Chapter 31: Lord You

"Performing for ghosts?" Li Huowan felt a chill down his spine. Just hearing the term made it clear that this wasn't an ordinary task.

"It's really nothing, just singing in front of the ancestral tablets in the clan's shrine," explained Lü Zhuangyuan.

"If it's really nothing, then why doesn't Lü Master take on this job himself?" Li Huowan countered, immediately skeptical. It was obvious this wasn't as simple as Lü made it sound.

"Ah, well, this is my first time doing something like this, and I'm feeling a bit nervous. That's why I'd like a highly skilled master like yourself to accompany us and give us some peace of mind," Lü Zhuangyuan explained, trying to smooth things over.

"Lü Master, I truly cannot help with this," Li Huowan responded firmly. He usually avoided situations like this at all costs, so why would he voluntarily involve himself now?

Even if nothing happened, he wasn't about to take the gamble. His relationship with Lü Zhuangyuan was nothing more than that of temporary travel companions, and he wasn't willing to risk his life for the man. If this request meant Lü wouldn't continue as their guide, so be it. Li Huowan could ask the villagers for directions himself—surely someone would know the way.

"Wait, wait, young master! Don't be so quick to refuse!" Lü Zhuangyuan pleaded. "Listen to me first. What if I told you we'd split the pay for this job evenly? How does that sound?"

Seeing that Li Huowan remained unmoved, Lü continued, waving his hands animatedly. "This isn't just some petty sum we're talking about! Master Hu offered us a whole ten taels of silver!"

Note for readers: In ancient Chinese currency, one tael of silver was equivalent to about 1,000 copper coins, which was considered a significant amount of money. Ten taels could support a family for several months or more, depending on their living standards.

"Ten taels! That's 10,000 copper coins! Master Daoist, even if you're on the path to immortality, you still have to eat before you ascend, right?"

Li Huowan paused, glancing at the two bags of dried sweet potato nearby. They were running out of food. It wasn't just about the immediate need for grain—once they reached Jianye Town, they'd likely need a substantial sum of money for lodging, supplies, and other necessities. In a world built around human interactions, money was an unavoidable requirement.

"Master Daoist, I'm begging you! If it's really a matter of money, we can split it 60-40, with you taking the larger share. It's so hard to make this much money nowadays!" Lü Zhuangyuan was practically in tears as he begged, circling around Li Huowan like a desperate man.

Li Huowan suddenly turned to Lü Zhuangyuan. "Is there a blacksmith in this village?"

"What?"

Under Lü Zhuangyuan's guidance, Li Huowan arrived at the only blacksmith's shop in Wuli Hill.

"What do you need made?" The burly, shirtless blacksmith gave Li Huowan a once-over, his eyes lingering briefly on the Daoist robes.

"I don't need anything made. I need this repaired. It can't be hammered or melted down. Can you restore it?" Li Huowan produced the copper bell and handed it over.

If the bell could be repaired, and he could summon Lord You, then perhaps he'd have the means to accept this job. Otherwise, the money would be far too risky to take.

"What do you mean, 'can't hammer or melt'? What kind of nonsense is that?" The blacksmith grumbled, taking the copper bell and examining it. After shaking it a few times, he grabbed two pairs of large iron pliers. "Come here and help me hold this."

The long pliers clamped tightly onto the dented sides of the bell. Both men strained with all their might, but the copper bell didn't budge. The result wasn't surprising, yet it was still frustrating.

"Huh, this is strange! What kind of copper is this? It's so hard!" The blacksmith was about to tap the bell with his knuckle when Li Huowan quickly stopped him.

Looking at the pliers gripping the bell, Li Huowan hesitated briefly before pulling out a small gourd from his waist. He tipped out a single pill and swallowed it.

Note for readers: The pill is likely a "spiritual elixir" or medicinal pill crafted through alchemy, a common trope in Chinese fantasy stories. Such pills are believed to enhance strength, restore vitality, or provide other extraordinary benefits.

"Buzz." A surge of heat radiated from his lower abdomen, spreading rapidly through his entire body.

Taking a deep breath, Li Huowan grabbed one pair of pliers and pulled with all his might.

"Two men couldn't manage it, and you think you can—" The blacksmith's words trailed off mid-sentence as a grating sound filled the air. The dented copper bell slowly returned to its original shape.

The blacksmith's jaw dropped in disbelief as the bell was fully restored.

"Well, it's no big deal. I told you, Master Daoist here is highly skilled," Lü Zhuangyuan bragged to the blacksmith, as if he'd been the one to accomplish the feat.

Later, Li Huowan left the village and ventured alone into the nearby woods. Holding the restored copper bell, he felt both anticipation and apprehension as he began to shake it.

As the bell rang, a familiar sensation of dizziness and disorientation struck him. The world seemed to spin, and the lines of the surrounding trees twisted and detached from their original shapes, gradually coalescing into a new form.

"It's working!" Li Huowan's heart raced with excitement.

Accompanied by the bell's piercing sound, Lord You finally appeared before him. However, this time, there was only one.

Lord You resembled a writhing mass of high-frequency vibrating lines, with a shape that defied comprehension. It was as if it existed on the brink of stability, ready to collapse at any moment.

Li Huowan couldn't stare at it for too long; doing so made him feel as if he might unravel it with his gaze.

Before speaking, Li Huowan crouched down, scooped up a handful of wet mud, and stuffed it into his mouth.

Note for readers: The act of eating mud may seem bizarre, but in the context of Chinese supernatural lore, it could symbolize humility or an attempt to communicate with spirits on their terms. This detail reflects the often strange and unpredictable methods used to interact with the otherworldly.

"Can you understand me?" he asked, his words distorted by the mud and the warped environment.

To his astonishment, Lord You responded with a series of incomprehensible sounds. Though he couldn't fully grasp their meaning, it was clear there was a response.

This discovery thrilled Li Huowan. If he could command Lord You, his power would greatly increase.

However, when he asked about the cost of using Lord You, the answer sobered him: three months of his lifespan for each use.

"Is this the same deal you had with Dan Yangzi?" he asked. But this time, Lord You fell silent.

Back in the village, Li Huowan returned to find Lü Zhuangyuan waiting for him.

"Master Daoist, what happened to you? Why is there mud in your mouth?"

"I've decided to take on the job," Li Huowan replied, gripping the copper bell tightly.

"That's fantastic! I'll go inform Master Hu right away!" Lü Zhuangyuan exclaimed, overjoyed.