Chapter 37: Raising Ghosts and Controlling Souls

Han Cuiyun nodded. "There are others. It turns out they are a gang. Mingwu and his associates had long since investigated my background and targeted me specifically. How could a helpless, lonely woman like me ever escape their clutches?"

"Ah, the old society was just like that. There was no law; might was right."

"Indeed. Law was replaced by silver. If I had a man in my household, things wouldn't have come to this."

"Alright, Sister Han, I have a rough idea of your situation. Let's talk. But let's be clear first: if you want me to walk into my own death, then there is nothing to discuss."

Han Cuiyun was stunned by my words once again. After a moment, she shook her head and said, "Yes, for you and me to go find Wu Er-mazi now would be no different from seeking death."

I nodded. "As long as you understand that. It's not that I don't want to help you, but helping others requires knowing one's limits."

At this point, Han Cuiyun looked at me and said, "You are right. Then, help me with two things."

I stared at her, dumbfounded. "Two more things? Tell me what they are first, and I’ll decide depending on the situation."

"Help me retrieve my Ghost Token, and help me find Wu Zhuang. I need to collect some interest."

My brow furrowed immediately. Han Cuiyun intended to target Wu Zhuang and wanted me to be an accomplice in locating his hideout.

I thought about it; this was something I could manage. If I refused even this, the situation that had just eased would immediately take a turn for the worse.

"Fine, I agree to the matter regarding Wu Zhuang. As for the Ghost Token, we shall continue that discussion later."

I could feel my Ghost Token; it was somewhere within a hundred paces of this house, but I could not stray more than ten paces from this vanity table.

I sighed and said, "Well, since you struck so ruthlessly, my magical energy is completely exhausted. Let's wait until I have recovered my strength before we discuss this further."

Hearing this, Han Cuiyun hesitated for a moment before saying, "It's a deal. I trust you."

I shook my head and walked out of the bedroom.

"Oh, brother, you’ve finally come out! I was worried to death!" Seeing me come downstairs, Li Si rushed over with pleasant surprise. He threw his arms around my shoulders and wouldn't let go. "Brother, do you have any idea how worried I was, waiting for you all this time?"

Li Si began his performance, acting the part of a loyal, brotherly friend.

"Little Fang, thank you! Xiao Lan is better, she is truly better!" Old Wan said, trembling with excitement.

I looked toward Xiao Lan. At that moment, a wisp of black mist flew out from her body and drifted toward the upper floor.

Xiao Lan’s eyes were completely clear now. I could finally confirm that Han Cuiyun had just reclaimed the last bit of leverage she held over Xiao Lan.

"Thank you, Little Brother Fang. My Wan family will surely reward you generously," Xiao Lan said, standing up from the sofa and walking over to me.

Li Si then spoke up loudly: "Old Wan, don't just talk—pay my brother. Let's keep business and friendship separate; that’s the way of the world."

Old Wan stood there stunned, and Xiao Lan added, "Father, Fourth Young Master is right. Business is business; the world of men doesn't rely on sentiment alone."

"Little Si is right. I will transfer the money immediately." Old Wan picked up the phone. "A-Gui, bring me my checkbook."

Only then did I realize that A-Gui was not in the room.

We chatted for a while longer, with Old Wan offering continuous thanks. Xiao Lan, claiming she felt unwell, excused herself to go rest and left the villa.

Two minutes later, A-Gui returned in a hurry with a checkbook.

Old Wan took the pen and wrote out a check for three million, handing it to me. My eyes widened; I had never seen so much money in my life.

Seeing that I didn't take it, Old Wan looked at Li Si. Li Si walked over, glanced at the check, and said, "Old Wan, are you satisfied with how this matter was handled?"

"Satisfied, absolutely satisfied," Old Wan replied immediately.

"Since you’re satisfied, and to ensure everyone is happy, why not make it a 'lucky six' figure? What do you think?"

Old Wan narrowed his eyes, hesitated for a second, and said, "It should be so."

He picked up the checkbook and began writing: 6,666,666. He tore it off and handed it to me. "Brother Fang, are you satisfied now?"

I snapped out of my trance, looked at the check, and nodded. "Sixes all the way, a great omen!"

I reached out and took both checks from Old Wan's hand. His expression changed instantly; he stared at me in shock. I caught a glimpse of surprise in Li Si's eyes as well.

I flicked the two checks and said, "But since Fourth Brother is here, I should only take half. Half for the favor, half for the money." I handed the check for 6,666,666 back to him.

Instantly, Old Wan's eyes widened, and a smile broke out on Li Si's face.

I pocketed the check, feeling warm inside. I thought to myself, *Damn, I should be like Wu Zhuang and pull a few jobs like this. Having money feels so good.*

"Let's go. A perfect conclusion deserves a drink. My treat—let's drink until we're both passed out," Li Si said, laughing as he put his arm around me.

"Fourth Brother, today it's my treat. We won't leave until we're drunk," I said, feeling the check in my pocket.

"Haha, little brother, it really should be your older brother paying today," Old Wan laughed, following us outside.

"Right, it should be Old Wan paying. This is his territory, after all. If he doesn't pay, who will?" Li Si laughed, and I joined in.

In truth, just before Xiao Lan left, I had noticed something in her expressions and movements that suggested there was more to this than met the eye.

Old Wan led us to the Jianghai Hotel. The staff and managers seemed to know him; everyone greeted him as we walked in. When we reached the third floor, my brow furrowed—Wang Qiang and Boss Zhang were there, and they saw me.

Wang Qiang nodded slightly at me. Old Wan saw him too. Old Wan hesitated for a moment, then walked over, and the two began to chat. Li Si and I went straight to our table to order.

When Old Wan returned, he had a smile on his face, looking as if he’d had a pleasant conversation with Wang Qiang.

"Ding-dong." I received a text message: "Restroom." It was from Wang Qiang.

I hesitated, then went.

Wang Qiang was at the urinal. I walked over and was about to speak, but he shook his head slightly. When we moved to the sinks to wash our hands, he whispered, "Did you resolve Old Wan's matter?"

I looked at Wang Qiang with suspicion.

"Xiao Lan's soul-loss," Wang Qiang reminded me.

I was shocked. *He knew about it as soon as it happened? They are monitoring Old Wan!*

I nodded, my heart pounding. Another thought flashed through my mind: *This brat is eyeing my three million!*

"What were the specifics? What did Wu Zhuang actually do to Xiao Lan?" Wang Qiang whispered.

When I realized he wanted to know the details, I hesitated. This was industry inside information; if I gave it all away, it wouldn't be effective anymore. But considering his status and Wu Zhuang's situation, I had another thought: he was gathering evidence against Wu Zhuang.

Thinking of how Wu Zhuang wanted to deal with me, I said, "Raising ghosts to control spirits."