Chapter Twenty-One: The Whole Story (Part One)

“You still haven’t told me where this stone of yours came from!” Modo, already impatient, pressed for an answer.

“Never mind where it’s from. Do you think it’s suitable as a material for crafting a cultivation artifact?” Shi Jun hadn’t expected the jade talisman his mother gave him would meet the standards for such an artifact. Though surprised, he was also overjoyed.

“Of course!” Modo didn’t hesitate to snatch the talisman, examining it closely as he muttered to himself, “Strange… this thing seems to be without any attributes. That’s quite rare.”

Hearing Modo’s exclamations, Qi Shang and Wang Li both came over to study the talisman. After a while, they nodded in agreement, “It’s truly without attributes. Such a precious find—where did you get it?”

Without attributes? The term sounded familiar to Shi Jun, but he was unsure, so he quickly asked, “What does that mean?”

“Oh, without attributes means it doesn’t belong to any of the five elements—metal, wood, water, fire, or earth. That’s exceedingly rare, because materials for cultivating artifacts usually possess an innate elemental property, which determines the future path and abilities of the artifact. If it’s water-based, you can only cultivate water-type treasures with it!” Modo gesticulated excitedly, clearly thrilled. “But this stone has no attribute, meaning it can be used to cultivate an artifact of any attribute. Of course, once it’s been refined, its attribute cannot be changed.”

Shi Jun eyed Modo skeptically, then took the talisman from his neck and scrutinized it. “You really think this talisman is suitable?”

“Absolutely! You won’t find anything better!” Modo declared loudly.

Wang Li nodded, “There's a powerful spiritual force within this trinket. I even sense a peculiar energy inside, almost as if it’s been imbued with some kind of spell.”

“Really?” Qi Shang studied the talisman in Shi Jun’s hand for a long time before shaking his head. “Strange, things like this are rarely seen in the human world. How did you get it? But since it’s such a treasure, there’s no doubt it’s perfect for refining into an artifact.”

Shi Jun was overjoyed. He thought to himself, “This is a windfall! Who’d have guessed something so valuable was at home all along? I wouldn’t have had to scour the world for materials.” But then he hesitated. This was a gift from his mother—what if it was transformed or destroyed in battle? How would he explain it to her? Still, there was no choice. Finding the remaining ghost spirits was more urgent. He’d just do it first and explain later.

As he was mulling this over, two odd noises caught his attention. Glancing over, he saw Modo and Wang Li exchanging embarrassed looks. He realized their stomachs were protesting their hunger. With a smile, he said, “Let’s put this aside. You’d better fill your bellies first.”

Qi Shang grinned at Wang Li, teasing, “Third Brother, who’d have thought you’d become so fond of human food in just a few days? You’ve picked up all mortal habits—even your stomach growls out loud in protest!”

“That’s the fun of it,” Wang Li replied earnestly. “The human world is far more interesting than the underworld, and the mortals are quite agreeable. I rather like them.”

—

Shi Jun wanted to ask, “If you like them so much, why did you play tricks on that TV host yesterday?” But Qi Shang spoke up, “Sir, let my third brother explain about yesterday’s incident later. For now, I have to trouble you again. The dishes Sixth Sister asked us to prepare are too complicated—more trouble than training a hundred times over! If I’d known, I never would’ve gotten involved!”

Modo nodded fervently, “That’s right! Qi Shang, you took the words right out of my mouth. I’d rather eat less than do this again!”

Shi Jun shook his head, “Fine, you two take a break. I’ll finish up in the kitchen.” Rolling up his sleeves, he set to work. His cooking skills weren’t extraordinary, but after years of his mother’s influence, he could easily whip up a few simple dishes with the available ingredients.

—

After the meal, they all gathered to recount the morning’s events.

That morning, Liu Qing and Qi Shang had gone to the television station, where, by chance, they ran into the unlucky female host right at the entrance. She wore enormous sunglasses and was hurrying toward the parking lot. From Liu Qing’s perspective, a faint black mist hovered over the host’s back, reminiscent of what Qi Shang had sensed at the psychiatric hospital.

Before Liu Qing could speak, Qi Shang grinned, “So it really is Third Brother. Why would he possess a woman? I have to find out!” With that, she and Liu Qing stealthily trailed the host.

They hadn’t gone far when the host suddenly spun around, flashing a charming smile at Qi Shang. With a delighted voice, she said sweetly, “Well, how did you find me? I was just thinking yesterday that such an interesting affair should be shared with you!”

“Third Brother!” Qi Shang, seeing Wang Li had revealed himself, no longer hid and exchanged a knowing glance with Liu Qing. She stepped forward with a cheeky smile, “Where are you off to?”

Wang Li glanced at Liu Qing, puzzled. “Why are you with this new ghost? If Second Brother sees, won’t you get her in trouble?”

“It’s fine, Third Brother. She’s a new friend. I heard you made quite a scene at the TV station yesterday. What happened? You’re not usually one for pranks.”

Possessing the host, Wang Li snickered, shaking his head. “You don’t know how nasty this woman is. She deserved a lesson. But since I’m happy to see you, I’ll let her off.”

Then, the host’s body went limp and collapsed, eyes tightly shut, as if unconscious. A black shadow slowly peeled away from her, hovering in the air for a moment before changing color and coalescing into a portly man in yellow, who stood before them with a broad smile.

Liu Qing stared, uncertain and wary, but not frightened as she’d been on her first encounter with Qi Shang. Instead, she found the man’s appearance rather honest and endearing, despite his peculiar entrance.

—

“Little one, how long have you been dead?” Wang Li noticed Liu Qing’s unblinking gaze and asked with a smile.

“Me?” Liu Qing, clearly unused to such questions, flustered and replied, “Not long—just two or three years.”

“Haha, I thought so!” Wang Li laughed, quite pleased with himself. Suddenly he tilted his head, puzzled. “Wait, your spiritual power is strong. It’s as if you’ve been cultivating for years. Be careful! If my second brother sees you, he won’t let you off easily. But you’re odd—did you have some extraordinary encounter? Tell me about it!”

Before Liu Qing could answer, he turned to Qi Shang, “Did you see me on TV yesterday? I’ve been bored wandering around alone, but now we’re together again! Honestly, the human world is more fun than the underworld. Their food is amazing—shame I don’t have their money, so I have to steal bites. If I could take human form and eat in one of those restaurants, that would be pure bliss…”

Wang Li chattered on endlessly, but Qi Shang patiently listened, used to his temperament. Only when Wang Li finally paused did she clear her throat and say loudly, “Third Brother, I have something important to discuss with you!”

“Ah? Important? Let’s find a quieter place.” Wang Li glanced around, then suggested they talk elsewhere.

A while later, the three returned to Hu Hai’s residence. Qi Shang succinctly recounted meeting Shi Jun and the others, then asked, “What do you think, Third Brother?”

Wang Li scratched his head in realization. “So that’s how we escaped! Then this Underworld Enforcer you mentioned really is our benefactor. I must thank him properly! But he isn’t planning to capture us again, is he? And let me be clear—I won’t help him catch any of our other brothers.”

“I’ve already made that clear to him. He understands and won’t force us.” Qi Shang smiled, glancing at Liu Qing, whose face clouded with worry. After a hesitation, she added softly, “But I do have a concern…”

Wang Li paused, then nodded knowingly. “You mean Second Brother and Fourth Brother!” He sighed, opening his mouth as if to speak, then fell silent, exchanging a helpless glance with Qi Shang.

After a long moment, Qi Shang remembered to ask, “By the way, you never told me why you pranked that host. Was it because she’s pretty?”

“Pah!” Wang Li snorted. “I’m not that bored. The woman is rotten to the core! I only did it because I saw her true colors. She deserved a little humiliation, so she’d learn to be less arrogant in the future!”