Chapter 17: A Ritual of Exorcism
Chen Yan inclined his head slightly, his tone courteous yet tinged with curiosity. “And how should I address you, sir? May I ask your honored surname?”
The white-haired middle-aged man measured his words, his smile slow and deliberate. “Young man, since you are President Fang’s tenant, you are bound by karma to this house. Just as Assistant Yan addresses me, you may call me Uncle Qing.”
Something about his tone irked Chen Yan. It was not just the words, but the cadence of his voice—one that carried an air of superiority, as if bestowing a rare privilege upon him. The underlying meaning was clear: I am far beyond your league, but I am magnanimous enough to allow you to address me as family.
Chen Yan, however, was not amused.
“Apologies,” he said, his tone light yet distant. “I have no uncles or elders in my family, so I never developed the habit of calling strangers by such titles.”
He had never known his father’s name, let alone had uncles or older kin. To him, respect was due where it was earned. A stranger, no matter how senior, had no right to demand such familiarity.
To elders, he would say Sir or Madam. To those of distinction, he would give due honorifics. If someone had helped him, he would address them as an elder out of genuine gratitude. And if someone was truly worthy—like a great master whose wisdom moved heaven and earth—he would bow and call them Grandmaster without hesitation.
But this man? He was merely a name.
Did he expect Chen Yan to address him as Uncle simply because he was older? By that logic, should he march into the presence of a revered scholar or a Daoist grandmaster and demand they call him nephew?
Ridiculous.
Some might find Chen Yan’s views peculiar, perhaps even stubborn. But that was simply his nature.
Uncle Qing—Luo Qing—paused for a brief moment, clearly not expecting such a direct rebuff. He cleared his throat, his previously composed demeanor cracking ever so slightly. “My surname is Luo.”
Assistant Yan quickly interjected, sensing the tension. “Master Luo Qing is a highly esteemed practitioner. His Daoist sanctuary, Falling Cloud Retreat, resides beneath Qi Xia Mountain in the northern rivers. He is its master.”
Chen Yan remained impassive.
So what?
Even if he were a grandmaster of the mystical arts, even if his name shook the martial world, it had nothing to do with Chen Yan. This was his home. The only person here with any claim over him was Assistant Yan, by virtue of representing the landlord, President Fang. Luo Qing was simply an outsider.
More importantly, Chen Yan doubted this man’s abilities. Falling Cloud Retreat? Could it compare to the power of his grandmother, the Old Madam? Could Luo Qing command even the most minor of the Black and White Lords to kneel before him?
Unlikely.
His voice remained indifferent. “Then, Master Luo, what guidance do you wish to offer?”
Luo Qing, his pride clearly bruised, shed his earlier warmth. “You should know this house has a dark history.”
Chen Yan gave a small nod. “I’ve heard a little, though not in detail.”
“A terrible incident occurred here. To cleanse it, President Fang requested my services to perform rituals of exorcism and purification. Such matters are beyond your comprehension. Just know that after my intervention, the house was secured against malevolent forces, ensuring peace for those who dwell here.”
Chen Yan remained impassive. “And? You’ve already conducted the rites, haven’t you?”
Luo Qing’s tone darkened. “Rituals of this nature are complex. A single session is rarely enough. Young man, you do not belong to our craft, so this may be difficult for you to grasp. But know this—President Fang has asked for another exorcism to be performed here. The year is ending, and lingering misfortune must be expelled. The taint of past bloodshed is stubborn. If it is not completely removed, you will not find peace in this house.”
A veiled threat. A touch of intimidation.
Chen Yan smiled.
The moment he moved in, he had thoroughly inspected the house using Heavenly Eye Qi-Observing Technique. He had measured its geomantic layout, scrutinized its energy flows, and even consulted The Cycles of Qi Fortune to calculate its fate.
The result? Not a single problem.
The house was completely normal.
Which meant Luo Qing was either mistaken or had ulterior motives.
Chen Yan did not bother to argue. Instead, he turned to Assistant Yan. “I understand. So you wish to conduct another ritual here?”
Assistant Yan nodded quickly. “Yes, that’s correct.”
Chen Yan considered it for a moment.
It wasn’t a major inconvenience. Perhaps he could even use the opportunity to observe how city exorcists conducted their rituals—learn their methods, their techniques.
A chance for insight.
He inclined his head. “Very well. Let’s see how it’s done.”
Chen Yan’s moment of hesitation led to an unexpected misunderstanding on Assistant Yan’s part.
Hurriedly, Assistant Yan spoke, “We understand that you’ve just moved in, and for us to disturb you with such matters is undoubtedly inauspicious and unpleasant. As compensation, we are willing to waive one month’s rent. You may deduct this amount from your next half-yearly payment.”
Aha! Why didn’t you say so earlier?
One month’s rent—fifteen thousand!
Done! Whatever it is, do it!
A bright smile immediately spread across Chen Yan’s face. “Ah, that’s quite reasonable! Just let me know when you plan to conduct the ritual. It’s just an exorcism, right? I can stand by and watch the spectacle.”
Luo Qing let out a cold snort. Assistant Yan quickly smiled apologetically. “Well… about that, it’s not something that should be seen by outsiders. Uncle Qing is a man of great skill, and as the saying goes, ‘The law must not be passed to outsiders’…”
Oh? Not allowed to watch?
Chen Yan thought about it. Fine. If they didn’t want him to watch, so be it. After all, fifteen thousand was a hefty sum.
“That’s fine too. Just give me advance notice, and I’ll head out for a stroll—maybe catch a movie or something while you handle your business.”
“Uh… about that…” Assistant Yan hesitated, lowering his voice. “It can’t be done during the daytime.”
Chen Yan blinked. “You mean… at night?”
Luo Qing’s voice was cold and steady. “As night falls, the yin energy rises. The dead remain dormant by day, but at the stroke of midnight, malevolent forces awaken. Any foul or stubborn presence only stirs then… But there’s no point explaining; you young folks wouldn’t understand. Just know this—the ritual must be done at night.”
Chen Yan was still smiling, but that smile was no longer the same as before.
“So, what you’re saying is… one of these freezing nights, I need to vacate my own home, wander the streets until morning, and leave my house to you so you can perform your ritual? Is that right?”
Assistant Yan nodded carefully. “I understand. This request is indeed somewhat unreasonable…”
“Half a year’s worth of property management fees.”
“Hmm?”
“I said, add half a year’s property management fees to the deal,” Chen Yan said indifferently. “This house may belong to your boss, but I’m the one renting it. Until the lease is up, it’s my home.
“And let’s set aside whether I even believe in this kind of thing. I’m a university graduate—I only trust science. But now you want me to abandon my home in the dead of winter, just so you can play around with your exorcism. I think it’s only fair that I ask for a bit more compensation. One month’s rent isn’t enough. Add six months’ worth of property fees.”
Assistant Yan studied Chen Yan for a moment. After a brief pause, he nodded. “That’s fair. What we’re asking is indeed a bit unreasonable. Alright, as you say—an extra six months of property fees.”
Chen Yan was slightly surprised. That was easy.
Luo Qing, on the other hand, remained silent. After all, it wasn’t his money. As long as President Fang didn’t short him on his fee, he had no concern over what else was paid.
With that settled, Assistant Yan and Chen Yan set a date—two nights from now, at ten-thirty in the evening. That night, Chen Yan was to vacate the house entirely.
Fortunately, there wasn’t much in his home worth worrying about. Only three items were of any real importance:
A jade thumb ring,
A sect’s secret manual,
And half a candle.
All of which could be tucked into his coat and carried with him.
·
With everything finalized, Chen Yan walked them to the door. Just as they stepped outside, he called out to Assistant Yan.
“A verbal agreement isn’t enough—I want it in writing. Also, go pay the six months’ property fees to the management office today. Since we’ve come to an agreement, let’s wrap things up properly.”
Assistant Yan glanced at Chen Yan, then nodded. “That’s a reasonable request. I’ll take care of it now.”
Luo Qing, however, was displeased. “You still have to go to the management office? I have plans to meet some friends later…”
Assistant Yan smiled. “No problem, no problem. Let the driver take Uncle Qing first. I’ll handle this and take a taxi home afterward.”
He personally saw Luo Qing into the car, even giving the driver specific instructions to ensure his honored guest was well taken care of.
Chen Yan observed all of this and raised his opinion of Assistant Yan. This guy’s got a good head on his shoulders.
·
Many who serve the wealthy for long enough develop an unwarranted arrogance, as if merely basking in the presence of riches makes them rich themselves. They strut about, looking down on others, forgetting that they are still but servants of another’s wealth.
But Assistant Yan was different. He remained courteous and composed, handling affairs with grace.
Chen Yan knew that his previous words had been somewhat forceful, his demands a test to gauge their limits. Yet Assistant Yan showed no irritation, never once losing his composure.
This was the kind of person who made an excellent assistant to a rich and powerful figure.
Those who flaunted their employer’s name, barking orders and acting high-handed, only brought trouble upon their masters.
Assistant Yan understood propriety. He was a man who knew his place.
·
Without delay, Assistant Yan made his way to the property management office. The villa’s management fees were no small sum—eighteen thousand for half a year.
Luxury came at a cost.
Not only did he pay the full amount, but he also borrowed a pen from the office and personally wrote out an agreement waiving one month’s rent for Chen Yan.
Business handled. Matters settled.
The final task completed, he held the contract and the receipt from the property office in his hands, retracing his steps back to the villa. With a steady knock, he handed the documents over to Chen Yan.
A task, once begun, must be carried through to the end.
Chen Yan’s lips curved into a knowing smile as he studied Assistant Yan. “Would you care to come in for a while?”
“There’s no need,” Assistant Yan replied, his tone ever courteous. “President Fang still has matters that require my attention. In two days, I shall trouble you then, Mister Chen.”
With that, he turned to take his leave, but just as he was about to step away, Chen Yan’s voice, light yet edged with amusement, drifted after him. “Holding the ritual at midnight—aside from the reasons given by your so-called Eminent Master, wouldn’t the real motive be to avoid unnecessary attention?”
Assistant Yan’s feet stilled.
“This house is, after all, known as an ominous place. It has taken years for the whispers to fade, for residents to come and go in peace. Yet suddenly, a ritual is to be held? If the neighbors catch wind of it, rumors will once again swirl, and doubtless, there will be trouble. Such whispers might even cast shadows on President Fang’s investment, would they not?”
He let out a quiet chuckle, his words sharp as a blade. “That is why the ritual must be held in the dead of night, hidden from prying eyes.”
Assistant Yan allowed a faint smile to play on his lips, making no attempt to deny it. “Mister Chen, you truly are perceptive. Our concerns, it seems, are as clear to you as the lines on your palm. But rest assured—once the ritual is complete, I will see to it that this place is cleansed. It will not disturb your stay.”
Chen Yan nodded. “I trust your efficiency in such matters.”
Then, as though struck by a thought, he suddenly added, “Ah, that reminds me.”
“What is it?”
Chen Yan studied Assistant Yan for a moment, his gaze deep as a lake under moonlight.
“Stay here. Do not move,” he instructed. “I need to fetch something.”
With that, he turned and strode back into the villa, leaving Assistant Yan standing there, his expression subtly bemused.
[Wait a moment… You went to university, didn’t you? And I’m not uneducated either! Do you think I haven’t read Back View?]
Minutes later, Chen Yan reemerged, pressing a small cloth bundle into Assistant Yan’s hands.
“With the rent and the added property fees, you’ve given me thirty-three thousand taels in total.” He smiled faintly. “I cannot accept such a sum without offering something in return. The rules of my sect dictate that payment must be met with recompense.”
His fingers tapped lightly against the cloth-wrapped object. “This is something I crafted myself—a small trinket, nothing extraordinary. It cannot compare to whatever powerful artifact the master your President Fang invited might bring. But if you keep it on you, consider it a talisman for peace.”
“…Ah? This—this…” Assistant Yan stammered.
Chen Yan merely smiled, his expression inscrutable. “Did you truly believe that a mere university student would dare to rent a haunted house without good reason?”
With that, he shut the door.
Assistant Yan remained rooted in place, momentarily stunned.
[What…?]
Sect? Rules? Talisman for peace?
[Didn’t you just claim to be a man of science?!]
Shaking his head, he stepped away, unwrapping the cloth as he walked. Inside lay a jade token, roughly the size of a matchbox.
Years of following a wealthy employer had refined his eye for valuables, and in one glance, he saw that it was nothing more than a piece of cheap white jade. Its surface bore intricate engravings—though, upon closer inspection, the knife work was undeniably crude.
It was a charm, of sorts, yet its meaning eluded him.
Contemplating the object, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
When the line connected, his posture straightened instinctively, his voice respectful. “Boss, everything is settled. The tenant has agreed.”
A pause, then he added, “However, the tenant had some additional conditions. Beyond the agreed monthly rent, he requested an additional six months’ worth of property fees, totaling thirty-three thousand. I thought it best to settle it immediately, as it was well within the allocated budget.”
The voice on the other end listened in silence, then responded simply, “Understood.”
Assistant Yan hesitated. “Uncle Qing has already gone to make preparations, but… Boss, I have some concerns. The rituals have always been handled by Elder Zi, but this time, we’ve called upon Uncle Qing instead. I can’t help but feel uneasy…”
A cold snort rang through the receiver. “Do you think I would not prefer to summon Elder Zi? But he has been away in Jin Ling Prefecture these past months, summoned by the governor of Bei Prefecture for private matters. Uncle Qing is Elder Zi’s senior in the craft. His abilities should not be inferior.”
A pause, then, “Let it be.”
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation