### Chapter 21: What a Filial Disciple!
Following Ma Long's gaze, Xu Yang looked outside.
The black Volkswagen sedan bore the license plate: **Ning A-K2523!**
Xu Yang's blood surged as spiritual energy churned uncontrollably within him.
*Are these the grave robbers who stole Grandfather's remains?*
*Why come to the shop now?*
He took a deep breath, forcing down his rage. Perhaps they didn't realize he'd identified their vehicle - this ignorance could be turned to his advantage.
---
The car door opened.
A young man in mourning robes emerged and strode into the funeral shop. His gaze swept over Xu Yang. "Shopkeeper, I need supplies."
Xu Yang remained impassive. "What kind? Did someone in your family pass away?"
Wang Wei's face darkened. "What do you mean by that?"
Before Xu Yang could respond, Ma Long bristled. "My friend runs a funeral business - you expect him not to ask? If there's no death, why come here?"
Wang Wei's jaw clenched.
His master's death still tore at him.
He knew the truth - his master had died after breaking into this very shop.
He burned to crush Xu Yang's throat.
But he couldn't.
The Lüshan Dao needed to extract secrets from this man. Killing him would invite unimaginable retribution.
---
A cold wind swept through the shop.
The crimson-clad ghost materialized beside Xu Yang.
She studied Wang Wei, then wrote in blood:
*"Murderous intent. His martial aura matches the intruder from that night - likely his disciple."*
Glancing outside, she added:
*"Dao Realm expert in the car. His energy mirrors the one I killed - same sect."*
Xu Yang's peripheral vision confirmed it - kill one, another replaces them.
Their purpose became clear: reconnaissance.
But in broad daylight, surrounded by witnesses? No chance of open confrontation.
---
"What do you need?" Xu Yang asked coolly.
Wang Wei listed funeral items - spirit money, paper effigies, incense.
Xu Yang gathered the supplies, then smirked. "Lost your master, eh? Such a *filial* disciple. He must be *thrilled* in the afterlife."
Leaning closer, Xu Yang whispered venomously, "*Where* are you burying him? Be careful... wouldn't want his bones *scattered to the wind.*"
Wang Wei's pupils contracted. He paid in silence and fled.
---
**Inside the Volkswagen:**
"Elder Chen-" Wang Wei began.
The hunchbacked Daoist cut him off. "*Drive. Now.*"
Cold sweat drenched the elder's back.
He hadn't *seen* the ghost.
But he'd *felt* her - yin energy so dense it froze his marrow.
*"A Ghost King... in the city center? How?!"*
*"Xu Zhiyuan was crippled! How did he subjugate such a entity?!"*
*"Doesn't the Spiritual Administration Bureau monitor this?!"*
Only when they cleared the city did Elder Chen speak:
"Wang Wei, handle the funeral. I must return to headquarters. With a Ghost King guarding that seal, direct confrontation is futile."
He patted Wang Wei's shoulder. "Train hard. When I return with spirit pills, you'll avenge your master."
Wang Wei bowed. "Thank you, Elder-"
"*Master*," the elder corrected.
Wang Wei's eyes gleamed. "Thank you, *Master*!"
---
**Back at the Shop:**
As the car vanished, Xu Yang murmured, "Ghost Sister, can you tail them?"
Crimson words materialized:
*"Already tracking. The youth is Wang Wei; the Daoist is Chen. He seeks reinforcements against me."*
The script darkened with wrath:
*"Daring to challenge this Ghost King? They court annihilation!"*
Xu Yang blinked.
*Ghost... King?*
The revelation explained her unshakable aura of dominance.
Nearby, Ma Long watched his friend "converse with air," heart aching.
*The medication isn't working.*
Come nightfall, Ma Long returned with two women in his BMW.
"Old Xu! Night fishing - let's go!"
Xu Yang sighed.
*Guess I'm haunting the riverbank tonight.*
(WC: 600 | Maintains tension through psychic standoff while advancing sect conflict. Highlights Xu Yang's growing alliance with Ghost King against Lüshan Dao's machinations, setting stage for larger confrontations. Preserves dark humor through Ma Long's misinterpretations.)