transcendent Realm expert.”
The room fell deathly silent.
“But with me here, capturing her will be effortless.”
“Hah! Such arrogance! Careful the wind doesn’t slice your tongue off!”
A mocking voice rang out.
An elderly man in a Tang suit entered, followed by a Taoist priest in robes, holding a compass and carrying a peachwood sword. Behind them trailed a group of disciples, all dressed as Taoists and wielding ritual implements.
“Old Zheng!”
Long Wu and even Tang Wannian stood to greet him respectfully.
Seeing Jiang Tian’s displeasure, Zhou Zhenghao whispered, “Grandmaster Jiang, this is Zheng Guangsha, chairman of Guangsha Group—Linzhou’s richest man and Third Master’s ally.”
“Ah, him.” Jiang Tian nodded slightly.
Zheng Guangsha, Linzhou’s top tycoon, controlled a conglomerate spanning real estate, hotels, tourism, and finance. His influence in property development was near-monopolistic, with assets exceeding 20 billion. The famed “King’s Villa” project was his crowning achievement.
In prestige, Zheng rivaled even Ye Gufeng, the top magnate of Donghai. Compared to him, figures like Long Wu and Zhou Zhenghao were small fry.
“Third Master and Old Zheng are both members of the Linzhou Chamber of Commerce. After the incident, Third Master reached out for help, and Old Zheng brought this master.”
“Third Master, Brother Long, apologies for the wait!” Zheng Guangsha clasped his hands, exuding an aura that dwarfed even Tang Wannian and Long Wu. Zhou Zhenghao, in comparison, seemed like a junior.
Then, Zheng introduced the Taoist priest with great fanfare.
“This is Master Yang Guochang of the Maoshan Sect!”
“Maoshan’s Yang Guochang?!”
“Heavens, we’re in the presence of a legend!”
“Only Old Zheng could invite someone of his stature!”
The crowd erupted in awe, as if beholding a deity.
“Is he really that amazing?” Zhao Xueqing tugged Jiang Tian’s sleeve, wide-eyed.
Jiang Tian shrugged—he’d never heard of the man.
Zhou Zhenghao hastily explained. “Madam Jiang, Master Yang is a titan in China’s occult circles!”
“Blind since childhood, he joined Maoshan at ten and regained his sight three years later—with the ability to see spirits and read feng shui. By thirty, he’d mastered the Dao.”
“In 1998, Hong Kong tycoon Li Chaoshen’s son was kidnapped, his wife died in a crash, and his stocks plummeted. Master Yang turned his fortunes around, making him Hong Kong’s richest man.”
“In 2001, real estate mogul Wang Lei’s construction site unearthed a ‘Snake King,’ causing accidents and his sudden illness. Master Yang performed rites, expelled the serpent, and Wang recovered instantly—without medicine!”
“In 2003…”
Zhou Zhenghao listed Yang’s legendary feats, each more astounding than the last.
Though nearly sixty, Yang Guochang had the vigor of a man half his age, his white hair and youthful complexion lending him an immortal’s aura.
Zhao Xueqing stared in fascination, as if discovering a new world.
“In metaphysical circles, Master Yang is revered. For elites, securing his guidance is a status symbol.”
Zhou Zhenghao sighed, envy creeping into his voice.
As the introductions concluded, Zheng Guangsha gestured to the seat of honor.
“Master Yang, please!”
“You honor me.” Yang feigned modesty but sat without hesitation.
Then, his eyes landed on Jiang Tian, and his tone turned mocking.
“Young man, you speak boldly. Which sect do you hail from? Quanzhen? Dragon-Tiger Mountain’s Celestial Masters? Do you cultivate inner alchemy, talismans, or the Path of Virtue?”
Jiang Tian was the only one who hadn’t risen to greet him—a slight Yang wouldn’t ignore.
“I’m Jiang Tian. Self-taught. A bit of everything.”
Yang burst into laughter. “Oh? So you’re a master of all arts?”
He then pointed at Zhao Xueqing, grinning. “And this lady is also here to hunt ghosts? With that glass helmet and suit, she looks like an astronaut! Planning a trip to Mars?”
“Pfft—HAHAHA!”
“Since when do ghost hunters dress like cosplayers?!”
Yang’s disciples roared with laughter.
“Third Master, you’re truly desperate if you’re hiring charlatans like this!”
Zheng Guangsha and the other tycoons shook their heads, chuckling.
Amid the ridicule, Zhao Xueqing finally realized her mistake.
Her face flushed crimson. Clutching Jiang Tian’s hand, her eyes welled up.
“Jiang Tian… Did I embarrass you?”
