Chapter 23: Xuanqing Zhenren’s Get-Rich Dream

The night deepened, and the crowds at the night market gradually thinned. The three of them still sat at the barbecue stall, munching on their last skewers while pondering the words the owner had just shared.

Xuanqing Zhenren wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth, narrowed his eyes slightly, and suddenly let out a sly chuckle.

"Hehehe…"

Chen Jing shot him a wary glance and frowned. "You're grinning so deviously. You're definitely scheming something shady."

"What do you mean, 'shady'? This is called a business opportunity!" Xuanqing Zhenren slapped the table, his eyes gleaming. "Think about it—the night market here is haunted, people are too scared to come out, and business is suffering. What does that tell you?"

"It tells me that you should finish your food and go home to sleep," Chen Jing retorted mercilessly.

"No! It tells me that the people here have a 'demand'!" Xuanqing Zhenren said excitedly. "Think about it. If everyone in this area is afraid of ghosts, wouldn't a handsome, skilled, and experienced exorcist stepping forward and charging for ghost-hunting services make a fortune?"

Lucifer finally lifted his gaze and cast a cold glance at him. "...You?"

"Exactly! Xuanqing Zhenren, a seasoned traveler who specializes in capturing spirits and demons!" Xuanqing Zhenren patted his chest confidently. "The market has huge potential. We should seize this opportunity and start a demon-exorcising business!"

Chen Jing stared at him, her lips twitching slightly. "You were the first to run for your life in the tunnel, faster than a rabbit, and now you want to be an exorcist?"

"Hey, that was a tactical retreat!" Xuanqing Zhenren waved his hand with a serious expression. "This time is different. This time, it's a 'paid exorcism.' It's a whole new game when money is involved!"

"So you think money is more important than your life?" Chen Jing couldn't help but ask.

Xuanqing Zhenren nodded vigorously. "Yes!"

"…"

Chen Jing rubbed her forehead in exasperation. "I can't believe you."

"Come on, don't be so quick to shoot down my business plan." Xuanqing Zhenren leaned in mysteriously. "Think about it. The ghosts we've encountered so far aren't ordinary. Normal people can't deal with them. Now, this place is haunted, and people are terrified. Isn't this the perfect opportunity for us to shine?"

"Wrong," Lucifer cut in coldly. "It's the perfect opportunity for you to shine."

"Hehe, three make a team! Let's work together!" Xuanqing Zhenren smirked slyly. "You two will handle the showmanship, and I'll take care of the—uh, 'spiritual suppression.' Chen, you'll be my assistant, and Brother Lu, you'll be the intimidating presence. Just like that, we've got ourselves a fully operational 'Exorcist Master Team'!"

Chen Jing sneered. "And then you pocket the money?"

"Everyone gets a share!" Xuanqing Zhenren declared sincerely. "Don't worry, I'm a fair man. We'll split it equally!"

"The real problem is," Chen Jing leaned on her hand with an expression of disdain, "do you even know how to exorcise ghosts?"

"Of course I do!" Xuanqing Zhenren responded righteously. "I'm Xuanqing Zhenren! I've studied Daoist techniques since childhood. Although some spells are… not to be used lightly, dealing with regular ghosts is no problem."

"The spells you 'can't use lightly'—is that just because you don't actually know how to use them?" Chen Jing squinted at him suspiciously.

"…"

Xuanqing Zhenren pretended not to hear and quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, tomorrow we can scout around and find out which shop is affected the worst. Then, we'll offer them our exorcism services."

"Offer… services?" Chen Jing's mouth twitched. "Do you think this is selling insurance?"

"Ghost-hunting is a marketable skill!" Xuanqing Zhenren declared with conviction. "Look at fortune tellers and feng shui masters—how do they make a living? They don't scam people—uh, I mean, they use 'professional knowledge' to earn money! That's just good business!"

Lucifer regarded him with an indifferent gaze. "Does your business model include real ghosts?"

"…"

Xuanqing Zhenren coughed and then patted his chest. "Relax! With me here, there's no ghost to fear!"

"Oh?" Chen Jing narrowed her eyes mischievously and suddenly pointed behind him. "Then take a look behind you."

"Huh?" Xuanqing Zhenren instinctively turned his head—only to see nothing.

"…"

He quickly turned back and glared at Chen Jing. "Don't scare me like that!"

"Tsk." Chen Jing continued eating her skewer, unimpressed. "And you think you're fit to be a ghost hunter with that kind of reflex?"

"Hmph, bravery isn't the issue! It's about professional knowledge and work ethic!" Xuanqing Zhenren said righteously.

"…" Chen Jing rolled her eyes. "If you're serious, go ahead. I'm not getting involved."

"Ah, don't be so heartless." Xuanqing Zhenren grinned shamelessly. "We're all friends, let's help each other out."

"I refuse."

"Then what about you, Brother Lu?" Xuanqing Zhenren turned to Lucifer. "Interested in joining the business?"

Lucifer wiped the crumbs from his lips, cast a cold glance at him, and said flatly, "Not interested."

"…"

Xuanqing Zhenren glanced at Chen Jing, then at Lucifer, his lips twitching.

These two had absolutely no entrepreneurial spirit!

"Fine, fine," he sighed, waving a hand dismissively. "If you two don't want to join, I'll go solo!"

Chen Jing shrugged. "Sure, just don't end up running away from ghosts again."

"Hmph, just you wait!" Xuanqing Zhenren declared with conviction. "Once I strike it rich, don't be jealous!"

"Heh." Chen Jing sneered, continuing to eat her barbecue without the slightest belief in Xuanqing Zhenren's so-called 'business acumen.'

Lucifer remained silent, simply lowering his gaze and continuing to eat his pancake, his expression unreadable, as if deep in thought.

Xuanqing Zhenren smacked the table confidently, his eyes burning with the conviction that he was destined to make a fortune. Meanwhile, Chen Jing looked at him as if she were watching a man who wouldn't survive past the third episode of a show.

Lucifer, indifferent to it all, continued eating his pancake at a leisurely pace, showing no interest in engaging with Xuanqing Zhenren's antics.

The night market was still bustling. The scent of grilled meat and spices filled the air, while neon lights flickered, casting colorful reflections on the pavement.

Just as Xuanqing Zhenren was fantasizing about sitting on a fortune, opening a chain of ghost-hunting franchises, a small commotion erupted at the other end of the night market.

A chubby middle-aged man came running frantically, shouting as he ran, "Help! It's back again! It's here again!"

"Hm?" Chen Jing raised an eyebrow, immediately looking up.

Lucifer calmly set down his pancake, his cold gaze sweeping over the panicked man.

Xuanqing Zhenren, on the other hand, brightened up with excitement and stood up enthusiastically. "Oh-ho! Here it comes! Business opportunity!"

"You mean the ghost is here?" Chen Jing's eyes widened.

"Of course!" Xuanqing Zhenren rubbed his hands together, looking eager. "Just watch, this is definitely our first big job!"

Chen Jing rubbed her forehead. "You really are trying to profit off a disaster, huh?"

Xuanqing Zhenren corrected her with a perfectly serious expression. "How is it 'profiting off a disaster'? This is providing a 'crisis resolution service.' It's a legitimate business model in a market economy!"

"…Fine, you win." Chen Jing gave up arguing.

By now, the middle-aged man had reached their table. He bent over, hands on his knees, panting heavily, his face pale and drenched in sweat.

The barbecue stall owner approached as well, his expression tense. "Old Zhao, what happened this time? You saw it again?"

"It's still there!" The man, referred to as Old Zhao, wiped his sweat, still trembling from fear. "Right at the alley entrance! It was just standing there, staring straight at me!"

Chen Jing's body tensed immediately. "It? You mean… a ghost?"

"What else could it be?!" Old Zhao's voice trembled. "Its whole body was pitch black, and I couldn't see its face clearly, but its eyes—those eyes were glowing like two lightbulbs! This isn't the first time it's appeared!"

"Relax! With me here, you've got nothing to fear!" Xuanqing Zhenren thumped his chest confidently and stepped forward. "Tell me more. When exactly did it appear? What does it look like in detail?"

Old Zhao hesitated, looking him up and down in suspicion. "And… who are you?"

Without missing a beat, Xuanqing Zhenren straightened his back and said smoothly, "I am Xuanqing Zhenren, master of exorcisms, grand expert of demon suppression! My skills are unparalleled, my network extends across the mortal and spirit realms, and no evil entity can escape my gaze!"

Old Zhao: "…"

Chen Jing: "…"

Lucifer: "…"

The barbecue stall fell into an awkward silence.

Chen Jing couldn't help but whisper, "…You're really overselling yourself."

Xuanqing Zhenren cleared his throat and whispered back, "It's called marketing. Ever heard of branding?"

Old Zhao, though still doubtful, was clearly too shaken to care. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Can you really… really solve this? I'm telling you, this thing is far too eerie. We've already called in several Daoist priests, but as soon as they got close to the alley, they felt dizzy and nauseous. None of them dared to go in!"

Xuanqing Zhenren's eyes lit up. "Oh-ho! Doesn't that just prove this is a big case?"

Chen Jing sighed. "Why do I feel like you're scarier than the ghost itself…"

"Enough nonsense." Lucifer stood up, his cold gaze sweeping toward the night market. "Let's check it out."

Chen Jing and Xuanqing exchanged glances, realizing the joke had gone too far. Even though Xuanqing Zhenren had dollar signs in his eyes, if something truly supernatural was lurking in the market, they couldn't just ignore it.

"Lead the way," Chen Jing said to Old Zhao.

Old Zhao nodded hastily and led the trio deeper into the night market.

Here, the streetlights became sparse, and the air carried a faint musty scent.

Old Zhao stopped at a dimly lit alleyway, anxiously glancing around. "Here… It was right here just now!"

Xuanqing Zhenren squinted, scanning the surroundings. "Which direction?"

"There!" Old Zhao's voice trembled as he pointed into the alley. "It was standing there, leaning against the wall, not moving an inch. Even when I ran away, it didn't follow…"

Chen Jing frowned. "Are you sure it wasn't just your imagination?"

"No way!" Old Zhao shook his head furiously. "I saw it clearly. Those eyes… They were terrifying!"

Xuanqing Zhenren cracked his knuckles, grinning. "Alright, let this professional take a look!"

With that, he pulled a yellow talisman from his bag, blew off the imaginary dust, and muttered a quick incantation. Then—

Smack!

He slapped the talisman onto his own forehead. "There, I have a protective charm. I'm safe now!"

Chen Jing: "...Why don't you just stick on ten of them?"

Xuanqing Zhenren, looking utterly serious, replied, "Talisman paper is expensive. Gotta save."

"…"

Lucifer ignored him and stepped into the alley.

Seeing this, Chen Jing immediately followed. Xuanqing Zhenren hesitated, taking half a step back before realizing he was alone. Gritting his teeth, he hurried after them.

The alley was eerily quiet.

The damp air carried a bone-chilling coldness.

The three stood at the entrance, cautiously surveying their surroundings. But at first glance, the alley was empty, save for a few rats scurrying through the shadows, their tiny claws making faint scratching sounds.

Chen Jing glanced around, lowering her voice. "Looks like… nothing's here?"

Lucifer said nothing. His eyes narrowed slightly, as if sensing something.

Then—

Click.

At the end of the alley, the glow of the streetlamp flickered ever so slightly, as if something had just passed by.

Chen Jing instantly turned her head. "What was that?"

Xuanqing Zhenren swallowed nervously. "No way… It's already here?"

Lucifer didn't move. His cold eyes remained fixed on the alley's end, his voice low and steady. "...Something is there."

The air grew unnaturally still.

The three of them held their breath.

From the darkness, a vague shadow slowly emerged—

It stood at the far end of the alley, completely motionless, as if silently watching them.

The streetlamp's dim glow cast onto its form, yet, strangely, its face remained concealed in the shadows, completely indistinct.

Except—

Those crimson eyes.

They slowly opened in the darkness.