I wish I could be "diligent" like that, just once.

Chen Sheng looked at the little female ghost with a hint of speechlessness. So you’re the infamous specter who seizes and occupies others’ dwellings!

Under the weight of his meaningful gaze, the little ghost became a bit embarrassed. She explained loudly, “Well… it’s not like I just grab places at random! Usually, if it’s just a tiny spot, I won’t bother. Besides, you can’t blame me! They laughed at me, saying my ancestors weren’t diligent enough, that they didn’t leave behind enough territory. Otherwise, I could have inherited like the rest of them!”

Chen Sheng found the words oddly familiar. Hadn’t he heard this somewhere before—more than once, in fact?

“And then?” he pressed, intrigued.

Seeing that Chen Sheng was listening so earnestly, the little ghost happily shared her inner journey: “At first, I just sulked. After all, what they said made some sense. But then they mocked me again, saying if I kept being a slacker, my descendants would have no one but me to blame for not working hard enough.”

“Hmm?” Chen Sheng arched his brow, the sense of déjà vu growing stronger.

“So, I decided to show them how hard I could work!” The little ghost clenched her tiny fist and waved it vigorously. “I took over all their territory!”

Chen Sheng was left momentarily speechless. That’s certainly… one way to interpret ‘working hard.’

“You don’t believe me?” The little ghost’s face immediately fell, looking aggrieved.

“It’s not that,” Chen Sheng replied, feigning solemnity. “I was just wondering—what do they think of you now?” He was deliberately talking nonsense, since the little ghost’s story was so outrageous that a straight-laced approach would surely yield nothing useful.

“Why, they all praise me for my diligence, of course!” The little ghost instantly lifted her chin with pride, as if she were about to put her hands on her hips and laugh triumphantly.

“I think so too,” Chen Sheng added at just the right moment.

“Really?”

“Really. If hard work is all it takes, I’d like to be that hardworking too!” Chen Sheng said with heartfelt sincerity, because he truly meant it.

“Then I’ll teach you!” The little ghost was delighted by his admiration and immediately volunteered herself. She was an expert at conquering territory, after all!

“Should I formally become your disciple?” The thought struck Chen Sheng that he might have stumbled upon the core of this “game scenario.” In every game, players have to learn new skills to get stronger.

This situation seemed to fit perfectly.

“Yes, yes!” the little ghost agreed without hesitation.

“Master, please accept your disciple’s bow.” Without delay, and with not a trace of mockery or disdain, Chen Sheng put on his usual deadpan expression, making him look especially solemn.

The little ghost, seeing his seriousness, was overjoyed as she realized what she had just done. She’d actually convinced a ruthless human, wielder of the Executioner’s Blade, to become her apprentice!

No, that’s not right—she hadn’t tricked him. It was her past deeds that had earned his admiration and made him willingly call her master.

With this thought, she immediately assumed her role. Mimicking a gesture she’d seen on television, she stroked an imaginary beard and declared, “Rise, my disciple!”

Chen Sheng was left at a loss for words. Please, don’t overact your part.

He expected that this “Ghost Master” would simply throw him a skill to comprehend on his own, or perhaps assign him a quest—just like a typical game.

But the little ghost had her own way of doing things. She led Chen Sheng out of the alleyway.

It turned out they’d only been in a narrow alley all this time. Unlike real alleys, this one had no buildings around it. Chen Sheng suspected the designers of this healing game had taken some shortcuts, resulting in these peculiar scene transitions.

Once they stepped out, they found themselves on a street. It was anything but lively; in fact, it was so deserted that not a single soul could be seen—a street verging on abandonment.

But the little ghost gestured grandly and said with pride, “This whole street is mine!”

Without a second thought, Chen Sheng glanced at one side of the street, noticing it seemed to border another road.

Seeing where he was looking, the little ghost’s face stiffened. She said sheepishly, “That part isn’t mine yet. If I want to claim it, I’ll have to work really hard for a long time.”

Chen Sheng nodded in understanding.

Though the explanation was long, the meaning boiled down to just three words: can’t beat them.

So, there was a powerful ghost on the next street over!

“In most games, wouldn’t that be the boss I have to fight soon?” Chen Sheng mused, feeling a surge of determination.

In real life, he’d never dare to work this hard. But in this healing game, he actually wanted to give it a try—for once, to see if success would feel as exhilarating as he imagined.

“Oh right, from now on, half this street is yours,” the little ghost suddenly said, waving her hand generously as if bestowing a mighty gift.

Chen Sheng, who had just been thinking about how to strive for his own success, was left speechless. He hadn’t even had a chance to say, “Auntie, I don’t want to try so hard anymore,” and now he didn’t have to make an effort at all?

Without thinking, Chen Sheng declined.

“Why not?” The little ghost tilted her head in confusion. After all, with territory in the Underworld, many ghosts would flock to you. If she weren’t so hopeless with numbers, she might have accepted more followers, and this street wouldn’t be so deserted. But she was afraid of being cheated, which was why she refused many offers.

“Master, I want to work hard for myself, just like you did!” Chen Sheng said earnestly. How could he miss out on such an enjoyable process?

The little ghost was dumbfounded for a moment: ╰(*°▽°*)╯

No wonder even a powerful Executioner would follow this human so willingly! Look at his… well, not insanity, but his extraordinary sense of purpose. It’s almost a pity he wasn’t born a ghost in the Underworld!

“But if you want to work hard, according to the rules here, I can’t help you,” the little ghost said somewhat guiltily. In truth, there were no such rules in the Underworld; she was just afraid of angering the fierce spirits.

There were indeed some notorious fierce spirits in the Underworld—especially in that most mysterious place, where nearly all the famed ones resided.

She’d once tried to cozy up to them, but the owner of a small wooden hut at the entrance had grabbed her and thrown her out.