Chapter 18 An Additional Price

Chapter 18: Another Cost

During her days of captivity, Wen Ting had thought countless times about reporting Huo Xingye to the police after escaping, making that scumbag pay the price.

But that idea was crushed on the way to the hospital in the ambulance.

Dr. Chen Ming, the guy sent to pick her up, explained in detail the Huo family's status in Yuncheng—it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call them the untouchable elites. As an ordinary girl with no power or influence, she was no match for them.

It would be better to recover, take the money and run, and leave. She’d be set for life anywhere afterward. After all, this whole time, Huo Xingye had only restricted her freedom—he never laid a hand on her.

Even her current physical condition was the result of her own hunger strike and prolonged lack of nutrition.

Wen Ting opened her mouth several times to argue but couldn’t muster a response. She felt lost.

As if she’d brought this on herself for being ungrateful. But what else could she have done besides starving herself in protest? She couldn’t just hurl herself at a wall—she wanted to leave, not die.

Wen Ting fell silent.

Before she got out of the ambulance, Chen Ming still smiled gently. "Use your hospital stay to mull things over. Miss Wen is a smart person—I’m sure you’ll make the right choice."

Exhausted, Wen Ting closed her eyes. She had initially thought Chen Ming was a kind and gentle man, but now she saw him for what he really was—a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

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The next afternoon, Gu Qingyin arrived at a Cantonese teahouse in the city center as planned. She ordered a few dishes and flipped through the file while waiting for Liu Ergou to join her.

The file had been sent by Liu Ergou the day before, but she had been too busy drawing talismans and preparing ritual tools to read it.

This time, the client was a wealthy young entrepreneur named Gu Xifeng. From his photo, he seemed like a scholar-businessman, and his public reputation was excellent—successful in business, dotting husband, living the dream.

Gu Qingyin’s gaze lingered on Gu Xifeng’s face. So much for public opinion—his face told a different story.

Gu Xifeng’s request was to trap a ghost, but the ghost couldn’t be exorcised or destroyed. He wanted to keep it enshrined.

Gu Qingyin: …What kind of messed-up request is this?

Gu Xifeng claimed this ghost had been someone extremely important to him in life, and he couldn’t bear to let her go. He had previously hired a Celestial Master to trap the ghost in his villa, but a few days ago, something went wrong—the ghost went berserk, beyond reasoning.

Over the following days, the ghost’s aggression only intensified, and the ghost was about to break free.

Backed into a corner, Gu Xifeng had to seek help from another Celestial Master.

After finishing the file, Liu Ergou arrived.

Gu Qingyin asked, "Did Gu Xifeng kill the person?"

Liu Ergou paused before answering, puffing his chest out. "No, I looked into it—it was suicide."

Gu Qingyin nodded and continued, "What was their relationship?"

Liu Ergou’s back slumped again. "Is that important?"

Gu Qingyin replied seriously, "Not really, but I’m curious. Can’t blame a girl for being curious."

Liu Ergou groaned. "You can ask the man himself later."

"Fine," Gu Qingyin stood up, tossing the last dumpling in her mouth. "Let’s go now."

Liu Ergou glanced at the empty plates and groaned. He’d been too busy talking—he hadn’t eaten a single bite!

The villa where the ghost was trapped was located in the eastern suburbs of Yuncheng.

This area is nestled between mountains and rivers, with stunning scenery, which attracts many wealthy individuals to purchase villas here. However, due to its distance from the city center, homeowners only occasionally sneak away for a few days, leaving most villas vacant.

This also made it perfect for Gu Xifeng to stash the ghost.

When the two arrived, Gu Xifeng was waiting by the villa's gate.

"Celestial Master," Gu Xifeng greeted them politely with a nod, cutting to the chase. "Is there anything else we need to prepare?"

Liu Ergou shook his head and checked his phone. "Just wait another ten minutes."

His expression darkened as he stared at the villa, his heart tightening. The ghost had committed suicide, and after death, letting resentment grow. Now, it had transformed into a Vengeful Ghost, blanketing the whole villa in ghostly energy. The previous talismans used to confine the ghost were long ineffective.

The Vengeful Ghost hadn't escaped because it had become an earthbound spirit, unable to leave at all.

Gu Qingyin was sizing things up. After quickly assessing it, she sent Liu Ergou a message.

After reading it, Liu Ergou laid out the situation to Gu Xifeng, emphasizing one key point—they needed to raise the price.

Rather than getting mad, Gu Xifeng smiled. "So, the Celestial Master means she can’t leave even if she wants to now?"

Liu Ergou kept up his aloof master act and nodded coolly. "This ghost has been overwhelmed by resentment, lost all sense and become a bloodthirsty spirit. If left unchecked, as her range of movement expands, nearby residents will also be affected."

Gu Xifeng pondered for a moment. "Can you bring her back to her senses, Celestial Master?"

Liu Ergou wouldn't commit. He subtly glanced at Gu Qingyin and, seeing her slight nod, put on a wise act. "It’s quite difficult, but if we give it our all, there’s an 80% chance."

Gu Xifeng was relieved. "Let's change the deal. I no longer need her captured—just bring her back to her senses."

Originally, he wanted to capture the ghost to seal and enshrine her in his permanent residence, gradually dispelling her resentment. But now that she couldn’t leave, he'd probably need to set up a shrine in the villa.

"Twenty million," Liu Ergou said coolly, though his heart raced.

Gu Qingyin had some nerve—he had never charged such a high price in all his years as a Celestial Master! It was outrageous!

"Deal," Gu Xifeng agreed without hesitation.

Liu Ergou was floored. The world had officially lost it.

Gu Qingyin narrowed her eyes. *Tsk, should’ve asked for more.*

Once the ten minutes were up, Gu Qingyin followed Liu Ergou toward the villa.

Only then did Gu Xifeng give a look to Gu Qingyin. "Is she also a Celestial Master?"

"Mm," Liu Ergou coughed lightly. "A disciple of a friend of mine, here to assist me."

Gu Qingyin smiled and nodded.

This was the identity they had agreed upon beforehand.

Gu Qingyin was young and beautiful, which didn’t fit the public’s image of a Celestial Master. For convenience, they fabricated a background. Initially, Gu Qingyin wanted to pose as Liu Ergou’s disciple, but he flat-out refused—for good reason. He feared it would shorten his lifespan. Thus, they invented this "friend’s disciple" story.

Gu Xifeng didn't push it and silently followed the two, deep in thought.

When they reached the villa entrance, Gu Qingyin warned him, "Mr. Gu, you can’t go inside."

"Why?" Gu Xifeng frowned. "I was allowed to observe before."

Gu Qingyin smiled. "Before, she was just an ordinary ghost. Now, she’s a Vengeful Ghost turned earthbound spirit—how could it be the same? Our commission is to restore her rationality. If we also have to protect the client..."

Her smile widened. "That'll cost extra."