gxuzi, the Daoist priest, was unwell, and his Taoist temple hadn't been fully repaired after the damage.""So what You're carrying a child. Don't think that just because your belly isn't showing, you c...My heart skipped a beat, an extension of life

"Grandma Zhong demonstrated on her little finger, whispering, “This method would be very troublesome if used by an ordinary person. But you have a twin sister born on the same day, in the same month, and year as you, so it’s much easier…”

"Why is that so easy" I stared at her and asked.

She gave a sly smile. “Borrowing lifespan, you see The underworld judges wouldn't easily notice the slight fluctuation in lifespans of those born on the same day, month, and year. Even if they did, you would have already completed the spell.”

"Why borrow life, that is, add someone else's lifespan to your own What benefit is there in doing so"

"Yue, your constitution is weak. Having that female ghost follow you will easily lead to illness and shorten your lifespan. Borrowing her lifespan can allow you to live longer... but it also has to be paid back."

"How is that possible" I forced down my anger.

This old hag is the one who instigated the harm! She wanted to get my sister to harm me!

“Also, I’m going to deduct your good fortune. This method of prolonging life harms one's moral virtue... I just taught a woman today, hehe, she was already someone with little fortune, and she still sought this method. She won't end well... But teaching you this isn't about letting you harm others, the girl..."

The old witch's eyes showed a flicker of confusion.

"I...cough...Luo, what's wrong with Luo-er" I asked nervously.

"I don't understand, I don't understand... But Luo (referring to a female character) is blessed with great fortune, more than you. You could lend her some of your lifespan; it wouldn't affect her much. Besides, the female ghost following you will become stronger due to the increased spiritual energy, attracting the attention of the Underworld officials and being forcibly taken away. Then, you won't have to be bothered by her anymore... This is a way out." Old Madam Zhong said.

I scoff, what kind of trick is this Are you going to harm me and fatten up that female ghost too

The female ghost was a witch in life. Mu Wanchen probably considered the ghost's "background" and didn't want to provoke the "powerful clan," so he tolerated the ghost's seemingly harmless behavior.

Well, I guess it's something to be tolerated. Who am I to say anything It's not like Mu Wanchen would offend powerful clans for me.

I thought of Mu Wanchen, and I said to Granny Zhong in a distracted tone, "That...I'm not skilled enough, so I'd better not use this method."

Grandma Chung gave me a creepy smile, it was particularly unsettling. She whispered, "This spell isn't difficult. You just have to when Luoya is asleep, secretly tie a red thread around her little finger, and then tie the other end to this paper man..."

Her little metal box also held paper figures, linked together hand in hand. One was red, the other white.

"Since your birth times fall within the same hour, write down your names – red ink for yours, white ink for the person you are borrowing longevity from... Then every night at the third watch (around 3 a.m.), place three incense sticks and burn some yellow paper before their bed... Bow and pray, stating how many years of life you are borrowing. Repeat this for seven consecutive days."

I got goosebumps.

This method goes against the natural order, harms one's yin virtue, and only a fool would use such a method... Perhaps some desperate people who are willing to do anything to survive might resort to this.

I feigned further consideration, rose to leave, but Granny Zhong suddenly grabbed my wrist and said, “I…my time is running out…If you hesitate any longer, I fear no one will be able to guide you through this calamity…You must act quickly, very quickly…”

Are you trying to kill me as soon as possible

I was a little annoyed, but I didn't let her words get to me.

After knowing she taught such a harmful method, I will never look at her the same way again.

Dead.

I pulled her hand away forcefully and whispered, “That... I don't want to hurt my family. Let me think of another way..."

"Little Yue... If you don't listen to your wife, one day you will surely be overwhelmed by Little Luo. Her life fire is much stronger than yours!"

Humph, sowing discord.

My house isn't big or wealthy, but we are comfortably off. I have no interest in fighting over inheritance; a small apartment would be enough for me, and I wouldn't mind if I didn't get one. With my family background, I could always swindle people to make a living. If that doesn't work, I can find a job at a hospital after graduation—a few thousand dollars a month is enough to survive.

I would never fight with my sister.

I stepped out of the house, the smell of medicine from inside making my head spin.

A fierce meow echoed through the air.

I've been hearing piercing meows from the next-door yard all along. Now I see a large black cat, crouched agilely on the wall, glaring menacingly at me and letting out aggressive growls.

What's going on Have I been getting along well with cats lately

I avoided the black cat's sharp claws, sticking to the other side of the wall and walking towards the front door. Behind me came a sound of breaking dishes, my heart skipped a beat. Could Old Lady Zhong have fallen

It pains me to see him just walk away like that. I turned back and shouted at the door, "Did you fall Do you need help"

Grandma Chung crawled on the ground, her expression a little strange. She grinned at me and raised a thin, bony hand.

I thought she wanted me to pull her up.

But as I took a step forward, her hand waved outward and she muttered, "Go, go... get out of here... quickly..."

What is she doing… Her mouth looks black in the shadows of the dim light.

That's terrifying.

I dashed out, vowing never to speak with that old hag again.

I closed the gate to her courtyard and looked down this dark alley. I didn't know where it led, these years of demolition and reconstruction had made the alley twist and turn in all sorts of ways, and I wasn't familiar with it.

But standing here, I feel a sense of something cold and sinister lurking in the darkness, waiting to pounce.

That creepy feeling you get in a parking lot came back again.

I took a shaky breath, pushing down the fear in my heart, and hurried back the way I came.

A light bulb hung in the narrow alley. As I passed a low, dilapidated house, the window by the wall suddenly creaked open with a "clank."

"Ah!" I was already feeling guilty, and now this startled me.

This is definitely not me being paranoid, something strange is definitely lurking and waiting to ambush me!

I sprinted out, the light bulbs behind me exploding with a "pop" and a wave of icy coldness engulfing me.

"Oh! Help me!"

The night before me seemed like a lake, with ripples spreading across its surface. The scene flickered and moved indistinctly.

I thought I was seeing things. Suddenly, everything went black. A hand clamped onto my shoulder, shoving me against someone's chest. Then, half of a dark-purple cloak covered my head!

"Hush..."

The touch of this chest, is Mu Wanchen!

"Speak softly." The rich voice echoed above my head.

"What's following me..." I gasped.

"You can't see it yet," he whispered.

"Ghosts" I can see ghosts, have been able to since I was little.

"...it's a spirit driven by witchcraft, be quiet, it will dissipate if it can't find you."

"Can't find me I'm right here," I looked down at my feet. stunned as a blood-red ghost in the thick fog suddenly let out a terrifying shriek and transformed into a ghostly figure rushing towards us!"Hide!" I reacted instantly, grabbing the little boy by the...