After Chen Yuanshan returned to his bedroom in the afternoon, he didn't come out again. Xu Yan teased me, saying that my proposal to become his apprentice had startled her master's senior.

"Just accept or decline, is it really that complicated? He's been in his room the whole afternoon."

I muttered while cooking in the kitchen.

"He Zhihui, becoming an apprentice and learning Dao is not as simple as you think."

"Why is it not simple?"

"A master cannot accept any disciple. First, the disciple must have good character, be kind, and have principles and boundaries in their actions. If a master accepts disciples with malicious intent, both the disciple and the master will face karmic retribution. After accepting a disciple, if they use Dao techniques for good, that's fine. But if they use it to harm others, both the disciple and the master will face consequences."

"What exactly is this karmic retribution?"

I asked Xu Yan in confusion.

"It's not difficult to explain. It's the principle of 'sow good seeds, reap good fruits; sow bad seeds, reap bad fruits.' If you do good deeds, you'll receive positive outcomes. If you don't receive those benefits during your lifetime, your descendants might. On the contrary, if you do evil, you'll face negative consequences, either in your lifetime or passed on to your descendants. If you become a vengeful ghost after death and end up in the underworld, you might be sent to the eighteen levels of hell. That's why we Taoists care a lot about karmic retribution because we've seen and experienced a lot."

"For example, in fortune-telling and divination, it involve peeking into the mysteries of the heavens, and even that comes with consequences. My master and my senior take the money for fortune-telling and divination but use a significant portion of it to do good deeds, offsetting the karmic retribution. Taking on disciples is not about finding someone pleasant; it's a heavy responsibility."

Xu Yan explained in detail.

"I see."

I nodded, understanding a bit more.

After finishing the meal, I went upstairs and lightly knocked on Chen Yuanshan's bedroom door.

"Master Chen, lunch is ready. Come out and eat."

"I know."

Chen Yuanshan responded from inside his room.

Shortly after, Chen Yuanshan came out of his room with a solemn expression. The three of us ate in silence. I occasionally glanced at Chen Yuanshan, while Xu Yan looked at both of us. Chen Yuanshan, on the other hand, ate without looking at us.

"I'm full."

After finishing a bowl of rice, Chen Yuanshan said to us, then put down his chopsticks and returned to his room.

"It seems like my apprentice proposal won't work out."

I muttered quietly to Xu Yan, looking at Chen Yuanshan's back.

"Don't be discouraged. I think there's still hope for this."

Xu Yan smiled and reassured me.

After the meal, Xu Yan helped me clean up, and we went downstairs. I called my dad.

"Dad, where are you?"

"I'm at home. Are you still at Master Chen's place?"

"Yes, I'm still here. I plan to work for Master Chen, and he's willing to pay me three thousand yuan a month."

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"Since you're not going to be a corpse salvager, I won't force you. Do whatever you want. Just don't blame me for being your dad in the future."

"Okay, if you're alone catching corpses in the river, be careful. Don't sacrifice your life for money."

I reminded my dad.

"I know. Take care of yourself outside."

"Yeah, I'll take care of myself. What about you, eating alone since I'm not at home?"

"Don't worry about me. I won't starve. I'll either go to your Aunt Wu's for a meal or find something to eat outside."

"Dad, Aunt Wu has some problems with her legs. She doesn't look bad, a practical woman, and she treats us well. Why don't you just be with Aunt Wu?"

"Mind your own business. You don't need to worry about my affairs."

My dad sounded impatient on the phone.

"Okay, that's it. Contact me if you have anything."

I hung up after saying that.

At 10:30 in the evening, Chen Yuanshan received a call from Jiang Yulin. She informed him that she had finished work and was on her way home.

"Wait for me at the entrance of the community. I'll come over."

Chen Yuanshan told Jiang Yulin before hanging up.

"Xiao Yan, I'm going to Jiang Yulin's place. Do you want to stay at Dao Zun Tang or come with us?"

Chen Yuanshan asked Xu Yan as he came downstairs.

"I'd like to go with you."

Xu Yan stood up from the sofa and answered.

"Then pack your things and come with us."

Chen Yuanshan nodded, agreeing with Xu Yan.

I took the yellow cloth bag hanging on the wall and put it around my neck. Xu Yan took down the peachwood sword and the copper coin sword hanging on the wall.

"Master Chen, last night, you had a strange copper coin. You slapped the hand of the woman in red with it, and she screamed. What kind of treasure is that?"

I recalled what happened last night and asked Chen Yuanshan.

Chen Yuanshan took out the coin from his pocket and handed it to me.

"This is called the Mountain Ghost Coin, cast in the late Yuan and early Ming. It became widespread in the Qing Dynasty, especially among Taoist priests, used as a tool for exorcism and driving away evil spirits. After a Taoist priest consecrates it, people can hang it at home or carry it for protection. In the Qing Dynasty, many people wore it as an accessory for its aesthetic appeal and psychological comfort against evil spirits. Apart from personal use, the Mountain Ghost Coin was also placed in corners and screens of houses for spiritual protection. Those with Bagua patterns are considered superior Mountain Ghost Coins."

Chen Yuanshan explained to me while pointing at the coin in my hand.

After hearing Chen Yuanshan's explanation, I handed the Mountain Ghost Coin back to him.

"This is for you."

Chen Yuanshan generously said to me and walked toward the entrance of Dao Zun Tang.

"Xu Yan, is this Mountain Ghost Coin valuable?"

I turned around and asked Xu Yan.

"He Zhihui, can you not be so materialistic? Not everything should be associated with money. If my senior gives you something, it's about friendship. Friendship cannot be measured by money."

Xu Yan lectured me and walked away.

I felt that Xu Yan was right. I was too materialistic, probably because I didn't have much money. If I had money, I might not be so vulgar.

Chen Yuanshan drove us to Nanhua Community, and it was already past 11:00 at night. Chen Yuanshan parked the car at the entrance of the community, opposite the supermarket.

Nanhua Community was an old community of more than twenty years. There were eight buildings in total, each seven stories high.

At the community gate, we saw Jiang Yulin, who had a worried expression on her face, looking towards the building she lived in.

"Cough, cough."

Chen Yuanshan walked behind Jiang Yulin and, seeing that she hadn't noticed us, coughed a couple of times.

Jiang Yulin was still startled by Chen Yuanshan's coughing.

"Chen Daochang, I live in that building."

Jiang Yulin pointed to Building 2 and told Chen Yuanshan.

Following Jiang Yulin's finger, we looked at the building where she lived.

"Senior, this entire building is surrounded by Yin Qi. Living in such a building, even if you don't encounter evil, it will have a certain impact on your health over time."

Xu Yan pointed at Building 2 and said.

Hearing Xu Yan's explanation to Chen Yuanshan, I carefully looked at Building 2 but didn't see any Yin Qi surrounding it. Everything seemed normal.

"Let's go in."

Chen Yuanshan gestured to us and walked towards the community.

I and Xu Yan followed closely behind Chen Yuanshan, but Jiang Yulin hesitated at the community gate, afraid to enter.

"Follow us."

Chen Yuanshan turned around and saw Jiang Yulin standing still. He beckoned to her.

"Chen Daochang, I... I'm scared."

Jiang Yulin said with a trembling voice.

"With us here, you don't need to be afraid."

Chen Yuanshan smiled and reassured her.

Seeing Chen Yuanshan speaking with confidence, Jiang Yulin nodded, following us toward Building 2.

When we reached the entrance of Building 2, Chen Yuanshan turned to look at me.

"Chen Daochang, do you have anything to do?"

Seeing Chen Daochang looking at me without saying anything, I nervously asked him.

"Close your eyes. I'll help you open your celestial eye."

Chen Yuanshan took out two willow leaves from his pocket and said to me.

Thinking about having opened my celestial eye and being able to see ghosts, I was a bit afraid, but I closed my eyes as Chen Yuanshan instructed.

Chen Yuanshan wiped my eyelids with the two willow leaves, chanting the mantra for the Maoshan Ghost Eye technique.

"You can open your eyes now."

After Chen Yuanshan's words, I opened my eyes and looked at the building. I could see that it was indeed enveloped in a black aura, looking eerie.